Treating Yourself Like Royalty

Since it’s NEDA week I wanted to write about treating ourselves not just with respect, but with love and kindness. Honoring yourself. Harboring negative energy towards others, and especially yourself, is a waste of time. Life is too fleeting to dwell on things. So what does giving myself the royal treatment mean to me? Living life beautifully and to the fullest. Accepting the good and the bad without getting my head wrapped tightly around the latter. Just being. Being who I am and not feeling shame. Never contain your spirit–just let it be free! Moreover, I love to surround myself with things that make me happy: friends and family, the arts… creativity, imaginations, comforting smells, spirituality, and delicious food. The list could go on, but I don’t think we’ve got all day. But here’s how I started my Wednesday!

Crumbled goodness

That particular morning I decided to try Betty Lou’s Apple Cinnamon Fruit Bar… let me just call it an apple pie because that’s what it tasted like!!! Note: All of their fruit bars are “gluten-free / low-fat / vegan / wheat-free / soy-free / corn-free / dairy-free.” You can definitely have these fruits bars alone but I had it with yogurt, a diced apple, and Sunland’s caramel peanut butter. I also spread some coconut oil on the bar before I crumbled it because I’m Katharina and that’s what I do. “In conclusion”, this breakfast was superb! Can you tell that I’m enjoying working my way through the amazing  Betty Lou’s sampler package? I really can’t thank them enough.

Then I got ready for Crit day 2.
Check out the pockets!
Acting like a diva is a sure way to wake anyone up!

My professor actually gave me an extension on my piece because he could tell that I hadn’t finished developing it. RELIEF! I was not looking forward to the critique because of that. But thank you all for your kind words on it!!! I will definitely keep you all updated on how the piece ends up transforming. I’m also working on a video right now, and my next sculpture piece.

Thank goodness for leftovers because I came home a very hungry girl after the crit.

I had the last of the Amy’s cheese & pesto pizza. However, this time I decided to throw on some cooked butternut squash. Adding my own twist to pre-packaged food is something I usually do, but I wanted to give the pizza itself a try first.

Tried some new granola bars!

Nancy, over at Granola Gourmet, kindly sent me a sampler package of two of their bars: brownie and spiced orange cranberry. These bars contain no sodium, no wheat, nor dairy. Moreover, they are also safe for diabetics since they have a low glycemic level, and they boast 391 mg of Omega 3′s per serving. So what’d I think?

Brownie: It was definitely rich and chocolatey! I was expecting it to be dry but it surprisingly was not. I also enjoyed the chewy and dense texture of this bar. I also advise drinking this with a delicious glass of milk.

Spiced Orange Cranberry: The orange flavor in this bar was very prominent. I felt it undermined the cranberry flavor and I couldn’t quite make out what was spiced about it. However, the moistness was very nice to bite into, and it didn’t crumble everywhere!

The recipe I was making called for grated nutmeg.

And water chestunuts.

I popped a few in my mouth while prepping. I just love how crunchy they are! Now, what the heck was I making?

Butternut Squash with Carmelized Onions, Chestnuts, and Sage Breadcrumbs

This was one of the recipes from the Veganomicon that popped out at me when I was browsing through it for the first time.

Digging in!
This snack tasted deliciously decadent.

The other day I also attempted to make April’s famous protein brownie batter. This is one chica I definitely trust when it comes to recipes. And it’s amazing because she comes up with so many of these! I used chocolate protein powder and banana peanut butter to make mine. This was so decadent and satisfying to eat. I think I’m going to try vanilla protein powder with cashew butter next.

Dinner is served.

I had the casserole, a chunk of focaccia, raw kale, and olive oil + balsamic vinegar + cracked pepper for dipping!

It was time for the delicious butternut squash casserole to get in my belly.

This recipe was delicious but next time I will follow their advice and serve it with some holiday cranberry sauce. A tinge of tangy-sweetness would definitely bring this to another level. I loved the textures in this! The crunchy water chestnuts, the soft butternut squash and cannellini beans, and the perfectly caramelized onion all topped off with an aromatic sage breadcrumb crust… yum!

Life is so much more enjoyable when you love your mind, body, and soul. So this is me wishing you a positive outlook on the beauty that you possess.

Winter Days

Many of you asked me about the brown rice cream in my last post. The company Erewhon makes it and you can order it online or check to see if it’s at your local grocer. It’s a really great 100% organic creamy cereal that’s a bit heartier than cream of wheat and is also gluten-free.

