Hey guys!!
Wow, so this weekend and past couple of days have just FLOWN by, right? Ugh, if only I didn’t have to work and could just stay at home making variations of
Almond Butter Granola Bars! 😉
Who knows, maybe I’ll win the lottery someday*
*Highly unlikely since I’ve never ever purchased a lottery ticket! Lol
But annnnywho…
Who out there is excited for the new What I Ate Wednesday theme?!
Jenn is absolutely BRILLIANT with these themes! Be sure to head over to Peas & Crayons and let her know how much we all appreciate the awesomeness she puts into this shindig each and every week!
As an outdoorsy-type person living in the south, I’m not exactly a fan of summer, but as a FOODIE…I’m all about it! And thanks to the new “Summer Staples” theme, I can show you guys how this summer’s seasonals have been popping their way into my eats!
So let’s get staplin’! 😉
I had a bit of energy when I got off my night shift Monday so I took advantage of it and hit the gym (I know, after a 1o hour night shift…who am I?). When I got home I knew exactly what I wanted…
CHEESY EGGS!
But I needed something more…I needed a bit of sweet to go with my savory…
Hey, if cheese and JAM work, why not cheese and berries?
For the record, it most certainly DOES…especially when you use grated pesto jack cheese.
Seriously, I’m drooling all over again!
And of course, I know Jenn has my back when I say, WHAT would summer be without salads?!
I’ve actually had the SAME salad for three days in a row now and I STILL can’t get enough!
Wanna know the secret to a KILLER summer salad?
Well, first…and most importantly…is the bowl/plate you choose…
You should choose a nice deep bowl or an extra wide plate for the best salads…
Preferably something about the size of your face…or larger! 😉
Then, it’s just a matter of steps:
Step 1: Greens
Steep 2: Beans/Grains
Step 3: Protein
Step 4: VEGGIESSSSSS!
Step 5: Sprouts…because let’s face it, a salad’s just not a salad without sprouts!
Step 6: Dressing
You could get all fancy with vinegars, oils, and spices, but me? I’m a minimalist kinda gal…
You just can’t go wrong with salsa, hummus, or especially this kalamata olive bruschetta.
And it’s EVEN better if you stir it up with a little nutritional yeast!
I never met a salad I didn’t like!
But what I love most about the summer months when it comes to food isn’t the sweet summer berries, or the amazingly crisp squash, peppers, and okra…
No, what I love most is a big spoonful of cool and creamy!
And lucky for YOU, I just happen to have a recipe for a delicious chocolate treat!
Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Pudding
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients (Serves 1)
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 frozen banana, sliced
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cocoa bean extract
- 5-7 drops NuNaturals Orange NuStevia (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional but helps with thickening)
- Orange zest and mini chocolate chips for garnish
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
2. Serve immediately or freeze for 4-6 hours.
3. Top with orange zest and mini chocolate chips.
********
Yesterday afternoon, I was craving something cold after a super sweaty workout…my first thought was my Cake Batter Protein Pudding, but something stirred in me when I spotted an orange (leftover from Sunday’s pancake diaster) lying on the counter.
Remember when I said there are only few exceptions that will lead me to choosing chocolate over vanilla? Well, I’ve decided to add the orange and chocolate to that list too!
If you love the combo of citrus and chocolate too but don’t have access to the orange Stevia liquid, try subbing in orange extract or a bit of orange zest (+ sweetener of choice) and then blend with the other ingredients.
I also realize not everyone may have a bottle of this lusciousness lying around, but never fear, I believe it will come out JUST fine without it…and if you feel you need a little something more, just have a little “whoops” when you top with your chocolate chips! 😉
Smooth and creamy, rich chocolately pudding,
with a sweet citrusy burst hidden within…
A few more of these, and I’ll be a chocolate convert in no time! 😉
What are some summer staples that have been making their way into YOUR meals lately?
What’s your favorite flavor to pair with chocolate?
Can I climb through my computer and into your kitchen? Because I literally want to eat EVERYTHING! 🙂
Gahhhh! Pass me the pudding!!! How can I have any pudding if I don’t eat meat?! LOL! 😉
Hahaha! Love it!
The pudding recipe looks fab-u-lous! I love cheese on my eggs, stuffed into a tortilla and eaten like a fat-boy breakfast burrito! On top of all of this, I just bought sprouts and your pictures have inspired me to actually use them! Must pin pudding…
Yay! Sprouts ftw!!
And mmmmm, nothing like an overstuffed breakfast burrito! You’ve got me drooling over here!!
