Cranberry Craze

Christmas dinner was not traditional this year. No turkey. No dressing. No Thanksgiving repeat! I'm fine with that but I found myself missing those fall flavors. So the two nights I actually prepared meals this week I crammed in the cranberries. :-).

Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Quinoa topped with dried cranberries and pecans. Yum!

Turkey Cheddar Burgers with Cranberry Relish and mixed greens (topped with dried cranberries and pecans). Double yum.

I even made T some cranberry apple breakfast quinoa with the leftovers.

Yes, I went a little overboard. 'Tis the season.

I'll add the recipes to the post soon. We are in the car, so I might just nap. Whirlwind packing is exhausting.

Happy New Year!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...and it's about time!  Less than a week before the big day and I still have presents to wrap, presents to make, and a dish to decide on.  Know of any tasty, wow'em, healthy appetizers?  Please share!  Oops, forgot to mention that the presents to wrap still need to be purchased.  Geez.  Nothing like the last minute, right?

I'm surprisingly not stressed (for me...fine, less stressed) about the holidays this year.  Every year, I seem to have a semi-nervous breakdown regarding seeing everyone, making everyone happy, and finding everyone on my list a gift they will like, need, want, AND enjoy.  No pressure.

It's Lil'T's first Christmas!  I suppose I'm concentrating on making it a special one.  Do I wrap his gifts?  You know, the ones not from Santa.  His first Christmas is followed by his first birthday.  The big 1!  :-)  I'm pretty sure I have everything in line for his b-day celebration, but I still need to pick up a few decorations.

Three Christmas packages arrived this morning via postal service before 8:30 am!  I looks like Santa has already visited our house.  I've spent the day unpacking the packages, crafting, grocery shopping, organizing the pantry, keeping Lil'T out of the presents, cooking, playing and singing Christmas carols.  Still so much more to do.



This week's menu is tentatively (because of holiday guests and late shopping trips):


Chipotle Chicken Spaghetti Squash Bake
Crispy Tofu and Salad
Beef and Broccoli with Rice
Tex-Mex Quinoa
Brunswick Stew

My new favorite oatmeal

So I'm over the overnight oats. I'm not feeling the mush. Cold or hot.

I'm a huge fan of my microwave these days. Hard to believe I lived without one for so many years. No, I didn't live under a rock or in a cave. Just didn't own a microwave. Besides, my first solo apartment was a closet. Barely room for kitty and me much less modern conveniences.

But I digress. Oats. It's cake-like microwave oatmeal!

 

I was inspired by (combined) two recipes (Biggie Banana Oatcake and Scrambled Oatmeal) to create this deliciousness. Even the hubs enjoys oatcakes. I was hoping Lil'T would join the eggy oat craze, but no luck as of yet. I'll keep trying.

The only downside: extra dishes.

This morning, I enjoyed my oatcake with a surprisingly foamy vanilla coffee and a little mister mischief.

Perhaps the computer will cooperate for me later and I will add the "recipe" I use.  :-)

Monday, Monday...

This week's theme:  Easy!  Who couldn't use a little more ease around the holidays?  

Menu:
Asian Tofu Noodle Bowl
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Hawaiian Sandwiches with Sweet Potato Fries
Moroccan Veggies and Quinoa
Tex-Mex Breakfast

We've been under budget since we started shopping at the Aldi.  Every other week, we venture to Trader Joe's to stock up on Tofu, Tempeh, and Almond milk.  Sometimes we stop into other grocery stores for other items not carried at the Aldi, like ginger, kale, or baby food.  It averages out to $80 per week.  While our pantry is stocked, our freezer supplies of frozen veggies (for us and Lil'T) and meats have been wiped out.  We've already hit up TJs and Aldi this week, so here's hoping to some meat sales next week!   

Quinoa Granola - Two Versions

Version 1 - Loose with Golden Raisins

Version 2 - Crunchy and bar like

Version 2 Basic Recipe:

1 C Apple Juice (I used apple cider and/or pear cider)
1 1/2 C Oats
1/2 C Quinoa
1/4 C Ground Flax
3 Tbl Chia
1/2 C Raw Almonds chopped
1/2 C Walnuts chopped
1/2 Tbl Pumpkin Pie Spice (or use cinnamon, whatever you prefer)
2 Tbl - 1/4 C Honey
1 Tbl Brown Sugar

Preheat oven to 225.  Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Combine ingredients in mixing bowl.  Spread onto prepared pan.  Bake for an hour or until desired texture is obtained.

