Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas Eve! I’m enjoying a relaxing evening at my parents watching It’s a Wonderful Life. Looks like we may actually be getting our “Tennessee Christmas” as it just started snowing outside. I will say it is a peaceful scene outside the window right now. Looks a bit like my breakfast this morning:
It “snowed” on my oats!
Coconut Mango Oats:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup water
splash of vanilla
Topped with a dollop of cold coconut milk, mangoes, and unsweetened coconut flakes.
After breakfast, I started on my Christmas gift “orders.” I love baking so a few years ago, I started baking cookies and treats as gifts for Christmas. This year I took requests!
Just when I thought I had shaken my sugary addiction from last week’s cookie binge, I found a new “drug” today…chocolate! Now, I’m not typically a chocolaholic. I could take it or leave it. Hand me a cake donut, muffin, or other baked good and we have a different story!
I started my morning with a hearty waffle mountain and some spinachy goodness in the form of a green monster shake. As you can see, I had good intentions for the day…
Oh.my.word! So easy to make and it was a HIT at work even though mine came out more like “stumps” than bark! Next time I’ll use a bigger pan!
And then THIS!
Williams Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark
A gift from the Emergency Room Staff.
I <3 WS Peppermint Bark!
I was able to control myself for most of the morning, but after lunch all bets were off!
I thought when I left work that the chocolate cravings would stay at the hospital, but NOOOOO those little devils followed me home and forced me to make this:
I used all the same ingredients as Heather, but being as I wanted my chocolate fix sooner than later, I decided to crank up the oven to 450 and baked for 15-20 minutes instead. They paired so well with the oats (kept it simple: 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup water prepared on stove-top) with the sprinkle of cinnamon and snow coconut.
I am happy to announce that I my chocolate needs have been officially met and then some!
Do you like sweet potatoes? How do you like them cooked? I love sweet potatoes anyway you make them, but this was by far one of the best!
Are you ready for Christmas or are you going to be battling the crowds tomorrow with the other Christmas Eve panicky procrastinators? I will be out there! Not for long (I hope), just have to pick up ONE thing for my dad!
Hey everybody! Hope you are all having a good week/count-down to Christmas! The temps are dropping around here and word has it we may be getting a white Christmas this year.
Whoop-idy freakin’ doo!
You guys know my thoughts on winter weather and everything that it brings. Tell me I’m not alone when I say that I would trade a snowy white Christmas for a warm sandy beach in a friggin heartbeat! I see more fun in watching sand run between my fingers as I create a mystical sand-castle than feeling the temporary paralysis of those fingers as I try to make a snowman out of snow that won’t even stick together enough to make a one snowman butt! (Tennessee snow is NOT good snowman-making snow)
Obviously, I was in need of some sunshine in my life today and since the weatherman couldn’t wouldn’t help me, I decided to find some myself!
A few months ago I discovered Sunshine Burger on facebook. It is a company out of New York that makes flavorful vegetarian burgers from seeds and grains instead of traditional soy beans. On my last trip to Whole Foods, I found them in the frozen section and knew I had to try one!
With my last bowl (*tear*) of Spicy African Peanut Soup at lunch today, I finally made my way through all the leftover soup I made last week and decided tonight would me the best night to enjoy a little “sunshine”!
The directions really don’t get any easier! You can microwave, bake, grill, or cook on the stovetop, none of which take over 15 minutes. Since I’m still a Procrastinating Penelope and still have yet to buy a new microwave, I went with the stovetop…five minutes per side and she was ready to eat!
Served with baby spinach on a sprouted grain bun and a side of baked sweet potato fries seasoned with some smoky paprika!
The burger was perfect…unlike any veggie burger I’ve had before! It was very juicy with just the right amount of flavor. No bland burger wanna-be here! I can’t wait to try out the their other products.
By the way, that glob of brown stuff on my burger would be this heavenly condiment:
One of the best barbecue sauces I’ve had and without any preservatives or HFC’s!
Dinner was not the only “ray of sunshine” included in my day today. Breakfast was a new one that I got over at Christin’s blog.
Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Pudding
What’s in the bowl?
3/4 cup pureed pumpkin
2/3 cup of unsweetened almond milk
1 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
splash of vanilla
pumpkin pie spice and extra cinnamon to taste
I stirred all the ingredients together and then topped this creamy chocolatey pumpkin-ny goodness with some PB&Co “sun” and Pumpkin Spice Molasses Quinoa Granola!
The protein-packed bowl kept me full ALL morning! Thanks for the great idea Christin!
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!
It “snowed” on my oats!
