Threepeat

Did everyone make it to Friday okay? I sure did - now it's home free for a whole week!

The funny thing for me when I'm on break from school, though, is that not much changes! I still work MWF, and if it wasn't winter I'd be working all week!

This morning had some new guests - and a good thing, because otherwise it would have been very repetitive! Not that I'm complaining, but you guys might get a little bored ;)

Ironically, not one of the jams from yesterday. This one's been chillin' out in my cupboard for a while. It was time to break out that and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl for my Coconut Plum Brekkie Bowl.

In the Mix: 2 T. Spelt Hot Cereal, 2 T. TVP, 1 T. Wheat Bran, 1/2 c. brewed coffee, 1/4 c. almondmilk, goji berries, cinnamon, vanilla, 3/4 diced plum, 1/2 pkt. sun crystals

On the Top: the same yogurt-chia seed icing from yesterday, plum jam, cinnamon raisin swirl PB, flax, raisins, and caramelized plum & coconut.

deeee-vine.

I think the plums I picked up still need a couple more days to get nice & juicy-ripe, though. 

I've had a couple questions on the so-called yogurt chia seed "icing," and realized I never really addressed it.

Basically, I prepare approximately equal parts almond milk and plain greek yogurt, mix it together, and then add in chia seeds, allowing the chia seeds to soak up some of the mixture, but not so much that it gets to the consistency of normal pudding or yogurt. I love the texture of the chia seeds prepared this way - and find normal yogurt too thick and...well, weird...on top of oats.

If I'm making a large batch to get me through a couple mornings (and bites throughout the day!) I just do a basic mix of the yogurt, milk, chia seeds, and then some vanilla and/or maple syrup or jam for sweetener, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and sometimes acai powder.

It's also really good with pumpkin puree, mashed banana, anything!

What are your favorite uses for Chia seeds?

This was a really good batch - but I say that all the time!

I love the Spelt, and the PB was amazing, too! I was expecting it to be more raisin-y, but I just realized a few minutes ago after I was helping myself to more that they're mostly on the bottom - so next time I use it I need to be sure to stir!

Self explanitory leftovers. I meant to grab half a sweet potato I had left or make the last naan dough up to go with it, but totally forgot. As it was, as much as it looks, it was not enough and I was ravenous by the time the day was done!

An Apple Walnut SoyJoy bar was broken into on my drive home. Always prepared with the snackage! The apple walnut flavor is actually really good. My first soyjoy bar was raisin almond, and some of you may remember my on-the-fence opinion on it. The parmesan cheese really weirded me out, too. But this apple-walnut one didn't have a strange after-taste at all, and the apple flavor was naturally apple-y, not artificially at all, like some bars can be. Overall - I recommend! 

I came home and prepared a three-peat dinner:

The last of the noodles, last of the sugar snap peas, last piece of naan dough, and half of a leftover sweet potato. And some almond mozzarella on top for fun and because it is so dang delicious.

I think that is my favorite shirataki recipe thus far. And I loved having that naan dough at my disposal! I will have to be making more soon :)

Does anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?

I may need to bake up some of my carrot-bran muffins. I'm all out! I like having them with my nightime snack. That or I may try my hand at some sort of raw cookie. I've never made them before. I usually just help myself to a handful of dates :P

And also, a question for other bloggies: I've been hearing lots about wordpress being much more beneficial in the long run versus blogspot. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Those of you who have gone from one to the other, or have thought about it as well? Would love some opinions :)

I'm thinking about doing a fun giveaway soon, too! Any thoughts? I realize I'm far from a "big" blog, - but I think a fun little "vermont pride" giveaway will be fun - especially since I really appreciate you guys who do read on a daily basis. Even when I'm boring, like today :)

I Got Issues.

Uh, so, can anybody else hardly believe it's Thursday already?!

It snuck up on me - and I'd almost forgotten that I'm on break from classes all of next week! My college goes on break every 5 weeks (or 6?) so that kids don't get depressed. They always come at jussst the right time - whenever I get the thoughts of "hmmm..do I really need to go to class today...?" I can tell there's a break coming up :)

Yes - believe it or not, there's oats under there!

As I've mentioned before, I've never been a huge chocolate fan. Even growing up I'd opt for the skittles or gummy bears, if I had to chose a candy. Exceptions were if coconut and/or almonds were in the chocolate, of course :) Go figure - now that dark chocolate is discovered to be good for your health, right? hah. But anyways - sometimes I get the urge for some chocolatey goodness, and this morning was a prime example.

Yep - under that mess is a good ol' batch of banana-almond chocolate spelt & tvp cereal!

It's no secret how much I love spelt bread - so I couldn't wait to try this Rolled Spelt hot cereal! Unfortunately, I should not have used them in such a "flavor-masking" bowl such as  this - I couldn't detect the differences of flavor between spelt and oats. Oh well - tomorrow!

