Hello, Hello-
Sorry for my longer than planned hiatus. Life kind of just caught up with me and my blogging went to the wayside. Between school, work and running I had very little motivation to do much else. I also was feeling pretty unmotivated by food. I kept finding myself eating the same rice, beans and greens meal twice a day. But, lately I have been much more inspired by the lovely bounty of foods at the farmers market.
This recipe came out of buying too many peaches and getting a little tired of eating them in fruit salads. It was inspired by http://www.nourishingmeals.com/
Blueberry and Peach Teff Muffins
Dry ingredients
1 1/2 cups Teff flour
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 cup tapioca starch
2 tablespoons flax meal (ground flax seeds)
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (cardamom would be a great substitution as well!)
Wet ingredients
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large peach, slightly smashed
1 cup blueberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil muffin tins. I used coconut oil.
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. In a smaller bowl mix together all of the wet ingredients. Try to add the coconut oil in last and mix quickly, otherwise the coconut oil will start to solidify. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well, but do not over-mix. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into muffin tins, should make about 18 muffins. Bake in oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are slightly browned and when a toothpick is inserted, comes out cleans.
Enjoy!!!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Aduki Bean and Yam Hash
Good Afternoon.
Sorry for not keeping up with this as well as I had planned. I have not been feeling well for the past two months. Intestinal problems. You name it, I've probably had it. The other day I was so swollen that I looked pregnant. I wish I had taken a picture. And for those of you who have intestinal issues know how tired it can make you. Needless to say, I have cancelled my marathon because I am too tired to run. I still plan on running the 1/2 in Eugene and will run the 1/2 in San Francisco.
But, on a positive note, I have fallen in love with HASH! I don't know why I haven't discovered hash before now. It is just the way I like my food-all thrown together, flavors and textures intermingling. This one is quick and easy and really satisfying. I love the cumin and oregano together, two flavors I had never thought of putting together.
I hope you all enjoy this as much as I have.
Aduki Bean and Yam Hash
Courtesy: http://www.nourishingmeals.com/
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 Medium onion, diced
3 Large cloves garlic, minced (I added this in!)
2 Medium yams, peeled and diced small
2 Teaspoons dried Thyme
1/2 to 1 Teaspoon cumin
2 Cups cooked aduki beans
5 Collard greens, chopped (I used the whole bunch)
Herbamare and black pepper to taste
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and onions. Sautee until onions start to soften.
Add yams, cumin, thyme and garlic. Sautee a few minutes uncovered and then cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add aduki beans and collard greens. Sautee until collards are tender. Season with Herbamare and pepper.
Eat by itself or put on top of quinoa or brown rice!
Sorry for not keeping up with this as well as I had planned. I have not been feeling well for the past two months. Intestinal problems. You name it, I've probably had it. The other day I was so swollen that I looked pregnant. I wish I had taken a picture. And for those of you who have intestinal issues know how tired it can make you. Needless to say, I have cancelled my marathon because I am too tired to run. I still plan on running the 1/2 in Eugene and will run the 1/2 in San Francisco.
But, on a positive note, I have fallen in love with HASH! I don't know why I haven't discovered hash before now. It is just the way I like my food-all thrown together, flavors and textures intermingling. This one is quick and easy and really satisfying. I love the cumin and oregano together, two flavors I had never thought of putting together.
I hope you all enjoy this as much as I have.
Aduki Bean and Yam Hash
Courtesy: http://www.nourishingmeals.com/
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 Medium onion, diced
3 Large cloves garlic, minced (I added this in!)
2 Medium yams, peeled and diced small
2 Teaspoons dried Thyme
1/2 to 1 Teaspoon cumin
2 Cups cooked aduki beans
5 Collard greens, chopped (I used the whole bunch)
Herbamare and black pepper to taste
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and onions. Sautee until onions start to soften.
Add yams, cumin, thyme and garlic. Sautee a few minutes uncovered and then cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add aduki beans and collard greens. Sautee until collards are tender. Season with Herbamare and pepper.
Eat by itself or put on top of quinoa or brown rice!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Things I Put In Jars...Part 1
Good Morning.
I just got home from a painful 5 mile run. I took a week off of running. Something hasn't been feeling right. I have been tired and really run down and I have been having intestinal issues. I have IBS-that is why I eat the way that I do, it makes me feel better. But this run was a bit of a wake up call because I only have 4 months until the marathon. I need to get myself into gear. Rain or shine I need to be running, but sometimes when you can hear the pouring rain from the comfort of your warm bed you just want to turn your alarm clock off.
Since moving to Eugene and living on my own I have become more aware of what I buy and how I store my food. I have gotten rid of nearly all of my plastic products. I only have two small tupperware containers. I keep everything in glass mason jars or in my lovely stainless steel containers. http://kidskonserve.com/
I just got home from a painful 5 mile run. I took a week off of running. Something hasn't been feeling right. I have been tired and really run down and I have been having intestinal issues. I have IBS-that is why I eat the way that I do, it makes me feel better. But this run was a bit of a wake up call because I only have 4 months until the marathon. I need to get myself into gear. Rain or shine I need to be running, but sometimes when you can hear the pouring rain from the comfort of your warm bed you just want to turn your alarm clock off.
