Lemon and Thyme Glazed Asparagus and Tofu

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 ever 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.  Seriously that good!  This is incredible.


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.


Lemon and Thyme Glazed Asparagus and Tofu


Recipe taken and slightly adapted from here

Not the greatest picture I know, I'm sorry.

Ingredients:


Rice -

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups of uncooked brown rice

Stir-fry - 

• 1 bunch of asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces (about 4 cups chopped)
• 1 package extra firm tofu - drained
• 1 1/2 tbsp oil

Glaze - 

• 3/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup lemon juice - freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp cornstach + 2 tbsp cold water
• 1 tsp thyme

Directions:

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.


Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Slice the pressed tofu into 1/2 inch slices and then diagonally to make tofu triangles.  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.  When the oven is heated, cook tofu for 45 minutes, or until nice and crispy.


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.


During the last ten minutes that the rice is cooking, begin the stir fry. 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.

Serve on a bed of brown rice.

A day of delightful foods.

Oooookkaaaaayyy.  Hold the phone!  I have found, I think what I have to call my all time favourite 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, you HAVE to make this one, or, this one is my favourite, but, but, but, I think I found it, and to my surprise it incorporates one of my least favourite fruits - blueberries.

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 loooooooooove that shake.

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.

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!

Green Blueberry Mango Shake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
• 2 heaping cups of baby spinach - fresh
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup 0% fat blueberry Greek yoghurt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 scoop of protein powder

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.

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.

Magical Peanut Butter Banana Crepes

Recipe slightly adapted from here

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 tsp ground flaxseed
• 1/2 tsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Dash of salt
• 5 tbsp + 1 tsp almond milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil

Directions:

Mix dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients.  Mix well until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.

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.

I then topped it with this magical banana beast.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2-3 tbsp crushed peanut butter Puffins cereal
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 2 tbsp maple peanut butter
• Maple syrup
• 1 tbsp peanut butter chips

Directions:

Crush your cereal and add them to a bowl along with the flaxseed and pumpkin pie spice.  Mix until well combined.

Coat your banana with your peanut butter, and then roll it in the spice combination.

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!

Strawberry Orange Tofu Pecan Salad

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!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups of fresh baby spinach
• 3 small strawberries - quartered and then cut in half again
• 1 tsp black sesame seeds
• 1 batch of orange tofu (recipe to follow)
• 1 tbsp chopped pecans

Orange Tofu

Recipe taken from here

Ingredients:

• 1 block extra firm tofu
• 1 orange
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

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.

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. 

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.

Once the tofu is done marinating, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.  Add the tofu (but save the marinade!). Cook for 45 minutes or until golden.

Toss your salad components together, and dress with remaining marinade!

How do you spruce up your salads when you're in a rut?

Oreo 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?

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, each and every time.  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 obviously stating my state of delight.

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. 

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, I don’t want to talk about it, I was not impressed).  However, as I later returned to looking at more blog posts I came across a recipe for an Oreo spread.   Say what?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?  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 accidentally vegan?  Love it!

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 sooooooooooooooo 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.

Oreo Spread

Recipe slightly adapted from here

Ingredients:

• 3 cups coarsely crushed Oreos
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 - 3/4 cups coconut milk, depending on consistency desired

Directions:

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.

Oreo Carob Toast

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.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 heaping tbsp of Oreo spread 
• 1 slice of bread 
• 1/2 banana - cut into slices
• Handful of carob chips
• Maple syrup - to taste

Directions:

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.

Have you ever tried cookie spreads?

What/how did you enjoy them?

Orange, Strawberry and White Kidney Bean Salad

Orange, Strawberry and White Kidney Bean Salad

Recipe inspired from here

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.

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.

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.

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, oops - but I blame my boyfriend, as he kept asking me to make some!)

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!

Ingredients:

• 1 large tangelo minneola orange (or other orange)
• 5-6 large strawberries, chopped
• 1 can of white kidney beans - rinsed
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds - I used black
• 2 cups of thinly sliced spinach

Directions:

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.

When you're craving junk food/sweets - what do you do to combat these cravings?

