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)