To make Version 1, modify the above recipe.  Reduce liquids by half and stir occasionally while baking.  Every 10-20 minutes.  I added the raisins during the last 10 minutes of oven time.


It's safe to say we are about quinoa granola-ed out!  This is the first week I haven't made a batch.  It's delicious, don't get me wrong.  With the upcoming holidays and daily things going on, I haven't had a chance to experiment anymore with the granola recipe.  A different flavor.  Something savory like chex mix?  Spicy?

Treat Me Tuesday

Another Monday survived!


Our Tuesday's been fairly busy. It started around 5:30! Sometimes I don't mind the early start. We get a few extra minutes with T before he's off to 'do the science.' Breakfast was followed by an outdoor workout. We had to get out and enjoy the warm temps before the chill sets in. I'd kind of like a cold Christmas. Layers are a girls best friend.  

Lil'T and I just wrapped up a shopping adventure, lunch, and playtime. While I should be napping with the little guy, I've got tons of other stuff to do. Like make presents and or wrap a few. But I thought I'd share a treat with you first. It might be dessert later tonight. A little treat for myself (and one for T too) since I can cross another three people off my shopping list!

Chocolate Coconut Microwave Cake

I used half coconut oil and half applesauce.  Topped with chocolate chips and sweetened coconut.   

Menu Monday

There is never enough weekend in the weekend! We mostly chilled at the house. By chilling I mean laundry, cleaning, hanging pictures and christmas decorations, Christmas shopping, and house shopping. Somewhere in there, was a run, but only one. Perhaps it's my distaste for shopping, but house shopping is the worst! Yes, we did see some good properties. Apparently neither of us can make a decision! Wishy washy.

Remember last weeks request for meatless, green dishes? Not the case for this week. Who knows if we will stick to it, but here's the dinner plan:

Pork chops, green beans, and macaroni and cheese
Veggie dogs, baked beans and slaw
Sausage pasta
Chicken casserole
Broccoli Soup and Grilled Cheese (with or without ham)

Happy Smile, Grumpy Frown...

Jumping up, Lying down.  (Just a little excerpt from Lil'T's opposites book.  I don't have this one memorize entirely.  Only a line or two.  If you'd like me to recite the counting book, I will.  :-))  Opposites and contradictions.  Typical me.  

Yay!  Happy Smile Things:

1.  Protein Mocha
2.  Morning jog with sweet, napping, bundled baby
3.  Mittens
4.  Single serving Chocolate cake made with coconut oil and topped with melted chocolate chips
5.  Holiday scents
6.  Pterodactyl 'cries'
7.  His dance moves


Boo!  Grumpy Frown Things:

1.  Single serving Chocolate cake made with coconut oil and topped with melted chocolate chips
2.  Sore muscles
3.  Indecision
4.  Shopping
5.  Myself

Time to lift the spirits, I suppose.  Don't laugh, but singing and dancing in the living room helps.  Also, it's completely normal to hear:  "I'm fat; I want a brownie sundae" from me.  Well, I like to think it's normal.  Do you ever wish you could eat whatever your heart desired and NOT plump up those fat cells?  Oh, it's going to be a rough holiday season.

(Lists are in no particular order)

Wordless Wednesday

Menu Monday

Looks like a bean filled week at our house!  I'm not complaining.  :-)  T actually requested dinners without meat.  He's craving greens.  Too much turkey? 

Bean Burritos
Kale Pasta with Tofu Sticks
Cabbage Sausage Pot
Asian Tempeh Salad
Greens and Black Eyed Peas with Cornbread

I'm totally stoked about this new product:

Post-Thanksgiving Coma

Have you recovered?  Actually, I don't feel too bad about my Thanksgiving meal.  Began the day with a 5+ mile run, pushing the sleepy sleepy Lil'T.  My MIL prepared a delicious and (what I assume was) nutritious feast right down to the 'skinny' pumpkin pie.  Lil'T enjoyed the whipped cream.  Wrapped up the visit with a little post dinner stroll.     

However, in the days that followed Thanksgiving, I battled a serious case of laziness.  My giant 'To Do while T is on Staycation' list has hardly been touched!  Friday, I never got out of my pajamas.  Fine.  I did clean the bathrooms and a little laundry, but all while in my pjs.  Around 8:30 I showered and put on, yes, another round of pajamas.  The non-motivating, laziness bug needs to leave ASAP.  I'd like to bounce back from this holiday before the next one.  Especially since we wrapped up this weekend with a large amount of fast food.  Family run tomorrow?  I hope!

