Submitting to this contest also donated $50 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund [OCRF], which is when I knew I had to partake.  Electrolux + Kelly Ripa teamed up with, the very [...]]]> When I heard about the Banana Split Top 9 Takeover contest for Foodbuzz [an Edible Perspective sponsor], an idea instantly came to mind! 

Submitting to this contest also donated $50 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund [OCRF], which is when I knew I had to partake.  Electrolux + Kelly Ripa teamed up with, the very generous Foodbuzz, to raise money for this awesome cause. 

Foodbuzz asked all of their Featured Publishers to create the ultimate banana split and post it to our blog.  Foodbuzz is donating $50 for each submittal along with a chance to be featured on “Today’s Top 9” on Monday, July 19th.  Typically, the Today’s Top 9 photos, are the best food photos that have been submitted the day before from any of the featured publishers.  However, on Monday, the banana splits are taking over!  There will be 9 featured banana splits…and maybe mine will show up?? 

I’ve never actually been a big fan of the traditional banana split.  Honestly, I’m not even sure if I’ve ever eaten one.  I would rather just have a plain bowl of ice cream.  However, dessert was not on the brain.  Breakfast was.  You all are aware that breakfast is my favorite.  Obviously, I was going to make a Breakfast Banana Split [BBS]!!

I think I went a little bananas…hehehe

Component ONE:

Cherry Banana Soft Serve

• 1 large frozen banana
• ~8 pitted cherries [frozen or fresh]

1. Combine in food processor for about 3min until creamy and soft serve like, in texture.  You might need to scrape the bowl a few times.  Frozen cherries will help keep the consistency a little thicker, but either work.

Component TWO:

The Banana

Aaaaaaand done.  Easy!

Component THREE:

Vegan Overnight Oats

• 1/3c rolled oats
• 2/3c milk [any type will work]
• 1T chia seeds
• 1/2t cinnamon

optional mix-ins:

• 1t cocoa powder
• 1/2 scoop Chocolate Amazing Grass
• 1t maple syrup

1. Stir everything together and seal in a container overnight in the fridge.
2. Stir in the morning.

Component FOUR:

Toppings

Can’t forget the cherry on top!

All together now….

Vegan Overnight Oat Banana Split

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Help me decide which photo to submit!!!  Which is your favorite??  I have 2 that I can’t decide between.

Oh yah…and this tasted DEElicious

Thanks to Foodbuzz, for their constant generosity!!

See you soon!

Ashley

p.s. Do you like couscous?  Do you like FREE couscous?  Have you entered my contest?  The contest ends today at 5pm [mountain time].  I’ll be announcing the winner via Twitter + Facebook.  Are you a follower?  Facebook Fan Page  Your kitchen disaster stories have brought me to near tears.  They are HYSterical

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Check out the bake sale lineup!! Bidding starts tomorrow!  All baker’s items are listed and also if they are vegan or gluten free baked goods.  Once the [...]]]> If you haven’t seen, Diana from The Chic Life, has organized an online bake sale with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross – Haiti Relief Fund.

Check out the bake sale lineup!! Bidding starts tomorrow!  All baker’s items are listed and also if they are vegan or gluten free baked goods.  Once the bidding is over, the bakers will be notified to bake their items and ship out to the highest bidder. 

I am definitely baking for this and if you are wondering what, it’s ota.bars!!!!!!!!!!! Due to our move out West to Colorado [in sept] I had to close ota.bars in Charlotte, so this is really your only chance to get your hands on these bars!  I am making 2 separately auctioned batches with 12 bars each.  There will also be 4 different varieties that the winning bidders can choose from.

Make sure you check it out tomorrow!!!  There was something else I wanted to give you an update on but I can’t remember!! grr  Maybe tomorrow? hehe

~Ashley

In case you missed this weekends post make sure to check them out

24, 24, 24 Prep day

Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24 Local Bites from a Colorado Winter

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This post starts at about 6pm on Tuesday evening.  I didn’t even photograph my oats!  See, I told you it was an off day.

