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Appetites and Adventures

Indian Week

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PSA: Sleep Cycle is the best app ever.

 

Wild ass claim…

From their website, Sleep Cycle is a “bio-alarm clock that analyzes your sleep patterns and wakes you when you are in the lightest sleep phase.” Since using it, I have woken up on time (or early!) and not pressed snooze the first time.

By far, the most useful app I’ve downloaded to-date.  I’d give it an Oscar. For the second morning in a row… I had time to go to the gym!!!

And make a tasty breakfast:

Roasted grapefruit with fresh nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander.  Side of Greek yogurt + chia seeds.  Coffee.

If you’ve never tried a roasted grapefruit, I highly recommend it.  It is an easy and grapefruit is in season right now.

For a “how-to,” check out this post.

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This week has inadvertently become Indian cuisine week… (more after the jump)   … 

Read More »

Mojo and Sunshine

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You know you live in the city when…

…you notice brand-new, yet-to-be-bolted-down park benches and the first thought you have is:

I can’t believe no one has stolen those yet!

🙂

The new benches were noticed along my lunchtime run.  The run I was NOT motivated to go on, despite the lovely weather.

The only advice I have to pushing through a run is to break it down, 1 mile at a time.

  • Set a short goal (mine was 2 miles)
  • At that mark, re-assess (I decided to do a 5K)
  • Still not feeling it?  Walk for a minute, or run some stairs to break it up.
  • Determine the end goal (I did enough for an even 4 miles)

Today’s run:

  • Distance: 4 miles
  • Time: 35:50
  • Pace: 8:88/mi

I’m really proud of my time given the fact that it was SO windy out there!

You should always reward yourself after a run like that.

I recommend doing so with this:

How does Angela @ Oh She Glows come up with this stuff?!

Try her Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole.  You won’t be sorry.

I followed her directions exactly, except I halved the banana called for, nixed the maple syrup (I used vanilla almond milk, which I find to be sweeter) and made them in 4 ramekins.

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Good news!

At my follow up appointment, the oral surgeon said I can eat items that I can mush with my tongue.  My tofu is getting its mojo back!

If you’re like me, you open a can of chipoltes in adobo sauce, use 2 or 3, and then forget you still have half the can in the fridge.  Use the other half for this mojo marinade!  It was fantastic.  I used half of the marinade on chicken (for the non-tofu lovers), and remainder in tofu.  I’m told the chicken was good and I know the tofu was.

The marinade does have a kick, but it isn’t bad after marinating/cooking.

In need of a side, I got creative with the sunchokes and sweet potato.  I have never cooked a sunchoke before, but had eaten puréed or sauteed sunchokes at several places (Holeman & Finch does a stand-up sunchoke sauté).

 

 

Sunchokes (a.k.a. Jerusalem artichokes) are the root of a sunflower. Raw, they look a like ginger root and can be found at your local farmer’s/speciality market.  Sunchokes have an earthy, almost nutty taste and a potato-like texture upon cooking.

They are good for the intestines, and a source of Vitamin C, potassium, and Iron.  And they taste good!

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Mojo-Marinated Tofu

(slightly adjusted from Tyler Florence)

  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • 1 blood orange, juiced
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 3 T EVOO
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 chipolte chiles, in adobo sauce
  • 3 T cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Drain tofu and pat dry.  Cut in half horizontally, placed between towels, and press for 10 mins.  (I placed a large iron skillet on top of mine.)

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients.  Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth.

Pour over pressed tofu in a bowl or baggie, tossing to coat. Refrigerate for an hour hour, allowing flavors to combine.

Preheat a ridged grill pan on medium heat.  Lightly oil the grill pan.  Drain excess marinade from tofu and grill the over medium heat, cooking for ~4 mins on each side.

***

Sweet Potato Sunchoke Purée

  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled
  • 1 large piece of sunchoke, peeled (about 4 in)
  • 1/2 large or 1 small yellow onion
  • 1/4 C plain non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
  • S + P, to taste

Dice the the potato, sunchoke, and onion.  Cut into 2 in cubes and place in a medium pot and cover with water.

Add 1/4 tsp salt, bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins, until tender.  

Drain the vegetables and return to the pan.  Stir in yogurt, milk, nutmeg.  

Using an immersion blender, combine all ingredients until smooth.  Salt and pepper to taste.

***

What new food have you tried lately?  Are you more likely to try it at a restaurant or devise your own concoction at home?


The Tardy Smoothie

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I have a problem.

 

I cannot get out the door in the morning. 

I’ll be basically ready to leave for work on time, and then manage to blow another 20 minutes.  How does this happen?!?!  This morning I needed to make a quick smoothie and leave.  Twenty minutes later, I had a delicious smoothie and a cool pic.  Maybe it’s the photo-taking?

 

I recently purchased Guar Gum.  Guar is a thickening agent commonly used items such as: ice cream/sorbet, pies, pudding, smoothies, yogurt, and more.

