I have a nasty head cold/sore throat thing going on, that I’m sure you’d love to hear the details on. Instead, I’ll just give you some photos…of food, not me + my head cold.
Rewind: Tuesday AM
Watch out for the pnut butter + cacao bliss waterfall…it’s dangerous.
Banana Coconut granola.
I made the Irish steel cut oats, which I am addicted to. This might become my staple for oats!! A reader recently brought up cooking time with steel cut oats. He was confused because people [myself included] said that these steel cut oats take 30min of cook time. He said his take only 15min before they’re done. He also said that he uses a little less liquid, because he likes them crunchy, so this might shave off a few minutes.
My response: The Irish steel cut oats can says to cook for 30min. I also repeated that it took me 30min but it really didn’t. The reason I didn’t say that was because I thought maybe it was due to my pans + gas stove. My regular oats cook much quicker in stainless pans on a gas stove then in non-stick pans on an electric stove. So, I figured it was just the combo of my pans + gas stove that led to the quicker cook time. I would say they take about 20min to get to the consistency I like. For a 1/4c serving I actually use more liquid than they call for. It calls for 1c of water but I use 1 1/4c because I like creamier oats. What is your experience with cook time for steel cut oats??
With steel cut I also don’t add the thin sliced banana, vanilla, or cinnamon in until about the last 5min. YUM.
Has anyone tried this brand of Kombucha? So far it seems that they only make 3 different flavors. I have tried them all now and this one “berry hibiscus” is THEE worst. It was sour tasting to me and too flowery. Yak! I LOVED the honey ginger + mango though. I made a realization the other day that is helping me justify the cost of these Kombucha drinks.
- I don’t drink much alcohol anymore, especially out at the bar. I used to have 1-3 drinks at the bar once a week, sometimes twice a week. Now, maybe I have one drink out a week? A beer at the bar will cost you at least $3 if it is remotely respectable and if you catch a good happy hour. So I have been saving us money! I could continue to save us money or I could divert some of that saved bar money to Kombucha $$. I choose option TWO. Around here Kombucha drinks cost between $2.50-$3. If I drink 2-3 a week, I think that is fair. Don’t you? hehehe What do you think Chris?
Rarity: Fruit snacks
Reasoning:
- They were on sale!
- I just found out Annie’s has ZERO connection with Monsanto, thanks to this post on the blog A Month Without Monsanto!! [again if you don’t know what Monsanto is…please check out that blog]
- Chris doesn’t really like sweets but he loves fruit snacks.
It was the first time I’ve gotten this brand of fruit snack before. I don’t know when the last time I’ve purchased fruit snacks! Wow, were they good! They were super soft and didn’t get completely stuck in your teeth or hurt your mouth to chew! The little 70cal pack was perfect. Any more in the bag and the sweetness would get to me. The sugar count was 10g and the ingredient list was acceptable.
Whole Foods also has an unbelievable sale on Amazing Grass SuperFood until March 30th. Check your local store..not sure how their sales work.
Normal price: $26.99
WF Sale price: $17.99
Chris has been using a scoop of the Chocolate SuperFood in a Green Monster every morning since he started working. He really likes drinking breakfast because he can take it in the car and not make a mess. He also isn’t usually too hungry in the morning so it’s easier to guzzle down liquid than a huge bowl of oats or bagel or something.
His usual mix:
Pnut Butter Chocolate Green Monster
- handful ice
- ~1/2c almond or hemp milk
- 1 scoop Amazing Grass Chocolate SuperFood
- 1-2T pnut butter
- handful [~1/4c] almonds
- ~1/3c rolled oats
It tastes like a pnut butter milkshake. SO SO good. I suggest this mix if you are a newbie to Green Monsters.
My first time buying Hemp Protein. I’m really excited about it and will let you know what I think! The flavor should be good with any combo really.
Normal Price: $19.99
WF Sale Price: $13.67
Sore throat aids:
Cough Drops: edible…not too terrible, not my favorite…a bit sweet but definitely soothing
Tea: completely DISgusting – I would rather be gagged with a spoon than drink this…the flavor was OVERpowering and it was OVERly sweet. SICK.
I will stick to my Japanese Green Sencha thank you very much!
Lunch: Rabbit food topped with homemade hummus + crackers [so delish!!!] The crackers were the perfect crunch for the salad. The greens were accompanied by naan + leftover eggplant casserole [insanely delicious] baked in the oven and topped with cheddar goat cheese from the farmer’s market.
