Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Ice Cream

March 29, 2012 By Laura

I’ve been keeping secrets.

A few weeks ago you were all asking what this ice cream creation was:

It still needed some tweaking… and to avoid scaring people off I re-dressed it. ~~It’s not easy being green.~~

This was the end result:

Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Ice Cream.

Sweet potatoes have long been abused. For years they been drowned with brown sugar and marshmallows at your grandmother’s Thanksgiving table. These tasty ‘taters don’t need to be hidden by all that sugar-laden stuff!

It’s time they were liberated. In fact, sweet potatoes don’t even need to be served hot to be delicious. It’s 80 degrees outside! Let’s celebrate with ice cream. And peanut butter.

Beware: it will soften in the sun while you take pics

This sweet, nutty creation was especially good with the cinnamon and ginger additions. Just enough to add a hint of flavor, these spices brought out the sweetness of the potato and highlighted the peanut element.

Topped with a little more cinnamon and enjoyed in the sunshine, this was the perfect afternoon treat.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Sweet Potato-Peanut Butter Ice Cream

1 medium garnet sweet potato, baked
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
1/2 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 in piece of ginger
2 T peanut flour (can sub peanut or other nut butter)
8 drops stevia
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of guar gum (or other thickener)
2 C ice

Place all ingredients in Vitamix. Turn on machine and increase speed to #10; then to high. Use the tamper as needed to press the mixture into the blades while processing. In ~45 seconds, four mounds will form in the mixture. Stop blending and serve immediately.

Note: Do not over-mix or your ice cream will melt. If your ice cream is more of a milkshake, firm it up by adding more ice cubes.

You may also use an ice cream maker; prepare according to maker instructions.

Serves 2.

***

I must have been strange kid because I didn’t even like the marshmallow-topped casserole stuff back in the day.

Do you like all of that ‘mallowed up casserole of your youth?

What is your favorite flavor or ice cream?

Narcissism + WIAW

March 28, 2012 By Laura

Facebook is an indicator of narcissism.

Raise your hand if you’re in trouble…

According to a recent study, there is a link between the number of “friends” you have and narcissism. The participants were assessed on the based on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI). ~~Who knew that even existed?!~~

The study wasn’t fully representative, but the theory is that a high friend count indicates you need excessive attention.

Clearly these people never played in a ~100 person roller derby league or went to grad school. That’s like 50% of my friend count!

But I digress. Today is the last green themed What I Ate Wednesday! Give my day of eats some attention, and then give Jenn’s blog some attention by clicking here to see what everyone chowed down on.

Breakfast:

I was in a rush, so I did a quick 15 min HIIT workout before breakfast… which left me starving. I scarfed another Raspberry Barked Oatmeal To-Go (perfect in-a-hurry-meal), along with slices of the best grapefruit I’ve ever eaten.

This fruit was so sweet I couldn’t believe it wasn’t an orange or maybe an Ugli fruit.

Lunch:

Again with the busy theme, I ate lunch on the road. Literally – I was driving with my knees with a cell phone in one hand and my burrito bowl in the other.

Safe, I know… at least is didn’t try to take a picture!

I wish I had gotten a pic because Willy’s is the only Mexi-rito chain I have seen that offers tofu. Vegan tofu burrito bowl, FTW.

Snacks:

Random, but yummy:

Cashews
Squash sticks dipped in marinara
TJ’s Sweet Potato Chips + Eggplant Garlic Dip (sooooo good!)
Grapes
Beer… it was a pre-tennis snack!
Rick’s Picks Mean Beans – spicy pickle green beans

Dinner:

A quick post-tennis veggie stir-fry served with apple slices, and seed bread over a bed of mixed greens.