I should have known better than to buy freezer food…I give these a 5/10.  I had [...]]]> Yesterday was a weird day.  I just felt kind of lazy and off. 

This post starts at about 6pm on Tuesday evening.  I didn’t even photograph my oats!  See, I told you it was an off day.

I should have known better than to buy freezer food…I give these a 5/10.  I had some unopened jars of sauce + sun dried tomatoes leftover from TJ’s in Charlotte.  

My mom got these for me while I was at home.  They are completely addicting but I am doing a good job at eating just a handful a day to stretch them out as long as possible   The package says there are 3 servings.  I’ve already gotten at least 8 out of it!

After dinner #1, I decided to go to the GIgantic Whole Foods at the Cherry Creek location in Denver.  Melissa gave me a super generous gift card for WF back when I watched her boy Jake.  I wanted to use it on items I wouldn’t usually splurge for. 

My slipper socks from my mom, hid in my boots…also from mom!

She has good taste.  I love these!

Dakota falls asleep while standing + sitting.  She sways back and forth and sometimes her front legs will slide out from under her.  It is quite hilarious.  It reminds me of falling asleep in class.  You try so hard to stay awake but just couldn’t keep your eyes open sometimes. 

Cheer up please!

…off to Whole Foods

Have you guys tried Red Kale?  The green didn’t look that great so I am giving this a try.  For some reason I am thinking it might have a bitter taste.  No clue why I’m assuming that.

To pummelo or not to pummelo?  It was in my cart for awhile but for $3.99/ea, I put it back.  I would say it’s a good 6” in diameter!

Yes, I brought my cookbook along and little notebook that I made my list in. N.E.R.D.   Trying delicata squash for the first time.  I had never heard of it or seen it until a few weeks ago.

This WF is totally gigantic and overwhelming!  I was there for way way too long, especially in the bulk section.  They have a great section with pre-chopped veggies and things, to make recipe prep much easier!  They chop everything fresh, daily.

Bulk Tahini!!?? Are you serious!

I found Rush bowls!!  I still have a few of these left from my fun day sampling at the Rush store.

They even have a gelato bar.  I tried a sample of Tahitian Vanilla and Orange Honey Fig.  They were both completely amazing. 

…

Home from the store, time to put things away.

I bought collard greens for the first time ever.  Note the size.  They are taller than the coffee maker!

Arrowroot, is a much more natural thickening agent, compared to corn starch.  Have you guys ever used walnut oil?  It was one of the purchases I wouldn’t normally get but am pretty excited about it!

Ahhh, the bulk aisle.  If you guys aren’t familiar with Millet [left most] you should get to know the grain.  It is very similar to quinoa in taste and texture and costs $.99/lb [organic] compared to over $3/lb for organic quinoa!  I also picked up some Whole Oat Groats, Sweet Brown Rice, Adzuki Beans, and Almonds. 

Yaaaay for affordable bulk tahini.

Red Kale

I am pretty excited for my chocolate almond milk!  I would have gotten a larger carton, for less waste, but they didn’t have any.  I need to try making chocolate almond milk.  Have any of you tried?  I’ve made vanilla.  It is super simple and delicious!  I picked up “curry powder” as opposed to the “Indian curry” I used in the curry honey hummus the other day.  There are a few different ingredients in the mix, so we’ll see how it differs in taste when I make it again. I looove the Simply Organic spice brand.

Dinner #2 – steamed brussel sprouts – little pillows of greeeeeen

With some sautéed chickpeas seasoned with curry + cayenne + salt + honey + garlic powder.  They were totally nutty and full of flavor.  Chris loved them too!

Weird dinner tonight.

