SUN-day

 

Today was one of those dreamy days where the temperatures reached the upper 70’s WITHOUT humidity. A dreamy day where you realize you’re wearing a tank top AND flip flops in February. Yes. February.

And so I nixed WARM tea and made my favorite warm weather drink:

in my favorite warm weather chair!

GREEN MONSTERS!! My favorite recipe is HERE (and engagement photos!!!)

I promise you, it tastes like an orange sherbet dreamsicle.

I promise! (And I’m not so sure about the nail polish. I bought it because once it dries, it smells like grape)

I foresee many, many green monsters in my future. And right now, I see an episode of Brothers and Sisters on Netflix. (OFFICIALLY addicted.)

Do you kombucha?

 

My favorite go-to treat: Guava Goddess kombucha

The first time I tried kombucha I thought I might throw up. It was fizzy and murky and WAY too…..floatie. But my second try, with a new flavor, was way better. And I’ll admit, that before the reformulation, I may have like the tiny buzz you would get. But I still LOVE them!

So, do you kombucha?

Sick of Salads

 

The other day I was talking to my bestie, and she told me I had to stop blogging about oatmeal. All joking aside, I know, I blog about oatmeal a lot. (But I love it)

And yesterday’s lunch felt like more of the same. I’m not saying it wasn’t delicious

Chicken Taco salad

It was delicious. I am IN LOVE with this dressing. But…it’s tired.

It doesn’t help that I’m out of Udi’s and Whole Foods AND Harris Teeter were sold out. And I forgot my tortilla chip croutons, so this salad didn’t have nearly enough crunch.

Do you ever get tired of the same old thing for lunch?

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Nominate a blog! Women’s Health magazine is taking nominations until the end of March to win a spot on their blogroll. You can nominate blogs you love, and even your own!

Blooper Reel

 

Taking photos of food for this blog always takes effort. But taking photos of cookies…with puppies around…BIG EFFORT! It’s sort of like a three ring circus, wrangling puppies before they can pounce.

So to get you through this last stretch of the week, I thought I would share some funny bloopers from this AMAZING cookie post!

Holding Hazel while taking pictures takes talent

Max waits patiently, but inches closer and closer to the cookies.

He also puts on his best “puppy ears”.

And when waiting fails, he tries the camera:

Oh pupper-roo. Note the tongue and the uneaten bone in the background!

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Don’t miss the first Resolution Recipe: Quinoa

Resolution Croquettes

 

So remember my resolutions – 11 in 11? And then remember the vote? Well, tonight I finally dug deep and cooked my new food for the month of February. Not quite down to the wire, but close enough :)

And that new food was:

Source

QUINOA! Shown above, quinoa is not actually a grain my friends, it’s a seed!

It’s pretty amazing to me that I worked at a health food store for FIVE YEARS and never tried quinoa. The health benefits are pretty overwhelming!

It’s a complete protein source with all nine amino acids; plus manganese, magnesium, iron, and copper. Who knew?! Not me :)

So I searched for recipes. And as it turns out, there are a ton! Quinoa seems to be super versatile. But when I found a recipe that not only incorporates quinoa but also COTTAGE CHEESE I knew it was the one!

Quinoa Croquettes

I followed the recipe exactly, except that I used thyme instead of oregano because it’s the only thing I had on hand. I also used Kinnikinnick gluten free panko breadcrumbs for the coating.

And oh am I ever so glad that I chose this recipe! These little babies are tiny bites of heaven! Crunchy on the outside, warm and gooey on the inside with tons of flavor. Who knew that green onion, cilantro, and jalapeno could be a trifecta!?

I’m hoping that they reheat well for lunch today!

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Hitting close to home: As soon as I heard about the earthquake in New Zealand, I first thought of my close friend who lives there, Abi. Thank goodness for facebook, because I was able to learn very quickly that she was okay.

But then I thought of fellow blogger Theresa over at G is for Gluten. So I just wanted to invite you all to hop on over to her blog and send her good thoughts and prayers. Click over here.

Entourage

 

My lunch is sort of a joke at work. Not because it’s gluten free or anything, but because my lunch bag literally has it’s own entourage.

And since we only have a mini fridge, I’m usually pushing the limits. But it’s always worth it

Yesterday’s lunch: Not-Yo Typical Taco Salad

Shredded Romaine with 1/4 cup black eyed peas with salsa dressing

Salsa Dressing is the best, and it’s super simple to make.