On the topic of answering questions, if anybody has any others for me regarding anything, don’t be afraid to ask! I’d be more than happy to answer.

The heavenly smell of the caramelized banana was wafting through my apartment.

This bowl = Oikos yogurt + Udi’s Hawaiian granola + caramelized banana + Sunland’s banana peanu butter. Let me remind you what’s in the Hawaiian granola (which is my favorite by the way)… ginger-toasted macadamias, pineapple, and coconut. I also did something special to the yogurt–sweetened it and also added a bit of coconut extract to give it an extra tropical flair. Yuuuuum!

I quickly put together this lunch before my Literary Journalists class.

The rest of the Health Valley vegetarian chili mixed in with bulgur wheat, hickory smoke sauce, corn, and mushrooms. I also had a side of steamed kale tossed in olive oil.

Something new to try...

Remember when I found the new caramel Oikos flavor in my last post? My first thought when I saw it I was disappointed because it looked like the plain yogurt. But then it occurred to me that it was probably at the bottom of the cup. Correct-o-mundo! First I tried it alone and I have to recommend this to everyone! There was nothing weird or funky about this. The caramel and the Greek yogurt blended together smoothly and tasted so yummy together. It’s sweet indeed, but it didn’t have an artificial taste.

Then it hit me--combine a diced jazz apple with the caramel Oikos...

And another idea hit me!

I wanted nuts but also something crunchier. Solution? Top it all off with vanilla & almond granola. Caramel apple much? This was refreshing and full of flavor!

For my to-go dinner I used a Sabra to-go cup and mixed in some pesto and cumin.

Thanks to my friend for giving me these Sabra to-go cups--mixed in some pesto and cumin.

Trader Joe's handmade flour tortilla + pesto & hummus + veggies + cilantro

I had to go to photoshoot that night for a Valentine’s Day ad for a hip restaurant around here. I’ll let you guys know when the pictures come out! It was very different to be the one in front of the lens, but so much fun!

The other day when I saw hot cocoa in Holly's post I made some that night and I stumbled upon something I miraculously forgot!

Maya’s homemade marshmallows she sent me awhile back! How did I forget I still had some left? Well I knew just what I wanted to use them for. I already knew they were delicious alone and with hot cocoa, so I wanted to incorporate them into my favorite meal of the day. I made a bowl of oatmeal with chocolate protein powder, hot cocoa mix, coconut oil, and topped them with the lovely marshmallows. On the side I also had a sliced apple with Sunland’s caramel peanut butter.

They started to melt right in!

I made a tzatziki sauce with of Oikos plain Greek yogurt + other various ingredients.

The recipe can be found here! I also added in a bit more garlic because I’m a lover.

Such a refreshing lunch... in the middle of winter!

I made a falafel wrap and a salad on the side–both topped with fresh and creamy tzatziki. The falafels I made the other day were definitely winners!

So. Good. I literally stopped everything to just sit and enjoy every bite of this wrap.

More snacking on the go!

I got back in touch with autumnal flavors with the Maple Pecan Boomi Bar. I was asked to go shopping with a guy friend of mine. He said he needed a lady’s expertise to find the right button-down shirt. Too funny!

Strike a pose!

And then I was asked if I could be treated to coffee. Yes please!

We both ordered soy cappuccinos and I dusted mine with the dolce spice. Not sure what it is, but it sure smelled good!

I love foam!

After finding the perfect button-down and some other things we headed back home, but he had to make a quick stop at Trader Joe’s. What?! I got to go twice in one week! One of the cashiers swore he saw me riding my bike on a road I know I probably wasn’t cruising down recently. I’ve been told many times that I have a doppleganger walking around. Hmm?

I woke up to this today!

Matilda had on three layers for her morning walk.

Check out my super stylin' babe!

Blinded by the light!

A whole new world.

She kind of looks like a little old man hehe.

Matilda is so tiny!

At some point Matilda let us know that walking time was over so I picked her up and ran back home to warm my poor baby up.

Then I started to prepare a hearty meal for us--perfect for a snow day.

Such a comforting meal.

I just started to cook things that I felt would be delicious together. I cooked some bulgur wheat. Then sauteed onions and garlic with curry and cumin. Then I added the water and red lentils, bay leaves, diced tomatoes, green peas, hickory smoke, vegan Worcestershire, and red miso paste. After it was all done simmering I mixed the bulgur wheat, lentils, and swirled in some coconut oil for the final touch.

