So Much Love!

Posted on March 31, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Ok, first of all I just have to say that I love you guys SOOOO MUCH! I just finished reading and responding to the comments from the last two days’s posts and I am honestly sitting here with a huge swollen heart and a gigantic smile on my face!

THANK YOU!

I really needed some cheering up tonight. After a little chat with a friend to get me more positive thinking, realizing that I can “borrow” some neighbor’s wi-fi until my own gets hooked up ;), and then reading all the wonderful feedback on both the new house and the results of the WIAW Challenge, I am feeling right again.

The last two days have been the most stressful days I’ve had in a long long time. It all started yesterday morning as we got ready to load up the rental truck…

My dad popped open the door and then we all stood and stared in disbelief as we discovered the “kiddie pool” that was the inside of the truck! Yep, Heather did indeed leave the rental place with a truck that had a GIGANTIC FREAKIN HOLE in the roof that allowed all the rain that fell the night before inside! Never did I think to look UP when I was doing a once over of the truck before signing it out for the day.

It did all work out in the end and I actually got to keep the truck (well, a replacement truck that we got FOUR hours later) for two days for the price of one. And I’m pleased to say that there were no “oopsies” throughout the entire move! All my furniture and body parts are present and accounted for! 😉

Ok, so Stressed-to-the-Max day behind me and smooth sailing as I unpack all my belongings and settle into my new house, right? WRONG! The closing for both the old house and the new house was scheduled back to back today starting at 1:30. I spent ALL morning on the phone, checking email, and back on the phone again trying to sort out stuff and track down some documents critical to the closing. I’m not even kidding, I got all the paperwork emailed and verified barely 1 hour before closing!

At 1:30, I arrived at the title company’s office exhausted and ready to breakdown at any moment. I actually told my realtor that if there was a single “surprise,” I would probably burst into tears. Luckily, no surprises and the closing (although a long and drawn out process) went off without a hitch!

I was so excited leaving the office. I got so many handshakes, hugs, and congratulations that all the stress from the past few days just seemed to melt away! I got back in the car and before going anywhere tweeted:

Then, as I am happily driving ~~off into the sunset~~ back to my new place…

BAM!!!

This is what happens when a Chevy Silverado pulls out in front of a Pontiac Vibe!

I tried to swerve to miss him…thank God it wasn’t a head on collision…but I didn’t quite have enough time for him to miss me completely. I was wearing my seatbelt and besides a complete and utter breakdown immediately following the accident (remember all that build-up of stress?…well, it’s officially been released), I am ok.

Needless to say, my car is not drivable at this point and is currently sitting all alone at a nearby auto garage awaiting insurance assessment. Poor Vickie the Vibe! I’ll be sure to update everyone on the status of her recovery! 🙁

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I’ve earned the right to break into the new jacuzzi tub.

LOVE,
<3 Heather

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged love, moving | 40 Comments

WIAW: Clean Out the Kitchen Challenge Review

Posted on March 30, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Hello foodies! I figured while I’m working my tush off today lifting furniture and moving boxes, I’d leave you with this pre-written post on the deets of my Clean Out the Kitchen Challenge from the last few weeks all the way up to move day! All just in time for…

What I Ate During the Challenge: (previously un-posted eats)

Blueberry coconut overnight oats (with frozen bloobs)

Spinach salad topped with tomatoes, bell peps, red onion, canned salmon, and baked beans

Tropical Pumpkin Parfait: Pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, pineapple, and coconut with a few chia seeds and a bit of crunchy granola

Cinna apples and pb on whole wheat sourdough toast with a side of cottage cheese, honey, and raisins

Pizza Salad: Green leaf lettuce topped with homemade marinara sauce, blanched broccoli, shredded chicken, black olives, parmesan cheese, and Garlic Gold

Stuffed French Toast: TJ’s whole wheat sourdough bread, Valencia crunchy PB, pomegranate/raspberry jam, and carob chips

Oatbran topped with steamed broccoli, fried egg, and Vegan Broccoli ‘n Cheese Sauce

Chili I made for Birthday Potluck that had just about half the kitchen in it!
No recipe…just handfuls of this and that…turned out to be the best chili I’ve ever made!

Tostada Thingy: Whole wheat tortilla topped with salsa, chickpeas, crumbled TJ’s Veggie Masala Burg, Daiya, and cilantro and popped under the broiler for a few minutes.