P'tit poisson.

It has been an incredibly looooooooooong 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.

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 Mint Chocolate Baileys Cookies, anyone else?!

  

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.

Pistachio Crusted Tilapia Filets

Ingredients:

• 2 fillets of tilapia
• 1/2 cup of finely chopped/crushed pistachios 
• 1 Meyer lemon
• 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter cut in small pieces
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and fresh pepper
• 1 bag of baby spinach

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

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.

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.  Press in a good coating of the crushed pistachios over each fish.  Don't skimp.  Dot with the butter, squeeze half the lemon over the fish, and bake for 10 minutes.

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.  Serve the fish over the spinach with wedges of Meyer lemon.

Note:  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.

Tropical Island Spinach Salad

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!

Ingredients:

• Large handful of spinach ~ 2 cups
• 1 tangelo minneola – chopped and segmented (or any other type of orange you have on hand)
• 1/4 cup of chopped pineapple
• 1 tbsp of pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 tbsp slivered almonds
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly squeezed lime juice - dressing

Seeing as tilapia is so versatile, how do you like to enjoy it?

Apple Cinnamon Bagels

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 ­­­­­­my little celebration.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 always freeze bagels, I wish I had, but it’s probably a better thing that I didn't. 

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!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups warm water, about 110 degrees F
• 2 (1/4-ounce) packets active dry yeast
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar, plus 1 tbsp
• 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp Earth Balance or butter
• 3 small-medium granny smith apples, cored, peeled and diced
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup + 3 tbsp sugar

Streusel Topping - 

• 1 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2-3 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp rolled oats
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 after you've flipped them at the 5-minute mark. Otherwise, add it at the beginning.]

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Have you ever made any dessert-like bagels such as this?

And 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.

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 NOT a zero or double zero, goodbye skinny days!  So, to say the least my physical changes have been really uplifting to me.

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.

lkfj;dslkfjsdlkfj okay, should I just get to it?  I think so.  I promise today will not 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!

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?  Perhaps.  Oh well.)  Seeing as I've finally stocked up on Nutella, and after making Nutella Oats, I decided that I had 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.

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.

Peanut Butter Banana Nutella Oats

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup oats
• 1/3 cup soy milk + more for garnish
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Dash of salt
• 1 ripe banana + a few slices set aside
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp nutella
• 1 tbsp chopped hazelnuts
• 1 tbsp peanut butter chips
• Vanilla 0% fat Greek yoghurt

Directions:

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.

Kale and White Bean Soup


Recipe taken from here

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!)

... 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 gulping 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.

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!


Ingredients:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion - diced
• 2 large garlic cloves - minced
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 8 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 cans of white kidney beans or 3 double handed scoops of dried beans you've cooked yourself
• 1 bunch of kale - deribbed and chopped

Directions:

Pour some olive oil into a large pot over medium heat. 

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.  Add the beans and the kale, and simmer over low heat for at least an hour.

Garnish with parmesan cheese before serving (if you eat this). 

Enjoy :)

Second 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 The Hunger Games (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.

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.

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.

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 a lot 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.

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.

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.

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 - tahini, I just really hate 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 loooooove 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.

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 ;).

Spicy Peanut Ginger Kale Salad

Recipe taken from here

Ingredients:


Salad - 

• 2 large bunches of kale (or 3 small)
• 1 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup peanuts - fold in
• 1 tbsp pickled ginger, chopped - (unfortunately did not have for today's salad but will be adding some after I go to the store!)

Spicy Ginger Peanut Sauce - 

• 2 tbsp creamy salted peanut butter
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp pickled ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled/chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 tsp tamari
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar (yuzu flavored or add 1 tsp lemon juice)
• 2 tsp agave syrup
• 5 dashes cayenne
• Fine black pepper to taste

Tofu - 

• 1 package of extra-firm tofu
• Salt and pepper - to taste

Directions:

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.


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.

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.

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.

Serve warm or place in fridge - covered - to chill and serve cold. Will keep well for up to a few days.

How do you spice up your kale salads?

(Need kale ideas other than chips)