Let’s pretend it’s morning time and you hear mom yell, “breakfast is ready!!!” What do you do? Forget about Saturday morning cartoons and run to the kitchen!
More ricotta goodness.
I blended about a 1/2 cup of ricotta (I used this amount for my “pillow” as well), 2 sliced peaches, and NuNaturals vanilla liquid stevia. I wanted to use it to make a parfait a la K. Alas, you couldn’t see the layers of granola, so I ditched that idea – for aesthetic purposes! I ate it with the last of my Zoe’s Honey Almond Granola, and some more almond joy!
Good morning again!
Then I tried mixing it with peanut butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, pistachio extract, and stevia. The recipe actually called for almond extract, and I suggest to stick to that! The pistachio didn’t do anything for the poor peanut butter. I topped this pillow with Zoe’s Cinnamon Raisin Granola. I looked at the picture and for a split second I thought those raisins were bits of chocolate. That would’ve been perfect with the ricotta and peanut butter pillow!!! Am I right or am I right?
Here I go again!
I just heated up these tomato chunks on the stove with some olive oil, red onions, s+p. That little bowl hiding in the corner is just some good ole’ buttered grits! I didn’t like grits before (maybe because I tried them at Waffle House?), but when I made these at home my mind was changed. Someone asked me once if I like my grits sweet or salty. I can’t imagine eating sweet grits… well, maybe with maple syrup. But I think I prefer salty.
I spy something that should look familiar to you all!
To go with the cheetahs I cooked some kidney beans and broccoli in peanut sauce. The fortune cookie said, “it’s easier to be critical than to be correct.“
I had a sweet potato on hand so I thought it would be appropriate to finally make myself some Cheetahs!
Since I had kidney beans leftover, I searched through my recipes hoping I would find something. Luckily, I stumbled upon an old favorite of mine, Rajma Masala.
I like to go to ethnic stores to buy my spices.
Star anise
Isn’t it crazy how things in nature are shaped??
Rajma Masala, more Cheetahs, and some steamed broccoli with sesame seeds and sesame oil.
The other day, after seeing these on so many blogs, I tried a Sunshine Burger!
I got the Falafel kind. The design on the plate really makes it look like the sun.
I filled a wrap with the Falafel Sunshine burger, spinach, red onion, tomato, and sprouts.
In the bowl you see a mix of NatureNaise, garlic, salt, and lemon juice – topped with a bit of Trader Joe’s cilantro dressing. That was used as the dressing for my falafel wrap. I had to take a bite of the Sunshine burger while it was still naked so I can tell you guys if it actually tasted good without “all that jazz”. Well first of all, I was pleasantly surprised to see kernels of corn! It was really good, but it’s definitely more fun to dress up. You know what is interesting about these burgers – and why they’re called Sunshine Burgers?
“These delicious veggie burgers are made of sunflower seeds and contain absolutely no soy or wheat, which is ideal for gluten free diets.”
I tend to overfill wraps... so I end up eating them like a big, floppy taco.
I'd like a salad and a sandwich please!
It was crazy hot the other day so I opted for a salad. As you can see I’m loving those sprouts I got the other day. What the heck is in my sandwich?
Sunflower seed butter, sprouts, and edamame hummus. On the other half I snuck in some tomato slices with smoke sauce.
I was inspired by Mitri, who has created many interesting sandwiches with various fillings. I wanted to see exactly how an unexpected combination might turn out. Well, I LOVED IT! Both sides were delicious. Try making an interesting sandwich, it’s fun and kind of risky!
Not too long ago, Angharad featured a recipe for arepas on her blog. I can’t express how much I love arepas, and her recipe looked delicious. I didn’t make my own, but my dad brought me some arepas from a Colombian cafe down in Florida.
This variation is called arepa con choclo, which means it's made with sweet corn and farmer's cheese.
A salad to go along with it: romaine, tomato, red onion, roasted potato, sprouts, sesame seeds, and honey mustard dressing.
Last night was probably my favorite dinner this week. I invited my dad over and whipped up this recipe.
"Eggplant dripping with a tomato and ricotta salsa" served with basil polenta, and avocado.
The balsamic vinegar added a smokiness to the tomatoes.
This took me under 30 minutes! I think some day soon I want to film myself cooking a meal.
Since school has involved lots of nighttime studying I’ll show you some of my latenight snacks!
I forgot how much I liked this cereal!
