Okay, I know this looks like a burger and not breakfast but I promise it was delicious.

That is [...]]]> Saturday morning breakfast:  I was up early to babysit.  I didn’t feel like oats [shocking!] and was craving more of the bread that Mama Pea sent me!  I was also craving a banana scramble.

Okay, I know this looks like a burger and not breakfast but I promise it was delicious.

That is not cheese oozing out, it’s peanut butter…fear not!

SuperFood Banana Scramble [original recipe genius from (never home)maker]

• 1/2 banana
• 1T chia seeds
• 1/2t cinnamon
• 1 scoop Chocolate Amazing Grass SuperFood
• 3T rolled oats
• ~1/4c hemp milk

1. Mash banana until “eggy.”
2. Mash all other ingredients together and let sit for a few minutes.
3. Heat a pan over medium heat and lightly grease.
4. Cook for 3-5min until browned, and flip with a large spatula or just mash around until browned to your liking.
5. Top on bread/english muffin/bagel.

The SuperFood just gave it a little cocoa flavor.  Very yummy!  Topped with pnut butter + jelly!

I knew I was going to be babysitting for 8hrs and that I would need lunch + snacks.  Here’s what I packed!

Crunch action.

1/2 a ‘loupe!

tea + ota.bar + cherry almond granola + plain Oikos

quinoa sesame bar + grapes + kiwi – It was all consumed!   I also went on 2 walks with the baby I watched.  The first was about 1.5m and the second was about 3-4miles.  It was gorgeous out!

SuNdaaaaaaaaY!  I was so excited for the blogger meetuP but didn’t decide what I was making until Saturday night.  I made a quick trip to the store, Sunday morning, and got to cooking/baking.  These 2 recipes were super simple and great to make for a group of people.  Both recipes took me an hour total, at the most.

I’ve made this a few times and change it up a little bit every time.  The original recipe comes from 101 Cookbooks for Peanut Butter Krispy Treats.  Recently, I made a healthed up version [with chia seeds, hemp seeds + more!] of this recipe that was delicious.

I wanted to make this a little more dessert like.  It was my favorite version yet!

If you liked rice krispy treats as a kid [or adult] you will love these!  No marshmallow but still just as gooey

Peanut Butter Brown Rice Crunch Bars – gluten free + vegan!!

• 5-6c unsweetened brown rice cereal [I used a gluten free version]
• ~3/4c chopped unsalted roasted organic peanuts
• 3/4c homemade peanut butter
• 1t cinnamon
• 1/2c brown rice syrup
• 1/4c maple syrup
• 1t salt
• 2t arrowroot or tapioca starch
• 1/3c vegan dark chocolate + 2T non-dairy milk [I used hemp]

1. In a large saucepan combine, peanut butter, cinnamon, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, salt and starch.
2. Heat over medium/low, stirring frequently until small bubbles form.
3. Carefully stir in 1/2 of the peanuts and the 5c of cereal, until evenly coated.
4. Press into a 9×13, parchment lined pan.  Use a silicone spatula to spread evenly and compress into the pan.
5. Melt chocolate + milk in the microwave 20sec at a time, stirring each time, until smooth.
6. Pour the chocolate into a small plastic bag, and cut a tiny piece of the corner off.
7. Squeeze the bag to drizzle chocolate all over the treats.
8. Top with peanuts.
9. Refrigerate for at least 1hr.
10. Cut + serve.

These have an awesome crunchy/gooey/chewy texture.  They are definitely not overly-sweet and using the brown rice syrup will keep you from going into a sugar coma   I am really sensitive to sugar in desserts and using brown rice syrup definitely helps!

I also made a recipe inspired from Clean Food.  The summer section of the book has so many amazing, fresh sounding recipes!  This was for a tomato + chickpea salad with cilantro dressing.  Well, I do not like cilantro, so I subbed basil and it worked perfectly.  Since I made a few changes I feel that I can share the recipe with you.  It was very tasty as a main dish or side!