Since moving to Eugene and living on my own I have become more aware of what I buy and how I store my food. I have gotten rid of nearly all of my plastic products. I only have two small tupperware containers. I keep everything in glass mason jars or in my lovely stainless steel containers. http://kidskonserve.com/
I love these containers. I put my apples, sandwiches, hummus, carrot sticks, salad dressing, everything in them. I highly recommend them.
So, I have decided to share with you some of my favorite things I put into my mason jars and other glass containers.
1. Beans
I love my beans, they make me happy. They are so colorful and rich in flavor. I still have quite a bit of bean to get through-I bought 24 pounds of fresh dried, heirloom beans this winter.
Some of my favorites |
2. Liquid Gold Dressing
I found this recipe in the book, "Becoming Vegan." It has become my go-to dressing and is packed full of flavor and health benefits. Two tablespoons supplies you with your daily supply of omega-3 and 40% of your B12 for the day as well. And as a vegan both of these are really important to my health.
1/2 Cup flaxseed oil
1/2 Cup water
1/3 Cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 Cup braag liquid aminos or tamari
1/4-1/2 Cup nutritional yeast
2 Teaspoons dijon mustard
1 Teaspoon ground cumin
Blend or whisk together until smooth. Keeps in fridge for two weeks.
Dressing before shaking |
I love this dressing with mixed greens, avocado and hemp seeds |
3. Vegan Panna Cotta
This recipe came from the girls over at http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com/. They always have easy and delicious ideas. Lately my craving for chocolate has decreased but I still want something sweet at night. When I saw their pictures of the panna cotta and read the ingredients I knew I had to try it.
1 Can full fat coconut milk
2 Teaspoons agar flakes**
20-25 drops vanilla stevia (I don't like the taste of stevia so I would use maple syrup or agave to taste)
3/4 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Ginger tea bag (Or one 1/2 inch piece of ginger peeled and smashed)
Mix all ingredients together in a sauce pan and heat over medium heat until the agar has dissolved. Pour into small mason jars or dessert cups. Chill until set.
**The last two times that I have used agar the agar has never totally dissolved. I had this cooking for over 20 minutes and they just never went away. After it set there were small pieces of agar in the panna cotta, but it didn't effect the flavor.
I could barely wait for it to chill! |
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Lemon Lara Bars
Hello Everyone.
Sorry for not keeping up with the blog as well as I had in the past. I have had a lot on my mind about life and school and what I am doing with myself. Maybe if I was a better writer I would use this space as an outlet, but I usually feel like no one wants to read about my struggles. And I can barely follow my own thoughts when I write.
So, I have been doing a little more cooking in the kitchen lately and trying new recipes. I am following quite a few more blogs and really enjoying what people are coming up with. The recipe I want to share with everyone today is probably one of my favorites. It is so easy and ridiculously yummy. And to top it off, it is lemon flavored. I love lemon and I don't know why. Maybe it reminds me of the summer and warm nights.
Anyway, this comes from a talented blogger named Gena and her blog, http://www.choosingraw.com/. I would encourage everyone to check her out.
Lemon Kissed Cashew Hemp Bars
Courtesy: http://www.choosingraw.com/
1 Cup Cashews
1 Cup pitted dates
1/3 Cup hemp seeds
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
Put cashews and hemp seeds in food processor and process until ground up.
Add lemon juice, lemon zest and dates and pulse repeatedly.
Mix until a ingredients clump together into a large ball.
Place mixture into a baking dish that has been covered in saran wrap or parchment paper.
Spread mixture out evenly and press down with another piece of saran wrap/parchment paper.
Freeze for about 30 minutes.
Cut mixture into 12 pieces and either wrap individually with saran wrap or leave in baking dish.
Keep refrigerated.
I am going to apologize for the picture because it just doesn't do the bars justice. I am quite am amateur photographer, my lighting in my kitchen is horrible and I have a great, but older camera.
Sorry for not keeping up with the blog as well as I had in the past. I have had a lot on my mind about life and school and what I am doing with myself. Maybe if I was a better writer I would use this space as an outlet, but I usually feel like no one wants to read about my struggles. And I can barely follow my own thoughts when I write.
So, I have been doing a little more cooking in the kitchen lately and trying new recipes. I am following quite a few more blogs and really enjoying what people are coming up with. The recipe I want to share with everyone today is probably one of my favorites. It is so easy and ridiculously yummy. And to top it off, it is lemon flavored. I love lemon and I don't know why. Maybe it reminds me of the summer and warm nights.
Anyway, this comes from a talented blogger named Gena and her blog, http://www.choosingraw.com/. I would encourage everyone to check her out.
Lemon Kissed Cashew Hemp Bars
Courtesy: http://www.choosingraw.com/
1 Cup Cashews
1 Cup pitted dates
1/3 Cup hemp seeds
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
Put cashews and hemp seeds in food processor and process until ground up.
Add lemon juice, lemon zest and dates and pulse repeatedly.
Mix until a ingredients clump together into a large ball.
Place mixture into a baking dish that has been covered in saran wrap or parchment paper.
Spread mixture out evenly and press down with another piece of saran wrap/parchment paper.
