Our Kids Will Leave Us and Banana Muffins with Hemp Hearts
Our kids will leave us, but they’ll come home again! Today I’m sharing my thoughts on empty-nest plus these delicious Banana Muffins with Hemp Hearts recipe!
Yesterday morning, my husband and I sat outside in the Adirondack chairs, drinking our favorite Storyville coffee and eating Banana Muffins with Hemp Hearts. These muffins tasted especially good to us, because our daughter, Abby, who’s headed off to college in a few short weeks, made them.
I told Paul, as I pulled out a piece of paper from the book I was reading, how it seemed like yesterday when Abby was cooking in the kitchen with me—my little helper. She’s now transitioned into a beautiful adult who loves more than anything to go camping with her Pa. They’re headed out for a father/daughter trip here, soon.
Paul and I studied this piece of paper. Our sweet Abby, interested in so many aspects of life–always loving her violin, music, photography, creating, art, cooking, baking—and with a love for social justice.
5 observations.
A few things jumped out at me, while viewing this 3rd-grade piece of art.
The apron (so stylish).
The pineapple in the fruit bowl. (A sign of hospitality!)
The pie in the oven (sizzling hot).
I was much thinner back then! (Ha!)
And I was cooking in high heels! (Must have been a dinner party!)
Abby’s also been my little shopper. She loves to go on Trader Joe and Costco runs for me—starting with the grocery list, and bringing it home to put away (and clean out the fridge).
Banana Muffins with Hemp Hearts.
She had just come home from Costco, telling us about a conversation she struck up with another shopper, who encouraged her to make her muffins with hemp hearts. So she came home and made us these delicious Banana Muffins with Hemp Hearts. A keeper recipe for sure.
By the way, what are hemp hearts? Hemp hearts are shelled hemp seeds, a concentrated source of proteins, essential fats and vitamins.
Imagine a moment …
I allow myself to be alone a few more minutes while Paul heads back into the house, savoring the little muffin in my hand with tiny bites, enjoying the last days of summer, and imagining for a moment what it would truly be like to be alone. To not have family to love or laugh with, to enjoy the beauty of today, to celebrate the milestones of our lives, to take in the splendor of each season. The connection we have with each other is so necessary, as it makes us feel alive, loved, and whole. (Our kids in 1997 – 18 years ago!)
Our kids will leave, but they’ll be back.
Our kids will leave, come home, and leave again.
As they move toward independence, there’s a hint of far greater things in store for us all.
I took the piece of paper, folded it in half, and stuck it back into my book.
I think this will be my new bookmark for many years to come …
If you were sitting with a friend enjoying a muffin, what kind would it be?
Get the Recipe:
Banana Muffins with Hemp Hearts
Ingredients
- 4 eggs, use 2 whole eggs and 2 egg whites
- 4 bananas, mashed
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. ginger
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup hemp hearts
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup ground oatmeal
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the eggs, mashed banana and almond milk. Mix together on high speed for about 1 minute.
- Add to the bowl the rest of the ingredients. Stir until mixed (do not over-mix). Place the batter in sprayed muffin tins or in cupcake papers in the muffin tins.
- Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
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Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
banana chocolate chip muffins would be my choice, followed by a blueberry pecan!
Such a mystery how kids grow from little to big…thanks for sharing your beauties. Made me nostalgic about ours… I enjoy your blog so much, Sandy.
Banana all the way. or lemon poppyseed. Love the idea of adding hemp hearts. very clever and healthy!