Eggs and fruit sounds like a strange combo, but I bet it works great, really must try this!
Please fly to Kuwait and make all my meals for me please!! I’ll even pay for your ticket 🙂
SWEET! Whatta deal! I’ll have my bags packed by tomorrow! 😉
awesome.. see you soon!!! 🙂
LOVE chocolate and orange together, yum!!! Big bowls are a must for salads…I always end up having just enough room to squeeze everything in! 🙂
Love the look of your breakfast!
And that pudding sounds amazing!
Mmmm that salad with the steps looks so good! What’s in it??
Thanks girl! Whew, more like what’s NOT in it?! Haha! This one had spinach, Bob’s Red Mill whole grains and beans soup mix (http://www.bobsredmill.com/whole-grains-beans-soup-mix.html), crumbled raw tofu, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, okra, annnnnnnnnnnd sprouts!
Cheese and berries indeed are a winning combo,that’s true… Any you know,chocolate and cheese isn’t bad either. Try it! 😉
Hmm, I might need a bit more convincing on that one…what exactly should I make?
For a start,you could simply make a chocolate & cheese grilled sandwich… Just take your favorite kind of bread,chocolate and cheese (I think you like gouda,right? Gouda is perfect!) and make some melty goodness! 🙂
P.S. I am obviously not the only one who likes that choco-cheese-combo: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/04/roasted-strawberry-brie-chocolate-grilled-cheeeeeeeese/
Awww, you remembered! Yes, love love LOVE Gouda! But geez Louise, that brie and chocolate looks pretty fab too! I can’t believe I missed that post of Jessia’s! Thanks for the link…it’s definitely on my to-do list! 😀
Chocolate and orange rock! Great combo! I actually have a night treat whipped cottage cheese style that my friend Sara taught me! I love it, just like your protein pudding! I do not add xanathan gum though, next time I will!
Love ya girl! Fabulous as always!
After seeing your pics, I definitely need to be eating more salads…
Right now I have been loving lentils and cans upon cans of green beans!!
Girl, you need to take advantage of this prime salad season time for sure! With all the squash, tomatoes, and peppers…how could you deny the deliciousness?!
Ahh that pudding looks so good! I love orange and chocolate together. It reminds me of those Terry’s chocolate oranges. 😀
My summer staples are anything that’s local, especially raspberries, blueberries, peaches, corn and tomatoes!
Amen! I am IN LOVE with all the fresh produce at my farmer’s market…I’ve been going crazy with the berries lately! I only wish they were open year round so I could have the same love affair with apples in the fall, but instead I have to make the trek to Nashville to the big market if I want that!
The pudding looks good, but I’d leave the orange if I made it for me – for some reason, I’ve never been able to stand that flavor combo! Even though I like some pretty strange ones 😛
Well, it’s not for everyone…but it would still definitely be good without it! And maybe you could top it with raspberries or strawberries? That would be tasty!
Omg, yum to everything! And especially the pudding! Luckily, I have some cocoa bean stevia lying around 😉 Need to make this ASAP!
Woo hoo! That IS lucky! You HAVE to tell me what you think love! 🙂
wow that pudding sounds amazing!
OMyummm that pudding looks incredible! I need to make this NOWWW! I love the orange zest. And love your step by step salad, hilarious! That’s how I feel sometimes when I want to post a salad recipe. So funny!
Haha! You know, recipes for salads always crack me up…kind of like a recipe for pizza. I mean, just throw stuff together! How hard could it be? Lol
i am drooling with you heather! loooovely pics! that breakfast is so yummy.. i have been thinking about a new fresh breakfast option since i wanna switch up my green smoothies and chia/oat bowls a bit.
by the way your short hair looks fab!
Thank you SO MUCH Alexia! I’m actually surprised with how fast it’s been growing since I got it cut…it’s already about time for a trim and it’s only been a month!
If you’re looking for new breakfast ideas, you’ve come to the right place, but I have to suggest you check out my latest post…Laura from Sprint to the Table inspired a lot of the things I’ve been eating this week and everything has been FABULOUS!
I want some of that pudding!!! I have some of that cocoa extract so I might have to try it.
Haha I always make my salads in too small of a bowl and then I end up having to try to mix it without spilling it all.
Might?! Girl, you better make this! I swear to you it is totally worth the like 5 minutes it takes! 😉
Haha…maybe you should get an even BIGGER bowl!
That chocolate pudding looks absolutely delicious!