Here is some exciting news that I have to share with you all. Remember in my last post I talked about being very busy but enjoying what I’m doing and trying new things? Well recently I went to a model call for a local boutique around here. They’re hosting a fashion show featuring local talents and what not. I decided to give it a try and people of all sizes could come! I seriously thought I wouldn’t get a call back because I was lacking that “model attitude” when I did my walk, but maybe they saw something in me because I got a call back and I’m in!

I hope all of you are enjoying your weekends whether you’re snowed in, bundled up, or soaking up the sun even! Tonight I plan on going bar “crawling” through the snow with some friends. Should be fun!

Food, not the bad four letter F-word

Thank you all for your kind and honest words! It seems I’m not alone, but I didn’t think I was really. There’s a condition called “seasonal depression” – I think this feeling, however, is totally natural. All seasons have a purpose and I think our personalities go with the cycle. We rest, recuperate, and comfort our souls. Then when spring and summer come around we’re bursting at the seams with energy and vibrance!

Anyway, let’s eat, shall we?

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Friday night dinner

I didn’t do much cooking for dinner, but it was so good nonetheless. I baked some kale chips and served them with Gardein “chicken” tenders, and Newman’s Own Organic pretzel sticks. To polish it off I had an Original Hermit topped with sunflower seed butter – yum! The Gardein “chicken” tenders were actually quite delicious and I do recommend them. They didn’t taste like those freaky mock meats that make me do a double take on the ingredient list. You can find them at Whole Foods, but I’d also check your local grocer as well just in case.

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This is my sketchbook... or actually where I write down my ideas for projects.

I’m currently working on creating a peaceful environment for myself. Not necessarily something that’s sacred, but somewhere I just feel comfortable. I’ll be setting it up, documenting, and doing things with it in open fields around my area.

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Up close and personal!

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Crispy apples

For breakfast I prepared a bowl of Brown Rice Cream with raisins. After I was done cooking it, I topped it with a chopped apple, pumpkin pie spice, NuNaturals vanilla liquid, Artisana almond butter. It was missing something though. That’s when it hit me! Maple & Apple syrup! Personally, I wasn’t too keen on Artisana’s almond butter.

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I decided to get a little fashionable for my Saturday morning class with a pair of cool tights!

My breakfasts never hold me over for the entire class which goes till 11:40. And I always forget to bring a snack! Today someone did a presentation on Japanese gore films, and I was still ravenous despite seeing all that gross stuff. Oh my gosh I can’t even explain how disgusting the clips the guy showed us were. I can usually handle things like that, but this was too much. Anyway! When I got home I knew just what I wanted to make. I put on a big band record on the turn table, and me and my roommate prepared our lunches side-by-side.

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With all the bread I have now, I knew I'd be making a sandwich.

I cooked some portobello slices, red onion, garlic, and tomato in a balsamic vinegar reduction with black pepper. Then I spread on some goat cheese on one slice and toasted it all in the oven. I used two slices of French Meadow Bakery’s new Our Daily Bread – awesome sandwich bread! Once it was done toasting I snuck in some basil for the finish touch. For the kale I wanted to try something different. I sautéed it in olive oil with raisins, toasted pine nuts, sherry cooking wine, and seasoned it well. Afterwards I grated some parmesan on top. Delicious! Delicious! Yum yum yum.

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So freaking good.

I was actually browsing for awesome sandwich ideas and I stumbled upon this little gem I thought I’d share with all of you: Vegetarian Sandwiches to Take to Work .

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And to finish my meal I savored a piece of chocolate.

I decided to try the Orange Dark Chocolate sample the people at Newman’s Own Organics sent me. This was delightful! I usually have a hard time letting things just melt away in my mouth – like hard candy. But chocolate has never been a problem, especially if it’s a good one!

Today I ran a lot of errands and got some things to start my latest sculpture project. Dinner time rolled around and I whipped out The Accidental Vegetarian once again.

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Gnocchi with wild mushroom and rosemary ragu

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Simon Rimmer be my best friend, please?

This was, too put it lightly, absolutely delectable. I didn’t use regular red wine when making the ragu, since I only had sangria on hand. But it’s safe to say that the sangria did no harm. The hint of citrus might’ve amped the flavors a bit – but in a good way.

So this leads me to today’s truth…

I love food!