It is also acts as a stabilizer.  I really appreciated this, as my spinach-laced smoothies often separate if I don’t drink them immediately.

I used Bob’s Red Mill:

A few facts about Guar (from WebMD):

  • Can help treat diarrhea/IBS (lovely)
  • May lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels
  • Keeps you feeling full longer, as it is a slow digestible

 

Either way, it made my morning smoothie more milkshake-like and I’ll be using it again!

I also tried out So Delicious Coconut Milk for the first time.

It was surprisingly light!  I was expecting, you know, coconut milk.  This coconut milk was somewhere between almond milk and rice milk on the thick-scale.

I tried the unsweetened version, and liked it.  Coconut milk definitely won’t replace almond, but I’d buy it again.  I’d really like to try the vanilla flavor.

Since the base of this smoothie is pumpkin, I think it is worthy of being named the “Tardy Smoothie.”  You guys know what I’m talking about… right?  In Cinderella where she risks turning into a pumpkin if she’s late?

The Tardy Smoothie

  • 1/2 C So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp Guar Gum
  • 1/4 C pumpkin
  • 1/4 C blueberries
  • 1/4 C oatmeal
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • handful of spinach
  • ice + water, to taste

 

Toss everything in the blender, blend away, and enjoy the thickness!

Note: A little bit of Guar Gum goes a loooong way.

***

Do you have the same problem getting out the door in the morning? 

What is the culprit?!

 

Voluminous Apps

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I am in App-heaven.

So far I’m loving:

  • Hipstamatic – I think everyone knows this one, but it makes your photos have that “old school” feel (added bonus: will load to Flickr and FB seamlessly).
  • ColorSplash – This app gets the “cool” award.  It makes your photos black and white, then allows you to zoom in and selectively “paint” color back in.
  • FlickStackr – Allows you to easily upload pics, edit comments, and browse others’ photos.
  • TweetDeck – Definitely take the cake for the app I didn’t know I needed – this integrates FB and Twitter and allows you to easily upload photos,
  • Sleep Cycle – Ok, so I haven’t used it yet… but – if it works – this could save me many “OMG, did I really oversleep AGAIN?!” panic attacks.  From their site: a bio-alarm clock that analyzes your sleep patterns and wakes you when you are in the lightest sleep phase.
  • ScoutMob – You know how much I love a deal.  Moreover, I love a deal that finds me.  ScoutMob’s app uses your location to tell you where the nearby discounts are, which ones are expiring soon, and has a neat-o hipster mustache you can apply to a pic. (Today’s 50% off deal is for Tierra, which I love.  Don’t be scared by the exterior.  Get the Tres Leches.  And the wine.)

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Remember when I mentioned trying Katie’s voluminous oatmeal trick?

I made them to runny in Round 1.  This morning I did it again, sans liquid overkill.  FTW.

Blueberry-Banana-Style Voluminous Oats

In my mix:

  • 1/3 C oatmeal
  • 1 C water
  • 1/4 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • shake of salt

Microwave 4 mins, let stand for 5 mins, place in fridge over night (according to Katie’s instructions).

Added in the morning:

  • 1/2 chopped banana
  • handful blueberries
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract

Mix using an immersion blender (a.k.a my new BFF), and heat in microwave until warm.

Toppings that would be delicious: banana pieces, chocolate chunks, walnuts, more berries.

***

This weekend I posted about my distaste for McDonald’s oatmeal.

Apparently, I am not the only one who thinks they are scary.  Check out this New York Times article.  (Why couldn’t they have at least made all that artificial taste good?!)

What to do you grab for breakfast in a pinch?  Is fast food a consideration?


Lemme Upgrade ‘Ya

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Happy President’s Day!

It seems that most people had to work, but we had the day off since we didn’t get MLK Day.

Productivity was high!  Checked off my to-do list:

  • Run
  • Banana Republic
  • West Elm (I still have the curtains that came with my condo… embarrassing)
  • Verizon
  • Talked to the tattoo guy (more to come on that…)
  • Farmer’s Market (where I managed to spend $50 despite not being able to chew food… foodie fail win)

The run this morning was slow going, but I was fine with that because I was sore from having a GOOD run yesterday!

I attempted a run last weekend and had to quit because my jaw bones were shaking (I have no idea how else to describe it… but it’s like I can feel my bones moving) and my head was pounding.

Anyway, yesterday I did a 5K in 26:40.  Then ran/walked another 1.25 miles.

So a less-than amazing run today was fine by me.  And I treated myself to a post-run latte at Caribou Coffee while reading the paper.

Now I need to figure out endurance before the Tough Mudder on March 12th… follow up with the Doc tomorrow… hopefully he won’t make me stop!

Any way, also in honor of my President’s Day off, I tried a new oatmeal method. Chocolate-Covered Katie’s Voluminous Oatmeal.

