Hello everyone! This is an exciting post for me because I get to introduce you all to a part of my life that is very important to me. As I’ve mentioned in my ‘About Me‘ page, art drives and shapes every aspect of my life. Which is why my plates look the way they do! I can’t help but consider color, placement, things like that. Obsessive? Not to me. I just enjoy making things that are aesthetically pleasing. Anyway, today was my sculpture class’s first critique of the semester. Unfortunately, we ran out of time before we could get to a couple of our pieces – including mine. So, I’ll report back to you all once that’s done.
Critique days are my crazy days. It becomes my one and only real priority, so that means no cooking for me!
- Thank goodness for these babies!
The folks at ProBar gave me a nice little package not too long ago. What better time to bust out my first bar on a day where everything is just too cray-cray.
“Apple Cinnamon Crunch is a flavor reminiscent of Mom’s homemade apple pie with just the right combination of sweet apples, nuts, and a dash of cinnamon. This bar is so good it might compliment your next Thanksgiving dinner.”
I was a bit weary of this because I feel dessert-y bars are hard to pull off. So how was my first bite into this dense bar? Delicious! I believe their choices of nuts, dried fruits, and the most wonderful surprise – carob chips – were perfectly combined. This was even better with a pack of soymilk and a couple of peaches. I wish I took a picture of what the bar actually looked like! It had the texture that I love in bars – you could see every ingredient, like whole almonds and sesame seeds. However, I would call it Apple Cinnamon Chew, as it was very chewy. But maybe they thought “crunch” just sounded better. My overall review? If you are considering trying a ProBar, or aren’t sure which flavor to get – try this one!
All their bars are made from whole, organic, raw foods, and 100% vegan.
I also got to try some other new things today. I went to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods the other day with my dad, since he’s in town, and picked up some new items.
So many bars!
On Katie‘s blog I read that Clif nectar bars were going to be discontinued. I had never tried these bars, but I feel the need to know what these bars taste like. I also picked up 2 others that I’ve seen floating around blogland. I tried the MoJo sweet-n-salty bar as a snack today. Meh, it wasn’t horrible, but I don’t see myself buying it again. Isn’t there a PB&J flavor though? I do want to know how that one tastes.
Peaches born and raised here? Yes ma'am!
So much to talk about here folks.
I picked up some pine nuts because pesto recipes have been dancing around my head. Dried cranberries because summer is officially over (say it isn’t so!). I’m so excited to try these falafel patties – garlic sauce recipe hunt begins after this post. I highly recommend buying Lindemans Framboise beer in any flavor! I’m thinking… Mrs. Marshall’s Carytown Cafe for the best potato salad (no lie) + Kielbasa? Look at those sprouts! There are garbanzo, alfalfa, red lentil, and another sprout I can’t remember!
One old best friend and one new best friend in my life.
I love 365′s crunchy peanut butter. I should also mention that a jar of this is less than $2! I also bought myself a jar of Trader Joe’s Sunflower Seed Butter. After I tried it at my friend’s house I vowed that I would pick up a jar the next time I would venture out to TJ’s. It’s goodness is overwhelming, and my tastebuds are so happy whenever I eat it. This more than makes up for the other day when I accidentally burned my tongue – sorry tastebuds!
Still pretending it's fresh out of the oven.
While I was at Whole Foods, me and my dad smelled some heavenly aroma wafting through the bulk bins. We knew it was coming from the bakery! After we checked out the hot-bar, we moseyed on over to the breads. My dad got straight to the point and said he smelled something spiced and wondered what it was. Well, they told us they just got done baking a loaf of pumpkin bread. They were testing out the recipe = we are the guinea pigs. They wanted us to let them know if it had too much salt, too much sugar, any input we had. Umm… I felt like a horrible critic because my vocabulary failed me while I chewed, smiled with my eyes, and gave them a thumbs up. I saved a portion of the generous slices they gave us…
A nighttime snack!
Mashed kabocha with coconut oil, brown sugar, and cinnamon topped with vanilla fro-yo and the rest of the pumpkin bread. Just a little something to treat myself before the BIG CRIT DAY! Here are some pictures of some of the pieces:
I noticed how cool it looked when she was taking a picture of her piece from that point.
Hey everybody, it's me!
First attempt to get out.
The way I came into the world... I think. Or was it the stork?
At this point I was hoping not too much of my buttcrack would show.
Free!
Now it’s time to meet my professor!
This man is incredible! I’m not sure how one human can have so much information coming from so many different places in his head, but he manages. Sometimes when he’s talking he closes his eyes, pauses for literally a good minute, gathers his thoughts, and then decides to say something.
Oh and afterwards we learned what the title of that particular piece was; “The Fucking Part of Life” haha!
Katharina, where are these breakfast pictures you promised in your last post? Alright, alright:
Ricotta, warmed up apple chunks with cinnamon, topped with Zoe's granola + toast on the side.
Beautiful figs on toast with cream cheese, honey, and cinnamon.
