Just because today is a perfect day.  A 5 1/2 mile Sunday early morning walk with my dog.

Just because I love my husband.  At Bob and Nancy’s home for a gathering of friends.

Thanks for the beautiful scarf, Nancy….

Just because we have wonderful friends.  Everyone trying to get their photo taken by Party Shot.

I brought my new Automatic Photographer that is used with my new Sony camera to the party last night.  It amused us all.  What a terrific gadget.  You need to place it on a level surface in a well lit room and away it goes.  It detects smiles.   Although….some of these photos, you gotta wonder where the heck it saw a smile.  Like this one…

Okay – so it knows I like photographs of food. Did I mention it’s psychic as well?   Here are some more photos by Party-Shot

It was fun.  Now I know a bit more about it, the Party Shot will be invited to all our gatherings.  Did I just hear a huge “ OH NO!” from all our friends?!

Just because I love the way the kitchen smells when something delicious cooks.

Those are my “just because” reasons for this morning’s “Strawberry Banana Protein Soufflé”.  This is a festive brunch entree or even dessert.  It’s fruity and satisfying and it contains good protein.   Serves 8

• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 3 TBS sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 scoops protein powder
• 2 large eggs (or Egg Beaters)
• 1 1/2 cups non fat milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 TBS canola oil
• 3 cups sliced strawberries * I used frozen since I had some from picking last June and yes, they kept quite well in the freezer.
• 1 large banana, sliced
• 2 TBS brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 425 F.  Combine the flour, sugar, salt, protein powder and cinnamon in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and add the eggs, milk, vanilla.  Use a whisk to combine.

Put the 1 1/2 TBS oil in a 13 x 9 pan and put it in the oven for about 3 minutes.  Remove and carefully add the fruit – it will spatter so be careful.  Mix the fruit around in the oil.  Put back into the oven for 5 minutes.  Remove and pour the egg mixture on top. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and place back into the oven for 30 –35 minutes.

Approximate Nutrition for 1 out of 8 servings *May vary depending on the type of protein powder used.  I used 100 calories per scoop with 24 g whey protein:  206 calories  4 g Fat 32 g carbohydrates, 2 g Fiber, 12 g protein.  100 mg Calcium.

The lucky winner of the “Clean Food” by Terry Walters is….(drum roll please)…DAWN HUTCHINS of  Florida Coast Cooking! Yay Dawn!  Random Number Generator made the pick.

Terry left a comment.  See yesterdays post to see what she said.

Monday begins another week of my 18 week program.  Intended goals will be posted tomorrow.

Have you planned your workout week yet?