tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70305218414681065882024-03-14T04:32:35.064-07:00fLAVORATOrSamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.comBlogger432125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-48138182963937248402012-04-26T11:53:00.001-07:002012-04-26T11:53:53.927-07:00Lemon and Thyme Glazed Asparagus and Tofu<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's dishes like this that make me fall in love with food and blogging all over again. I'm not even done my meal, and I'm already on here writing to you guys because this is hands down one of the best things I have <b>ever</b> put into my mouth - yes, even better than the cupcakes, ice cream, bowls of oats, cookies, pineapple, cantaloupes and mangoes that I die and go to heaven every time I ingest. <i>Seriously <u>that</u> good</i>! This is incredible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The sweetness from the maple syrup, tang from the lemon juice, spice from the thyme and then just the asparagus and tofu tossed in, wonderful, absolutely, hands down, on your knees begging for more amazingly incredible.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lemon and Thyme Glazed Asparagus and Tofu</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recipe taken and slightly adapted from <a href="http://livelearnloveeat.com/2011/11/19/lemon-glazed-asparagus-and-tofu-stir-fry/">here</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSw9SipbnpW5K6DVniBLJTwW0zXfc5Cezwo-UP1GiJHS0rKqyRLCk5A0bOSM8iOmJljjdrEskZBSGUmWPAFenQP5xCyCrD0pWvScH6yevy5P-n1IIcNgwkIWuDtDjqSl43leRQ2IIA-dF/s1600/DSCF8327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSw9SipbnpW5K6DVniBLJTwW0zXfc5Cezwo-UP1GiJHS0rKqyRLCk5A0bOSM8iOmJljjdrEskZBSGUmWPAFenQP5xCyCrD0pWvScH6yevy5P-n1IIcNgwkIWuDtDjqSl43leRQ2IIA-dF/s320/DSCF8327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Not the greatest picture I know, I'm sorry.</i></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rice -</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 cups water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups of uncooked brown rice</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stir-fry - </span></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 bunch of asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces (about 4 cups chopped)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 package extra firm tofu - drained</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 tbsp oil</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glaze - </span></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup pure maple syrup</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup lemon juice - freshly squeezed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp cornstach + 2 tbsp cold water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp thyme</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Directions:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Place the water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the brown rice, bring to a boil, cover and cook for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the asparagus spears into 2 inch pieces.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Slice the pressed tofu into 1/2 inch slices and then diagonally to make tofu triangles. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Lay the tofu triangles down flat on a cutting board, place a clean dish towel or some paper towels over top of them and place a heavy book or two on top of the towel or paper towels to press the tofu for a few minutes until the tofu is drained. </span><span style="background-color: white;">When the oven is heated, cook tofu for 45 minutes, or until nice and crispy.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Prepare the glaze by whisking together the maple syrup, lemon juice and thyme in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and cold water and add it to the rest of the glaze ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">During the last ten minutes that the rice is cooking, begin the stir fry. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Heat a wok on medium-high heat and add one tbsp of canola oil. Add the chopped asparagus and stir-fry 5-10 minutes, until bright green and fork tender. Next, add the glaze mixture and the browned tofu triangles. Stir and cook everything a few minutes more, until hot and the sauce boils and thickens and covers the entire stir-fry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Serve on a bed of brown rice.</span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-59635713989874570482012-04-12T12:11:00.000-07:002012-04-12T12:11:53.959-07:00You think this is genius?<b>Confession time</b>. Ever since I started buying pineapple, I've had a bit of a problem. I always cut the whole pineapple, and well eat it in one sitting. I mean, it's not that it's <u>entirely</u> a bad thing, it's not as if it's a whole bag of potato chips, or a tub of ice cream, or even mounds and mounds of cake slices (as I used to do all of these previously), but it's still <i>a lot</i> of pineapple for one sitting. <br />
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When I moved back home from Montreal, and then my trip to Korea in the middle of October I realized that this was getting far out of hand. I don't know how many pineapples I was eating while I was in Korea, but they were <b>not</b> cheap, and I feel like I was walking to the grocery store a lot to just pick up pineapple, (I even had my ex stopping by after work to pick some up for me), yup, it was getting out of control.<br />
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By the time I returned, I decided that I couldn't cut my pineapples up in one go, I'd have to cut them as I need it, so I can portion control and see how much of the pineapple I'm actually eating. So far, this has been a great tool. I cut the crazy green leafy part off, and then just cut layers off as I go. Now a days, pineapple lasts' for a good four to five days, depending how long I'm willing to keep it around for. With all that being said, it is difficult for me to keep pineapple in the house. When I find recipes that include pineapple, I need to make sure that I make those recipes at the beginning of the week or else I probably won't have much luck creating that recipe.<br />
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Prime example, this mornings breakfast. Now, I originally saw this recipe a few weeks ago, and I had planned on making it the following day, however the day I saw the recipe I ate the remaining pineapple chunks. So, I planned on making it the following week, well, the following week turned into almost three weeks. This morning, I <b>finally</b> was able to go through with it, and holy moly, it was worth saving some pineapple to make this breakfast/snack/dessert, whatever you want to call it, it is amazing!<br />
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As said, in <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.ca/2012/04/day-of-delightful-foods.html?spref=fb">yesterday's post</a>, as well as other numerous posts', pancakes have an incredibly special place in my heart. That in combination with some of my ever-so favourite fruit is something that I just melt at. Tropical pancake battered pineapple. <i>OOOOHHHHH MYYYYYY GOSSHHHHHH!!!!!!!!</i> I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was. This was one of the most amazing ways to start my day, and definitely got me in the mood to go to the gym. Now, I have to admit, these were a little timely. I mean, I did cut up some additional fruit while preparing these, as well as cleaning along the way, but I started at 9:35 am and didn't start eating until 10:05 am, and I was not dilly dallying either. The process seemed a bit longer than usual when it comes to making pancakes, but the result was so worth the time. These were incredible. I changed the recipe up a bit, as I didn't use coconut milk because I wanted to finish up my almond milk before opening up another carton, and I wanted to make it with what I was craving. They turned out spectacular, and are an amazing twist on your regular old pancakes. The thing with these guys too is that, because there is fruit encased, the pancake dough isn't too, too thick so you don't get that heavy feeling you sometimes get afterward when eating pancakes.<br />
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I would highly suggest trying this recipe. It is incredibly versatile and who says you just have to stick to pineapple? What about apples or pears? Why not throw in some chocolate chips or whatever else you're fancying? Try it, get creative, you will be thrilled by the final result!<br />
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<b>Tropical Pancake Battered Pineapple Rings</b><br />
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</b><br />
Recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.runningtothekitchen.com/2012/03/pancake-battered-pineapple-rings/">here</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREYiYDwMVGzUQe49fuWO0C0P0mNzwORkCQNryhlhmB3aOIdnntdZg9nlJUSsJBtMxaggrnuLbcfO0w9yNwD1t5260q63gdOF1bKKJGmbtMABv7TPyVp6UcovmJAfHD05aXLbPS5PC34vk/s1600/Tropical+Pancake+Battered+Pineapple+Rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREYiYDwMVGzUQe49fuWO0C0P0mNzwORkCQNryhlhmB3aOIdnntdZg9nlJUSsJBtMxaggrnuLbcfO0w9yNwD1t5260q63gdOF1bKKJGmbtMABv7TPyVp6UcovmJAfHD05aXLbPS5PC34vk/s320/Tropical+Pancake+Battered+Pineapple+Rings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul><li>1 pineapple, sliced into rings about 1/2 inch thick</li>
<li>3/4 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1/2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tbsp mulled flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (or an egg)</li>
<li>1/2 tsp coconut extract</li>
<li>1 1/2 tbsp coconut flakes</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tbsp coconut oil, melted</li>
<li>1 cup almond milk</li>
</ul><b>Directions:</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
Heat pancake griddle or skillet on medium heat.<br />
<br />
Combine all ingredients (except) pineapple in a medium bowl and whisk together. Add milk as needed to get a good "drippy" consistency. You want it to be able to stick to the pineapple but still allow the excess to drip off.<br />
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Once griddle is heated, grease and dip one slice of pineapple into the batter and then place on the griddle.<br />
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Cook for 2-3 minutes and then flip. You might want to sear the sides too depending on how thick your slices are. Repeat for remaining slices.<br />
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Serve immediately, top with fresh mango chunks, almond slivers, coconut flakes, and amaretto agave nectar.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever tried pancake battered fruits?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mmmmmm</span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-68063982938361210972012-04-02T15:31:00.000-07:002012-04-02T15:31:55.400-07:00A day of delightful foods.<b>Oooookkaaaaayyy</b>. <u>Hold the phone</u>! I have found, I think what I have to call my all time <b>favourite</b> breakfast/post work-out protein shake. I have shared, dozens upon dozens of incredible, savoury, protein-packed, iron-filled, healthy shakes, that I have said time and time again, <b>you HAVE to make this one</b>, or, this one is my <b>favourite</b>, <i>but</i>, <i>but</i>, <i>but</i>, I think I found it, and to my surprise it incorporates one of my least favourite fruits - blueberries.<br />
<br />
Recently, as I've mentioned about two or three times now on my blog, that my go-to shake, when I don't feel like thinking, or looking up recipes is a really easy Green Strawberry Mango shake (I really should take a picture and post the recipe so when I do talk about it I can link back to it). However, I now have this incredible Green Blueberry Mango shake, that I think tops my go-to, and that is saying something, because I absolutely <u>loooooooooove</u> that shake.<br />
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When I made this one this morning, I'm not sure what made me think of this concoction, or to think that mango and blueberries would even be a good match, but they are a match as peanut butter and jelly are, it is incredibly, without a doubt divine. This shake was so creamy, sweet, filling, it was just out of this world. I can't even describe the flavour pairing, it's just something you have to experience, and luckily for me, I will be experiencing it again after tomorrow mornings work out.<br />
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Do yourself a favour, and try this out, heck try it out and try to describe to me the flavours that the party in your mouth is celebrating because it is surely delightful. Mmmm, I cannot wait to enjoy this again tomorrow morning!<br />
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<b>Green Blueberry Mango Shake</b><br />
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</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBCdGVeq_701QHzD_spM0hobdIg5as9CfMJE3mTbgLTgR2JjXSQ3cNZxfpREBR164cZdVDrv3kOvbbmSe6p9-dA_7rl5CsAIEhxWJ-d_CVxi9IYlKCUHYS4dSZLVnMzgR-XLt6Zz_Fzsj/s1600/Green+Blueberry+Mango+Shake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBCdGVeq_701QHzD_spM0hobdIg5as9CfMJE3mTbgLTgR2JjXSQ3cNZxfpREBR164cZdVDrv3kOvbbmSe6p9-dA_7rl5CsAIEhxWJ-d_CVxi9IYlKCUHYS4dSZLVnMzgR-XLt6Zz_Fzsj/s320/Green+Blueberry+Mango+Shake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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<br />
<ul><li>1 cup frozen blueberries</li>
<li>3/4 cup frozen mango chunks</li>
<li>2 heaping cups of baby spinach - fresh</li>
<li>1/2 cup almond milk</li>
<li>1/3 cup 0% fat blueberry Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>1 scoop of protein powder</li>
</ul><div>Also, I want to share with you not only todays post work-out smoothie, but what I ate before I headed out to the gym, because it was incredible. Now, we all know I love pancakes, I don't make them a lot, but they are certainly tied with oatmeal, and, we will throw in crepes to this category as well, since they are basically just thin pancakes. When I was in university, I hate to admit this, but I ate crepes a loooooooooot. The cafeteria food drove me bonkers, and crepes were something that made me feel a bit better about myself since they weren't fried or greasy. My favourite, and only one that I would get was banana and Nutella, oh my word these were amazing.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now, I have not found many vegan crepe recipes, and the ones that I have come across, truthfully didn't really sound that amazing to me, so I'd never made any. A few weeks ago, I'd stumbled across a recipe that instantly got my attention. I saved it, I had planned on making it numerous times and never did. Last night, as I was going over the recipe, I was planning on deleting the recipe, but then I figured, no way Jose, this caught my attention I need to go through with it, and decided that I would make it for breakfast when I wake up. Well thank goodness I decided to keep it, because with the killer banana combo I decided to throw in, it was just, blissful. I mean, the photograph won't do it any justice, since I'm a horrible photographer, but listen to me, today has been incredible for meals and it all started out with this wonderful breakfast.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Magical Peanut Butter Banana Crepes</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Recipe slightly adapted from <a href="http://www.includingcake.com/2012/02/classic-british-pancakes.html">here</a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSXiLhLY6iV2iHujETdFe4qm95xNguY67WtGjmkwd5K0ifjEvEZp9gVMlHB3HQVc-w3BvN7EQd7QCjkSqnzgcfXy6YmFYHz6g4fvRHFyYwOzyov-_u3tiJUL24kccbKrTRzy3lK6sAxzB/s1600/Magical+Peanut+Butter+Banana+Crepes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSXiLhLY6iV2iHujETdFe4qm95xNguY67WtGjmkwd5K0ifjEvEZp9gVMlHB3HQVc-w3BvN7EQd7QCjkSqnzgcfXy6YmFYHz6g4fvRHFyYwOzyov-_u3tiJUL24kccbKrTRzy3lK6sAxzB/s320/Magical+Peanut+Butter+Banana+Crepes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1/4 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1/2 tsp ground flaxseed</li>
<li>1/2 tsp maple syrup</li>
<li>1/2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>5 tbsp + 1 tsp almond milk</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Mix dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients. Mix well until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Meanwhile heat a medium sized frying pan with a light covering of oil. Once the pan is hot add a large spoonful of batter to the pan and move the pan in circular motions to spread the batter into a large circle. Cook for approximately two minutes and then carefully flip to cook the reverse side for approximately one minute until both sides are lightly browned. Repeat.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I then topped it with this magical banana beast.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1 banana</li>
<li>1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice</li>
<li>2-3 tbsp crushed <a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1272&bih=554&tbm=isch&tbnid=N8Qlk8Dirfx-SM:&imgrefurl=http://compare.productwiki.com/barbara-s-bakery-peanut-butter-puffins/&docid=gKlGhbX1sbfDbM&imgurl=http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/barbara_s_bakery_peanut_butter_puffins.jpg&w=316&h=500&ei=_hZ6T4X-D4Gu0AHu09i2DQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=418&sig=108073383324623263511&page=1&tbnh=117&tbnw=74&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=50&ty=67">peanut butter Puffins cereal</a></li>
<li>1 tbsp ground flaxseed</li>
<li>2 tbsp <a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1272&bih=554&tbm=isch&tbnid=SbwUpCx6up7K_M:&imgrefurl=http://www.thisglutenfreelife.org/p/favorite-products.html&docid=7E0rdexKTx9lbM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStR8ZIwKWNtjsjhSMob-BM8bbUNeDT1oFtJRMlyF4J0Ll3V1f7MNsZ9i-ceTEbq1sgzi4Peabv4JK1Ea8YMRwHYfdKmgsE5sKfxudFjvM9_yQe29BHRySUnImDty-ub-HrubusHB02fw/s1600/pb.jpg&w=340&h=340&ei=Ihd6T6nAKaLX0QHjt5CpDQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=498&sig=108073383324623263511&page=1&tbnh=113&tbnw=111&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=44&ty=56">maple peanut butter</a></li>
<li>Maple syrup</li>
<li>1 tbsp peanut butter chips</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Crush your cereal and add them to a bowl along with the flaxseed and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until well combined.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Coat your banana with your peanut butter, and then roll it in the spice combination.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I then cut the banana in slices, topped it on the crepes and made it extra sinful by adding maple syrup and peanut butter chips!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Strawberry Orange Tofu Pecan Salad</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2Vu5miuiT0cWGkGsgg8X82Goj24gBqxNk-0n8Q-0nimnJszYBelp0iOg-ZArEZJRp1L1nhABDlW6KlPgwZBpLiD10lsEkK2JnWN9xyYkqU7_cOaHyTGrPBhtvhcRW_7y0oJMNMcRkkUB/s1600/Strawberry+Orange+Tofu+Pecan+Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2Vu5miuiT0cWGkGsgg8X82Goj24gBqxNk-0n8Q-0nimnJszYBelp0iOg-ZArEZJRp1L1nhABDlW6KlPgwZBpLiD10lsEkK2JnWN9xyYkqU7_cOaHyTGrPBhtvhcRW_7y0oJMNMcRkkUB/s320/Strawberry+Orange+Tofu+Pecan+Salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Lastly, I want to share a quick salad that I've been throwing together the past few days, and definitely enjoyed again today. It is so easy to make, and by far one of the best salads I have ever created, and even tried for that matter. You should definitely give it a shot if you're in a rush, or even in a salad slump, this will get you out, and seeking more and more, trust me!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>2-3 cups of fresh baby spinach</li>
<li>3 small strawberries - quartered and then cut in half again</li>
<li>1 tsp black sesame seeds</li>
<li>1 batch of orange tofu (recipe to follow)</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped pecans</li>
</ul><div><b>Orange Tofu</b></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Recipe taken from <a href="http://thatssovegan.blogspot.ca/2012/02/simple-orange-tofu.html">here</a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">1 block extra firm tofu</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">1 orange</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">3 tbsp soy sauce</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">1 clove garlic, chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil</span></li>
</ul><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Drain the tofu and wrap in a paper towel. Squeeze the excess water out of the block of tofu and cut it into triangles or cubes.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Peel your orange and smash it in a medium-small lidded bowl, getting it nice and pulp-y. Stir in the soy sauce, garlic and 1 tbsp of the oil. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Place your tofu into the marinade, cover with the lid and shake gently so that every piece is covered with the sauce. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Once the tofu is done marinating, p</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">reheat your oven to 450 degrees F. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Add the tofu (but save the marinade!). Cook for 45 minutes or until golden. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Toss your salad components together, and dress with remaining marinade!</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDHjW0ixQpBZJ58qUyQrXI8n5H-IWzUiDGOnOIz4atufEOTVvN6TmKdJAVDmCzb1QyJhZfNrxnVCPmBgSp8tS1DfPXtYmUQTT7_ba46aor8AoZAgDKamLZbd1yRVPDIgaTGzKgIYCgoiP/s1600/Magical+Peanut+Butter+Banana+Crepes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDHjW0ixQpBZJ58qUyQrXI8n5H-IWzUiDGOnOIz4atufEOTVvN6TmKdJAVDmCzb1QyJhZfNrxnVCPmBgSp8tS1DfPXtYmUQTT7_ba46aor8AoZAgDKamLZbd1yRVPDIgaTGzKgIYCgoiP/s320/Magical+Peanut+Butter+Banana+Crepes1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do you spruce up your salads when you're in a rut?</span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-54147436465639946422012-03-29T15:41:00.001-07:002012-03-30T07:26:32.650-07:00Flu bustin' shakesI am a very fortunate person. I'm not saying this in the sense of, I get everything handed to me, and everything <u>always</u> works out in my favour, or anything like that. What I mean is, one of the traits that I got from my mom (that I actually like), unlike my lack of math skills, or the crooked teeth I had growing up, or the fact that I have been wearing glasses since grade six and will have to for the rest of my life, is that I barely ever get sick. I can't even remember the last time I was actually sick, other than when I got H1N1 a few years ago (<i>gross right?</i>) I've had some ill-fate when it comes to my health in other aspects - anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, and fibromyalgia (all which have been worked through and are not in the picture anymore), but as for illness when it comes to being sick, very, very rarely does that ever play a role in my life.<br />
<br />
Despite the fact that my mom works sixty-seventy hours a week, is up to her ears in stress, gets only a few hours of sleep a night, she very rarely gets sick. Thankfully, I've inherited that as well. As for myself, I don't just embrace and turn a blind eye to the fact that I get sick so little, no, I also have my lifestyle to thank for that. I would consider myself an active person, considering already this week I have been five times, and I eat a very healthy diet /cough, other than this week because well, mother nature decided to visit and I've been craving junk food like there is no tomorrow (<i>too much information?</i> <u>Perhaps, just a bit</u>), oh well, it's my blog, my journal. I snacked on some yoghurt covered raisins/chocolate covered raisins, and have been eating two homemade chocolate chip cookies since Monday (not so bad I guess though considering).<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, the point of this blog entry is that, this week my boyfriend picked up the flu, or something. He started off with a headache, then it worked it's way to his nose, and then it was a whole body cold it seemed. The other day we were supposed to get together, but instead he decided to sleep (which, thankfully he did, because even with the million + hours he got, he still seemed like a zombie). The next day we had planned to watch a movie, and the same thing happened. This time, I decided I would pay him a visit with some homemade soup and an orange to try and liven him up a bit. Well, he looked like he had been visited by a ghost. Shades drawn, lights off, fetal position, congested to the max, despite how cute he looked while being in such an uneasy state, he looked to say the least a little haggard (all said with love - hence I brought soup to make him feel better).<br />
<br />
After spending a bit of time with him, I realized that even though I have super power genes when it comes to getting sick, I still can't just rely on those genes and think I'm Superwoman and just won't get sick, that's not how it works. Instead, I've been eating foods high in vitamin C, and getting a lot of fluids in me (apart from what I regularly focus on for my diet of course) this was just even more focused on than it usually is. With that of course comes protein shakes, <i>woohoooooo</i>, my <b>favourite</b>!<br />
<br />
<b>Very Orange Banana Shake</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HmahIcW7R2BfGDuWeP8swkUxWf43Cq8iZHfdGZRhyphenhyphenidBWUTGUWWUY6wp61n8leio6KzS4joyNeYDdIDE8aei_cu4GMRsXsfL7iNnErtOcKovSE7wxy9T7u9G1R8vcOwb4IrXrb5r035q/s1600/Very+Orange+Banana+Shake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HmahIcW7R2BfGDuWeP8swkUxWf43Cq8iZHfdGZRhyphenhyphenidBWUTGUWWUY6wp61n8leio6KzS4joyNeYDdIDE8aei_cu4GMRsXsfL7iNnErtOcKovSE7wxy9T7u9G1R8vcOwb4IrXrb5r035q/s320/Very+Orange+Banana+Shake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The first one I made was incredibly similar to orange crush, or orange juice - I don't know. The orange flavour was very evident and was overall just an amazing way to start the day. I never think to use freshly squeezed orange juice rather than water when it comes to my smoothies, but in trying to protect myself I've been doing it daily and what a nice change it is with such great flavour. Also, with the addition of the zest along with the freshly squeezed juice it gave even more flavour because of the oils released. This was a fantastic shake, and will certainly be seeing more of this, especially come the summer. And I can also guarantee that you will be seeing more shakes using freshly squeezed juice! <i>Yum</i>!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li>1 orange juiced + orange zest</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>4 ice cubes</li>
<li>1 large frozen banana</li>
<li>1/3 cup 0% vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>2 cups fresh baby spinach</li>
<li>1 scoop of vanilla protein powder</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<b>Strawberry Pineapple Orange Shake</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CJW7pPva9UknMFmyacPZZ7z4U3EZJyy-2ykQ2qo1PJp0jsuEBcwZUKJY4EfuGqgGZMgoSWBhOm122wxo0S8SA7ocNPjsP6QowCWIZWCWcEPlpNQDcWPESmilc2cRCVqWOnAM3hQ8m1FS/s1600/Strawberry+Pineapple+Orange+Shake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CJW7pPva9UknMFmyacPZZ7z4U3EZJyy-2ykQ2qo1PJp0jsuEBcwZUKJY4EfuGqgGZMgoSWBhOm122wxo0S8SA7ocNPjsP6QowCWIZWCWcEPlpNQDcWPESmilc2cRCVqWOnAM3hQ8m1FS/s320/Strawberry+Pineapple+Orange+Shake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The next shake I had was an adaptation of the previous recipe, however, I added strawberries and pineapple au lieu of banana. Between the two, I'm not sure which I preferred more. The above one was evidently more creamy due to the banana, this one was much more liquidy, but just as delightful. The combination of strawberries with the two citrus fruits was a very delightful union, I certainly enjoyed this and it was pure perfection after a nice work out. Hopefully it also aids in not getting sick!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1 orange - juiced</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>2 cups of fresh baby spinach</li>
<li>1 cup of frozen strawberries</li>
<li>1/3 cup fresh pineapple</li>