Ma’ girls.
doggie paw
Wednesday: Feeling much ickier today…blegh! You know I’m sick when I’m not eating every 2hrs. I think my time between breakfast and lunch today was FIVE hours with only a tiny bite of a snack in between. Completely abnormal.
Good thing I keep empty jars of pnut butter around for emergencies. THE best pnut butter!! This has NO oily mess 
Irish steel cut oats with bananer/vanilla/cinnamon…topped with: Make You Go Crunch Granola + Cacao Bliss + Heather’s jam
I don’t leave much in my jars. I would say this had 1T total.
<3 <3 <3 steel cut oats
This was the best I could do. Too bad I can’t get my tongue in there too far.
So I passed it off to someone who can.
Can you see it sparkling?? She completely wiped it out clean. Kenna missed out..she was upstairs snoozin’
Lunch: Salad! I figure I should try to eat healthy while sick…however I had two bites of this salad and had to put it in the fridge. Was NOT feelin it at all.
However the eggplant casserole tasted DEEvine. I baked it atop seedy spelt bread from the WF bakery that was on sale for $1.99!! The bread is dense, with a good crust, and really tasty.
I broke into some BOXED Annie’s mac n’ cheese for dinner…yikes! Sometimes when you’re sick you just need some comfort. Not sure when the last time I’ve had mac n’ cheese and it was very “meh.” I also consumed about 1/2 sleeve of whole food’s brand saltine crackers…mmmm Those tasted Eggcellent!
Before my head detaches from my shoulders [because it feels so heavy] I am going to say goodnight!
~Ashley
PDF 
So funny about the fruit snacks because I also JUST bought these but I don’t think I’ve had fruit snacks in almost 8 years!!!!! They were such a nice little treat.
Glad you are well Ashley.
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Yup, they were really tasty
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Hope you feel better girl! I have yet to try any of the Annies products!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
omg..the annie’s graham bunnies are so delicious..and adorable..i’m sure you could make some sort of dessert crust with them or smash them up in frosting..mmmm
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I definitely understand the feeling…I was horribly sick a couple weeks ago and purchased Kraft macaroni and cheese. All I wanted was food from my childhood! And I gave in because I had already gone a day without eating…ridic.
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
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Ahh, so sorry you’re not feeling very good. You could try to eat some steamed kale. It works better for oncoming illness than any multivitamin I’ve ever tried!
Re: steel-cut oats – you can also cut down the cooking time in a BIG way if you leave them to soak overnight. Apparently soaking in an acid (either lemon water, or water + T yogurt) removes the phytic acid from them and makes them more digestible/helps your body soak up more nutrients. So usually I do this, rinse them in the AM, and then cook. It takes only about 10 mins!
Feel better girl.
xo
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Teri [a foodie stays fit] Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 7:14 am
great info about steel cut oats! I’ll have to try that!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
That’s a good idea…not sure I can choke down any greens right now though. I might try a green monster… Interesting about the soaking in an acid..you know so much! I have also heard if you boil them for a minute at night, turn the heat off and keep them covered..then boil them for a few minutes in the morning they’re good to go. Pretty much what you’re saying, minus the acid thing. I feel like I digest them pretty easily but who really knows! haha
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darryn (brio.gusto) Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 6:57 am
haha. yes, i am a store of somewhat interesting, mostly useless information! I’ve also heard of that method. For some reason though, I don’t like the idea of keeping a pot of something lukewarm on the stove all night. Makes me think things will grow in it. I guess you could put them into the fridge after boiling though? Meh. haha.
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Ashley Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
hahaha, funny..however I think water + oats are okay overnight if kept covered..but who knows!!
Just found your blog – LOVING it!! Beautiful photos, beautiful food, and beautiful dogs!! Can’t wait to read more, and hope you start feeling better and got a good night’s sleep.
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Thanks so much!! That means a lot
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yikes, i hope you feel better soon! you know that oily PB i had the other day? i didn’t eat all of it and passed the plate off to Bunker and Keira. it was gone instantly! plus they were in love with me the rest of the day
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
I don’t think dogs care WHAT kind of pnut butter it is…they are so silly
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Aww, feel better!
Dogs are the best at cleaning out peanut butter jars!
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I think your kombucha justification makes perfect sense!
I love fruit snacks but haven’t had them in years. Yay for Annie’s being non-monsanto! I also had annie’s mac & cheese for dinner last night. I lurve it.
Maizey can only get the top half of the PB jar clean, which is ridiculous since she has a crazy long tongue. Sometimes she’s not very smart.
