Month: February 2010

Post-Valentine’s Day Peanut Butter Blossom

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Last week, I baked Vegan PB cookies for my class.  Kim commented on how much she liked Peanut Butter Blossoms.

Last week was also Valentine’s Day!  On Monday, I went to Target to find Valentine’s Day goodies on sale!  I got a Valentine’s Day bowl for $0.44 and a few bags of Valentine’s Day Hershey Kisses.  I knew Peanut Butter Blossoms were in my future.

These aren’t your average Peanut Butter Blossom.  I kicked these up a notch with Raspberry Hershey Kisses and Caramel Hershey Kisses.

Post-Valentine’s Day Peanut Butter Blossoms

adapted from Hershey’s Kisses Peanut Butter Blossoms

~40 Hershey Kisses (any flavor), unwrapped
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter
1/3 sugar
1/3 brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 and 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
extra granulated sugar for rolling

Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees (I did this after I made the dough, while I was unwrapping the chocolates, just to save energy!)

Cream together the PB and butter.  Add the sugar and blend with a hand mixer until fluffy.  Add the egg, milk and vanilla.  Add the flour, salt and baking soda.

Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.  Bake for about 8 minutes.  Immediately press in the chocolates.  Allow to cool and enjoy!

Makes approximately 40 cookies.

Peanut Butter Blossoms are delicious, but these were OUTSTANDING!  Great flavor combo!

The worst part about making these… aside from their addictive qualities…

Unwrapping all the chocolates.  This can be remedied by the use of a loved one (i.e. significant other, sibling or child).

I have a few ideas for different types of blossoms:
-Mexican Chocolate blossoms.  Use regular chocolate kisses but add cinnamon and cayenne to the rolling sugar.
-Snickerdoodle blossoms with butterscotch kisses (I think Hershey’s makes these) and rolled in cinnamon sugar)
-Almond Blossoms with Almond butter instead of PB and Hershey Kisses with Almonds

Any other ideas?

Well today is another study day!  Not excited for it but it has to happen.  I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Are you ready for this jelly?

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Happy Saturday everyone!!

This morning, when I got back from spinning, look what was in front of my door!

Last week, I won a giveaway at The Actor’s Diet and it arrived today!!

I got 4 jars of Crofter’s Super Fruit Spread!

Of course, I had to try one, so along with my salad for lunch (I’ll spare you the picture of that), I had a piece of toast with some of this deliciousness on it!

I tried the Europe flavor (Pomegranates and black currants blended with red grapes and morello cherries).

Not gonna lie, it’s pretty tasty.  I loved how tart and sweet this was all together.  Definitely recommend it.  I can’t wait to try the other flavors, but I’m going to try to work my way through one at a time.  Sadly, one of the North America jar was cracked so I won’t be trying that one.  I’m deathly afraid of glass shards! Oh well!  The other two I have left to try I’m sure will be amazing!

Today is a study day!  I need to get as much done as possible this weekend since the lovely fella will be here on Wednesday! I’m even missing Ithaca’s Chili Fest!  Oh well, I’ll survive!

I might need to make something super exciting for dinner to make up for it 🙂

Have a great day!

Zucchini Stir Fry

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Hi everyone!

I hope you’re having a great day!  Mine is better than yesterday!  I seriously think the weather here is getting to me!

Today I tried two new things!

Remember WAYY back when, when I tried Amazing Grass for the first time and absolutely hated it?  Well I still had a packet of the chocolate superfood powder from when I ordered that sampler.  I decided to give it another try!  However, this time I decided to try less.  So instead of dumping the whole packet in my green monster, I sprinkled about a fourth of the packet in.

It was delicious!  The gritiness that I hated the first time around wasn’t there, and the chocolatey-ness was great!  I’m not sure I’ll keep buying it just because it’s expensive… when I’m rollin’ in the dough, I would definitely consider adding it to my smoothies more regularly.

Are you a fan of Amazing Grass?

The second new thing I tried was Kikkoman Ponzu, which is a citrus seasoned soy sauce.  I got this a few weeks ago as part of the Food Buzz Tastemakers program.

I’m running low on groceries so I pulled together a bunch of random ingredients to make a delicious stir fry!

