Strange But Good Breakfast

March 15, 2013 By Laura

If left to my own devices, my natural “awake” time is 10am to 2am.

I blame my mother. It’s hereditary.

The only reason I get excited for morning to come is breakfast. It’s the most ~~delicious~~ important meal of the day, you know. With very little effort, it can also be the strangest meal of the day.

This weekend was the beginning of softball season. I received a 6:30am wake up text from our team captain Sunday morning. We had a tournament starting at 8. It’s a good thing I had breakfast planned, because I am pretty sure I was still asleep on the drive to the field.

You’ve all heard of overnight oats in a jar, I’m sure. I had an almost empty jar, but no oats! No matter – I remembered my TVP “Oatmeal” and made Overnight TVP in a Jar! Made just like a traditional recipe, but using TVP rather than oats. Strange… but good!

I was going to eat this in the car, but was too tired so I ate it at the field… and earned a couple of strange but good stares. That coffee was GONE by the time I got to the park though. 😉

Overnight TVP in a Jar

1/2 C TVP
3/4 C unsweetened almond milk (or other liquid)
2 T peanut flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 banana, mashed
Almost empty nut butter jar

Mix everything together in your jar and place in refrigerator overnight.

In the morning, remove from fridge and devour!

Note: If you like your oats warm, you can pop it in the microwave for a minute. You may need to add more liquid though.

Enough of my strangeness… one of my favorite Instragrammers and new blogger, Alina, took my Oatmeal Cookie Shake and turned up the strangeness. She made Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes… with the nutritional yeast from my original recipe!

Alina was kind enough to send her recipe to me so I could share it with you all. Check this deliciousness out, and make sure to go to her blog – it’s full of creative, delicious dishes!

Fluffy Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes

2 T coconut flour
2 T pumpkin puree
1 tsp nutritional yeast
1/3 C egg whites
1 T vanilla whey protein
2 T mashed banana
2 T almond milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp butter flavor/extract
2 stevia packets
1/2 tsp baking powder
Dash salt
1 T mini Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (optional)

Mix all ingredients into a thick batter.

Scoop onto griddle or heated pan sprayed with some coconut oil. Yes, the batter is super thick but just spread pancakes to desired thickness and be patient while they cook up!

Flip once until cooked through.

Optional toppings: 2 Tbsp cottage cheese + 1 Tbsp chocolate pb2 , and Walden Farms chocolate syrup.

What’s strange but good in your kitchen this week?

The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above.

In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

***

Another strange but good – going to have a gluttonous dinner with your trainer post-leg workout. That happened last night. #strangebutgoodshamelessness

When do you tend to make your strangest creations?

What is your favorite overnight oats combo?

Everything Bagel Schmear

March 4, 2013 By Laura

Breakfasts are often like dessert in my house.

To be honest, many meals are like dessert in my house…

Lately something strange (but good) has happened – I’ve been craving SAVORY breakfasts. I don’t question my body, I just go with it. Savory it is.

I blame Jenn and her preggo bagel talk for this craving (no, I’m not pregnant too – hahaha). I used to love everything bagels… but those aren’t exactly competitor-diet approved.

I have learned that to recreate many unapproved foods, all you need are the right spices. Ezekial bread IS approved, so I used it as the base for an everything schmear.

According to Urban Dictionary, a schmear is:

This is NOT a post about #3.

The addicting trifecta of dried seeds, onion, and garlic tastes just as good in the form of a topping as it does attached to a bagel!

The usual seeds used are sesame and poppy seeds. Poppy seeds aren’t something I keep on hand, but in a particularly inspired moment I added chia seeds instead!

A good schmear must be creamy. I achieved the cream-factor by blending up cottage cheese with my everything flavors, giving this spread a giant protein punch! Out of curiosity I used Two Foods to compare the nutritionals for generic cream cheese and cottage cheese.

I knew cream cheese wasn’t exactly a health food, but whoa… cottage cheese, for the win.

