You know when you dream up a recipe that makes your mouth water by just thinking about it? And then you make it, but it never lives up to your expectation?  That's exactly what happened to me last weekend.  (Please tell me I'm not the only one!)  You see, I wasn't slacking on posting - at least it wasn't my fault for slacking.  Just talk to my failed Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes if you don't believe me.

Fortunately, my last recipe testing was nothing less than a huge success.  It sounded good (not literally, obviously - to my knowledge, food doesn't talk), smelled good, looked good, and by golly tasted good!  I was slightly surprised at first (thanks to my last testing), but then my thoughts trailed off to something else.  That something was this:

Sunny Surprise Oat Bake
I'm sure you can substitute a different nut butter for the sunflower seed butter, but personally, I can't imagine this any better.
Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter
• Heaping 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 7 tablespoons almond milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the banana, sunflower seed butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and baking powder.
3. Stir in the oats and almond milk.
4. Spread evenly into a greased (I used coconut oil) ramekin.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes.

This bake will put the silver lining on each and every cloud.  My future beholds many silver linings.  Yes, I can tell the future.

Had the morning I ate these pancakes been my last breakfast, I would have died a very happy person.  Obviously my last breakfast isn't for many years to come, but when it does arrive some day, these pancakes will likely be on the menu.  But on to brighter topics - like the recipe.

Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Pancakes
I like to use meyer lemons for these - their flavor shows more of the sweet lemon side and less of the acidity side that is most often associated with lemons.  But if you can't find them, I'm sure a regular lemon would do.
Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 3 tablespoons brown rice flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (the zest of one small-ish lemon)
• 1/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen, but preferably fresh
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 heaping tablespoon Greek yogurt (I'm sure applesauce would make a fine substitution)
• 4 drop stevia or other sweetener of choice

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, zest, and blueberries.
2. Add the lemon juice, almond milk, vanilla extract, yogurt, and sweetener.  Mix well, but don't over mix.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium low heat.  Cook pancakes for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
4. Serve with Greek yogurt, maple syrup, or, if you're feeling extra special, a drizzle of lemon icing (powdered sugar mixed with lemon juice).  Enjoy!

Spring breaks is here!  Yaaaay!  This means spending extra time with my horse and making new earring designs for my fundraising-based earring business (among other things)!  

Enjoy the week everyone - even if you're not on spring break.  You can still try something new, go someplace different... just make the most of this week and every day after!  Don't get too caught up in school or work that you forget what a wonderful gift life is and that you're meant to enjoy it and live it to its fullest, as well as help others enjoy it - it's something that everyone deserves.  Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to follow my own advice.  See you all next time!

Hello, hello!  Sorry I didn't get a recipe up last weekend - I was off doing a college visit!  But I'm making up to you all today by posting two recipes.  And yes, they both include corn (hence the title - sorry, I couldn't resist!), corn in the form of a round, flat disk.  I don't know about you, but I've always loved corn tortillas.  I loved them even more when I had them homemade for the first time.  Really, there is nothing better than a warm, soft corn tortilla fresh of the griddle.  Please excuse me while I drift off into corn tortilla heaven...

Okay, back to reality.  Thankfully, coming back to reality gives me the opputunity to have these:

Sometimes reality is better than dreams.


Sun-dried Tomato and Pepper Jack Cheese Enchiladas
If you don't want to make your own tortillas, feel free to use store-boughten.  But I recommend you take on the challenge.  I made mine garlic, but you can omit the garlic powder if you want them plain.
Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup masa harina 
• 3/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• Up to 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 ounce pepper jack cheese, sliced thin
• 2-3 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup + green chile sauce (I used Roberto's vegetarian green chile)

Directions:

1. Combine the masa harina and garlic powder in a small bowl.  Add the water and mix until a soft dough forms.  It should not be wet, sticky, or dry.  Form two balls and put them back in the bowl.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Preheat a non-stick skillet on low heat.  Meanwhile, either press the tortillas between plastic wrap in a tortilla press or put the corn balls (one at a time) between plastic wrap and use a rolling pin to roll them to about an eighth of an inch thick.  Cook them on the preheated skillet for a minute to a minute and a half.
3. Spread one to two tablespoons of the green chile on the bottom of a small, sprayed baking dish (I actually used a small pie pan).
4. Fill each tortilla with half the cheese, about a tablespoon of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and half a tablespoon of green chile.  Roll them up and put them seam down in the pan.
5. Cover each tortilla with at least a tablespoon of green chile.  Make sure they are completely covered so that they don't dry out when baking.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling.