Great Things Come in Small Packages

Photo 510

Bahaha an old warped picture from Photobooth - because it's Friday and everyone's smile should be that big!

Oats with bananas mashed in + Asian Pear + biscotti + cashew butter

Oats with bananas mashed in + Asian pear + biscotti + cashew butter

I am just going to do all my posts like this: breakfast-y foods first, then the rest just fall in place.

Waffle Pancake Wednesday

Waffle Pancake Wednesday

On the side is a chocolate protein shake I made with mixed berries and rolled oats for kicks.

I had pancakes for breakfast on Wednesday instead of waffles, Janetha.

These pancakes were HUGE! Almost the size of a plate. So I cut one in half and decided to do two different toppings. One side has coconut oil, apple slices, cinnamon, and confectioner’s sugar with nutmeg. The other half was just buttered, apple slices, cinnamon, and maple syrup. I sprinkled the last of my rolled oats on the whole shebang. I kept alternating between the two because I loved both sides equally. But which side was lucky enough to be my last bite?

Last week I received a package in the mail!

Last week I received a package in the mail!

I’m sure you guys have seen Late July at your grocery store, but have you tried their stuff out? They’re organic snacks and a very family oriented company. Companies that care are an A+ in my book. I was sent their new Mini Sandwich Cookies to try out. The flavors are: milk chocolate and white chocolate. The website says that they are melt in your mouth good, and I agree. I also enjoyed washing down these cookies with a warm glass of almond milk. Yes, these are tiny (my hands are just bigger now that I’m a “big kid”), but it’s so fun to feel little again. If any of you Mommies or Daddies out there are trying to shy your kids away from chemical-laden treats, but don’t want to eliminate sweets – these are worth trying!

Cute!

Cute!

“Seven different endangered animals are featured on the cookies and 10% of the profits go to the Jane Goodall Institute to help with their efforts in endangered animal awareness.”

My favorite grilled cheese sandwich!

My favorite grilled cheese sandwich!

I hope by now you all know what’s in this sandwich. Mango chutney + cheddar cheese. Rather than using pumpernickel bread -which I didn’t have- I used 2 slices of the Spelt loaf I bought last week. While eating this sandwich I realized this bread is the perfect grilled cheese bread. I’ve said it before, but bakery bread just tastes so good. But I’d imagine the best bread would come straight out of Mia’s oven! What’s that peeking in to the left of the sandwich?

Why hello there tasty salad.

Why hello there tasty salad.

While Kim and I were in the kitchen making dinner, she offered me some of her Lime tortilla chips. Then I thought, this would be awesome on my salad! I love edamame, and after seeing edamame hummus at Trader Joe’s I want to make some of my own.

Lately, I’ve been making myself a cup of agua de panela with a squeeze of lemon juice. What’s panela? It’s whole cane sugar, basically, unrefined sucrose. I just googled it, and this how someone described it, “a sweetener that tastes like a cross between molasses and brown sugar.”

I bought this box last time I went down to Colombia.

I bought this box last time I went down to Colombia.

Running low, uh oh.

Running low, uh oh.

I’m sure you can find this at a Latin food market. Who knows, with the international food aisles the chain supermarkets have now, you may even find it there!

A Jamaican inspired meal.

A Jamaican inspired meal.

While browsing the internet for tempeh recipes, I came upon one for Jamaican jerk tempeh. I’ve always wanted to try jerk something, so of course I decided to give this recipe a whirl. I found some others that asked for apricot juice instead of OJ. I think apricot is a better choice because of the sweetness. Since I didn’t have a lot of those spices on hand (crazy!) I used my tea masala. Tea masala has a bunch of Indian spices. I served it on brown rice I cooked with cinnamon, and once served I mixed in coconut oil. On the side I made a tomato, cucumber, and onion salad.

Since I baked the tempeh and it was rather dry, I spread on some tamarind-date chutney.

Since I baked the tempeh and it was rather dry, I spread on some tamarind-date chutney.

Such an exciting meal with an array of flavors. Sweet, citrusy, savoury, and a spicy kick.

I’ve been making more use of my toaster oven, now that I discovered that I can actually bake with it.

Toasted kabocha seeds with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Toasted kabocha seeds with brown sugar and cinnamon.

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I baked the kabocha with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar then sprinkled some of it’s seeds for decoration. Then I assembled some Ak-mak crackers, spread some creamy gorgonzola, agave, red onion, Asian pear slices, and a sprinkling of more cinnamon. I haven’t had these Armenian crackers in so long! They’ve been sitting in my cabinet and I forgot all about them. It took me forever to finish this plate. An hour later I realized I was still eating. I find that when I eat alone, I finish rather quickly. But with this meal I took my time, and I didn’t even have to try.

