Back to school, routine and BROWNIES!!!

Hey Everyone!

Well for all our Canadian kids today is "Back to School" day!!!

While I know many of us look at this time of year with the relief of not having to combat summer boredom, I love this time of year for many reasons!
Yes! Not having to deal with the "what are we doing today" or "I'm bored" is definitely a plus BUT I really love the routine that comes with going back to school.

While I don't have a "routine" 9-5 job, having even a basic set routine for my household makes so many things more manageable!!! I'm not talking about a full timeline of the days events broken down by the quarter hour... though that does work for many! (bless them for being that organized!!!) Lol
I can do a school drop off, hit the gym, come home to clean up and work etc. etc.
Just a simple routine can feel like a weight has been lifted (at least for me).

So this is my monkey on her first day of grade 7!!! Yikes!!!

I also find that September is like a new beginning, the same kind of feeling many get at New Years. 

Goal setting and organizing feels natural to me this time of year, maybe it has something to do with Christmas coming "soon" OH NOOOOOO... I said CHRISTMAS!!! In September!!! lol I LOVE Christmas!!! And since it's my blog... hahaha ;)

Anyhoo.......

So with all this talk of routine and such comes the dreaded... packing of lunches!!! Aaahhhhhhh!!! lol

I know I've talked about the Clean Eating cookbook brownies before, they are a great alternative to prepackaged baked stuff. (Coach Compton and I even did a video on them! see the link below)

But for those just hearing about them or wanting the recipe to copy and paste... here it is!

Clean Black Bean Brownies (Single batch)

• olive oil cooking spray

• 1oz dark baking chocolate (pref. organic)

• 1 1/2 cups soft cooked black beans (I use canned, rinsed very well)

• 2 eggs + 1 white 

• 2tbsp olive oil

• 1/4 heaped cup cocoa powder

• 1tsp. baking powder

• 1tsp. pure vanilla

• 1/4cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1/2cup honey

• chopped walnuts (optional but I don't add them ever due to nut allergies in school)

Preheat oven to 350*F and spray a 8x8 pan with olive oil spray

Melt baking chocolate in a saucepan or in microwave on low.

Layer the remaining ingredients in a large blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Add melted chocolate and blend. Stir in walnuts by hand, if using.

Pour into baking pan and bake for 30min.

Let cool completely before cutting! Makes approx 9

Thats it!!! Super simple! :)

And if you want to see the video...

Until next time...

Back to school and brownie hugs... Crystal :) xo