Freeze for about 30 minutes.
Cut mixture into 12 pieces and either wrap individually with saran wrap or leave in baking dish.
Keep refrigerated.
I am going to apologize for the picture because it just doesn't do the bars justice. I am quite am amateur photographer, my lighting in my kitchen is horrible and I have a great, but older camera.
Lemon mixture before I cut them into bars. |
Friday, February 25, 2011
Banana Bread
Hello, Hello,
It is another chilly morning here in Eugene. Yesterday, most things were closed down due to snow but, unfortunately, the snow melted by noon. To me, snow days means baking days. I had some extra bananas sitting around and figured it had been a long time since I had made banana bread.
The original recipe calls for xanthan gum. There has been a lot of talk in the gluten free community about whether or not we really need this gum for baking, and if it is causing some of our intestinal issues. I decided to be bold and leave it out. The bread turned out great, maybe a little more crumbly than it would have been with xanthan gum added, but it was still banana bread. So, if you feel gutsy, try it without the xanthan gum.
Banana Bread
Courtesy: Babycakes
2 Cups Bob's Red Mills gluten free all purpose baking flour
2 Teaspoons baking powder
2 Teaspoons baking soda
1 Teaspoon xanthan gum
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon (I put in 2)
1/2 Cup coconut oil, plus more for the pan
2/3 Cup agave nectar
2/3 Cup Rice milk (I only had hemp milk on hand)
1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 Cup mashed bananas
Preheat oven to 325 and lightly grease a 7x4x3-inch loaf pan with coconut oil.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and cinnamon. Add 1/2 cup oil and the agave nectar, rice milk and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir until the batter is smooth. Using a plastic spatula, gently fold in the bananas until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Fill the prepared pan halfway with batter. Bake bread on the center rack for 35 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees after 20 minutes. The finished loaf will bounce back slightly when pressed, and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.
Let the banana bread stand in the pan for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan and either cut and serve warm or let cool completely before storing. Should store at room temperature for 3 days.
It is another chilly morning here in Eugene. Yesterday, most things were closed down due to snow but, unfortunately, the snow melted by noon. To me, snow days means baking days. I had some extra bananas sitting around and figured it had been a long time since I had made banana bread.
The original recipe calls for xanthan gum. There has been a lot of talk in the gluten free community about whether or not we really need this gum for baking, and if it is causing some of our intestinal issues. I decided to be bold and leave it out. The bread turned out great, maybe a little more crumbly than it would have been with xanthan gum added, but it was still banana bread. So, if you feel gutsy, try it without the xanthan gum.
Banana Bread
Courtesy: Babycakes
2 Cups Bob's Red Mills gluten free all purpose baking flour
2 Teaspoons baking powder
2 Teaspoons baking soda
1 Teaspoon xanthan gum
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon (I put in 2)
1/2 Cup coconut oil, plus more for the pan
2/3 Cup agave nectar
2/3 Cup Rice milk (I only had hemp milk on hand)
1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 Cup mashed bananas
Preheat oven to 325 and lightly grease a 7x4x3-inch loaf pan with coconut oil.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and cinnamon. Add 1/2 cup oil and the agave nectar, rice milk and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir until the batter is smooth. Using a plastic spatula, gently fold in the bananas until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Fill the prepared pan halfway with batter. Bake bread on the center rack for 35 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees after 20 minutes. The finished loaf will bounce back slightly when pressed, and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.
Let the banana bread stand in the pan for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan and either cut and serve warm or let cool completely before storing. Should store at room temperature for 3 days.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Hummus and Jacob's Cattle Dip
Good Morning!
Lately I have been trying to up my protein intake just a bit. While training for this marathon I feel like I need a little bit more than what I had been getting. I usual don't eat a protein heavy breakfast or lunch, but save it for dinner, so I am trying to find ways to incorporate more beans into my diet. I am just not at the point where I will be eating greens and beans for breakfast.
So, I have two lovely bean dip recipes. They are disgustingly easy to make and so very yummy. I made the hummus dip two days ago and it is nearly gone. Put these dips on bread, crackers, chips, veggies, apples, or straight out of the container with a spoon (yes, I did that).
Traditional Hummus
Courtesy: Clean Food
1 Clove garlic, peeled (I ended up putting about 4 large cloves in)
2 Cups cooked chickpeas
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons tahini
1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 Teaspoon salt
Water
With food processor running, drop in garlic cloves and process until minced. Turn off processor, scrape down sides and add chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, cumin, lemon juice and salt. Restart processor and slowly add water, making hummus slightly thinner than desired, as it will thicken when refrigerated. Chill to combine flavors before serving.
Feel free to add sun-dried tomatoes, fire roasted red peppers, pesto or any other flavor to your hummus.
Jacob's Cattle Bean Dip
Courtesy: http://spicedplate.blogspot.com/
2 1/2 Cups cooked jacob's cattle beans
1/2 Cup water
3 Garlic cloves, smashed
3 Tablespoons tahini
1 Teaspoon paprika
1 Teaspoon garam masala
1/2 Teaspoon cumin
1 Teaspoon salt
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend together until smooth. Taste and add more spices if needed.