I'm also hoping for more of this:

Mine

His

Breakfast:  CC on toast, 1 with Cranberry Apple Butter & 1 with Peppers and Carrots

Mango Passion Banana - Feeding himself

Leftover Turkey Wrap with Cranberry White Cheddar, Honey Crisp, and Sticks

Loaded Veggie Pizza on Cornmeal Crust

Strawberry Protein Cake with Icing

 I hope and wish for a lot of things.  Don't you?  I can make the exercise and healthy eating happen.  I can.  I can.  I can!  hmm...should I say 'I will.'

 

Menu Monday

We are looking forward to Turkey Day!  How about you?  Last year, we had the in-laws and neighbor over for dinner.  This year we're dining at the in-laws.  Hmm...what to dine on the rest of the week?

Salads.

Lots of salads.

...and a pizza.  :-)

Tonight we enjoyed hummus and pita chips and giant chopped garden salads.
T - Buffalo Chicken Salad
W - Spicy Asian Tofu Salad
Th - Thanksgiving Deliciousness
F - Loaded Veggie Pizza


Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful. 

Snoring

T snores. I know that I snore as well, but since the whole pregnancy and baby arrival, my tolerancce for snoring is zilch. I push. I shove. I sleep in the other room. I swear T snores no matter the sleep position. Yep, he's a side snorer and sometimes even on his tummy. The worst is on his back, arms thrown over his head. You know the position? It's ultimate comfort until you awaken and can't feel your arms. Lately, when I creep back to bed after rocking Lil'T back to sleep, all is quiet. No snoring. When I breach the surface of the covers, T stirs. He rolls over, tosses, whatnot, and starts snoring! What makes this situation perfect...Lil'T is napping in his crib and T is sawing logs on the couch as I compose this post. Hmm...do I try to catch some shut eye? Lil'T has a sixth sense about mommy naps. Just when I'm settled, he's ready to go! :-). Btw, Lil'T has a cute little snore...sometimes.

What We Ate/Are Eating T-TH

First, I'd like to apologize for Tuesday's post.  I was exhausted.  I barely had the energy TO post.  Last night, I didn't even try to post.  Ha.  You should still try the muffins.  :-)

I love reading the 'What I Ate Wednesday' posts over at Peas and Crayons.  Do you?  I haven't joined the craze, but made a poor attempt to do so yesterday.  Things started off really well, photographing meals and whatnot, but I never posted.  Here's what we've been eating (not just on Wednesday):

T Dessert:  Single Serving Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter 'Frosting'

T Dessert:  Pumpkin Pie Cake with Cream Cheese and Cranberry Apple Butter

W Breakfast:  Hummus & Cucumbers and PB, Cranberry Apple Butter, and Quinoa Granola on English Muffin

W Lunch:  Leftover Apple, Grape, and Walnut Salad

W Dinner:  Grilled Pork Chops, Greens & Beans, and Cornmeal Dumplings

Th Dinner:  Tempeh Lentil Sloppies with Kale Chips

 
I blew my no candy goal.  I indulged in some Peppermint Bark.  It's dark chocolate...practically health food!  :-)  Hmm...after posting Tuesday's single serving cakes, I really, REALLY want one.  To the microwave! 

Quick Pumpkin Oat Bran "Cookies"

1/4 cup + 2 Tbl pumpkin
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 Tbl flour
1 Tbl applesauce
1 Tbl brown sugar
2 Tbl almond milk
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray cookie sheet or line with parchment.  Combine ingredients in bowl.  Shape on pan into desired cookie size and bake for 12 minutes or so.
 

Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins

Basic recipe:

2 cups oat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup pumpkin
2 Tbl oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Add ins:

2 small pears diced
Handful of craisins
Handful of chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 425.  Prepare muffin pan or use cupcake liners.  Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet in another.  Combine the two.  Fold in the add ins.  Evenly divide among the 12 prepared muffin cups.  Bake for 20 minutes or so.  The cupcake liner will peel off once the muffins are completely cool. 

Monday, we meet again...

After feeding Lil'T some banana blueberry yogurt and multigrain cereal and scarfing down a pumpkin bran muffin, we headed out for a shockingly warm jog. My knee felt great! Lil'T enjoyed his cheerios along the way. Sounds good so far, right?

