25 and I Choose Life..

A couple weeks back I had a horrible experience with booze. I took that as a sign.
I know now that I need to be kinder to my body. I need treat my body with respect, give it love, and ultimately take care of myself. I want to be able to grow old and live a vigorous/healthy/virtuous life. So I'm trading a schooner of beer for a spatula. I am trading a martini glass for a rolling pin. I am trading night out at bars for kayaking, yoga, running, and ice cream making.  Seriously, fun still exist without being intoxicated! I am finding out so much about myself and I think it's because my mind is clearer. No more haze that once blinded me. Oh, it feels soooo good.

Anyways back to my August bakeathon... I was definitely not lying about my baking bonanza partay. Here's the proof.
Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Love and Olive Oil blog

Recipe
1/2c butter(softened)
1/2c granulated sugar
1/2c brown sugar(firmly packed)
1/2c Nutella
1 egg
1/2tsp vanilla extract
1c all purpose flour
1/2c whole wheat flour(the recipe called for 1 1/2c all purpose flour but I wanted to add whole wheat)
1tsp baking soda
1/4tsp fine grain sea salt
1/3c chocolate chip

 Healthiest Banana Oatmeal cookies
adapted from 101cookbooks

Recipe
2 large, ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4c olive oil
1/4c unsweetened apple sauce
2 c rolled oats
2/3 almond meal
1/2tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp fine grain sea salt
1tsp baking powder
1/2c semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Sorry the picture isn't that grand.. I was having horrible lighting. But seriously.. don't let this picture deceive you.. these cookies are the bomb..No seriously these cookies are so freaking good. I can't stop eating them. I might gain 30 pounds from this baking experiment. eeeks! Just have to remember to be balanced. Eat, work out, eat, work out, and sleep. Stay tuned for the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly.

smiles!

Spring Rolls or Summer Rolls?

Oh my goodness it is blazing hot here in Cali. I'm sweating bullets! When the weather gets this deadly I only want to eat cold, cold things. Spring rolls were definitely calling my name. I love the fact that it's a salad rolled up into one giant Asian style burrito. I tend to pack my rolls with as much veggies as I can fit ...today was no exception. Veggie explosion!!.....no seriously. I packed one roll with soo many veggies that it literally exploded. haha Good stuff.

I made three different types of spring rolls.
1. portobello mushroom, iceberg lettuce, spinach, cucumbers.
2. yellow nectarines, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce
3. portobello mushroom, carrots, roots(not too sure what it's called, it might be garlic stems?), spinach, iceberg lettuce, and bean sprouts.
To accompany the rolls, I made a sweet soy sauce (soy sauce, sugar, water).Dip, dip, eat!

mmm.. so good.

First of the Month..

Since it's the beginning of a new month I decided I would try something new. Baking! I was never much of a baker. I don't have the necessary qualities for a baker..you know like patience, following directions, being exact etc...So for the month of August I dare to challenge myself and bake, bake, bake.

Here is my first attempt.

Madeleine topped with Orange sugar (orange zest, gr adulated sugar)

I loved the crunchy texture and how it was soft and fluffy on the inside. It almost tasted like the top of a orange flavored muffin, which is seriously my favorite part! Not too bad for my first attempt. I think next time I definitely want to try using lemons or maybe even incorporating chocolate! Maybe putting less batter in the molds? There are so many things I need to learn. But at least you can join me while I make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. =) All right stay tuned for my bakingventures. Toodles!

Pantry Raid

Today while cleaning out my fridge I found a bag of white nectarine at its prime. It was beginning to soften, which meant that it was ready to eat..now.  

What to do with nectarines that are over ripe?

Roast them.

white nectarines roasted at 425degrees for 25 mins. Toast raw almond slices 5 mins.

white nectarines, greek yogurt, sliced almonds, honey.

seriously so delicious, yet no guilt. win win.

Love is...

Mini heirloom tomatoes, mixed greens, olive oil, reduced balsamic vinegar, goat cheese, salt&pepper.

This is what I love..simple and flavorful.
Divine.

Eye on the Veggie Pie

My version of a veggie pot pie. Full indulgence, less fat.

Ingredients:mushroom, shallots, garlic, onions, corn, carrots, rosemary, dry sherry, olive oil, salt&pepper, low-fat milk, cornstarch, egg white, and frozen puff pastry.

Heat pot with 1T. olive oil, cook down chopped onions, shallots, carrots, mushrooms, corn. Add a pinch rosemary & 1 T.garlic at the end..
Pour in 1c+1/2c low fat milk, 2T cornstarch, 1/3c dry sherry, and continue to boil until it thickens. Stir,stir,stir.
Cut pastry and place on top of each dish, poke holes on top, brush egg white for golden color and cook for 15mins at 400 f.

Baked For Your Pleasure.

Enjoying the summer one cherry at a time.

    For those who crave cheesecake but not all the fat that comes with it.

                                  cherries, ricotta cheese, raspberries, lemon, honey.

Strained ricotta cheese, lemon zest, 1tablespoon honey, 1/2tsp salt, Bake for 35-40mins

 Cherries, 1 whole lemon juice+zest, 2Tb honey, cook for 10mins, add raspberries at the end.

Enjoy with waffles, English muffin, spread on crackers for a sweet/cheesy snack, or even by itself for a guilt free treat.