Lately I have been trying to up my protein intake just a bit. While training for this marathon I feel like I need a little bit more than what I had been getting. I usual don't eat a protein heavy breakfast or lunch, but save it for dinner, so I am trying to find ways to incorporate more beans into my diet. I am just not at the point where I will be eating greens and beans for breakfast.
So, I have two lovely bean dip recipes. They are disgustingly easy to make and so very yummy. I made the hummus dip two days ago and it is nearly gone. Put these dips on bread, crackers, chips, veggies, apples, or straight out of the container with a spoon (yes, I did that).
Traditional Hummus
Courtesy: Clean Food
1 Clove garlic, peeled (I ended up putting about 4 large cloves in)
2 Cups cooked chickpeas
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons tahini
1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 Teaspoon salt
Water
With food processor running, drop in garlic cloves and process until minced. Turn off processor, scrape down sides and add chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, cumin, lemon juice and salt. Restart processor and slowly add water, making hummus slightly thinner than desired, as it will thicken when refrigerated. Chill to combine flavors before serving.
Feel free to add sun-dried tomatoes, fire roasted red peppers, pesto or any other flavor to your hummus.
All the ingredients needed for hummus! |
Courtesy: http://spicedplate.blogspot.com/
2 1/2 Cups cooked jacob's cattle beans
1/2 Cup water
3 Garlic cloves, smashed
3 Tablespoons tahini
1 Teaspoon paprika
1 Teaspoon garam masala
1/2 Teaspoon cumin
1 Teaspoon salt
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend together until smooth. Taste and add more spices if needed.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
BBQ
Hello, Hello, Hello.
Sorry that it has been a while since I have written anything. My life has been a little busier than I have wanted it to be. About a month ago, I took the train up to Seattle to visit Bastry University and check out their masters program in nutrition. Ever since then I have been trying to figure out what I need to do to get accepted there. Bastyr is a very small private university. They focus on the mind, body, spirit and whole foods. There is just about 1,200 students in the whole school. Their nutrition program sounds awesome and part of their curriculum includes cooking in their amazing kitchen.
Also, about a month ago I also signed up for the San Francisco marathon! I figured, why not? It was about 8 months away and I had never been to San Francisco. If I didn't sign up for it I would never do it. I needed something to look forward to, I needed something that I could work on and accomplish that didn't take 4 years. So far training is going well and I am ahead of my own schedule. Today I ran 9 miles. I feel proud of myself.
Okay, but for now, this blog is really about food, so lets get to it!
A few weeks ago I saw a recipe on Choosing Raw for a hot breakfast cereal made of quinoa. She basically just cooked the quinoa and then put it in a food processor to liquify it. For a little bit now, I have been making quinoa for breakfast, but leaving it intact. Yesterday I figured I would try something different. I had some extra, plain, cooked quinoa in my fridge. I added hemp milk, cinnamon, bananas and frozen blueberries to the quinoa and heated it up on the stove, hence the name of the blog. Bananas, Blueberries and Quinoa.
After it was heated through I used my lovely immersion blender and blended until everything was smooth and creamy.
I then added some maple syrup to sweeten and topped with a mix of nuts (almond, cashew, hazelnut, walnut and pecans).
Quick, easy, delicious and very nutritious. Try using other frozen fruits!
Eet smaakelijk
Sorry that it has been a while since I have written anything. My life has been a little busier than I have wanted it to be. About a month ago, I took the train up to Seattle to visit Bastry University and check out their masters program in nutrition. Ever since then I have been trying to figure out what I need to do to get accepted there. Bastyr is a very small private university. They focus on the mind, body, spirit and whole foods. There is just about 1,200 students in the whole school. Their nutrition program sounds awesome and part of their curriculum includes cooking in their amazing kitchen.
Also, about a month ago I also signed up for the San Francisco marathon! I figured, why not? It was about 8 months away and I had never been to San Francisco. If I didn't sign up for it I would never do it. I needed something to look forward to, I needed something that I could work on and accomplish that didn't take 4 years. So far training is going well and I am ahead of my own schedule. Today I ran 9 miles. I feel proud of myself.
Okay, but for now, this blog is really about food, so lets get to it!
A few weeks ago I saw a recipe on Choosing Raw for a hot breakfast cereal made of quinoa. She basically just cooked the quinoa and then put it in a food processor to liquify it. For a little bit now, I have been making quinoa for breakfast, but leaving it intact. Yesterday I figured I would try something different. I had some extra, plain, cooked quinoa in my fridge. I added hemp milk, cinnamon, bananas and frozen blueberries to the quinoa and heated it up on the stove, hence the name of the blog. Bananas, Blueberries and Quinoa.
After it was heated through I used my lovely immersion blender and blended until everything was smooth and creamy.
I then added some maple syrup to sweeten and topped with a mix of nuts (almond, cashew, hazelnut, walnut and pecans).
Quick, easy, delicious and very nutritious. Try using other frozen fruits!
Eet smaakelijk
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Cauliflower, Coconut and Chocolatey Crispies
Good Afternoon.
What an incredibly lazy day it is today. I hit my snooze button for at least 40 minutes. The prospect of such a cold day kept me cuddled in bed. I didn't even go for a run! I figured today could be my "off" day. So, I had a relaxing, easy morning. I made breakfast of toast with almond butter and jam and a juicy pear. I finished my schedule for work and even made a healthier version of rice crispy treats!
