Orange Spiced Cider Mix

I love this stuff!! I am not much of a hot drink kind of person but I really do love this! When we lived in Chicagoland I was given a similar recipe that was called Russian Tea. I think the one difference is that the recipe I had for Russian Tea had lemonade in it too. Both recipes are GREAT!! And it smells SO good!! :)


You will need:
1 c. white sugar
1 c. Tang
1/2 c. instant tea (I use unsweetened)
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ground cloves

Combine all of the ingredients and store in a sealed container.

To drink, mix 2-3 tablespoons into a mug of hot water.


**This makes a great gift! Pour the mix in a plastic bag, tie with a cute ribbon and stuff into a coffee mug.

Banana Bread

So what do you do with your rotting...I mean, very ripe bananas??

My kids' favorite...Banana Bread!



When I worked at the bank several years ago, my co-workers and I used to order from LTD all of the time). One of my purchases was a Mrs. Field's Cookie Book, 100 Recipes from the Kitchen of Mrs. Fields. What a great purchase that was!! :) I love it and it has gotten MUCH use! Her banana bread recipe is our favorite from the book.

You will need:
2 1/2 c. flour (I used 1/2 regular flour and 1/2 whole wheat)
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened (I use margarine)
1 1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
3 c. ripe bananas, mashed (I do not mash...I just throw them in whole and they get mashed w/ my mixer...it is about 7 medium sized bananas)
1 t. vanilla
1 c. walnuts (optional) OR a fun addition is miniature chocolate chips!!

*I've also been playing around with flaxseed...I added 2 tablespoons to this recipe.


Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray.

I sprinkle the bottoms of the pans with cinnamon & sugar...this is my own addition...and sometimes the top after the batter is poured in.

Combine flour, soda and salt. Mix together with whisk; set aside.
I always skip this step in baking anything...who wants to dirty another bowl...not me!!

In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar with electric mixer. Add eggs, bananas (mashed or not) and vanilla; beat at medium speed until thick.

Add in flour mixture (or just add in flour, soda and salt if you did not combine earlier) and nuts; blend at low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.

Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for 60-70 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean.

Cool and remove from pan.

ENJOY!! :)