Room for Improvement
There is a paper thin line between striving for one’s best in all that one does and in being such a crazed perfectionist that one sacrifices every basic need (sleep, food, hygiene, reality TV) to get everything JUST RIGHT.
No sleep, blackberry oat bars, baby wipe swipes or episodes of Project Runway have been lost on perfecting the playroom.
There is beauty in chaos. The true beauty of the playroom is that really it is a coat/storage closet, meaning that when it comes time to “clean up” the inevitable My Little Ponies, tutus and Band Aids at the end of the day, I can open the door, toss it all in and shut it.
What’s that you say? You don’t keep Band Aids? I didn’t know we did either.
Waste not, want not. After dragging out every last toy, I realized there were a few other “want nots.”
I’m not sure if these are Mardi Gras beads or a Vegas souvenir (we’ve been to neither), but who dares me to wear them to our dinner party on Sunday? Or at least to go up to Pea Daddy with them on and say, “Are you feeling lucky?”
Another hidden playroom gem, stripper shoes for tots.
Where did these things come from?! Maybe it isn’t a playroom, maybe an exotic dancer really lives in the closet underneath our stairs like Harry Potter. Only her name isn’t Harry Potter, but probably sounds a lot like it. I’ll leave it at that. Sorry, Mom.
Who didn’t see this coming, as I sorted through the rubble?
Three hours later, I emerged, covered in tassles, beads and glitter. The room was much improved.
Fortunately, I had had a great breakfast to fuel my chores. I’ve made Vegan Protein Pancakes before, but there was definitely room for improvement.
Much improved.
Vegan Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes
Serves 1
- 1/3 c. old-fashioned oats
- 1 T. flax seed (measure prior to grinding) + 3 T. water
- 45 g rice protein powder (equivalent to 1 1/2 scoops)
- 1/2 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 1 stevia packet (or equivalent sweetener of your choice)
- 1/4 c. non-dairy milk (+/- 2T.)
- 1/4 t. vanilla extract
- 2 T. chopped apple
- extra cinnamon
- maple syrup of your choice for topping
Grind flax seed in a coffee grinder or spice mill, add water and set aside until mixture has thickened to an egg white-like consistency.
In a blender or food processor (a Magic Bullet or small processor works best), grind oats into a very fine powder. Add protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, stevia, milk, vanilla and flax “egg” and process until smooth.
Add more milk if necessary to get batter to the desired thickness.
Spray a skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. When skillet is hot, pour batter in into two pancakes.
Top each pancake with a spoonful of chopped apple and an extra dash or two of cinnamon.
Cook for several minutes, until edges are starting to brown and center of pancake is starting to set. Flip pancakes and cook on opposite side until cooked through.
Serve with desired toppings.
I was happy to stick a fork in this recipe. It’s done.
In that same vein, I’m giving my manuscript one last read through tonight before submitting my first finished draft to my editor. It’s been done for a few weeks, but I’ve hesitated to read it between now and when it is officially due for fear of making myself insane. Remember I said there was a fine line thin between striving for one’s best in all that one does and in being a crazed perfectionist. I toe the line.
But at least I don’t live under the stairs and dance for money. Not yet anyway.
Whoohooo first draft!!!!! (nice job on the playroom too!)
Congratulations on turning in the manuscript. I cannot wait to buy the book, I am sure that it will be amazing.
Love that you found so much in your play room today, I am sure it should just prepare you for the fun things that you will have to buy when your little girls get into there teen years!!
haha what an awesome ‘play room ‘ and Lulu in that costume is just too adorable
Can I live under the stairs?? I’ll get a legitimate job, I swear. I’ll also babysit. I might steal the skunk outfit though, that’s pretty sweet.
Congrats on the first draft and those pancakes look perfect!! I’ve been meaning to try cooking with my protein powder. I’ve just been throwing it into smoothies, but I need to be more fun!
I blame you for me dropping a G-Note++ today!!!!!!!!!
After seeing the Ikea/girls room overhaul post, I knew i just had to get on board w/ Skylar’s room. I went to Ikea today to seriously, I swear, “just look”. Once I realized that I HATE big box stores and never want to go back, I just decided to pick out the furniture right then and there. Bedframe, mattress & box spring, armoir, and toy & book organizer system. All on the fly with Skylar, no Scott, 5pm hungry tired crabby, setting up delivery and assembly was a total PITA..one thing has to be special ordered but come Monday or so of next week, she will have a new room. For the money, I could not have done any better and it’s clean, white, will last many years type of stuff. The whole time, I thought of you. I didnt expect to do it today, I hadnt even really “researched” it at all. Just did it. Anyway posting about it tomorrow
Your pancakes look awesome…and no wheat/pastry flour, thank you! and of course vegan!
Btw, did you guys deliver & assemble your own Ikea stuff? There is NO possible way that would/could ever happen in the his un-handyman kind of household. LOL
I am in awe of your pancake flipping skills. It takes me at least 2 pancakes to get the pan temperature right, and my flip down. So a recipe that only makes two would probably turn into a pancake mess in my hands. Thumbs up!
I’m sure turning in the manuscript felt good. Things are happening! Oh, and if you could have your book released on August 12th, that would make the best birthday present! I’m just saying…
If you need a proofreader….hint hint
Oooh good luck! I am sure it’s fab!