<li>1/4 cup 0% fat strawberry Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1 scoop vanilla protein powder</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What precautions do you take to try and prevent sickness?</span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-42990421004930525992012-03-26T16:22:00.000-07:002012-03-26T16:22:33.956-07:00Oreo Cookie Bread Spread?!Okay, so I am not a huge fan of buying cookies because I much rather go home, get my hands dirty and get down to work, because for one it’s very much enjoyable as well as relaxing, and because I know exactly what goes into the recipe and how much of it. Sometimes this isn’t always a good thing, especially if I make something that is just purely sinful and I’m aware of this, but sometimes it’s better to turn a blindside, correct?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, a few weeks ago, I had come across quite a few recipes derived from Oreo’s – birthday cake Oreo’s. If there is one weakness of mine when it comes to food, is the Duncan Hines Funfetti Cupcakes, holy moly, I do not care that they are from a box and are certainly not scratch they just perfect. I mean I’ve had cupcakes from quite some famous bakeries and still every time I eat those rainbow speckled cupcakes I can’t help but have a little bit of a food orgasm, <i>each and every time</i>. Should I have admitted that? I’m not sure, but I did. Anywho, as I was saying, I kept seeing these Oreo’s creep up all over the blogosphere and it sent a bit of sadness to my heart because I figured just like most limited edition special treats that they would only be offered to my fellow American friends, but low and behold when I went to the grocery store I saw the shiny golden package and shot (embarrassingly) a fist in the air <b>obviously</b> stating my state of delight.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With that being said, the only clear and obvious thing to do was pick up a bag. Well, well, when I opened the bag, my nose definitely went to heaven. I then had the first bite and holy moly. When reading other peoples comments regarding these cookies they said they were just sweet but not that different from your traditional Oreo’s – I beg to differ. These instantly sent me Duncan Hines Funfetti heaven, and it’s where they took me each and every time I ate one. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, a few days after I bought the bag, they disappeared, needless to say, I returned to the grocery store (for that sole purpose … oh and maybe to buy some Funfetti icing, which to my disappointment they discontinued, <u>I don’t want to talk about it</u>, I was <b>not</b> impressed). However, as I later returned to looking at more blog posts I came across a recipe for an Oreo spread. <i> Say what?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?</i> Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Within a few seconds of reading the title, I didn’t even take a look at the recipe before I took my laptop into the kitchen to set up. As I continued to look at the ingredients well, obviously, I had everything on hand (don’t you love how Oreo’s are <i>accidentally vegan</i>? Love it!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyhow, I got my food processor out with the rest of the ingredients and holy cow. This dip/spread is out of this world. I thought Nutella would never beat, well it definitely has competition with this spread. It’s a little offsetting when you realize what you’re eating (especially if you have it on toast – it definitely makes your brain do a weird little dance up there). I had talked about this spread for a few days to my boyfriend before he attempted it and he definitely couldn’t wrap his head around it, which is understandable it is weird, but it’s <u>sooooooooooooooo</u> good! I would say, if you are looking to be indulgent and really not care, attempt this because you will not regret it, it’s divine and oh so delicious, especially served with fruit in lieu of Nutella.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Oreo Spread</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Recipe slightly adapted from <a href="http://www.10thkitchen.com/2012/03/oreo-spread/">here</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbrWiS5T3Ebu7KdSHMrMrnPizYLJUujR_ZFJHtljX928Gxv8WvPFoUeq1YVz7cRc4DYiaXNNwbY6hnLt6Q6COQbpz-uS0KIA4I4r8uAnJPS8I4a_3nKfFvNptbw4jp2IIWqXmXXZ8kc4S/s1600/Oreo+Spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbrWiS5T3Ebu7KdSHMrMrnPizYLJUujR_ZFJHtljX928Gxv8WvPFoUeq1YVz7cRc4DYiaXNNwbY6hnLt6Q6COQbpz-uS0KIA4I4r8uAnJPS8I4a_3nKfFvNptbw4jp2IIWqXmXXZ8kc4S/s320/Oreo+Spread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><br />
<ul><li>3 cups coarsely crushed Oreos</li>
<li>3 tbsp coconut oil</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/2 - 3/4 cups coconut milk, depending on consistency desired</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>If using coconut oil, warm it up to a liquid state. Combine crushed cookies, oil and vanilla in a food processor and process until the crumbs are finely ground, then add milk in a slow, stead stream, keeping an eye on the consistency and stopping to check if needs (3/4 cup of milk will leave you with a much thinner product than you may want, so watch closely). Store in the fridge.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Oreo Carob Toast</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9ecCcIbZoeElOZe-FmcP5QUyqC8__08m4lY6Qrf-jY9NmIgCWVVi6gO6Es9lhgmsSJKxd5t3QkQEBnfQp7bR3N4RWwXtpKr2pBP0uz9JGZRhc1D-y1QxYNyAw0Q6D64HToc9qZPYJ_tP/s1600/Oreo+Spread1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9ecCcIbZoeElOZe-FmcP5QUyqC8__08m4lY6Qrf-jY9NmIgCWVVi6gO6Es9lhgmsSJKxd5t3QkQEBnfQp7bR3N4RWwXtpKr2pBP0uz9JGZRhc1D-y1QxYNyAw0Q6D64HToc9qZPYJ_tP/s320/Oreo+Spread1.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Because I made a ton of this spread, and I didn't just want to eat it by the spoonfuls (although it was tasty that way!), I wanted to make use of it in a spread-like way. So I did. This was the definition of sinful. I couldn't believe what I was eating, and although it wasn't healthy, sometimes it's nice to indulge, so indulge I did, and not a single regret was given.</div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1 1/2 heaping tbsp of Oreo spread </li>
<li>1 slice of bread </li>
<li>1/2 banana - cut into slices</li>
<li>Handful of carob chips</li>
<li>Maple syrup - to taste</li>
</ul><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Directions:</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spread your Oreo spread on your bread. Chop your banana pieces into desired thickness and arrange on your bread. Top with carob chips and maple syrup. Broil for a few minutes until bananas have caramelized and your bread has toasted.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Have you ever tried cookie spreads?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What/how did you enjoy them?</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-5315211868748265892012-03-25T17:03:00.000-07:002012-03-25T17:03:09.748-07:00Orange, Strawberry and White Kidney Bean Salad<b>Orange, Strawberry and White Kidney Bean Salad</b><br />
<br />
Recipe inspired from <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.net/2012/02/06/orange-strawberry-and-navy-bean-salad/">here</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoErnr5FOzbe06WKy-05zmrIs1hfdEWL8Lo4r5zX6aqMnDLb2bIL6jHChHIrYxrdA5sIVKhmCdO7hGPXplGFhkncgMu2r3NfPF7IGVemVHouXEQX2VTq4bglwyMtHw45wPmeRKYTFu6o_/s1600/Orange,+Strawberry+and+White+Kidney+Bean+Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoErnr5FOzbe06WKy-05zmrIs1hfdEWL8Lo4r5zX6aqMnDLb2bIL6jHChHIrYxrdA5sIVKhmCdO7hGPXplGFhkncgMu2r3NfPF7IGVemVHouXEQX2VTq4bglwyMtHw45wPmeRKYTFu6o_/s320/Orange,+Strawberry+and+White+Kidney+Bean+Salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I found this recipe for a beautiful Orange, Strawberry and Navy Bean Salad a few weeks ago. I put it in my "menu" list of foods for when I came back from vacation, but for the middle of the week. <br />
<br />
I got back from beautiful British Columbia at 6:00 pm last night. Since I didn't get a chance to go to the gym last night, and I had a lot of time to burn during the day so I figured I would get some exercise in before my first personal training session (which is tomorrow morning), so that I'm not too much of a waste case when I go in. I have to admit after a week of doing absolutely no weight training - I skied my butt off, and did random exercises inside of my chalet, but it doesn't come close to my regular work outs that I do at the gym. After 45 minutes, I was definitely feeling the burn - /cough, I'm still really feeling the burn. However, despite not staying at the gym for an extended amount of time, it still felt great to be doing what I was doing.<br />
<br />
When I came home, I had a monstrous Mango Mixed Berry Spinach Shake, and it was darned good. However, just like every time I finish doing weights all I want to do for the rest of the day is eat like a king. With that, I snacked on dill pickles, mango, chocolate soy pudding and then decided it was time to make dinner because truthfully every time I opened up the fridge or the cupboards all I was craving was junk food. Vacation is over, and although I only ate poorly once while I was gone, eating poorly is not something I enjoy doing, especially after I'd just recently done a work out. I decided that I would make myself a bean salad.<br />
<br />
Although I didn't have all the ingredients as the original recipe suggested, I decided that I would still keep the concept but play around with the flavours that I had around the house. It turned out wonderfully, and it was just what I needed. In British Columbia, where we were staying food was incredddddiiibly expensive, and when we would go out, even though I was eating my vegetables they always seemed to be fried or seared in lots of oil which is not how I like to do things. Even eating fruits was very limited. Needless to say, I craved fruits and vegetables like there was no tomorrow, and when I came home those were certainly the first things I ate (along with some chocolate chip cookies, <i>oops</i> - but I blame my boyfriend, as he kept asking me to make some!)<br />
<br />
This salad was exactly what I needed, especially because of the sweets craving - the fruits definitely filled that craving. The beans filled my protein necessity, especially a little while after my work out, I was still craving some. This salad was filling, refreshing, light filled with tons of nutrients and it was 100% healthy. I felt so good after eating this, and it definitely made me realize how much I love simple and healthy salads and how much, even though eating the healthy options at restaurants they never quite hit the same spot as cooking at home does!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1 large tangelo minneola orange (or other orange)</li>
<li>5-6 large strawberries, chopped</li>
<li>1 can of white kidney beans - rinsed</li>
<li>1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated</li>
<li>1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li>1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper</li>
<li>1 tbsp rice wine vinegar</li>
<li>1 tbsp soy sauce</li>
<li>3 tbsp sesame seeds - I used black</li>
<li>2 cups of thinly sliced spinach</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Start by peeling your orange with a knife, then cut it into slices and cut each slice into four pieces. Add that to a large mixing bowl, followed by the rest of the ingredients. Mix everything together until well blended. Sprinkle with more sesame seeds, if desired.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you're craving junk food/sweets - what do you do to combat these cravings?</span></div><div><br />
</div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-45983033254772127532012-03-23T16:33:00.000-07:002012-03-23T16:33:53.586-07:00P'tit poisson.<div class="MsoNormal">It has been an incredibly <u>looooooooooong</u> time since I’ve posted any fish recipes. Yes, it’s been almost a full year. At this point last year, I had just begun dabbling with my vegan lifestyle. However, as I had written a few months ago, I had considered reintegrating fish back into my diet, especially because I knew I wanted to put on weight in a healthy manner, and wanted to hire a personal trainer. At first I didn’t think fish would be something that I would keep in my diet on a regular basis, but as I started doing more training the more I craved animal rich protein. I hate to say that, especially since all my recipes are vegan (excluding the fact that I eat Greek yoghurt), but everything is fully vegan.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t deny myself something if my body is craving it however, I did that for quite some time which later developed into an eating disorder and I’m not about to go down that road again. With that being said, if I crave something, I will eat it, whether it’s good or bad for me, /cough those <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/03/green-cookies.html">Mint Chocolate Baileys Cookies</a>, anyone else?!</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of my favourite nuts are pistachios, and one of my favourite fish is tilapia, finding a recipe incorporating both of these I knew I had to try it, especially since I was given some pistachios at Christmas that I still hadn’t opened up, since I was waiting for a “special time” to use them, well that special time came for this recipe. At first I didn’t know how the both of them would meld together but it was amazing! This is a fish recipes that needs to be the focus of certain restaurant menus. It was light, refreshing, crunchy, with a little bit of a zing as well as it left you with a feeling of home comfort. This recipe made me reminisce of the summer, and it is certainly one that will be enjoyed in the summer. It was a cinch to throw together, took barely any time at all, and the results were fantastic. Would certainly suggest trying this out, especially if you need a new way to cook your go-to fish.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b>Pistachio Crusted Tilapia Filets</b><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUB7xNFZUTggsKEwrEniIpzPkskdoDSyoc48-3ze_3dxcguJFyomNSaAqAu1x6cnKAsPX-38sSHfOeV8pMvqOomOiWXMQ1kktmlhxK2ERSZqnnfb-diWl2Iq31bQo1JKmioGKbyUKLUML/s1600/Pistachio+Crusted+Tilapia+Filets1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUB7xNFZUTggsKEwrEniIpzPkskdoDSyoc48-3ze_3dxcguJFyomNSaAqAu1x6cnKAsPX-38sSHfOeV8pMvqOomOiWXMQ1kktmlhxK2ERSZqnnfb-diWl2Iq31bQo1JKmioGKbyUKLUML/s320/Pistachio+Crusted+Tilapia+Filets1.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></span></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">2 fillets of tilapia</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">1/2 cup of finely chopped/crushed pistachios</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">1 Meyer lemon</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">2 tbsp cold unsalted butter cut in small pieces</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Extra virgin olive oil</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Sea salt and fresh pepper</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">1 bag of baby spinach</span></li>
</ul><b style="font-family: inherit;">Directions:</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Drizzle a little olive oil in a pot and heat it up on a medium heat. When the pan is hot, put in the spinach and, pulling the pan off the heat, just toss it and let it wilt. Add some salt and pepper. Set aside.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Drizzle the bottom of a baking dish with olive oil and lay the two pieces of flounder on top. Sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper and then drizzle them with olive oil. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Press in a good coating of the crushed pistachios over each fish. Don't skimp. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Dot with the butter, squeeze half the lemon over the fish, and bake for 10 minutes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Put under the broiler briefly, just until the nuts get a little golden and everything is sizzling. Watch carefully because the nuts will burn very quickly. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">Serve the fish over the spinach with wedges of Meyer lemon.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Note: </b></i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> You can substitute just about any fish, but I think a mild white fish like sole, tilapia, haddock or snapper would work best. The best way to chop the nuts is in a mini food processor, it will only take 15 seconds or so.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Tropical Island Spinach Salad</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XUsfNXiFWC0eAY0MNXh6TJdJUcXTqBR_y3AJQUYIp-6URusjcFnBq1jCmsgHoGhQmwYhSspI56tAm75n4HcoSd4gtrjqga5bWrjqcMIpZAEqD6ieMls906U2UJK8D5vz4UVaV5xW9stO/s1600/Tropical+Island+Spinach+Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XUsfNXiFWC0eAY0MNXh6TJdJUcXTqBR_y3AJQUYIp-6URusjcFnBq1jCmsgHoGhQmwYhSspI56tAm75n4HcoSd4gtrjqga5bWrjqcMIpZAEqD6ieMls906U2UJK8D5vz4UVaV5xW9stO/s320/Tropical+Island+Spinach+Salad.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since I had a bed of wilted spinach underneath the tilapia I decided to make a side spinach salad to go along with it. It was incredibly quick to throw together, and because the fish was reminiscent of the summer I thought I would make a salad that would also send me to that far away land. This salad was right down my ally of course considering the tropical flavours. This was also very easy to whip up and is very versatile don’t have any pineapple or oranges? How about throwing in some mango, banana, coconut or even grapefruit? The possibilities are endless and it is a great way to get some iron into you!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Large handful of spinach ~ 2 cups</li>
<li>1 tangelo minneola – chopped and segmented (or any other type of orange you have on hand)</li>
<li>1/4 cup of chopped pineapple</li>
<li>1 tbsp of pumpkin seeds</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp slivered almonds</li>
<li>Salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li>Freshly squeezed lime juice - dressing</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRLZTXfBOr7nb_0zPvsiIUVyxwT8QYp-1Df2jzcjonZkWoa1hAhPxm-Qg4DiooB7a_W25Wh4rxbxuwoy5UqB3MCEvykDHO97nz1Nlw_1gSNH_MLVKs02Sv2Vcdor_fuHYtNYq9iud7nFg/s1600/Pistachio+Crusted+Tilapia+Filets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRLZTXfBOr7nb_0zPvsiIUVyxwT8QYp-1Df2jzcjonZkWoa1hAhPxm-Qg4DiooB7a_W25Wh4rxbxuwoy5UqB3MCEvykDHO97nz1Nlw_1gSNH_MLVKs02Sv2Vcdor_fuHYtNYq9iud7nFg/s320/Pistachio+Crusted+Tilapia+Filets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seeing as tilapia is so versatile, how do you like to enjoy it?</span></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-62460207173938798822012-03-19T20:34:00.000-07:002012-03-19T20:34:16.367-07:00Apple Cinnamon Bagels<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>525</o:Words> <o:Characters>2997</o:Characters> <o:Company>University of Guelph</o:Company> <o:Lines>24</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3515</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfvN2dgWycXaR4bxOi5REjCX1sq_QjwnvnLonYeP0PIfrEo71ovh22mQGaU7s4-KUVX1I0NTJ_fmtlT4lhchDSZGqHXXbz6CQwbvA_mm_EOa2hgEQnyQecPB5Tp-nReKreRpJCSDksyfA/s1600/Apple+Cinnamon+Bagels1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfvN2dgWycXaR4bxOi5REjCX1sq_QjwnvnLonYeP0PIfrEo71ovh22mQGaU7s4-KUVX1I0NTJ_fmtlT4lhchDSZGqHXXbz6CQwbvA_mm_EOa2hgEQnyQecPB5Tp-nReKreRpJCSDksyfA/s320/Apple+Cinnamon+Bagels1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since I’ve started developing my skills in the kitchen, one of the things that I enjoy cooking up the most are bagels. Just like many of the things that I enjoy creating most – bowls of oats and shakes, bagels are also incredibly versatile. You can have savoury, sweet, hearty, grainy, and many more varieties. I recently stumbled upon a blog that I have very much been enjoying reading <a href="http://mylittlecelebration.com/page/2/">my little celebration</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I first started baking and would browse bagel recipes to try and replicate, a lot of them were incredibly intimidating as well as overall just time consuming. When I bake, I don’t want to spend five million hours waiting for something to sit and rise (even though I did once make a bread that took eighteen hours to set), I would much rather make my product, let it sit for an hour, then bake for another 45 minutes or so, and have them in a nick of time.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">These bagels were in my league, there was no sponge to be prepared, and even though I had to do a little bit of work with making the “apple pie” filling these were a cinch to throw together. Seeing this recipe, I would have been a fool not to attempt them. When I first looked at them, I thought to myself that they looked far too glutinous to make, because I knew I would end up eating the whole batch to myself but when it comes down to it, I work out, and I work out hard, I deserve to treat myself once in a while, and so I did.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">When I first got into the kitchen and got all the ingredients for the first part of the recipe – the apple filling, I couldn’t wait, I knew the smell awaiting me was going to be one of my all time favourites. Well, I was certainly right. It had been a long time since I created something as sinful as this – I usually omit butter and replace it with either avocado oil, applesauce or a mashed banana, but this recipe, I was very reluctant in doing so and wanted to go all out, so I did just that.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The results of this bagel? I can’t even begin to tell you. Well, I guess I can begin, because I’m going to, but, they leave me almost speechless. As I’ve mentioned on numerous accounts I am not a fan of pie, not at all, but give me the filling that accompanies it and it’s almost certain to be a hit – I mean how could it not when I’m a fruit fiend? Apple pie is one pie I wish I enjoyed, I looooove the filling, but I just cannot get over the flaky crust that accompanies pies – gross. So when I find a recipe for an almost-like apple pie in bagel form your darn right I’m going to attempt the recipe.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">These were incredibly great, especially if you’re not a pie advocate but thoroughly enjoy the flavours that come with it. These bagels made the house smell like a fresh October day. I knew by the first few aromas that my nose got a hint of that these would certainly be a hit. I made a smaller batch since I didn’t want to have too many to eat myself, but I quickly shot myself in the foot for that, since you can <b>always</b> freeze bagels, I wish I had, but it’s probably a better thing that I didn't. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you have never made bagels before and want to try some out for the first time, I would certainly suggest making these. The process is super easy, the result is fantastic, and they look incredibly beautiful. They are sweet, but overly sweet, there are gorgeous hints of cinnamon and brown sugar with speckles of apple in almost every bite. It was very much a replica of apple pie via bagel, yum!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOJUqNrf-P7mU5Qs0NUe4-iDK_IYyjjBlDymJ3DcutmK1E58n8g4R_fvHGNWGJxfbguvECu2it04Zd5EnWpu1cODetHuYQo2fZ2CpU_N3O7K_S68ZpztLtmbR9kW9aQSa-FMz-ZqxCYk_/s1600/Apple+Cinnamon+Bagels2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOJUqNrf-P7mU5Qs0NUe4-iDK_IYyjjBlDymJ3DcutmK1E58n8g4R_fvHGNWGJxfbguvECu2it04Zd5EnWpu1cODetHuYQo2fZ2CpU_N3O7K_S68ZpztLtmbR9kW9aQSa-FMz-ZqxCYk_/s320/Apple+Cinnamon+Bagels2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">2 cups warm water, about 110 degrees F</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">2 (1/4-ounce) packets active dry yeast</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">3 tbsp granulated sugar, plus 1 tbsp</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">1 cup whole wheat flour</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">1 tsp salt</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">1 tbsp Earth Balance or butter</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">3 small-medium granny smith apples, cored, peeled and diced</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">2 tsp cinnamon</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">1/4 cup + 3 tbsp sugar</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div><b><span style="line-height: 21px;">Streusel</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> Topping - </span></span></b></div><div style="line-height: 21px;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 tbsp sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp brown sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2-3 tbsp flour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp rolled oats</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp cinnamon</span></li>
</ul><div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add 1 tbsp of butter to a large skillet over medium heat, and then add the apples, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 2 tbsp sugar and stir. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples are soft and carmelized. Add more sugar and cinnamon if needed. Set aside to cool.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Combine the water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in a large bowl. Stir and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour, the apple mixture, salt and 1/4 cup sugar and stir. Then gradually add 3 cups of AP flour and mix until the mixture comes together.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups additional AP flour 1/2 cup at a time, either stirring with the wooden spoon or working with your hands. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky adding flour as needed, about 10 minutes.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Grease a large bowl and place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until almost doubled, about 1 hour.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from the bowl and punch down the dough. Divide into 12 equal pieces, about 2 to 3 ounces each. Loosely form each piece of dough into a ball and then poke a small hole in the middle of the ball with your middle and ring fingers from the underside. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place on a lightly greased surface [like a baking sheet or counter], cover with a clean cloth, and let rest until risen but not doubled in a draft-free spot, 20 to 30 minutes.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a baking sheet. Prepare streusel topping by mixing all ingredients together in a small bowl with fingers or a fork. If the mixture is too wet, add more flour. If it’s too dry, add more butter.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large, heavy pot, bring 12 cups of water and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar to a boil. In batches, add the bagels to the water and boil, turning, for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Flip bagels onto the prepared sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes, turn over [optional] and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes. [If adding struesel topping, spoon topping onto bagels <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">after</em> you've flipped them at the 5-minute mark. Otherwise, add it at the beginning.]</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYqU0PIL8BdqJBzVry3ITMj1dusMSeZ4CCry99H2fv6f2jms9JsMg65ACNpwU0k1Wq_KYBOM2rXTCVNCcT5gJZi3hpXPp-RDERAEyy7cS4dc4aSd5MVmkGz0qTJgYot7xQkRqnwHtvaVP/s1600/Apple+Cinnamon+Bagels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYqU0PIL8BdqJBzVry3ITMj1dusMSeZ4CCry99H2fv6f2jms9JsMg65ACNpwU0k1Wq_KYBOM2rXTCVNCcT5gJZi3hpXPp-RDERAEyy7cS4dc4aSd5MVmkGz0qTJgYot7xQkRqnwHtvaVP/s320/Apple+Cinnamon+Bagels.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Have you ever made any dessert-like bagels such as this?</span></div></div></div><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-19752745786057625372012-03-18T20:53:00.000-07:002012-03-18T20:53:50.525-07:00Seven Days of Oats a la Sam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week I made a post for <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/03/five-days-of-protein-shakes.html">Five Days of Protein Shakes</a>, with my daily ingestion of protein shakes also comes my daily consumption of oats (as I'm sure you all know by now). Since I hadn't made an entry for any of these bowls last week I figured I would give you guys seven days of oats a la Sam. Sit tight and relax, you are about to enjoy :)</div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Day 1 - Orange and Almond Infused Oats</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLzm-tfNBo5OUt2lZjdjMP8PoYc5m3agYljRZ6w9RDqKvRtABpGv_yOx8CImsOadFgpTIVxVJLcsNSkBerXKF3DLAEUlKhebRGlVxQL56pQ-_c91M1ujFUpcPwhUgiyGvN_kGGY48iJvE/s1600/Orange+and+Almond+Infused+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLzm-tfNBo5OUt2lZjdjMP8PoYc5m3agYljRZ6w9RDqKvRtABpGv_yOx8CImsOadFgpTIVxVJLcsNSkBerXKF3DLAEUlKhebRGlVxQL56pQ-_c91M1ujFUpcPwhUgiyGvN_kGGY48iJvE/s320/Orange+and+Almond+Infused+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div><b><br />
</b><br />
