But even after all that [mouth-watering] reminiscing, I’ll admit it…I just don’t handle these things well…so today, I went out, looking for a way to soothe my pain…
I ended up at the grocery store…
where foodie “retail therapy” ensued.
Walking numbly up and down the aisles, boxes, jars, and packages were lackadaisically tossed into the buggy until something caught my eye…
What is this? A waffle maker? For only FOURTEEN bucks?
So sleek, so shiny…I mean, look at it…it’s damn near SPARKLING!
And whaddaya know, this Pancake QueenCAN make waffles!
With death comes new life.
RIP Fred!
What do you think…traditional burial or cremation? 😉
I would send him out to sea but unfortunately I live in a landlocked state!
As always a big THANK YOU goes out to Jenn…the hostess of our weekly drool-fest! Be sure to stop by Peas & Crayons and see what DELICIOUSNESS she and everyone else has linked up this week!
So why don’t we get started with the very FIRST thing I ate today?
Cottage cheese topped (and bottomed) with my latest kitchen failure.
I was going for a crispy peanut butter cereal bar, but unfortunately I ended up with soggy cereal crumbles coated in peanut butter. And well, since no food goes to waste around here…yeah, I’ve been eating them like every day! Lol
Four hours later, I was off work, exhausted AND STARVING! All I wanted was to stuff my face and and then dive head-first under the covers in a matter of minutes. So I mixed up a quick bowl of oats mixed with my GNC casein protein, threw on some toppings, snapped a pic, and did just that!
Blueberries, cinnamon, almonds, shredded coconut, and a spoonful of peanut butter.
But not just ANY peanut butter…
Mr. Peanuthimself contacted me about a week ago and said he’d LOVE for me to try the newest of the Planter’s peanut butter line, Nut-trition Cinnamon Raisin Granola Nut!Flattered, and swooning of course (over the thought of the pb, not the cartoon nut),
I graciously accepted and it arrived on my doorstep in a couple of days.
Although it has a few more ingredients than I would like, it really does have an amazing flavor! And with all the bits of crunchy granola and squishy raisins, it was like a party in my mouth!
Thanks Planters!
When I woke up later in the day, I had what I like to refer to now as my “Morning Cocktail“
Fitmixer aminos + apple cider vinegar…TWO WEEKS people…that’s how long it’s been since I’ve had a single cup of coffee! I still can’t believe it!
After a bit of house cleaning, errand running, and a quick shoulder workout at home, it was finally time for some lunch!
Being a little hot and sweaty from the aforementioned activities, all I wanted was something cool and refreshing…
Oops, I did it again! 😉
I know, I know…first Sunday’s pancakes, then yesterday’s parfait…I just CAN’T stop throwing beets into everything lately and today was no exception with my newest creation, a Red Velvet Cake Smoothie!
Sorry, I’m not sorry…for the beets OR the shameless use of Britney Spears references! 😉
Everything you love about the taste of red velvet cake…only in sippable form!
*Recipe at bottom of post*
On the way to work, I snacked on a delicious Asian pear from my local farmer’s market…
Nothing like a ripe juicy pear…as in I had juice all over my hand, arm, and lap…note to self, restock Elvira’s supply of paper towels! 😉
For dinner, I was going to have the last Lauren’s Beet Burgers, but since I know I’m already bordering on “beeting” you guys to death, I decided against it. After a few minutes of throwing things around in the kitchen, I ended up coming up with something a little new, a little different, and a whole lotta cute!
I still need to work on the ratios in the tuna salad, but hopefully I can post the recipe for you guys soon…I promise not to add any beets! 😉
Until then, you’ll just have to make this smoothie!
Red Velvet Cake Smoothie
by Heather Powers
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Keywords: beets cottage cheese protein powder
Ingredients (Serves 1)
heaping 1/4 cup grated beets (about 1/2 of one small beet)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon butter extract (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cake batter extract (optional)
1/2 cup water or milk
5-6 ice cubes
unsweetened cocoa and mini chocolate chips for garnishing
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
2. Spoon out a bit of cocoa on a small plate. Dip the rim of your glass in 1/4 inch of water and then press the rim down lightly into the plate of cocoa.
3. Top with mini chocolate chips.
What about rich red velvet cake with creamy vanilla frosting?
How about for breakfast?
I couldn’t help myself. After about the third comment on my Blueberry Beet Pancakes from yesterday, mentioning “red velvet cake”, I just couldn’t get the idea out of my head…
All night during my shift at the hospital, all I could think of was cake….
Cake…cake…CAKE!
Now I may be able to pop out a muffin or granola bar here and there, but I will NEVER claim to be a baker. Plus, with my schedule, who has time to bake a cake?!
So I thought…
I pondered…
I ruminated, if you will…
And by the time my shift was over, I had it…
With a little “secret ingredient” that I SWEAR you can barely taste!
Like you really had to guess what that was gonna be! 😉
1. Combine oat bran, water, beets, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a blender and and blend for 15 seconds.
2. Transfer mixture to microwave-safe bowl and cook on high for 2 minutes, stopping to stir halfway through.
3. After cooking, stir in chocolate protein powder and/or cocoa powder
For the “Frosting”
1. In a blender combine cottage cheese, water, sweetener, and extract (if using) and puree until smooth.
2. Layer “cake” and “frosting” in a jar or glass and top with mini chocolate chips.
Pre-topping stats:
Yes, you read that right…the protein powder I used has 24g of protein per serving which made this breakfast clock in at over FIFTY grams of tummy-filling goodness!
And it kept me full for more than FIVE hours!
The consistency of the oats was absolutely AMAZING…thick, fluffy, and full of chocolatey flavor and matched with the cool vanilla “frosting”?…
I could have sworn I was eating a slice of cake straight out of the oven!
Seriously guys, you really need to make this…and if you’re scared of the beets…just leave ’em out!
I’m sure it will be almost as good! 😉
What is your favorite cake flavor?
Have you ever snuck veggies into a recipe without anyone noticing?
My name is Heather! I'm a southern gal with a passion for food, fitness, and photography...and alliteration if you didn't notice! Here you'll find a mix of random musings, delicious recipes, and hopefully a chuckle or two! Check out my "About' tab to learn more!
The Great Pumpkin Green Smoothie