1/4 cup salsa mixed with 3 heaping tablespoons of 0%fat Greek yogurt

Mix it all up

and top with gluten free tortilla chips!

Tasty!

Other yummy additions that could make this salad ever better: lime juice, avocado, diced tomato, onion, black beans

But you work with what you have!

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Happy Tuesday! I’m making Quinoa for supper I can’t wait to share the recipe!

Loaded

 

Everyone is always so surprised by how much I love oatmeal. Steel cut or rolled, it’s always my breakfast of choice. But I think that what some people don’t realize is that it’s ALL about the toppings!

In the mix: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup gluten free steel cut oats; topped with 1/4 cup Trader Joe’s Loaded Fruit and Nut gluten free granola

My sweet sister in law surprised me on Saturday with a bag of TJ’s GF granola. I had tried the cranberry bag and thought it was okay, but fruit and nut is DELICIOUS!

Big pieces of pecan and almond with sweet, crunchy bits.

After snapping pictures, I had the great idea to add in a splash of Light Vanilla Soymilk. Genius!

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I hope your Monday is off to a great start! I’m off to make a fresh juice before I have to head off to work

The Lazy Baker

 

There’s a reason that in almost three years of being gluten free, I’ve only managed to come up with a handful of recipes for gluten free baked treats.

I’m a lazy baker.

The thought of adding and mixing all those different flours makes me very sleepy. So I’ve learned to rely on a few really good gluten free mixes, and then make my own…once in a blue moon.

But friends, this is no mix.

But even though these aren’t cookies from a mix, you’re not going to need a recipe.

Gluten Free COOKIE DOUGH from Immaculate Baking Co.- Gluten Free and Dairy Free

As soon as I saw these in Whole Foods, I scooped them up! Before my Celiac Diagnosis, I had tried all their glutenous doughs and loved them.

But in all honestly, I wasn’t expecting them to be THIS good!

Absolutely NO after taste. Soft, chewy…buttery, sweet.

The texture is AMAZING! Moist, rich, just like “soft baked” cookies!

I was only able to make 10 cookies because Parrish immediately popped two dough balls in his mouth! And I’ve already been instructed to buy more!

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I’m off to fold laundry and watch ANOTHER episode of Brothers and Sisters. I found the seasons on Netflix and I’m officially hooked! I can’t believe I missed this show?!

Soft Baked

 

Remember those overly processed, come in a plastic bag, “Soft Baked” cookies. Yeah, I know they were delicious. You know they shouldn’t be, but they are. Well….the cookies above are no Nestle, or Chips Ahoy.

They’re ten times better.

And they’re gluten free.

And they’re lazy woman approved.

And I’m going to tell you all about it tomorrow. Because for now, I’ve spent the day on the Dinosaur Trail

And I’m pooped! Most fun we’ve had in a LONG time, but Mommy Bloggers…

We don’t know how you do it!

Plus I’m going on a lady date tonight with my friend Amber. And YES we are eating at PF Chang’s and YES it is the second time this week. But I know you’re not judging me

Recipes for the Weekend

 

I can’t remember the last time I was able to say TGIF! This is the first weekend in a very long time that I’m not working and I’m not traveling. And with a weather forecast like this:

well, let’s just say that I’m practically giddy. The promise of spring is there, and I’m so freakin’ excited!!!!

And of course I’ve been thinking about FOOD! Warm weather food that is perfect for eating out on the porch. Here are a few of my favorite recipes; fire up the grill and hit the produce aisle, no gluten needed!

Strawberry, Spinach, and Tangelo salad

Seasonal Tomato Strata

Tomato Potato Pizza

Grilled EVERYTHING!

Ultimate Veggie Burger

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If you’re not having a warm blast of weather this weekend, I’m SO sorry! But if it makes you feel better, we’re supposed to cool down again next week.

What are your favorite warm weather recipes? Link it up in the comments section

Steel Cuts, Take Two

 

I really doubt you’re surprised about my breakfast this morning. In fact, I doubt you’d be surprised to learn that I’m going to eat it everyday until my box runs out!

Classic Bowl: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup GF steel cut oats topped with 1 tsp. of salted butter

Crunchy. Nutty. Delicious!

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Not only did Parrish and I NOT plan a menu for this week, but we also didn’t grocery shop! PF Chang’s was really good last night, but tonight….I think we’re having waffles.

I’m not sure how many more nights we can cobble things together!