I have never used orange juice as a split base for my oats, however, I had a lot of oranges left to eat before I left for my trip to British Columbia and I didn't want these precious fruits going to waste so I figured I would experiment. I mean, it's not too different from water, just that it has a little zing to it. I wasn't sure what flavours I wanted to go with the orange infusion, but as I was making my oats I just had a lot of ideas flowing through, as to what I've seen orange paired with on prior occasions. The first bite I took I was a little reluctant as it had sort of an iffy taste to me, I can't really describe what it was, perhaps overkill in orange? I'm not sure, however, once I took my second and third bite I was definitely smitten by the divinity of this bowl. There were so many flavours that I used in this bowl, and in unison they all came together very well. This was a really divine bowl, and it was an excellent way to begin the day. I'm not a juice drinker, so with the orange infused in the oats it gave my morning ritual a nice little twist. This is definitely a very versatile bowl and will certainly be enjoyed again - this would certainly be ideal in the summer, perhaps even as overnight oats and have them cold rather than warm. I loved it, and it was certainly a great way to start a weeks worth of various bowls of oats!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice</li>
<li>1/3 cup soy milk + more for topping</li>
<li>1 ripened banana</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>1/4 tsp almond extract</li>
<li>1/8 tsp ginger</li>
<li>1/2 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tbsp ground flaxseed</li>
</ul><div><b>Garnish:</b><br />
<ul><li>Cacao nibs</li>
<li>Almond slivers</li>
<li>Coconut flakes</li>
<li>0% fat blackberry Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>Orange zest</li>
<li>Maple syrup</li>
</ul></div><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger, salt, almond and vanilla extract to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional soy milk, and the rest of your garnishes!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Day 2 - Almond Joy Oats</b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_k7fjJdYU6tKQ_qA0NNmRT4yxy5FdWgwfyesfOo2eW8I0gW7HAXVZFDx6CRy-FwxIs0Y-pk92lPyiCJa5GHpNHYSjyXyiNwdTkkgtbXKcDPmj3Gh8aWgxpyue4uHUW0pCwAhRdF3H2xy/s1600/Almond+Joy+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_k7fjJdYU6tKQ_qA0NNmRT4yxy5FdWgwfyesfOo2eW8I0gW7HAXVZFDx6CRy-FwxIs0Y-pk92lPyiCJa5GHpNHYSjyXyiNwdTkkgtbXKcDPmj3Gh8aWgxpyue4uHUW0pCwAhRdF3H2xy/s320/Almond+Joy+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve never had Almond Joy before, to be honest, I’m not even sure if we get Almond Joy chocolate bars in Canada. However, I have seen numerous recipes online via my dear fellow bloggers of imitation recipes for this delicious looking and sounding treat. I am a huge fan of almonds (hello Amaretto, am’I right?), and coconut we all know how in love I am with this beautiful flavor, when mixed together with a ibit of chocolate well, this is amazing. In this case I cheated a bit, and didn’t use real chocolate since if I don’t have to have chocolate I usually opt to not have it, but carob chips I am seriously very fond of. I remember this one time I had a friend over, and I was making “chocolate chip cookies” with carob chips instead, had the bagg open and as they were sticking their hand in the bag and gobbling up some chips behind my back they were well quite shocked to be completely honest that the taste wasn't at all what they had expected hahaha. This oatmeal however, despite the fact that I’ve never eaten an Almond Joy, if I can use my imagination, well I think that this would be neck in neck as to what it would taste like. This was seriously fantastic, and again, just like many of my breakfast bowls of oats resembles a healthy dessert rather than what's supposed to be a healthy breakfast, thankfully both categories work and my tummy and tastebuds get a treat as well!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>1/3 cup oatmeal</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk + more for topping</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/2 tsp almond extract</li>
</ul><div><b>Garnish:</b></div><ul><li>1 tbsp carob chips</li>
<li>1 tbsp slivered almonds</li>
<li>1 tbsp coconut flakes</li>
<li>0% fat vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp hemp seeds</li>
</ul><div><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, salt, almond and vanilla extract to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional soy milk, and the rest of your garnishes!</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Day 3 - Crunchy Peanut Butter Oatmeal</b></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7Yhm7SJ3udNZ9Ssr7VwpJEjLSeGr__UW0TbmH53uFuFS85dkW5u5NFwqkWR-k5RlnjRLPDhIcTvvEMVzU29hOtJwfSPRWrPd9gSd_rL0nT6xY4sZ4-GcAfW1ii8E-KedGfiYHzawEXB-/s1600/Crunchy+Peanut+Butter+Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7Yhm7SJ3udNZ9Ssr7VwpJEjLSeGr__UW0TbmH53uFuFS85dkW5u5NFwqkWR-k5RlnjRLPDhIcTvvEMVzU29hOtJwfSPRWrPd9gSd_rL0nT6xY4sZ4-GcAfW1ii8E-KedGfiYHzawEXB-/s320/Crunchy+Peanut+Butter+Oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have never been one for cereal, especially cereal and milk, <i>gross</i>. I was always a weird kid when it came to breakfast. For many years I wouldn't eat breakfast, no way Jose. Then I started eating breakfast and it wasn't your typical breakfast food, no, I would eat pasta, Mr. Noodles, ice cream, macaroni and cheese, yes I was a weird kid. This went on for many years. It's only the past few years, more so when I started going to University did I start to eat like a real person, and would also eat breakfast, nowadays I love it, and is by far my favourite meal of the day, and could hands down eat breakfast meals all day long. When it comes to cereal, I am still not a fan of cereal and milk together, yes, I will do like I did when I first started incorporating cereal in my diet and have a glass of milk on the side but never together, yuckers. My current favourite is of no surprise to me since the main flavour is peanut butter. I eat this cereal when I'm craving something junky but don't want to feel guilty - even though I may eat a lot in one sitting <i>uh oh</i>, oh well, better than a bag of chips. The other morning when I was making my oats, I knew I wanted peanut butter, then I thought of my wonderful cereal and figured hey why not throw them together in one magical unison? Well magical unison it was. This bowl was creamy and full of peanut butter and because of the cereal it had a nice crunchy bite to it as well. I loved this, and will definitely keep this as a go-to if I'm not feeling motivated to think of something special to make for my breakfast bowl!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>1/3 cup oatmeal</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk + more for topping</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1 tbsp peanut butter</li>
<li>1/4 cup <a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V6rK830EL._SL500_AA300_PIbundle-4,TopRight,0,0_AA300_SH20_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/Barbaras-Bakery-Peanut-Puffins-11-Ounce/dp/B001GVIR9S&h=300&w=300&sz=22&tbnid=4re9Nt-DZ1LmUM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpeanut%2Bbutter%2Bpuffin%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=peanut+butter+puffin&docid=a9OeVqpukn3MlM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=19lgT9WBBMSWgwfVk_2SCA&ved=0CEoQ9QEwBA&dur=376">peanut butter cereal</a> crushed</li>
<li>Handful of peanut butter chipits</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, salt, and vanilla extract to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana an peanut butter. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional soy milk, crushed cereal and peanut butter chipits.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Day 4 - Chai Spiced Banana Oats</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qTq8C6ZH_vtPIDvQgaOxduIBgl29hm8nL0AvcFyD6-gXT1wlj_8raeyw1ZCMC-OfoWapI2X7JBASqMPkK-xE6gFgZ98-McEHKOko3qlZ_ZAwcChasrffyemrhPuoSOk-82Kb_WjiETk7/s1600/Chai+Spiced+Banana+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qTq8C6ZH_vtPIDvQgaOxduIBgl29hm8nL0AvcFyD6-gXT1wlj_8raeyw1ZCMC-OfoWapI2X7JBASqMPkK-xE6gFgZ98-McEHKOko3qlZ_ZAwcChasrffyemrhPuoSOk-82Kb_WjiETk7/s320/Chai+Spiced+Banana+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div></div></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Okay, looking at the ingredient list, this definitely wouldn't look like a recipe I would want to make early in the morning, I mean, it looks like the list is as long as The Great Wall of China, but it's not really, there are just a lot of spices. Chai has got to be my favourite spice combination, it incorporates all the fall flavours that I love so much, and it's just so warming and aromatic. Especially when paired with oats, it gives you such a warm, home comfort feeling. This bowl of oats was the perfect thing to wake up to and have for breakfast. I loved it, and it was certainly a great pick-me up on a day where I certainly wasn't feeling like going to the gym and working out. This truthfully didn't take any longer than my regular oats that I make, and was certainly worth taking out the few extra spices to add a little zing to my morning. If you're not a big fan of ginger, I would almost suggest putting a little less than suggested and adding more cinnamon, all depends on how spicy you want it to be (however, with the added coconut, maple syrup and carob chips it adds a hint of sweetness)!</div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>1/4 tsp ground cardamom</li>
<li>1/4 tsp ground ginger</li>
<li>1/2 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1/8 tsp of nutmeg</li>
<li>1/8 tsp of cloves</li>
<li>1 tbsp flax</li>
<li>Maple syrup - to garnish</li>
<li>1 tbsp carob chips </li>
<li>1 tbsp pecans </li>
<li>1 tbsp flaked coconut</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, salt, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, flaxseed and vanilla extract to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana an peanut butter. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional soy milk, maple syrup, carob chips, pecans and flaked coconut.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Day 5 - Blueberries and Cream Oats</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Recipe inspired from <a href="http://naturallyella.com/2012/02/29/blueberries-n-cream-amaranth-porridge/">here</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NHDBrS5l4f2F9B4R2RQk4pGOQYmrirLewYtrBhyt9yk8EJZKJxhRvjmpWUf2o_981-u-W1NYVP-ZxNAhbjK-ctuYUJxaveBmqX2bQ5KeGFkx2hBLuvqOkFAjifQndXhCku97f0RfWQ1u/s1600/Blueberries+and+Cream+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NHDBrS5l4f2F9B4R2RQk4pGOQYmrirLewYtrBhyt9yk8EJZKJxhRvjmpWUf2o_981-u-W1NYVP-ZxNAhbjK-ctuYUJxaveBmqX2bQ5KeGFkx2hBLuvqOkFAjifQndXhCku97f0RfWQ1u/s320/Blueberries+and+Cream+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Hmmm, as I mentioned the other day, my mom bought me twelve bags of frozen fruits, and well, the blueberries needed to get gobbled up since out of all fruits, these are basically my least favourite. However, I've come to appreciate them when it comes to having them with warm oats as they seem to ooze all over the place and create the perfect flavour to oats (<a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/01/bowl-of-oats-x3.html">Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal</a>) also when paired with cinnamon and banana (<a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2011/09/willy-wonka-it-happens-every-time-they.html">Blueberry Pie Smoothie</a>). The other day as I was stumbling upon the foodie blogs I came across for a blueberry breakfast that actually looked quite delicious. At first I was contemplating using raspberries instead of blueberries and thought what the heck I might as well give it a shot. I'm glad I did. I'm still not fully converted to blueberries, but I'm beginning to appreciate those little buggers a <u>teeny bit more</u>. This oatmeal was luxurious, and definitely in the lines of a dessert as opposed to a breakfast (you really do feel like you're doing the body harm when eating this - but you are by no means doing so). I loved this, and will certainly be trying it again, and perhaps trying it as I initially wanted to with raspberries. I loved eating this because not only was it so tasty and good for me, it was darn right beautiful to look at, now that's a bonus right?</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk + 1 tbsp + more for topping</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>1 cup blueberries</li>
<li>1 tbsp maple syrup</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp slivered almonds </li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>In a small pot add blueberries, maple syrup, vanilla and 1 tbsp of coconut milk. Heat over low heat until the blueberries are heated through - make sure not to boil the coconut milk.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Make your oats as you typically make them. Then top with your blueberry compote, slivered almonds, additional coconut milk and maple syrup!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Day 6 - Tropical Oats</b></div><div><b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJTDWXxgZP59YDgpCcrK7jZmkUy7dOm2Axb8zjFozE0FBmEplOuH0j4FdoTd1Yd06O1aI9TV_0deEdLV87d3d1IG4rRSM2MPl-4y9CZjoaNgCYmXO8iUB5x3X9KQg_qaaA33-mak79ZDY/s1600/Tropical+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJTDWXxgZP59YDgpCcrK7jZmkUy7dOm2Axb8zjFozE0FBmEplOuH0j4FdoTd1Yd06O1aI9TV_0deEdLV87d3d1IG4rRSM2MPl-4y9CZjoaNgCYmXO8iUB5x3X9KQg_qaaA33-mak79ZDY/s320/Tropical+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Do I even need to write a little tidbit for this next bowl? I really don't think so, and I'm not going to. Instead I'm going to head downstairs and clean up after my cats, because by now, we all know how amazing tropical flavours are, how well they meld together, and how delightful they are with oats especially for breakfast when the weather isn't as warm as it's going to be for the rest of the day and you want to feel as though you're in the Caribbean somewhere drinking slurping back on a gigantic Pina Colada. All I'm going to say is, do yourself a favour, and make this - you know what to do.</div><div><div><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk + 1 tbsp + more for topping</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>2 tbsp chopped cashews</li>
<li>1/4 cup chopped pineapple</li>
<li>1/4 cup cubed mango</li>
<li>1 heaping tbsp coconut flakes</li>
<li>0% fat vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1 tbsp hemp seeds</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, salt, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional soy milk, Greek yoghurt, mango, pineapple, cashews, coconut flakes, and hemp seeds.</div></div></div><br />
<b>Day 7 - Strawberry Nutella Oats</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyezRGl6CLb5HZtbs2xXa69vrzWvfkL_iXalOOAgG9xyGX3vPGBgHBKpjvmIiUKDgSvZKsp3OJV4nQfJqssQYkjrOE96wfDMqwgNX9IU-tFhc9j71S1abAHn6SZ1ybIF8pNnQiSaW48w2/s1600/Strawberry+Nutella+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyezRGl6CLb5HZtbs2xXa69vrzWvfkL_iXalOOAgG9xyGX3vPGBgHBKpjvmIiUKDgSvZKsp3OJV4nQfJqssQYkjrOE96wfDMqwgNX9IU-tFhc9j71S1abAHn6SZ1ybIF8pNnQiSaW48w2/s320/Strawberry+Nutella+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, okay, Nutella and strawberries are absolutely amazing. Clearly I’ve had peanut butter and Nutella are amazing together, as are bananas and Nutella. As we all know, chocolate and strawberries are matches made in heaven, but with the addition of hazelnuts, holy moly it’s a whole other world. This oatmeal was incredibly creamy, luxurious, sinful, perfectly sweet, packed full of protein, and was incredibly filling and a perfect way to start a work out. I made this a few times before I decided that I need to photograph it because this is certainly one bowl that needs to be shared with the rest of you, pure perfection in a bowl.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>1/3 cup oatmeal</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk + more for topping</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>3 medium sized strawberries – quartered than cut in half</li>
<li>1 tbsp Nutella</li>
<li>1 tbsp hemp seeds</li>
<li>0% fat strawberry Greek yoghurt</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, salt, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana and Nutella. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional milk, Greek yoghurt, strawberry slices, and hemp seeds.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What are some ideas you use to spruce up your morning oats?</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div></div><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-5121060883898321832012-03-17T11:53:00.000-07:002012-03-17T11:53:32.519-07:00Green cookies?I am currently sitting in my living room, procrastinating on packing the last of my things for beautiful British Columbia. <i>Heeeyy</i>, don't look at me like that! I'm 95% done, I just have to pack the last of the things for my carry-on, do a quick tidy and then wait for my dad to pick me up so we can head to the airport. I figured I might as well kill a few minutes by writing a quick entry for ya'll (oh yeah I did) before I head out right?<br />
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This week I surely won't be cooking anything fancy. We are staying at a chalet, and will have a full kitchen, but my priority this week isn't to be in the kitchen, <u>absolutely not</u>, no I want to take full advantage of the snow, the slopes and the beautiful scenery that this province has to offer. I will however still be posting if I have time, as I always have recipes that I can share (I really do get backed up when it comes to posting, but I mean, how could you not with all the delicious meals you eat in one day? They add up!)<br />
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Today, I'm going to post you my third and last post for St-Patrick's Day. Again, to my delight these turned out brilliantly, as I was a little afraid at first they wouldn't or that they'd alter the taste but thankfully they did not, and they still kept their beautiful bright green colour, <i>woohoo</i>!<br />
<br />
Over the Christmas break I made one of the darn right most amazing cookies I had ever had in my life. When it comes to alcohol I'm a pansy, and I <b>looooove</b> anything that is creamy and or insanely high in sugar, anyone seen those <a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.brandchannel.com/images/FeaturesProfile/520_profile_cadbury.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp%3Fpr_id%3D520&h=300&w=250&sz=25&tbnid=4qX1g6BJbkrYJM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=75&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcaramilk%2Balcohol%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=caramilk+alcohol&docid=DTrQgavMBbhyzM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=08VkT-DxKcPf0QHb-bikCA&ved=0CDwQ9QEwAw&dur=1409">Caramilk Cream Coolers</a>? Now that's what I'm talking about! My absolute favourite, hands down, hey, it even get's the guys excited when they seem them! Anywho, with all that being said, Baileys is one of my absolute favourites, plus, it's alcohol that people don't give you shifty eyes when you drink some no matter how early or how late it is in the day, that is <b>always</b> a bonus right? When incorporating Baileys and cookies together, well hot dang, you have yourself probably the most sinful cookie ever. Yes, I've seen some crazy cookie concoctions, but to me, this is crazy, and is definitely my favourite without a doubt. <br />
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I didn't take any pictures of these cookies when I initially made them because well... they went <i>waaayyyy</i> too quickly. This time however, because I also spruced up the recipe I <b>needed</b> to make sure to snag some pictures before they go (because well, they're already going quickly!) I decided to split the batch in half and make two kinds. Between the two I'm not sure which one I liked more, because both of them have some of my favourite ingredients.<br />
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In the first batch, the one that I got the idea to spruce up while I was trying to go to sleep (such an awful idea to get a cookie idea, because I seriously contemplated making these cookies, and it was two in the morning, and it was clearly distracting me from actually getting to bed...) nonetheless, I waited until the next day to make them. I decided that, I would like to add in some natural green colour to these cookies, especially because I really am not a huge fan of using artificial colouring. So, that is what I did, and thankfully just like my <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patricks-day-inspiration.html">Tropical Green Pancakes</a> the colours didn't fade and the spinach wasn't known to the tastebuds either, absolutely love it. <br />
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Next, I decided to not use Mint Chocolate Baileys, but instead use the original version and chop up my <b>all time favourite</b> chocolate bar <u style="font-weight: bold;">EVER</u> Cookies n' Cream (hey, it's white chocolate, I'm a huuuuuge sucker!) These came out soooooooo well! My boyfriend eats one, "you are something else, you know that?" - yeah, that's what I like to hear!<br />
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What I love about these cookies is that, they are puffy, with crispy outsides yet ooey-gooey soft centres, the dark brown sugar gives them a darkness and you get certain salty bites that's just delightful. Regardless of which cookie between the two, you are sure to have your socks knocked right off, they are downright sinful and seriously need to be labelled so, because these could certainly kill a diet that's for sure!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH1WJT4bJAyXnPIl7lRZ8LRT1ugjSlAAZ_tjKQD8OcObwGp3C899MYD_5I18OAp060WjxPB9IDHtpQQlhU3ebkmkeoNBberLJya2NAQ3QzdFIRo9arAyViq467WRrKFEZK1_juu24hXBS/s1600/Cookies+n'+Cream+Baileys+Cookiespeanutbuttercookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnH1WJT4bJAyXnPIl7lRZ8LRT1ugjSlAAZ_tjKQD8OcObwGp3C899MYD_5I18OAp060WjxPB9IDHtpQQlhU3ebkmkeoNBberLJya2NAQ3QzdFIRo9arAyViq467WRrKFEZK1_juu24hXBS/s320/Cookies+n'+Cream+Baileys+Cookiespeanutbuttercookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mint Chocolate Chip Baileys Cookies</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recipe inspired from <a href="http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2011/12/mint-chocolate-baileys-chippers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+neverHomemaker+%28%28never+home%29maker%29">here</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><ul><li>1/8 cup plus 1 tbsp canola oil</li>
<li>1/2 cup dark brown sugar</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 1 1/2 tbsp water</li>
<li>1/8 cup Mint Chocolate Baileys</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>3/4 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1/4 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1/8 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp fleur de sel (or other salt)</li>
<li>1/2 cup dark chocolate chips </li>
<li>1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">In a small bowl mix together your flaxseed and water. Allow to sit for five or so minutes until it has turned into an almost like gel state - set aside.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">In the bowl of your food processor add your spinach and Baileys until spinach chunks disappear.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">With your paddle attachment on high, mix together the brown sugar and oil until well incorporated. Add flaxegg, Baileys, and vanilla extract. Mix well. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients and stir until everything is moistened. Fold in the chocolate chips.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Scoop tablespoon-sized dollops onto your cookie sheet, spacing about two inches apart.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, until golden. Repeat with the rest of the dough.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cookies n' Cream Baileys Cookies</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recipe inspired from <a href="http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2011/12/mint-chocolate-baileys-chippers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+neverHomemaker+%28%28never+home%29maker%29">here</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><ul><li>1/8 cup plus 1 tbsp canola oil</li>
<li>1/2 cup dark brown sugar</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 1 1/2 tbsp water</li>
<li>1/8 cup original Baileys</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>3/4 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1/4 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1/8 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp fleur de sel (or other salt)</li>
<li>1 1/2 Cookies n' Cream bars ~ 1/2 cup</li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Same directions as above, only there is no processing of spinach, and change the Baileys from Mint Chocolate to original and use Cookies n' Cream chocolate instead of dark chocolate!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Peanut Butter Cookies</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recipe taken from <a href="http://17andbaking.com/2012/01/22/soft-whole-wheat-peanut-butter-cookies-vegan/">here</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last cookie that I have for you guys is one of my recent favourites. I am not one to make the same recipes over and over again - however, both the Baileys cookies and these are an exception. I have never been the biggest fan of peanut butter cookies to be honest, but it is my mom's favourite cookie. A few months ago, as I was doing my thing, and looking through recipes I stumbled across a peanut butter recipe that actually sounded very good. I figured that if I didn't like them, then at least my mom would eat them. However, this is also when my peanut butter craze started, actually these could <u>possible be the thing to blame</u> as to why my peanut butter <b>obsession</b> has lasted so long.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These cookies are soft, with the perfect amount of peanut butter, if you add salt on top of the cookie before it bakes, it takes it's already perfect self to a whole new level. The first time I made these, I sandwiched two cookies together with some raspberry jam before baking them, and it tasted like a sinful peanut butter and jam sandwich. I love these cookies, and they are so incredibly versatile. This recipe is definitely my go-to peanut butter cookie for now on. The maple syrup also creates the perfect sweetness that to me, is what separates these peanut butter cookies from the rest. Go on, and give them a try.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</b></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups whole wheat flour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp baking soda</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 tsp fleur de sel (or other salt)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup natural creamy peanut butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup pure maple syrup</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3-4 tbsp canola oil (or extra virgin olive oil)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Raw sugar & sea salt for sprinkling</span></li>
</ul><b style="font-family: inherit;">Directions:</b><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 350F degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stir the peanut butter, maple syrup, optional olive oil, and vanilla until combined in a large mixing bowl. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt over the top and stir until just combined. If the dough is hard to work with, chill in the fridge or freezer for 15-30 minutes or until easy to shape.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shape into balls (I like to use a teaspoon) and gently flatten with a fork. If the dough sticks, sometimes moistening your fingers or the fork helps. Sprinkle the tops with salt and raw sugar. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake for 11 minutes until set.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYylsU40c-VdWNLFRvhDJTezSR1eLw4BXM55W4gMsjpaYDJQQuS7Db4SeJyz6bg8yztIQEae2mkeZWZVmCTS01qC8VSg6-jIDrKynMHSU21AZnzT8IUtmzOCfgs4s-NzFEtHME15EKPhoz/s1600/Mint+Chocolate+Chip+Baileys+Cookiespeanutbuttercookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYylsU40c-VdWNLFRvhDJTezSR1eLw4BXM55W4gMsjpaYDJQQuS7Db4SeJyz6bg8yztIQEae2mkeZWZVmCTS01qC8VSg6-jIDrKynMHSU21AZnzT8IUtmzOCfgs4s-NzFEtHME15EKPhoz/s320/Mint+Chocolate+Chip+Baileys+Cookiespeanutbuttercookies.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy St-Patrick's Day!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How are you celebrating?</span></div></div><!--EndFragment-->Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-86233062144692384852012-03-16T16:44:00.000-07:002012-03-16T16:44:39.224-07:00St-Patrick's Day Inspiration.I am not one that usually celebrates St-Patrick's Day; I am <u>not</u> Irish, <u>nor</u> am I a big drinker. Even when I was in University, St-Patties wasn't really a day I looked forward to unlike most of the people whom I was surrounded with. To me, it's just another day, especially because it isn't a day for my heritage. If I want to drink with my friends, I will drink, I don't need a day that means nothing to me to have an excuse to drink. Now I know that sounds cynical, but it's just not my thing, I do however really enjoy dressing in green and seeing what people come up with for kooky costume ideas - that to me is very fun. This year I won't even be in Ontario for St-Patrick's so, I won't even have the option of drinking with my friends, <i>even if this year I wanted to</i>. <br />
