Good morning! 
I am soooooo happy that it’s Friday because I am on vacation!! But not just any old vacation– a true no-blogging vacation, something I haven’t done in nearly three years.
I’m not going to lie, blogging is the hardest job I’ve ever had. I work ALL of the time– WAY more than any of my previous jobs. When you document what you eat and what happens in your life everyday, it never stops. Somehow, I manage to spend 60+ hours each week working on blog-related projects. I mean, I write 20+ posts per week for Carrots ‘N’ Cake and another five for Trading Up Downtown as well as weekly piece for Health.com and answer up to 100 emails/comments/questions each day. I’ve also been writing and editing my book along with training for a marathon and everything else that goes along with life. Basically, I need a vacation!!
I hope this doesn’t come off as complaining because it’s not the case at all. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Blogging IS my dream job. I wake up every morning feeling very fortunate and there’s never a day that I dread the work. I love having the flexible schedule and sharing my passion for healthy living (and pugs) with the blog world. Carrots ‘N’ Cake is my passion and I’m lucky that a little ol’ hobby turned into a career that I love so much. (I just need a vacation! 
)
So, Mal and I are headed to Vermont for the weekend and I’m not bringing my computer to blog. I cannot wait!! My plan is to relax, unwind, and recharge. But, of course, I plan to take some photos and recap the weekend when I get back.
In the meantime, a number of wonderful bloggers have offered to guest post on Carrots ‘N’ Cake while I am away. Be sure to check back for their posts. The topics cover a variety of subjects!
Breakfast
Mmm! Delicious breakfast this morning! This recipe is a keeper! 
Baked Banana Souffle
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of Nature’s Pride Honey Wheat bread, buttered lightly
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 4 eggs
- 1.5 cups of vanilla soy milk
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
Directions:
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat together with sugar, vanilla, soy milk, and cinnamon.
- Spray a 8×8 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and arrange the buttered bread in the dish. Layer four slices of bread on the bottom then top with sliced banana, half of the walnuts, and half of the raisins. Repeat this process for the second layer with the other four slices of bread and remaining walnuts and raisins.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread, cover, and refrigerate over night.
- The next day, preheat the oven to 350*F degrees. Take the baking dish out of the fridge and uncover. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until browned and puffy.
- Serve with your favorite toppings, like maple syrup and powdered confectioners sugar.
Oh my goodness. This dish made our apartment smell so incredibly amazing! I wanted to dive right in as soon as it finished cooking! The Baked Banana Souffle tasted even more wonderful with maple syrup on top.
Bake Sale Preview
Here’s another little preview of some of the goodies available at the Blog Bake Sale next Tuesday!
I’m off to yoga and then I’m getting a haircut and then to Vermont! See ya on Sunday night! Enjoy the weekend!!
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Good for you for taking some much needed time off. We all need to relax and unplug! In fact, I just implemented and unplugged after dinner and on Sundays rule and so far it has been pretty awesome!
Enjoy your weekend!
Take that time off girl! I basically had a breakdown last night from being overwhelmed with blogging and my job so I can totally relate. Enjoy it!
It’s always necessary for a recharge–you SO deserve it! Enjoy your vaca, and don’t worry, we will still all be here reading when you return
Good for you taking a break, well deserved! Taking care of yourself sometimes is needed and relaxing for the weekend with give you that extra energy!
Sounds like the vacation is much-needed and much-deserved. Enjoy it – we’ll all be ok without you for a few days
Good for you, enjoy it!!!
Enjoy!!!!
wow that banana souffle looks to good to eat.
Congrats on finally giving yourself a weekend free of technology. I would go crazy if I was constantly connected to the world. You deserve it! Have fun! Enjoy yourself
Enjoy yourself! I hope you guys have a very relaxing and restorative weekend away!
Excellent! Have fun in Vermont, it’s beautiful there!
Good for you Tina, you deserve a vacation! You work so hard and we’re all so thankful that you share your life with us. But it’s time you took some “me” time, enjoy your vacation.
Your breakfast looks AMAZING! I really wish I wasn’t allergic to bananas.
Have a great time on your vacation! You deserve it! I just recently started my own blog and while I spend no where near the amount of time you working on the blog, I can understand how it could take up so much time.
Sometimes it is important to take a break from any job–that includes blogging. So enjoy your weekend and give a recap if you feel so inclined.
I’m so glad to hear that you arent going to be taking your latop and wont be blogging on your vacation! I was beginning to think that you were either crazy or a superwoman for always blogging, even on all your wonderful trips!