So here’s my heart to heart for you guys:

The topic I want to share with you all is about “being on top of things.” There are responsibilities that I can’t ignore; like taking care of my beloved Matilda. I’m ready, but it’s hard when others around me don’t quite get it. Which is why I probably feel more at ease around older people because they don’t see my responsibleness as pooping on the party. But there is a crazy, fun-loving side to me as well! I’m starting to get it back. I think I explained before that I went through a period in my life where I became overly practical and cut out so many things. It was such a bleak moment, simply a moment… that I don’t want to go back to. I enjoy the feeling that I get from knowing that I’m flourishing again and walking down the street with my head up high and shoulders back ready to take on whatever is ahead of me.

Oh, and to fill you guys in on my school shtuff:

Not suppose to be eating in my studio!

Not suppose to be eating in my studio!

In that big tupperware I layered a lot of kabocha, brown rice + coconut oil, and leftovers from my Jamaican jerk tempeh with tamarind-date chutney. And a little jar of roasted seeds!

Next week is my first critique of the semester in my main sculpture class. I’m kind of nervous because I’m making a video for it, and I know that some people might be like… why didn’t she make a sculpture? Well, I might make one – I just haven’t really thought of anything yet. I don’t really search for ideas, they just come to me. Hopefully, as I’m editing the video I’ll be knocked out of my chair by an idea that hit me!

Staring contest crotch shot

Staring contest or crotch shot

Nanana booboo

Na-na-na-na-boo-boo, getting ready to do upward dog.

Stay tuned for the next post because I plan on featuring a culinary adventure I will be attempting tonight. Happy Friday everyone!

When Life Gives You Awesome Bread

Make sandwiches!

But first let me start out with the little treat.

A cold Milano cookie.

A cold Milano cookie.

I’ve never had these before, and this is what I think. Where have I been?!

A nice thick slice of Sullivan St. Bakery's multi-grain pullman bread.

A nice thick slice of Sullivan St. Bakery's multi-grain pullman bread.

I love cream cheese with fruit preserves. By the way, Crofter’s has a new line that I’ve been dying to try. I discovered that a thing such as yumberries exist! So far I’ve tried two of these flavors, and I must say they are full of fruity goodness. I love when fruit spreads have actual fruits in them!

Super cute jars!

Super cute continent jars!

A breakfast sandwich with bananas, peanut butter, and pumpkin butter.

An incredible breakfast sandwich with bananas, peanut butter, and pumpkin butter.

The multi-grain bread also worked well with more savoury ingredients as well.

Topped with pepper jack - accompanied by zucchini with sweet-n-sour cashews, and black beans and corn with chunks of Hanover tomatoes.

Topped with pepper jack - accompanied by zucchini with sweet-n-sour cashews, and black beans and corn recipe with chunks of Hanover tomatoes.

If you guys haven’t tried it yet, I suggest you put cumin on your black beans along with garlic.

A homemade bulgur veggieburger.

A homemade bulgur veggieburger with lime mayonnaise.

Now that school is back in session, I have been making recipes that I can store and don’t mind having leftovers. As you can see I’ve got a wonderful array of fresh vegetables! I’ve been reading everyone’s posts about the transition of summer to fall. I’m going to miss my salads dearly. I absolutely love buying a large head of romaine, and creating some wonderful salads with it. Adding corn is a must! I’ve even added frozen corn, and to me it’s even more satisfying on those hot summer days.

After taking a bite I thought scooping some corn kernels would be the perfect touch!

After taking a bite I thought scooping some corn kernels would be the perfect touch!

Speaking of salads. My roommate spotted an incredible dressing that I highly suggest you pick up at your nearest Trader Joe’s!

Cilantro Salad Dressing

Cilantro Salad Dressing

A salad for the heck of it!

A salad for the heck of it!

Now on to the next loaf of bread – the pane de ruccia. That’s the bread I was holding above my head like the holy grail in my last post. It’s 70% sourdough and 30% wholegrain. What does this mean to me? Well, I don’t judge by numbers, I’m just judging by taste! Is there some sort of genie that can grant me a wish – oh say… make this bread last forever?