In the Mix: 2 T. TVP, 2 T. Rolled Spelt, 1 T. wheat bran, 1/4 sliced nanner, goji berries, almond extract, 1.5 t. organic unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 packet sun crystals.

For the "Icing": Greek yogurt, chia seeds, acai powder, dollop honey, vanilla extract, almondmilk

On the Top: sliced nanner, icing, toasted coconut, toasted almonds, flax, strawberry-pom jam, white choco coconut PB

Yum-o! I lovelove the combo of almond, coconut, banana, and chocolate!

This morning I actually didn't go to my first two classes - but only because it was a make up day! Teachers kinda "get" that kids hate showing up when break is so close I guess, haha. So - I scheduled to shoot a senior portrait and then thought I'd run into town to Bed Bath & Beyond, and Hannaford. (rut roh - now you have an idea what the title of this post alludes to, huh?)

Anyways - still packed a lunch and snacks!

Simple Bulgur wrap with spinach - that bulgur from last night is a great wrap filler! Would have been better pressed on the 'nini maker, of course ;)

naranja, trail mix, veggie crisps, wrap, tea, nanner, spelt toast with dates, pb, and jam.

and of course coffee and agua!

After a very cold but good shoot, I hit up Bed, Bath & Beyond in search of cute bowls and plates. I've been getting so bored photographing the same old ones, I'm not gonna lie. Is that bad? haha. 

That and, I adore browsing through all those kitchen appliances - I could have a hay-day in there! I found some super cool bowls and plates - you'll see! Next up? Hannafords. Oh, heavens. Why am I allowed in there? I've got serious issues. All I needed were some shirataki noodles! But of course I had to browse the peanut butter and jam aisle and wound up with two new PB & Co PB's and two new jams. And trust me - I almost had far more jams! Luckily, I shied away from the mustard aisle, but only because there was another woman blocking the whole shelf. I silently thanked her. Although - I have been dying to find PB&Co around here - and the jams were on sale :)

After making it back to campus and nomming on my lunch while surfing the web in my mom's office [the only other place to eat without freezing or looking strange is the dining hall - and you can't get in without paying or swiping ID. Since I commute, I don't have a meal plan, so would have to pay.] I had our first photo critique. It went much better than I thought! Still not sure what the teacher thinks, but there were good critiques and some really nice work from the other students, too. I was surprised, though - for once, I was the talkative one! Usually, I listen to everyone else and chime in when really necessary or I have something I really want to say. This is a really quiet group, however!

It was also a very fast critique. I made it home in time to edit some of the senior portraits & snack on some spelt bread (with, of course, pb, jam, and dates & a vanilla latte) before making possibly the best dinner of the week. Hmm...lemon...sensing a new pattern, here...

I can't help it - I love shirataki noodles! Maybe it's in my blood - my mom loves them, too. 

Creamy Lemon-Garlic Noodles with Tuna, Bacon, & Veggies

Ingredients For the Noodles:

-1 pkg Shirataki noodles/pasta, rinsed & microwaved 1 m.

-1 can chunk tuna

- 2-3 T. olive oil

-1/4 c. diced red onion

-1/2 carrot, diced

-1 T. minced garlic

-3/4 c. sugar snap peas

-2 slices cooked turkey bacon, diced

-salt, pepper 

For the Sauce:

-1/2 c. plain greek yogurt

-1 T. lemon juice

-lemon pepper

-crushed red pepper

-basil

-scant 1/4 c. almondmilk/milk/cream

-1 T. BBQ sauce
-1 T. dijon mustard

Sautee minced garlic, red onion, carrot, peas, and bacon in olive oil until soft. Add in tuna, and season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for the sauce, seasoning to taste.

Add noodles to veggie mixture and combine, followed by the sauce. 

Serve with lemon-pepper naan (naan dough prepared in lemon pepper-covered iron skillet) and parmesan cheese.

Delish! Seriously loving having that naan dough on hand, and it is so. darn. good. with the lemon pepper!

Whatcha think of new plate #1, btw?! I think it's pretty neat - though I do wish it wasn't so flat!

Honestly - I think the shirataki noodles are perfect for this. I don't look at them as a sub for pasta - I look at them as jazzy ramen noodles! haha.

Lately, my "unpictured evening snacks" have often been consisting of heated applesauce and/or greek yogurt, with jam, pb or ab, dates or raisins, and some kashi (and sometimes some of those butterscotch chips!) or a slice of spelt toast with pb or ab, jam, and dates, also heated. Can you tell I seriously adore dates? 

What's your favorite unusual snack?

I guess toast isn't unusual - what's unusual is that I love something so simple! haha.

A Little Love

Brr. I. Am. So. Chilled!

I just got back from running errands, and while I may have been inside most of the time, that wind chills you right to the bone the second you step into it! That, and, one errand involved Price Chopper...and it is always freezing in there. Makes sense, I guess.

You would think, however, that with my heart-warming [pun intended] breakfast, I would have stayed warm and fuzzy regardless!

Yeah, I made myself a Valentine's Day breakfast a week early. What of it?