Lemon Basil Chickpea Salad [vegan + gluten free]

• ~1lb of chopped tomatoes – I used a mix of plum, vine, and a local variety – you can also use grape or cherry, just cut them in half
• 3, 15oz cans chickpeas, drained + rinsed
• 1 small package of fresh basil
• 4 chopped scallions
• 2 medium garlic cloves
• 1/2c olive oil
• 1/4c fresh squeezed lemon juice
• s+p to taste

1. Combine chopped tomatoes + chickpeas in a large bowl.
2. In a food processor, drop in garlic with processor going.  Scrape down sides of bowl
3. Add in olive oil, lemon juice + basil.
4. Pulse about 10 or so times.
5. Pour over chickpeas + tomatoes and toss together.
6. Season with salt and pepper + top with scallions.

SO easy!!

I have more of these sitting in my fridge…mmm  I love getting creative with this recipe!

Ann brought amazing asparagus wraps with white rice, avocado, and cilantro [and maybe a few other things].  They were SO good and she was very kind to leave out the cilantro in a few for me

My reason for hating cilantro:  I used to love it.  Until I cooked with it.  The smell was SO overpowering I thought I was going to yak and I could smell it on my hands for daaaays.  The only things I tolerate it in are Chipotle’s rice and salsa [sometimes].

Emily brought some fresh veg + crackers + dip.

Along with a yummy Israeli couscous dish.

These were SO good.  Ann said she found it off a really random website.  I must get the recipe!

Heather brought a deeeeeeeeelicious dish as well.  A cold pesto pasta salad with asparagus, peas and tomatoes.  Hopefully she’ll share the recipe on her blog

I think Kathleen brought these vanilla meringues, which are SO good.  I describe them as a crunchy puff of vanilla sugar!

A mess of deliciousness!!!

Lauren made an amaaazing Indian spiced potato salad.  I can’t believe I juuust started eating Indian food about 1 year ago.  SO good!

Lindsey + her pup Kaya were new to the meet up crew!  It was so awesome that they could come.  She was in town from Wyoming and it worked out to stop by.  I forgot to photograph the yummy snacks she brought!

She has a ton of cute photos of Kaya on her blog

With a dog poop bag tied around her shorts

Emily + me + Lauren + Heather – Although it was 90+ degrees out today we found a spot in the shade that was perfect + breezy.

Ann + me!

minus Lauren, plus Kathleen

It was so nice to meet up with these girls.  We had a ton of fun sitting in the grass eating + talking.  Thanks to everyone that came!

Off to bed…I haven’t been feeling the best and need some sleep.  The next two days are a bit chaotic before leaving for Cleveland.  My trips home are usually really busy, but I’m determined to get in some good R+R while I’m home!!

Niiiiight!

<3 Ash

Print PDF

Chia Stuffed Banana Scramble

Thing #1

I’m in love with the color of this smoothie.  Refreshing it was. 

Peanut Butter Banana Green Monster

Enter: Amazing Grass Amazing Meal ~ Original Blend ~ [thank you lovely sample fairies!!]

Yes. Carrot chunks.  Along with: ice, vanilla almond milk, few dollops of Oikos plain, Amazing Meal, [...]]]> Come on, you think I’m baking this early in the morning?  Phat chance!  I did cook up something fun + new in my VitaMix though!

Enter: Amazing Grass Amazing Meal ~ Original Blend ~ [thank you lovely sample fairies!!]

Yes. Carrot chunks.  Along with: ice, vanilla almond milk, few dollops of Oikos plain, Amazing Meal, 1/2t cinnamon, few shakes of nutmeg, allspice, ginger, 1/4c oats, 2T walnuts, 1/2t vanilla, 1/2 naner —> BLEND ——-> Liquid Carrot Cake

I wanted to change things up from my normal GREEN Monster and after seeing Gena’s recipe for a Carrot Cake Smoothie, I thought I would try to whip up something similar.  I just loved the thought of an ORANGE Monster in the morning and I wanted to see how carrot cakey I could get it. 

How did it turn out?  Well, at first taste it was somewhat bland and too carrot-ey.  I didn’t juice my carrots like gena and I could taste the pulpy carrots which was not too pleasant.  I decided to add the 1/2 banana, more spices, and a little more almond milk.  I turned the VM on full blast to really smooth out the texture.  I looooooove the VM for making things so smooth + creamy.  I would be willing to try this again but it definitely wasn’t my fav.  I would give it a 6/10.  Still more than slurpable though and extremely filling!  I finished about 3/4 of it. 