OH! I signed up for a 1/2 marathon. May 1st, here in Eugene. I felt that I needed to have something to work towards, something in the very near future. I am also contemplating signing up for the San Francisco full marathon on July 31st. If I was going to do a full, I wanted to do a destination marathon. I had never been to California and had always wanted to see San Francisco. By the end of the month I want to make a decision about it.
Last Friday I had a very tiny dinner party at my house. It consisted of me and two other people. But it was very nice. I love cooking for other people. On the menu was a curried stew and raw coconut cookies. Cookies did not last long. And the stew...awesome.
Curried Cauliflower Stew with Chickpeas
Courtesy: "Clean Start"
1 Head cauliflower
1 Medium yellow onion, sliced into thin slices
2 Garlic cloves, minced
1-Inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 Tablespoon grapeseed oil
2 Carrots, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
2 Tablespoons mirin
1 Tablespoon curry powder
1 Cup vegetable stock
1 1/2 Cup chopped tomatoes with their juices
1 1/2 Cups cooked chickpeas
2 Tablespoons raisins
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh cilantro
Prepare cauliflower by removing and discarding outer leaves and inner stems. Cut florets into small pieces and set aside.
In Dutch oven over medium-high heat, saute onion, garlic and ginger in oil until soft. Add carrots and saute 2 minutes. Add mirin, curry powder, veggie stock, tomatoes and chickpeas and stir to combine. Bring stew to simmer, fold in cauliflower and raisins and cook until cauliflower is soft. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve topped with cilantro.
We served it over a mix of wild and brown rices.
Raw Maple-Cinnamon Coconut Cookies
Courtesy: http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com
These cookies are delectable and very dangerous. They hold best if you keep them in the freezer.
2 Cups shredded, unsweetened coconut
6 Tablespoons coconut flour
1/4 + 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
4 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
Maple-cinnamon icing
1/4 Cup packed dates
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon
2 Teaspoons coconut oil
Water to thin
Combine all ingredients for cookies. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Press into round cookie shapes. Combine ingredients for glaze in a food processor, this may take a few minutes. Pipe onto cookies and top with nuts, if you want. Freeze until hardened.
Crispy Rice Treats, Healthy Style
Courtesy: "The Gluten-Free Vegan"
While looking for healthy recipes to make with the kids at the Boys and Girls club I came across this one this morning. I figured I had everything in my cupboards, why not!?! And, well, it turns out I didn't have everything. I used brown rice cereal instead of the puffed rice. I also used pecans and walnuts instead of the almonds. And lastly, I used almond butter instead of mac-nut butter. Still delicious!
2 Cups puffed rice
1/4 Cups sesame seeds
1/4 cup raw, chopped almonds
1/2 Cup currants or raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 Cup vegan chocolate chips
1/4 Teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 Cup macadamia or cashew butter, or other nut butter of your choice
3/4 Cup brown rice syrup
Place puffed rice, seeds, nuts, currants, cinnamon and chocolate chips in a large bowl and mix together. In a smaller bowl, stir together the vanilla, brown rice syrup and nut butter. I ended up heating this mixture a little bit because it was so stiff. Add this mixture to the puff rice mixture. Stir until really well combined.
Lightly spray a 9-inch square pan with vegetable oil nonstick spray and spoon the ingredients into the pan. With wet hands, spread the mixture out so it fills the pan. Refrigerate until well chilled, then cut into bars.
What an incredibly lazy day it is today. I hit my snooze button for at least 40 minutes. The prospect of such a cold day kept me cuddled in bed. I didn't even go for a run! I figured today could be my "off" day. So, I had a relaxing, easy morning. I made breakfast of toast with almond butter and jam and a juicy pear. I finished my schedule for work and even made a healthier version of rice crispy treats!
OH! I signed up for a 1/2 marathon. May 1st, here in Eugene. I felt that I needed to have something to work towards, something in the very near future. I am also contemplating signing up for the San Francisco full marathon on July 31st. If I was going to do a full, I wanted to do a destination marathon. I had never been to California and had always wanted to see San Francisco. By the end of the month I want to make a decision about it.
Last Friday I had a very tiny dinner party at my house. It consisted of me and two other people. But it was very nice. I love cooking for other people. On the menu was a curried stew and raw coconut cookies. Cookies did not last long. And the stew...awesome.
Curried Cauliflower Stew with Chickpeas
Courtesy: "Clean Start"
1 Head cauliflower
1 Medium yellow onion, sliced into thin slices
2 Garlic cloves, minced
1-Inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 Tablespoon grapeseed oil
2 Carrots, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
2 Tablespoons mirin
1 Tablespoon curry powder
1 Cup vegetable stock
1 1/2 Cup chopped tomatoes with their juices
1 1/2 Cups cooked chickpeas
2 Tablespoons raisins
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh cilantro
Prepare cauliflower by removing and discarding outer leaves and inner stems. Cut florets into small pieces and set aside.
