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A Shift in Focus

Posted on October 11, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

A couple of weeks ago, Jessica posted the first of her Self Assignment photography projects. Since I was about 281645 posts behind in my Google reader, I totally missed out on submitting something, but I haven’t been able to get the theme out of my mind.

“Ground Level”

You can interpret the theme however you like, but what I took it to mean was a literal change in perspective. Sometimes life is just so go, go, go. We see everything as a big picture but forget to pause and focus of the finer details in life.

I’ve been a little stressed lately and as I sat around the other day, I realized that what I needed was just of a change in perspective.

Then I thought, what better way to do that than to immerse myself in a bit of nature’s beauty?

So I went to the park by my house…you know, the one I got lost in for about two hours after I first moved into the neighborhood? Well, the good news is, I’ve learned from my mistakes and I paid a bit more attention to where I was going this time…

Plus I had pictures to act as my “breadcrumbs” 😉

The entry to the park from my neighborhood

And one of the only “bigger picture” perspectives that I shot.

After that, I changed my focus…

There were so many things I noticed that day that I wouldn’t have seen had I just gone for a hike.

I loved the way you could literally see autumn taking over in all the colors of the leaves.

And of course it was just nice to sit a while and listen to the stream.

After spending about an hour in the park shifting my focus, I started back to the house.

But not before I felt some eyes focussing in on me!

What do you do when you feel you need to “shift your focus”?

Posted in Photography | Tagged nature, Photography, self assignment | 10 Comments

Happenings

Posted on October 10, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Hello friends!

Thank you SO much for all the sweet comments on yesterday’s S’mores Banana Pancakes…definitely one of my proudest recipe/photo posts to date!

There’s been some “goings on” around here lately that I really want to share with you guys! So without any fancy segue or la-de-da intro, let’s get to the good stuff!

1. I met a new friend

Everybody, meet Lettie!

She’s been a reader of KMB for a while now and just moved to Clarksville a couple of weeks ago. How cool is that, right?

She’s a die-hard foodie just like me, but doesn’t have a blog of her own…yet! Maybe I should talk her into doing a guest post sometime so she can get the feel for it, no?

2. I gave running another shot

After taking a break from running for more than 2 weeks, I jumped on the treadmill at the gym on Saturday.

annnnnnd…

I did it…without ANY shin pain!!

Is it just me or are those rays of light streaming down from Heaven? Do you hear the angels singing?

3. I FINALLY found organic Honeycrisps

Oh, honeycrisp…you are the “apple” of my eye! 😉
Wow, that was really lame…sorry guys!

4. I started decorating Casa de Broccoli

After, how long has it been? Um, SEVEN months, I finally started doing a little something around the house this weekend after I spent half the morning on Pinterst…nothing like a little pinning spree to give you a bit of motivation!

Curtains and paint swatches

I actually went to Lowe’s to browse the paint section and get some ideas, but once I saw these curtains, I fell in love!

Check it out…they match my couch,

AND my oil and vinegar dispensers!

Which is a good thing when it comes to painting since I forgot my kitchen and living room share the same wall! Now I just have to figure out which shade of gray/green/whatever I want to paint, but I think I’m leaning toward “Sage Bud” 🙂

While I was in the painting section, I grabbed a package of paint strainers. Not that I intend on splashing THAT much paint around…

5. I’m giving up almond milk

Store bought anyway!

I can seriously go through a 1/2 gallon carton of Almond Breeze in like 3-4 days so I’m really hoping this homemade method works so I can save a few bucks!

I think I’m going to wait until the weekend to try it out since I’m working my longer shift this week, but I’ll be sure to keep you updated!

6. I’ve been a little obsessed with AIAJ

That would be ANYTHING in a jar! 😉

Ice cream

Smoothie

Cereal

And last and CERTAINLY least…

Over the weekend, I started to notice my throat getting a little scratchy.

Then I woke up this morning feeling like I got hit by a bus, so after attempting to make it at work, failing, and going home early,

7. I started self-medicating

Hmm, you think I’m forgetting anything? I don’t know…feels like I’m forgetting something! 😉

The pills would be my new GNC multis and an Aleve for my splitting headache! And with that…and the two Benedryls I popped about an hour ago…I am off to bed

at 8:00pm.

I feel like ~~such a loser~~ someone who’s going to feel much better in the morning! 😀

Have you ever made your own almond milk before? Any tips?

What’s something you’ve gotten excited about recently?

Posted in Breakfast, Running | Tagged almond milk, decorating, painting, Pinterest, running | 24 Comments

Banana S’mores Pancakes

Posted on October 9, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Happy Pancake Sunday my loves!

I hope you are enjoying the last bit of your weekend.

We have been having some incredible weather here in Tennessee, but with the scent of autumn in the air and the knowledge that temperatures will soon be falling, I can’t help but think of fall festivities, bon fires, and what else,

S’mores!

I whipped up these pancakes on a whim this morning, after having had a craving for s’mores over the last several days and let me tell you right now…

They s’more than satisfied that craving!
Sorry, couldn’t help myself 😉

After taking about 200 pictures (you think I’m kidding!), I finally narrowed it down to eight mouth-watering shots. Believe me, it wasn’t an easy task…taking the shots without fork-diving into the plate OR sorting through all the pics to find the best ones!

You may want to grab a napkin, bib, or bucket to place below your chin before reading any further.

You’ve been warned.

Banana S’mores Protein Pancakes

By: Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: 8-10 minutes

Keywords: fry breakfast high protein whole wheat pastry flour protein powder chocolate bananas Pancake Sunday

Ingredients (Serves 1)

For the Pancakes

1 modified flax egg (1/2 tablespoon ground flax + 1 1/2 tablespoons warm water)
1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 graham cracker sheet, crushed and more chocolate chips for garnish (optional)

For the Chocolate Syrup

1/8 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

For the Pancakes

1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.
2. Prepare flax egg and allow to set.
3. Combine flour, protein powder, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flax egg, vanilla, and milk.
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until all the flour is incorporated.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Spoon batter onto greased skillet (makes 3 small-medium pancakes) and allow to cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
8. Transfer to a plate, layer with banana slices, and top with chocolate syrup.

For the Chocolate Syrup

1. Combine syrup and cocoa powder, whisk until smooth.