Have fun!
Good for you! I think a once-a-year vacation isn’t just a treat, it’s a total necessity. Even a staycation counts. Just unplugging and getting away from work for a while is so so important.
Yum – looks delightful. Enjoy the Green Mountain state!
Have a great weekend in Vermont! Enjoy the much needed vacation. I think I’ll be doing that right after the marathon; spend time in Maine and be un-connected.
Breakfast looks yummy
Enjoy your vacation! I’ll miss the routine of your posts–but *somehow* I’ll survive!
That breakfast does look wonderful btw! Don’t forget to eat just because you don’t have to photograph it
I think every blogger should have time away from the blog now and then. Live it up and have fun!
Enjoy your blogging vacation! You definitely deserve it (I’m amazed that you’re able to photograph your eats and post so frequently!).
You couldn’t pick a more relaxing place than Vermont–Burlington is my favorite vacation spot
Good for you, Tina! I wish I was going to Vermont for the weekend. I used to live there, but that was six years ago. Have a fantastic, computer-free, time.
Good for you – you deserve some time off, you are seriously such a committed blogger and it’s nice to hear you love your job so much!
Have a blast and enjoy every minute!!
Have a great vacation, you deserve it! I bet vermont is going to be so much fun!
Everyone needs a vacation! Enjoy your weekend!
VACATION!!! Relax and enjoy one of your favorite places. You’ve earned it
Hope you enjoy your vacation!!! Food blogging definitely is hard work. I do it either once or twice a day but yours is updated much more often and you have lots of stuff to talk about. I can only imagine how busy you get. But as long as you like it that’s the most important thing! Yayy for food blogginggg!
Have a great vacation! Sometimes it’s nice to travel without your laptop!
I’m going to Vermont too this weekend. What part are you going to?! Have a blast.
Enjoy your vacation! Vermont is going to be beautiful right now!
Hope you have a great time unplugged. I’m so jealous because I haven’t been able to get to our place in VT in weeks because of weddings, work and other obligations that have kept us in the city. I can’t wait to get up there next weekend. The leaves should be starting to turn. I can’t wait. Have fun!
Enjoy your weekend Tina!
I don’t do nearly as many posts as you (or as many blogs as you!) and I know how much time it all takes for ME so I can only imagine!
Enjoy it! Everyone needs a break now and again! That banana souffle may be tomorrow’s breakfast for me, YUM.
Um, do you want to come holidy in Australia and, in so doing, be my personal breakfast chef for a few weeks? Win win!
Have a GREAT trip! You deserve it
Thanks for sharing your life with us everyday.
You have my dream job
ENJOY VERMONT! I’m getting married there in exactly ONE MONTH! YEAHHHH!!!!
Enjoy your much-deserved vacation!
Have a fabulous vacation!!! You definitely deserve it girl!
Enjoy your time away! You deserve it! I am talking the weekend away too, I am going to a place with no internet access and I am excited about it.
Have a great weekend Tina!
Your blog is what I want mine to be like when it grows up! Just found Carrots ‘n Cake and can’t wait to read more.
As someone trying to get my own new blog going, I totally get how a vacation would be a much needed reprieve.
Enjoy!
have a great vacation…everyone needs some days off
Hi there. I’m a devoted reader and I love the updates that you have made to your blog since the redesign. I’m a graphic designer, so probably more critical than most since it’s what I do for a living.
The new header font is very nice and makes your blog so much easier to read and more enticing to click to expand. I also really like that the header bar is more narrow. In design it’s the details that matter the most. Good work and have a great vacation.
That’s fabulous you are getting a vacation. We all need one!! Even with a dream job like blogging. I know I would love to have the chance for it to become something I do that helps support my family (never anything huge bec I know just how hard it is to break that barrier) but that it would also be extremely hard work. We know its done with love.
Good for you! Have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend:)
I sooo glad to hear you’re NOT bringing your computer. Leave your iPhone behind, too — hehe
Enjoy, Tina! Relaxxx.
Have a great time in Vermont! I love it there, especially during the fall! <3
The leaves haven’t started to turn too much yet, but it’s beautiful up here anyway! Hope you enjoy your weekend away!
If you ever need a VT Pug Sitter let me know! (We have 3)
Have a fantastic trip!!!!!!!!!!!!
you guys definitely deserve a break! hope you have an awesome time spending time with your hubby
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