In Dutch oven over medium-high heat, saute onion, garlic and ginger in oil until soft. Add carrots and saute 2 minutes. Add mirin, curry powder, veggie stock, tomatoes and chickpeas and stir to combine. Bring stew to simmer, fold in cauliflower and raisins and cook until cauliflower is soft. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve topped with cilantro.
We served it over a mix of wild and brown rices.
Raw Maple-Cinnamon Coconut Cookies
Courtesy: http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com
These cookies are delectable and very dangerous. They hold best if you keep them in the freezer.
2 Cups shredded, unsweetened coconut
6 Tablespoons coconut flour
1/4 + 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
4 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
Maple-cinnamon icing
1/4 Cup packed dates
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon
2 Teaspoons coconut oil
Water to thin
Combine all ingredients for cookies. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Press into round cookie shapes. Combine ingredients for glaze in a food processor, this may take a few minutes. Pipe onto cookies and top with nuts, if you want. Freeze until hardened.
Crispy Rice Treats, Healthy Style
Courtesy: "The Gluten-Free Vegan"
While looking for healthy recipes to make with the kids at the Boys and Girls club I came across this one this morning. I figured I had everything in my cupboards, why not!?! And, well, it turns out I didn't have everything. I used brown rice cereal instead of the puffed rice. I also used pecans and walnuts instead of the almonds. And lastly, I used almond butter instead of mac-nut butter. Still delicious!
2 Cups puffed rice
1/4 Cups sesame seeds
1/4 cup raw, chopped almonds
1/2 Cup currants or raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 Cup vegan chocolate chips
1/4 Teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 Cup macadamia or cashew butter, or other nut butter of your choice
3/4 Cup brown rice syrup
Place puffed rice, seeds, nuts, currants, cinnamon and chocolate chips in a large bowl and mix together. In a smaller bowl, stir together the vanilla, brown rice syrup and nut butter. I ended up heating this mixture a little bit because it was so stiff. Add this mixture to the puff rice mixture. Stir until really well combined.
Lightly spray a 9-inch square pan with vegetable oil nonstick spray and spoon the ingredients into the pan. With wet hands, spread the mixture out so it fills the pan. Refrigerate until well chilled, then cut into bars.
Rice Crispies Chilling in the Fridge |
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
BALANCE
Good afternoon.
I know that I haven't really used this blog as an emotional/personal outlet much since I started it, I didn't really want it to be that. But things change.
Lately, I have been very angry. I am not usually an angry person. I just feel upset and frustrated with everyone and everything. I can't seem to calm myself down. I have also been very emotionally drained. I live in a city where I have no friends, where I don't fit in and where I feel like I don't belong. And I am stuck here for another 6 months-my lease ends in June. I have also been looking into getting a BS or MS in nutrition/dietetics. I am looking at at least 3 years of school work before I can even apply for a program. I need to take math, chemistry, nutrition, biochem, organic chem, anatomy/physiology, psychology... Way to go history degree!
On my bike ride home from the gym today I had a lot of thoughts going through my head. The big word that kept popping up was BALANCE. I feel out of balance, out of control. If you ask my mom, she will tell you that this is not a new phenomenon for me. I am pretty sure that I have struggled with this my whole life, especially when it comes to food/exercise.
As long as I can remember I have struggled with accepting who/what I am and how I look physically. In junior high I remember restricting my intake of candy to zero. I would eat cup after cup of Kix because I thought that it was fat free and low in calories. I also remember bundling up in multiple layers to go out to the garage and use my parents' nordic track. I was obsessive. In high school I cut out large amounts of carbs and would run for 6 miles after my three hour soccer practice. And the funny thing, I wasn't chubby at all. In fact, I wore a 00 pant that kept falling off my non existent butt. But I felt fat, I felt chubby. That is so sad to think back upon. In college my weight kept bothering me. I trained for and completed a marathon. I was strong and lean and fast, but all I saw where the tiny imperfections. And today...today I am doing okay with how I look. I no longer beat myself up because I didn't go for a run or hit the gym. I can exercise four days a week instead of seven. I still see all my flaws but I am starting to be okay with who I am. But I need help with food balance.
I am an incredibly emotional person. I eat. I eat when I am sad, I eat when I am frustrated, I eat when I am happy, I eat when I had a bad day. I eat. Food for me is an addiction, much like alcohol is for many people. When I had a bad day at work, instead of having a drink, I go home and eat chocolate. And I know all of this. I am very aware of my emotions when I put that 5th cookie into my mouth. I need help balancing my emotions with eating. I am really trying to force myself to stop and think and make some tea instead, but my will power isn't all that great. I guess one up-side to my eating is that at least it is healthy vegan sweets that I make! :) But honestly, I have always been that way, especially with sweets. I wonder where it came from.
So...my goal for this year is to try to remain centered and create balance in my life. I think my first step will be to go back to yoga, but BALANCE it with a little running. Yoga has been a part of my life since I was 17. I think it is time to slow my body and mind down a little bit and give it a chance to do some healing. I will keep you all posted on how things go.
But, since this is primarily a food blog, lets get down to the food!
5 Minute No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Courtesy: http://www.fannetasticfood.com
I found this lovely little blog via one of the other blogs I follow. She is not vegan or gluten free, but some of her recipes are quite delicious. I have been wanting to find a healthy, low sugar granola bar recipe for awhile now and she has done it! Make sure that you refrigerate these or else they will fall apart on you.