Toast up a slice of your favorite healthy bread and guiltlessly schmear everything on! For sides, I pan-heated some no-salt deli turkey and had a side of blueberries (the craze continues).

Everything Bagel Schmear

1/2 C no-salt cottage cheese
~2 tsp liquid (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp butter extract
1 tsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp sesame seeds

In a blender, combine cottage cheese, liquid, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, butter extract, and 1/2 tsp chia seeds. Blend until smooth, adding more liquid if needed.

Add remaining chia seeds and sesame seeds. Stir to combine.

Schmear your bagel or muffin and enjoy!

Makes 2 servings.

***

This everything bagel spice blend has so many possibilities… my mind is churning!!!

What is your favorite bagel schmear?

What was the best part about your weekend? I got a 85 minute sports massage!

Strange But Good Blues

March 1, 2013 By Laura

Blues aren’t always bad.

Unlike pink… 😉

I’ve been going through a blueberry phase. One that has resulted in some Strange But Good creations throughout the day.

Breakfast:

This was a new take on my Maple TVP Oatmeal. I have been craving more savory foods for breakfast lately, and had just purchased fresh rosemary. Why not with blueberries and a lemon twist?

Rosemary-Lemon TVP Oats

1/3 C TVP
3/4 C water (or milk)
1 T fresh rosemary, chopped
5-6 drops lemon liquid Stevia
Juice from 1/4 lemon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 C egg whites (optional)
Blueberries

Add first 6 ingredients (everything before the egg), stir, and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook about 10 mins, until mix thickens.

Pour in egg whites. Allow to cook for 2-3 more mins, stirring frequently so that the egg doesn’t form chunks. The mixture should be silky smooth. Swirl in blueberries.

Scoop into bowl and add additional berries to top.

Note: For a vegan option, add a flax egg, protein powder, or simply leave the egg out.

Lunch:

Again, I was feeling the sweet + savory. I had made a bison burger as part of my Sunday food prep. I crumbled it up, mixed in some BBQ sauce and red pepper flakes, and warmed it in the microwave. Then I stirred in the blueberries.

These 3 “Bs” sound strange. The pic isn’t pretty. But I SWEAR its delicious. My BBQ sauce is a sweet & spicy, and the sweet hint complemented the berries perfectly.

Dessert:

I have a thing for sweet potatoes, even at midnight. This midnight snack had me sleeping like a baby. Until I had to get up to pee at 3am because I drink a TON of water. I digress.

Sweet potatoes are also part of my Sunday prep. I roast them in the oven to have on hand for a quick, healthy carb. I heated this one up and topped it with no-salt cottage cheese, cinnamon, bacon “sprinkles” (thank you, Heather for my new favorite term), and blueberries. Sweet, creamy, and a teensy bit of salty bacon goodness.

Strange doesn’t get any more delicious than this!

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So what’s strange but good in YOUR ‘hood?

The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above.

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

***

All these berries... I just bought strawberries yesterday (on sale for $3 at Whole Foods!). I must be craving spring...

Do you like fruit with traditionally savory foods? I love it with salmon!

Are you a savory or a sweet breakfast person?

Oscar-Worthy Creamy Pesto Dip

February 28, 2013 By Laura

I don’t like movies.

I know, I know… you’re looking at your screen like I said I kill puppies.

They are just SO predictable/disappointing/over-acted/etc. I do make exception for movies based on true stories. Zero Dark 30, for example, was incredible. I also liked Les Miserables… even thought it was a musical and it was long. ~~It could have something to do with the bottle of wine we snuck into the theater…~~

Either way, I DO love the awards shows. I like to ~~judge~~ check out the dresses, and love the performances between awards. How awesome is Adele?!

