Ohhhhhhh Happy Day!

Posted on January 3, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Oh happy dayaaaaaaaayaaaaaa!

Today has been so good that if I could, I would go back, pop some popcorn, ease myself into a nice lawn chair (oh yeah, I’m classy like that) and watch it all happen again!

First, the day started out with this:

 

Clean Eating Chelsea’s Peanut Butter Pancakes with Grilled Bananas & PB Sauce!

Oh.my.word! I have to say, these actually beat out yesterday’s pancakes which I thought couldn’t be beat! So wonderfully peanut buttery! Ahhhh, how I love you Trader Joe’s Peanut Flour!

Work today was nice and laid back. We had probably about half the number of patients we normally have which was a welcome sight after a long relaxing weekend. Nothing like a Monday and where you hit the ground running first thing in the morning! :/

I got an unexpected visit at work today from a woman who I feel is a second mother to me. She came into my life years ago and has been there for me no matter what! Love you Mama T! She brought me goodies for Christmas! Just when I thought the celebrating was over…SURPRISE!

A gorgeous angel statue that represents my birth month, December, some beautiful monogrammed note cards, and THIS:

A hand-made apron made from a dish towel and two homemade jams, raspberry and cherry! How awesome is that? Isn’t it the cutest??

Later today, I received a text with a promo code for a Redbox free movie rental which I used to rent this:

If you haven’t joined Redbox’s email/text list, do it! You get one free promo code the first Monday of every month among other offers! It’s easy to register. Just go to this website and enter your information!

I love the word “free”…it just rolls so nicely off the tongue!

F-R-E-E!

When I got home from work, I so excited to see this little package that I won from Janetha’s blog on my doorstep:

It’s like a ready to go french press! Check out the blog for Xpress Smartcup here!

I had a little pre-work out snack (2 huge medjool dates and a few cinnamon almonds) and then headed to my garage to workout in support of Team HEAB! Wow, let’s just say I really need to get back into shape after the holidays! Lindsey kicked my BOOtay!

Then, with a sudden burst of energy, I decided to bare the cold and went for a one mile jog outside. I was so relieved/surprised that I had absolutely no pain from my ankle during the entire workout!

When I got back inside, I was fah-reeezing, but oddly enough, all I really wanted a green monster. Solution: a green monster AND a hot decaf coffee made with my Xpress Smartcup!

 

From this...

 

To this! Yum-may!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green “Goddess” Monster:

  • 1/2 a nanner
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1 handful of spinach
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 4 ice cubes

All given a blend in the trusty Magic Bullet! I love the light green color! Reminds me of Green Goddess dressing!

And the coffee? So easy…just followed the 4 steps and voila! 3 minutes later a HOT drink for my oh so COLD body!

 

 

 

 

Dinner was the perfect way to end this awesome day!

Cheesy Bean & Beef Nachos: (serves 2)

  • 2 Whole wheat flour tortilla, cut into triangles
  • 1/2 pound extra-lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup black beans (I used leftover black-eyed peas)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
  • Ms. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning, to taste
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, and whatever other toppers you like!

1. Toast tortilla triangles in a 400 degree oven until browned and crispy, about 10                   minutes.
2. Brown beef in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add beans and seasoning and cook for an additional 5 minutes to combine all the               flavors.
4. Top with seasoning, cheese, and your toppings!

These turned out great with just the perfect amount of spice! Using your own combination of flavors (whatever you like) instead of the pre-made taco seasoning is an easy way to cut the amount of sodium in the dish.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, and a container of Artic Zero!

‘Night everybody!

Posted in Breakfast, Entree | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Pancakes & Sushi

Posted on January 2, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

Good afternoon interneties! First off, let me just say a very big THANK YOU for all the sweet comments on my NYE pic! You guys really know how to make a southern gal blush!

I just got back from another trip to Nashvegas on this bright sun-shiny Sunday. Where was this weather the night of New Years Eve?? I met a friend downtown this morning at The Pancake Pantry, a popular breakfast eatery in Nashville. I had never been before today, but had always heard amazing things about their menu. Check out all the pancakes!

It took me FOREVER to decide, but in the end I chose the sweet potato pancakes topped with pecans (upon request) and served with cinnamon cream syrup!

I wish I had asked for it without the butter and sugar, but it was easily scraped off! They were so light and fluffy and soaked up the cinnamon syrup perfectly. I wanted to eat it all but only made it about 2/3’s of the way and I was sooooo full! Happy Pancake Sunday to me! Happy Pancake Sunday tooooooooo me!

