News Flash
First of all, Happy New Year’s Eve to you all! I hope you have fun plans for tonight.
I feel like I haven’t been on the internet in weeks, but it’s only been one day <— Goal #13 accomplished!
In that one day, a few other things have happened. None of which you’re probably interested in but you’ll hear about them anyways.
I FINALLY finished Gone with the Wind <— Goal #2 accomplished! If you enjoy character development and have some free time on your hands I suggest you read it. It has a lot more going on in terms of plot than in the movie.
You may also be surprised to learn that I started my yoga challenge (7-days of yoga class at CorePower Yoga) and two days in I am already SO sore. My arms, hamstrings, quads and hips are all feeling it and it hurts sooo good.
I’m hoping the weather doesn’t stop Beanie and I from going today!!
Yes, it finally snowed.
There’s nothing prettier than a college campus all dressed up in snow.
By the way do you see that statue of a man sitting on a bench on the left? I think it’s a real person every time I walk by.
Hello, library.
Unfortunately my attitude while taking these pictures was not pretty. I had just spent the past hour trying to make it to work (public transportation sucks in the snow) and just as I was getting off the bus, my boss called to tell me the library was closing early and I need not come in.
I’m still fuming.
I could have had such a relaxing morning, but instead I rushed to an early morning yoga class, took forever to drive home in the snow, rushed through my shower and scarfed down this bowl of oatmeal at a dangerously fast pace.
Topped with my new almond butter (roasted maple cinnamon) and I’ve decided it tastes like cookie dough.
Clearly, I still felt like I had all the time in the world to photograph/admire my breakfast.
I also found time to photograph the stew I made on Wednesday. Recipe can be found here.
I was skeptical — pumpkin puree and apples? But it was good! Just wish I could have tasted the apples a bit more. Maybe I’ll add those in later next time I make this.
Nothing like stew when it’s snowing.
Even though I was rushed and annoyed yesterday, at least my feet were warm.
Smart Wool = awesome.
Pictures of my feet? Do I know how to end a post with a bang or what?
I’m off to enjoy breakfast and maybe a little reading (I’m on the Pride and Prejudice now) while everyone is still sleeping but then I fully plan on taking advantage of this day off.
Have a safe but fun New Year’s Eve!
How I Spend My Days Off
I had today off of work so I had big plans to cook, eat, exercise, read and eat some more.
The morning started off on a bad note when my mom, my sister and I showed up at Udi’s only to find that it’s closed all week!
Back up plan = Mimi’s Cafe. A chain but pretty good nonetheless.
I started out with a pumpkin spice latte.
In an attempt to eat something as close to what I would have gotten at Udi’s, I ordered the Pacific Croissant (minus bacon, tomatoes and cheese). It had scrambled eggs, garlic spinach, avocado and basil pesto aoili.
With potatoes on the side.
I’m pretty sure I was too busy blabbing (sorry Mom and Beanie!) to notice that I barely touched my potatoes. The sandwich was okay, but nothing compared to Udi’s. I boxed half and now Joey has breakfast for tomorrow.
Beanie and I picked at the muffin but boxed most (and by most I mean all but two bites) and sent it with my mom to work.
Beanie (the Little Bear) dropped my mom off at work then met me back at my place where cookie baking ensued. We broke out my new aprons and I felt like a real pro 😛
I requested my mom’s chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe because everytime she makes them I can’t stop eating them. But as usual, nothing I make comes out as good as my mom’s. Oh well, even when these cookies aren’t the best, they’re still pretty darn good!
I’ll put the recipe up if anyone’s interested. By forewarned that there’s lots of butter involved.
They came out a little too flat for my liking. I’ll have to talk to my mom about it and hopefully get a more serious answer than “The secret is that I spit in the dough,” which is what she told my sister.
I hope I have some cookie loving friends because I have a TON of cookies.
And while the oven was hot I thought I’d make something I’ve wanted to make for MONTHS AND MONTHS.
Almond butter.
But not just any almond butter. Ashley’s Roasted Maple Cinnamon Almond Butter. You can find her recipe here.
I’ve tried to make this once before, but I didn’t have real maple syrup and I only had a mini cuisanart. Needless to say, it didn’t work out. I was determined this time!
These smelled so good but being the weirdo that I am, I just wasn’t it a tasting mood. I set some aside for later, though.
Then it was time to butterize.
It got buttery then thickened up when I added the cinnamon but it smoothed back out after I added the oil (I used safflower).
To say I was excited, is an understatement. I was elated that this turned out!!
And I definitely tasted this butter.
Yum, can’t wait to top some oats with this!
What’s that you say? You’ve seen enough pictures from me for one day? Well, too bad. Feast your eyes upon this butternut squash soup.
So simple and tasty.
Candlelight yoga tonight! For some reason I’m both excited and nervous. Hope it’s fun.
Breakfast and a Recipe
Well, hello. It’s another bright and sunny day here in Colorado.
Despite the sun I chose to do my running indoors. Why, you ask? Well I think I’m a little burnt out on my outdoor running route. It makes me dread running outside so instead of being creative and finding a new route I just headed to the treadmill.
3.5 miles in ~40 minutes with 5 minutes of walking to warm up and another 5 to cool down. Then I lifted for the first time since… I actually can’t remember! It felt awesome and I’m hoping to wake up with sore arms tomorrow. <— Who says things like that??
I came home, quickly showered and topped a bowl of vegan overnight oats. Make that chocolate VOOs. Nothing like chocolate pudding for breakfast.
Topped with a new granola (that I forget the name of, as usual), melty coconut butter and peanut butter. Oh, plus I mixed in a handful of cranberries.
This bowl had everything. Sweet, rich, chewy, tart, crunchy, smooth — you name it.
Because the oats were cold the coconut butter hardened up and it was very magic shell-esque. Loved it!
See what I mean?
And no bowl of oatmeal is complete without a tiny spoon. Seriously though, eating with a small spoon makes breakfast last much longer and I’m okay with that.
On to the recipe.
Last night I got off work at 6:30, drove home from Boulder and had this meal on the table by 7:30. Don’t you just love fast meals?
Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp (or Tempeh)
Modified from here.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
- 2-3 teaspoons red curry sauce (depends on how hot you want it — my red curry sauce isn’t particularly spicy so I used 3t)
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 12 ounces of shrimp (peeled and deveined) or 1 block of tempeh (cubed) or a mix of the two (which is what I did)
- 2/3 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1 T chopped fresh basil (optional — I didn’t have any)
- Paprika (for garnish and spice)
Directions:
- Chop onion and add to a pot with olive oil over medium-low heat. While onion cooks, peel shrimp.
- Add curry sauce and cook 1 minute.
- Add sugar and cook 30 seconds.
- Add shrimp (or tempeh) and cook ~5 minutes or until shrimp are done (they should be pink).
- Add coconut milk and cook until thoroughly heated then add green onions.
I made more sauce than what the original called for and nixed the “fish sauce,” because A) I don’t know what that is and B) It sounds awful.
I knew we’d run out of shrimp but I wanted leftovers for lunch the next day so I added 1/3 block of tempeh. The paprika was a last minute addition but I think it will really add some kick to the dish.
Serve with brown rice and veggies, if you so desire. And I definitely desire.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
Lunch, here I come!
I’ve got butternut squash soup on the menu for tonight’s dinner and I’ve given Joey specific directions to do everything but blend it. I have to be the first to use my new immersion blender!
Hope you’re all having a good day!
Lauren Loves Good Food 