When Special K contacted me about trying their new Sweet & Salty Popcorn Chips and sharing them with friends at an Oscar party, I jumped at the chance. I love a party! 😉

The awesome party package they sent included the chips, nail polish, a game to guess the winners, and…. a red carpet!!! ***I received this product and party kit at no cost from Special K; however, all opinions are my OWN!***

I invited over some of my favorite movie buffs and prepared a spread of meatballs, Creamy Pesto Dip, Brown Beer Hummus, veggie sticks, cheeses, and Red Wine Chocolate Cookies. And the chips, of course.

The chips were totally addicting. How can it get better than sweet & salty? We inhaled 2 boxes. Which really isn’t bad considering a serving is 28 chips. Only 120 calories AND I can pronounce every ingredient on the (short) list.

Our favorite performances were – of course – Adele and Les Mis. I can’t believe they got the whole cast on stage! I also laughed like a 10-year-old boy at the “We Saw Your Boobs” song. #sorryimnotsorry.

Did I mention it was a pajama party?

Back to the spread. The dips were fantastic with the chips. I shared the Beer Hummus on Monday, but today I have the Creamy Pesto Dip for you. This recipe was inspired by this recipe created by my girl Kierston. She is a Canadian figure competitor and I have LOVED following her journey!

I lightened it up a bit to meet my dietary needs by eliminating the pine nuts and parm and using nutritional yeast. Because nutritional yeast has a cheesy-nutty taste to it, it made a fabulous pesto and packed in the B-12 and protein.

Citrus and spice are a couple of my favorite ways to add depth and a bright punch to recipes. I added lemon juice and red pepper flakes to accomplish that here. After combining the first ingredients in the food processor, I transferred the mix to a bowl to stir in the Greek yogurt (more protein – woot!). I couldn’t believe how light and flavorful the result was!

Vegan or dairy-free? Make your protein-packed pesto creamy by adding tofu to the blender!

Creamy, fluffy and packed with protein. And it got the thumbs up from Carol.

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Creamy Pesto Dip

1 C fresh basil leaves (packed)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1/4 C nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 C Greek yogurt

Place basil, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and peppers in food processor. Process until combined.

With processor running, slowly add in oil.

Transfer to a bowl. Stir in Greek yogurt.

Enjoy!

Makes ~1 C.

***

I wish I had an excuse to throw a party every weekend! It’s fun… and a great motivator to clean the house. 😉

What is your favorite party dip?

Do you like movies? What was your favorite this season?

Brown Beer Hummus

February 25, 2013 By Laura

I make a lot of strange stuff.

Relatively speaking – I think it’s totally normal! 🙂

I must confess that there ARE certain things that intimidate me. Heather’s Meatless Monday A-Z ingredient this week one of them. Yeast. I am inexplicably intimidated by the thought of using yeast to make bread. Bread seems so complex to me! It’s only a few ingredients, I know.

For this week’s recipe I decided to be sneaky with the ingredient and use beer. Beer has yeast. It counts, right?

This was actually created for another reason: I had an Oscar party! I wanted to have food in the theme of the movies this year, and this killed two bird with one stone. Hummus for the Middle Eastern-set Argo and Zero Dark 30, and beer for the tailgate theme of Silver Linings playbook!

What resulted was a funky hummus, with the nutty tahini and cumin flavors we all love, combined with hoppy, brown sweetness from the beer.

The beer I used is a limited release. Laguanitas came out with a seasonal beer – Brown Shugga’ – a few years ago and apparently it was SO good that when they didn’t bring it back the following year due to capacity issues people were outraged. Laguinatas Sucks is their apology.

It’s awesome. It says brown shugga,’ but it has notes of citrus and pine that make for a really interesting marriage of flavors with the more tadtiional lemon and tahini in the hummus.

Brown Beer Hummus

1 can no salt added chickpeas
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 cloves garlic
2 T fresh rosemary
1 T tahini
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp coriander
1/3 C beer (I used Lagunitas Sucks, a hoppy beer)

Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth. Add additional beer for a thinner dip.

Serve with chips and veggies.

Makes 1 1/4 cups.