Trader Joe’s sunflower seed butter has been finding it’s way into almost every meal and in between! Here I tried it with a juicy peach.
While taking a break from studying for my Taoism quiz, I tried another VitaTop!
This time I tried the Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTop. I kept in mind that I didn’t want to chips to be totally melted, so I just heated it up for 20 seconds. Then I had to quickly take a picture before the vanilla fro-yo melted. It already started melting though!!! I also had an apple with peanut butter. Oh and the VitaTop with some peanut butter smeared on top brings it up to another level of goodness! I really enjoyed this because when is chocolate and peanut butter not a winning combination?
Fro-yo was defeated by the yummy, ooey-gooey, and warm VitaTop.
The chips remind me of mud-baths on top of a mountain. What kind of place would this be? “Bathe in melted peanut butter, then relax atop Mt. Chocolate and enjoy the view of the world below.” Oh and the vanilla fro-yo would be a cloud since Mt. Chocolate is really tall!
Roomie's friend baked some banana bread.
Hey Lauren, do you see that jar in the back? Yup, it’s empty! I can only find McCutcheon’s apple butter, and I forgot to have my dad buy some and bring it up from Florida. I guess I’ll just have them send me a “care package” hehe. Getting snailmail and packages is such an exciting thing!
There have been a couple of things that have been on my mind lately. I touched on it a couple posts ago, how I feel that my responsibleness makes it hard for me to relate to people my age and vice versa. I was talking to a friend the other day about self-motivation and how it’s a hard thing to come across among college students. I don’t expect others to handle situations like me, but it gets frustrating when I hear people around me complain but they don’t actually do anything about it. I was wondering, what are some ways that you guys motivate yourself? Do any of you have some sort of mantra? It could be about anything really, even getting your foot out the door! Because sometimes all you want to do is lie in bed all day. By the way, those kinds of days I feel should be prescribed sometimes, no ifs ands or buts!
Happy Friday everyone!!!
I have cheetahs in the oven right now
Sunshine Burgers are incredible.
My mantra/motivation = just do what works for you.
I don’t relate to a lot of folks my age (I’m seriously a 40-year-old trapped in 21-year-old body, haha
), so I just try to live MY life and worry less about what others are doing. I’m still learning to do that.
Can I cuddle up on your ricotta pillow? I’m suuu hitting on you right now.
That’s funny you mentioned grits; I keep thinking about them lately. But I don’t even remember if I liked them, and do I really want to buy a whole box? Who knows. THAT is a tough decision 
I’m glad your sandwich experiment didn’t turn into a disaster. I refuse to be held accountable for provoking sammie misadventures.
As for the motivation issue– I definitely have days when I wish all I could do was nothing, but I’m very driven. I just don’t see the point in not trying to do one’s best or enjoying one’s life as much as possible, which for me involves working hard and achieving goals both in and out of school/job. But most people our age, or probably any age, don’t seem to be like that (and thus result to negatively connotative words like “overachiever” because you “raise the bar too high for everyone else”). I don’t have a mantra, but I agree with VeggieGirl. I have to remind myself that my life is mine, and I will live it in a way that is best for me, regardless of what others think.
You are the ricotta queen!! I had ricotta on oatmeal the way you made it.. GENIUS! I am in love. I think we should be best friends! haha. For those breakfasts where you used 1/2 cup is that oatmeal underneath or just plain ricotta? I think I want it for lunch now! mmm! Oh and do you get part skim or skim or full fat?
I can’t relate to people my age either. Nobody even realizes I’m 18 because I’m more mature than most 18 year olds! I basically just try to remember who I am and worry about how I want to live my life- not how others want me to!
http://ajangel25.wordpress.com
I had this awesome math teacher in high school, he was from Australia, and probably the best teacher I ever had (and I hate math, so this is saying something!) He was so patient and wise and hilarious, even when trying to figure geometry proofs nearly brought me to tears some days! Anyway, one of his favorite things to say when anyone was having a bad day was, “oh, some days are just meant for hiding under your duna.” (a duna is some type of Australian comforter thing, lol)
What you said at the end of your post reminded me of that – some days are just crappy and you need to take it easy and be gentle with yourself. I think this is the key to having motivation to doing great things on OTHER days, ya know ?
But that being said, little things like waking up early, playing some good music, journalling, etc. are all things I’m learning make the day more happy and motivating for me.
