I haven’t used the f1.8 50mm lens for awhile. I’ve had the f2.8 28-75mm on for a few weeks now and I’m not sure whyyyy. I can tell an immediate quality difference with the 50mm. I’ll attribute it to laziness. When I pick up the camera in the morning to shoot my oats, I don’t feel like going upstairs to change the lens. Well, Chris used the camera and changed the lens. Thank goodness.
Fresh bakery granola from Whole Foods. I’m pretty positive there is a lot of butter in the mix. Whatever is in there, it’s pretty amazing. I’ve been making healthy granola for so long, I forgot what the real stuff tastes like!
Scottish oats are just so so creamy. I’m in love!
Crunchy Creamy Oats
- 1/4c [rounded] Scottish oats
- 1 1/4c water
- few splashes of coconut kefir + almond milk
- 1/2t cinnamon
- 1/2 banana
- 1 egg white, added in the last 2-3min of cooking
Toppings:
peanut butter + wild berry conserve + granola
Deliciousness overload!!!
These were on sale for 77 cents!!! I bought six. They’re just okay, but definitely worth it for 77 cents! The ingredient list is awesome and it has a good amount of protein [8g] + fiber [4g]. The flavor was chocolate chip. I like the texture but the taste is just off. It’s pretty bland and just overall blah. It was a great pre swim snack though!
INGREDIENTS
Organic Cashew Butter, Organic Dates, Organic Agave Nectar, Organic Brown Rice Protein, Organic Dark Chocolate Chips – Non-Dairy (Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter, Non-GMO Soy Lecithin), Organic Bio SproutsTM – Quinoa, Organic Bio SproutsTM – Flax and Lots of Love!
Fish action
- 100m kickboard – warm up
- 100m buoy – warm up
- 2000m [80 lengths] – freestyle – 46min!!!!!
- 50m backstroke – cool down
- 50m breast stroke – cool down
- stretch
I was in a swimming groove today and didn’t get kicked out for open swim! I was really excited to have no time constraint. I was actually swimming during open swim but they left 1 lane in AND I had the pool to myself the entire time. Completely fabulous. I zoned out and just swam. It took me about 10 lengths to really get going. I did my bilateral breathing the entire time, which I’m super excited about. I also tried to focus on kicking my whole leg instead of kicking with my ankles/knees.
On each set of 10 lengths I sprinted at about 90% for 1 length. It felt great! Once I got over 25 lengths I was really in a groove. I was thinking I would at least go to 60 lengths and see how I feel. I stopped at length 42 for some hydration, feeling great. The laps were flying by! Then I was thinking 70 or 75, but was still feeling great so I went for 80. I really could have kept going awhile longer but didn’t want to overdo it. I stopped a total of 2 times to hydrate. Even though I didn’t really feel thirsty, I knew I probably needed it. The coconut water/plain water mix really helps. I can definitely tell a difference drinking this in comparison to plain water and there is no sugary aftertaste like with Gatorade.
I’m very excited about today’s swim. hehehe
Hands down, favorite coconut water flavor + brand. I mixed this 50/50 with water for my swim.
Obviously was famished when I got home. I cut a large sweet tater + popped it in the oven for low + slow method. While that started cooking I showered and then got going on a salad. There was no way I could wait 45min for that sweet tater to finish without eating something else!
Dressing:
hemp oil + balsamic + apple cider vinegar
Better than any bottled dress ever. You can sub olive oil instead of hemp. I’ve never liked bottled dressings all that much, even the organic kinds. We have no dressing in the fridge. I just make this in about 45sec every time I prepare a salad. Chris loves it as well. I always add salt + pepper and sometimes garlic powder, oregano, etc.
Salad
- arugula
- raw zucchini
- cucumber
- carrot
- pepitas
- Fitness Bread croutons
Crunchy perfection!
And then they were done….little pillows of sweet tatery goodness.
My favorite of the group.
I liiightly coated them with olive oil while baking. After they were done I drizzled them with <1T homemade coconut butter + about 1/2t cinnamon.
Perfection. Although I forgot to add a few shakes of sea salt, which really helps bring out the flavor. Still amazing though!
These might be delicious layered in between oats!!
Guess what!? I got working on my newest buttery concoction! It was fairly dim outside + rainy [which is now SNOW…seriously]. I think these photos look a tad vintage maybe? I had to put the ISO up pretty high so they are a little noisy, but I like them anyway!
cocoa + coconut + peanut butter
I added a little of each ingredient at a time until it was juuuuuust riiiiight.
Chris approves! I’m still going to make 1 or 2 other versions using high quality dark chocolate bars instead of cocoa powder. We’ll see how they turn out!