About mile three, we noticed a back pack in the middle of the sidewalk. We approached. Closer. Closer. A parent and child were waiting for the bus. Waiting near the backpack. It was safe to assume it belonged to the child. At NO point did they make an effort to move the backpack. I maneuvered off the sidewalk and curb to the street in order to avoid said obstacle. The street was necessary because they were at the corner near a speed limit sign. I'd have better luck getting that sign to move than one of the onlookers. Should I have said something? Am I making a big deal out of nothing? I found it to be very rude. I hope Lil'T glared at them (and maybe threw some cheerios).

Eh...Monday, you won't get me.  I'm looking forward to a delicious protein mocha post-run and enjoying this fall weather!

We arrive at home, stretch in the driveway, tickle, giggle, and remove cheerios from stroller. I notice some dog poo on the tire. Nothing new. No one picks up after their dogs. Perhaps I'll smear a dirty diaper out there. I wouldn't want to stoop to that level (even though I've considered it SEVERAL times).

Fast forward to protein mocha preparation. I get the bright idea to stick blend the beverage instead of shaking.

Boo. No protein mocha for me. :-(

Oh well.  Lil'T and I had a great Monday otherwise.  Grocery shopping, playing, and some darn good napping.

Here's what we're having this week:

Chipotle BBQ Chicken Pizza
Black Bean and Corn Brenner (I'm not sure what to call it...see below)
Harvest Apple Salad
Tempeh-Lentil Sloppies with Kale Chips
Pork, Greens, and Beans

Yum!

This week's goals:  Strength training, crafting, no candy, consciously eat less, stretch...it's good for what ails you.

Indecision

There is much rattling around in my head, and I cannot decide what to post about first.  In no particular order:

1.  Holidays
2.  Quinoa Granola Recipe
3.  Quick Pumpkin Oat Bran Cookies
4.  Protein
5.  Me vs. Psycho Gym Lady
6.  Hope
7.  Probably more, but I'm distracted by the obnoxiously loud interference coming through on the baby monitor.  Don't cheap out on a monitor.  Lesson learned. 

Unfortunately, all I'm going with is a quick (and dirty) recap of this week's eats and whatnot.  I'll focus and fill you in on the items above later.

Banana, Yogurt, and Quinoa Granola (take 1)

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Spinach & Artichokes :-)

Pumpkin Pineapple Bran Muffins (I thought were a total loss at first, but after refrigeration weren't so terrible)

Spaghetti Squash Bake with Tempeh Sausage

Vegetable and Tofu Scramble with Roasted Sprouts and Broccoli

Quick Pumpkin Oat Bran Cookies

Lil'T is very interested in feeding himself.  He used to love 'Puffs' but now prefers Cherrios and saltines.  Do the saltines make me a bad parent?  T introduced them!  :-)  (They are cheaper.)

Check out the post nap bed head.

This one's just because I love his expression.

After putting Lil'T to sleep tonight, I finished my dusting (and 'To Do' list, Yay!), washed the dishes, baked some Peanut-Butter-Doughtzel-Balls, and wrote this post.  I still need to get some crafting in (oh, add Crafting to my list above).  Eh...maybe I'll just eat some PB Doughtzel Balls and go to bed.  I'm hoping to convince the hubs to stroll with me up to the Starbucks in the morning.  Ah...strolling and coffee.  A girl can dream.  :-)

No shoes, No shirts...

No problem.  Recently, I published a post regarding Lil'T's attire.  Throughout the day it dwindles down.  Items are discarded where ever they fall.  Shoes are the first to go.  Luckily, he doesn't wear those too often.  By dinner time, he's usually in a shirt and diaper because I no longer feel like wrestling those britches on.

Not a day later, this happened:

Yes, shirt optional.  Lil'T has a sensitive gag reflex (apparently).  Triggered by his own finger, up came some dinner.

I'm not even sure what led to this (...probably a combination of learning to eat and mommy laziness):

At least the socks survived.  :-)

Menu (sigh) Monday (sigh)

Creamy Pesto Chicken Casserole
Grilled Brats with Cole Slaw
Tempeh Sausage Spaghetti Squash Bake
Tofu Noodle Bowls
Peppered Cube Steaks (meat and potatoes kind of night)
Pork, Beans, and Greens (I'm attempting those cornmeal dumplings again)

More meat than usual.  Our pantry and fridge are overflowing since I've been overspending on a regular basis.  Only spent $90 this week! 