After breakfast, I had to stop at Whole Paycheck Foods and Trader Joe’s…because, you know, I was in the area! 😉

First stop, Whole Foods! I can’t wait to use the bottle of Vidalia Onion & Fig grilling sauce that’s on the far left. There is a chicken breast in my freezer with this thing’s name ALL over it! There are also two bags hiding behind the Daiya cheese and the dulse flakes…whole wheat pastry flour and rolled oats. You KNOW you need to go to the store when you’re out of both of these!

I’m so mad at myself for getting these! I had never had a meringue before and when I saw these I thought they looked purdy, but they didn’t have a price on them. I meant to ask the cashier, but she distracted me (more on this in a second) and I forgot. When I got home I checked the receipt…SIX freakin’ NINETY-NINE!!! Good grief, did they get the egg whites from the goose that laid the golden egg?? And to top it off, they’re awful…just taste like air and sugar! Bleh! 🙁

I have wanted to try Artic Zero for months now, but the last time I went to Whole Foods, all they had was chocolate (my least favorite flavor). They had a full stock today and I couldn’t decide on one flavor so I got two! Yeah, and about the cashier distraction…she asked me if I had ever tried these before and when I said I hadn’t she gave me one for FREE! Heck yeah!

I practically ripped into both containers as soon as I got in. Coffee was first…mmm, yeah…not bad…tastes just like coffee ice cream. Then it was time to try the vanilla maple…SMACK YO MAMA! I could bathe in this stuff (though that would be a little chilly)! It is sooooo good! If you have a chance to try this flavor, do it NOW!

Trader Joe’s was next. I wish I could’ve paid the TJ’s price for my WF’s ticket! So much cheaper!

Baby heirloom tomatoes, basil, and whole wheat crust. Yes, there will be a Margherita pizza in my near future! I also picked up some hearts of palm. I see Allie put them on salads all the time, but I have never tried them before. Have you?

Notice the salmon in the back? I’m keeping my “intentions” in mind! I’m thinking some smoked paprika rubbed salmon is in order this week!

I’ll leave you with my beautiful lunch plate brought to you by the kind gentleman behind the sushi counter at WF’s: Shrimp summer roll and brown rice sushi with eel (my fave), avocado, cucumber and brown sauce.

Well, I’m off to pack up all the Christmas decorations 🙁 Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend!

 

Posted in Breakfast, Entree, Pancake Sunday, Raw | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2011 by kissmybroccoli

So did everyone have a good night last night? I went to downtown Nashville and watched the guitar drop for the very first time. And even though it rained and I ended up looking like a hot mess, I had a blast!

Did you eat your black-eyed peas yet?? It’s not too late, you still have another couple of hours to “guarantee” your luck in 2011! I’m not a superstitious person, but I do like to entertain the ideas behind the traditional New Year’s Day foods.

Lucky Black-Eyed Peas: (serves 4)
From seriouseats.com (Adaptations in red)

  • 1 cup dried black-eyed peas
  • 3 bacon, cut into 3/4-inch squares
  • 1 red onions, peeled and sliced (yellow onions were all I had)
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon) <- Not a salt lover!
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco or other hot sauce (1 teaspoon sriracha)

1. Soak your beans overnight or try the quick-soak technique.
2. Position a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Cook bacon in an oven-proof deep skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook until it renders its fat. Remove bacon from pan and set aside, saving the grease.
4. Add the onions, garlic, oregano (or Italian seasoning), and black pepper and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes.
Add the drained peas, bay leaves, salt, and 3 cups water.
5. Cover and transfer to oven. Cook until the peas are tender, at least 1 hour 15 minutes. Stir in the hot sauce and serve.

Make Me Rich Turnip Greens: (serves 4)
From foodnetwork.com (Adaptations in red)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, chopped (again, only had yellow onions)
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 pounds turnip greens, washed, stemmed, and chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup chicken stock (I used low sodium veggie stock)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (since I planned for leftovers I only toasted a few to put on top of my one serving)

1. Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until tender and fragrant.
3. Add the washed and cleaned turnip greens and mix together. Cook until they have wilted down, about 3 minutes. Add pepper to taste.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the Dijon mustard with the chicken stock. Add to the wilted greens and cook until the liquid has all but evaporated. Add the toasted pecans and serve immediately.

Well, I don’t know if I’ll be extremely rich or lucky in 2011, but I did thoroughly enjoy dinner!

I used to hate when my mom would break out the black-eyed peas (aka “dirt beans”) on New Year’s Day. I just recently gave them another chance and found my hatred had dissipated. This is the first time I’ve ever made the dried version and I think they taste a lot better than the canned variety. I may be a new black-eyed pea lover now! Mama would be so proud! 🙂

Hope everyone had a great first day of the new year! With #3 of my list of “intentions” in mind, I’m heading to bed! ‘Night!

Posted in Entree, Snacks | Tagged , , | 11 Comments