<br />
For Christmas, I was surprised with a flight ticket for British Columbia. My dad, brother and I, along with my dad's girlfriend, and two of her kids will be spending seven days at <a href="http://www.bigwhite.com/">Big White Ski Resort</a>, which I am very much looking forward to. It hadn't really sunk in that I was going skiing for a week until last night. With that being said, the weather in Ontario this past week has been nothing short of beautiful. Every single day it's been at least fourteen degrees Celsius, and as much as I am looking forward to this trip, going from the beautiful warm weather, to a cold snowy environment is sending chills down my spine. I know however when I go there, and I see the beautiful mountains, and the abundance of white (in which we lacked here in my part of the province), that I will forget all about the cold and will not be able to contain myself.<br />
<br />
<b>Shamrock Shake Version 2.0</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesjoh5e7I4icIFw2lMsd2rafjMKh7TlSANI7srTxTX7lPvA1t2RZIfSgndXpeDeWmwcVaPr0QCiu_aPB39p_o4p2C51NWWRc00UN_CShVHKeGikhP-_6SMOIbF5QF9JuC131T57e0fCcL/s1600/Shamrock+Shake+Version+2.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesjoh5e7I4icIFw2lMsd2rafjMKh7TlSANI7srTxTX7lPvA1t2RZIfSgndXpeDeWmwcVaPr0QCiu_aPB39p_o4p2C51NWWRc00UN_CShVHKeGikhP-_6SMOIbF5QF9JuC131T57e0fCcL/s320/Shamrock+Shake+Version+2.0.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div><br />
Now, as I said, I am not one to celebrate St-Patty's, however, I really <b>love </b>the colour green, and well, one of my latest favourite ingredients to incorporate into my meals is spinach, which is a beautiful, vibrant green as we all know. This time last year, I had come up with a delicious and healthy <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2011/03/sh-sh-shamrooockkk.html">Shamrock Smoothie</a>, despite the fact that there wasn't anything bad for me in it, I wanted to make a new and improved version. At this time last year, despite the fact that I was "working out" (for me to look back on last year in comparison to now, I don't believe what I was doing was really working out. Not only that, I was incredibly ignorant to protein all together so it really wasn't a focus of mine). This year however, especially now that I know how to lift weights properly, and how to get my heart working like a mad man without your "stereotypical" cardio i.e. running or biking, I now focus a lot of my attention on how to get protein into my diet.<br />
<br />
Shamrock Shake Version 2.0 - is still just as delicious, if I'm to be quite honest, it taste practically the same, except it is substantially higher in protein versus the one I made last year, seeing as last years didn't have any, other than what is in the soy milk, oi. So here we have it, if I had to choose between the two, clearly version two is much better suited for the needs of my diet!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>2 cups fresh spinach</li>
<li>1 large frozen banana</li>
<li>1/4 tsp peppermint extract</li>
<li>1/4 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/3 cup 0% vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1 tsp cacao powder</li>
<li>1 scoop vanilla protein powder</li>
<li>Cacao nibs - to garnish</li>
</ul><div><b>Tropical Green Pancakes</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhTb3sjEuXis3-qrqBudyfgX5ICsaZKsM6AIzA0kVwCePoZg7M9xTk29TpOzhOvOGMEXOhl9n9ZcPfkixfwOkAmyrudWx-cLqkPw6UgrBKx809F-dYRDG8pVJ7YVnN7-36vVUMD8lr7bC/s1600/Tropical+Green+Pancakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhTb3sjEuXis3-qrqBudyfgX5ICsaZKsM6AIzA0kVwCePoZg7M9xTk29TpOzhOvOGMEXOhl9n9ZcPfkixfwOkAmyrudWx-cLqkPw6UgrBKx809F-dYRDG8pVJ7YVnN7-36vVUMD8lr7bC/s320/Tropical+Green+Pancakes2.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br />
</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Next on my St-Patrick's Day list of goodies, is something that I am a huuuuuge fan of and wanted to healthify even more (yes, I know that's not a word). At first I was a little skeptical as to how these would turn out, but nevertheless to my surprise they turned out amazingly. When I woke up this morning, I really wasn't in the mood to have a protein shake, instead I was really craving some pancakes, probably because I'm beginning to get in vacation mode, and pancakes are always a nice comfort food and reminds me of vacation. However, I'm not on vacation, and even when I do go to British Columbia I will still be maintaining a healthy diet via exercise and food consumption of course. Despite the fact that I wanted pancakes, I wanted to add a bit more nutrition to them as well, so I decided that I would try making some green pancakes - because I wanted to be healthy of course, but as well so I did have a delicious entry to post.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I have seen various green pancakes on the web, but none of them have ever really drawn a lot of attention to my tastebuds, so I figured why not get in the kitchen. These pancakes took a little longer to make than usual (first because I'd never made them before, so wasn't quite sure what to do), as well as because I had to use the blender and take out some few extra bowls. I was in the kitchen for quite a while, but it was seriously worth it. It was worth it for the flavour of course, tropical, what else could I ask for, but the beautiful green! At first I wasn't so sure that the green would still be as prominent after cooked, but I'm assuming because it was natural versus an artificial colour i.e. food colouring this is some of the reason behind it, I'm not a scientist, but this makes sense to me haha. </div><div><br />
</div><div>From now on, I'm going to try and use spinach in a lot more of my foods. When blended in you seriously don't even know that there is spinach other than the colour. I love this, and it is such a sneaky way of adding in <b>a lot</b> of greens to your diet. The thing that's awesome about spinach too is that when it is combined with fruits the iron absorption is greater, win-win-win situation!</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DHtz7C-UrcSWB_unkp6MaLQ6kPGSMEuccEQJ3c1r3EM5i0LuUEo5_kyrBLXa0AAPcoR7kCgCASNA_7ny0cuGRmoSs6UNa71hP_ZeNnhPj6zv6nVN4Ju7AqZG6oOENYtLRwzoOfRzi7u9/s1600/Tropical+Green+Pancakes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DHtz7C-UrcSWB_unkp6MaLQ6kPGSMEuccEQJ3c1r3EM5i0LuUEo5_kyrBLXa0AAPcoR7kCgCASNA_7ny0cuGRmoSs6UNa71hP_ZeNnhPj6zv6nVN4Ju7AqZG6oOENYtLRwzoOfRzi7u9/s320/Tropical+Green+Pancakes1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/2 very ripe banana</li>
<li>1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach</li>
<li>1/2 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1/2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1/8 tsp salt</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp flaxseed + 1 1/2 tbsp water</li>
<li>1/2 cup freshly chopped pineapple</li>
<li>1 tbsp flaked coconut</li>
</ul><div><b>Garnish:</b></div></div><div><ul><li>1/2 banana</li>
<li>Carob chips</li>
<li>0% fat Greek yoghurt (flavour of choice)</li>
<li>Coconut flakes</li>
<li>1 1/2 tsp maple syrup</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>In a teeny tiny bowl, mix your flaxseed and water. Allow to sit for a few minutes until it becomes almost gelly like (about five minutes).</div><div><br />
</div><div>In a small bowl combine your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and coconut flakes. Leave this to the side.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In a blender, add your milk, banana, pineapple, and spinach until there are no visible chunks of spinach. Add in your flaxegg. Pour your green mixture in with the dry ingredients and mix until combined.</div><div><br />
</div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat a griddle on medium low. Using a 1/4 measuring cup, drop batter onto the griddle. Cook until the tops are bubbly and edges are dry. Flip and cook another minute.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mash the remaining banana and maple syrup together. Top your pancakes with your banana mixture, yoghurt, coconut flakes and carob chips. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Devour.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt41uM4di-UEaeGa3JU-PR0nkfUX9w0nSF-zSMaHgFcOvivmtOm5MBSzLLkfyhDPY4cp_THmuGMfv3KgFAzD2kVwRuVSRDBi6jr0bQA6PcKY4wKuRWPJ7X5iydQ0UlDIDmInNTp4J0oIK/s1600/Tropical+Green+Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt41uM4di-UEaeGa3JU-PR0nkfUX9w0nSF-zSMaHgFcOvivmtOm5MBSzLLkfyhDPY4cp_THmuGMfv3KgFAzD2kVwRuVSRDBi6jr0bQA6PcKY4wKuRWPJ7X5iydQ0UlDIDmInNTp4J0oIK/s320/Tropical+Green+Pancakes.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do you try to sneak greens into your diet?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever tried sneaking spinach into anything other than smoothies/shakes?</span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-65173036579558253812012-03-12T16:24:00.000-07:002012-03-12T16:24:23.749-07:00Five days of protein shakes.<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal">The other day my mom had to go to Costco and pick up another tub of protein powder. This is the first time since I've been using protein powder that I've actually finished a tub practically by myself (my mom has made protein shakes here and there after her work outs, not being as vigilant as me after a work out) so a good 5/6 of the tub was consumed by me. That to me is nuts. Whenever I used to walk to school and it was garbage/recycling day I always had a tendency to walk a little slower than normal and stare into people's bins. It's not that I would stop and rummage through them <i>gross</i>, but I would make mental notes, healthy, unhealthy, unhealthy, unhealthy, super healthy, etc... It was kind of a bad habit to have because well it's rude, and I shouldn't judge other peoples lifestyles as I don't know what kind of lives they lead. Regardless, whenever I would see tubs of protein in recycling bins I always thought to myself "hooooooly, who finishes those tubs?!?!?!" - now, I am, and it feels incredible.<br />
<br />
I've gone over this tenfold of times now, but I love my shakes, and I especially love them after a well deserved hard work out. Lately, I've been consuming them like crazy, and coming up with some really incredible combinations. My favourite, which has been my go-to for a few weeks now when I don't feel like brainstorming interesting combinations I throw in 1/2 cup frozen mango, 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup soy milk, 1/2 cup water, huuuuuge handful of spinach, 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder - it is wonderful. For those days when I'm not lazy and feel like using my brain to come up with something I try things like this -<br />
<br />
Here's my last week in protein shakes!<br />
<br />
<b>Day 1 - </b><br />
<br />
<b>Tropical Green Smoothie</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZj_2wTUANOZJ3QEcgCfKAkL5h434N8j3AwNsy6k5yGwINIUpMnL66CABH9K1o0_J3Ig8p06yGFKBdjynZCIUUAdcUNKxgRHvIdzxlQbPZrdsNScyKZVIjpbjmuRCvH13loend8wkYBsr/s1600/Tropical+Green+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZj_2wTUANOZJ3QEcgCfKAkL5h434N8j3AwNsy6k5yGwINIUpMnL66CABH9K1o0_J3Ig8p06yGFKBdjynZCIUUAdcUNKxgRHvIdzxlQbPZrdsNScyKZVIjpbjmuRCvH13loend8wkYBsr/s320/Tropical+Green+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
By now you all know I'm a fan of the tropics. Doesn't matter the shape, size (however, preferably as huge as I can get so I can get a huge dose of these flavours!), texture, or consistency. I love all tropical fruits, and will always have a special place in my heart. One of my recent favourites is a tropical green shake, think Pina Colada's only without the added sugar and alcohol. You have yourself an incredibly healthy protein packed, iron rich shake that is sure to fill you for hours and bound to heal your muscles after a tough work out!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul><li>1/2 frozen banana</li>
<li>1 cup pineapple (frozen if you have)</li>
<li>1 freshly cut mango</li>
<li>1 orange juiced - my favourite is Tangelo Minneola </li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/4 cup water</li>
<li>1/3 cup 0% vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>2 cups of spinach</li>
<li>1 scoop of protein powder</li>
</ul><div><b>Day 2 - </b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Peanut Butter and Jam Banana Shake</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxUdpF0lkzzHnZtuF41bLhBbKD1qj2n7zLhKcrXV6BR0OaF0TJW5P7P1ayDZyDTggi6Lm6Pue-_j_JbfX-Y4443TXkdH8wHwztNyeGc-d0WBI9RAzXB6Ojd-qy51IUS7qSQ7ROzzaOjfX/s1600/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Shake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxUdpF0lkzzHnZtuF41bLhBbKD1qj2n7zLhKcrXV6BR0OaF0TJW5P7P1ayDZyDTggi6Lm6Pue-_j_JbfX-Y4443TXkdH8wHwztNyeGc-d0WBI9RAzXB6Ojd-qy51IUS7qSQ7ROzzaOjfX/s320/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Shake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm not the biggest fan of jam other than my beloved raspberry or jam, or this lemon mango jam that I stumbled across last summer as I was working in Montreal and decided to go to a Farmer's Market. I'm not sure what it is about jam, it's not that the consistency freaks me out or anything, it's just I think when it comes down to it I rather eat the fruit in it's natural form, instead of a mashed up pureed form. As I said though, raspberry jam, I <b>loooooove</b>, especially when it's melded together with its soulmate <u>peanut butter</u>. If I've already had a huge bowl of oats for breakfast, I sometimes don't like to come home from a work out and have my shake along with more carbs, so instead I'll substitute what I'm craving carbs wise (in this case a peanut butter and jam banana sandwich), and I'll transform it into a protein shake. This was amazing. It was oh so creamy, it was rich, but not too rich, each flavour definitely shared the spotlight and none were left out. It was incredibly satiating and it gave me a ton of energy for the rest of the afternoon, would surely make this again!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup frozen raspberries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 frozen banana</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 heaping tbsp peanut butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup 0% fat vanilla Greek yoghurt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup soy milk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 scoop peanut butter protein powder (or substitute for what you have chocolate/vanilla)</span></li>
</ul><div><b>Day 3 - </b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Blueberry Avocado Shake</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div>Recipe inspired from <a href="http://livlovelaugh.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/blueberry-avocado-smoothie/">here</a><br />
<div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrzt6FSeLQYqTT_VOosFPj_ic5pNRpA7xhP1V_oPioqjW2R3wF3fZhneCibAJtMalMnnI4PFn84zSbFpCrtM-m0vueFsppLYsXeFUHwCqls9L-5z0ifs3GkV4SbiS-YFN5o37D-4t_P0u/s1600/Blueberry+Avocado+Shake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrzt6FSeLQYqTT_VOosFPj_ic5pNRpA7xhP1V_oPioqjW2R3wF3fZhneCibAJtMalMnnI4PFn84zSbFpCrtM-m0vueFsppLYsXeFUHwCqls9L-5z0ifs3GkV4SbiS-YFN5o37D-4t_P0u/s320/Blueberry+Avocado+Shake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div>Now, this was a really interesting combination of flavours for me. I <b>really</b>, <b>really</b>, <b>really</b> am not the biggest fan blueberries. I mean, unless they are topped in whipped cream, or are melded with our berries and topped with some fresh lime juice I don't go bizerk for blueberries, nor will you ever really catch me eating just a bowl of blueberries unless we are really out of fruit. When I stumbled across a recipe for a blueberry and avocado combination this actually sounded really good to me. When I took the first sip, I was actually a little repulsed, I'm not sure what it was exactly, or if it was because the first sip was the last of what was in the blender and it just wasn't mixed properly - I don't know, but it was gross. At first I was debating not even taking a picture, but then I took another sip and it was heaven. The whole time I was gobbling this down like a monkey I couldn't help think that I was eating a blueberry pie (I don't even like pie <b>let alone</b> blueberry pie for that matter), but for some reason this was good. Oh, oh, now that I think about it, maybe it's not blueberry pie that it was reminiscent of, but blueberry cheesecake! Ah yes, now that makes more sense because of the creamy hues from the blueberries! After the second sip, it had truly been transformed, and it was incredible. When it was done, I seriously contemplated making another mini version because it truly was satisfying. Thank heaven I had frozen some avocado in the freezer because without the banana I'm always skeptical of the consistency that the shake is going to result in, but frozen avocado to me is the same as a frozen banana and gives you different nutrients to feed your body!</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul><li>1/2 cup frozen blueberries</li>
<li>1/2 frozen avocado</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped walnuts</li>
<li>1 scoop vanilla protein powder</li>
<li>2 cups fresh spinach</li>
</ul></div><div><b>Day 4 - </b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Orange Date and Coconut Shake</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_izG6kK6CiSd5RgY-sl2GxA9MF7nvFzuMhnesyqO0ceih4V1rbmFnUvCxfq6xKWboT-KrIQmo8agWm2QPSb2bf-bXSK5gVgX9b8HGJxqOC46D1maRDa07isI9Q5G8LxzZ3GB1JV9kFh7x/s1600/Orange+Date+and+Coconut+Shake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_izG6kK6CiSd5RgY-sl2GxA9MF7nvFzuMhnesyqO0ceih4V1rbmFnUvCxfq6xKWboT-KrIQmo8agWm2QPSb2bf-bXSK5gVgX9b8HGJxqOC46D1maRDa07isI9Q5G8LxzZ3GB1JV9kFh7x/s320/Orange+Date+and+Coconut+Shake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>Now, when it comes to adding oranges into my shakes I'm a little skeptical, as even when segment the orange I find that sometimes the texture doesn't blend well. When it came to this shake however, I didn't notice the orange texture at all, it had blended amazingly, and the orange flavour was thoroughly noticed. This is one of those shakes that you can chew, which... isn't any different for me, since I even chew my water (it's incredibly weird I know, and I don't tell people this because well, it's really strange. I had told my boyfriend this, and thought I was telling him something new, and he was like yeah I noticed that... well that's embarrassing hahaha). Nonetheless, if you're not like me, and you actually drink your drinks as they are intended, this will definitely be a shake/smoothie that you will chew. This is certainly great if you're feeling a little under the weather and want a pick me up. The zesty orange, tropical coconut, and sweet dates are melded so wonderfully together and create such a punch of flavours, highly recommended. </div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 orange</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5 dates</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup boiling water</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 frozen banana</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup 0% fat free vanilla Greek yoghurt</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp coconut milk</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup water</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 scoop vanilla protein powder</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp pure vanilla extract</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp unsweetened shredded coconut, to garnish</span></li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Soak the dates in the boiling water for 5-10 minutes to soften them up.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Peel the orange with a knife and cut it into 8-10 pieces.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Add all ingredients, except shredded coconut, to your food processor and process until smooth, about one minute.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Transfer to drinking glass, garnish with shredded coconut.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<b>Blueberry Peanut Butter Shake</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCFKulF30ANLXSE7m6KoTYTmGUug8BExWbqqBYXhpvRmsuaeRzszgXZHBdpt5dcdwu0iV4knQ3z918Dt-E41I6m4-RueIQwdnHYUuPcn6qm17CCB46wby4-w2FpPhZ0FE3boV0OuW8qcG/s1600/Blueberry+Peanut+Butter+Shake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCFKulF30ANLXSE7m6KoTYTmGUug8BExWbqqBYXhpvRmsuaeRzszgXZHBdpt5dcdwu0iV4knQ3z918Dt-E41I6m4-RueIQwdnHYUuPcn6qm17CCB46wby4-w2FpPhZ0FE3boV0OuW8qcG/s320/Blueberry+Peanut+Butter+Shake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
I've noted previously, and above as well, that I am not a huge fan of blueberries. However, when your mom leaves for six weeks and buys you <u style="font-weight: bold;">twelve</u> bags of frozen fruits, two of them being blueberry you eat through them. When I first made this shake, I wasn't feeling motivated because well it was blueberry so I figured this was just a shake that I would drink and bare. However, as I thought of the flavours that go well with blueberries, peanut butter was something I thought went well (blueberry jam and peanut butter?) - maybe, I'm not quite sure, but this shake was fantastic. It wasn't just something I had to chalk up and drink through unbearably, it was incredible. It was creamy, rich, the perfect amount of sweetness, and just all around yummy. Would definitely make again, surprisingly.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>1 cup frozen blueberries</li>
<li>2 cups spinach</li>
<li>1/3 cup 0% fat Vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1 tbsp peanut butter</li>
<li>1 scoop of peanut butter protein powder (or vanilla if you don't have peanut butter)</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What's your favourite way to get your protein in you via shakes?</span></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-89420374569640629742012-03-05T11:22:00.000-08:002012-03-05T11:22:21.489-08:00Better late than never right?<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">Around Christmas is when I had stopped blogging for quite some time. It's not that I didn't enjoy doing it, it's just I wasn't finding inspiration in the things I was doing. It was nice not having to think before I was going to eat, or when I made desserts to remember to take pictures beforehand. I guess when it comes down to it, it was pure laziness. I was still on the computer, looking at fellow bloggers pages, but I just couldn't bring myself to doing so, instead I was enjoying spending time with friends, being with my family, working out and reading. I realized though it really was something I missed (hence I'm writing this now). Despite my lack of inspiration there were still a few goodies I did snap some pictures of. Unfortunately I didn't photograph all my Christmas baking which is rather unfortunate since I made some really amazing sweets this year.</span></div><div>This Christmas had to be the first Christmas that I didn't go overboard. I made about eight or nine goodies, which really is not that much, and when I was making them, I wasn't doing full batches. Thankfully for me, this was good; it gave me enough to pack up for friends as gifts, and it left me with a few for me to snack on. The recipes I'm going to post were the top favourites of the season (decided on by both me and the people who had tried my baking) - I did however forget to photograph a bark that was the top favourite. Nevertheless, that's not a big deal as I will surely be making a batch for Easter because it got gobbled down the first two days, it was such a hit!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbgHnhNkguHKwBjs9mwqKY__827hs-8LK6lHH8RAMVupNx8MANMzJtGWWW58sv5xTOI1xFM7meOaw4Fr_HrxQtzCuqDyV4DxpBshyphenhyphenwNeob2Dbpsa7_zQy-U1-KA82_Kl03PC9-TS8Jf3B/s1600/Christmas+Goodies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbgHnhNkguHKwBjs9mwqKY__827hs-8LK6lHH8RAMVupNx8MANMzJtGWWW58sv5xTOI1xFM7meOaw4Fr_HrxQtzCuqDyV4DxpBshyphenhyphenwNeob2Dbpsa7_zQy-U1-KA82_Kl03PC9-TS8Jf3B/s320/Christmas+Goodies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites</b><br />
<br />
Recipe taken from <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1pe2hf/twotinykitchens.com/2011/02/23/peanut-butter-pretzel-bites/">here</a><br />
<br />
The first recipe I'm going to post is for something that I had been seeing all over the web. Back then, just like now, I was really going through a peanut butter kick. Three quarters of the recipes I made during the holiday season involved peanut butter. This may not be the traditional holiday flavour, as I usually associate Christmas with shortbread, and peppermint, but not this year, not in my house! If you are one the fellow pin-a-holics you <u>surely</u> will of seen these cookies - Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites. If not, basically think of Reece's Peanut Butter Cups sandwiched between two pretzels, dipped in chocolate, and garnished with sprinkles, ahhhh yuuuum! These were fantastic, especially as they were pretty much bite-sized desserts, so it would allow you to sample more than just one dessert without feeling that "ooooh gosh, I've been such a glutton this Christmas". Will surely be making these next Christmas, as they were loved by all!<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ingredients:</strong><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></em></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup creamy peanut butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp softened butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup powdered sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 cup brown sugar </span></li>
</ul><b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Pretzels - </b><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips</span></li>
