Simply Delicious

Posted on July 24, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Wow-wee!

What I Ate Wednesday already?!

I still can’t believe it! Feels like just last week, I was getting “pumped up” for the latest WIAW theme Jenn threw our way! Speaking of, be sure to pop on over to Peas & Crayons and show our beautiful host some love in the form of a comment…without her, Wednesdays just wouldn’t be the same!

So let’s get this party started, shall we?

Once I made it home after my night shift, I whipped up something quick for “breakfast.” My level of consciousness had been slowly declining from the moment I swiped my badge at the time clock so there was no time to waste!

A quicker variation of my protein wheat cake pizza…just crumble it up, throw it in a bowl and grab a spoon!

I used carob instead of chocolate this time just in case my body decided it wanted to get sensitive to the effects of caffeine. 😉

Minutes later, I crawled into my bed, donned my new lavender-scented sleep mask, and pulled the covers up to my chin…

Ahhh, sleep at last!

When I woke up about five hours later, I really wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but, the tummy rumblings would not be ignored so I shuffled to the kitchen and realized all I wanted was a big bowl of creamy oats!

Egg White Oats topped with blueberries, coconut, chia seeds, and a drizzle of peanut flour sauce (PB2 mixed with a little water).

Blueberries + peanut butter = HEAVEN!

After I finished my “lunch”, I figured I’d wait an hour or two to let my food digest, but I knew I had big plans for later…plans for a nice sweaty workout at the gym guaranteed to get my heart pumping and bring the life back into me!

That plan died minutes later when I found myself crawling back into bed, donning my lavender-scented sleep mask and pulling the covers up to my chin.

Sleep is good! 😉

And you know what? I didn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt about it either. Sometimes you just have to listen and give your body rest when it needs it.

After snoozing for about 4 more hours, I knew it was finally time to get up and start my day. As I was getting ready for my shift, I brewed some coffee and made sure I gave myself enough time to sit and enjoy it with a little snack before heading to the hospital.

You guys know me…I’m a born dipper…so tell me, WHY have I never thought of this before?!

The little crispies soak up the coffee and literally MELT in your mouth…which actually reminds me of–

******

I interrupt this regularly scheduled What I Ate Wednesday for something of a very important nature!!!

******

Who wants FREE Simply Bars?!

About a month ago, the INCREDIBLE people over at The Simply Bar were gracious enough to send me a box of four of their most popular flavors to try and they’re giving you the chance to try them as well!

Whether your rowing a boat, hiking up the side of a mountain, primping for a night out, or needing a little pick-me-up before a night shift, The Simply Bar makes the PERFECT snack!

At only 160 calories or less per bar, it is loaded with everything you need to keep you satisfied for hours…low in sugar, high in protein and out of this world in flavor!

1. Lemon Coconut (my FAVE!)
2. Caramel Peanut
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter
4. Cinnamon Pecan

“Loved by many, The Simple Bar makes a great snack for athletes (pre and post workout), vegans, health conscience individuals and those suffering from Celiac, Crohn’s and IBS. In addition to it being a great snack, The Simply Bar is gluten free, low GI, dairy free, Kosher and easy-to-digest.”

Here’s how to enter (leave a SEPARATE comment for each):

1. Follow The Simply Bar on Twitter

2. Follow Kiss My Broccoli on Twitter

3. Tweet the following: “I just entered for a chance to win a FREE case of “simply delicious” bars from @kissmybroccoli! http://kissmybroccoliblog.com/2012/07/24/simply-delicious/ @TheSimplyBar #giveaway”

Details: Giveaway only open to US residents.
Ends Sunday, July 29 @ 11:59 CST.
Winner to be chosen randomly and announced Monday, July 30.

I “simply” wish you the best of luck! 😉

Posted in Breakfast, Giveaway, Product Review, Snacks, What I Ate Wednesday | Tagged coffee, Greek yogurt, night shift, oats, PB2, peanut flour, protein powder, rest day, The Simply Bar | 177 Comments

For the Love of Snails

Posted on July 23, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Hey guys!

I hope you had a marvelous weekend and hopefully it ended with a celebratory pancake breakfast like mine did yesterday. Oh and speaking of those delicious pancakes, I have some great news…one of my lovely readers, Katy, informed me that making you own quinoa flour is a CINCH! No toasting or anything required, just throw some quinoa in a coffee grinder and badda-bing-badda-BOOM!

Now you don’t have ANY excuses to keep you from making some
“Cha- Cha- Cha- Chia” Pancakes!
Of course singing that song while making them is completely optional but highly recommended 😉

Like I mentioned on Friday’s post, BB was able to come home for a brief visit this weekend. We didn’t really do much…may sound weird, but I feel if we cram too much in the day and a half that we have together, time will go by way too fast!

BB is my bowl of warm steamy oats topped with the perfect oversized spoonful of peanut butter…I savor each and ever ~~bite~~ minute! 😉

One thing that we DID do this weekend was try out a new seafood restaurant! If you’re ever in Paducah, KY you have to visit Whalers Catch! They have an incredible menu selection FULL of creative seafood dishes and a bit of Cajun flare as well!