1 3/4 Cups rolled oats ( I used certified gluten free )
1 Cup crisp puffed brown rice cereal ( I read this wrong and just got crisp brown rice cereal )
1/4 Cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 Cup sunflower seeds
1/4 Cup chia seeds
1/4 Cup unsweetened coconut
1/8 Cup ground flax meal
1/2 Cup brown rice syrup
1/3 Cup peanut butter
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients together. In a microwave safe bowl heat peanut butter, vanilla extract and brown rice syrup together for 30 seconds. Or you could heat them up in a small sauce pan on the stove. You want the ingredients to slightly liquify so it is easier to mix.
Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix really, really, really well. I ended up using my hands because the wet ingredients were not as liquidy as they should have been.
Pour the mixture into a shallow pan. Depending on how large/thick you want your granola bars will depend on the size of your pan. I used a 9x13 inch pyrex. Using a piece of parchment paper press down on the top of the mixture to flatten it.
Place in the refrigerator until hardened, about 1 hour. Feel free to wrap them individually for easy grab and go snacking!
I know that I haven't really used this blog as an emotional/personal outlet much since I started it, I didn't really want it to be that. But things change.
Lately, I have been very angry. I am not usually an angry person. I just feel upset and frustrated with everyone and everything. I can't seem to calm myself down. I have also been very emotionally drained. I live in a city where I have no friends, where I don't fit in and where I feel like I don't belong. And I am stuck here for another 6 months-my lease ends in June. I have also been looking into getting a BS or MS in nutrition/dietetics. I am looking at at least 3 years of school work before I can even apply for a program. I need to take math, chemistry, nutrition, biochem, organic chem, anatomy/physiology, psychology... Way to go history degree!
On my bike ride home from the gym today I had a lot of thoughts going through my head. The big word that kept popping up was BALANCE. I feel out of balance, out of control. If you ask my mom, she will tell you that this is not a new phenomenon for me. I am pretty sure that I have struggled with this my whole life, especially when it comes to food/exercise.
As long as I can remember I have struggled with accepting who/what I am and how I look physically. In junior high I remember restricting my intake of candy to zero. I would eat cup after cup of Kix because I thought that it was fat free and low in calories. I also remember bundling up in multiple layers to go out to the garage and use my parents' nordic track. I was obsessive. In high school I cut out large amounts of carbs and would run for 6 miles after my three hour soccer practice. And the funny thing, I wasn't chubby at all. In fact, I wore a 00 pant that kept falling off my non existent butt. But I felt fat, I felt chubby. That is so sad to think back upon. In college my weight kept bothering me. I trained for and completed a marathon. I was strong and lean and fast, but all I saw where the tiny imperfections. And today...today I am doing okay with how I look. I no longer beat myself up because I didn't go for a run or hit the gym. I can exercise four days a week instead of seven. I still see all my flaws but I am starting to be okay with who I am. But I need help with food balance.
I am an incredibly emotional person. I eat. I eat when I am sad, I eat when I am frustrated, I eat when I am happy, I eat when I had a bad day. I eat. Food for me is an addiction, much like alcohol is for many people. When I had a bad day at work, instead of having a drink, I go home and eat chocolate. And I know all of this. I am very aware of my emotions when I put that 5th cookie into my mouth. I need help balancing my emotions with eating. I am really trying to force myself to stop and think and make some tea instead, but my will power isn't all that great. I guess one up-side to my eating is that at least it is healthy vegan sweets that I make! :) But honestly, I have always been that way, especially with sweets. I wonder where it came from.
So...my goal for this year is to try to remain centered and create balance in my life. I think my first step will be to go back to yoga, but BALANCE it with a little running. Yoga has been a part of my life since I was 17. I think it is time to slow my body and mind down a little bit and give it a chance to do some healing. I will keep you all posted on how things go.
But, since this is primarily a food blog, lets get down to the food!
5 Minute No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Courtesy: http://www.fannetasticfood.com
I found this lovely little blog via one of the other blogs I follow. She is not vegan or gluten free, but some of her recipes are quite delicious. I have been wanting to find a healthy, low sugar granola bar recipe for awhile now and she has done it! Make sure that you refrigerate these or else they will fall apart on you.
1 3/4 Cups rolled oats ( I used certified gluten free )
1 Cup crisp puffed brown rice cereal ( I read this wrong and just got crisp brown rice cereal )
1/4 Cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 Cup sunflower seeds
1/4 Cup chia seeds
1/4 Cup unsweetened coconut
1/8 Cup ground flax meal
1/2 Cup brown rice syrup
1/3 Cup peanut butter
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients together. In a microwave safe bowl heat peanut butter, vanilla extract and brown rice syrup together for 30 seconds. Or you could heat them up in a small sauce pan on the stove. You want the ingredients to slightly liquify so it is easier to mix.
Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix really, really, really well. I ended up using my hands because the wet ingredients were not as liquidy as they should have been.
Pour the mixture into a shallow pan. Depending on how large/thick you want your granola bars will depend on the size of your pan. I used a 9x13 inch pyrex. Using a piece of parchment paper press down on the top of the mixture to flatten it.