I have so much trouble with M’s playroom. Most days I feel like you and that it doesn’t need to be bothered with. Also, love the “feeling lucky” idea. I’m sure his face would be priceless.
congrats on turning in the Ms!!! it must feel great.
the pancakes look wonderful. Question- can flax meal and flax seed be substituted for one another in baking?
I love organizing and throwing away stuff. Since I’ve been preparing for my baby I’ve throw away loads and loads of stuff I’ve meant to throw away for years. Feels SO good.
Congratulations on completing the manuscript. I am really looking forward to its release.
Oh my gosh, I love all those outfits – so fun!
Pancakes really do solve every problem! Glad you got everything together and cleaned up. It is an ever growing battle here. Legos have taken over my world!
I guess you guys DID like marmaduke! you guys already have the poster! hahaha. Anyways, that is the most adorable playroom!! I would have turned that room into the “naughty” room ala Super Nanny ( not Heidi Fleiss). BTW good luck with the manuscript I’m sure you won’t have that many edits!
What a cute little room! It could be worse, they could be playing with Bratz dolls (dollz?).
Seeing all that stuff makes me wan to play dress-up and regret tossing my stripper shoes for kids!
A playroom isn’t a play room without toddler stripper shoes. Pat yourself on the back for only having one pair, I think at last count, we were at 6. Appparently,there is a stripper sorority in our playroom!
Your pancakes look great!! Now I know what I’m having for breakfast!!
That is seriously the most ingenious use of space I’ve ever seen! A closet/storage space AND a play room?!?!?!?! Seriously.awesome. Also – I love that Gigi is rocking the Madonna Like a Virgin look, with her own special princess twist – too cute!
A Lulu in the panda suit? OMG! 
Love it!
I have a little seven year old sister (we are thirteen years apart) and she also has/had a play closet like this. We had to clean it out often, and we never knew what we would find in there. Food, rocks, all of my mothers stamps stuck on pieces of paper, were just a few things that made the list!
great combo for the pancakes
Used bandaids and a stripper under the stair! LOL!!!! I love this blog!!
those shoes are what did it for me…how can kids wear those!? it’s hard enough for me to shove these size 10s into anything reasonable looking!
Wow, that room looks great! my family and I have a room like that except its filled to the max with old costumes and baby stuff. I am the youngest and a junior in college to give you an idea of how sad that is! haha.
Laughed out loud at the leftover bandaids. Awesome! That’s an adorable playroom your little ladies have there.
That’d be my ideal playroom. Why bother to clean when you can shut the mess away? Out of sight, out of mind…Plus as a little girl, it’d be a fantastic little hidaway hole where I’d probably pretend I was some sort of princess/Harry Potter character.
I love trying out new pancake recipes so I’ll be giving this one a whirl sometime soon, thanks!
Seriously, that closet is great! How perfect for two little girls!
I was a disaster with my last attempt at protein pancakes…couldn’t get them to come together. I will give these a try for sure!
YAYYYY I can’t wait till u send it in!
Koodos for finding the time to write a book! Your superwoman.
WOW that is the cutest wallpaper/paint design in a closet/playroom/storage room I have ever seen. I can definitely also say i can get a bit OCD when it comes to cleaning/organizing my apt.
My little sister has those same heels! So funny. And Lulu looks so adorable in that skunk costume.
The play room is adorable! We wonder what your pony collection consists of – we have a minor addiction.
ahhhhhhh turning in your manuscript!!! that has got to be the best, scariest and most exhilirating feeling ever! congrats mama!
Your pancakes look great–bookmarked it for future reference.The walls in the playroom look so cute!
Two huge projects accomplished…the playroom and the manuscript!
Haha, I’ll be honest–I had some very similar things in my possession as a child, except my stripper shoes were red and glittery:)
You are a pancake goddess!
I take such comfort from knowing that there is someone out there living my parallel life. This is what keeps me from curling up into the fetal position and sucking my thumb at any given moment.
Is 9 at night too late to make pancakes??? haha I am totally craving them now!
The playroom looks fabulous! And good luck on your manuscript! I cannot wait until I can purchase your cookbook…it is totally going to be a staple in my kitchen some day
Hahahaha! “Stripper shoes for tots”…I have a pair of those too…but they’re not as pretty as yours
I have been doing what I like to call “taking my house back”. From my 3 kids, who are ALL pack rats. I have one bedroom left, and then I need to tackle OUR toy room. I’m sure I’ll find lots of “hidden gems” as well, LOL
“Not yet anyway.”
Best. Line. Ever.
I think I’ve been teetering on the line of insanity myself lately. And I have yet to own stripper shoes OR children. Someday…someday.
How many more weeks until Disney? Are the little princesses getting excited? I hope I get to see you!
XO,
Erin
The tone of your writing cracks me up! I love it!
Just found your blog and I love it! SO glad I found this!
Thanks Morgan! Welcome!
OF COURSE your baby tots have a beautiful little space for tea, dressup and dreaming… take comfort in the fact that most of my friends with small daughters close in age have related their house to a quick-change costume factory.
One particular gem was: “I am living in a Broadway show with a Disneyworld theme.” – my friend-more-like-a-sister of 20 years, Janna, as her two tiny redheadeds bounded past singing “My Humps” by the Blackeyed Peas, dressed as Belle and Jasmine, respectively. : )
Those pancakes look amazing… my husband, who is voracious from all his working out lately, is looking for more protein and loooooves pancakes. Thanks MP!!!!