Minds out of the gutter, kids!
I'm feeling under the weather (headache that won't quit, sore throat, eyes leaking & burning) but haven't posted in almost a week so I wanted to get something up today. Instead of racking my brain for a hot & exciting topic to discuss, I'm going with what's on my plate on a typical run of the mill work day. That said, I apologize in advance *chuckles*.
I kicked my morning off with the usual lemon water (place lemon wedge in mug, pour boiling water over wedge, allow to seep until cool enough to drink, enjoy!) and promptly made my way to the shower. In an attempt to feel better, I indulged my senses in a little essential oil aromatherapy and although I didn't emerge from bathroom a cured woman ready to take on the day, I was in notably more alert and in a slightly chipper mood.
Armed with my juicer, food storage containers, and my lunch bag, I returned to the kitchen and packed just enough deliciousness to see me through the work day: a large carrot apple & spinach juice, a giant sack of grapes (almost 2lbs worth of both red & green), 1 handful of Spicy, Salty, Sweet Brazil Nuts, tomato & red onion on (freshly baked while I slept) Flax & Oat Bread and broccoli slaw & shredded cabbage w/ homemade tomatoe & herb dressing.
As I packed my snacks & made my lunch, I couldn't help but recall a recent conversation that went something like this:
I'm feeling under the weather (headache that won't quit, sore throat, eyes leaking & burning) but haven't posted in almost a week so I wanted to get something up today. Instead of racking my brain for a hot & exciting topic to discuss, I'm going with what's on my plate on a typical run of the mill work day. That said, I apologize in advance *chuckles*.
I kicked my morning off with the usual lemon water (place lemon wedge in mug, pour boiling water over wedge, allow to seep until cool enough to drink, enjoy!) and promptly made my way to the shower. In an attempt to feel better, I indulged my senses in a little essential oil aromatherapy and although I didn't emerge from bathroom a cured woman ready to take on the day, I was in notably more alert and in a slightly chipper mood.
Armed with my juicer, food storage containers, and my lunch bag, I returned to the kitchen and packed just enough deliciousness to see me through the work day: a large carrot apple & spinach juice, a giant sack of grapes (almost 2lbs worth of both red & green), 1 handful of Spicy, Salty, Sweet Brazil Nuts, tomato & red onion on (freshly baked while I slept) Flax & Oat Bread and broccoli slaw & shredded cabbage w/ homemade tomatoe & herb dressing.
As I packed my snacks & made my lunch, I couldn't help but recall a recent conversation that went something like this:
There we lay, my beach mate and I, basking in the hot sun, when he turns to me and asks:
Him: Are you hungry?
Me: Me? No, I'm not hungry. Why?
Him: Cause you look hungry.
*sounds alarm*
JERK ALERT!!
Him: Are you hungry?
Me: Me? No, I'm not hungry. Why?
Him: Cause you look hungry.
*sounds alarm*
JERK ALERT!!
Last I checked I didnt look underfed or malnourished. However the fact that I found myself on the beach with person clearly indicates I'm a glutton for punishment. Fortunately I never said I was or pretended to be perfect, but moving on to more worth while subject matter: new recipes :-)
Flax & Oat Bread
1 1/3 cup warm water
3 Tbs applesauce*
3 Tbs Coconut Nectar (or honey)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup ground rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 pkg yeast
Mix all wet ingredients together and pour into bread machine. Then mix dry ingredients (except yeast) and pour over the wet ingredients, evenly spreading it to the ends. Make a shallow well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast. Close lid and set to basic. Choose crust (I prefer medium). Kick back for the next 3 hours (or go to sleep like I did) then enjoy when ready!
Note:
I made my own unsweetened applesauce via placing 1 apple, peeled cored and sliced along with a little less than 1/3 cup pure water in a small sauce pan. Cover and cook until apple is tender. Remove apple slice from the pan and place in processor or blender (I used the magic bullet for this) and pulse until desired consistency is reached.
1 1/3 cup warm water
3 Tbs applesauce*
3 Tbs Coconut Nectar (or honey)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup ground rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 pkg yeast
Mix all wet ingredients together and pour into bread machine. Then mix dry ingredients (except yeast) and pour over the wet ingredients, evenly spreading it to the ends. Make a shallow well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast. Close lid and set to basic. Choose crust (I prefer medium). Kick back for the next 3 hours (or go to sleep like I did) then enjoy when ready!
Note:
I made my own unsweetened applesauce via placing 1 apple, peeled cored and sliced along with a little less than 1/3 cup pure water in a small sauce pan. Cover and cook until apple is tender. Remove apple slice from the pan and place in processor or blender (I used the magic bullet for this) and pulse until desired consistency is reached.