Zucchini Stir Fry

1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 tsp chopped ginger
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 zucchini, diced
1 tsp Trader Joe’s Soyaki
2 tsp Kikkoman Ponzu
Pepper to taste

Add the onions to a nonstick pan (sprayed with olive oil or any oil you prefer) and cook for a few minutes.  Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute.  Add zucchini, sauces and pepper, cook for a few more minutes until tender.  Serve with noodles or rice.

This would be great with some pineapple chunks in there too!  Maybe some nuts?

I enjoyed mine with Trader Joe’s Harvest Grain Mix that I’ve had since about August… Finally time to use it up! And a Morningstar Veggie Patty for some added protein.

Delish!

The Kikkoman sauce was really good.  Since I didn’t try it on its own, it tasted somewhat like regular soy sauce but with a tiny kick.  Worth a try!

Now I’m off to read and then head to class!  Have a great afternoon/evening!

Tomorrow is Friday!!! WOOO!!!

Lent

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Thank you all for your very sweet comments on my post earlier!  I really appreciate the support!

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.  The past few days, and today in particular, I’ve read about a lot of people “giving something up for Lent.”  Most of these things included things like chocolate, baked goods, pastries, candy, etc. I’ve commented about this on a few blogs and thought I should write my own post on this.

Now, I am no hard core Catholic.  I did First Communion, but I don’t go to church and I’m not observing Lent.

I’m not entirely sure what I believe but I do have respect for religion.

I’m a little irked that so many people are taking a sacred 40 day period in anticipation of the resurrection of Christ and turning it into an excuse to diet.  Lent is supposed to be about sacrifice and redemption, not a guilt trip into putting down that cookie so you’ll look better at the end of 40 days.

What about the rest of the Lenten requirements: not sinning, abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays…?

Obviously, bloggers don’t post their entire lives on their blogs so some may be very religious/spiritual.  I don’t mean to judge, but I’m a little concerned that this is a serious sacrifice for some while it is merely a tool for others.

*Stepping Off Soapbox now*

What are your thoughts on “giving up” things for Lent? Am I being a little unreasonable?

On to food…

I try not to eat frozen food too often, but I like to keep a frozen meal in the freezer for those days when I just absolutely don’t feel like cooking.

Today was one of those days.

Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake (image from kashi.com)

Oh goodness.  If you haven’t tried this, you should.  It’s AMAZING! Slightly spicy and has a great texture.  Also, if you love plantains and sweet potatoes, this entree is for you!

It was the perfect dinner after a loooong day!

Off to do more reading.  Have a great night!

Life

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Right now, I am school.

My life is on hold so I can get a Master’s degree.

I live in a city county that revolves around the University.  The only people I know are those in my department.  The only place I go is campus.  When I wake up in the morning, the first thought I have it what I have left to read.

I am a ball of stress.

Honestly, I’m getting tired of it.

I’m tired of having a sore jaw in the mornings from clenching all night.  I’m tired of not having time to talk to my friends and family in California because I have to read.  I’m tired of sitting on my butt, reading for hours on end and feeling like I’m still not doing enough.

Yesterday was a terrible day.  Aside from the immense amount of work I had to do.  I was frustrated with my program, and I was frustrated with myself.  I’m tired of complaints.  At this point, I just want to be done.

I’m not sure what needs to change.  Do I need to just suck it up and stick it out?  A year and a half will fly by, right?

I’m not sure what I would do if I hadn’t started this blog.  My life pretty much would only be city planning, and I would crack. I never thought I would be one of those people that says how much blogging has changed their life, but I guess I am…

Sorry for the vent.  Today will be a better day.  The lovely fella will be here in a week!  Normal food bloggieness will continue tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for reading (if you made it this far).

Not So Fat Tuesday

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Happy Mardi Gras!!

I remember feeling so cool in high school French when I realized Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in French!  Nerd.  I know… but enough about that.

I woke up this morning to a good amount of snow on the ground.  While I groaned a bit, I got my butt to the gym anyway.  Here are some of my tips for working out when it’s cold.

  • Dress in layers if you have to walk to the gym.
  • Put all your layers on in the house and wear them for a few minutes while you get everything ready (i.e. fill up your water bottle).  By the time you get outside you’ll be so warm that the cold air will feel great!
  • Wear snow boots and bring your gym shoes in a plastic bag, change your shoes there.
  • The hardest part is getting there.  Just do it!