***

I wish they wouldn’t do these shows on Sunday nights. I’m SO tired… but how awesome was the Les Mis performance?!

Did you watch the Oscars? What was your favorite performance?

What are your thoughts on yeast? Does bread intimidate you?

Strange But Good Midnight Snack

February 22, 2013 By Laura

There’s some “rule” about not eating after 7p.

I call bullshit on that rule…

I don’t buy into that. You’re body uses sleep time to recover. What helps the body recover? Nourishment! Why would you go to bed hungry?

Plus, then you wake up hangry. I don’t need any added grump-factors early in the morning! Thus, I always have a midnight snack.

This just looks like an innocent chocolate Greek yogurt bowl… a little cereal, cocoa powder sauce, cacao nibs… cayenne… but that’s not strange ~~for me~~.

Then this happened:

Attack of the killer carrot!

You guys know I love carrots. A lot. What could be better than carrot cake? A Chocolate Carrot Cake Protein Bowl! So, I grated a carrot and tossed it into the mix. Then mixed thoroughly.

All swirled together, each bite had creamy chocolate, a ribbon of rich cocoa sauce, sweet carrot, light crunches from the crispy cereal, and a satisfying bite from the cacao nibs. Sensory overload, in a strange but good way.

Yes, I’ve used the same spoon all week. Don’t judge.

Obviously I hated it.

Chocolate Carrot Cake Bowl

3/4 C Greek yogurt
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp cayenne (optional)
1 carrot, grated

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

Top as desired. My toppings included: brown rice crispy cereal, cacao nibs, and a cocoa powder sauce (1T cocoa powder, 1T almond milk, 3-4 drops liquid Stevia).

Devour. Sleep like a baby.

I want to see YOUR strange but good food!

The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above.

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

***

This week has seemed longer than most… I’m really looking forward to the weekend and some Oscar-watching!

Do you believe in a late night snack?

Will you watch the Oscars? Is anyone making some Oscar-themed snacks? I’m putting my strange but good thinking cap on…

Butternut Banana Protein Shake

February 18, 2013 By Laura

There is something in the water.

Ok, there are probably lots of things in our water… I don’t think about it.

This weekend I must have been drinking the ‘roid water because I was hitting PRs all over the gym. I don’t feel any different in terms of ability, but for some reason the weights were lighter these past few days.

My Saturday PRs were: (unassisted) dumbbell chest press, include bench press with a twist, and pullovers. Then on Sunday I PR’d on the read delt machine. I’d been stuck at the same weight forever… but I turned up the music and told the thing is was going to move ~~Cee Lo-style~~.

The only thing I’ve changed is to make sure that immediately following a workout I have whey protein with a complex carb. That works for me because my favorite post-workout snack is a protein shake.

I had not been making many – it’s too cold – BUT Heather gave me a good reason to being them back into my life with her Meatless Monday A-Z ingredient: Xanthan Gum!

Xanthan gum is a thickening agent and it prevent separation. These qualities make it a perfect smoothie/shake addition! If you read the ingredient list for most ice creams and milkshakes, you’ll find Xanthan gum, as it gives these desserts a fabulous creamy texture.

Bananas are often used to make shakes thicker in the healthy-living community. I used it in my Oatmeal Cookie Shake! Never one to settle for “normal,” I began using alternatives like butternut squash or sweet potatoes to thicken my protein-laced creations. What I never thought to do until this weekend was use BOTH.

Sweet banana and butternut make for one fabulous combination. It’s almost like a cold pie filling! I loved it with the almond extract – it makes everything taste like cookies to me.

This shake is especially good to have post workout – you get your 20g of protein from the powder, carbs from the banana and butternut, potassium for muscle recovery from the banana, and anti-inflammatory benefits from ginger and cinnamon.

A little bit of Xanthan goes a long way here with the already-creamy banana and butternut combo. What results is a treat so fantastically thick you’ll need to eat it with a spoon.