Spicy, Salty, Sweet Brazil Nuts
2 cups raw brazil nuts
1/2 Tbs coconut oil, melted
1/4 tsp apple (or pumpkin) pie spice
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 Tbs coconut nectar
1 Tbs Sucanat
Fresh ground salt, to taste
Preheat toaster or oven to 300F. Line pan with parchment paper and arrange nuts in a single layer. Toast nuts approximately 15 minutes or until fragrant and hot. While nuts are cooking, in a measuring cup, combine coconut oil, pie spice, cayenne, coconut nectar, and sucanat. Pop in microwave 30 - 45 seconds. Remove nuts toaster/oven and scoop into a small bowl. Pour seasoning mixture over nuts and toss to coat. Once well coated, return nuts back to the parchment lined baking sheet and return to toaster/oven for another 10 - 15 minutes. Remove and immediately grind salt over nuts. Allow to cool & store in airtight container.
2 cups raw brazil nuts
1/2 Tbs coconut oil, melted
1/4 tsp apple (or pumpkin) pie spice
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 Tbs coconut nectar
1 Tbs Sucanat
Fresh ground salt, to taste
Preheat toaster or oven to 300F. Line pan with parchment paper and arrange nuts in a single layer. Toast nuts approximately 15 minutes or until fragrant and hot. While nuts are cooking, in a measuring cup, combine coconut oil, pie spice, cayenne, coconut nectar, and sucanat. Pop in microwave 30 - 45 seconds. Remove nuts toaster/oven and scoop into a small bowl. Pour seasoning mixture over nuts and toss to coat. Once well coated, return nuts back to the parchment lined baking sheet and return to toaster/oven for another 10 - 15 minutes. Remove and immediately grind salt over nuts. Allow to cool & store in airtight container.
Hungry, exaughsted, and with quinoa on the brain, I arrived home and immediately kicked myself for forgetting to soak and sprout the quinoa I had set out (drats!). Fortunately the world doesn't end if (or when) you cook your food so out came the pots and pans for a quick & delicious dinner of Mediterranean Chickpeas, Tomato, & Quinoa.
1/4 cup onion, diced
3 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 can all natural diced tomatoes
1/2 8 oz can all natural tomato sauce*
1 tsp vegetable stock powder
1 tsp mexican chili powder
1/4 tsp fresh ground cinnamon
1 can chickpeas, drained & well rinsed.
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Fresh ground salt, to taste
Generously spray a medium size sauce pan with olive oil and heat on medium. Add onion and garlic to pan and cook until soft and translucent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 25 - 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy as is or serve over quinoa (as I did).
1/4 cup onion, diced
3 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 can all natural diced tomatoes
1/2 8 oz can all natural tomato sauce*
1 tsp vegetable stock powder
1 tsp mexican chili powder
1/4 tsp fresh ground cinnamon
1 can chickpeas, drained & well rinsed.
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Fresh ground salt, to taste
Generously spray a medium size sauce pan with olive oil and heat on medium. Add onion and garlic to pan and cook until soft and translucent. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 25 - 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy as is or serve over quinoa (as I did).
Shortly after dinner I fixed a cup of tea and enjoy such with a mini nut butter cup (a night is not complete without dessert - however, it should be noted that all eating was done during daylight hours only!!)
Just as I was settling in, I received an irritating telephone call. The notable part about it was that once again I ignored the little voice which screamed (this time it said "don't answer" but I did and of course I regretted it within 10 seconds tops, mainly due to the usual one sided expectations that never cease to end with this individual. You know the types: quick to drone on and on about themselves but never reciprocate inquiries about you; quick to indicate they want to see you and say come over yet equally quick to give an excuse as to why they can't come to you instead.... ). In said situations I find it best to take the high road via politely declining (no lame excuses needed) & ending the calls - then letting it go (no sense in wasting energy being annoyed about it, particularly when you know the situation isn't going to change).
And on that note, I'm going to dash off to my bedroom, where my nightly guided meditation awaits.
Positive vibes to all for a fantastic night!
xo
Just as I was settling in, I received an irritating telephone call. The notable part about it was that once again I ignored the little voice which screamed (this time it said "don't answer" but I did and of course I regretted it within 10 seconds tops, mainly due to the usual one sided expectations that never cease to end with this individual. You know the types: quick to drone on and on about themselves but never reciprocate inquiries about you; quick to indicate they want to see you and say come over yet equally quick to give an excuse as to why they can't come to you instead.... ). In said situations I find it best to take the high road via politely declining (no lame excuses needed) & ending the calls - then letting it go (no sense in wasting energy being annoyed about it, particularly when you know the situation isn't going to change).
And on that note, I'm going to dash off to my bedroom, where my nightly guided meditation awaits.
Positive vibes to all for a fantastic night!
xo
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