I know I just did an Instagram photo dump the other day, but I just HAVE to share the ones from our visit to the restaurant on Saturday because….

It was my very FIRST time trying snails!

BB got a half dozen of raw oysters and I hesitantly told the waiter I’d like an order of the escargot in garlic butter sauce. I was a little nervous, but I mean c’mon, how can something swimming in garlic butter be bad, right? 😉

I was a little surprised/excited to see that they came to me shelled…we’ve all seen those “slippery suckers” in action! 😉

Surrounded by crusty pieces of warm garlic bread, the smell of the plate was intoxicating.

And with the first (somewhat nervous) bite,

I fell in love!

Their earthy taste and squishy texture reminded BB and I of sauteed mushrooms so if you’re a mushroom lover, I think you’ll love them as much as I do!

Saltine + oyster + horseradish & hot sauce =

HEAVEN!

We ended up splitting our appetizers and polishing off every last crumb of garlic bread just as our salads made their way to our table…

Standard iceberg lettuce salad jazzed up with cajun seasoned croutons with the raspberry poppyseed house dressing on the side.

It was everything I could do to finish this salad…I was already SO FULL!

When my entree came out (seared ahi tuna on a bed of Cajun rice), the waiter must have seen it in my eyes because he didn’t hesitate at all when I asked for a to-go box! Lol

As stuffed as I was though, I could NOT resist a bite of BB’s warm, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned shrimp casserole!

Ugh, my mouth is watering just looking at the pictures!

Afterwards, we took our full bellies home and pretty much spent the rest of the afternoon/evening curled up on the couch watching Scrubs…

And well, I may or may not have broken out my new mini beer glasses a little later!

Aren’t they cute? 😉

What did YOU do this weekend? Any new foods or experiences?

Have you ever tried escargot?

Posted in 100 Foods to Eat Before You Die, Restaurant Review | Tagged beer, Broccoli Babe, seafood, shrimp, weekend | 25 Comments

Cha- Cha- Cha- Chia Pancakes!

Posted on July 22, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Here it is, the moment you’ve all been waiting for!

Or maybe you’ve forgotten.

Allow me to refresh your memory…

Cha- cha- cha- CHIA!!!

But don’t just think I’m stuttering when I utter those words that will forever be a part of American pop culture, because there is an explanation behind every extra syllable.

Cherry…

Chocolate…

Chip!

Oh…um, sweetie? I think you have a bit of drool on your chin there 😉

These cakes have morphed into more than you can even imagine this week…in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if my skin started to take on a rosy glow from the amount of cherries I’ve consumed…but come to think of it, I DO think my hair is a bit shinier now…thanks Mr. Chia! 🙂

Remember my “retail therapy” on the fourth? Well, I decided this week, I was going to experiment with my newly acquired quinoa flour and I think I have officially found my new favorite baking ingredient! It has a bit of an earthy smell to it, but with the addition of a little cinnamon and some flavor extract, you can’t taste it at all. Besides the fact that one serving has a little bit extra “oomph” in the protein department, it has amazing absorption. So what does that mean?

More absorbable flour means more liquid needed means…

BIGGER PANCAKES!!!

I tried the same recipe with brown rice flour and with whole wheat pastry flour and while they still tasted great, to my disappointment, they produced much smaller cakes. And well, I’m all about quality AND quantity!

A very wise woman once said it best:
“I’m a woman of the modern age…I want it all!” 😉

So after not one, not two, but FOUR plates of different versions of these beauties over the last several days, I can safely say we have a winner with today’s batch. I’m not one to call myself a “lover” of chocolate (I know, I’m weird), but there are just some combinations that just can’t be ignored. One is my beloved peanut butter and chocolate and the other, cherries and chocolate! They were TRULY meant to be!

But don’t take my word for it, try them out for yourself!

Cha- Cha- Cha- Chia Pancakes

By: Heather Powers

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

Keywords: fry breakfast pancakes gluten-free paleo vegan vegetarian dairy-free chia seeds chocolate quinoa flour summer

Ingredients (Serves 1)

1/4 cup quinoa flour*
1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum**
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk*
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (can use vanilla, but almond brings out the cherry flavor more)
1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
1/8 cup chopped, pitted cherries

Instructions

1. Heat skillet to medium heat and coat with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Fold in chocolate chips and cherries.
4. Spoon onto skillet, forming 3 small to medium-sized pancakes and allow to cook 5-6 minutes per side.
5. Plate and top with yogurt, cherries and chocolate chips.

*If you don’t have access to quinoa flour, you can sub in any gluten-free flour (or whole wheat, just omit the xanthan gum), but reduce the amount of almond milk to 1/2 cup and once combined, set the bowl aside for about 5 minutes so that the chia seeds can expand and “plump” up the batter a bit.

**If you don’t have xanthan gum (which I really recommend for gluten-free baking AND it makes an excellent smoothie), try subbing in the same amount of cornstarch for thickening purposes.

Nutritional stats (pre-toppings): 298 calories, 13g fat, 39 carbs, 8g protein