In my quickie stir-fry:

Yellow cauliflower
Squash and zucchini
Collard greens
Onion
Garlic
Nutritional yeast
Liquid aminos
Thyme
S+P

Dessert:

One of these Chewy Granola Cookies from the freezer. I love a low-sugar quickie dessert. ~~I may have had 2.~~

***

In the theme of narcissism…. it’s the last time I’ll post my weekly vote plea. A nomination as a “Best Healthy Eating Blog” for the 2012 Fitterati Blog Awards on FitnessMagazine.com blew me away. I know I’m never going to reach the 1000+ vote mark, but I’d be honored if you felt inclined to click here and vote for me.

What is your favorite burrito-chain order?

Let’s talk Facebook… do you believe the theory? How narcissistic are you?

Do You Chia? [ChiaSeed Recipes]

March 27, 2012 By Laura

We all had chia pets growing up.

The adult thing to do with EAT the chia. The seeds, not the pet… actually, I wonder if you could eat the pet…

Today I am guest posting on my friend Heather’s blog – Better with Veggies. This vegan-rockstar endurance athlete is tearing up the slopes on a snowboarding adventure!

Click here for a little chia education and some tasty (and easy!) recipes like…

Peach Cobbler Chia Pudding

Blueberry Pear Overnight Oat Chia Pudding

Sweet Potato Chia Pudding Pie

Chocolate Breakfast Pudding

***

I’m going to be sweating it to keep up with blog this week… work is out of control! Sorry if I am slow to comment.

Do you use chia seeds? What’s your favorite way to incorporate them?

Have you ever walked around with seeds stuck in your teeth? Why don’t people tell you these things?!

Monday Mentions

March 19, 2012 By Laura

In typical fashion, I spent the weekend on the go.

Between the summer-ish weather and having to sit in the office all week, I couldn’t get enough of the great outdoors. All of the St. Patrick’s festivities and running events made it feel like spring festival season!

Here’s a little highlight reel:

1. Dining Out Vegan

I’m still rocking the vegan thing and have gotten some cool meals.

The first pic is from the best Thai restaurant in Atlanta – Panita Thai. It looks like a shack from the outside, but the food is incredible. I ordered my eggplant-tofu dish “Thai hot.” Cindy, the owner/our server looked skeptic but did as requested. That may be the last time I order something THAT spicy… but ~~my ego~~ I ate it. Cindy was impressed.

The bottom 2 pics are from ONE Midtown Kitchen. The service-level was absolutely incredible. Chef Drew VanLeuvan created a custom appetizer and entrée for me. Or server, Bernadette, even brought out apple slices and asparagus stalks for me to munch on pre-dinner since I couldn’t eat the bread sticks!

My app consisted of roasted apples with ginger sorbet and roasted cabbage. The entrée that Chef created was an asparagus salad with pickled strawberries, orange segments, toasted hazelnuts, sugar snaps, micro greens, and a balsamic reduction. It was a lot of apples and asparagus, but it was fantastic.

Note: Chef Drew is leaving soon to start is his own restaurant. Sad news for ONE, but very exciting for the talented chef. I’ll be frequenting his new spot (and ONE, of course).

2. Baking Bender

The baking bug hit me. I made Sarah’s Sweet Potato Soda Bread (with just a little creative recipe-license – sooo good), a new oatmeal thing (recipe coming tomorrow!), and my Chewy Granola Cookies.

Who says you have to be running to carb-load?!

3. Summer in the Winter

Technically this is still winter. Atlanta didn’t get that memo – it was in the 80s all weekend! Some dude in the condo across from me was in the pool (see evidence below). I went on a long walk in the park with a friend on St. Patrick’s Day. As you might imagine, we saw many entertaining things. The pic below is some sort of photo shoot that was happening. Doesn’t it look like the guy is photographing her butt?!

4. Cheerleading

The Publix Marathon & Half Marathon were this weekend. I rolled out of bed early to cheer on fellow bloggers Heather, Lindsay, Lee, and Tina. It was my first time cheerleading a race, and I was surprised at how much fun it was to spectate and encourage the runners. I somehow missed Heather and Lindsay. Tina waved and she powered by in her hot pink socks… I was busy stuffing my face ~~like a fat kid~~ with a muffin and missed the pic. Fail.

