Remember that from the Apple Jacks commercials? Anyway, I will start off this post the same way I start off my days
- Some green tea!
And another one of my favorite beverages
- A refreshingly thick vanilla, banana, and peanut butter smoothie.
- Oh my, I was a little hesitant to try this simply because of the unappetizing color.
In this smoothie is a packet of Amazing Grass Chocolate Meal Shake with a frozen banana and some vanilla. It actually wasn’t too shabby. I definitely could taste the greenness of it, but the banana helped balance it out.
- Lots of ground flaxseed!
In the background you can see a little bag of Hazelnut Sweet Chips from Kay’s Naturals. These were so yummy! I mixed some in with my yogurt and blueberry puddle. I also enjoyed these with another treat that I’ll be sharing with you in another post. I also tried something new with my yogurt. The people at NuNaturals sent me some items to sample and review. Thanks guys!
- Stevia baking blend, vanilla stevia extract, and plain stevia.
I put a few drops of the vanilla stevia in my yogurt. It was a nice addition to my blueberries, and just the right amount of sweetness. There was no weird aftertaste either. Stevia is such an interesting sweetener. I went to a garden once and I picked off a stevia leaf and I could taste the familiar sweetness. My roommates parents actually have a stevia plant, but we’re not sure how to use that. Does anyone else know?
Okay, I’m not quite sure where to start with my eats… so let me just randomly choose! I hope you’re in the mood for something Mexican.
- Some mini soft tacos + pepper jack with a side of red cabbage + coconut oil + applesauce.
I wish I could eat cabbage raw without suffering the gaseous consequences. I would probably make so many different kinds of slaws.
Now let’s move on to some buns!
- Zucchini with white beans and garlic.
- Snobby joes with cauliflower, corn, and avocado on the side.
- I baked a loaf of Irish soda bread for my roommate.
In my old place when I first moved in, I would bake this bread and it was fun because I could shape it however I pleased. However, I just didn’t feel like baking it anymore. I think it might’ve been because I felt in some weird way… unappreciated. The only person who really showed any appreciation was Kim, and I thought it would seem strange to bake a loaf for only us two when three other people were living in the house. But I promised Kim that once we moved to the new place I would bake her loaf since she loved it.
- A cold bowl of Chinese sweet red bean soup with tapioca pearls and almonds.
I tried my leftovers with toasted coconut, and I loved it! These red beans are so small and adorable!
- A new cereal to try!
Have you guys heard of Erewhon? They’re a part of U.S. Mills (which has so many breakfast grains to choose from). This is the Strawberry Crisp cereal, and for anyone with gluten allergies this is a gluten-free cereal. Usually, I don’t eat cereal because it’s not very filling but sometimes I just want something refreshing. The only thing I have to say about this cereal is that it could be a tad bit sweeter. I am surprised at how many dried strawberries actually come in the box. I find that most cereal with dried fruits shouldn’t even claim to have them! If you like cornflakes, then I think you will enjoy this. I know that I’m enjoying my box!
- Cinnamon Raisin instant oatmeal with soymilk!
I’ve also tried another U.S. Mills product from Uncle Sam. Instant oatmeal is perfect for a college student, and anyone else with a busy lifestyle. But when was the last time you guys saw one with soymilk? That’s right! This was so delicious! They also have a French Vanilla flavor. Yum! Moreover, I got to enjoy this in a most delicious jar of almond butter with crumbled graham crackers.
And what’s the fruit concoction to the right?
- Strawberry-Kiwi Salad with Basil
It doesn’t look too pretty, but don’t judge a book by its cover! I followed this recipe, but I didn’t have white balsamic vinegar on hand. I’m sure it made a difference, definitely in color!
I’ve also noticed a lot of you guys putting pretzels in your wonderful oat creations. I wish I had thought of that before I finished my Kay’s Naturals sample!
- The last of my Kay’s Naturals goodies – and boy was this good!
This is turning into a breakfast post!
- Yogurt with kiwi and strawberries and some ground flaxseed.
I also toasted some cinnamon raisin swirl bread. That slice on the left is topped with… Cacoa Bliss! I had graciously gotten these adorable samples of Artisana nut butters from Tristan awhile ago . I finally busted into some of them. Let me just say now that this is just as amazing as everyone has been exclaiming!
- Army of deliciousness.
So far I’ve tried Cacao Bliss, Cashew Butter, Pecan Butter, and the Macadamia Butter. I really don’t think words can do these nut butters justice. You just have to try them! I’m so grateful to the people who sent me this generous package. Thank you for introducing me to something new and taking me on another food adventure. I think my mom would love the Macadamia Butter since they are her favorite nut.
- The mothership!
Let’s see… what other breakfast goodness to I have to share?
- These had a Manager’s Special price tag on them!
- I just added corn and served them with apple sauce and sour cream.
No one makes latkes better than my dad though. I’ve even tried sweet potato latkes at a restaurant once, but my dad takes the potato on these!
Okay so I’ll show you guys something that’ll help you digest!
- When I went to the James River the other day.
- My friend Clinton sitting on a big rock.
And now for my crazy dog lady picture from when my friend, Sway, visited.
- She’s so freaking cute!
- A close encounter with another kind.
Special Alert!
If any of you are interested in winning samples of the Crofter’s spreads, they do giveaways regularly on Facebook and Twitter.
Twitter: Croftersorganic
Facebook: Crofter’s Organic
p.s. Last post featured an array of yummy creations thanks to Sullivan Street Bakery. I found an article on them that I thought you all might enjoy!
p.s.s. Gorgeous Justine had the brilliant idea of a giveaway. Well, right now I’ve got something in the works. I’m really excited about it because I’ve never hosted a giveaway before, and what’s more wonderful than sharing?
She also made little pockets for our mix CD’s.
I chose an endive salad with pears, walnuts, roquefort and a sweet mustard dressing. I wish I knew how small the salad would be. It was not filling at all, but it was delicious! I’ve never had endives before. And you know me, I’m always up for trying something new.
Don’t worry I’ll include some more pictures of food later on in this entry hehe.
Remember how I said I would take this Florida trip as time to reflect and improve myself? One of the important things I take with me from Florida this time is that there is nothing wrong with being a confident woman! I think because I look younger than my age, and am a child at heart – I somehow got lost on the path towards womanhood. Also, I’ve found that for me being in Richmond and being in art school, I’m surrounded by a lot of young women who aren’t very… feminine. There’s nothing wrong with that. But for me, I don’t quite like downplaying the fact that I’m a lady. And I had been doing that. For awhile I really lost touch with myself. I admit, even showering became a chore because I didn’t care about myself enough. At one point I got so upset with my appearance that I would walk through the alleyways to get to my classes in order to avoid more contact with people. My life was so bland and depressing back then. I knew I had to stop those behaviors, because that just wasn’t me. Anyway, I’m much happier now and I feel like I’m finally growing into the young woman that I am.