I have a hard time relating to others my age too
hehe thanks for your comment on my post, I’m glad you enjoyed reading it… yeah life is an adventure. so that means you must be adventurous, right 
have a good day!
♥ chandra @ http://www.prettytimepiece.wordpress.com
blended ricotta – i never would have thought about that!
i agree with liz – ya just got live your life. no matter what you do, its going to piss off people and make them mad. you can’t please everyone…so ya gots to please yourself!
lovely eats. how did the quiz go? hopefully swimmingly swell. enjoy your weekend dear!
Your food is seriously over the top INSANE AMAZING INCREDIBLE! The eggplant ricotta creation with polenta and avocado?!!? And then the oatmeal ricotta pb granola? And edaname hummus and sunflower seed (I am OBSESSED too) sandwich!?! You are seriously the best chef of da blog world! Oh ya, can’t forget the cheetah love!
I have diff mantras for stuff fosho! Well I say that with full-confidence but this week when I had a rash all over my bod, I was being such a baby about it! But then my mom was like, “Brooke, you have to be BRAVE and not freak out about it because you will look back and ask yourself why you wasted time being so negative about something so small!” True dat! And when I am running, I always tell myself that it is what? 30 minutes out of my life?? I HAVE TO finish and feel good!
you have to stop with the marathon posts of epicness because i get overloaded with ideas and i am about to burst at the seams with amazement. i am not lying. but i will go over a few items that really struck my fancy..
*the way you made those tomato chunks
*star anise. so cute.
*i got a coupon for sunshine burgers! i need to go snag a box
*yay for sprouty lovin!
*”"Eggplant dripping with a tomato and ricotta salsa” served with basil polenta, and avocado.” uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
incredible.
thanks for the fabulous afternoon reading, have an amazing weekend beautiful!!
hot damnnnn girl — do you ever get sick of eating such fab food??
in the famous words of ms. Dori from finding Nemo “just keep swimming, just keep swimming” try your hardest, focus on you, and do whatever makes you happy
your eats look really beautiful! i agree star anise is so…surprisingly perfect.
Jesus christ woman, can you cook for me? Ok the cheetos, love the 450 F oven action. I have been doin it at 400 F (covered) and I am not getting the spots quick enough and the taters are getting mushy but no spots. I already pre-chunked some taters for tonite so no pretty rounds, but will try your strategy.
Tomatoes & edamame were a staple in my diet for years…til I found out that I am actually soy intolerant and can no longer do soy.
Speaking of which, if you can still hang w/ soy, the Veganaise spreads are good if youre lookin for an option to naturenaise.
And your star anise…so beautiful. Nature is glorious isnt it!
As for being too responsible…you’re younger than me but when I was in college and younger, I was always the grandma responsible one. I am still like that. I always take over and do everything so I know it gets done, and done right. I wish I could let go more, but you’re not alone. It’s a bitch bein’ responsible sometimes, isn’t it
Thx for showing the love on my bloggie!
Oh, the little almond star is so cute! You have such pretty breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts! Your dad was so lucky to be invited to dinner! It looked fabu! And you are right about the wacky sandwiches. Sometimes you just gotta take a risk and mix it up. You just never know when you’ll hit the jackpot! Still gotta make my edamame hummus. Can’t wait! Oh and I was reading about star anise last night – too funny!
Your food photography skills are LEGIT haha I am so jealous/wooed by your artsiness. That eggplant looks amazing, and so does the polenta! I need to try your polenta pizza… and YOU, my dear, need to try ice cream oats!
Have a great weekend!
Yum to that breakfast! It’s just the taste that matters – layers or not! PB pillow sounds so heavenly!!
Arepas look like something that I HAVE to try! They look so tasty, I can’t miss out on that. Those ‘lay in bed’ days are a MUST in my world – I’m all about the mental health. I don’t really have a mantra or anything. If I want something to get done, I just do it but that’s the control freak inside of me!
my head is always spinning after ur wonderful posts just so much amazing eats and creations, i love it all!
i have some ricotta that needs to be used
ill let u know if i make the blended ricotta, or if its a breekie i suppose u will see it on my blog 
ur breakfast picture is so beautiful makes me want to jump into the computer and be there! morning, so sunny and bright and cheery! love.
i really want to get the falafel sunshine burgers! love sunshine burgers so good! Arepas, i think i saw a special on the food network way back hahah on them…they look and sound so yummy!