I did get Lee! She claimed she was struggling, but she looked fantastic!

5. Refuel

Refuel brunch without running is totally acceptable, right? I joined the runners for brunch at Stone Soup Kitchen. Heather found this gem – they had several vegan options, all delicious. Heather and Kirk (her husband, who also ran) ordered Vegos Rancheros that looked to-die-for. I had a tofu scramble with green peppers, red onion, jalapenos, mushrooms, arugula, and red hot sauce. It was SO good. I also had a side of grits, but discovered that vegan grits aren’t my favorite.

L to R: me, Tina, Lee, Kirk, Heather, Lindsay, and little Clara

You may have noticed the coffee. The caffeine break is officially over.

________________________________________________________________________________________

The workouts were pretty good this week. I was missing my weight workouts. CrossFit means I don’t have the time or energy to do both most days. Friday and Saturday I decided to skip the CrossFit and return to my trusty weights. I was shocked to find during Saturday’s P90X Chest/Tri workout that I could actually do more push-ups!

The BodyRock videos continue to get better and better. I love that they are adding “bonus” rounds and using some weights now! That makes some of these solid 30-45 mins workouts. It may seem like I slacked on the push ups, but between BodyRock ad CrossFit I got my fill.

Workout Recap (3/5 – 3/18):

Monday – This Body Rock 300 Rep Challenge
Tuesday – This Body Rock (20 reps on the weights), 20 min treadmill incline walk, 100 push-ups
Wednesday – This Body Rock, CrossFit,100 push-ups
Thursday – CrossFit, 100 push-ups
Friday – Biceps/Back, This BodyRock (sans weight portion), 100 push-ups
Saturday – This BodyRock (with the arse bonus – that was a good one!), P90X Tris/Chest
Sunday – This Body Rock, P90X Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups

***

There’s something about this weather that makes me believe I shouldn’t have to go to work tomorrow.

Did you run a race the weekend? How did it go?

Does it feel like summer where you live? Are you happy about it, or missing a true winter?

Defining a Good Weekend

March 12, 2012 By Laura

Define a good weekend.

For me, it means a relaxing 2 days filled with friends and good food. Throw in a hair cut and some killer workouts and I’m a happy girl.

Confession: I didn’t do a good job of eating clean… but I did do an excellent job of eating delicious.

1. A+ Restaurant Dining, Vegan-Style

A family friend was passing through town and treated me to dinner at Empire State South. This is one of Hugh Acheson‘s restaurants. The Executive Chef, Ryan Smith, was recently nominated for Food & Wine’s Best New Chef).

The win happened when I scored a custom vegan meal thanks to the sage advice of Heather and JL, and the talent of Chef Smith. Knowing ESS to be meat-heavy (their charcuterie is amazing), I called ahead to make reservations and ask if they could accommodate a vegan diet. They could, and did! It was better than previous meat-filled meals I’ve had there!

First, the wine: 2004 Angelo Sassetti “Pertimali” Brunello di Montalcino.

2004 was a great year for Brunello and this was no exception – light and plummy, with a little earthiness on the end. Perfect with my veggie-based meal!

First custom dish of the night was an app that I couldn’t get enough of. This was a dish of seasonal mushrooms, fried wild rice, pickled sunchokes, roasted and pickled beets over a schmear of peanut puree.

My main was equally good. There is no way I can remember it all… but it was a roasted brussels dish with farro, mustard seeds, carrot, pea shoots, roasted garlic, and a ramp jam.

2. Dessert Happened (second helpings happened too)

Dinner at mamma’s house with mixed company meant 2 berry pies were made – one vegan and one “regular.” Both used a vegan pre-made pie crust, mixed berries, and an oatmeal-granola topping.

My vegan pie had xylitol mixed in to sweeten it, and the other had butter and regular sugar in it. No one could tell the difference.