I added a little much liquid, but I’m re-doing it tonight to perfect tomorrow morning.  This morning, I added a scoop of vanilla protein powder (post-run refuel!), cinnamon, and peanut butter.  Tasty, if I may say so.

The BEST part of any holiday is the present!

I got an iPhone!

Thank you, Verizon

My first picture with the Hipstamatic app…. it was stressful trying to get everything set up!

***

So, now that I’ve joined modern society…

What are you favorite, must-have apps?


Cherry-O’s

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CNN posted an article yesterday on the healthiest fast-food breakfasts.  Naturally, I was curious after the nasty bowl of oatmeal I had at McDonald’s a few weeks ago.

This over-sweetened soupy bowl of oats was #6 on the list.  The apple/raisins/brown sugar all come on the side, but the girl at the counter added them without asking when she added the hot water.  Fail. It has 290 calories and 5g of protein, which is not terrible (some nuts would be a welcome addition to bulk it up) but it would have been better if it tasted good.

Some of these options sound good – like the Dunkin’ Donuts Wake-Up Wrap – but why do the eggs always have to look so fake???

What surprises me is that the article doesn’t mention sugar content.  I don’t like beginning my day on a sugar high, and McD’s oatmeal had 32g of sugar!

*Steps off platform*

Kudos to fast food restaurants for offering some healthier options.  There’s definitely room for improvement, but it’s good to know there are choices if you are pressed for time and in need of breakfast.

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Lately, I’m craving cherries.  It could have something to do with this deliciousness.  (I just made this lemon-cherry vegan “cheese”… it is no joke, y’all.)

Technically these are cherry oats… but Cherry O’s sound sound much more fun!  Let’s be honest, I need fun in my liquid-y diet.


I LOVED these.  This is possibly my favorite fruit-oat combo to date.

Cherry-O’s

  • 1/2 C oatmeal
  • 1/2 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 C water
  • 1/2 C frozen cherries
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • Shake of salt

Combine all ingredients in a pot and heat over medium-high heat, stirring combine and mashing mash bananas and cherries as the mixture heats.  Cook until done, stirring occasionally.  The slower you cook them, the fluffier they are!

Don’t forget the cherry on top. 🙂

***

It is February.  It is also 70 degrees and sunny.  Mother Nature, you are redeeming yourself today.

What is your favorite spring-like weather activity?

I don’t plan to be inside at all today. This calls for a hike!


Pink Berry Oatmeal

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

I, like everyone else in the world, felt it necessary to make my breakfast red in honor of Valentine’s Day.

With a scoop of handmade chocolate-hazelnut spread, left over from last year’s trip to Ireland.

Because the meaning of V-Day is chocolate.

Doesn’t the chocolate kind of look heart-shaped?!  Total accident, I swear.

Contributing to the pinky goodness:

  • 1/2 C Kansas grain organic oat bran
  • 1 1/4 C water
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 C frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
  • 1/2 banana
  • shake of salt

Toss everything in a pot, stir to combine, and cook over medium-high heat until desired consistency  is reached (mine took ~8 mins).

♥ ♥ ♥

What are you treating yourself to today?

Warning: pink berry oats may inspire the ingestion of Pinkberry.

Raw Raspberry Applesauce

By

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil was full of you-know-what.

I woke up this morning to this:

Pretty.  But COLD.

The other downside (for school kids) is that the snow didn’t stick enough to cancel school.  Boo hiss!

News flash: For the first time, I was glad snow didn’t leave the city crippled.  I’m getting old. 😉

Most people love apple pies, baked apples, applesauce, etc.  I do not. I do love apples, but once they are cooked the flavor changes and they just don’t seem “right” anymore.

Not being able to chew, apples are definitely off-limits.

Or so I thought.

I owe Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit a HUGE thank you.  She shared her recipe for Raw Raspberry Applesauce with me yesterday!

Of course, I had to make it immediately… if not sooner. 😉

It’s perfect.  You could eat it for breakfast or snack or dessert.  In a box, with a fox…

In fact, I’m going to eat it with some greek yogurt later today.

Want a bite?

It is amazing how much this has the consistency of applesauce, yet retains the crisp, fresh apple taste.

It’s saucy, and it’s just my type. (Please read the previous sentence to the beat of the Beastie Boys’ “Crafty.”)

Raw Raspberry Applesauce

  • 1 medium apple (use a sweet variety, like Gala)
  • 1/4 C raspberries
  • 1/4 C water
  • 1/4 packet Stevia (add more as needed)
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ginger
  • Juice from 1/4 of fresh lime
  • Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Notes:

You may have to scrape down/stir a few times in between blends.  Don’t add too much liquid or you will have apple soup instead.  Which is fine, but would be disappointing if you wanted the sauce.

Depending on the sweetness of your apple or berry, you will need to adjust Stevia amounts.  You can use honey or agave instead.

You could use any berry here, or none at all!  I’d love to try it with blueberries.

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