i have a hard time relating to other people my age too, they all seem so carefree and nonchalant, and i guess with my issues, i just feel like i have so much more on my plate (pun not intended
than them, like my friend she is always stressed over silly things and i am stressed if i will end u in hospital. idk.
but my mantra well i have many..’anything is possible’ , ‘if not now when?if not when, now!’ and as vg said my life is mine, i hold the power and have it in my hands…
i have soo many days when i just dont feel like trying and i must push myself alot. but yes we all have those days and we are entitled to them!
love you and have a great weekend! yayay!
xo
maya
always love your posts, your eats look amazing, sunshine burgers=love, i love the ingredients in them so so healthy and pure, but i must try this new falafel one, ive been dying to try it, it looks so good! love falafel-y things
and the new breakfast one also looks great too.
you are amazing lovie, your comments are always my fav, and i love reading what you write on your blog and on comments, you seem like such a cute and just such a wonderful person, which i know you are.
my mantra is… well i have a lot but i like just to affirm that everything will be okay, but when i say that i say it as if it already happened like wow i cant believe how happy i am now that i am blank…:)
xo have a great night
Eliza
i know just what to pair my polenta with tonight katharina
thank you for that. hihi
aww late night snacks are the best. i love the peace and quiteness that comes with the sunset.
can you believe i’ve never had ricotta before? i guess i really need to try it in honour of you my love. oh and i need to see if i can find me some sunshine burgers here in singapore. they sound delishious.
also mein suesses maeuschen, ich wuensche dir ein wunderschoenes wochenende!
oh and i managed to take a photo of a pomelo for you. i’ll post on my next post just for you so you know how it looks
hdl
xx
how do you make EVERYTHING loook so artistic and pretty? You’ve got a talent in food styling! Ever consider that?
I motivate myself…hmm…actually, never even really thought abt HOW I motivate myself…I’ve always been born motivated! Is that an inherent thing do you think?
sweetie! your posts make me realize how much i miss blogging. you’re amazing. and trust me, i’m always reading your new posts! they are l-o-v-e. your creativity and positive energy is so captivating! i hope you never hold back from being ”you”. even if that means having one, two, or even one hundred less friends. we all belong somewhere. but we have to search for that opportunity. i know for me, i get along with others who are older (boys and girls). levels of maturity, and also knowing what you do/dont want makes all the difference. so whenever im feeling low, i think of ”where do i want to be in 5 years? make it happen brooke! nothing in life is easy.” so i do something beneficial. i always feel better just knowing i tried that day.
i miss you and your comments. mwah!
love you,
XOb.
p.s i’m still obsessing over your gorgeous hair…would you ever be open to exchanging your coconut oil-loving/hair care secrets?
p.p.s love your banana-ricotta creation!!! it will go down in blogger history.
Hey I just found your blog and I love it. Your oatmeal, yogurt mixs, dinners, and late night snacks are super tasty lookings and creative!!!! Can’t wait to read more! Stop by my blog and say hello!!
I know I already commented, but I just wanted to let you know I passed a “Kreativ Award” onto you today.
Your food always looks so yummy. I am a huge fan of all things roasted/baked – particularly sweet potatoes and butternut squash.
I agree the sunshine falafel burgers are pretty good plain but even better when spruced up- you’re wrap looks awesome!
Hope you are out enjoying the lovely weather today.
mmm I have ricotta pillow envy! All your meals always look so edgy, healthy and delicious!
ahh! i dont even no where to start.
from the first to the last.. everything looks so delicous!
you are a creative kat
i definatly need you to cook me up somethin’
oh yum. i love that ricotta business at the top. seriously. is there anything more divine. good call on the pb. isn’t weird how finicky pistachios are? they are lost or get soggy and completely lose their cool in so many ways. happy monday, katharina!
p.s. re: grits, go click on tomato recipes on my blog. super tasty grits with heirloom tomato confit and collard pesto (inspired by YOUR hometown)
p.s.s. come visit us immediately please. the cooking classes start in october, and believe when i say that an extra set of hands is always appreciated.
all that food looks so fantastic!
Oh my good god! Your arepas with the farmer’s cheese look amazingly good! I want to make them again and have them stuffed with cheddar – cheese makes everything better!!
I also am completely besotted by your eggplant dish. I just got given a couple eggplants by a friend and have been brainstorming recipes for tonight. Yum to yours – it looks incredible!