</ul><div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Directions</span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Combine peanut butter and softened butter in a large bowl with a fork or whisk, or in a stand mixer. Add the sugars and mix to combine. At this point if the filling will roll easily into balls without sticking to your hands you’re ready to go. If not, add a little more of each sugar until you reach a consistency that is easy to roll (I used about 3/4 cup of each sugar).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use a teaspoon measure to scoop the filling. Roll each portion into a small ball, then sandwich them between two whole pretzels. When all the balls are rolled and successfully sandwiched, stick the whole tray in the freezer for about half an hour.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and heat at 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally until completely melted. Remove the pretzel sandwiches from the freezer and quickly dip each half-way into the melted chocolate. Return to the tray and repeat with remaining sandwiches. When all are dipped, return the tray to the freezer to set up completely. Store the sandwiches in the refrigerator until serving time.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>S'mores Chocolate Chip Cookies</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Recipe adapted from <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/09/08/vegan-chocolate-chip-cookies/">here</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Since I've begun baking as a vegan, I haven't made any recipes that require butter. Of course I have a tub of Earth Balance in the fridge, but I usually opt Earth Balance for oil or applesauce, I'm not sure why, it just became sort of habitual. When I came across a recipe on <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Angela's</a> blog I figured why not just use Earth Balance, it's Christmas, and I'm not going to be the only one eating these cookies. Since most people when they think of vegan baking think dull, bland, or just overall gross, I figured why not add in a flavour that they were are familiar with. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">This dough is so quick to throw together, it's a really great melding dough, and obviously you can adapt it as to how you want. Over the break I used this recipe, well, more than a few times, just a little less than a handful, they went really quickly. My favourite way of using this recipe however was for a S'mores version as well a chocolate covered raisin version, between the two I'm not sure which one I preferred more, although I think at the time I was biased to both. I was deffffffinitely more than obsessed with chocolate covered raisins, and since kicking gelatin from my diet it's been a good almost two years since I've had marshmallows - I wasn't going to allow that to go on longer however. I drove to our local organic grocery store and bought myself $12.00 vegan marshmallows, my boyfriend definitely thought I was nuts, but it was <b>so </b><u>incredibly</u> worth it, <i>every single last cent</i>. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Two summers ago I tried many, many recipes for chocolate chip cookies, trying to find my favourite, this is it. This is my go-to recipe when it comes to chocolate chip cookies, I love it. Crispy edges, soft gooey centre, yup, it's my favourite type, and the fact that it's so easy to make too, bonus!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 13px; margin-top: 13px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.667em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.667em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><ul style="color: #111111; line-height: 20px;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">7 tbsp</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> Earth Balance </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">+ 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or 1/2 cup Earth Balance- see note)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1/2 cup packed brown sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1/4 cup cane sugar (or use white)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1 flax egg - (1 tbsp ground flaxed mixed with 3 tbsp water)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp baking soda</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp sea salt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">3/4 cup spelt flour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1/4 tsp cinnamon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1/2 cup vegan Graham Crackers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">1 dark chocolate bar</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Vegan marshmallows - chopped (depends on how many dough balls you get)</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.667em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Directions:</b> </span></div><div style="color: #111111;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the flax egg and set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With an electric mixer or in a stand mixer, beat the Earth Balance until fluffy. Add the brown sugar and cane sugar and beat for 1-2 minutes until creamy. Beat in the flax egg. Beat in the remaining ingredients, excluding the marshmallows and chocolate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shape balls of dough and then squish down. Stuff your flattened dough with chocolate and marshmallow, roll back into a ball and make sure the two ingredients are completely covered, then place on the baking sheet. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Bake for 10-12 minutes (or up to 14 mins on a </span><a href="http://silpat.com/" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #34c24e;">Silpat mat</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">). Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack for another 10 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yield: 12-14 large cookies.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... as well, I also made S'mores Marshmallows - all I did here was broiled the marshmallows for a few minutes until they got nice a crisp. I allowed them to cool down, dipped them in melted chocolate than rolled them around in graham crackers. I'm not sure what was a bigger hit - these or the cookies, they were fantastic, so simple to make and just incredible for a quick dessert!</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Peanut Butter Chocolate Marble Fudge</b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Recipe taken from <a href="http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com/2010/11/peanut-butter-chocolate-marble-fudge.html%20http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com/2010/11/peanut-butter-chocolate-marble-fudge.html%20http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com/2010/11/peanut-butter-chocolate-marble-fudge.html">here</a></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, I have never been a fan of fudge. I have always found it to be far more sweet than necessary. I mean, when I finish eating a teeny tiny square of fudge I feel like I've simply been eating sugar with a spoon out of a bag and need to head on over to the dentist. Now, why would I want to eat a dessert that makes me feel like this?</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the holidays however, I had seen a few recipes for vegan fudge, some with the standard butter and cream base (obviously using vegan substitutes), some using coconut butter, and then some using nuts. The one with nuts intrigued me very much so, especially because of the addition of peanut butter, I knew I would certainly have to try out a recipe for vegan fudge that was primarily utilizing nuts.</span></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #111111; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is not your traditional fudge. It is not overly sweet, nor does it have the same texture that you get in your standard, cream, butter, and sugar fudge. I actually really enjoyed this, and it was a heck of a lot easier to make as well since you didn't have to stand over it, nor did you have to use a candy thermometer which is always a plus in my books. The result was extraordinary and I would certainly make this again. The only thing you have to watch out for is that you <b>have</b> to keep it refrigerated, because if you keep it at room temperature for too long it almost starts to lose it form and looks as though it's melting.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Chocolate Fudge:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup cashews</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup cocoa powder</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 tbsp coconut oil</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pinch of salt</span></li>
</ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Peanut Butter Fudge:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup cashews</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup natural peanut butter</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 tbsp coconut oil</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pinch of salt</span></li>
</ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>For chocolate fudge - </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Process the cashews in a food processor until it turns into a dense butter (it should look sort of like play-doh but still be crumbly, no nut pieces though!) Then add cocoa and salt. Blend until combined. Add sweetener of choice, coconut oil and vanilla. Blend until thoroughly combined, it should ball up at this point. Take out and set aside on cutting board or clean countertop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>For peanut butter fudge - </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Process cashews the same way as for the chocolate fudge. Add salt, blend until combined. Add peanut butter, sweetener of choice, coconut oil and vanilla. Process until thoroughly combined.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rip doughs into 4 large chunks so you have 8. Marble fudge by combining the 8 separate pieces together, and knead until you see it marbling. Shape into a flat rectangle a good inch thick. Chill covered in fridge overnight or at least 3 hours. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk99kFZDjyWOrzbAXx2KBLJgCF8LOhWKvdLroijfp1nOU7gk5OqRVCJ8Vgjc6h1EHPsQD93ipJedmvA6_3_xRogR1oi8Mbqx0ln8JpQFxZ2a0AWh2dHD5hEMsUYEpSD9W0-zgMLFsx2Rk7/s1600/Christmas+Goodies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk99kFZDjyWOrzbAXx2KBLJgCF8LOhWKvdLroijfp1nOU7gk5OqRVCJ8Vgjc6h1EHPsQD93ipJedmvA6_3_xRogR1oi8Mbqx0ln8JpQFxZ2a0AWh2dHD5hEMsUYEpSD9W0-zgMLFsx2Rk7/s320/Christmas+Goodies1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And there you have it, I may be a few months late getting on with this post, for who knows why other than pure laziness but I got it done! As they say better late than never, and I came through ;)</span></div><br />
<!--EndFragment--></div></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-29534077284453122462012-03-01T11:36:00.000-08:002012-03-01T11:36:10.974-08:00Pancake Post #2 of the Week<b>Peanut Butter Chocolate Avocado Pancakes</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.motherthyme.com/2012/02/chocolate-avocado-pancakes.html">here</a></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0TRQN0Bd25PvAHcUvm41UUUVmaKmuC0dbWRpj2tFI2Pgoea78fi_dh1sjwE0MJdu_1ABYLIepUlnfQEeNOnFua0OJxJEeMwkWxrlSblnT3BGyRMI2TUw01jzz-ITFVSjTc8RtZVyhHTf/s1600/Peanut+Butter+Chocolate+Avocado+Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0TRQN0Bd25PvAHcUvm41UUUVmaKmuC0dbWRpj2tFI2Pgoea78fi_dh1sjwE0MJdu_1ABYLIepUlnfQEeNOnFua0OJxJEeMwkWxrlSblnT3BGyRMI2TUw01jzz-ITFVSjTc8RtZVyhHTf/s320/Peanut+Butter+Chocolate+Avocado+Pancakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Last night as I was typing out my post for <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/02/adam-this-ones-for-you_29.html">Peanut Butter and Jam Banana Pancakes</a> my mouth was literally salivating. I loved those pancakes so much, I mean, what is there to dislike about my favourite sandwich and pancakes all in one beautiful mesh of goodness? <u>Nothing</u>, that's what. Well, obviously I was not going to make the same type of pancakes twice in one week, let alone in a measly four days, no of course not. <br />
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Last week as I was making my meal plan for the week following (yes, I usually make it a week ahead, so I can tweak it, and make sure I have the proper breakfasts - especially on work out days, and then the proper post-work out shakes, and a lot of protein to go with it for the rest of the day. I had stumbled across a recipe for chocolate avocado pancakes. Needless to say this jumped out to me because avocado is such a great way to get healthy fats into your diet. When you sneak them into pancakes, protein shakes/smoothies brownies, frostings, truffles, puddings or even ice cream, it makes you feel like you're still doing the body good - and that's because you are!<br />
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I remember last year the only reason I started eating avocado on a regular basis (other than trying to up my weight in a healthy way) was simply because it was a good way to sneak in good fat's. I really hated avocado, the flavour, the texture (even though it's practically Mother Nature's butter), it just had the weirdest taste to me, and I'd only really eat it when I would go out for sushi. I slowly started adding avocado to my favourite bean salads, and then even sandwiches. I'm not sure if it was the constant exposure I was putting myself through but I no longer dislike this rich fruit, instead I continually seek out ways to get it into my diet, even if it's just mashing it in a bowl with some salsa, salt and pepper, whatever the case I love it.<br />
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One thing that's amazing about avocado is that when you add it to baked goods, it makes a really amazing moist result; these pancakes were no different. This morning, I decided I wasn't going to go see my personal trainer as yesterday I was in a lot of pain, worked through it nonetheless, but when I woke up this morning I definitely felt it and I definitely didn't want to overwork my body when it could just harm it even more. So, this gave me a lot of time to make a wonderful breakfast (see, here I am again thinking that pancakes take <i>sooooooo</i> long to make, these took a mere minutes what with the additional mashing of the avocado, and making a flaxegg <u>whoop-dee-do</u>.<br />
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Between the <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/02/adam-this-ones-for-you_29.html">Peanut Butter and Jam Banana Pancakes</a> and these ones, I can't really decipher which batch I liked more. Yes, they are two completely different pancakes other than peanut butter and of course the flour, salt, milk etc... if you want to get technical and all, but this is like comparing apples to oranges. Oh, I also thought I should add, avocado's are also making me kind of a fan of chocolate too ackkkk. Nonetheless, these pancakes were like biting into moist chewy brownies. They were fudgy, not too rich, perfectly sweet, full of flavour and just amazing. I seriously took about twenty minutes just to eat three medium-ish sized pancakes, I did not want them to go away. They were incredible especially with the specked peanut butter and carob chips, as well as the peanut butter protein powder I snuck in. Pure perfection. This would certainly be an amazing pre-work out meal, I'm sure this would give you energy for a <u>loooooong</u> time, and it leaves you really full (but not the gross bloated full feeling!)<br />
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This is certainly one to add to your must-try list, I guarantee you will not regret it!<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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<ul><li>1/2 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1 tbsp cocoa powder</li>
<li>1 tbsp peanut butter protein powder</li>
<li>1 1/2 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/4 tsp fleur de sel</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/2 rip avocado, mashed</li>
<li>1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 1 1/2 tbsp water</li>
<li>1 heaping tbsp peanut butter chips</li>
<li>1 heaping tbsp carob chips + more for garnish</li>
<li>Maple syrup - to garnish</li>
<li>Sliced banana - to garnish</li>
<li>Peanut butter - to garnish</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>In a teeny tiny bowl or cup mix your ground flaxseed and water to make your egg. Allow to sit and thicken for a few minutes.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In a large bowl mix together your flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and add your milk, flaxegg and avocado. Stir together until smooth. Fold in your peanut butter and carob chips.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Preheat a large greased skilled over medium heat. Pour in desired amount of batter and swirl to make round. Flip pancakes when pin size bubbles begin to form.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Plate and top with your desired garnishes or how I did with carob chips, banana, peanut butter and maple syrup.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xh8qVVgZH51XUQOkEhhNEDiQlAoMJ4XDJUBin3HJEF0cc8JDOcj_V0MCYe-I3QzccFBGdBLjhz4PKjYB0WqJbYg3Jl6SwDnmxM5laIobuLfZBvnLdFeHuPpBzQpIeZCU706DAHp1Gu1I/s1600/Peanut+Butter+Chocolate+Avocado+Pancakes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xh8qVVgZH51XUQOkEhhNEDiQlAoMJ4XDJUBin3HJEF0cc8JDOcj_V0MCYe-I3QzccFBGdBLjhz4PKjYB0WqJbYg3Jl6SwDnmxM5laIobuLfZBvnLdFeHuPpBzQpIeZCU706DAHp1Gu1I/s320/Peanut+Butter+Chocolate+Avocado+Pancakes1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-68941885257472991522012-02-29T07:51:00.003-08:002012-02-29T07:51:52.240-08:00Adam - this one's for you.<b>Peanut Butter and Jam Banana Pancakes</b><br />
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Recipe taken from <a href="http://mylittlecelebration.com/food/pbj-oatcakes/">here</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96kq58VyX8sfMYRPg2J4I38Kd20ita3_FwvnVmZWbwBAzmXyFojH9yEehMYWml1tpxkeQrGwvDXT4pSxOSp25g_vJH3dB4tbQQhL0Afbhia_nEuYBBBCRAhEG0i4zS28EioBJ4l_JncAk/s1600/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Pancakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96kq58VyX8sfMYRPg2J4I38Kd20ita3_FwvnVmZWbwBAzmXyFojH9yEehMYWml1tpxkeQrGwvDXT4pSxOSp25g_vJH3dB4tbQQhL0Afbhia_nEuYBBBCRAhEG0i4zS28EioBJ4l_JncAk/s320/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Pancakes2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Okay, I know it's been mentioned more than once, more than twice, and unfortunately more than three times as of late as to how much I have been obsessed with peanut butter, jam and bananas together, yes, and I use the word <i><u>obsessed</u></i>. I know I don't make pancakes far as often as I would like... honestly, I'm not even sure why. When I think of pancakes, a light descends and the lights from my imaginary heaven open up and shine down on me, yes, I love pancakes. When I think of making pancakes though, I always think of a million and two ingredients, something that takes a decade to make, with five bazillion pots and pans left to clean. When in reality, pancakes are rather simple to make, with not so many ingredients, unless you include a lot of spices, and really, it takes one bowl, a whisk, spatula/spoon and a pan, it's so easy and takes barely any time at all, especially if you're just cooking for one, which most of the time is my case.<br />
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I save so many recipes for pancakes, and I always include them in my weekly meal planning file, but then I usually tend to make something that I <u>think</u> <i>requires</i> less time aka oatmeal. <u>Dumb</u>, and well, even <u>dumber</u>. I then usually seem to get rid of these recipes because I save more recipes that I want to try out and think to myself, "you're never going to get through all of these recipes Sam!". Well, I need to stop doing this because I miss out on a lot of really great meals. However, this is certainly one recipe I was <b>not</b> going to be getting rid of, and certainly will not get rid of after gobbling them down as fast as a wild forest fire burns (sorry...).<br />
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I made these on Sunday (yes, perfect day to have pancakes). After drooling at all the pancake recipes from dozens upon dozens of people posting numerous recipes for Fat Tuesday I figured I definitely needed to have some in my gut by the end of the week. My boyfriend, best friend, mom and her boyfriend were all away on vacation, I decided I was going to take a rest day from the gym, and so I figured hey why not treat myself, so treating myself is what I did with a big stack of peanut butter and jam banana pancakes.<br />
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These pancakes are why peanut butter and jam go so well together. It's like before this, whatever you thought love was, it was just a myth. This is brilliant. It's complete and utter perfection. It's as if you were in the dark all these years, and Thomas Edison had never invented the lightbulb for you to light your way, that is, until these pancakes came along. Okay, okay, I need to stop. I'm literally starting the psychological stage of digestion by talking about this, my salvatory glands are actually beginning to produce saliva and this is not something I want this late at night, where I've already consumed so much food, should no longer be eating anything (<i>eeek</i>, especially the <a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/barbara_s_bakery_peanut_butter_puffins.jpg&imgrefurl=http://compare.productwiki.com/barbara-s-bakery-peanut-butter-puffins/&h=500&w=316&sz=42&tbnid=N8Qlk8Dirfx-SM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=61&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpeanut%2Bbutter%2Bpuffins%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=peanut+butter+puffins&docid=gKlGhbX1sbfDbM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ApxNT-H2Bcfh0QGi0sSxAg&ved=0CEgQ9QEwBA&dur=268">Peanut Butter Cereal</a> I just inhaled), and should really be hopping into bed soon, darn psychological temptations! Nonetheless, if you are a fan of pancakes, if you are a fan of peanut butter, jam, and bananas, if you are a fan of healthy, and most certainly if you are a fan of delicious food that feels like it should be a dessert and put on the naughty list than this is for you, so stay tuned, because you will be hooked, and trust me, it's not such a <i>bad</i> thing.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPOqJ6NN1d5G0H39YEzdZri0iakBWgoNoO5RWelZxn4lWxLKZT_tRI2or7FkhYIUuThuZiCQRji33frAnnbHGTcRVWBXkGiBNgWyx9dqWu5a6S9T287UTqPKvQHzyX6T0lgismeEKiPP4/s1600/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPOqJ6NN1d5G0H39YEzdZri0iakBWgoNoO5RWelZxn4lWxLKZT_tRI2or7FkhYIUuThuZiCQRji33frAnnbHGTcRVWBXkGiBNgWyx9dqWu5a6S9T287UTqPKvQHzyX6T0lgismeEKiPP4/s320/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Pancakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Ingredients:</b></div><ul style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup oats</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup whole wheat flour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup boiling water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup non-dairy milk </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp peanut butter</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dash of sea salt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp baking powder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp baking soda</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tsp sugar - which I completely forgot to add in</span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><b>Topping - </b></div><div><ul><li><span style="line-height: 21px;">2 tbsp peanut butter</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21px;">2 tbsp raspberry jam</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 21px;">1 sliced banana</span></li>
</ul><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">Directions:</b></div><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 21px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat griddle to medium-high heat - about 350 degrees. </span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 21px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prepare oatmeal by combinging oats and boiling water in a bowl. Cover and let set for 5 minutes. </span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 21px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add remaining wet ingredients to oatmeal, including PB, and mix. Add wet to dry and stir until just combined. Scoop onto lightly greased griddle in 1/4 cup measurements. </span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 21px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Note</i>: these take a bit longer to cook than traditional pancakes since the oatmeal gives them a lot of moisture – about 2-3 minutes each side. Top with melted peanut butter and jam (<i>I tossed both in a microwave safe dish for 20 seconds until nice and runny</i>). </span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 21px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uuML7o3iP4kMGY-KI9XUUfWjP7Y09167UxQLdnbmL6-TWVy9U8cgTcfnvHzB1LevpvpEWw-6AfoygXgjkdm4LKJbVXA-Z1amqS3kVn9yrztqrr6E3WX29TkNJyEcYqg50eZkjAC9qnAx/s1600/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Pancakes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uuML7o3iP4kMGY-KI9XUUfWjP7Y09167UxQLdnbmL6-TWVy9U8cgTcfnvHzB1LevpvpEWw-6AfoygXgjkdm4LKJbVXA-Z1amqS3kVn9yrztqrr6E3WX29TkNJyEcYqg50eZkjAC9qnAx/s320/Peanut+Butter+and+Jam+Banana+Pancakes1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy :)</span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-63522844784079436672012-02-28T17:49:00.000-08:002012-02-28T17:49:09.710-08:00And now something other than just oats.Tonight as I went to the gym to play squash with my dad I decided that I was going to wear shorts. The last time we played, I wore my Lululemon pants and to say the least I thought I was going to pass out. When I do my weights with my trainer, for the most part I tend to stick with pants because it's only 66 degrees F in the gym and truthfully that's a little too chilly for my bones even after I've been sweating. Usually it's not a problem, but the past few mornings I've been a little tired and that doesn't seem to help with my body regulation. Nonetheless the reason for this tangent about nothing really is because of my shorts. I haven't really looked down at my legs in a while (other than when I'm in the shower) so I haven't really noticed a change in my body. Today however, I noticed how much personal training has really made a difference.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, I went and redid my fit test after it had been a month and six days since I'd started my training. The results to say the least were quite impressive, and definitely gave me the motivation to continue doing what I've been doing. When I took the test, I was told my legs had gotten 2 inches bigger, yup, I've definitely noticed this, as my jeans are getting a little tighter (which is an awesome feeling). Speaking of awesome feeling, going to the mall today, trying on some clothes and getting asked by the woman if I'm a size five <b>NOT </b>a zero or double zero, goodbye skinny days! So, to say the least my physical changes have been really uplifting to me.<br />
<br />
Yes, this just sounds like a "praise Sam" post, that's not what I'm going for at all. It's just that lately, all I've been posting is recipes for variations of shakes and bowls of oatmeal. When I first started making both of these things items and figuring out ways of adding in the most fats (healthy) and protein that I could possibly do I was a little afraid that this was just going to add in weight gain and not muscle, so I was a little afraid to say the least. However, not the case. More calories = much more energy. More protein = bigger muscles/more muscle repair. Fat = satisfying/more energy as well. With that being said, I certainly have not lessened the amount of nutrients going into either of these items, in fact I've been adding much more, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I love it and it makes me look very forward to waking up to have my oats followed by my post-work out recovery shakes.<br />
<br />
lkfj;dslkfjsdlkfj okay, should I just get to it? I think so. I promise today will <b>not</b> just be a recipe for a fruity protein shake, or a bowl of oats (however I will be posting my latest and greatest favourite) plus a recipe for a recent meal I made, mmmm!<br />
<br />
For starters, this mornings breakfast, holy moly. As I've recently stated I am hooked on anything with peanut butter, in fact if I could take a peanut butter bath I probably would (should I of maybe not admitted that? <i>Perhaps</i>. Oh well.) Seeing as I've finally stocked up on Nutella, and after making <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/.../they-tried-to-make-me-go-to-rehab.html">Nutella Oats</a>, I decided that I <b>had</b> to make a peanut butter + Nutella bowl of oats since to me this is reminiscent of my childhood/peanut butter cups! Yup, this bowl definitely sang peanut butter cups all over it. So, so, so good. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>This morning I woke up pretty early, around eight o'clock (this was early in the sense that, I wasn't working out until eleven, so I wouldn't be eating until ten). As I was tossing around trying to get back to sleep I noticed that my back and legs were in a lot of pain. This certainly didn't make me want to jump for joy at the fact that I had training in a bit since I was in a lot of pain, which I assume was from the deadlift's I did yesterday. I sent my trainer a text and asked her if I could reschedule to tomorrow morning. I hadn't heard from her, and I decided to still go with my plans to eat the breakfast I was planning, after enjoying each and every bite with utmost satisfaction I decided to text my trainer back and tell her that I would come in. These oats made me forget my pain. They gave me so much flippin' energy that I actually hopped out of the door when the time was necessary. I loved this, and when I don't know what I want to make for breakfast/am craving something incredibly sinful/filling I certainly will not be hesitating to make this bowl of awesome.<br />
<br />
<b>Peanut Butter Banana Nutella Oats</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXxg2yLYqlaPzqswEPlKyR-ZtxOGN1YZlPlH6tKzUPIbI9LoQlqkjFDx2xKsWdHpNxW-4ufFQzqcLMHp4_Qq3gXZQmMo0FqX7F0xM58L_k8Xm-jE-ELOINnl9A2Q7LdpL9jNDlQDoCLDD/s1600/Peanut+Butter+Banana+Nutella+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXxg2yLYqlaPzqswEPlKyR-ZtxOGN1YZlPlH6tKzUPIbI9LoQlqkjFDx2xKsWdHpNxW-4ufFQzqcLMHp4_Qq3gXZQmMo0FqX7F0xM58L_k8Xm-jE-ELOINnl9A2Q7LdpL9jNDlQDoCLDD/s320/Peanut+Butter+Banana+Nutella+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup soy milk + more for garnish</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 ripe banana + a few slices set aside</li>
<li>1 tbsp peanut butter</li>
<li>1 tbsp nutella</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped hazelnuts</li>
<li>1 tbsp peanut butter chips</li>