This is your brain.  This is your brain on Amazing Meal.  Questions?  [please tell me you remember the commercial I’m referring to here!]

buBBLe….BuBble

More orange food!  The soup changed from a deep orange yellow to way more orange looking today and the flavor was even better.  This soup is definitely a good 8/10 in my book.  It is loaded with flavor and extremely healthy which earns it an extra point!  Herbed goat cheese is in the spoon.  I swirled it in…YUM

Lunch with a side of Bubbly Juice!  I’m all about the bubbles lately it seems…

Leftover sweet tater chunks with a dollop of Oikos plain [so versatile!] with a little bowl of sourdough bread cubes for dipping in the soup.  I would have loved to eat saltines with this but I don’t have the best relationship with those light + crispy little crackers…Meaning: I will mostly likely eat at least 1/2 sleeve in one sitting.  I try to keep them away!

I made two different batches of ota.bars for the Bake Sale For Haiti winning bidders.  The front is apple, cranberry, almond and behind is “cinna-fuse” which is apples, apricots, almonds, walnuts, + cinnamon.  Besides all of those ingredients they are packed with organic rolled oats, wheat germ, brown rice syrup, sucanat, unrefined coconut oil, pepitas and more!

Can you tell I’m missing my granola bar business?   I also delivered some to 2 of my biggest ota fans!  Natalie + Laura

My plan was to hit the gym and then instead of coming home and stuffing my face with food eating a light snack, I would make a cup of tea.  I was going to try Tea Spots Red Rooibos Almond Vanilla.  This smells incredible!

I walked to the gym [still excited about that] and hopped on the bike for 30 minutes.  I would have liked to stay on for 45 but there is a time limit because there aren’t a lot of cardio machines…gah!  Time flew as I read my new Real Simple magazine.  Did any of your cash in on the deal Amazon was running around Christmas???  There were 10 magazines you could subscribe to for FIVE DOLLARS!  I jumped on the chance and ordered RS.  One issue normally costs $5.  Woop!

Came home, whittled my middle, and did some curls.  I know, why didn’t I do that stuff at the gym?  It was getting dark out and I wanted to get home.  Also there isn’t much floor space to whittle!  After whittling I made my tea.  The pre-brew smell rocked, but after steeping it smelled kind of gross…almost plastic-like.  Ick.  However, I liked the taste.  Every time I went to sip it though I smelled that weirdness.  I have a few cups worth of the loose tea and will definitely finish it but probably won’t buy again.  The flavor was good though, strong enough and not bitter.  I didn’t add sweetener or cream!

on.to.dinner.geeeeeez.  What time is it?  Yeaaaah…dinner wasn’t ready til about 8:15…woops!

I got the idea to try to make BBQ tempeh and just went with it.  I picked up a few red taters to turn into fries [chris’s fav] and some BBQ sauce.  I got Annies Organic Original because it was $3.29.  I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be that good but didn’t want to spend $5-8 for a better jar.  It was a bit too sweet for me and had a distinct celery taste.  Celery seed was about halfway down on the ingredient list….I like celery but the taste in this was someone strange.

I added some adobo chipotle sauce, chili powder, and cajun spice mix along with a few splashes of hot sauce.  It helped a bit.

Fries: 400* –> 3 red taters –> 2T olive oil –> garlic powder/salt/pepper/rosemary/oregano/parsley/basil –> bake ~40min –> awesomely delicious

I sauteed 1 small onion and then added the marinated tempeh until it was heated through.  I made Chris a samich but put mine over 1 slice of french bread from WF.  It was realllllly good!  I found a brand of tempeh that I love [West Soy].  To me, it tastes like rice [I get the 5 grain].  Chris liked it a lot too and we had a salad on the side.

I almost forgot my pool of organic ketchup   mmmmmmmmm  These may have been my best fries yet!

pooooooped.  off to shower + bed. 