How do you motivate yourself to work out when it’s cold out?

On one of the gym TVs today, MTV was playing music videos!  Can you believe it?!?!

The prize for most ridiculous video: Lucris “How Low”

Why Luda?? Why!?!

Also, Ke$ha… girl is a hot mess… not a in a good way…

But on to lunch… once I find something I love, I tend to eat the same thing over and over again.  Last week it was hummus/cheese/veggie wraps.

Here is my most recent obsession discovery….

Annie’s Naturals Organic Buttermilk Dressing!  Sooo good!!  Creamy and tangy!  Salad dressings really can make or break a salad!  Try it!

Huge salad!  Along with a can of soup!

Campbell’s Harvest Select Light Minestrone with Whole Grain Pasta.

You’ve probably realized I’m a little obsessed with soup.  I really liked this one!  They were on sale at Target!  I might have to go back and get more!

Huge meal for not a whole lot of calories!

I ended my meal with a delicious cup of tea…

Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride!!!!!!!!  I kept seeing this tea on blogs and really wanted to try it since everyone raves about it.  I commented on Paula‘s blog how I couldn’t find it around here and she sent me a box plus a few others to try!  What a sweetie!  Thanks so much Paula!

I wonder how on earth they get it to taste like this.  I’ve been drinking it plain (got it yesterday and already have had 4 cups of it) but to one of my cups I added some agave and it was like dessert!  Sooo good!

Mardi gras will not be a very exciting day for me.  I have a ton to do!

Do you have any plans for Mardi Gras?

Oh and if you’re in want of some fun reading material, this girl has a bunch of fun Mardi Gras stuff! (Including one very funny picture…)

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

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As I’ve mentioned before, I like baking for my class every week.  Last week, we started talking about random things at the end of class, and one girl mentioned she is a vegan.  I felt a little bad, because every week she hadn’t been eating my baked goods!  While I don’t want to change the goodies only for one person, I think it’s okay to accommodate her dietary needs every so often.  Remember my post about being a “Picky Eater”?

I hadn’t really planned a baked good when I went to the grocery store on Friday.  So I looked around for a recipe using ingredients I had at home. Here’s my version:

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

adapted from 101 Cookbooks Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (you can probably use spelt or all purpose)
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter (smooth or crunchy should work, I used smooth)
1/2 cup Agave Nectar
2 1/2 tbsp Canola Oil
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all the dry ingredients in a small bowl.  In a larger bowl, combine the wet ingredients.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix to combine.  Chill dough for a few minutes in the freezer (I did this while I quickly washed dishes).

Spoon dough onto a baking sheet (about tablespoon sized drops), press with a fork, bake for 8-10 minutes.  Allow to cool and eat your heart out!

Makes about 20 cookies.

In other news, today has been the most unproductive day of my life!  Other than going to the gym and baking, I’ve pretty much done nothing since 7:15am when I woke up.  I need to get some reading done, prepare for my discussion section and then babysit!

Lastly!  I’m almost out of peanut butter!

While I know I just bought 2 jars of Barney Butter, I like having a variety of nut butters around.

What’s your favorite Peanut/Nut butter?

Wake up and smell the COFFEE Cake!

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

About 10 minutes after my last post, there was a knock at the door.  This arrived:

Thanks, Lovely Fella!

After smiling for a good while and admiring my flowers, I headed out on my mission to find new running shoes.  The first stop was Kohl’s.  I tried on pretty much every pair of running shoes they had and decided upon these Asics.

Can you believe they were only $35!!!!  What a steal!

I may have also done some more shopping… long exercise pants and maybe a pair of red pumps…

Sadly, I might have to return them 😦 They’re a little too tight!  This is sort of silly but I saw them at the store, didn’t even try them on just grabbed them and walked straight to the register.  These are the pumps I’ve been looking for!  I made the lovely fella go to every Marshall’s and TJ Maxx in the Bay Area to find my size!  A little sad they’re too small. Oh well!  There will be other red pumps!

Earlier this week, my friend Liz e-mailed a recipe to a bunch of friends (myself included) wondering if someone would be willing to bake it for Valentine’s Day.  You really don’t have to twist my arm to get me to bake… Of course I said yes!