I want to try your amazing food PB smoothie! I only have original Amazing Meal but I think I could just add cocoa…maybe…
I hope you are feeling better!!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Thanks…bahaha I think it does too! I didn’t really like the mac n’ cheese but my tastes are kind of off right now! That smoothie is really gooood…and yeah I would say to add 1t cocoa..you don’t need much if it’s pure unsweetened cocoa. At least start with 1t and taste from there!
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HA! we give our dog the jars too, and she magically gets every last bite
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Three things for Ashley today…
1. So far, 3 of my friends have made your honey curry hummus and have fallen in love:).
2. I just tried that brand of kombucha and the count is still out for me…def didn’t like the berry one…ginger one was better…we’ll give the mango a shot next time. The Synergy kombucha ‘Gingerberry’ is my fav:).
3. I love that brand/flavor of hemp protein. It was the first hemp protein I purchased as well. It is great, I think..but the flavor may need some getting used to! I use it in many kinds of smoothies… my fav is blended with either pumpkin/sweet potato/almond butter/greek yogurt/almond milk.
Have a great day!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
1. that is SO awesome!!!!!
2. yeah berry was SICK..i like the others but definitely like the Synergy brand better…these were on sale though
3. I’m excited about the hemp!! mmm Ooooh it would be so good w/pumpkin
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I blame all this crazy weather on scratchy throats and stuffy noses! Hope you feel better fast- in time for the weekend! I love Throat Coat tea!! Maybe let it steep for a shorter time so it’s not so icky sweet? Anywaysss, I think your Kombucha rational is totally legit, and let’s not talk about how expensive wine is out compared to at home!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Me too!! It’s totally the weather. Yah maybe I steeped too long..it said on the box 8-10min!! Yeah..wine..haha
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Oh no I hope you feel better soon!
I think I better make a stop to Wholefoods after work. I need to replenish my Amazing Grass!! I also bought that PB from Wholefoods and I think its really good! Very creamy. Although I wish the ingredients were just peanuts, but it is a good change!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
At least there are no added oils. The sodium is reallllly low too. You can always get the fresh ground kind in the bulk aisle! I like that sometimes for a change..the grittiness is yummy.
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Bummer…I hope you feel better soon!!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Thanks!!But I think my head might fall off soon
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I absolutely heart hemp protein powder. I put it in my smoothies all. the. time. YUM!
Love Amazing Grass, too. Delish!
Hope you’re all better soon!!!
Healing hugs,
Michele
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I love hugs!!!
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GREAT photos today!!
And that WATERFALL!!!! That’s what I love best about oats!!
I haven’t gotten into steel cut mostly out of volumne issues. I made them once and was so dissaponited in the small portion size. but perhaps more water is the trick? I’ve been using more water in my rolled oats and like it a lot. And your steel cut look very creamy – how I like ‘em to!
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Ashley Reply:
March 25th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I feel like cooking 1/4 steel cut and 1/3c regular rolled oats is the same volume wise. In the past month or so, for my regular oats I’ll use 1c for 1/3c oats…it seems like you made that change too! I am totally looooving using a whole medium banana now too instead of 1/2. For the steel cuz I use about 1 1/4- 1 1/3c liquid. Totatlly helps w/the creaminess!!
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Just wanted to let you know how much I love your blog! I went to Fitbloggin this past weekend and while I was at lunch I told everyone at the table how amazing your blog is and your photos that you take. Hope you have a great week!
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the throat coat tea is amazing! i actually like the flavor of it so much that sometimes i drink it as regular tea – GOOD STUFF! hope you feel better soon. i’ve been battling something for weeks and it is still lurking. i have tried the Honest kombuchas and find that they have a weird aftertaste. perhaps they are supposed to? I bought them anyways bc i thought the would help fight the sickness!
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haha, I make the same justifications… plus, my Dad always tells me that we deserve one “treat” a day. I wonder if costco or amazon carries them?!?
your blog rocks, its the first thing I check in the am!
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i’m sure you get this question all the time, but where did you get that ceramic looking spoon you’re always eating your oats with? its so cute!
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I admit it, one of my secret indulgances if Bissingers gummy pandas, I swear those things have crack in them!! My favorite is the Gogi Guava Camu Camu. I also drink 1-2 kombucha a week, I have stuck with synergy brand, my two favorite flavors are grape and trilogy. I actually kind of enjoy the tangy, carbonated, not too-sweet flavor of this yummy elixir
I hope you feel better soon!!!!
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