An Aldi opened near our house, and I did part of this week's shopping there.  Have you been?  It was my first time.  I enjoyed the shopping experience.  Depending on the food quality, I might just become an Aldi regular.

Pumpkin Pie French Toast

I was totally excited about this post until I googled: pumpkin pie french toast.  I'm not the inventor.  Darn.  The idea for Sunday breakfast came to me in the shower.  Isn't that where you think about deliciousness? 

3 eggs + 1 egg white
1 cup (or so) canned pumpkin (I used whatever I had leftover from a muffin recipe I was working on)
2 tsp pumpkin spice
Whole wheat bread
Sliced ham
Cheddar cheese
2 smallish red delicious apples (peeled & diced)
Handful of golden raisins
1/4 chopped walnuts
1/2 cup of Cinnamon Pear Cider
Maple Syrup

You know how french toast works...whisk the first 3 ingredients together and set aside.  In a small sauce pan, combine the cider, diced apples, and a tablespoon of syrup.  Bring to boil and simmer while preparing the toast.  Also, have your ham steaming in another pan while you prepare your toast.  If you're using a griddle or a large pan, lucky you...less dishes!  Now, thoroughly saturate some slices of bread.  One at a time of course.  Cook in prepared frying pan or what-have-you.  When the toast is just about ready, add the raisins and walnuts to your apple 'sauce'.  (I served mine up Monte Cristo style.)  When cooked to your liking, plate your first piece of french toast.  Add cheese, ham, and another layer of french toast.  Top with the apple, raisin, walnut sauce-ish stuff.  Serve with warm maple syrup.

I'm pretty sure this is what Sunday breakfasts are all about.  Comfort.  Goodness.

T had a third toast layer...

Lil'T was not impressed with his Banana Egg Yolk French Toast which I obviously overcooked.  :-(

After trying to hammer a few recipes this weekend with less than stellar results, I definitely needed Pumpkin Pie French Toast!  :-)  You could fancy it up with pears and brie, or substitute sausage or bacon for the ham.  You could leave all that out and just eat the pumpkiny french toast.  Oh the possibilities.  Hope you enjoy!

PS - T ate Lil'T's french toast as well.  :-)

There ain't no lobsters on me!

TJ's Pumpkin Butter!  :-)

As you may recall, my Monday was pretty rough.  Seeking comfort, I ignored this week's food budget (sort of...it's not like I bought steaks and lobster).  I splurged on some items at Trader Joe's:  Soy Creamwiches, Kale, pumpkin butter, Pear Cider, other miscellaneous chocolates.  A little retail/comfort food therapy.  So kale may not be comfort food, but I bought the pre-washed, pre-cut kind.  I've always wanted to try kale chips and figured this would be the easiest way.  Before the chips, we had a few other things, like this Chipotle Hummus Pitza for lunch (I'm wishing I had one right now!):

Hummus & Veg Pitza with Quick Yogurt Ranch

Not surprisingly, there were very little leftovers of this week's quinoa dish.  Throw some feta on it, and it's gone!

Greek Salad meet Quinoa

 Finally...My first taste of creole seasoned (of course) kale chips:

Phillies and Kale Chips

They were good, but a little too unhealthy for my liking.  Next time, I'm going to try the dehydrator version.  I can't wait!  :-)

After a particularly enjoyable run, I indulged in a smoothie.  I cheated a bit.  Instead of adding real pumpkin and my own spices, I just threw in some TJ's Pumpkin Butter.  Extra creamy and thick since I blended it with frozen banana and cottage cheese.  Even more impressive...I saved half the smoothie (not pictured) for that night's dessert!

Cheatin' Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

This one's for you, Dad.  Yes, I eat Brussels Sprouts without coercion.  Usually, I steam 'em, but these are oven roasted with sweet onion.  Yum!   

Grilled Chops, Sweet Potato Mash, and Roasted Sprouts

After last weekend's chilling rain (here) and snow storm (there), I'm happy to report my relatives to the north finally have power.  They are toasty warm and safe!  I thought of them during my rather chilly run this morning.  Errands and football watching today, but I am looking forward to a fall, family outing tomorrow.  :-)  Before you enjoy the rest of your weekend, enjoy these:

Football Baby!

Who needs toys?  :-)