<li>Vanilla 0% fat Greek yoghurt</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div>In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana, peanut butter and Nutella. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional milk, Greek yoghurt, banana slices, chopped halzenuts and peanut butter chips.<br />
<br />
<b>Kale and White Bean Soup</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
Recipe taken from <a href="http://www.boston2berkeley.com/2012/01/03/kale-and-white-bean-soup/%20http://www.boston2berkeley.com/2012/01/03/kale-and-white-bean-soup/%20http://www.boston2berkeley.com/2012/01/03/kale-and-white-bean-soup/">here</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsHAzoBvEElr30qjQRvsdFaqxS1NDFFkmOE1PFCQaJgvUTTk0kKlIP2vjfPRBY5CsmhUR_ALXSvou1xB-2Ol_AgXjmROfQVXy9pwLt1EiXEVdRwg4VyH58kCIkYXrGdhmJx2-4o4FpGmw/s1600/Kale+and+White+Bean+Soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsHAzoBvEElr30qjQRvsdFaqxS1NDFFkmOE1PFCQaJgvUTTk0kKlIP2vjfPRBY5CsmhUR_ALXSvou1xB-2Ol_AgXjmROfQVXy9pwLt1EiXEVdRwg4VyH58kCIkYXrGdhmJx2-4o4FpGmw/s320/Kale+and+White+Bean+Soup.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I haven't made soup in a long, long time. Last week as I was perusing the typical foodie blogosphere I stumbled across a kale and white kidney bean soup. Seeing as I am incredibly in love with kale, and have recently been a convert (and obsessed) with all things beans I figured why not give it a try. After reading the directions it gave me even more of a reason to because it was basically chop a little veggies, throw everything into a pot, allow to simmer for an hour, indulge. And indulge I did. I had just gobbled down a huuuuuge protein shake and didn't think I'd be hungry for an eternity so the hour wait made it even more appetizing. By the time the thirty minute mark hit, hunger was no longer a physiological thing, it was completely psychological. The aromas coming from my kitchen oh, there was no denying how wonderful it smelt, and my brain was definitely wanting some of it. By the time the twenty minute mark came oh I started taking a few spoonfuls from the pot (anyone want to come over for a meal ;)? - my germs!)<br />
<br />
... after waiting, I finally made it down to the eight minute mark, and at this point I didn't care any longer, I was spooning the soup into two bowls, one for me, and one for my friend. After taking a bite, I decided to add quite a bit of salt, this enhanced the simple flavours even more. This soup was delectable. It was so simple, easy to clean, super healthy, and the perfect thing to mix with a shake after an intense work out. After, seriously <u style="font-weight: bold;">gulping</u> down a huge bowl, I couldn't help but take another bowl full. I loved this. I'm not sure why, but I added "don't you think this is reminiscent of like a war-time soup?" I'm not sure what it was, perhaps the simplicity, or the fact that there were beans in the soup, who knows, but that's what it made me think of.<br />
<br />
I'd never had white kidney beans before, after thoroughly enjoying this soup, I am definitely a convert and cannot wait to try bean spreads with this particular legume, mmm mmm mmm. This is seriously such an ideally perfect soup if you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, or it's incredibly cold out and you want to snuggle up on the couch with a warm bowl of soup, or you just want to indulge in something incredibly healthy and have that hearty comfort food feeling!<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</b><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: inside; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><li>Extra virgin olive oil</li>
<li>1 onion - diced</li>
<li>2 large garlic cloves - minced</li>
<li>2 tsp sea salt</li>
<li>1 tsp pepper</li>
<li>8 cups of vegetable broth</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: inside; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cans of white kidney beans or 3 double handed scoops of dried beans you've cooked yourself</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; list-style-position: inside; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.5em;">1 bunch of kale - deribbed and chopped</span></li>
</ul><b style="line-height: 1.5em;">Directions:</b><br />
<div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Pour some olive oil into a large pot over medium heat. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Add the sliced onion and minced up garlic cloves to the olive oil. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the vegetable broth, salt and pepper. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Add the beans and the kale, and simmer over low heat for at least an hour.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Garnish with parmesan cheese before serving (if you eat this). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy :)</span></span></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-47548663479418327152012-02-27T18:52:00.001-08:002012-03-18T20:33:17.312-07:00They tried to make me go to rehab<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I said, no, no, no</i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">... more oats, you got it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I don't think it's any surprise of to any of you readers who checks on my blog regularly that I love oatmeal, and I love the way you can change up your oats. I always keep my base the same, but always think of different things to add in. I <b>never</b> get bored of my oats, and I always look to waking up in the morning to my warm, healthy, hearty, filling, creamy, delicious breakfast bowl. <br />
<br />
Since starting my personal training I've tried to vary my breakfasts' a bit different, trying to see if my pre-work out meals could be better for me than my bowl of oats. I've tried <b>huge</b> protein-packed shakes, toasts/sandwiches topped and stuffed with varieties of nut butters and fruits with Greek yoghurt on the side, but nothing gives me the amount of energy that allows me work through my complete work out the way my oats do. When I don't have my oats, I start to feel sluggish and hungry about thirty minutes into my work out - not a good thing, especially when you have a trainer by your side and then feeling like you've let them down, not so fun, no. So with that being said, I'm not going to go against what my body needs, I'm going to listen to what it looks forward to, enjoys, and thrives for and from; <u style="font-style: italic;">oatmeal</u>.<br />
<br />
<b>Mango Kiwi Oatmeal</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMKsrB-Cv1yPZfZY7etkTrK6cCzBbizoDXaWeX2xKaSvBFGoH9aPtyiyzlK4Mp3j2kRX6IggaDprAt5gNYX3ICyk0ITWZSNQ7lcv7aD36YBDA7Vv5-sCx7g0LQTYlNI8xk4sepmzO4VjJ/s1600/Mango+Kiwi+Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMKsrB-Cv1yPZfZY7etkTrK6cCzBbizoDXaWeX2xKaSvBFGoH9aPtyiyzlK4Mp3j2kRX6IggaDprAt5gNYX3ICyk0ITWZSNQ7lcv7aD36YBDA7Vv5-sCx7g0LQTYlNI8xk4sepmzO4VjJ/s320/Mango+Kiwi+Oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This past week I've seen more than a handful of my Facebook friends (wow that makes me sound like I don't have <u>actual</u> friends), nonetheless, leave for vacation, warm and tropical places - leaving me feeling completely envious. I mean I can't really complain seeing as this winter has been very warm, and we only really got our first real snowfall last week (yes, I even got to go tobogganing!), but nonetheless, it's always nice to leave home and see the world from a different point of view. With that being said, I would die to go somewhere tropical, especially seeing as 75% of the fruit I buy weekly are fruits from the tropics, and eating some of these beauties fresh from where they are actually grown instead of exported from a truck would be heavenly. As I was daydreaming of the palm trees, the beach with the warm water and the sand between toes enjoying some freshly cut tropical fruit I decided why not make a tropical bowl of oats while staring at the snow falling from the sky.<br />
<br />
This was definitely a perfect bowl for me to imagine that I'm not in snowy Ontario, and that I'm actually on a beach somewhere far, far away. This was luxurious, hearty, imaginable, and definitely left me feeling warm inside. The tropical fruits and the addition of the mango lemon jam was the perfect touch it needed. This makes me all jittery and anxious inside because I cannot wait for the summer when these fruits are fresh and when I can enjoy these warm piping bowls in the warmer weather (yes, I am sick, I know). <br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup soy milk + more for garnish</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 ripened banana</li>
<li>1/2 mango - freshly cut</li>
<li>1/2 kiwi - freshly cut</li>
<li>Coconut flakes - garnish</li>
<li>Mango lemon jam - garnish</li>
<li>Handful of hemp seeds - garnish</li>
</ul><b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional soy milk, mango, kiwi, coconut flakes, hemp seeds and jam.<br />
<br />
<b>Nutella Oats</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0u1Zy8cCHFL_hIReq_sELRgELGbCOkDA0IdVfrzW6eDyI2GZLVW-3MxlUEPTr0RWcb3jj0xAUJoYKnOIGymkwTdPSVx7Arc8Qz7A7VnSuviI2_KM9OWqC7QCfEBURPZfL0w1gJDiPBkK/s1600/Nutella+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0u1Zy8cCHFL_hIReq_sELRgELGbCOkDA0IdVfrzW6eDyI2GZLVW-3MxlUEPTr0RWcb3jj0xAUJoYKnOIGymkwTdPSVx7Arc8Qz7A7VnSuviI2_KM9OWqC7QCfEBURPZfL0w1gJDiPBkK/s320/Nutella+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Is it possible for someone not to <b>looooooove</b> <a href="http://www.nutella.ca/">Nutella</a>? I don't know, if that person does however exist, <i>eeeeeeek. </i>Nutella is pure heaven. When I was younger I can remember going into the pantry, grabbing the peanut butter and Nutella, going into the utensil drawer and grabbing the teeny teaspoon's and taking bites of both those magical substances together and making "Reece's Peanut Butter Cup on a Spoon", it was heaven, and purely magical. I loved doing this, and did this for years to come. I'm not sure when it stopped, but all I know is Nutella stopped being a mandatory item on the grocery list. The other day however, I was talking to someone about panini's, then daydreaming of PB&J&banana grilled sandwiches, then imagining peanut butter, Nutella and banana grilled sandwiches, oh yes my tastebuds were firing. With this I realized, that it had been forever since I'd had Nutella, so the next time I went to the grocery store I picked some up. What did I decide to make? Oats of course with Nutella, yum, yum, yum... this was fantastic, especially with the added chopped hazelnuts on top. Will certainly be making this again soon, however, I will certainly be throwing in some peanut butter to make it even more sinful than it already was! Take a leap, dive in, enjoy!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 riped banana + a few slices set aside</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped hazelnuts</li>
<li>1 tbsp Nutella</li>
<li>0% vanilla Greek yoghurt - to top</li>
<li>1 tbsp hemp seeds - to top</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana and Nutella. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with additional milk, Greek yoghurt, banana slices, chopped halzenuts and hemp seeds.<br />
<br />
<b>Coconut Date Pecan Oatmeal</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuODrGD4dzft4f-DuxXSF8PoD2JicchlxR-r-uS8Q4ME1dBRS9wNGmaPwzrRdj0H2zHp6pFOtsst2CFLraTl80nItdx3QD3-iltpQKTC3J76nvj7ZIgf7JBjQc9Q7ZfkiR61eI-5xwaPS/s1600/Coconut+Date+Pecan+Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuODrGD4dzft4f-DuxXSF8PoD2JicchlxR-r-uS8Q4ME1dBRS9wNGmaPwzrRdj0H2zHp6pFOtsst2CFLraTl80nItdx3QD3-iltpQKTC3J76nvj7ZIgf7JBjQc9Q7ZfkiR61eI-5xwaPS/s320/Coconut+Date+Pecan+Oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Goody goody gumdrooops! Did I just say that? Uh yeah I did. This oatmeal, I can't even begin to describe it. I'm a sucker for coconut <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">duuuhhhhhh</u>, obviously I <b>looooove</b> bananas since they are in the base of each of my bowls every morning, I love pecans with bananas, but dates?! Oh I love dates and their sweet caramel selves. When all these flavours are melded together it is pure heaven in a bowl. I know I post a lot of recipes for oatmeal, heck this post already has three and I'm not done yet, but this bowl is one of my favourites. It's a very simple bowl to make, but the flavour pairing is absolutely amazing, ahhhh, I'm definitely in the mood to eat this again if it weren't for the giant bowl I had this morning (recipe below).<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1 ripened banana + few slices for garnish</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped dates</li>
<li>2 tbsp coconut flakes</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped pecans</li>
<li>1 tsp ground cinnamon</li>
<li>Maple syrup to drizzle</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana, dates and 1 tbsp of coconut flakes. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with banana, pecans, remaining 1 tbsp of coconut flakes and maple syrup.<br />
<br />
<b>Chocolate Raspberry Oats</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiulhsQ6N01F314zSB0zZUWoDvZ3Cod2-FB42kTT7p9xCOl_-EUAwItj7ic1u11V9e29XX2CZXCvW0_DYxDyp2B14xgahDGJD16_7hQJ2DXIwJGg51q16uPh-WSaVeVO0u7wlekEA_OTAC/s1600/Chocolate+Raspberry+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiulhsQ6N01F314zSB0zZUWoDvZ3Cod2-FB42kTT7p9xCOl_-EUAwItj7ic1u11V9e29XX2CZXCvW0_DYxDyp2B14xgahDGJD16_7hQJ2DXIwJGg51q16uPh-WSaVeVO0u7wlekEA_OTAC/s320/Chocolate+Raspberry+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
Okay, as you all know, I'm not the biggest fan of chocolate, it's why you never fully see recipes containing a lot of chocolate. You will never see me eating a chocolate bar, or taking spoons from a tub of chocolate ice cream, you may not even see me eating chocolate covered strawberries. There are a few times when I really do enjoy chocolate however, when it's combined with raspberries/citrus fruits, when it's mixed with hazelnuts (helllooo Nutella)/peanut butter, or wen it's speckled into ooey-gooey cookies, yummy! Lately, I've been adding cocoa powder into more of my food (I've posted a few oatmeal recipes now), it's still iffy with me, but the benefits of cocoa is something that stands out to me, and it certainly sweetens foods so it's a great alternative sweetener once in a while. White chocolate of course is a completely different story, since it's not really even chocolate, and I fall weak to the knees when it comes to a great Hershey's Cookies 'n Cream bar, or a white hot chocolate, oh golly gee. <br />
<br />
This recipe was so decadent, it wasn't too rich, and the chocolate wasn't overpowering. This was a great way to start the day because it was the perfect amount of sweet and it made me feel like I was eating this tempting guilt-filled dessert, but instead on the contrary it was good for me, and tasted like heaven in a bowl, yeehaw!<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup soy milk + additional milk for garnish</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>1 tbsp cocoa powder</li>
<li>1 ripened banana</li>
<li>1 tbsp carob chips - to garnish</li>
<li>Handful of frozen or fresh raspberries - to garnish</li>
<li>1 tbsp hemp seeds - to garnish</li>
<li>0% vanilla Greek yoghurt - to garnish</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana, and chocolate. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with Greek yoghurt, raspberries, carob chips and hemp seeds.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy :)</span></div></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-12997517931431880292012-02-23T12:01:00.002-08:002012-02-23T12:01:39.457-08:00Shake, shake, shake senora.So, it's been a few weeks now that I've been seeing a personal trainer and things are looking up. Not only do I get my butt whipped by the trainer (for it's easier to push yourself to the extreme when you have someone dictating for you what to do), but I am also whipping my own butt when I am going into the gym by myself and doing weights. I was never someone to approach the weight machines, because honestly, it's not that I didn't want to, it was just a fear of the unknown. I didn't want to use the machine improperly, and with that I just didn't try. I've always stuck to your stereotypical "cardio" exercises, however, now that I'm education myself, and learning proper terms etc... I now know this - "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Any form of exercise can be considered cardio exercise if it raises the heart rate sufficiently and can be sustained for long periods of time. Often normal activities such as walking or climbing stairs can be turned into cardio exercises if they are done intensely. Typically cardio exercise involves engaging major muscle groups which require a large amount of oxygen, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, chest and arms. Running, swimming and bicycling are typical cardio exercises, though a wide range of activities, such as yoga, basketball or even sexual activity can constitute cardio exercise." </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">taken from <a href="http://www.ehow.com/about_5127120_cardio-exercise-definition.html">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With that being said, I do miss running and biking, but having my heart feel like it's going to jump out of my chest from doing weights is such an amazing feeling, and it's a nice change. What's even more fantastic is that I'm gaining the knowledge to make this happen to me without a trainer. I'm learning basics, and I know how to apply them to machines I hadn't used prior.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With all of this strength training I'm definitely feeling the need to fuel up, not just because I'm supposed to and told to, but because my body is craving the extra protein, the additional nutrients, and the increase in food overall. On average I'm having about two protein shakes a day, this is helping a lot to keep me full since I'm packing them in along with my meals. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I now have a lot of shakes under my belt that I'm really excited to share with you guys. Recently I've stumbled upon a <a href="http://pinterest.com/source/flavorator.blogspot.com/">fLAVORATOr</a> page on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, and it's super neat to see how many people have repinned my recent shakes as inspiration to healthy, delicious shakes. This makes me feel really happy because I know I don't get a lot of traffic on my blog, but through <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> it definitely helps, and it's nice to share other bloggers recipes as well as my own. Through all of this, I'm just going to jump to some recent shakes I've been enjoying that are simple and quick to make, and that are super delicious that I think you would all enjoy as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>Peanut Butter Crunch Smoothie</b></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div>Recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.edeneatseverything.com/?p=3461">here</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREp13c3fcPzpbRaBX92FJxCG0GfHrjZIqsetm0aGZO9_jPSF73waJF-thEOMtbe51dv_-9TIpXYvxG9p2U2e4eXfqFGom7OX38ILJGFs_CRWn9omb4eGGRlZxxFKgSvW6gv8uG8m1z6-r/s1600/Peanut+Butter+Crunch+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREp13c3fcPzpbRaBX92FJxCG0GfHrjZIqsetm0aGZO9_jPSF73waJF-thEOMtbe51dv_-9TIpXYvxG9p2U2e4eXfqFGom7OX38ILJGFs_CRWn9omb4eGGRlZxxFKgSvW6gv8uG8m1z6-r/s320/Peanut+Butter+Crunch+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br />
I'm not sure what it is with me lately when it comes to peanut butter. I've made three batches of peanut butter cookies. Been <b>stocking</b> up on peanut butter cereal - <a href="http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=barbaras+peanut+butter&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1272&bih=598&tbm=isch&tbnid=N8Qlk8Dirfx-SM:&imgrefurl=http://compare.productwiki.com/barbara-s-bakery-peanut-butter-puffins/&docid=gKlGhbX1sbfDbM&imgurl=http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/barbara_s_bakery_peanut_butter_puffins.jpg&w=316&h=500&ei=FI9GT9L1I4ru0gH_mvz2DQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=437&sig=108073383324623263511&page=1&tbnh=112&tbnw=72&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=25&ty=71">these</a> being my favourite. Making peanut butter, jam and banana sandwiches <u>at least</u> four times a week. Adding peanut butter into my shakes, or throwing some into my oats in the morning, whatever it is, I have been sucking it in like there's no tomorrow. When I found a recipe to add peanut butter cereal into a shake, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be making it as soon as possible, especially since I had a box of this exact cereal on hand ;) fate or what?<br />
<br />
This is definitely one of my recent favourites, hence my peanut butter binges, but with the peanut butter from the cereal and my protein powder it was pure heaven. I even made a chia crumble that I'd recently made for some added protein/deliciousness. This is a for sure <i>you must make</i> sort of recipe, do it for yourself, you will not regret it!<br />
<br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><ul style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>3/4 cup <a href="http://www.naturespath.com/products/cold-cereals/panda-puffs-cereal">Peanut Butter Crunch Cereal</a></li>
<li>1 scoop peanut butter protein powder (or chocolate protein if you don't have peanut butter)</li>
<li>1/4 cup 0% fat vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>More cereal for garnish + <a href="http://www.choosingraw.com/easy-chocolate-chia-crumble-topping/">chocolate chia crumble</a> </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blend milk, cereal, yoghurt and protein powder until smooth. Top with cereal and chocolate chia crumble.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div><b>Chocolate Orange Smoothie</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
If you're already a fan of chocolate and orange together, you don't need me to tell you that this <b>is</b> going to be a sure fire hit.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU5hdpE89opPSD7d4HSFCcbFtHai7t9ZxXCBWeyEz837sYaAqrCApdohB1zNYWjiwrXEdF0oj19YyKl4kI4JkwpVj-eVD3UuO3hAqqRoQEjrgyd7iAZUnAnz-fFYJtCRXN8kGjgTwNF38/s1600/Chocolate+Orange+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisU5hdpE89opPSD7d4HSFCcbFtHai7t9ZxXCBWeyEz837sYaAqrCApdohB1zNYWjiwrXEdF0oj19YyKl4kI4JkwpVj-eVD3UuO3hAqqRoQEjrgyd7iAZUnAnz-fFYJtCRXN8kGjgTwNF38/s320/Chocolate+Orange+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div></div><ul><li>1/2 frozen banana</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/4 cup water</li>
<li>Juice from 1 orange</li>
<li>1 tbsp cocoa powder</li>
<li>1 scoop of protein powder</li>
</ul><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span><br />
<div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Avocado Citrus Smoothie</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Recipe slightly adapted from <a href="http://www.runningtothekitchen.com/2011/11/avocado-citrus-smoothie/">here</a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSnx_T2rXx75140gQFrNzDgVGbLMN8O1PJ9xop6vVOzb6DSVi5ZPKl2NaJ_Nkp16ywRyhJDAcn4DSY7HGrJvyOReWRAH29jS1p3oepZKiILgCGMYapQFmHHKlsatHSq4pEbCNnIhb6rN7/s1600/Avocado+Citrus+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSnx_T2rXx75140gQFrNzDgVGbLMN8O1PJ9xop6vVOzb6DSVi5ZPKl2NaJ_Nkp16ywRyhJDAcn4DSY7HGrJvyOReWRAH29jS1p3oepZKiILgCGMYapQFmHHKlsatHSq4pEbCNnIhb6rN7/s320/Avocado+Citrus+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's been a while now that I've been tossing avocado's into my shakes, especially when I don't have any spinach left and I want some green-ness added in. What's awesome about avocado when added to your shakes is the creaminess. When I was younger and my mom make my brother and I smoothies they would always be made with juice, and I felt that this left them being very runny, and resembled a healthy juice. When I make my smoothies/shakes, I like them to be creamy and thick - resembling a milkshake. Seeing as it's been a few years since I've had a milkshake since I never buy vegan ice cream, and when I do have ice cream in the house I like to eat it in a bowl instead of drink form I needed to find a way to have this result in another form - frozen banana/avocado definitely gives you this result. You don't need ice cream, you don't need to feel guilty you can just drink and enjoy.<br />
<br />
This smoothie was incredible. While I was drinking it, I was wishing that every sip I took, it would magically fill back up. I am a <b>huuuuuge</b> sucker for citrus, and never think to put it in my shakes (other than orange of course), but the addition of both lemon and orange in this drink is blissful. It has the perfect punch of tartness, than the yoghurt, avocado, banana and vanilla pick up and add sweet touches as well as bouts of creaminess. Will certainly be enjoying this puppy come the summer time instead of lemonade, yum!</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 an avocado - frozen</span></li>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li>1/2 frozen banana</li>
<li>1/3 cup blackberry non-fat Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>Juice of 3/4 lemon</li>
<li>Juice of 1 orange</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)</li>
</span></ul><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Combine everything into a blender and blend until smooth.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b>Caramel Apple Green Smoothie</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px;">Recipe taken and slightly adapted from </span><a href="http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2012/01/healing-and-repairing-my-digestion-part-iv/" style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;">here</a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPvMl3-2-LPwUjPt040727AxI4dthVO_z7h0lBLNDurCtDDSlhYt75vxVonF3u0x322oIzx3LOXCv7gwNJhyphenhyphenFKvhOjMheUrTEBWgiWqgUDZlrFp1E4SVL38CsusoiM4henOsrSXw0sUtP/s1600/Caramel+Apple+Green+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPvMl3-2-LPwUjPt040727AxI4dthVO_z7h0lBLNDurCtDDSlhYt75vxVonF3u0x322oIzx3LOXCv7gwNJhyphenhyphenFKvhOjMheUrTEBWgiWqgUDZlrFp1E4SVL38CsusoiM4henOsrSXw0sUtP/s320/Caramel+Apple+Green+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And lastly - yes, you read correct - caramel apple smoothie. The one thing I love about eating healthy is that there is <u>almost</u><b><u> </u> always </b>an ingredient to mimic those unhealthy ones that we desire so much. Milkshake/ice cream = pureed banana, creamsicles = Greek yoghurt + orange juice + pureed banana, caramel = dates, yes dried fruit resembles caramel especially when added with flavours that enhance caramel flavours such as apples. This was incredibly delightful and such a wonderful treat. This is sure to be enjoyed by all, even those avid of steering clear of green shakes. </div><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 20px; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: inside; margin-bottom: 1.667em; margin-left: 1.667em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup soy milk</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup water</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 apple - original uses frozen, I used fresh</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp peanut butter</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups spinach</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 medjool dates, pitted</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/8 tsp ground cinnamon</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pinch salt</span></li>
</ul><b style="color: #111111; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Directions:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></b><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.667em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place in your blender in the order of the ingredients listed, then blend for 30 seconds or until smooth.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.667em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>When you want something refreshing and healthy what do you throw on in your smoothies/shakes?</b></span></span></div></div></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-13145490088624381952012-02-19T11:12:00.000-08:002012-02-19T11:12:42.380-08:00Gimme moar oatz.As we all know by now, and if not, if you scroll back a few weeks ago (since I have not been posting regularly) you will definitely come to realize that I absolutely <b>love </b>oats. I am still going strong, and having my humongo bowl of oats every morning. I still haven't made the same bowl of oats twice (even though there are definitely some I cannot wait to make again, I just keep finding or coming up with new versions that I just can't wait to try. I swear at this point I would almost settle for having oats for breakfast, lunch <u>and</u> dinner if I could, but that just wouldn't be right, nor would my body be getting all the nutrition it needs regardless of how healthy my oats may be.<br />
<br />