The next recipe is similar to my breakfast tacos.  But it was so good, that I decided that it deserved its own glory.

Breakfast Tacos - Take 2
I used homemade corn tortillas (but without garlic powder) for these.  Once again, you can use store-boughten, but you should try homemade.
Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 corn tortillas (homemade or store-boughten)
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup cooked black beans 
• About 2 tablespoon salsa
• A handful of cilantro leaves
• Two to three tablespoons Greek yogurt (or you could use sour cream)

Directions:

1. But the rice and beans down the center of the tortillas and microwave for about a minute or until warm.
2. Top with the remaining ingredients and enjoy!

Well there you have it!  I have another really yummy recipe for next week.  And guess what it includes???  Did you say corn?  What could possibly make you think that? ;)  Luckily, it will be in a slightly different form next week.  Any guesses??

I don't recall the last time I had a real donut, but I can think of a few memorable donuts that I've had in my time.  One was found in a tiny shack called "American Donuts" in Texas (if I remember right).  My family and I have a soft spot for stores in shacks so we filed out of our car and through the door.  And then, before our eyes, they pumped freshly made donuts with cream and jelly and handed us the best filled donuts we had ever had (and probably ever will have).  Ah, good times, good times.

The other?  Well, there isn't a specific other donut that lingers in my memory.  Instead, I'm referring to the couple of times when my brother and I made our own glazed donuts.  Seriously, there is nothing better than a warm, homemade, glazed donut.

I'm sure that the donut recipe I'm sharing today isn't nearly as good those gems, but it's still delicious.  Especially the icing.  If you don't want to make the donut, at least make the icing and put it on oatmeal or a muffin or something.  Or a spoon.  That would work great too.

Peanut Butter Icing Donut
The donut itself is simple in flavor, but I still love it.  Especially when drenched with peanut butter Icing.  Mmmm.  If you want to add more flavor to the donut, you could try increasing the amount of almond extract.
Makes 1 donut

Ingredients (for the donut):

• 1/4 cup brown rice flour (or other flour of choice)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 egg white 
• 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• sweetener such as stevia, agave, maple syrup, or brown sugar.

Ingredients (for the icing):

• 2 teaspoons peanut butter (I use salted)
• 2 teaspoons coconut butter
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and dry sweetener (if using).
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg white, yogurt, almond extract, and liquid sweetener (if using).
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir until well combined, but don't over-mix.
5. Spoon the mixture into a greased greased donut pan (I use coconut oil) and bake in the preheated oven for 12-13 minutes.  Check with a toothpick!
6. While the donut is baking microwave the peanut butter with the coconut butter for 20-30 seconds or until the coconut butter is melted.  Stir in the maple syrup.
7. Drizzle the icing over the warm donut and enjoy!

What's your favorite kind of donut?

Grammar lesson:  My title is one of those statements that has a misplaced modifier.  I mean, can gnocchi actually be lazy?  Theoretically not.  Un-theoretically, it can be whatever it wants, but we won't get into that.  I think you get the point.  The "lazy" in this case describes the cook who makes the gnocchi (a-hem, me).  With almost everything in my life, I'm not at all lazy, but I must say almost because I entirely admit that I do express laziness when it comes to cooking - so long as it doesn't subtract from taste.  *End of lesson.*  You can't tell me that that wasn't a legitimate grammar lesson. ;)

So last Friday, my laziness was in full force.  I had finally settled on gnocchi, but we had no white potatoes, so I decided to go for a sweet potato version.  I had a sweet potato just lounging on the countertop, but if I used him (come on, sweet potatoes aren't "its"), then that would require scrubbing him, baking him for at least half an hour, peeling him, and mashing him.  It may not sound like that much work, but remember, the lazy part of my brain was turned on.  Then, I remembered something.... (this is where the suspense comes in).  I had a can of pureed sweet potato in the pantry!  I think you can guess where the story goes from here.