I was intrigued by this recipe!  I’m sure most of you have heard of Pioneer Woman, right?

This is her recipe for Coffee Cake, Literally… as in coffee flavored cake, not coffee cake.

This recipe turned out ridiculously good!  I would definitely make it again (for a new crowd that is!).

The recipe makes a cake but I decided to make cupcakes because they’re easier to enjoy, and they’re just darn cute!   I used my environmentally friendly baking cups!

The recipe called for buttermilk, which I never have around so here’s a tip: 1 cup milk (-1 tbsp) + 1tbsp of vinegar.  Let it sit for 5-10 mins!  Voila!  You’ve got buttermilk!

Honestly, I liked them better without the frosting.  The cake is so light and moist! The coffee flavor isn’t too strong in the cake.  The frosting on the other hand is very strongly flavored!  Pretty delicious as well!

I am thoroughly impressed at how good these are!  I feel like I need to try more of Pioneer Woman’s recipes!

I will be taking these cupcakes to a Valentine’s Day gathering!  But before that, I’m babysitting for a friend so he and his wife can have a Valentine’s Day outing!  They probably need it!

What are your plans for the day?

Have a great day!!!!

Pure Pleasure

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Happy Saturday!!!  How’s your morning been?

I slept in til 8:00am today!  I haven’t slept that late in a long time!

Last night, when I went to the Wegster, I saw a 4-pack of Oikos Caramel Pure Pleasure.  I still had one of the coupons that Stonyfield sent me so I decided to give it a whirl.

This morning, I had a piece of toast with almond butter and a banana, which was delicious.  After I was done, I remembered the caramel oikos…

A little extra protein won’t hurt, right?

When I first opened it, it looked like regular yogurt but in a smaller cup.  I thought hmm… what’s the big deal?

Then I stirred it up to find caramel on the bottom!!

Oooooh goodness!  There’s a reason they call this pure pleasure.  It tasted like I was eating Dulce de Leche!  (Argentina style)

Check out the caramel swirl.  SOOOOO Good!

A bunch of yogurts sell themselves as replacing dessert, but honestly this could most definitely be dessert.  I’m surprised at how much it ACTUALLY tasted like caramel.  Absolutely delicious! Packed full of protein and pretty low cal!

Have you tried Caramel Oikos?

They also have a chocolate flavor that I feel like I need to try now that this caramel one was so good!

My mission for today is to find new running shoes (WOO! No more knee pain… maybe) then go to the gym!  Not too bad if you ask me 🙂

What are your Saturday plans??

Sticky Rice!

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Hi all!  I hope you had a fabulous day!  My day definitely turned around.  I was sort of feeling blue today mostly because my knees have been hurting like crazy (NEED NEW RUNNING SHOES ASAP).

But as I mentioned earlier, I had plans for a fun evening out!

The evening began at the Big Red Barn for $1 beers, but really $3 boxed wine for me, because I’m classy

I may have had two glasses…

By 8:00pm we got kicked out of the BRB… planners know how to party… or something

So we headed to Liz’s where we ordered take out!

Thai food from Sticky Rice!

Sure glad they can take advantage of social media…

Food was plentiful!

Purple rice! Have you ever tried it?? Not sure how purple it actually looks in the picture, but it tasted similar to white rice but with a lightly crunchier texture.  Delicious!

I didn’t get an entree (since I had been a Snacky McSnackerson all afternoon) but I got an order of Sticky Rice with Mango to share with someone.

It came with purple rice and was oooh soo soo good!  Creamy, sweet and delicious!  Have you ever had mango sticky rice?  If you haven’t… try it asap!

After dinner, as we walked home, the roommate and I discussed going to Wegman’s so naturally we did since I needed baking supplies for my next project (coming soon!).

On the way home from the Wegster, Christina (the roommate) was eating a coconut popsicle/bar she had just gotten.  What happens when you eat a frozen treat in 20 degree weather?

It sticks to you.  Remember A Christmas Story?

Poor roommate!

Anyway, I’m pooped, and I have sooooo much TV/Movie stuff to catch up on… Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty… I also have Fargo to see and a documentary called The Garden that is a watch instantly on Netflix!  Thank goodness it’s the weekend! Watch any good TV lately?

Hope your night was as delicious as mine!  Have a good one!