Lauren, inspired me to pick up some beautiful fruits at the grocery store. She always incorporates a wide variety of fruits in veggies, and I love it!
This is the first time I blended oats with ricotta; certainly not my last!
Since we’re on the topic of figs, I’m gonna go there!
I got to try something new!
I heated up a Chocolate Fig VitaTop and served it with some fresh figs, and a cup of almond milk. The almond milk is in that cute chickadee cup in the back. Back to the muffin tops. I didn’t think the flavor was bad, it was mostly very dry though. With each bite, I kept wishing I had ice cream – something to moisten it a bit. I’m on the fence on whether or not I should recommend this products. I have another one, and I’ll give you another review.
Moving right along… warning, this is a superb bowl of oats. Superb.
Everything looks so pillowy.
What’s that sitting on top? I whirled up a frozen banana, ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and a bit of stevia. This is much like Gena’s soft-serve, but more volumunious and creamier. It was an incredible way to start the morning with a warm bowl of oats with coconut oil. I suggest crushing some candied walnuts if you really want to take this up a notch.
I licked my blender and bowl clean it was so good.
I don’t think anyone figured out what the surprise green mushy stuff I made was. Well, now I will reveal to you all – drum roll please…
Edamame hummus!!!
I followed this recipe, and it came out wonderfully. I love the color and the flavor the sesame oil adds to it as well. The first time I saw this was at Trader Joe’s, and I was thinking about how ridiculously simple this must be to make. It is!
Yin and yang
Here are some ways I’ve been eating it:
My lunch looks more like a snack plate.
In a sandwich layered with cream cheese, spinach, red onion, tomato, sprouts, and the edamame hummus.
It would probably be really yummy if I added something smokey to the sandwich, or maybe I’ll test the waters like Mitri and spread a nutbutter on – sunflower seed butter anyone?
What's that?
I think Matilda approves.
Although my critique hasn’t happened yet, I’ll show it you all anyway. And let me know what you guys think!
I can’t stop laughing at those “coming into the world” pics!
Poor Nectars… poor Katrina’s tongue… but yummy oatmeal!
Thanks so much for the ricotta inspiration!! I have some sitting in my fridge right now and have NO clue what to do with it. But now I do!! Does it taste salty or anything? And how did you put it in your oats like did you cook it or throw it in at the end?
Thanks so much- as you can see I’m a ricotta virgin
http://ajangel25.wordpress.com
So sorry about your burnt tongue – worth it for the treat though, right?
Can’t wait to read about your critique results!!
Aww Matilda
OMG that bar flavour sounds aMAZING.
I love that about probars – you can tell whats in it without looking at the wrapper.
MMMM your fig meals look awesome! I want to try those so bad now.
Oh, and what is that little green duck looking mug? thingy? Lol in the vitatop pic? A chickadee cup? I want one!
AND OMG , that pillow on your oats sounds AWESOME HOLY MOLY!
edamame hummus sounds great.
great fun post
-muffy
omg this was THE breakfast post of ALL breakfast posts. love it. and love the fig action, aren;t they gorgeous? so so good with cream cheese and honey! I roasted mine yesterday with honey & balsamic!! so good.
i NEED to try sunflower seed butter, it sounds amazing!
and, lastly, all of your art stuff makes me so happy. i wish i were artsy haha.
ooo good tip about kabocha! Thanks for the sweet comment
-muffy
wow, that bowl of oats really looks like a pillow. I would like to sleep on that pillow
oh and yeah, figs are the best. It’s so sad they are only available for a short period of time
The art installation pics are SO cool. Thanks for sharing with us.
And girl. Your pictures are so fabulous. I hope you know that.
I’m diggin the yin and yang philosophy.
katharina…i admire your artistic, aesthetic nature. i am the same way. i like things to look pretty and pleasing – which is why sometimes (ahem, on my last post) i hate when there is not the appropriate light and plating and things don’t look as good. it’s the little things
your eats are fab as always – perhaps, could you do a post showing us what items are in your fridge/pantry, just so i can see what you have on hand to make the fabulous concoctions you do?
lots of love to you girl – can’t wait to see more of your beautiful art!
I love all your pictures
So sweet. the ring of figs? beautiful!
and so it matilda<3 awee. and YOU are beautiful too!!
haha, I love those "coming of the world" pics
too funny.
just bought a pro bar! i couldn’t decide on a flavor wish i saw this post before i yesterday hehe…but that impossible
well i got the arts original flavor or something…i cant wait to try it…and next will be the apple! they look so great and so handy for on the go..breakfast or like for me a supplement etc…u know? well anyways…lovvvvedd this post(when do i not 
) ur amazing. and i also just got ricotta! and that oat and banana ricotta looks brilliant beyond brilliant! so doing that asap! figs=love! they had them for 1.99$ foe a case at my market such a good deal.
now i am going to have a afternoon snack. and i was not too hungry before this post, but now i am. thank you lovely lol.
xo
maya
wow your eats are like the best ever! i am so going to be making that ricotta banana soft serve looks amazing, and on oats YUM i was thinking about doing that soon with the banana ss…and yesterday i got a pro bar, i got the cranberry lemon one, well i wish i saw this b/c i was contemplating the apple one, but next i will get the apple one! but first i have to at least try this one lol..well anyways love everything figs YUM my favorite! you are amazing lovie, thank you for such an amazing comment today you are a huge inspiration.
xo
Eliza
I’m so with you on things looking good. Aesthetics are so important! That’s why I always love looking at your pictures! Well and because there is normally amazing food involved! I am in a kabocha frenzy since I had thai red curry with it the other night…so flipping good! I need to buy some!