You see, even laziness can yield good results.

Confession time:  I am the world's worst waffle maker.  But let me explain a little bit before you run as you know that a waffle recipe is to follow.  When I say worst, I mean in the looks department.  The taste department is just dandy, but I often feel like I'm eating a pile of twigs instead of waffles even though my taste buds tell me otherwise.  I always blamed it on the waffle iron, but seeing as my mom could always make perfect waffles with it, I think that my assertion was only wishful thinking.  Luckily, my mom recognized my dilemma and tried her best to help when she bought me this for Christmas:

Did it help?  No twigs in sight!  So, I would answer that question with a "yes."

Hopefully you're not scared of this recipe anymore. ;)



Almond Oat Waffles
These waffles get their almond flavor from almond extract, but if you want to add chopped or slivered almonds, I think that would be a nice addition (though I haven't actually tried it)!  This recipe is based on Mollie Katzen's Oatmeal Waffles from Sunlight Cafe.
Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup brown rice flour (or other flour of choice)
• 2 tablespoons oat bran
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of baking soda
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
• 1 egg white

Directions:

1. Preheat a waffle iron.  (If it has an adjustable temperature, set it to 400.)
2. Mix together the oats, rice flour, oat bran, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, extracts, Greek yogurt, and egg white.
4. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry.  Mix well, but don't over mix.
5. Grease the waffle iron with coconut oil or butter.
6. Pour the the batter into the iron and cook for about 3 minutes.
7. Most important step:  Top with desired toppings (maple syrup, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, fresh berries, etc.) and devour!

I ended up slathering mine in peanut butter.  Perfect looking, perfect tasting.  I think my title adequately describes these waffles.  Yum! :D


Do you like waffles?  What's your favorite flavor?

These were wonderful, though I do love chocolate waffles.  I'll have to experiment with a recipe!

One week closer to the end of senior year!  I'm pretty excited for my classes this semester because two of them are SCIENCE!!!! I didn't have any science classes last semester and missed them.  They're both AP though, so maybe I should wait a bit before I get too excited. ;)

So, let's start with a question:  What do you do when you're craving pizza but only have ingredients for pasta?  

Got it yet?  

How about now? 

Ready or not, here's the answer:  Make a....

Pizza Pasta Bowl
Of course, when you're craving pizza and have ingredients for the real thing, go for it!  But this recipe uses staple ingredients and is quick to put together, so your pizza craving can be fixed at any time.
Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 serving whole wheat pasta (or other pasta)
• 2 tablespoons pesto or tomato/pizza sauce (I used 1 tablespoon of each)
• Toppings of choice, such as mushrooms, olives, onion, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, broccoli, etc. 
• 1 ounce shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Transfer the cooked pasta to an oven safe bowl and spread the pesto or pizza sauce over it.
3. Layer your toppings over the sauce, and then sprinkle the cheese on top.
4. Place the bowl in an oven set to broil and broil for 6-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and begins to brown and bubble.

Still have a pizza craving?  Try my pita pizza.  How about one utilizing tortillas?  Or employing english muffins?  I have a Mexican flavor with english muffins too!

There's recipe 1 of 50+!

Question:
How do you curb your pizza craving?

Hello!  Originally, I wasn't going to write a 2011 recap post.  But then, I thought it would be nice to remember what 2011 meant for me and what I learned from it. 

Here's what stands out for me from 2011:

• Traveling to Greece, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, and Newfoundland.  It wasn't the first time I had travelled internationally, but it was at an age where I could really appreciate the different cultures and ways of life.  I set foot in places I had thought only existed in pictures and explored places that I had never known existed in any form.  It was one of the most enriching experiences in my life so far.
• Created and posted over 50 recipes.  I didn't know it was so many, but I got very excited when I counted them!  Posting recipes began as the driving force behind this blog, and that force remains.  I wanted to show -- through my recipes -- that eating healthy can be fun and delicious.  I hope to exceed 50 recipe postings in 2012.
• Completed my hardest semester of school yet, mostly in the form of a single class -- AP Composition and Literature.  The key here is "completed."  It may have been difficult, but I made it through and thus I am stronger that I was before I took it.  I now feel like I can tackle any obstacle at any level, and believe me, after that class I really can! :P
• Competed in a horse show with my best buddy (my horse, Tonto).  We had a rocky start, but came out on top when we won our western class.  Together, we rode over the hills and valleys that presented themselves, and, as a result, that show became one of the most memorable ones yet.
• Continued to raise money for animal charity through my earring business.  I came up with new designs and created a nice display.  I don't know exactly how much money I raised, but all the money this year went to a whale research and rescue foundation so I do know that I helped whales at some level.
• Continued to realize what a wonderful family I have.  They're so supportive and loving and really the best family I could ever hope for.  I am truly blessed.

Of course, there were many more events that took place, ones that mean just as much to me, but the above list would be way too long if I listed all of them.  I'd rather pick a few and really remember what they meant than list 50 and remember them only vaguely (though there are other ones on another list).

So, what's in store for me in 2012?

• Finish high school and start college.  Next semester won't be easy either, but I'm ready to take it and conquer it.  I don't know where I'm going to college yet, but all the colleges I applied to are out of state, so I'm excited to explore a new part of the country.   And I'm ready to take the next step of my life!
• Continue to enjoy my horse.  My experience with my horse does not end when I go to college -- he's coming with me!  I plan to compete on an equestrian team if my college has one; if not, I'll continue to ride just for fun!
• Travel to Italy or Australia.  Neither of those places are set in stone, but I really want to do more traveling this summer.  My goal is to visit all seven continents and as many countries as I can before I die -- and I will complete that goal. :)
• Continue to raise money for animal charity.  I'm really excited with some new designs I'm working on, and I want to expand my business.
• Proceed with Veggin' Out.  Like I said earlier, my goal for Veggin' Out this year is to post over 50 recipes.  That will begin with my next post!
• Live life.  Obviously, not at the expense of anything, but I don't want to get too caught up in certain aspects that I forget about others.  I'm about to go to college, and I never want to look back and wish I had done more of something.  In other words:  cease every opportunity!

Now that I've written this post, I'm very glad I did so!  I think it's important to reflect on the past and think about the future so that you have an idea of where you want to take your life.  I don't believe in planning everything in your life, but I think it's important to learn from the past and know what you want to accomplish.

I hope everyone is enjoying their own lives!  See you next time with the beginning of my 50 recipe challenge! 

But first, I hope everyone had a fabulous New Year!!  I'll tell you a bit about what I'm excited for in 2012 in another post, but for today, I have a review for you all!

Disclaimer:  I am by no means a professional and cannot guarantee results or proper body mechanics from this product.  All thoughts in this review are my own based on my experience with the product and my fitness level.

Now that that's out of the way, let's begin!

(Source)

The Basics:  
The DVD includes two workouts, a level one and a level two.

Level one is 35 minutes long and includes a four minute warm-up and a four minute cool down.  The workout includes three full circuits with three exercises in each circuit.  In between each circuit, there are what Jillian calls "sun salutations."  

Level two is 30 minutes long and includes about a four minute warm-up and a three minute cool down.  Like level one, the workout includes three full circuits with three exercises in each circuit.  In between each circuit, there is a single exercise, but unlike level one, they are different each time.

Layout of the Exercises:
In level one, each exercise in the circuits is a yoga pose with movement, and then the pose is held for 15 seconds.  There are beginner modifications for almost every exercise as well as some advanced modifications.

The layout of level two is just like level one, including modifications for beginners and more advanced exercisers.

General Thoughts:
I found the difference between level one and level two to be fairly minimal.  There were some poses in level two that were the same as level one but were faster and had added twist.  There were some other poses in level two (such as the crow pose) that I simply could not do yet.  Overall, I found the main difference between the levels was that they used different muscle groups.  That was a huge plus in my book!

For me, at least one exercise per circuit in level one was really hard while the others were fairly easy or hard but not unbearable.  In level two, I found that the entire circuit was either really hard or moderate.  I do have some back issues, so that is why I struggled with some of the exercises - if you do not have back problems, they may be easier.  The muscles used in these workouts are different that those normally used in weightlifting (I say this because I do weightlifting but was sore after completing the workout), so either level is a nice change of pace.  

