Food

WIAW

It's time for (drumroll please ...) What I Ate Wednesday! The cool thing about this post is that I'm writing it on a Tuesday, so in basically predicting the future. I mean, I'll alter it before posting if I get something wrong, but I'll most likely be dead on and that's pretty cool. Also, I'm really nervous about this because it's a link up and as of right now I'm too technologically challenged to do link ups but ya know first time for everything so here we go!

Breakfast (AKA favorite meal of the day EVER!)
Eggs with spinach, onions, mushrooms, and turkey bacon.
I prepped 8 eggs worth of scrambled eggs yesterday so that I could eat them for breakfast all week and it was genius because they are really. Good. (I got this one right . . . plus I also had half a chocolate Pure Protein bar because HELLO morning chocolate!)

Lunch
Greens and tuna salad - spinach and lettuce with tuna salad (Chicken of the Sea + Dijon mustard + dill + chopped carrots) (I didn't have any of this because I overslept and only had time to grab a banana. So I had that and the apple and the brownie.  And then starved the whole afternoon.)
Apple
Healthy brownie

Actually, the brownie will probably be gone before lunch because that's how I roll in the morning during school. A girl's gotta have some sustenance! (Yeah, that brownie was history.)

Dinner
I honestly couldn't tell ya. Mom handles that (thanks ma!:) it's always super delicious and I can't
get it in my belly after sports practice fast enough.
(Oh my gosh you guys, it was pancakes with peanut butter and turkey bacon. And carrots.  Yummmmmmmmm.)

Dessert
More brownie, or maybe some dried fruit.
I managed to keep today's brownie intake to one ((for now)) but the dried fruit definitely happened.)

And there you have it.  It's Wednesday, and that's what I ate today.  And I didn't take pictures of any of it mostly because I forgot and a little bit because I just wanted to eat and not mess with picture taking. Maybe next week . . . gotta have goals!

Healthier Cheesecake

Mmm, cheesecake.  Possibly the most infamous dessert ever, known for busting diets (and pants seams),  tipping the scales, heart attacks, and the like.  Cheesecake is the villain, and we know it. Yet, something continually draws us in - it's the bad boy we know we should stay away from even
as we're digging into a slice of turtle or pumpkin or New York style. Not just once. Maybe not just once a day.

Fortunately, there's a hero around with an almost guilt-free solution to our problem: blogger Angela Gallardo from Bare Root. This is almost word-for-word her recipe, with a few slight variations I've made. Don't worry; this treat has the whole package - it doesn't sacrifice any flavor. It's super easy if you have a food processor and there's no baking involved (our oven is lukewarm on a good day, so no-bakes have been my thing lately)! It's the perfect summer treat, as proven by the fact that my family and I couldn't wait for the pictures before digging in. Intrigued yet? Good! You can whip one up yourself right now.

Cheat Shake

Day 2 of boot camp week and I've officially fallen hard for a sweet, peanut buttery, chocolatey dream. We've been seeing each other almost every day, even though I've resolved to be a fitness blogger this week. What can I say - the taste buds want what the taste buds want!

The good news is

Lifestyle Change

Ahh, Memorial Day.  It's tradition around here to get the pool up Memorial Day weekend so that we can escape the heat for a swim with the neighbors. We have just one other tradition: walking to the Memorial Day parade in downtown Farmington and getting ice cream from Hershey's afterwards ( or as the last few parade participants walk by - we're mostly there for the ice cream.) By those standards . . . Today

Holy Crepes!

I don't think I have ever had real, live crepe. Have I tried to make crepes? Yes. Have I tried other people's recipes? Heck yes, and they were good, too! 

But those crepes were not massive, thin, crispy crepes, light and wrapped over themselves into perfect layers. The crepe bar has been raised, and there is no going back. 

In desperate need of a study break from our weekend-long chemistry project, my partner-in-crime and I headed into downtown Brighton for a late lunch at Holy Crepe! Creperie, half of Main Street Cheese Market and one of the most eclectic, comfortable eateries I've ever set foot - and teeth - in. It's owned by the friend's cousin. The back entrance promised wonderful things ahead. 

Those Days

It's been one of those days.

A Cake Boss marathon kind of day. A wear-your-pajamas-until-noon kind of day. A two-blog-post kind of day.

I'm home sick from school and my brother just got back from his 8th grade class trip this morning; consequentially, we spent most of the morning asleep on various pieces of furniture in our living room. If you would have seen us, you'd think some kind of sleeping sickness had hit, and hit hard.