Great consistency.
Cocoa-Coco-Pnat BUTTA’ [the “nat” is pink because Natalie [my SIL] came up with the idea]
- 1/4c + 2T coconut butter
- 3t cocoa powder [fair trade + organic]
- 2T peanut butter
- 1/8t fine grain sea salt
- 1.5T brown rice syrup [can sub honey]
- Blend everything in a food processor until creamy + smooth.
*You may have to taste + add to your liking. If you’re using a store-bought peanut butter it might taste differently. This was my homemade peanut butter, made with roasted peanuts, which is fairly strong tasting. It might also vary depending on what type of cocoa powder you use. I felt like this combination let each ingredient come through just enough without overpowering the others. So my advice is, start with less of each ingredient and taste along the way. The brown rice was definitely needed in my opinion as was the salt. The brown rice syrup helped bring out the sweetness of the cocoa powder and the small amount of salt helped bring out all of the flavors.
Who wants to come over for a spoonful?
In other news…I made a new tab for the 2nd Colorado blogger/reader meet-up. Check it out and let me know what works for you!
In other other news…our Wii-motes have been lost since we moved to our house in January. Chris finallllllllly found them. I have some games to play 
Night!
Ashley
PDF 
I do! I do!
Perhaps you should scratch the ota.bars and start a NUT BUTTAH biz! : )
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awesome pictures!
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The picture quality is fabulous- it just makes me want to jump into the screen even more and gobble up all your yummy eats:)hehe.I’m loving this homemade nut butter streak you’re on. I just made maple cinnamon almond butter on your inspiration a couple of days ago!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Wow, so many have made that nut butter..pretty exciting!! I’m almost at the end of my tripled batch…eeek!
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I just bought some “real” granola too and it’s amazing. Such a treat!
Love the pics! Noticeable quality improvement.
Hope you’re having a great week!
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Me, me me! I will be over in a few hours. Have a giant tub ready for me!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I will make a gallon sized tub if you come visit!
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I do! I do!!
Love the texture of that PNB!
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Your pictures are all kinds of amazing. Makes me want to lick the computer screen…but that might not be the best idea ever.
Btw, I was inspired by your nut butter creations to try my hand at a homemade nut butter. I only have a mini food processor, but I was still able to whip up a batch of amazing cinnamon almond butter. Why would anyone go back to store-bought? Honestly, now. Homemade is cheaper and more fun!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
LOL!!! And kudos for makign it in a mini!! I think my mini would overheat…it only has a pulse button that you can’t keep “on.” Glad you liked it!
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Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I’m not gonna lie…my mini wasn’t overly thrilled to be making the almond butter. But it did it! We’ll see how long my poor mini lasts before my reckless nut butter abuse kills it.
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Ashley Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 12:28 am
That is awesome though!
Those photos really do look amazing! What kind of camera do you use?
xo
K
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Check my FAQ for camera info!
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Oh. My. Days. That peanut coconut chocolate butter thing – good gracious woman, you should release a book of food porn! That stuff looks GOOD!
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You should start an “exotic” nut-butter company…lol…keep up the great work!!!!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Ahhh that would be awesome!
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I want some too!
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I’d love a scoop!! Please?? I need it to be less sad about the weather.
Good for you with your swimming, sounds like you’re getting pretty great! Maybe after the marathon… anything but running!
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The sweet taters were perfect!! Nice pics.
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Usually I find bars wayyy too sweet but I LOVE cashew butter, I started eating that before I discovered almond butter so cashew will always be my #1 I eat it on a rice cake almost everyday!
I was thinking your sweet tater photos would make a great piece of kitchen art in a fancy frame… and then I was like welllll then I would end up eating sweet taters EVERYDAY haha I love all the different textures and colors of foods they truly are pieces of art! I keep my oats and seeds out on the counter in big glass containers just because they look nice. I’ve been working on some small paintings of different herbs for the kitchen too, almost finished with basil!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
I find these bars too sweet actually. They are sweetened with agave which I don’t ever use myself. They just have a really weird flavor…almost chemically, even though the ingredient list is pretty stellar! Weird! Maybe it’s the sprouts or something? I’m all for an earthy flavored bar but this is just off. That is so awesome about your paintings! I’m thnking about putting my photos on Etsy..not sure what will happen but it would be fun to try!
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Holy YUM!!! I really hope for a rainy weekend, so I will be able to try some homemade xx-butter!! Almonds – Check, Peanuts – Have to buy, Cashews- Check, Cocoa – Check, Cocunut – Check!! Thanks for inspiring me over and over again!!!