A delicious snack

A delicious snack

I spread some creamy gorgonzola, grilled an Asian pear, then drizzled honey atop and sprinkled some almond bits for the finishing touch!

I also tried out Trader Joe's peanut satay sauce.

I also tried out Trader Joe's peanut satay sauce.

This sandwich is demanding a close-up!

This sandwich is demanding a close-up!

I layered on some homemade chipotle-tomato spread, grilled eggplant, melted provolone, tomato slices, avocado, red onion, and cilantro. I might as well just say it right now, but I have become sandwich queen!

This is where the cilantro craze started.

This is where the cilantro craze started.

Another diva sandwich!

Another diva sandwich!

For this sandwich I followed the Spiced-Up Grilled Cheese recipe I found on The Kitchen Sink blog. I wish I had used the New York cheddar though.

More eggplant goodness, and I used the chipotle "ketchup" to dip these crispy eggplant chunks.

More eggplant goodness, and I used the chipotle "ketchup" to dip these crispy eggplant chunks.

I made a spread with avocado, nutritional yeast, yogurt, and cumin.

I made a spread with avocado, nutritional yeast, yogurt, and cumin.

Pumpkin butter, gorgonzola, and red onions. Kept company by

Pumpkin butter, creamy gorgonzola, and red onions. Kept company by some veggies and a dipping sauce I made with nutritional yeast, miso, ketchup, and I forgot what else- oops!

More bulgur veggieburger goodness! Cauliflower and corn with peanut sauce.

More bulgur veggieburger goodness! Cauliflower and corn with peanut sauce.

Okay, so I must share this recipe with you guys. Especially for all you folks looking for foods to make ahead of time out of convenience. I followed a recipe for Bulgur Veggieburgers with Lime Mayonnaise from Gourmet.com - which is an incredible source for delicious recipes! It was so much fun making these, and I got to bust out my new mini food-processor my parents got me. I was honestly surprised at how well these turned out because last time I tried to make any sort of patty, they sadly ended up being crumbly. Moreover, they were so easy to make!

Lots of layers.

Lots of layers.

Yummy mush

Yummy mush

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes! More bread.

Cream cheese with apple slices and cinnamon.

Cream cheese with apple slices and cinnamon.

I put some red onion after taking a bite and coming to the conclusion that something was missing.

I put some red onion after taking a bite and coming to the conclusion that something was missing.

I used that Creme of Dates and Almonds I found at Dean & Deluca.

I used that Creme of Dates and Almonds I found at Dean & Deluca.

On top of some cream cheese, and the other slice just has butter.

On top of some cream cheese, and the other slice just has natural butter.

Another note, I suggest – for cream cheese – not to use the diet kinds. I don’t know why, but out of all those diet-y products, I think the cream cheese ones shouldn’t exist. They’re really horrible tasting. Personally, I stray away from diet-type products in general because they usually have far less taste than the regular products, and way more ingredients*. Sorry if I sound like I’m on a high horse. Just putting in my two cents.

Gosh, I have so much to catch you guys up on! It’s just hard since school started, but I promise I will get you guys up to speed. I have so much that I want to share!

Matilda in her kangaroo pouch I use for our bike rides together.

Matilda in her kangaroo pouch I use for our bike rides together.

I’m sending you all lots of love and hugs!

*In the end it all comes down to taste. If you like it, and it happens to be something with a longer ingredient list than the wait at the doctors – then that’s okay too! Non-diet foods are just my personal preference because they generally taste better, and are more filling.

Get To the Good Part Already!

So guys I know I said I would post Part 3 today. But I’m going to be like those evil soap operas and leave you hanging. Don’t worry though, I will do it tomorrow. Not! Just kidding. Anyway, this is what I’ve been doing in the kitchen lately.

I figured out that pepper jack cheese and apple butter taste awesome together.

I figured out that pepper jack cheese and apple butter taste awesome together.

Can I get a what what?

But I didn't forget about my beloved grilled mango chutney and cheddar cheese sandwich.

But I didn't forget about my beloved grilled mango chutney and cheddar cheese sandwich.

Eggplant, avocado, tomato sauce, topped with Katie's vegan alfredo sauce.

Eggplant, avocado, tomato sauce, topped with Katie's vegan alfredo sauce.

I used the last of Katie’s sauce I made. This is not a farewell, just… see you later! Definitely a keeper.