If you’re so inclined – and I am ALWAYS inclined – you can toss in some spinach for an extra serving of greens. You can’t taste it. Don’t be scared.

Yes, I put this back in the blender after taking pics the “normal” colored shake.

Butternut Banana Shake

1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/3 C butternut squash, pre-cooked
1/2 banana
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2-1/4 in piece fresh ginger
1/8 tsp Xanthan gum
6-7 drops liquid Stevia (optional)
Spinach (optional)
Ice + water, to taste

Place everything in a high-speed blender (I used my Vitamix) and blend until smooth.

Transfer to a glass and enjoy!

***

I know some one will ask… that spoon is from this Etsy shop. ~~Good luck. I spent an ungodly amount of money on spoons.~~

Can you name a food that starts with an X? I think I can name 2… I have NO idea what Heather’s going to do for the next few rounds!

Have you ever used thickeners for before?

Strange But Good Spinach Dip

February 15, 2013 By Laura

Green food has my heart.

Next year I may revolt and turn Valentine’s Day into an ode green food.

Dip is always good in my book. Well, almost. I’m sure there have been nasty dips made. One of my favorite dips – Spinach – is beautifully green. The problem with most spinach dips is that they are loaded with cheese/fat/salt/other stuff I can’t have. And where’s the protein?!

I went back to my vegetarian days for the solution. Tofu and nutritional yeast. I swear there is nothing these two ingredients can’t do.

Blending the two together with my favorite spices created a creamy, cheesy base for my spinach dip. Cinnamon and nutmeg may seem like strange additions, but they are really good with greens! They complemented the smoked paprika to give this dip a fabulous depth.

Of course I then I un-veganized the recipe. Twice.

For lunch I made a crust from 2T Kamut flour, 1T coconut flour, 1T apple cider vinegar, and just enough water to make it pancake batter consistency. Then I cooked it a pan like a pancake before topping it with my Spinach Tofu Dip, zucchini, and balsamic chicken and placing it under the broiler to brown.

Then for Meal 6 I mixed my dip with shredded chicken in a ramekin and baked it for 10 mins to make a creamy spinach-chicken treat. The dip alone would be awesome wamred in the oven and eaten with crusty bread.

It tasted even better because my chicken was FREE! Whole ~~Paycheck~~ Foods took much longer than promised to get the Naked (read: no salt) rotisserie chicken out of the oven. I waited SO long to get it that they comped my whole chicken! They may be pricey, but Whole Foods has the BEST customer service. Amazing Valentine’s Day present. 🙂

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Cheesy Spinach Tofu Dip

9 oz firm tofu
3 cloves garlic
2 T nutritional yeast
2 T apple cider vinegar
3/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 C frozen spinach, thawed

Place all ingredients except the spinach in a high-speed blender and mix until smooth.

Squeeze excess moisture out of spinach, then add to blender.

Pulse until just combined; there should still be large pieces of spinach.

Makes 1 3/4 C.

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I want to see YOUR strange but good food!

The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above.

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂

***

Single’s Awareness Day isn’t so bad. I visited to my two loves: the gym and Whole Foods. Good workout + free chicken = happy blogger.

When was the last time you experienced excellent customer service?

Did you do anything strange for Valentine’s Day? Keep it clean, ya’ll… 😉

Strange But Good Breakfast

Overnight TVP in a Jar

Fluffy Chocolate Chip Cookie Pancakes

Everything Bagel Schmear

Everything Bagel Schmear

Strange But Good Blues

Rosemary-Lemon TVP Oats

Oscar-Worthy Creamy Pesto Dip

Creamy Pesto Dip

Brown Beer Hummus

Brown Beer Hummus

Strange But Good Midnight Snack

Attack of the killer carrot!

Chocolate Carrot Cake Bowl

Butternut Banana Protein Shake

Butternut Banana Shake

Strange But Good Spinach Dip

Cheesy Spinach Tofu Dip

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