Many of the reviews that I have read about this workout claim that the upbeat pace and intensity take away from the calmness and relaxation of yoga.  This brings up a good point:  if you are looking for a yoga DVD that will relax the mind and body, this DVD is not for you.  Personally, I do not see the pace of this DVD to be a problem.  It is a workout that pushes for results quickly, and that is what it delivers (in my opinion).  I also like the movement involved because I am inpatient and cannot stay in the yoga poses for much longer that 15 seconds before wanting to move on.  It just depends on what you are looking for.

I also have not found myself bored by either of the workouts.  I have done level one four or five times, and each time, I am excited before and during the workout.  I have done level two only once, but I am already excited to do it again. 

Overall Rating:
On a scale of one to five, I place Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown at a five.  


Well, there you have it!  I hope you enjoyed my first formal review!  Expect more in the future. :)

Do you have Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown?  How would you rate it?

Have a wonderful first week or 2012!!

Creative title, I know.  At least I managed to convey a bit of enthusiasm, right?

So, Christmas is the name of the game today!  It's already over?!  No, 362 days until Christmas.  You see, there is a bright side.

Let's start with Christmaas Eve!

Me ready for the feast:

The Feast!

Not the best picture in the world, but I was a little bit more focused on the plate of food in front of me than my photography skills at that moment.  But who could blame me for being distracted when maple glazed veggies (from Happy Herbivore, click here for recipe; highly recommended as even my parents loved them - score for fixing veggies that everyone will eat!), a homemade bread roll, potatoes au gratin, and chickpeas with my dad's amazing garlic rosemary sauce were staring me in the face?  Definitely the best meal of the year.  Especially when followed by my mom's chocolate cream pie:

Gifts were the next morning!  Look what I got!

I am also now the proud owner of the cutes Christmas dishes ever. 

Told you so. ;)  I got some other foodie stuff too, but you'll have to wait for my next post...

My brother got me Jillian Michael's yoga DVD!!  I was so excited and went through level one later Christmas day.  I was sore the next day!  I'm used to pretty intense work-outs, but the yoga poses and movement used different muscles so it was a great challenge!  And was followed by loose leaf ginger lemongrass tea.  (In the cutest mug, remember?)

All together, my Christmas was wonderful!  Full of lots of superb food, gifts received and given (I'll have to show ya'll what I got my dad at some point), and, most importantly, lots of time spent with my wonderful family!

And now (insert drumroll here) time for a donut!!

Lemon Cake Donut
This donut has a light, refreshing lemon flavor.  If you want the lemon more pronounced, increase the amount of lemon zest in the donut batter.  You can also increase lemon juice (though I haven't personally done this).  If you do increase lemon juice, you may need to add additional sweetener and increase the baking time by a few minutes.
Serves 1

For the donut ingredients:

• 1/4 cup brown rice flour (or other flour of choice)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• zest from one small lemon (about 1/2 teaspoon of zest)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• 2.5 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Sweetener, to taste (e.g. agave, maple syrup, stevia, granulated sugar - I used three drops stevia)

Donut directions:

1. Preheat your oven 350 degrees and grease one donut mold in your donut pan (I used coconut oil).
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest, and dry sugar (if using).
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the lemon juice, egg white, yogurt, vanilla, and wet sweetener (if using).
4. Stir the wet mixture into the dry.  Mix until well combined, but don't over mix.
5. Spoon mixture evenly into the greased donut pan, and bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Ingredients for the icing:

• Coconut butter
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Sweetener, to taste

* Adjust amount of ingredients according to taste.  I used about 1.5 tablespoons of coconut butter, 1/8 teaspoon zest, 1 teaspoon juice, and a drop of stevia.  Next time, I would probably use more zest, less juice, and either more stevia or a teaspoon or so of maple syrup.

Directions:

1. Place the coconut butter in a bowl and microwave it until the coconut butter has melted.
2. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
3. Spread onto the donut as soon as you transferred the donut to a plate.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  And, since it's only a few days away, Happy New Year!!