There's something amazing about waking up early on the weekends. I don't think I'm a real college student. How many college kids say that?

I really hate sleeping in. During the week, I don't bound out of bed at 6:00 to go to work, but it's not a problem, either. On the weekends, however, I'll gladly wake up at 6 or 7, and just leisurely go about starting my day. And I love doing something  a little different for breakfast on the weekends!

So maybe this Almond Butter & Banana Stuffed French Toast isn't that unique to most, I've never had stuffed French Toast before. And mind you, yesterday was my first grilled almond butter and banana experience.

And oh, this was delicious. I realize now that my food presentation needs work but hey - I do what I can. It's sort of sad to think about myself making such a love-themed breakfast for myself, but again. Oh well. haha. At least my mom came back from her haircut in time to give me a funny look. She's not a "breakfast person," so unfortunately I can never treat her to breakfast...

But! Just because I am a relatively sad excuse for a college student, doesn't mean you are - and maybe you want to treat your honey to a heart-healthy shmalentine's day brekkie?

Because I think you should.

Of course you all know how to make French Toast. I won't go into those details. But here's just some added fun-stuff I did!

For the Stuffed French Toast

 2 slices of this amazing Organic Spelt bread by the Vermont Bread Company [okay, okay. you can use any bread. But this is GOOD Spelt bread!]

1 T. All-Natural Almond Butter

1 Banana

2 Eggs [if you are an egg-beaters user...PLEASE use at least one real egg white! I like egg beaters and all - but when it comes to French Toast, it's just not the same!]

3 T. Almond Milk

1/8 t. Cinnamon

1/8 t. Nutmeg

Dash ground cloves

1 t. Vanilla

1/2 t. Wheat Germ

1/2 t. Chia Seeds

Spread 1 teaspoon almond butter on one side of each piece of bread (if you're going to make a pretty heart shape, do that first of course) and arrange your banana slices on one side - I used half on the sandwich, half to garnish. Sandwich together and poke outsides a couple times with a fork.

Whisk together eggs, milk, spices, vanilla, and wheat germ. Place sandwich in mixture and begin preheating a non-stick, sprayed pan. Allow sandwich to soak a minute before flipping, poking both sides again with your fork.

Sprinkle Chia seeds over outside of bread and cook until golden on both sides.

For the Pumpkin "Sauce"

1/4 c. Plain Greek Yogurt

1/8 c. Pure Pumpkin Puree

1/8 t. cinnamon

1/8 t. nutmeg

 2 t. Maple Syrup

1 t. Chia Seeds

Stir together and plate with French Toast, along with remaining banana and almond butter, and cute little apple heart! [p.s. apple = amazing dipped in this.]

So, after playing with my food - I got to work meal planning!

This week, I'm going to try something new - planning my meals in advance, and in some cases preparing in advance! I've been pretty good this week about cooking up new things, but when I don't have a game plan, it's so much easier to just come home and make a veggie and bulgur stir fry or panini or something. Which, I obviously love, but I enjoy cooking new things, more.

So, I put together 5 meal ideas, and figure I can interchange them a little bit if I'm not feeling up to something one night, but at least I have ideas now! I think I just have so many recipes stockpiled that I can never make up my mind on what I want! Organizing them is a project for this weekend, as is setting up a recipe page on here.

After browsing online for coupons (I was so savvy at the grocery store today!) I finally went into town to clean the office, run to Rite Aid, and then the grocery store.

Holy SuperBowl Sunday Shopping. Everyone and their brothers had to stock up on beer! It was also full of people leaving their carts in the middle of the aisles. Don't you hate grocery shoppers that do that?! I'm sorry if you are one of them. But please. Don't do it. Love you.

However, I jumped past my exciting Rite Aid find!

I know wht you're thinking. 

And no - I didn't find that delicious salmon with blueberry glaze at Rite Aid.

Nope! Not the mashed sweet tater, either.

Clean Eating's new issue!

I love this magazine. So much information on new foods, and awesome recipes too. You know what I hate about it, though?

It only comes out once every two months!

I was jonesin' for the new issue.

What's your favorite magazine?

So, naturally, my lunch was consumed while browsing that :) Dericious and nutritious!

And a Sobe LifeWater. Has anyone else tried these?

Normally I'm not a flavored water fan at all, especially the "naturally sweetened" ones, because they're almost too sweet! But these are actually pretty good! I'm a huge water drinker, but lately have been finding it kind of boring (though I think it has more to do with not wanting to drink something cold when the weather is so cold!) so this was a nice change for my lunch time today :)

I do, however, hate that they advertise the 0 calorie count. I hate buying things that state in huge bold letters how many calories they contain. It makes me feel...I dunno. Superficial? I'm weird.

Anyways. That is all for now. I'm off to get some homework done, hopefully start on a recipes page, organize my recipes I've saved over months and months, and then start dinner. Can't wait for tonight's menu!

What are your plans for this cooollddd Saturday afternoon?