3. Cheap Affordable, Delicious Wine

This wine was a hit at mom’s dinner party. The Epicuro Aglianico is an el cheapo bottle from Trader Joe’s. Well, originally it’s from southern Italy but you know what I mean. This is the best under $10 bottle of wine (it’s $4.99) I’ve had in recent memory!

4. New Hair

Getting my hair cut/colored is my favorite thing in the world to do. This is shorter than I’ve ever had it… I’m still shocked every time I look in the mirror! Holla to the rockstars at Lava Hair Studio.

Karen (stylist-wizard) and me

5. Romance Rekindled

Don’t get too excited. I’m talking about my love-affair with Dulce Vegan, a local vegan bakery and cafe. It’s on the other side of town… meaning it’s a whole 15 minutes away and I’m usually too ~~lazy~~ busy to drive there.

Between CrossFit and softball practice yesterday, I made the trip and indulged in a helluva TLT – tempeh “bacon,” arugula, and tomato with chipotle aioli on house-made millet bread. It was as delicious as it sounds. Especially that bread – OMG.

________________________________________________________________________________________

CrossFit has been SO much fun. Totally intimidating, but fun. I leave workouts starving – an increased appetite must mean I’m working hard! I’ve amped up my protein shakes and become religious about eating every 2 hours. They preach the paleo diet, which I’m not into… I’ve even been craving MORE carbs since starting. Good or bad, I’m feeding my body what it wants!

Workout Recap (3/5 – 3/11):

Monday – CrossFit, This Pinterest workout (5x)
Tuesday – CrossFit, This BodyRock, 100 push-ups
Wednesday – CrossFit, This BodyRock (weighted part 2x), 100 push-ups
Thursday – Yoga, This workout, 100 push-ups
Friday – Tris/Chest, 100 push-ups
Saturday – This BodyRock (with 20 reps on weights)
Sunday – CrossFit, Softball practice, Bike intervals

***

I didn’t have to change my bedroom clock for daylight savings time… because I never changed it last fall…

What is your definition of a good weekend?

Do you crave more carbs depending on the type of exercise you do?

5 on Friday + Vanilla Chai Frappuccino

March 9, 2012 By Laura

Life gets crazy.

I have about a million things that I ran out of time to do this week. There are pictures on my computer of things I’ve been meaning to share with you all for weeks. It’s embarrassing.

This Friday I am going to begin to catch up! Here are 5 things I’m digging lately:

1. Dandy Blend

I won a bag of Dandy Blend in a giveaway from Tiffany @ Como Water. It’s an herbal dandelion powder that supposedly has a coffee-like taste.

You know what? It does! Granted, it’s no replacement for your fancy Ethiopian blends… but for you non-fancy coffee drinkers and herbal drink lovers, I would recommend it.

The bag says to mix 1 rounded tsp with a mug of hot water. That didn’t cut it for me. I had to use 2 heaping tsp to get that coffee taste. Hot “coffee” is good, but my favorite way to drink it was been mixed into other things. Namely, mixed into a vanilla chai frappuccino. (Recipe at bottom.)

Speaking of the frapp below…

2. Vanilla Chai Vega Nutritional Powder

Vega’s re-formulated Vanilla Chai also had a starring role in my vanilla chai frappucchino. I have previously tried Vega’s plant-based protein powder and didn’t care for it. They did a great job on the reformulation! I loved the 15g of protein to keep me full, and that it only contained 2g of sugar.

With many powders I find that the flavors are either too diluted or leave an artificial aftertaste – the new Vega doesn’t commit either crime. It made an awesome chai-spiced cold drink to start out the crazy-winter-balmy 75 degree day!

3. Super Me! Wrist Cuff

This rockin’ cuff was ordered from Horse Feathers several weeks ago.

(Side note: Does any one else think “finger cuffs!” every time they hear the word cuff? Chasing Amy reference? Any one?)

Check out the website here. They sell a bunch of different items and other cuffs with various quotes. Mine says: “If I gotta be me, I’m gonna be super-me.”