And now presenting a real kitchen experiment! As most of you know, Katie is hosting a pancake making bonanza! She’s encouraging all of us to get creative and dream up some delicious pancake recipes. Well, I decided to make Vegan Pound Cake Pancakes. Lots of cake, huh? Now I was looking at a ton of versions of pancake and pound cake recipes. I was trying to figure out what ingredients I could use to stick true to both recipes, as they have different consistencies. I don’t think this is really rocket science, but I wanted to get it right. I’m telling you, this was so much fun! My dad was over in the office and I was exclaiming to him everything I was doing. “Dad! It’s actually working!” Oops, I forgot to tell him what I was up to. Who knows what he was thinking. Anyway, the key ingredient in these babies was tofu! So here goes…

Pound cake pancakes on the griddle.

Pound cake pancakes on the griddle.

Pound cake pancakes a la orno

Pound cake pancakes à enfourner.

And what do we get?

They came out, but they were too perfect looking I thought.

They came out, but they were too perfect looking I thought.

I like them better like this!

I like them better like this!

So I put the oven pancakes on the griddle and they puffed up!

So I put the oven pancakes on the griddle and they puffed up!

I cut up some fruits to go with our pancakes... FOR DINNER!

I cut up some fruits to go with our pancakes... FOR DINNER!

My parents did not mind one bit having breakfast for dinner. We enjoyed this possibly as much as the lovely Lauren.

My experiment being served!

My experiment being served!

Naked!!!

Naked!!!

I'm digging the outfit!

I'm digging the outfit!

My pancakes decided to wear a cashew cream top borrowed from Monica, accessorized with cinnamon, and a last minute decision… maple syrup!

So what made these pancakes kind of like pound cakes?

Moist on the inside.

Moist on the inside. Does this count as food porn?

You better believe I licked my plate clean.

You better believe I licked my plate clean.

You can check my recipe page for this yummy treat! I had some pancakes leftover for breakfast today.

Voila!

Voila!

This morning I was reminiscing of Germany and how I ate my pancakes there. I usually would put applesauce on mine (instead of apple slices), just how I eat my latkes. But today I cut up an apple, spread some coconut oil on the pancake, and sprinkled the whole shebang with cinnamon and powdered sugar. This was, to put it lightly, absolutely wonderful. On the other pancake I used up the rest of the cashew cream with a pit of cherry marmalade and amaretto syrup. I also had a bowl of yogurt with sliced strawberries, Zoe’s Cinnamon Raisin granola, and a small blob of cashew cream. The only complaint I have about the granola is that it should have more raisins. Fortunately, I have a huge container of raisins so my problem was resolved.

In the words of Fat Bastard, "get in muh belly!"

In the words of Fat Bastard, "get in muh belly!"

So fresh and so clean clean!

So fresh and so clean clean!

Now on to some other things I’ve stumbled upon in the blogging world that I tried this past week.

Banana soft serve topped with almond butter, duh!

Banana soft serve topped with almond butter, duh!

Uh, Gena, you need to compile your own cookbook! You’ve got a real knack for recipes.

Despite having a crapload of bars to try already, I went ahead and made this purchase.

Despite having a crapload of bars to try already, I went ahead and made this purchase.

I’ve seen these Honest bars on Kath’s blog, and they always sounded so yummy. This one was small, but mighty in flavor! I smeared coconut oil on it because I apparently like putting it on everything. I love the subtle flavor it gives things. I guess what coconut oil is to me is like almond butter to others.

Last but not least…

Young coconut!

Young coconut!

After a fun, intense dance class I had my dad help me open this coconut. My dad is so use to busting things open I was like, “no no just cut in a square at the top.” He managed to cut it open with such grace. Thanks dad! Luckily, I found my squiggly straw to suck down this delicious and thirst-quenching water. I had to replenish myself for the Harry Potter movie!!!

Stay still you guys!

Stay still you guys!

I guess that's kind of better?

I guess that's kind of better?

Waiting ever so patiently...

Waiting ever so patiently...

Must. Stay. Awake.

Must. Stay. Awake.

I was so hyper while we were outside waiting in line. Then when the movie started… I did the unimaginable and fell asleep. I always do that! Eventually I woke up and pretended that didn’t happen. I can’t say that I can give a fair review of the movie because I was asleep for part of it. But from what I did see, I think the other movies are better. Atleast I’ve always got my books!

I hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday. It’s the time of week when you can say, “almost there.” Almost!

So tomorrow’s post will include Part 3 as promised, and another special surprise. Ooo I can’t wait!