The other day I had bought a sweet potato, and figured I should use it up in something. Initially I had bought it to make curried sweet potato fries but never got around to doing so. It's funny, every winter I buy sweet potatoes and they just sit there, until I <b>have</b> to make something out of them before they go bad. Come spring and then summer I go through sweet potatoes like there's no tomorrow, at least three or four a week. In the winter when you'd think I'd want those starchy gems I just let them sit until as late as possible, it's odd, but I notice this every winter. <br />
<br />
The other night I was thinking of what kind of oats I wanted to make the following morning for my breakfast when I remembered seeing sweet potato oats at one point. I didn't look at any recipes, I just figured I'd wing it and see what I could throw together with what I know goes with sweet potato (which basically ended up being a pumpkin/sweet potato pie version).<br />
<br />
This is definitely a comforting bowl of oats - as are most, but with the extra addition of sweet potato it's just that much more comforting. It had a nice creaminess to it (from the sweet potato and banana), as well as sweetness from the two as well, it had a nice touch of spice with crunchy nuts, overall, it had a perfect balance of what I'd been craving. This came together in an incredible way and would surely make so again.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Sweet Potato Pie Oatmeal</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutoLEcfyth1qa2rwizUjfGUT9HyvIl-5JQwGfWGIxU6VHbRrtWMyoZtm4YmIgO-yzPaBzezvhmxLV1cyBliJtfEHvpTOumFMlb15QMN2hjxCDZ2kfX0N93Nhs2t3pra0iYgIQC2HZPPs7/s1600/Sweet+Potato+Pie+Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutoLEcfyth1qa2rwizUjfGUT9HyvIl-5JQwGfWGIxU6VHbRrtWMyoZtm4YmIgO-yzPaBzezvhmxLV1cyBliJtfEHvpTOumFMlb15QMN2hjxCDZ2kfX0N93Nhs2t3pra0iYgIQC2HZPPs7/s320/Sweet+Potato+Pie+Oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>1/3 cup coconut milk</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1/4 tsp nutmeg</li>
<li>1 tbsp chopped pecans</li>
<li>Drizzle of maple syrup</li>
<li>1/4 cup sweet potato mash</li>
<li>Hemp seeds</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Preheat oven to 425. Wash your sweet potato and poke fork holes all throughout your potato. Bake for 45 minutes. Once cool enough to handle take the skin off and put your mash aside. I did so the night before to save time, you can always used canned sweet potato mash as well.</div><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and sweet potato mash to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). <br />
<br />
Top with additional cinnamon, chopped pecans, chopped banana, hemp hearts and maple syrup.<br />
<br />
As I said, I can't just eat oatmeal for every meal (regardless of how much I might really want it, and how much the thought <i>seriously</i> crosses through my mind).<br />
<br />
<b>Strawberry Banana Coconut Oatmeal</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej9nz6JfwACbfPWDD8uX3lpM9vTBWcqeFR2_eA1PpWOZ3RWok0MpQs4TmnH1s0-KfEXE1K4vN8fSX9X8_F7hu82gZnUmBG4CgxM-72-nkee6uwGMImy-T0iaBqEgdNIqMBOTJKowiYxiF/s1600/Strawberry+Banana+Coconut+Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej9nz6JfwACbfPWDD8uX3lpM9vTBWcqeFR2_eA1PpWOZ3RWok0MpQs4TmnH1s0-KfEXE1K4vN8fSX9X8_F7hu82gZnUmBG4CgxM-72-nkee6uwGMImy-T0iaBqEgdNIqMBOTJKowiYxiF/s320/Strawberry+Banana+Coconut+Oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
This is one incredible bowl of oats, especially after not enjoying some after a few days (due to the weekend, and not being in my own house for breakfast time). I really enjoyed this, and it certainly held me over for the morning. This was an incredible bowl for my pre-work out meal, as it was full of protein, fruits, carbs - perfect mix of things to make for a good wok out, and boy was it a good work out at that!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup oats</li>
<li>1/3 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1/3 cup water</li>
<li>Dash of salt</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 ripe banana</li>
<li>5 strawberries - chopped</li>
<li>1 tbsp ground flaxseed</li>
<li>1 tbsp coconut flakes</li>
<li>Handful of chopped pecans</li>
<li>0% fat strawberry Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>Maple syrup - to top</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>In a small sauce pan, bring your oats, milk, water, cinnamon, salt, flaxseed, and vanilla to a boil. Once your oats have started to boil, mash in your ripened banana. Keep your oats on the stove until your level of "cooked" oats has been achieved (mine take about 4-5 minutes, I still like them a bit hard). Top with your yoghurt, strawberries (I didn't want my berries to be warmed), pecans, coconut and maple syrup.<br />
<br />
<strong style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chocolate Cherry Oats</span></strong><br />
<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recipe inspired from <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.net/2011/07/26/cherry-overnight-oats/">here</a></span></span><br />
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOLkVyBG3LNyPZuqmBjv1tFVLnokvfMjty1SipRKSgqNLFpkFVLdNwpvU7L35vUNIE9n6ihPnDMrwQUUqyJUWf77T0kE6KmXtXuWcfdvfVAVKLPE5bl8ARVl85zLnabxFyxa_YGZhJw-g/s1600/Chocolate+Cherry+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOLkVyBG3LNyPZuqmBjv1tFVLnokvfMjty1SipRKSgqNLFpkFVLdNwpvU7L35vUNIE9n6ihPnDMrwQUUqyJUWf77T0kE6KmXtXuWcfdvfVAVKLPE5bl8ARVl85zLnabxFyxa_YGZhJw-g/s320/Chocolate+Cherry+Oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is nothing to say other than, <b>amazing</b>, <u>make this now</u>.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</b><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</b></div><ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup frozen cherries, mashed</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup old fashioned oats</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup soy milk</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup water</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dash of salt</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp chia seeds</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp hemp seeds</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp cocoa powder</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp ground cinnamon</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 chopped almonds, toasted</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp grated unsweetened coconut, toasted</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>Toppings - </b></span><br />
<br />
<ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp 0% fat plain Greek yogurt</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 fresh cherry</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp grated unsweetened coconut</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unsweetened soy milk, to taste</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Millet puffs</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Same as other bowls of oats, just do so with the varied ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px;">And for something completely unrelated to food - a skateboarding montage filmed/edited by my boyfriend with a lot of people he spends time with skateboarding. They all did an amazing job, and I figured I would spread the love, and try to get some views for it ;).</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQLN11RZr_s">CLICK ME</a></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-43935186828837518702012-01-31T13:58:00.000-08:002012-01-31T13:58:35.575-08:00Chocolate Frosted DoughnutsYesterday as I was doing some errands I stopped by the Bulk Barn since I wanted to get a mini heart cookie cutter for Valentine's Day. Of course when I shop at the Bulk Barn I <b>have</b> to check out their baking supplies, since there is <u>always</u> something new I can add to my collection. As I was perusing the Valentine's stuff I stumbled across a heart shaped doughnut pan, <i>woohoo</i>! Doughnut pans are a lot cheaper than what I had expected them to be, for only $10.00 something, I definitely snatched one up.<br />
<br />
I have never been a huge fan of doughnuts. I worked at Tim Horton's for quite some years while I attended school and truthfully was never really tempted by them. I can honestly say I probably ate less than ten the whole time I worked there (now cinnamon buns, and cranberry blueberry bran muffins are a different story mind you...), but, seeing healthy-baked versions of doughnuts on blogs has always tempted me. I even attempted to make a batch of <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2010/05/mini-baked-doughnuts.html">doughnuts</a> in the past, thinking that without a doughnut pan they would still rise, <i>silly me</i>, this was when I first started blogging however, and wasn't really aware of the tools back then, it's funny to think how much my culinary knowledge has extended since then, wow.<br />
<br />
Anywho back on track. I looked at a few recipes last night, knowing I wouldn't have time to make a batch since I was going to dinner then heading over to my boyfriends, but I wanted to save some recipes so I can make them today. /I guess this sort of makes up for the crummy <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/01/second-year-blogiversary.html?spref=fb">blogiversary</a> food I had yesterday right? ;)<br />
<br />
I reviewed a few of the recipes I had saved, but they didn't quite satisfy what I wanted, until I remembered that Ashley from <a href="http://www.neverhomemaker.com/">(never home)maker</a> had posted a few doughnut recipes lately. I quickly scooted on over and saw a recipe that seemed really interesting to me. A doughnut that has oat flour, wheat bran, maple syrup plus others? Healthy and baked, yet still delicious? Let's try it out. I went over to the kitchen, started pulsing my oats, adding the ingredients, stirring, and within less than twenty minutes I had a delicious smelling, freshly baked batch of doughnuts, <i>perfect</i>. Needless to say, I gave them only a <b>few short</b>, <b>short minutes</b> to cool down before spreading the chocolate frosting on top and digging in.<br />
<br />
I absolutely loved these. I wouldn't say they are your traditional Tim Horton's doughnuts or anything, they remind me of an almost lighter muffin or something, but they are incredibly delicious, and you can definitely tell you are eating a treat rather than something healthy. The wheat bran and the oat bran definitely add some sweetness which is delicious. The only thing I would however just alter a teeny, tiny bit is the amount of maple syrup. I would probably change it to 1/4 cup instead of 1/3 as I found it to be a little too sweet, however, everyone else enjoy them entirely so perhaps it's just me considering I haven't been eating sweets as of late. However, an amazing first attempt and will surely be savoring these bad boys until they disappear, which hopefully isn't <u>too</u> quick.<br />
<br />
<b>Chocolate Frosted Doughnuts</b><br />
<br />
Recipe taken from <a href="http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2011/12/chocolate-frosted-doughnuts.html">here</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsMtluIJqUgJe07GlX_kgffkqoIHjsBsHyu3m3h28xDnK7TtchXYVw5n-y9_CyY0oO88Ysl2atu4B-WfQbFiJtKCmO5r0s8COaEqoY5VrbQmGmBcxZmbQKdyBoC-LlXJA0zjVvUZtd-H2/s1600/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsMtluIJqUgJe07GlX_kgffkqoIHjsBsHyu3m3h28xDnK7TtchXYVw5n-y9_CyY0oO88Ysl2atu4B-WfQbFiJtKCmO5r0s8COaEqoY5VrbQmGmBcxZmbQKdyBoC-LlXJA0zjVvUZtd-H2/s320/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpKpXjjIAFGHKCXcRxaHfTP_JvZ_reD8vJvwpgOc3k2y4YsV6IRlEZW6qKTmurYlWMjynlYAleEfztm3aQ_JlwG_OmlBGsZpzW6h-BZ-KxOPmTxNyfCcYKTDZKL52f_hpj5ckopoj6SKu/s1600/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpKpXjjIAFGHKCXcRxaHfTP_JvZ_reD8vJvwpgOc3k2y4YsV6IRlEZW6qKTmurYlWMjynlYAleEfztm3aQ_JlwG_OmlBGsZpzW6h-BZ-KxOPmTxNyfCcYKTDZKL52f_hpj5ckopoj6SKu/s320/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <b style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</b><br />
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<ul><li>1 1/2 cups rolled oats - processed into flour</li>
<li>1/4 cup wheat bran</li>
<li>1/3 cup maple syrup</li>
<li>1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>3/4 cup coconut milk</li>
<li>1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water - mixed together (or 1 egg or other egg replacement)</li>
<li>1 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>Pinch of salt</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a doughtnut pan.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;">Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;">Pour into the six doughnut holes (this recipe made 10 doughnuts for me).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until slightly firm. Let cool in pan and then turn over to pop out.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>Chocolate Frosting:</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPtCEDI4_vlffR2MCmqzVmGYIN7GzsjdDwE4G7_mxFUSRUSZJGGuDKFJsBcbbdx15qPsGRh4_KKBZe4raaMfFx4ce_KOPeNMYFf3SsD0FQ1t3t7O7mG5cPDq1AuaTq_n7iPEk9-vE_ZED/s1600/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPtCEDI4_vlffR2MCmqzVmGYIN7GzsjdDwE4G7_mxFUSRUSZJGGuDKFJsBcbbdx15qPsGRh4_KKBZe4raaMfFx4ce_KOPeNMYFf3SsD0FQ1t3t7O7mG5cPDq1AuaTq_n7iPEk9-vE_ZED/s320/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">2 tbsp coconut oil</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">1/2 cup powdered sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">2 tbsp cocoa powder</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">2-3 tbsp coconut milk</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></li>
</ul></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Directions:</b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I used the paddle attachment on my food processor -- on high -- to blend together.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSTwoZk3FALyoQaM5pKWUYeDM4McRcQecXxLoCa_lZi2JNwcOIhcDbuamjNleYuAtXl5gKf8zl4jELDpnBfCdoRzjulff0ju6mgTOtdAX06GvA4ltwyAl5lXk3KXq98DmUe9FDtvUYS11/s1600/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSTwoZk3FALyoQaM5pKWUYeDM4McRcQecXxLoCa_lZi2JNwcOIhcDbuamjNleYuAtXl5gKf8zl4jELDpnBfCdoRzjulff0ju6mgTOtdAX06GvA4ltwyAl5lXk3KXq98DmUe9FDtvUYS11/s320/Chocolate+Frosted+Doughnuts2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any recipes for healthy doughnuts you can pass along?</span></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-80540612649285567352012-01-31T05:05:00.000-08:002012-01-31T10:38:23.625-08:00Second Year Blogiversary.Today was one of those days I truly did not want to wake up. The night before I didn't have the best of sleep, and I thought due to this my night would of been rocking (since I've actually been sleeping like a rock lately), but I was clearly mistaken. I finished reading <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games">The Hunger Games</a> (amazing read!), then tried getting to sleep, which did not happen until about 4:30 am, sad to say. I tossed and turned all morning. At ten o'clock I finally got out of bed because I needed to start my day, and make my breakfast because I had personal training at 12:00 pm.<br />
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This morning I truly wasn't feeling it. This is the first time since I've started my training that I just did not want to go. I could of called and re-scheduled but over the weekend I was really lazy and didn't do any exercise (not something I'm happy to admit). I went and to my surprise it wasn't as bad as I thought. We worked on my arms, and since then it's been a pain in the butt. I could barely even pick up my bottle afterward. When I went to shower (which I almost thought of doing at home, because I was moaning like a crazy person from how much my arms burned) picking up the shampoo bottle was a nightmare. Nonetheless, I shan't complain, feeling a nice burn after a work out is always a wonderful thing, and then you get to refuel! Secretly, refueling is one of my favourite reasons to work out, haha. This morning I had a delicious shake made of coconut milk, frozen strawberries, frozen mango, and vanilla protein powder, I didn't have any spinach or anything on hand so it was just a quick and simple yet absolutely delightful treat after my work out.<br />
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Today marks my second year of blogging. I remember writing up my post last year (as I'm sitting in the same chair I was), and the feeling I felt. I wanted to make something sweet and special for this post, just like the average blogger does when they celebrate their blogs birthday, but this year I thought differently. <br />
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This year I'm in a completely different mind set. At this point last year I was beginning to work through my eating disorder, I was wanting to put on weight (which I thought just meant eating <b>a lot</b> of food, which would usually end up with me turning to tubs of ice cream), I was also just beginning to work out. This year, I'm at the point where I'm seeing a personal trainer three times a week, being aware consciously and mentally of the amount of protein I need in my body, and continuously getting it in my body, I am trying to put on mass, my being purely lean mass. With that being said, as grand of an occasion as this is, I didn't want to make any sweets, even healthy raw sweets. I wanted to celebrate with something that would taste fantastic, has fat, protein and would still satisfy me in a way where I feel like I'm celebrating something. It may not look all fantastic to the regular viewer, but, it's about me when it comes down to it, and this is what I want in me to celebrate, because this is more than just celebrating my blogs birthday, it's about celebrating me as well, and how far I've come.<br />
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About a month and a half ago I had posted how I wasn't going to blog that frequently, but... that has not been the case. I love blogging. I love getting comments from fellow readers/bloggers. I love the support. I love sharing my recent snacks/meals/desserts with others. I love being able to write about whatever I want, freely. I love being able to share stories and take pictures and improve my skills in the artistic world via photographs and literature. I realize that blogging is more than just writing for me, it's a great stress relief, and it helps me feel social when I sometimes don't want to leave the house. It also helps me keep my diet in check, I need to remember to eat healthy, balanced, and moderate meals. <br />
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The meal I chose to make is one that I've been pushing farther and farther away for about three weeks now. I planned on making it three weeks ago, but then always just make kale chips with the kale in the fridge. This afternoon when I came home and had my shake I wasn't sure truthfully what I was going to make, since the fridge is a little empty (heading out to the grocery store in just a few minutes to stock up), that and the fact I had no motivation to cook. However, I looked at the beautiful organic kale I had in the fridge, and I figured today is the day to make this meal that I've been post-poning. <br />
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I don't know why I waited so long to make this, but it was fantastiiiiic. The smell once was the sauce was simmering was incredible, and truthfully anything with kale in it is usually a win in my books, especially if peanut butter is included. Okay in all honesty, the reason why I'd been pushing this recipe back is because of one sole ingredient - <i>tahini</i>, I just <b>really</b> <u>hate</u> that stuff. I buy it, and I cook with it, but it just grosses me out to no end, I'm not sure why considering I <b>loooooove</b> sesame seeds, but the flavour and consistency of tahini ew. I know I could of just opted not to put it in, but tahini does give a fantastic creamy consistency. To my delight, the other flavours melded wonderfully with the tahini and the salad was fantastic. It took very little time to make, it was all done in one pot and took less than ten minutes to throw together. It is healthy, has a lot of healthy fats and protein (which I also decided to bake up some crispy tofu to also add some more protein after my work out) and it was wonderful. I made enough to have left for a few days, and cannot wait to dig in.<br />
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Yes, this may not be a dessert, nor might it be sweet, and it certainly isn't your typical blogiversary post, but it satisfied what I was craving. Plus, there is always another day to broadcast sweets, I also figured since the last few posts of mine have either been bowls of oats or smoothies that I would show some "meal" food ;).<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Spicy Peanut Ginger Kale Salad</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Recipe taken from <a href="http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/01/spicy-peanut-ginger-kale-salad.html">here</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohx1snvhJ3pq4MX1JW5CapwbkY1qVVeW1lTUZnzrMALQ4urnuriJVCqM09Pvb3NdEEqZa2PmQiqpZFR3nnriha4tImj5LopuRufVKsN98CWP1qbMvvXlVH6J4XAP8_xzUyJCj3C2uBE7j/s1600/Spicy+Peanut+Ginger+Kale+Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohx1snvhJ3pq4MX1JW5CapwbkY1qVVeW1lTUZnzrMALQ4urnuriJVCqM09Pvb3NdEEqZa2PmQiqpZFR3nnriha4tImj5LopuRufVKsN98CWP1qbMvvXlVH6J4XAP8_xzUyJCj3C2uBE7j/s320/Spicy+Peanut+Ginger+Kale+Salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><b>Salad - </b></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">2 large bunches of kale (or 3 small)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1 cup red onion, chopped</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1/2 cup peanuts - fold in</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1 tbsp pickled ginger, chopped - (unfortunately did not have for today's salad but will be adding some after I go to the store!)</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Spicy Ginger Peanut Sauce - </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">2 tbsp creamy salted peanut butter</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1/2 cup water</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1 tbsp tahini</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1 tsp sesame oil</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1 tbsp pickled ginger, chopped</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled/chopped</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">2-3 tsp tamari</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">2 tbsp rice vinegar (yuzu flavored or add 1 tsp lemon juice)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">2 tsp agave syrup</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">5 dashes cayenne</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Fine black pepper to taste</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Tofu - </span></b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">1 package of extra-firm tofu</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Salt and pepper - to taste</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><b>Directions:</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Pre-heat oven to 425. Drain and pat try your tofu. Cut your tofu into triangles, season with salt and pepper. Place on a non-stick mat or parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes, or until crispy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Place a large soup pot over med-high heat on your stove top. Add all the sauce ingredients and stir briskly until they melt and blend together. Reduce heat to medium and simmer/stir for about two minutes. Turn heat to low.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Pull the leaves in bits from the thick stalks of your kale. Wash if needed. Add the kale leaves (toss thick stems) - add kale to the pot until filled to the brim. Fold the kale into the hot sauce. Fold well. The hot sauce will wilt the kale.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Turn off heat and add the remaining amount of kale. Also add in the pickled ginger, peanuts and red onion. Fold the kale salad well for about a minute - until all the kale has wilted and the leaves and onion mixed with the sauce.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Serve warm or place in fridge - covered - to chill and serve cold. Will keep well for up to a few days.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">How do you spice up your kale salads?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">(Need kale ideas other than chips)</span></span></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-61374135401364911122012-01-26T19:35:00.000-08:002012-01-26T19:35:58.749-08:00Post Work-Out Smoothies<div itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Recipe" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">As I mentioned a few days ago, one of the thing's that I've recently "invested" in is a personal trainer. With that being said, I also stated how he wasn't too impressed with my diet. One of the major reasons as to why I hired a personal trainer is because I want to tone. Due to this, I knew I was going to have to augment my protein by a lot. Now, everyday regardless of if I am working out, or on a rest day I consume at least one protein shake, (yes, I was even told I am no longer allowed to call them "smoothies" but they are now "shakes". For the purpose of my blog however, I am going to continue calling them "smoothies" ;) ). </span></div><div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Due to the increase in my protein, and the fact that I am having a smoothie everyday, I also now have a lot more recipes to post. Not all of them are amazing, sometimes I'm lazy, and just throw in whatever I want without making too much of an effort in remembering what goes in them, or to even take a picture for that matter. Some however, need to be shared because they are just so tantalizing. <br />
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<b>Snickerdoodle Smoothie</b><br />
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Recipe slightly adapted from <a href="http://pursuitofhippieness.com/2012/01/11/snickerdoodle-green-smoothie/">here</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWztFAEGZq6Br1aTE9b7uQmBfgo3o3LyFXY7yhJb1T-LjIzSZ-QZk8YuYJ1IeAfbMKE594adhmVi5QH9k9YuA7ienkxGmryu4feZdo4UhAGHzJcJkP9XChFfEtcQo3s0BoWXkzcELc3R_/s1600/Snickerdoodle+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWztFAEGZq6Br1aTE9b7uQmBfgo3o3LyFXY7yhJb1T-LjIzSZ-QZk8YuYJ1IeAfbMKE594adhmVi5QH9k9YuA7ienkxGmryu4feZdo4UhAGHzJcJkP9XChFfEtcQo3s0BoWXkzcELc3R_/s320/Snickerdoodle+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For starters, one of my recent <u style="font-weight: bold;">favourites</u> - the snickerdoodle smoothie. If you're a regular to my blog you will know that cinnamon is one of my favourite spices. When cinnamon is added to anything I just about fall in love. When I see a recipe for a smoothie that has the title "snickerdoodle", I don't even think twice about clicking on the link. Needless to say I quickly bookmarked the link, and made it a few days after seeing it. This is amazing. It truly does taste like a snickerdoodle cookie without any guilt whatsoever. It is a perfect pre-work out/post-work out smoothie. It is delightfully spiced, full of greens, reminiscent of an incredible cookie, and just, mmmm, cannot wait to enjoy this again!<br />
<br />
- if you have yet to try a green smoothie, <b>don't</b> be alarmed. You<b> do not</b> taste the spinach at all. If you were blindfolded and were to take a sip you wouldn't even know that there is spinach in it. This is a great way to get vegetables into your diet!<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/2 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>1 frozen banana</li>
<li>1 tsp cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/4 tsp almond extract</li>
<li>2 cups loosely packed spinach</li>
<li>1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Blend until smooth.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Tropical Avocado Smoothie</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Recipe taken from <a href="http://chockohlawtay.blogspot.com/2011/09/green-monster-6.html">here</a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03bYzPkiRO-e-bIQDzMZlAOUrHbRnh7kuBvd71PQXQYfaSHivPLKAw8a-ddmxieY78oQhRNuptQNtwNuHvt2v6nz9EUqf0Ktco3m3USFIXs_U33Byf4OBHKT-LoC15lXWidfo0rccU6A5/s1600/Tropical+Avocado+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03bYzPkiRO-e-bIQDzMZlAOUrHbRnh7kuBvd71PQXQYfaSHivPLKAw8a-ddmxieY78oQhRNuptQNtwNuHvt2v6nz9EUqf0Ktco3m3USFIXs_U33Byf4OBHKT-LoC15lXWidfo0rccU6A5/s320/Tropical+Avocado+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>Avocado is not an ingredient I frequently toss into my smoothies as I usually gobble them up in salads or ice creams before I think of tossing them into a smoothie. However, if I find a recipe that suggests tossing in an avocado I specifically make sure I keep half of an avocado at least to try out the recipe, such is the case here. I love the addition of avocado as it adds this creamy smoothness that you don't usually get from a smoothie. This smoothie is definitely different from the smoothies I regularly make as I didn't toss in a frozen banana. I really enjoyed it, the only thing I would change is to add a frozen banana so that the drink were more chilled with a smooth milkshake consistency, other than that, completely amazing.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1 kiwi, ripe with the skin left on</li>