~Ashley

Print PDF

In the mix:

It turned out a little runnier than usual because I didn’t [...]]]> My first time trying Amazing Grass Amazing Meal.  I was EXcited! 

In the mix:

• Chocolate Amazing Meal [from my awesome box of samples from AG!]
• 2c ice
• 1 banana
• 2c spinach
• 1, 4oz plain Oikos
• 1/2t cinnamon
• honey squirt
• 3/4c vanilla hempmilk

It turned out a little runnier than usual because I didn’t add my oats!  I wasn’t trying to make it as calorie dense as my usual green monsters because this packet has a little added kick to it.  Check out this link to look at the nutrition info.  It is really impressive…full of organic rice + hemp protein [my favs!!], fruits + veggies, probiotics, wheat + barley grass and so.much.more.  This would definitely make an awesome slurpy snack if you add one packet to 8oz of any type of milk you like!

check.out.that.buBBle.action.

What’s in the spoon???

Ota.bar crumbles of course!  Wowow have I missed my ota.bars!!!

I wish I still had the granola bar business going!!  It’s a little harder to get it going here in CO because you have to rent kitchen space which is costly.  Maybe one day I’ll be able to bring them back somehow!

I actually tried a few new things with the bars and I like them even better now!

cinna-fuse [packed with cinnamon…obviously]

Time to experiment.

Tea:  I’m not the biggest fan but I’m convinced I just haven’t found the right kind.  I probably should up the quality of tea I’m drinking as well.  I have tried many-a-teas in my life and only found a few that I can actually somewhat enjoy.  My problem is that they usually taste too weak and somewhat bitter.  I don’t really like adding sugar to drinks so I will end up drinking about half before I’m done.  I recently read Angela’s post on Green teas.  I found the information extremely interesting!  I never knew there was such a wide variety and difference between green teas.  She sold me on all the benefits of tea! 

I love that Whole Foods has a bulk loose leaf tea section!  It is really going to help me decide what I like in an easier and cheaper way.  I realize these are not all green teas.  I’m not just exploring the green! 

• The left tea is Red Rocks Vanilla Almond Rooibos tea by Tea Spot [local Boulder company!]
• S. African Red Rooibos
• The middle tea is a Green Sencha Superior by Rishi Tea
• Japanese Sencha
• The right tea is a Green Roasted Mint tea by TeaSpot
• Japanese Hojicha tea

I LOVE how informative the websites are for these teas.  It is extremely helpful.

Not really being much of a “tea drinker” I wasn’t sure how the Green Sencha was going to taste, as it smelled like freshly cut grass.  No joke! 

My first sampling was with the Sencha.  Would it taste like it smelled?

My new tea-ball, hehe.

Time for a dip!  So, what did I think!?  I LIKED it…seriously!  It had a very mellow but deep flavor and was not bitter.  I was thinking in the beginning I would probably have to add honey, but I didn’t feel the need at all.  I didn’t even want to add cream! 

Tea perfection?  Just maybe!  It definitely still had an earthy flavor..don’t get me wrong but I tend to like that and have gotten a bit used to it with all my wheat grass consumption    I would definitely pick this over ANY tea I’ve had in the past.  I’m pretty sure there is a HUGE difference when you use loose leaf high quality tea.  As always, quality really does make a difference.

A quick lunch + run out the door to take Kenna beans to the vet!  WF whole wheat english muffin toasted with apple + monterey jack cheese with 4oz oikos + BRM Apple Blueberry granola. 

simple + fabulous

I was in a hurry so I didn’t have time for a full lunch but snacked more when I got back!

What happened to Kenna?  She broke a nail!!! Seriously…lame!  It was hanging and gross!  We covered it with a sock [on Sunday] until today when I made an appointment to go.  I happened to stumble on the BEST VET/OFFICE EVER.  We have seen a lot of vets over the years and none even came close to comparing with this one. 

Poooor doggy.  The vet loved Kenna and said she is “full of life.”  Completely true.    So they had to take her nail off, gross!  I heard her SCREACH from the room I was waiting in.  I think I jumped off the seat.  They got her bandaged up and she was back to her normal waggy/bopping self in about 1.2 seconds.

club foot kenna

And now it’s covered with a sock so she doesn’t lick or chew at it.  We also have to stick her foot in a plastic bag when she goes outside, LOL.  It’s quite the site!

