Bonafide soccer mom...

Growing up, I didn't dream of becoming a "soccer mom". I always knew I wanted kids but I thought that I'd settle down after my big career in fashion design or acting. Well I never became an actress or fashion designer, although I do have a love affair with fashion and can be over dramatic at times. I am now a mother to two incredible children and couldn't ask for a better man than my husband. I wouldn't trade it for all the glamour in the world.

A few months ago, I literally became a soccer mom. My son started taking soccer classes at a local park on Sundays. The coaches are amazing and the fellow parents make it a joy to be there every weekend. I was motivated this morning and baked banana muffins for everyone to snack on during class. The recipe is the same as the banana bread but muffins are easier to distribute and eat on the go. Just enough fuel to keep those mini-Beckhams moving. Next on the list...a minivan.

Banana Muffins

6 tbsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 eggs (large or extra-large), beaten
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 LARGE, very ripe bananas; mashed
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups of flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1 cup milk chocolate chips (Ghirardelli's are delicious) or toasted chopped walnuts or both!

Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle and upper-middle positions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your muffin pans with paper liners.

Melt the butter in a large glass mixing bowl. Microwave works great. Set aside to cool. In the meantime, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in a separate mixing bowl. Set aside

Add the mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs and vanilla to the melted butter bowl. Mix well. Next add the dry ingredients and chocolate chips to the bowl and fold until just combined. Don't over mix. Scoop the mixture into the muffin tins. Today my batter made 16 muffins.

Bake for about 35 minutes. Quickly switch the muffin pans onto the other rack halfway through (18 minutes) to ensure even cooking. Do not keep the oven door open for longer then a couple seconds when doing so or you will lose a lot of the heat and they may not cook properly. If you poke one with a toothpick and it comes out clean then they're done. If not then bake for a few more minutes.

Let cool for 5 minutes. Remove from the pans and place on a cooling rack.

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