Under the Sea....

Who knew Long Island housed an aquarium? I for one, only found out within the passed year and am thrilled I finally got to visit..

Early this month my mama drove on up from Ohio for the weekend! Needless to say....it was a ::doozie::

Though I am absolutely delayed in posting- I figured I would share my recommendation with everyone else and give you all a glimpse of what I encountered on my visit!

That being said- here is a small collage of our visit to ATLANTIS - the Long Island, [ RIVERHEAD, NY] Aquarium!

You can dive with the sharks (too scary for me), pet sting rays and sand sharks, play with sea lions and hold starfish....All of the above- I was too squeamish to do on my own! I held a starfish but only after the staff member placed it in my hand! Yet the 5 year olds down the line from me were ready to dive -right- in... If only I was still that brave! hahaha!

I fully intend to contact this organization about volunteering! They have an entire segment of their building dedicated to the rehabilitation of these rescued animals and can use all of the help and donations people can provide.

They have training programs, butterfly exhibits, shark and sting ray pods where baby sharks and stingrays grow in their little birth pouches and even birds!

If you're interested in planning a little adventure- I highly recommend it! Check out their website here: Atlantis! 

When is Shark Week?

Learn more about Atlantis Rescue Center

Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation


The weekend of my adventure also brought a trip to the very tip of the northern shore of long island. I literally took an iPhone screen shot to document how far we had driven! Plus, we found close to 100 winery/farms on Sound Avenue! Summer & grape season cannot come soon enough!

Love Wine?? Live on/ Near/ Planning Visit to Long Island???
Check out LI Wine Country.....Here!

Dreaming of strawberry wine....

Tmd

B.a.N.A.n.A's... Pancake Style!

Once again I find myself posting a banana themed recipe. I honestly believe I am obsessed with this fruit and have come to accept it!

This weekend, while cleaning my apartment and watching endless Food Network shows- Diners, Drive-ins and Dives to be specific- I got a bit hungry.
Into my kitchen I went and decided that since I never opt to get the banana themed pancakes at any of the IHOP, Pancake Houses or diners- I would try it out on my own and be a bit more specific with my recipe.

Using a complete pancake mix [just add water type] some cinnamon, a whole banana and a splash of Aunt Jemima Butter LIGHT syrup, I discovered my new breakfast FAVORITE!

Start with getting all of your ingredients together....What you will need:
1 Large Banana
1/3 cup of Complete Pancake/ Waffle Mix
1 Small- Medium Mixing Bowl
1 Tsp Cinnamon (ground - NOT sticks )
1/4 cup of water (I use luke warm temp.)
Smart Balance (or any type) Cooking Spray
1 Tsp of Aunt Jemima Butter Light Syrup (100 Cals per 1/4 cup)
and your best cooking pan=]

- Combine 1/3 cup of Complete Pancake mix into your mixing bowl with 1 Teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Add 1/4 of water to your dry ingredients and mix until lumps are nearly gone. The additional moisture from the bananas will alleviate the need for any extra liquid.
- Cut your banana into 1/2 inch pieces and add to your pancake mixture:

- Once your bananas are mixed into your pancake mix, the mixture will appear relatively thick- this is fine:)
- Heat up your pan on low- low/medium heat.
- Spray pan with cooking spray and dollup three - four pancakes into the pan. For the 1/3 cup of dry mix and water combo, you should be able to make three 4 inch pancakes.
- Cook until golden brown on each side.

- Once golden, remove and place on plates.

Now I LOVE syrup and being on weight watchers, I found this Butter Lite syrup by the Aunt Jemima brand that I whole heartedly love. Not only is it only 100 calories for 1/4 cup (which for me is WAY too much syrup for two pancakes), but it doesn't lack in that gooey - sweet- syrupy flavor!

Because the bananas are so warm and creamy in my - now cooked- pancakes, I chose to only use a teaspoon of the Butter Lite syrup. You can use the 1/4 cup or anywhere up to that measurement and stay under your 100 calorie mark!

My boyfriend loved them and he is one of the pickiest eaters I know.... So long as the person doesn't have anything against banana's and LOVES pancakes.....You should 100% try this recipe at home. Next time I think I will make my own Strawberry compote..... That would be amazing in place of the syrup =]

Good luck folks! Enjoy them as much as I did/do!!=]
#foodiesunite
TMD

..Earth.Day-The Tiffany Way.

So today is EARTH DaY*......

What is everyone else doing to help our planet today?? Turning everything off for atleast a full hour I hope??

Wearing recycled materials, recycling when you normally wouldn't, saving energy by not blow-drying and flat ironing your hair???


I shut down all of the power in my apartment so that nothing is plugged in and running on electricity, left my hair curly and used a little less gasoline..NO POLLUTION for me!... Then again, I guess every-day at my house is earth day, because this is a daily routine!I drive my Orange Prius C everyday (not for the sole purpose of saving the environment, but definitely 100% for the purpose of saving what little I have in my wallet!) I love my 50-60MPG car.. Saves my life sometimes...ha!


Okay, so anyways- in addition to commenting on how every-day should be environmentally friendly, I opted to get a little earthy with my nail polish. ::That's the spirit!::

I brought out my slate gray and lime green polish duo and here are the results::

Two Coats of my OPI 'French Quarter for Your Thoughts' [Gray] and a simple touch of my Sinful Colors 'Me First'[Lime Green], made for my perfect, cutem, earthy mani!

My favorite OWL Ring*Absolutely love!

I never thought I would love a gray nail polish, but OPI won me over with this one. I think if the gray were matte finish, I wouldn't love it as much... I would feel like I had gray[white]-out on my nails...

In addition, I found this cool article with 5 Fun Facts about EARTH DAY...Check it out @ FoxNews!  Here is one fact I found interesting.....

"There are actually two Earth Days — the April 22 holiday and the one celebrated on March 20, the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumnal equinox in southern latitudes. To this day, at the exact moment of the equinox, when the sun crosses the plane of the equator and day and night are equal length, the Japanese Peace Bell is rung at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, followed by two minutes of silent prayer or meditation. The Equinox was chosen as a symbol of harmony in nature and an appropriate time to dedicate efforts to peace and care of the Earth."

Now if only we could have a world filled with harmony, we would be golden! "To Achieve a Great Goal....One must begin with a small achievement"....


TmD*