Good luck with the critique!!
WOW! ok where do i start, first off i really loved the sequence of photos of you getting out of that art thing, and i loved the name of it as well. and your photos always DO look so balanced and awesome, it is obvious you have a knack for art. LOVE the matilda photos as usual. and the food, it looks good too. but mainly the ones of you and matilda
off to see your link!!
wow. that is something amazing girl. you have mad talent! i also loooved matilda’s walk! ahh!
I love when I inspire you! You inspire me every single day love.
Thanks for the tip on the coconut in stir fry. It sounds genious!
And the cabbage, apple, honey mix will be making its way into my belly soon too.
Love ya girly!
OK, I have way too many things to say right now and I’m trying to remember them all…
1) I bought my first buttercup/kabocha squash today (thanks to your tip!) Woot! Can’t wait to make it!
2) Your pic of you coming out of that sculpture head first made me crack up loud! It made me think of that saying, “I’m gonna make like a baby and head out…” HAHAHAHA
3) Did you read my mind? I was planning on making edamame hummus. I even went to TJ’s and bought the groceries for it today. And, that recipe you used was the same one I was using as my inspiration. Insane! I think I am going to tweak the recipe a bit though. When I post it, I will let you know and don’t be surprised if you get a shout out
Couple more things…your breakfast pics are to die for and combining ricotta with frozen banana is genius!
Thanks K for stoppin by my blog and leavin great comments as well as for your kind and flattering awesome comment on PBJ’s site about my yoga guest pose. You rock! I am so thrilled you dig my stuff
And your jar o sun buttah. God when I first started buying that stuff, I could seriously eat 1/3 jar in a sitting. I love it. I have scaled back a bit but yea, it’s delish. The coconut creamer has exp dates about 3-4 weeks in the future BTW to answer your question on my bloggie you left.
Hugs mama, the lunar flow yoga sounds heavenly too :O)
I love your food creations! I have been meaning to try those Probars too.
P.S. ~ Thanks for the kind words about Peanut! He is a little nugget. lol
katharina meine suesse
du bist so wunderschoen. inside out! whenever i come to read thsi blog my heart feels so at peace with myself. i love your attitude. i LOVED the video you made. it unbelievably beautiful and it just shows to me again the wonderful natural beauty that you poses. everyday i try to get more and more of the love that you seem to have for your body for my own body. it seems to me that you have really learned to respect and accept yourself for who you are and that’s what facinates me the most about you. seitdem ich deinen blog lese habe ich wirklich gelernt mein essen zu geniessen, meine geschmaecke auszuprobieren und meinen genuessen nachzugeben.
i cant even say how much this means to me.
sorry to sounds like some freak but i really really mean it!
ganz viele kuesschen an dich und deine suesse matilda
xxx
Thanks for mentioning me
I felt like a celebrity, minus the toy chihuahua and hair extensions.
I have been wanting to try sunflower seed butter suuuu bad, but I am showing some restraint and waiting until I polish off a few of my nut butters. Shouldn’t be long
Well-written and well-photographed as always, good lady ;D
I really love your blog and eats!
I just bought soms edamame (really difficult to get here) and I love hummus. 1+1=2? I will try this recipe after seeing the great result on your blog, love it!
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
I forget-do you have a food processor or just plain ol’ smoothie blender?? Becauseee, I would LOVE to make your version of gena’s banana soft serve, but my mom only has a reg. blender!!! Regardless, i’m going to attempt that over thanksgiving break, it sounds heavenly!
And yes!! Glad you finally own some tj’s sunflower seed butter. Heaven in a jar! It’s the PERFECT addition to any yogurt mess!
omg, those oats look so amazing! what an idea blending the banana with ricotta THEN topping the whole thing on a delish bowl of oats! genious, my dear, genious!
ahh i love sunflower seed butter! so much flavor!
oh my gosh…so many amazing things in this post!! first of all, i have to try sunflower seed butter. i have been seeing it all over the place and it is just getting rave reviews! you are making me want to run to the store right now and get figs too…i honestly don’t think i’ve ever had one, but i can’t wait another day to try that fig/creamcheese/honey/cinn toast. OMG that looks divine. AND those ricotta oats?!?! ok, i need to move away from this post because it is making me want to make a second breakfast!
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