And then I wanted a pickle!?  I must be preggo or something with my weird dinner spread???  Just kidding Dad!  My Dad reads the blog daily as part of his morning routine, hehe.  Chris actually reads it everyday too!  My mom is so super busy with her job that she usually catches up on all the posts once or twice a week

…

Gooood morning!  Jan 6th – Ahhh, my coffee finally arrived!  My parents sent a large package full of things I couldn’t fit in my suitcase, after my Cleveland trip.  It took FORever to get here with the holidays.  I finally used my coffee maker this morning!  It has been SO long.  Instant coffee just isn’t doing it for me!

I thought I’d try steel cut oats today, for the first time ever.  I brewed my coffee and started editing photos while I waited about 20min for this to finish.  Yes, it takes awhile but I had things to do while waiting, so no big deal.

Yes, I turned the mug to the sad face today.  I’m not really sad but just in a funk of sorts like I said at the beginning of the post.  Maybe it is because the sun hasn’t been out much lately.   Maybe it is because neither of us are employed.  Maybe it is because I am 26 and really have no idea what I want to do with my life!?  I was in school for 6yrs, [for Architecture] and I don’t know if that’s what I want to do.  I still completely love architecture.  I kind of forgot how much I really do enjoy it [until recently], but I just have not found happiness in the career, at all.

Thought #1 - Now, I have only held two architecture jobs, each for a year, so maybe I just haven’t found the right fit yet.  Part of me wants to go back to school but not to come out with a new profession.  I am extremely interested in Anthropology, specifically Nutritional Anthropology.  The interest stemmed from my thesis research on Food + Architecture.  I also would love to teach Architecture at the college level.  I feel that gaining a degree in a different but relatable major might make me look more appealing for a teaching position.  I am still very much passionate about my thesis topic and would love to teach people/students more about the relationships they share.  The tricky part is getting there.  Teaching architecture is highly competitive and you kind of have to be willing to move wherever you can get a job.  Accredited Arch programs are not at every college.  There are only a few [at most, sometimes none] in each state.  I believe Colorado only has one.

Thought #2 - I also would enjoy starting ota.bars back up.  It will be quite hard here in Colorado, because you have to rent commercial kitchen space.  It is rented hourly around $15/hr.  That is a CRAzy amount of money for how long I would need to spend in the kitchen.  If you follow Angela, at Oh She Glows, her 12hr days in the kitchen would just not add up if you had to pay for all that time. 

Thought #3 - You all know I love food and love to cook food.  Many of my friends ask if I would want to own or work in a restaurant.  The answer is definitely not   I know that is not the place for me.  I would however love to small time cater, in peoples’ homes and/or hold cooking classes for children + adults.  It would be easier to pursue a start up business like this if we had a little cash flow right now but that’s just not the case right now. 

I hope I am not coming off as complaining.  I am just confused!  I need some direction. 

Certainty #1 – I cannot sit behind a desk 8+ hours a day.  It makes me tired, irritable, unhappy, and I gain weight eating to stay awake!  [I am not knocking desk jobs in any way shape or form!]

…

My steel cut oats.  Were they worth the wait??  I sprinkled on some chia seeds, and coconut snow, along with a dollop of organic chocolate pnut butter, and some annie’s bunny friend graham cookies.  They look like they are playing in my oats!

So, the verdict.  The can said to stir occasionally, which I did.  I also added 1/2 banana about 3/4 of the way through the process.  The result?  The oats were kind of slimy + gelatinous.  They weren’t terrible, but I definitely like rolled oats + oat bran better.  Next time I am going to try using 1/2 water 1/2 milk [instead of all water] and maybe not stir at all.  It was still tasty enough to finish

Off to get some things done around the house.  I need to see some improvement in here or I might go insane!

In other news – For all of my Colorado readers!!  I want to organize a blogger meet-up!  There has been interest from many of you, so I want to get things rolling.  I’m assuming weekends work best?  Would you like a daytime or night time meet up?  Should we meet at a restaurant or do a potluck at someone’s house/apt?  [I am offering up mine!]  Let me know your thoughts and ideas.  The only weekend coming up that I won’t be available is Jan 22-24th.

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