Anyway, by the time we finally woke up, we were hungry! Famished. I needed some good, solid sustenance to fill my empty stomach. (Luckily, my illness includes a fever and a sore throat but not an upset stomach!)

What better for "one of those days" than a good grilled cheese?

A very good, very beautiful grilled cheese.

Comfy Food

You know the times when you just want a good, hot, gooey brownie? And then ended up eating all of the hot, gooey brownies in the pan? Trust me, I've been there, and I may have a solution - the single-serve brownie. Now, who's to say I won't keep on whipping up and consuming whole dozens of brownies? However, at least I have a way of escape now.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."  

1 Corinthinans 10:13

Thank you, God, for single-serve brownies!




I bet I can name at least 10 situations that call for this culinary dream.

1. Post boyfriend breakup

  Sure, he was a dirtbag. But why should you let that stop you from a little indulging?

2. Post friend breakup

  Chocolate is a girl's true best friend. And no matter how pathetic that sounds, we all know that's true. Besides that, she'll probably call you back and apologize tomorrow. 

3. Post reality T.V. couple that doesn't actually exist breakup

  Possibly more heart-wrenching than real life - they were SO perfect!

4. National Bittersweet Chocolate Day (January 10th), Celebration of Chocolate Month (February), Cream Cheese Brownie Day (February 10th), International No Diet Day (May 6th - there's still time!) National Brownies at Brunch Month (August). I'm sure you could also come up with some creative concoctions for National Bratwurst Day and Eat a Hoagie Day. 

5. To Share

  Who wouldn't appreciate a free brownie and the fabulous someone who provided it?

6. A Way to Clean Out the Pantry

  I, for one, always have way too much flour, sugar, and cocoa lying around. 

7. With Coffee

You don't actually have to drink the coffee, if you don't want to. 

8.  For Breakfast

  What better way to start the day? Also, experts have proven that eating your brownie at breakfast rather than dinner aids in weight loss!

9. To Regain Energy After a Workout

It's kind of like the tried-and-true muscle building chocolate milk of athletes!

10. Because You're Worth It.

 You are.

To get started, you'll need:

A Microwave
A microwave safe mug
A fork

1 T Butter
1 1/2 T flour
1 1/2 T cocoa
1 egg yolk
1/4 c. white sugar

1 pinch salt

First, cut off a hunk of butter 1 tablespoon big and pop it in the microwave (in your microwave-safe mug) for 30 seconds.

It should look like this.

Next comes the only tricky part - to add just the egg yolk, you'll have to separate the yolk form the white. Do this by cracking the egg over the sink without letting any of the contents slip out. Pass the yolk from one half of the eggshell to the other until the whites have gone down the drain and you're left with only the yolk, like this:

Add it to the butter.

Add the sugar and salt and beat it all up with your fork.

This part is very, very, important. 

Add the cocoa.

Stir.

 Now it's starting to look like brownies!

Stir in the flour . . . 

. . . zap it for a minute in the microwave . . . 

and you're golden!

You'll get all this, plenty to cure any ill or celebrate any occasion!

No, i don't know how many calories there are per serving. Enjoy your brownies when you enjoy them without reserve.

Love, Bella

Hope for the Future & Barbecue Chicken

What a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning! Eddie and I couldn't wait to get outside and run around (for him) and take pictures (for me.)

For as long as can remember, since my very first week of existence, my Sunday mornings have been Jesus-filled instead of lazy. Ok, so I can't actually remember my very first week of existence. I'm sure I went to church, though.  9-12 AM on the first day of the week is always spent in Sunday School, church, and the inevitable 30+ minutes of talking (or, as a kid, waiting for mom to catch up with Mrs. Such-and-such, Mr. What's-his-name, the Joneses, and their next door neighbor. And the next-door-neighbor's cousin. And anyone else within a 12-foot radius)

Are there times when I've resented having to get up early, get dressed up early, and stay awake through an entire church service the morning after a wild night of Disney movies and countless sweets (or, in last night's case, ding-dong ditching on crutches - exhausting!)  Of course what human being wouldn't? But I always walk out of there with a better attitude and at least a slightly more sunny outlook on life that when I entered - and don't we all need just that?

That's why I've chosen to bring a bit of my Sunday to you in the form of a little flip book that's sat on our windowsill for as long as I can remember. (Which, by the way, does not begin with my very first week of existence.)