Oh and you really make me crave swimming!!! A few years ago my mom and I used to swim once a week!! Maybe I need to start that again?!
Of course I’d love to ‘come over’ for a spoonful! If only you wouldn’t be so faaaaar away!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Hehehe, let me know how any of the nut butters turn out! Yes, go for a swim…i’m looooving it!
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I love the vintage feel of the nut buttah pictures!
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Just thought I’d let you know: I’m buying my 50mm lens in two weeks!! I have my first paid photo gig and I’m using my pay from that to get it… i’m so excited!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Umm, that is awesome!! Sweet for landing a paying gig too!
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You photos always amaze me! I have yet to try coconut butter… perhaps I can just reach into the computer and try one of your sweet potatoes?
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Those taters are pure perfection. For some strange and very wrong reason, I haven’t had ANY sweet potatoes in a while. I need to fix this! You’re making me crave them SO much right now. I’m super impressed with your nut butters too, maybe you should start up a new nut butter company hmm?
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Hahaha I would love to start my granola bar business back up and make nut butters too!
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Mmm, good looking breakfast!
Have you seen the new Black Wiis? They are so sexy looking! lol
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
omg, no! That sounds cool!
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Pick me!
But I might ask for more than a spoonful.
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I want some I want some!!! hahhah
How funny that i went to a hotel yesterday for breakfast and got full fat DELICIOUS honey granola. I have also been making the healthier version for some time and the oilier version was SO DARN GOOD. I even dreamt about it last night. hahahah
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Oh yeah- I’d love a taste! Actually I’m allergic to peanuts but I’ll have to try my own version with sunbutter. And I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a beautiful bunch of sweet potatoes!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I’m definitely going to make sunflower butter soon!
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Oh, I would love to come over for a spoonful!! Thanks for posting the recipe for the cocoa coconut peanut butter — I seriously can’t wait to make this!
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omg. your food. i drool!
i want a zoom lens! but it’s soo expensive.
dang your photos are da bomb! keep ‘em coming girlfriend!
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I don’t have a zoom lens either! The 50mm is like $95..best deal ever!
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Whole Foods Granola from the bakery is amazing! SO so good! It’s hard to control myself when I buy it! haha
ps. I wish I could get a new camera! What is the one you are working with now?
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Ashley Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Check my FAQ for my camera info
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your food pics are some of the best I have seen, hands down!! amazing job girl!!! and just got two of those crate and barrel condiment spoons! they are so freakin cute!!
real granola ahh that stuff is DANGEROUSLY good!! def not low fat, but So so so so good!!!
i need to try the low and slow method too!
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Ashley Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 12:30 am
You are way too sweet. Thank you so much. I’m completely flattered. LOVE the c+b spoons
I actually checked the ingredient list when I was at WF today..no butter, it was canola oil..and it was the last ingredient on the list. Maybe it’s not that bad after all?
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Okay…wow…I want everything you posted pictures of! It all looks fantastic!!!
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Ashley Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Thanks so much Kelly!
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I do, most definetly! That chocolate pudding looks like a bowl of heaven.
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You never fail to make the most mouth-watering nut butters. Almost ate my computer screen. kidding.
May I request the appearance of a hazelnut butter next? I’ve been itching to make that since I tried Justin’s chocolate version.
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Ashley Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 12:29 am
LOL..please don’t eat the computer
I actually don’t like hazelnuts!! I know, I know. I have a few other ideas in the works though so stay tuned!
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Wow. The pictures are really gorgeous. @ashley: I love hazelnuts and with chocolate….mmmm
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Gorgeous pics as always
YOu have 100% gotten me and my husband hooked on the “low and slow” sweet potatoes! Obsessed.
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Ashley Reply:
May 14th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I couldn’t be more excited about that
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I tried the potatoes last night, they were AMAZING! I’m hooked. I already love sweet potatoes
Thanks for the recipe!
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Ashley Reply:
May 31st, 2010 at 3:51 pm
You’re so welcome..I’m obsessed!
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[...] week I got some of Ashley’s famous nutbutters. [...]
[...] nut butters you are dying to try? I would love to try Ashley’s salt-kissed cashew butter. Her cocoa-coco pnat butter is incredible, [...]
[...] any number of nuts (see above list) and if you make it yourself, you can even add things like salt, chocolate, coconut, honey, or maple syrup for more flavorful results. Store-bought nut butter is fine too, as [...]
[...] How about spreading it with this Cocoa-Coco Butter? [...]
Where do you get the spoons in your pictures?? The green one in your oatmeal is awesome and I feel like I have seen it in orange and I’m dying to know where I can buy it! Thanks!
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