Place in the refrigerator until hardened, about 1 hour. Feel free to wrap them individually for easy grab and go snacking!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Brrr...it is cold outside, and inside! I am currently wrapped up on my couch with a blanket and my heated rice bag. Oh, and I am wearing my down booties and my warm winter coat. Why must it be so cold?!?
As of a few days ago I no longer have a TV! The other day, while I was making dinner, I had the tv on so I could listen to the news. All of a sudden I heard some really loud popping noises and then my tv went dead. Every time I tried to turn it on it would do the same popping and turn off. I was kind of afraid that it would electrocute me! When I went to bed that night I told myself that I am going to sell off all my tv stuff and do without tv. Oddly, that was a slightly scary thought. Sad. I figured that I have plenty of other things I could be doing with my time, like reading, blogging, studying and knitting. So far, so good. Although I do use the internet to watch free tv shows. Currently it is South Park.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful and SAFE New Year. It was just another day for me. There has been something about last year that made all the "holidays" seem less important/exciting to me. I think it is partially because I am on my own and don't really have close friends or family near me. And I also think that it is because I have finally realized how materialistic most holidays are. People buy THINGS just to buy them. I saw a young woman give another young woman a plain, grey, long sleeved shirt as a present for Christmas. The receiver could have bought that herself. She probably already has one just like it. The present had no meaning, no love, no thought, no creativity. Watching this exchange made me feel very sad inside.
As I have gotten older I have become less concerned with things. I have a hard time buying something if I already have it. I can't remember the last time I bought a t-shirt or pair of pants. I am buying things when I need them, because I don't have it. And I am buying better quality things when I do purchase new items. I guess I just don't want to be burdened by all the things that can clutter my life. I have become very minimalistic...except when it comes to cooking and my kitchen.
And with that...onto food!
Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Courtesy: http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com/
The original recipe calls for cashew butter, but since I had peanut butter on hand that is what I used. This is a very yummy, little cookie. It definitely has a coconutty flavor from the coconut flour, but it wasn't too sweet. Try not to eat too many!
1/2 Cup roasted cashew butter, or peanut butter
1/2 Cup sucanat
1/2 Cup coconut flour
1/4 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Flax egg*
1/4 Cup almond milk/water ( I used hemp milk )
1/4 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
*1 Teaspoon of ground flax whisked together with 3 Tablespoons warm water. Let sit for a few minutes.
Mix together nut butter, almond milk, sucanat, vanilla extract, and flax egg in a bowl. In a second bowl mix together salt, coconut flour and baking soda. Slowly combine wet and dry ingredients together. Mix until fully incorporated. Form into balls and use fork to create criss cross pattern. Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees F. Let cool completely before eating.
As of a few days ago I no longer have a TV! The other day, while I was making dinner, I had the tv on so I could listen to the news. All of a sudden I heard some really loud popping noises and then my tv went dead. Every time I tried to turn it on it would do the same popping and turn off. I was kind of afraid that it would electrocute me! When I went to bed that night I told myself that I am going to sell off all my tv stuff and do without tv. Oddly, that was a slightly scary thought. Sad. I figured that I have plenty of other things I could be doing with my time, like reading, blogging, studying and knitting. So far, so good. Although I do use the internet to watch free tv shows. Currently it is South Park.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful and SAFE New Year. It was just another day for me. There has been something about last year that made all the "holidays" seem less important/exciting to me. I think it is partially because I am on my own and don't really have close friends or family near me. And I also think that it is because I have finally realized how materialistic most holidays are. People buy THINGS just to buy them. I saw a young woman give another young woman a plain, grey, long sleeved shirt as a present for Christmas. The receiver could have bought that herself. She probably already has one just like it. The present had no meaning, no love, no thought, no creativity. Watching this exchange made me feel very sad inside.
As I have gotten older I have become less concerned with things. I have a hard time buying something if I already have it. I can't remember the last time I bought a t-shirt or pair of pants. I am buying things when I need them, because I don't have it. And I am buying better quality things when I do purchase new items. I guess I just don't want to be burdened by all the things that can clutter my life. I have become very minimalistic...except when it comes to cooking and my kitchen.
And with that...onto food!
Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Courtesy: http://sketch-freeveganeating.blogspot.com/
The original recipe calls for cashew butter, but since I had peanut butter on hand that is what I used. This is a very yummy, little cookie. It definitely has a coconutty flavor from the coconut flour, but it wasn't too sweet. Try not to eat too many!
1/2 Cup roasted cashew butter, or peanut butter
1/2 Cup sucanat
1/2 Cup coconut flour
1/4 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Flax egg*
1/4 Cup almond milk/water ( I used hemp milk )
1/4 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
*1 Teaspoon of ground flax whisked together with 3 Tablespoons warm water. Let sit for a few minutes.
Mix together nut butter, almond milk, sucanat, vanilla extract, and flax egg in a bowl. In a second bowl mix together salt, coconut flour and baking soda. Slowly combine wet and dry ingredients together. Mix until fully incorporated. Form into balls and use fork to create criss cross pattern. Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees F. Let cool completely before eating.
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