You guys, I am in a funk.
You know one of those funks when you could nap all day and just want that leftover 7-layer dip in the fridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? When dinnertime rolls around and you look blankly at the hungry little faces nearby and go grab them a bowl of cheerios and a muffin to tide them over while you go stick your upper body in the freezer and your lower body in the pantry and hope for the best?
Yes, one of those.
I’m pretty sure it’s because I went and made myself all accountable-like my announcing my to-do list and the end to my procrastination, and you went and made me all internet-accountable and I have been crossing things off that list like nobody’s business.
Dismantle and clean fridge, knock buttermilk over 2 days later and do it again? Check.
Clear piles of miscellaneous stuff from top of fireplace? Check.
Return full kitchen counter space to usefulness as opposed to only 25%? Check.
I love the results, don’t get me wrong – but now I don’t want to cook or let my kids draw or do anything that might result in me shedding more skin cells than absolutely necessary, so I really don’t think it’s worth it. Plus it makes me sleepy.
When you’re in a funk such as this, the only thing you can make is this fruit leather – 2 ingredients, 5 minutes, DONE.
Aaaand….cue naptime(s).
For the record, I don’t like fruit leather. I never have, and probably never will. I don’t snack on dried fruit unless it’s in a baked good like these scones, and fruit leather definitely tastes like dried fruit. Blech.
Having said that, if you like fruit leather, it really doesn’t get any easier or healthier than this! This is an all-fruit fruit roll-up my kids could eat all day, and it’s a great way to use up slightly over-ripe fruit, which will give it the richest flavour. The edges definitely cooked faster than the center on mine, which probably means I didn’t spread it evenly enough, but they are like crisp dried fruit chips, so still totally edible if dried fruit is up your alley! Otherwise I’d recommend leaving the center a little stickier and removing the tray from the oven when the edges are done at least 1″ in from the side, and let it sit on the counter for an additional hour to dry further before slicing it. A pizza cutter worked perfectly for slicing!
If you’d like it thicker and chewier, spread the puréed fruit on a smaller cookie sheet and let it bake for longer to fully dry.
I laid the parchment paper on top while slicing it to get pieces to roll it in to prevent any parts from sticking together, but next time I think I would put the parchment paper underneath as I’ve seen in other similar recipes. Either way, I may not have loved eating them but they’re pretty dang cute. Next time I want to try this more extensive recipe from Canadian Living since I always get great results with their recipes, but for my current funk, 50 minutes and a bunch of sugar were not in the realm of likelihood, and these quickies from the lovely Kiersten at Oh My Veggies could not have been more perfect, and she has some really beautiful pictures of the process if you’re interested!
In an attempt to be proactive and end this funk, along with ending my pumpkin kick, I made a meal plan yesterday for two whole weeks. And I even included snacks and breakfasts I wanted to make. There can be no excuses now! Just excuses for why not to clean :)
What do you do when you get into a meal funk? A decorating funk? A craft funk? When you figure your family would be just as happy with alternating pasta and chicken and potatoes for the rest of their days, with the occasional eggs? What keeps you motivated and inspired? I found this on Pinterest that helped me…
Source: simpleblueprint.typepad.com via Anna on Pinterest
For me a big thing is remembering that as long as I enjoy it, I shouldn’t worry too much about what others are thinking or doing. My family might have been just as happy with chicken and potatoes, but they certainly didn’t complain about homemade pizza. Sometimes we have to do things just because we can.
Here’s to less funky days and more recipes packed with fresh fruit :)
- 1 lb fresh strawberries (approx. 3 cups, washed, tops removed)
- 1 (pretty ripe) banana
- 3-4 Tbsp sugar or honey (optional - I didn't use any sweetener, but if you prefer them less tart add as much or as little sweetness as you like)
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees.
- Puree berries and banana in blender or food processor until very smooth. Taste and add sweetener if desired and blend for a few more seconds.
- Spread on a large, lightly greased non-stick baking sheet or jelly roll pan, spreading as evenly as possible with a spatula.
- Bake for 2-3 hours, until no longer tacky when touched with the back of a spoon. Let cool before slicing into strips.
Check you out, girl! I always have to laugh at myself when I am making something I know I am not going to love and yet, my family goes nuts for it!
I care about the beautiful things you make and can this fruit leather really be as easy as you say it is?? Wow! I have always wanted to try something like this but was afraid I would end up with a sticky mess! I think you have given me the confidence to try now, so thank you!
I definitely know those kinds of funks!! This recipe is awesome, I need to try it ASAP!
Awesome! I need to make this for a quick snack!! I hope you get out of that funk soon!
These looks great although I never have (or really desired to) eaten fruit leather. As for funks, your father knows when I am in one when I feed him meatloaf…it is the only time I make it.:P
Haha, even meatloaf sounds ambitious to me :) Carl notices when we just have cauliflower and cheese sauce with a side of bread for supper – mmmmm :)
I relate the funk to pregnancy… had it for the first 3 months, for the next few months felt so accomplished, and now am afraid I am falling back into it this week- might also be due to hosting 3 things at my house this week, and only 6 weeks to go! :) Btw, I made the scones you referenced in this post this morning, after having them at a bday party on Monday: I had commented to Arenda that they were the best scones I had ever had, and she said that’s what they were called :)- my first time ever making scones, and absolutely loved them! Thanks :)
I’m glad I’m not the only one – even though my energy is mostly back it’s hard to get back into the swing of things :) Glad you liked the scones!
Thanks for the mention! And yes, the sugar + simmering method might be a little more traditional, but I so don’t have the patience for it. Or the desire to eat that much sugar. ;)
Oh, and I love your photos!
Ooooh – love fruit leathers. And LOVE that these only require two ingredients!!! They look delish!
Soo going to try this!!
Love that you can make your own fruit leather with fresh fruit!
Your fruit leather looks fantastic! I would love to make it, not to eat it, but to say I made it! :) I understand funks! I seem to get into them perodically, especially when it comes to cooking. I look at the dishes in the sink, stare at the fridge, stare at my Husband, than back in the fridge, and I jsut sit down and sigh. Those are the nights where I just eat yogurt!! At least you made a pizza and fruit roll-ups! :)
Haha, the pizza was to fight out of the funk…we’ve definitely been eating thrown-together meals and yogurt a lot the last couple weeks :)
I had no idea that fruit leather was actually make-able at home! You would totally put Fruit Roll-Ups out of business.
A lot of recipes call for a dehydrator to make it so I thought it would be un-doable for me too – I couldn’t believe how easy it is!
whoa, who knew that homemade fruit leather was so easy to make?! i’m so intrigued – must try this soon. cheers to less funktastic days + more awesome ones! =)
Thanks Amy :)