YUM!! the dessert looks amazing…. and so does that salad! always, always eat salad in a bowl bigger than my face 🙂
It really is the ONLY way! I can’t believe how many pre-foodie years I spent eating “side” salads…what a waste! 😉
Another awesome photo – you’re making me hungry here!! I haven’t really used much stevia, but I do have a ton in the cabinet. Time to start brainstorming. 🙂
Aww, thanks Heather! I’ve had a cabinet FULL of Stevia for over a year now (won in a giveaway) and am JUST NOW figuring out how to use it! Since I don’t normally sweeten my foods, I had a hard time figuring out how to use it, but it’s GREAT in cottage cheese, yogurt, or dessert hummus…mmm, I need to make more of THAT!
I am seriously drooling over here!
that pudding looks ridiculous!!
Oh I have some of that cocoa bean extract and I don’t really know what to do with it. I just keep putting a little in anything chocolate? Right? Seems too easy, lol.
That’s what I started doing at first too (I’ve had the bottle for like a year now)…then it got pushed back in the cupboard and forgotten. I just found it the other day when I was scouring the shelves looking for my mini chocolate chips! Lol I think I’ll finally get around to using it more now…if I can stop making this pudding and use it for other things that is! 😉
Yum!!! Those cheesy eggs and berries look amazing!!! I love the cocoa bean extract! I put it in smoothies all the time!
Thank you Danielle! And can you believe I’ve had the extract for like a year now and JUST started using it on a regular basis? I know…*slapping forehead*
1. I love you.
2. Your food always makes me jealous.
3. I love peanut butter with my chocolate
4. Will you move to KY and be my personal chef and forever friend??
1. I love you MORE.
2. I’d love to share.
3. Me too.
4. OF COURSE!!! Just make some room in the bed between you and Luvy! 😉
I really need to try your eggs, love! They definitely look like something I would absolutely love 🙂 Obviously because all of your food is delicious! Great recipe, too! Did you ever see my recipe for tofu mousse? It’s chocolate orange flavour too 🙂 My friends (two saucy sisters) also just did a breakfast bake with that flavour combo! I still have yet to try it though 🙂
I did have cottage cheese at breakfast JUST because of you 🙂 but I wanted it runny, so I added more milk 😉
Hmmm, soupy cheese…never had it that way before! Ugh, I swear there are just TOO many foods to try and not enough meals in the day! Lol But yes, you HAVE to try the eggs! Soooooo yummy!
I will DEFINITELY be checking out your mousse recipe AND I’m a total sucker for breakfast bakes…WHEN I can remember to plan more time for breakfast that is! 😉
Love you doll!
Your entire day of food looks phenomenal. Ridiculously good. Thanks for sharing and I can’t wait to recreate some of these. Yum.
Thanks for stopping by Meghan and I hope you DO try some of these…definitely delish!
PS, LOVE the name of your blog! Totally made me smile! 🙂
Yummy, that “pudding” looks amazing! I’ll probably try it out sometime today 🙂
My favorite thing to pair with chocolate has to be mint. Amazingness
Oh yes…the holy grail of chocolate combos! But it has to be jussssssst right…know what I mean? I’ve had some treats that were so pepperminty that the chocolate flavor was totally lost. Such a bummer!
I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on the pudding! 🙂
I just wanted to say I love your blog. I love that it’s personal and you always show us your wacky combos and delicious recipes. You’re by far my favorite blogger 🙂
Aww, Amberrrrrrrrr! You just MADE my night! I want so much for this blog to represent ME…even the weird and wacky parts! I think it’s more fun that way! 😉
xoxoxox
SO much to say…the bigger the bowl, the better the salad for sure. 🙂 My latest “I have eaten this twelve times in a row and don’t care” salad topping is a combination of nutritional yeast, Tuscan seasoning, and the Whole Foods Zesty Tahini Dressing (super garlicky = super awesome). I can’t get enough.
JUST got a lovely package from NuNaturals yesterday, and I cannot WAIT to start playing around. 🙂
Woo hoo! I can ONLY imagine the things you will come up with…can’t wait to see!
And I saw that dressing on your blog the other day…I’ve never been a huge fan of tahini by itself, but I can’t help but be enamored with the “zesty”…and well, I do love me some garlic! 😀
I read this while eating plain cottage cheese with cinnamon and blueberries…it just can’t compare. I shall make this immediatley! haha
I don’t know how many times I’ve been blog reading while eating and felt like my food couldn’t measure up! I look at the screen, down at my food, back at the screen…it’s torture! Lol
I could so go for one of those salads right now! As usual, your photos are gorgeous, especially the pudding pictures:)
Thank you so much Sunnie!
This pudding looks great! I love pudding and can’t wait to make this!!
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