<li>1/2 an avocado</li>
<li>1/2 cup pineapple chunks, fresh</li>
<li>Big handful of baby spinach</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (optional)</li>
</ul></div><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Scrub your kiwi gently to remove any dirt or pesticides, and cut the ends off (discard).</div><div><br />
</div><div>Blend until no chunks of kiwi skins are left.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.runningtothekitchen.com/2012/01/chocolate-banana-peanut-butter-smoothie/">here</a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hyphenhyphenM2LEk8ZFVAgdYGw-8kgP7HHxlYpoKT30d6sklEKRSa5nqdINOJrMkDyVrmtorMsPKef0wWqJrC1Mew1pC0K8_oIwafvY-RJY-Ogmj6-w-dmIWDTPjyr5db5KJ98JQ7kmUyuE7zlq8c/s1600/Chocolate+Peanut+Butter+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hyphenhyphenM2LEk8ZFVAgdYGw-8kgP7HHxlYpoKT30d6sklEKRSa5nqdINOJrMkDyVrmtorMsPKef0wWqJrC1Mew1pC0K8_oIwafvY-RJY-Ogmj6-w-dmIWDTPjyr5db5KJ98JQ7kmUyuE7zlq8c/s320/Chocolate+Peanut+Butter+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>One of my favourite "desserts" are Wendy's Frosty's. When I read this recipe, and saw that Gina had written that this taste like a Frosty but with peanut butter it was bound that I was going to be trying it. This was definitely very, very similar. I've seen imitation Frosty recipes going around the web lately, however they always seem to incorporate condensed milk. This version does not contain condensed milk and still results in a very similar flavour. I really enjoyed this and would certainly recommend it for the peanut butter chocolate lovers out there.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>1/2 cup coconut milk</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>1 frozen banana</li>
<li>1 tbsp cocoa powder</li>
<li>1/3 cup low-fat vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>2 tbsp peanut butter</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Combine until smooth and creamy.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Cherry Vanilla Almond Smoothie</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Recipe slightly adapted from<span id="goog_1078189994"></span><span id="goog_1078189995"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a> <a href="http://www.runningtothekitchen.com/2011/07/cherry-almond-vanilla-smoothie/">here</a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW6G3wrXou9PPh6pOUdCPe626UCkYtVUI_6xBNN7by1yEmfay5dqZuc237qC2CuQ_FaoDc78OfgM9BoXKklHPcF5_szneV8nltF_rEsTrYbMAklSBohGRPIUVtn9mfZ_8BZcFEOYoXcEO/s1600/Cherry+Vanilla+Almond+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW6G3wrXou9PPh6pOUdCPe626UCkYtVUI_6xBNN7by1yEmfay5dqZuc237qC2CuQ_FaoDc78OfgM9BoXKklHPcF5_szneV8nltF_rEsTrYbMAklSBohGRPIUVtn9mfZ_8BZcFEOYoXcEO/s320/Cherry+Vanilla+Almond+Smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I have to say one of my favourite flavours is the flavour of cherry. However, this is <b>not</b> a fruit you will <b>ever </b>see me eat. I have this irrational fear of fruits with pits. I know that sounds ridiculous, but they just... freak me out. My mom's boyfriend once bought a bunch of grapes that were said to be seedless, however, this was <i>false</i>. They were <b>not</b> seedless, and because of this, the next hour after taking a few bites from different grapes to reassure me they were in fact not seedless, I cut every one in half and removed each seed. Yes, I know, this sounds incredibly crazy, but it just urks me. The only fruit I give exception to to this rule are clementines since it's not in every one. Wow, okay after reading what I just wrote, I sound like a nut, oh well. The point of this rant is, Costco has bags of pitted cherries that I go bonkers for. I love them, because then all the amazing looking recipes I find online that incorporate cherries I can then try them. One of my favourite one's up to date is the <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-beautiful-morniiiingg.html">Raspberry Cherry Basil Smoothie</a></b>, which I happily enjoyed this afternoon after my work out. The other day however, I enjoyed an incredibly amazing savoury smoothie. This recipe was packed with sweetness, protein, summer flavours, will definitely enjoy this again after future work outs.</span></span></div><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/3 cup low-fat vanilla Greek yoghurt</li>
<li>1/4 cup water</li>
<li>1/2 cup soy milk</li>
<li>1 cup pitted cherries</li>
<li>2 tbsp whole almonds</li>
<li>1 tbsp chia seeds</li>
<li>1 tbsp vanilla protein powder</li>
<li>1/2 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/4 tsp almond extract</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Put all ingredients into blender and pulse for a “chewy” consistency. If you want it smooth, just use puree setting and blend longer.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What do you enjoy after your work outs?</span></span></div></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-12875695644515991962012-01-24T17:59:00.000-08:002012-01-24T17:59:33.842-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Very, very late post...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">October 30th is my one of my best friends, Brent's birthday. I told him for his birthday I would make him a little something. What I love about Brent's palette is the fact that it doesn't matter what I feed him, he is always open to what I make vegan or not, and even if it's weird looking or completely abstract he is still willing to try what I put infront of him. When it comes down to it, Brent's palette is very similar to mine, and I knew that by choosing something with pumpkin would be a winner, since we both adore the fall flavours. Thankfully, in knowing this I was able to make a cake that I had previously saved and couldn't wait to make... however, I was waiting because as we know, cake is one of my <u>all time weaknesses</u>. I can make a cake, and literally eat it in one sitting, it's <b>bad</b> okay, not even bad, just all around horrible for me, but I can't help it. I <i>never</i> have cake in the house for the sole reason of me not being able to control/portion myself when it comes to cake, so when I find recipes for cake it's nice when something like a birthday comes along so I can indulge in my obsession but not go overboard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I'd found a recipe from one of my favourite blogs; <a href="http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/">Healthful Pursuit</a>, in the past I've tried many of her recipes and have never been let down. So when I found a recipe for Gingerbread Brownies I knew that this would surely be a fantastic recipe to try out, and it surely was. I adapted it a little bit, to work with what I had/go more with my palette and it turned out wonderfully. What I love about this cake was the substantial amount of molasses. Molasses cookies are one of my all time favourites, and to have such an abundance of this flavour in a cake/brownie is just bliss. When you bite into it you are not overwhelmed by molasses but it's definitely the biggest role in this dessert, the other flavours are not however hidden as you get appearances from each flavour within the bite. I'd decided as well since I had some cream cheese in the fridge that I would make a nice pumpkin icing to go on top since it would add a nice colour to the brownie and that I knew Brent like's cream cheese. The brownies were heavenly without the cream cheese (as I'm not a huge fan of cream cheese), but even with that said, not being a huge fan, the pumpkin cream cheese frosting definitely took the brownie to an even higher level. I highly suggest making these brownies, especially around the fall/holiday time, they are perfect and certainly bring some warmth... as well as it's a good excuse to bring some gorgeous aromas into your house ;).<br />
<br />
<b>Gingerbread Brownies </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>Recipe adapted from <a href="http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2011/10/gingerbread-brownies/">here</a><br />
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</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOO0u_-T2J4a8XPEgdlV9l-frYSkvGUXnPXZhCNmbO54G0p__TZjD0p1lKlqfp-LSI1459Tx-c9rQ_nk8heLy_rwsCgkY-lKDcpHGNHE4ujUGyPio4x0EZGgzOh1i-IC28_Nc5ICTu2zR/s1600/Gingerbread+Brownies+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOO0u_-T2J4a8XPEgdlV9l-frYSkvGUXnPXZhCNmbO54G0p__TZjD0p1lKlqfp-LSI1459Tx-c9rQ_nk8heLy_rwsCgkY-lKDcpHGNHE4ujUGyPio4x0EZGgzOh1i-IC28_Nc5ICTu2zR/s320/Gingerbread+Brownies+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<ul><li>1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>3 tbsp ground flax seed</li>
<li>1 tsp ground cinnamon</li>
<li>1 tsp ground ginger</li>
<li>1 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 cup blackstrap molasses</li>
<li>1/2 cup coconut sugar</li>
<li>1/3 cup soy milk </li>
<li>1/4 avocado - mashed<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></li>
<li>3 tbsp pumpkin puree</li>
<li>1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 1 tbsp water)</li>
</ul><b> Directions:</b><br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 8×8 square pan with parchment paper so that it’s draping off both sides. Set aside.<br />
<br />
Place all dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside<br />
<br />
In a large bowl, combine all wet ingredients.<br />
<br />
Drop dry ingredients into wet and stir until just combined. The mix should be runny.<br />
<br />
Pour into prepared pan and bake in prepared oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. <br />
<br />
Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan and placing it on a wire rack to cool.<br />
<hints id="hah_hints"><br />
</hints><br />
<b><hints id="hah_hints">Pumpkin Cream Cheese</hints></b><br />
<hints id="hah_hints"><br />
</hints><br />
<hints id="hah_hints">Recipe taken from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.shutterbean.com/pumpkin-cream-cheese/">here</a></hints><br />
<br />
<b><hints id="hah_hints">Ingredients:</hints></b><br />
<ul><li>8 oz. cream cheese, softened</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li>
<li>1/2 cup pumpkin puree</li>
<li>2 tbsp maple syrup</li>
<li>1 tbsp brown sugar</li>
<li>1/4 tsp ground ginger</li>
<li>1/2 tsp cinnamon</li>
</ul><b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Cover bowl and chill in the fridge for at least an hour before using.<br />
<br />
And top with walnuts.Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-52466986537428820332012-01-24T16:25:00.000-08:002012-01-24T16:25:58.899-08:00Bowl of oats x3Reason #267 why I love oatmeal so much: how quick it is to make. Whether you make it in the microwave, add boiling hot water and let your oats sit for a few minutes, or make a bowl on your stovetop, no bowl takes more than a few minutes to make - even when you are fancying this bowl.<br />
<br />
As mentioned in my <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2012/01/these-are-few-of-my-favourite-things.html">last post</a> about oatmeal, I have been eating <u>a lot</u> of oatmeal lately as that has been my pre-work out meal. I seriously love this, especially because you can also sneak in a lot of protein before your work out as well. The other day as I was doing my normal blog perusing I came across a post that really jumped out to me. I have browsed Sonia's blog from <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.net/">The Healthy Foodie</a> many times always marveling at the beautiful photographs that go along with her recipes, however I can't honestly say I've ever tried any. This weekend however, I decided to give three recipes a try. All oatmeal recipes of course. The reason this post stuck out so much to me is because of the <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.net/2011/05/19/blueberry-cobbler-oatmeal/">Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal</a>. Greek yoghurt, protein powder, chia seeds, and almonds, that's a lot of protein in <b>one</b> bowl of oats, that didn't even include my smoothie afterward.<br />
<br />
Yes, even the fanciest of oatmeal recipes only take a few minutes to assemble. This one, I had a few different dishes going because you have to (well <b>don't</b> have to, but I assure you it's better this way) toast the almonds and additional oats to create a crumble. You need to have a separate bowl for the "custard". A small saucepan for the blueberry sauce and then a separate one for the oats itself. Other than the extra dishes that would normally come with my regular bowl of oats that's all that really made time seem a little longer, however, I enjoyed an incredible cup of green tea while doing this, so it was okay.<br />
<br />
This oatmeal was amazing. The different layers of flavours was just impeccable, the presentation was absolutely beautiful, and the aroma, mmmm yum. This is definitely one of my favourite oatmeal concoctions, I mean hello, it's dessert in a bowl for breakfast, while being very healthy and full of protein, no way your tastebuds (or your personal trainer) could tell you you're doing something wrong with this. I definitely had a lot of energy for my work out, certainly was not full by the time I came home, however I needed to repair my muscles so I of course made myself a protein packed smoothie and gobbled it down nonetheless. This is <u style="font-weight: bold;">most definitely</u> an oatmeal I will be enjoying over and over again, maybe with a raspberry sauce next time ;).<br />
<br />
The tropical twist oatmeal was also very delightful, it had some of my all time favourite fruit, with one of my favourite nuts, and of course Greek yoghurt, how could you go wrong with this, especially during the cool winter months? Loved, loved, loved.<br />
<br />
Lastly the banana bread oatmeal, now hot dang. It's been a <i>loooonnnggg</i> time since I've made/had any <a href="http://flavorator.blogspot.com/2011/02/favourite-childhood-sandwich-in-loaf.html">banana bread</a>. I never think to make banana bread since I throw bananas into everything, and if my bananas get really ripe, they go into my Ziploc bag in the freezer and then they get gobbled up within the same week on my smoothies. When I saw the recipe on <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.net/">The Healthy Foodie</a> for banana bread oatmeal I figured I would spice it up the way I would enjoy my banana bread. This was definitely amazing, especially to wake up to and enjoy. If you were to wake up and not know what was baking on the oven you would definitely pass it off as a joyous banana bread. This was so insanely delightful, and I can just imagine the various things I can throw in and top off in other versions, yummm!<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal</strong><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></i></strong></span></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Recipe slightly adapted from <a href="http://thehealthyfoodie.net/2011/05/19/blueberry-cobbler-oatmeal/">here</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzjeVvyZ_oX_2RwUmpwmtFJdVFohtAO-qZG23D5_Txy4gvQULN8kBxSp9qj5XG54JNYdDFl0NEqK3roNpWl3quOBlGNRQ709T7xq-5kKaAVV85B4Zl8dMvjPAbu9bL5EN4BQ2IRgKMg-g/s1600/Blueberry+Cobbler+Oatmeal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzjeVvyZ_oX_2RwUmpwmtFJdVFohtAO-qZG23D5_Txy4gvQULN8kBxSp9qj5XG54JNYdDFl0NEqK3roNpWl3quOBlGNRQ709T7xq-5kKaAVV85B4Zl8dMvjPAbu9bL5EN4BQ2IRgKMg-g/s320/Blueberry+Cobbler+Oatmeal1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Ingredients:</strong></span></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oatmeal</span></strong></div><ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup oats</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup water</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 ripe banana</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dash of salt</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp vanilla</span></li>
</ul><div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blueberry Sauce</span></strong></div><ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup blueberries</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3/4 tsp amaretto agave nectar</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tbsp chia seeds</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 tbsp water</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Big squirt of lemon juice</span></li>
</ul><div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Crumble</span></strong></div><ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp slivered almonds</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tbsp old fashion oats</span></li>
</ul><div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“Custard</strong>”</span></div><ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder </span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">In a small saucepan add milk, water, salt, vanilla and oatmeal, once it starts to boil stir in your banana until all liquid is absorbed and oatmeal is nice and creamy.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Meanwhile, in a </span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;">separate</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> saucepan, cook blueberries, water, lemon juice, chia seeds and agave nectar over low heat, stirring occasionally, until blueberries start to “explode” and sauce thickens. You might want to swoosh the blueberries a little bit with your spoon to help break them up. Set aside when ready.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">In a small non-stick pan, over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds and old fashion oats until golden and fragrant. Set aside.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">In small mixing bowl, mix protein powder with plain yogurt until smooth and creamy. Set aside.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">When all your components are ready, transfer to serving bowls, starting with oatmeal, then blueberry sauce, followed by custard and finally the crumble.</span><br />
<strong style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></strong><br />
<strong style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tropical Twist Oatmeal</span></strong><br />
<strong style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjGl59XwaWPG2MvLGtUuGvaf2xlT9JpKcyuQNupGknPeSIyUGj7sMcjR_tMyyr0Ag3yBVHFg7IFOpNQY7XBK5YFe7DbQaho-3IC6AcUVv7eza9GIDQtOj_QQUf3koru3dHaS4wevgMF1t/s1600/Tropical+Twist+Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjGl59XwaWPG2MvLGtUuGvaf2xlT9JpKcyuQNupGknPeSIyUGj7sMcjR_tMyyr0Ag3yBVHFg7IFOpNQY7XBK5YFe7DbQaho-3IC6AcUVv7eza9GIDQtOj_QQUf3koru3dHaS4wevgMF1t/s320/Tropical+Twist+Oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></strong><br />
<strong style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></strong><br />
<br />
<ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Same oatmeal components as above</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3-4 strawberries, cut into little cubes</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup fresh mango cubes (you can use frozen if you don't have fresh)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 cup pineapple cubes</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp low fat plain Greek yogurt</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp crushed pecans, toasted</span></li>
</ul><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Add fruits to your cooked oatmeal. Stir gently until heated through and transfer to a serving bowl.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Garnish with plain yogurt and toasted pecans.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div align="left" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Warm Banana Bread</span></strong></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5DzBBTvfXtIjfqRlr-2JrD59v3KPOq_ErR-AI4P17TtgBMhe_q7e31Qzi7_zi3C5oRw9rvyWkMM1HRylvJqqctr7F-tLBlJ7KJOu7IR-hg1kcRYoGlkYP7yyuierYSdc3cFdDXUdrz_i/s1600/Warm+Banana+Bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5DzBBTvfXtIjfqRlr-2JrD59v3KPOq_ErR-AI4P17TtgBMhe_q7e31Qzi7_zi3C5oRw9rvyWkMM1HRylvJqqctr7F-tLBlJ7KJOu7IR-hg1kcRYoGlkYP7yyuierYSdc3cFdDXUdrz_i/s320/Warm+Banana+Bread.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></div><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></strong><br />
<strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></strong></div><ul style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4 dates, chopped</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tbsp low fat plain Greek yogurt</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tbsp crushed walnuts, toasted</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp cinnamon</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 tsp nutmeg</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maple syrup to drizzle</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp hemp hearts</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Add the chopped dates to your oatmeal while it is cooking. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">P</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">our in cold milk and garnish with Greek yogurt and toasted walnuts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9UFPWYWWpNqRlEuaAjrm2wSe0dVLhL-6l5ID4MTQiohoYSEHtzuuinPTtqXuw3m8NZMRNTGQMDsqd8ccQSQkuPvj-9BlSq3QfKtDbcoP5NImho0hJxiGXl3skgnAmRRy7lH6BaU_V7tt/s1600/1Blueberry+Cobbler+Oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 19px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9UFPWYWWpNqRlEuaAjrm2wSe0dVLhL-6l5ID4MTQiohoYSEHtzuuinPTtqXuw3m8NZMRNTGQMDsqd8ccQSQkuPvj-9BlSq3QfKtDbcoP5NImho0hJxiGXl3skgnAmRRy7lH6BaU_V7tt/s320/1Blueberry+Cobbler+Oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you tried making any dessert-oatmeal bowls for breakfast?</span></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030521841468106588.post-80202578213262270412012-01-22T12:08:00.000-08:002012-01-22T12:13:33.652-08:00Almost-Raw Apple Butter TartsAs of January 8th of this year, I officially hit my one year mark since I'd officially got my life back on track. By this I mean, I started working out officially on the 8th, and I admitted to myself that yes, the past year I had been suffering from an eating disorder and needed this to change if I wanted to live a healthy life. That was an incredible step for me, and since then the steps have gotten even bigger as to my improvement, and I couldn't be happier.<br />
<br />
To mark my one year "anniversary" I wanted to treat myself to something, to compensate myself for the hard work I'd done the previous year, and for all the sweat I shed, and just for the emotional and physiological progress I'd improved on. I had decided I was going to buy myself some new work out clothes. However, when I got the mail around January 4th, I got a promotion flyer from the gym my dad works out at. I didn't think twice about this really, other than it gave a coupon for a one day trial, I figured I'd give that a shot. As I was going to the mall to go buy myself a new gym outfit (which still hasn't happened), I decided to stop in at the gym. Typical Sam springing on impulses I was now a member to a gym, go me!<br />
<br />
When you become a member of this gym (I'm not sure if other gyms offer this, which is why I'm writing such as this), they give you a fitness assessment. My results weren't <i>too</i> bad considering, what I'd put my body through the past few years, but it still however wasn't good enough for me. After talking about what my goals were in joining the gym, I realized one of them really was to get toned. So long the days of <i>skinny is beautiful</i>, as you read on all over many picture boards <u>strong is the new beautiful</u>, and I am definitely a believer in this. So, with that being said, I decided I would hire a personal trainer. Hey, I'd been working basically every single day for the last year, and yes, the results are much better than what I looked like prior to this, but my knowledge when it comes to exercise is limited, regardless of all the hours I spend reading about it on the internet. <br />
<br />
With this being said, I could continue doing what I was currently doing at home, only have some more cardio options, but that's not what I wanted. I want muscle. I want to be toned. I want people to look at me and <b>know</b> that I work out, not that I'm just this <i>skinny</i> girl, that's not who I am, and that's not what I want to portray. I decided to hire a personal trainer until April, and will be seeing him three times a week. I am very much looking forward to this. <br />
<br />
I'm finding it a wee bit intimidating at times however, because a lot of things are being assessed, and it's <u>not only</u> my strength or my ability to know how to use a machine, but the foods I consume, my mental state and just how I deal with things overall. It's a lot of fun, incredibly information, and definitely a work out, and I cannot wait to see what I will see for myself again both emotionally/physically within the next few months.<br />
<br />
Now, onto the point of this post. Food is definitely my trainers bigger criticism when it comes to me. It's not that he's telling me to eat meat (although he keeps trying to push chicken into my head... and well, more to come on that I'm sure in the future), but for now, I'm making an effort to consciously intake more calories - <i>this is incredibly difficult for some reason</i>, but I've been eating much more protein, and my meals are definitely complete meals. Regardless of all of this, he still doesn't think what I'm eating is enough, which for now is <b>too bad</b> because I'm not going to make myself sick.<br />
<br />
Through out all of this, I've been trying to find ways to sneak in more protein. Since it'd been two weeks since I had any "treats", I decided I would make myself some "butter tarts". I found a recipe for an almost-raw pumpkin butter tarts, and since I had a gigantic jar of apple butter sitting in the fridge I figured why not, especially considering I had all the ingredients on hand. They were incredibly easy to throw together (typically as most raw recipes are, <u>uhhhh, hello no stove needed</u>), but hellloooo the flavours?! These are <u style="font-weight: bold;">amazingggg</u>. I absolutely love raw desserts, nuts + dates (natural sugar, nomnomnom), and they are still healthy, so regardless of if your new years resolution is to not consume junk foods, these can still keep you in tact ;), unless that is you go buck wild and eat the whole batch, hehe.<br />
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Will definitely be making these again, and will play around with fillings, I'm feeling a nice raspberry jam ;) <i>yuuummmmyyyy</i>. Now, go on ahead, and try these!<br />
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<b>Almost-Raw Apple Butter Tarts</b><br />
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Recipe taken from <a href="http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com/2010/10/almost-raw-pumpkin-butter-tarts.html">here</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEwN5KKWtcszevc8sVFcCji38q9w5POisAy6O87uNteDJdoo5xRL-o6MFPQ4sJkMnlNNWMmPDKd2axCyPLp4bgksAlv-N0xmovMYrsh_0dh1jVb_U6tx4PQav8szGNePZe9jMZTaPBLuX/s1600/Apple+Butter+Tarts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEwN5KKWtcszevc8sVFcCji38q9w5POisAy6O87uNteDJdoo5xRL-o6MFPQ4sJkMnlNNWMmPDKd2axCyPLp4bgksAlv-N0xmovMYrsh_0dh1jVb_U6tx4PQav8szGNePZe9jMZTaPBLuX/s320/Apple+Butter+Tarts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
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<b>Ingredients - </b><br />
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<b>Crust:</b><br />
<ul><li>1/2 cup cashews</li>
<li>1/2 cup almonds</li>
<li>1 tbsp cornstarch (I forgot to add this in)</li>
<li>Pinch of salt</li>
<li>2 dates</li>
<li>1 tsp coconut oil</li>
</ul><b>Filling:</b><br />
<ul><li>1/2 cup apple butter</li>
<li>4-5 dates</li>
<li>1 tsp coconut oil</li>
<li>1/4 cup whole pecans</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Combine ingredients for the crust in the bowl of your food processor and press into muffin tins.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Combine ingredients for filling and process in your processor again. Add all of your ingredients other than the pecans. Then fold in the pecans. Spread filling into tart shells. Refrigerate for at least six hours.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Makes 6 tarts.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What are ways in which you try to sneak protein into your diet?</span></div></div>Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09496857646849386675noreply@blogger.com2