I have become that person...the one who will do anything and everything to salvage an overripe banana. SO far in quarantine I've conquered banana bread, muffins, and cookies. And, while I've been playing with banana pancakes for a while, I haven't been able to get them just right...until now!

Sure you can just smash up your banana and whip it up with an egg and call it a day. But, frankly, I hate this! It tastes way too banana-like (not that I have anything against bananas) and is just so unsatisfying. Not to mention it falls apart SO EASILY that it's almost impossible to flip in the pan. So I tried finding a way to keep this simple and easy but also delicious and nutritious. They perfectly resemble pancakes and have less of a banana taste while still using an entire banana. The key is in the oats and how you prep them.

When I was first playing with this pancake idea, I started with just letting all the oats soak in the banana & egg mixture to give it a bit more firmness. And it worked, but I still found they were falling apart in my pan and were a little too chewy for my liking. Then it hit me...why not pulse the oats to make them into oat flour. And so, without further ado, here's my new absolute favorite banana oatmeal pancakes. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do! They're now my go-to breakfast!

Social distancing has been tough. Quarantine has been tough. Working from home has been tough. So these are the things I've kind of been living off of during this time. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they're things you can access and get your hands on sooner rather than later.

1. Leggings [90 Degrees by Reflex | Fabletics | Old Navy]

1. Coola - Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops Organic Sunscreen SPF 30
Oh! You thought just because summer was over you could just skip out on the SPF? Think again my friends! Just because you're not laying out working on your toasty tanning doesn't mean that the sun's harmful UV rays aren't around. Unfortunately, for me, I think that the moisturizer I use isn't quite as hydrating as I like for the winter. That's why I'm glad Coola has these Sun Sulk Drops. I can mix them in with my preferred moisturizer and be content knowing my face is still being protected from the sun. Speaking of moisturizer...

2. Drunk Elephant - Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer
Okay, okay...hear me out. Yes! This is a splurge. at $68 a jar, it's one heck of a commitment. But I have truly found it to be worth every single penny I spent on it. The DE Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer feels so rich and luxurious on my skin, but it's not oily at all. If you're not ready to commit to making a purchase that big, just know you can always go into Sephora and ask for a sample of any products. They'll provide any creams/liquids to you in a small clear plastic pot for you to take home.

3. Hand Lotion (variety)
Yes, I'm still on the moisturizer wave. I don't know about you, but my hands get so dry and cracked in the winter months. It's a combination of outdoor winds and indoor water temperatures (lots of hot water when I was my hands about 1,000 times a day). That's why I absolutely have to have have a thick, hydrating, and creamy hand lotion within 2 feet of me at all time. My number one top pick that I carry in my everyday work bag is the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Hand Cream. My eczema gets especially irritated on my hands more than any other spot I have on my body. This is great because it's got oatmeal in it, is steroid free, and is fragrance-free so it won't cause any irritation to the skin if you're prone to being affected by fragrances. I also keep a tube of Bliss Lemon & Sage Hand Cream at work. For me, my eczema isn't affected by fragrances so I don't mind using them on my hands. Plus, this one is so light and refreshing, it's a good little burst of energy at any point of the day. If I'm carrying a smaller crossbody or wristlet kind of bag, I've got one of the Bath & Body Works Hand Creams tossed right in there. They have so many delicious scents, it's hard to pick just one. But my personal favorite is the Eucalyptus Stress Relief one.

4. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask & Lip Glowy Balm
Why is winter so dang aggressive on all the skin? Seriously! My lips feel majorly dry which is why I'm so happy to have gotten this cute little set on a whim because now I can't imagine my life without it.  After an exfoliating little lip scrub, I dab on the lip sleeping mask right before bed. In the morning after my makeup is all done and I just want to keep my lips simple with just a chapstick of some sort, the first one I gravitate towards is the Lip Glowy Balm. Trust me when I say a little bit (of both products) goes a long way with these. What I love most about the lip glowy balm is that it looks like a gloss with a very faint, rosy tint to it but you can feel all the hydration sinking into the lips.

5. Mario Badescu Facial Spray
Ever feel like your face needs a quick little refreshing boost of hydration? Same! I keep one of these babies handy in my tote and pull it out various time throughout the day to give my face a quick spritz. When it comes to these facial sprays, I don't know which one I love more: rose, lavender, or green tea! Hence why I linked a set with all 3 scents. These are perfect little grab and go, retouch and refresh sprays to keep close throughout the day...or night!

I know I'm not the only one who buys a bunch of bananas, forget all about them, and then they start to turn brown to the point where they're just not good on their own. That's when you decide they either need to: (a) go in a smoothie ASAP, (b) be peeled and frozen for later smoothie use, or [my personal favorite] (c) GET BAKED INTO SOME DELICIOUS BANANA BREAD!

I loooove making this simple and delicious banana bread recipe. But I can't take the credit for it. This delightful treat comes from a member of my virtual fit-squad, Jacqui. (go ahead - give her a follow!) These are perfect if you're gluten free or following a paleo diet (just leave out the chocolate chips for paleo.)

I guarantee you're going to fall in love with these just as much as I have once you give them a try.

• 3-4 larger ripe bananas
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup almond butter
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut 
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (omit for paleo) 
• OTHER OPTIONS FOR TOPPINGS/FILLINGS: strawberries, blueberries, nuts, banana chunks...the possibilities are endless!!!

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your muffin tin with paper cupcake cups. (if you're using a silicon mold, lightly oil with coconut oil.) 
2. Smash up your bananas in a large bowl with a fork. (TIP: If you don't have overripe bananas, stick them in the oven for 5-10 minutes until the skins turn brown and they're soft to the touch. Be sure to let them cool before handling)
3. To your smashed bananas, add in the: eggs, coconut oil, almond butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon. Mix well. 
4. Once all your wet ingredients are combined, toss in everything else. This is: coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and half of your chocolate chips. 
5. Split the mixture into the lined muffin tin, filling about halfway. Top with a couple more chocolate chips and a pinch of coconut flakes. 
6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes - until you can stick a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean (being mindful it might come out with some melted chocolate). 
7. Let cool and enjoy as a quick breakfast or an afternoon/evening snack!!