Dakota:  Look happy!!!!

Fail.

Dinner!  Another completely random night!  I threw everything from the produce drawer into this soup and it turned out really well!!

Cauliflower + the kitchen sink veggie soup! [vegan]

• 1T olive oil
• 4 shallots, minced
• 1 large bell pepper, chopped
• 1 head cabbage, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 2c spinach
• 1 tomato
• 1T dried basil
• 1t dried oregano
• 1/2t garlic powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4-1/2t red pepper flakes
• 28oz veggie stock
• 1.5c water
• 1c milk [I used plain rice milk..any will do!]
• 1/2t pepper
• salt to taste

1. Heat oil over medium and add shallots + celery for about 5min, stirring frequently.
2. Add broth + water and bring to a boil. 
3. Add cabbage, pepper, carrot, and tomato, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, basil, black pepper + garlic powder then return to boil and lower to simmer ~20min
4. Stir in milk + spinach and take out bay leaf.
5. I used my hand immersion blender right in the pot to puree this soup.  You could also use a blender.  You might have to add a little at a time to the blender then pour into a bowl and repeat.  You can also puree the soup partially if you want to leave some of the chunky veggies.
6. Bring to a boil + stir then reduce heat + serve.

Not the prettiest color but better in person [blaaah night photos].  You could see flecks from all the veggies that were packed into this hot bowl of yum.

There was a definite little kick from the red pepper flakes and it was loaded with flavor.  I might have enjoyed it even more if I would have blended it in the VitaMix.  I think it would have led to a slightly smoother consistency…also if you used a thicker milk [2%] it would have helped with the creaminess. 

The flavor of the soup pairs PERfectly with goat cheese [which also contradicts that the soup is vegan..woops].  But, oh my gosh. YUM.  I toasted bread + spread a little goat cheese for soup croutons.  Super delicious and comforting on a cold night in Denver!

What else is going on?? Welllll…I saw a glimmer of hope in the job world today.  I don’t know the details yet but I think I have some part time work lined up.  When I know more, so will you!   All I can say is that I’m REALLY excited about it!

What else……workout time!  I’m sure you care about each + every detail of my jobless day!! I decided to join the Denver Rec Centers today.  As I said recently it is a GREAT deal.  There are rec centers spread all over Denver and you can go to any of them if you are a resident for only $52 for THREE months!  Even my broke a$$ can afford that!  With training for the 1/2 marathon coming up I need an alternative when weather is crummy, like today.

We got about 4” of snow sunday/monday and although it was almost all gone today it was pretty icy.  Another HUGE plus about the gym is that it is .75 miles away and I get to walk through Wash Park to get there   Not sure what could be better.  I had a few close calls with the ice + ground but managed to make it there with my Vibrams in tow!  The rec center has a cardio area with really new machines that have fans built into them!  There is also a large pool, bball courts, and a large weight area.  The treadmills face windows looking over the park.  Not too shabby!

• 3 miles in VFF’s [yippee!! felt great!] @6mph
• 10min on the bike
• 3 sets of seated rows, 10 reps each
• 3 sets of lat pull downs, 12 reps each
• 3 sets of tricep pull downs, 12 reps each

My plan for the next few weeks is to run about every other day making sure to let my feet/body adapt to the VFF’s properly.  I want to stay at 3miles for the next week or so and then increase to 4.  I’ll start my actual 1/2 training in early March.  Aaaand I have a partner in crime that will be running with me.  Laura let me know that she’s IN!  We’re going to be doing our weekly long runs together which will make the training so much better.

I’m also going to start back up with weightlifting as you can see above.  I really love working out + lifting but have left the lifting out of my life for a little too long.  It’s time to get buff again!  I think it’s really important to have a strong core and just overall be in great overall shape while preparing for the 1/2.  I’ll slowly be bringing it back in!  After I walked home [so excited to not use the cAR!!] I whittled my middle! 

I had something else to mention but it has slipped my mind…I’m sure you’re deeply saddened!  I think this post is long enough….

snooze time

~Ashley

Print PDF