They shipped fast and it arrived in a cute blue bag. Sold.

4. So Delicious Chocolate Dairy-Free Ice Cream

This deliciousness is almost sugar-free – only 1g of sugar!!! It was on sale (mind you, on sale meant it was still $5 a pint) at Whole Foods, so I treated myself. My expectations were low… but OMG it is delicious!!!

5. YOU

You guys have been making me smile all week.

One of my new favorite bloggers, Lauren @ Oatmeal After Spinning made a variation of my Chili Nutty Tofu and declare it “perfection.” If you haven’t tried baking tofu yet… you should!

Click here for my version (pictured below):

Click here for Lauren’s variation.

Gina @ Running to the Kitchen (Our blogs’ names should get married – no wonder I love her!) made my Vegan Goat Cheese-Stuffed Tomatoes.

I’m not one to brag ~~(ok, I can be one to brag…)~~, but these were damn good:

Click here to see Gina’s post, which includes some killer pics! ~~Read: much better than my iPhone efforts.~~

________________________________________________________________________________________

Vanilla Chai Frappuccino

Vega Vanilla Chai protein powder
2 heaping tsp Dandy Blend (or instant coffee, to taste)
2 big kale leaves (optional)
Handful of wheatgrass (optional)
1/2 c unsweetened almond milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Ice

Toss everything in your blender of choice, mix until smooth, and happily slurp away!

I topped mine with a few cacao nibs. Whipped cream would have also been good.

***

Crossfit update: I’m so sore that I actually did yoga yesterday. ~~I hate yoga.~~ It helped.

What’s the best new food/product/recipe you’ve tried lately?

Has anyone tried any of the above products? I’d love to hear your opinions!

Packable, Healthy Lunches + WIAW

March 7, 2012 By Laura

“What healthy foods can I bring to work/school?”

That is one of the most common questions I hear.

The good news is: it’s not hard! If you have some fresh veggies and dip, you’ve made a good start. Add some fruit, a carb, some healthy fats, a protein…. and you’re in business!

One of the easiest sack lunches is leftovers. Make extra of whatever you’ve had for dinner the night before. Stick that in a container and take it into the office. Simple!

Another option is a salad. No, not another boring salad! Think outside the box with toppings. You can easily add items like:

Roasted veggies (ex: eggplant, zucchini, asparagus, squashes, beets)
Fruits (ex: blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, grapefruit sections, apples)
Seeds or nuts (ex: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pepitas, almonds, walnuts)
Other greens (ex: spinach, sprouts, arugula, shredded cabbage, kale)
Legumes (ex: black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils)
Herbs or spices (ex: cilantro, parsley, oregano, cumin, red pepper flakes, Chinese 5 spice)
Proteins (this is where leftovers really help – ex: grilled chicken, tempeh, tofu, lentils, quinoa, veggie burgers)

Citrus Chickpea Cilantro Salad (click for recipe)

Dressing your salad is another way to shake things up. A few of my go-tos:

Use salsa to add some heat (really good with avocado and black beans)
Thin out hummus with apple cider vinegar (1:1 ratio)
Leftover pesto (like this beet sunflower pesto pictured below) mixed with a bit of balsamic or water to thin
Mash an avocado with lemon juice for a creamier dressing
Fresh lemon/lime/orange juice with a drizzle of olive oil
This low-fat Spicy Peanut Sauce

Sunflower Beet Pesto on salad (click for recipe)

Need your carbs?

Bring along a tortilla, pita pocket, or whole grain bread to eat on the side or stuff your salad into. Or have a healthier chip alternative on the side – I’m really digging PopChips and Pirate’s Booty.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday this month is in the theme of green. I wasn’t as green as usual… but it was a veggie-laden day for sure!

It’s also a “What I Ate at Work” WIAW. I’ve been going to CrossFit right after work this week, so I’m eating more snacky things all day long so I am not starving before class ends.

___________________________________________________________________________________