Extra lean beef burger on a bagel thin with salsa, avocado, and nooch sauce
and sweet potato fries with a drizzle of thinned sunbutter

Savory oatmeal topped with a fried egg, salsa, and cheddar cheese

TJ’s Veggie Masala Burg topped with Double Spinach Ravioli filling
and roasted red peppers

Pumpkin Protein Oats: Pumpkin puree, PB flour, vanilla protein powder, and oats
topped with coconut and raisins

Dry roasted edamame with raisin mix

Almond butter cookie fail turned amazingness! More on this later!

Now, I know you guys have already seen the pumpkin pudding, but I feel like it has to be in this post since I must’ve eaten it like half a dozen times! Good stuff!

So how did I do? I’ll let you decide!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Not too shabby, eh?

Now that the challenge is over, I’ve realized that I have plenty of dried beans and grains to keep me busy for a while. I’m seeing future breakfasts featuring more oat groats and buckwheat, and more dinners using up my huge supply of bulgur that I was so excited about when I purchased months ago, but which I have only used once.

I enjoyed the way this challenge forced me to think a bit outside the box with my meals…combining fresh foods with prepackaged ones and coming up with new uses for sauces and spreads. Not to mention the my latest obsession with homemade hummus!

There’s something about moving into a brand new house, that makes me want to keep this “spring cleaning” in the kitchen going for a while. I do plan on replenishing my produce supply (I have been craving a banana for a week) and my precious almond milk, but I think I have at least a few more ~~weeks~~ months before I’d have to worry about going hungry! 😉

What’s something in your pantry/cupboard that’s been collecting dust?

Posted in Apps & Sides, Breakfast, Entree, Vegan, Vegetarian, What I Ate Wednesday | Tagged burger, fruits, oats, salad, veggies | 47 Comments

New House Pics & a Saaaweet Salad!

Posted on March 29, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Hey guys! I’m so glad you liked the Kickin’ Barbecue Hummus from yesterday! And thanks to a couple of your comments, I’m not craving barbecue roasted chickpeas. Mmm!

So…are you guys ready for some pics of the new Casa de Broccoli? Uvvvvvvv course you are! Join me in a little “photo tour”!

View of the living room when you first walk in the front door.
The door in the pic goes out to the patio.

To the left of the living room is the kitchen and dining room.

To the right are all the bedrooms and the bathroom.

Linen closet (which I do NOT have in my house I’m in now)!

Bedroom #1: Soon to be office

Bedroom #2: Thinking about making this my workout room when I’m able to get the elliptical that I want! 🙂

Hallway bathroom.

Hallway leading to master. The W&D go behind those doors.

Master bedroom.

Master bath with jacuzzi tub! Schaaaaaweeeeet!

The perfect sink/counter combo for a single gal…ie, no double vanities!

Master bedroom walk-in closet. Pretty sure I could hide a few refugees in there if needed! Hey, you never know! 😉

And, the pics you’ve all been waiting for…The KITCHEN!!

Now complete with my new stainless appliances…LURVE!

Pantry (another thing I am currently without)!

Sorry the lighting is a bit off in some of the pics. Halfway through the meeting/walk through today, it started storming. Yay! Just in time to move! 🙁 I’m hoping it all clears up in the morning.

After my meeting at the house, I drove across town and picked up the rental truck. And yeah, I’m feeling sorta proud of myself for backing all 16 feet of it into my driveway without a. Hitting the mailbox and b. Running into the house! 😉

Another thing I’m feeling proud of? The salad I made for dinner! I just can’t NOT post about this!

Remember my spinach and steebies that I rewarded myself with on Saturday? Well, since the day I bought them, I have been craving this salad.

Strawberries, Sweet Roasted Cinnamon Chickpeas, pecans, and crumbled goat cheese all on a bed of baby spinach.

Sweet Roasted Cinnamon Chickpeas: (serves 2)

1 cup chickpeas
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons honey or agave (I used honey)
cinnamon*

1. Whisk vinegar, honey (or agave), and cinnamon in a bowl.
2. Add in chickpeas and toss to coat.
3. Spread evenly on a greased baking sheet and roast at 375 °F for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent burning.

* I started with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, but then after transferring to the baking sheet, I got a little sprinkle happy! I DO like my cinnamon! 😉

And what could make this salad EVEN BETTER?!

Maple Grove Farms makes the BEST salad dressings!