Today's devotion is called "Hope for the Future." It reads:

"...But i say to you boldly, your future is not determined by your past or your present! 

"Believe that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26 KJV). With man some things may be impossible, but . . . we serve a God Who created everything we see out of nothing.  Give Him your nothingness and watch Him go to work.  All he needs is your faith in Him.  He needs for you to believe, and He will do the rest . . . "

Regardless of your faith, it's food for thought, is it not?

Speaking of food. . . another of my favorite parts of Sundays is the afternoon, which more often than not I spend whipping up some knew experiment in the kitchen.  Today's no different - I'm planning on making barbecue chicken pizza sliders (as long as I can avoid being banished to the couch.  ) I'm going to make them with a whole wheat crust to accommodate my guests this evening - a group of lovely, athletic girls who are always conscious of keeping a healthy diet.  Which is wonderful, except that it's made them completely useless for polishing off a tempting plate of Samoas or bag of chips.

Barbecue Chicken Pizza Sliders
Ingredients
Crust:
  2 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour
  2 T olive oil
  rosemary leaves
  onion salt
  1 t white sugar
  1 0.25 oz packet active dry yeast
  1 cup warm (110 F) water
  honey
  additional olive oil for topping
Toppings:
  1/4 onion, chopped
  2 large chicken breasts, thawed
  1/2 bottle barbecue sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)
  cheese ( I used shredded cheddar/jack)

To make the crust, first dissolve the white sugar and yeast in the water in a medium bowl. Preheat the oven to 300 F

  

 Let the yeast dissolve for about 10 minutes, until the mixture is creamy. While you're waiting, combine the flour, salt, and a pinch each of rosemary leaves and onion salt.

Then, add in the olive oil.

After 10 minutes, the yeast should look like this on top:

 Combine the yeast mixture and the flour mixture.

Mix together until the dough is smooth and there are no flour pockets.

Let that sit for 5 minutes, then lay it out on a lightly floured surface.

 Roll the dough into 8-10 small balls.

 Pat them into discs 1/4 inch thick using the side and heel of your hand.

 Pop the discs onto a lightly greased pizza pan. Mis together 2 T olive oil and a drizzle on honey. The honey complements the barbecue flavor really nicely!

Use a rubber brush to lightly cover each disc with the olive oil-honey glaze. 

Congrats, your dough is ready to go!

For the topping, use place the chicken breasts in a deep pan. 

Smother them with your favorite barbecue sauce. 

 Add the chopped onions and bake the whole thing for 10-12 minutes in the 300 F oven.

 When the chicken has been cooked thoroughly, use two forks to pull apart the meat. Up the heat in the oven to 450 F. Use one fork to hold the meat down and one fork to pull bite-sized pieces off.

 Top your pizzas with the cheese, onion, and chicken. Bake for 16-20 minutes and enjoy!

Love, Bella

Reblogged

Sometimes it takes a good kick in the behind to get you moving in the right direction.

Sometimes it takes a good kick in the knee.

For the last few days (8, to be exact. Yes, 8.) an unfortunate collision during a soccer game imprisoned me to the red leather couch in our living room from the moment I walk in the door until I can dream up some way of escape.  My mother, the ever-faithful warden, is very clever at blocking any attempt at freedom.  Never have I had such a desire to clean up,  drink enough glasses of water, explore all the books on the shelf, or walk the dog. Never have I been more willing to do the dishes, run errands, or stand up to change the channel on the T.V.  Although our couch is extremely comfortable and still smells pleasantly leather-ish after all these years,  it's as if I've been stuck in time-out. Or jail.

Fortunately, the one freedom I'm allowed is internet connection and my laptop, where I've discovered that I seem to be in good company - I've stumbled on chefs, models, celebrities, mothers, and politicians  who seem to have done time on their own couches, resulting into the delightfully diverse world of blogs.

Which inspired me to re-start my own blog. I've been reblogged.

Since I've been limited to 3 cushions, 2 armrests, and a bag of frozen peas today, I'll share some of the gems I've uncovered that, one day after my release, will be acted on. Until then . . .

Food: Joy the Baker's Shrimp + Grits + Cocktail post has my mouth absolutely watering!

Fashion: The Londoner's polka dot-inspired cool-girl look has me itching to get up and walk a mile in her shoes!

Fitness: Fit Bottomed Girl's weekly workout routine has me motivated to get moving any way I can.

Love, Bella