For me , it easier to take fun photos than it is to write a half way entertaining post to go with them.  What happens is, I end up with way more photos than I ever post.  Then when I sit down to actually write a post, I feel overwhelmed with where to start, or find that some of the photos seem outdated.  Today, I deleted quite a few that “didn’t make the cut.”  The ones that did are going to make this post a bit lengthy.  This is my way to catch up.  My goal, is to then post more regularly.

I will start with some scones I made about 3 weeks ago. I had some figs that were ripening faster that I could eat them.  Jason was out of town and so I was the only one eating around here.  I searched for a fun recipe and came across these figgy buckwheat scones. I subbed Earth Balance for butter and almond milk for heavy cream.  My filling consisted of fresh fig, Earth Balance, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ground clove and a bit of stevia. I didn’t have red wine or port and I was using fresh, rather than dried figs.

Last Sunday, after my trip to an Asian supermarket to get hijiki, I made my first recipe from The Kind Diet.

Hijiki-Tofu Croquettes

I will be making this recipe again for sure! Do pick up this book.

Miso soup with soba noodles, collard greens, broccoli, edamame and cutie mushrooms. I used unpasteurized-brown miso and diluted about 1 tablespoon to 1 cup water. Bring water to a boil then add the vegetables and let them steep maybe 5 minutes and then stir in the miso. Miso paste should be thinned out in a few tablespoons of water first.  You can reheat if you prefer, cautious not to overcook the veggies and miso.  Enjoy!

With Fall swirling by me faster than I appreciate, I made sure to make pumpkin cookies earlier this week.  Pumpkin-Molasses cookies to be exact.

Pumpkin Molasses Cookies

If you like pumpkin AND molasses, Do make these cookies! You will not regret it!

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Bittersweet is the first day of Fall.  The Summer is over, days get shorter and no more garden fresh tomatoes. However, in comes the pumpkins, winter squash, turning leaves and comfort food.  When I think of Fall comfort food, I think of soups, chili and pasta.

Veggie Soup: potato, carrot, celery, golden beet, kale, green onion and miso

Veggie Chili: adzuki and pinto beans, zucchini, carrot, onion, tvp, canned/diced tomatoes

topped with avocado, tomato, “teese” and hot sauce

Macaroni and Teese

So, what the heck is teese, you ask?!  Well, it is non-dairy cheese.  I came across this little dandy at the VegFest. (I still need to post about that).

It shredded nicely!

I just stirred some of the shredded teese over the warm noodles, added reserved pasta water as needed,  2 T of dijon mustard and salt. It was super creamy and actually needed to be thinned down with more water. It was even stringy!

I will say, it was pretty good.  I don’t think it tasted like cheddar cheese that we are used to, but then again I wasn’t expecting it to.  I am giving up cheese. (explanation to come) I think what I was wanting, was the texture and creaminess.  For that, it did not disappoint! I wouldn’t buy it all the time but it is nice for certain meals or as a treat.

One more new discovery; mochi!!

I have heard of this a few times.  Most recently, in The Kind Diet.  I have been reading the book or should I say read the book and LOVE it!!!!!

I baked in oven as the directions stated.  Pretty interesting, I must say.  I had it with chili tonight, so Earth Balance and honey were a must.

WOW!  Really, this doubled as a dessert.  The honey is from a nearby farm and is raw and unfiltered, that’s why it looks so chunky. The mochi was very chewy.  I am anxious to try it in some of the other recipes in the book.

Have you heard of or read The Kind Diet?

Did you think I forgot all about blogging? Well, I pretty much did.  I left for Reno last Wednesday and returned last night.  I had a wonderful visit with family and friends! It was a good break from blogging, but nontheless, I am stoked to be back! I was not diligent as to photo all the marvelous eats but I did snag quite a few. Coming at you fast, here we go!!!

dinner at Dad’s: turkey enchos, fish tacos, quac and beans

Jason’s amazing salsa!

Dad busy fixing his famous breakfast potatoes!

crab pan roast from the Atlantis

tofu/veggie soup from Pho 777 (this was to die for!!)

salad at Mom’s

spaghetti squash with Mom’s marinara

eggplant and brussel sprouts

All together now!

My Mom is a little rock star! She is the single most, best influence in my life! She is an amazing cook and I owe my love for cooking to her! Miss her already!!

I completely forgot to take a photo of the dinner I had at Sue and Jasons. Shoot! We had homemade cheesy polenta, steak with blue cheese on top and a green salad! OH MY! I had no idea I was going to like the steak that much!! What a treat, I must say. Thank you guys!

Get a glimpse of the generous gift basket from my brother and his girlfriend! Can you tell, they know me pretty well! Rather than list it all out, I will just remember to mention the goodies as I break into them.

Thanks Ray & Nichole!

Check out the makings of that stout! Let me just say, I did see organic coca nibs in the recipe! I am thinking a trip back for a sip will be in order!

I had such an amazing time, however, it always seems to fly by.  I miss everyone so much already! I love you ALL! I have much catching up on laundry, cleaning, petting some neglected kitties and planning a healthy(ier) dinner.  Happy Tuesday bloggies!

***GIVEAWAY*** Check out this amazing site, oh yeah, and a giveaway!

Today was a cloudy, dark rainy day.  Jason had a surprise day off, so we slept in and went to see a matinée.  Sherlock Holmes was great.  Any Robert Downey fans out there? I had a left-over burrito before we went.  That way I woudn’t have any popcorn or soda.  The key is to go full.  Afternoon snack was the heel piece of toast with some yogurt cheese and black cherry jam.

Since this was my last piece of bread I figured it was a good time to make a loaf in the bread machine.  I used this recipe.  The only ingredients I didn’t have were the amaranth and brown rice flour.  I just used whole wheat flour there.  Oh, and I didn’t have poppy seeds.

HOORAY! This is my first whole wheat bread in the bread machine where the top didn’t cave in. This bread really lives up to the title; “BEST.” This was for sure the best bread I have been able to make in the bread machine.  I will be making this again soon for sure.  Next time I want to get the missing ingredients though.

Cloudy days like today are perfect for making soup.  Well, actually any day is god for making soup if you ask me.

I started with soup’s usual suspects (carrot, celery and onion) sautéed with a little bit of olive oil.  Then I added vegetable broth and 1/2 a bay leaf. Simmered for about 30 minutes and added green beans, black beans and kale.  I stirred in a little bit of soy milk and browned tofu at the end.  Topped with carrot and beet shreds.  I had a little extra from the burritos.

I took yesterday and today off from my workouts.  I will be getting a good one in tomorrow.  Happy Friday!

These last few days have gone fast.  It is official! Happy 2010 everyone!

New Year’s Eve was my cousin’s birthday! We had a great celebration for her Thursday night. Homemade sushi and cake! My only sushi picture is blurry, sorry.

The food was great and the company even better.  Happy Birthday Brie!

Friday, we took off to Union, WA for a birthday celebration weekend.  We stayed at Alderbrook.  Let me just tell you, “this place is beautiful!”

Oh, good heavens! We snacked on cheeses, wine, smoked salmon and salami.  We enjoyed the beautiful indoor pool and soaked in the jacuzzi.  Then we woke up to room service breakfast.  Brie and I had wonderful hot stone and aromatherapy massages in the spa and sat in the steam room after! For dinner I had lobster bisque and Alaskan salmon and Jason had the jumbo prawns.

On the drive back to Portland we made a very necessary stop at Port of Subs. Words cannot explain how much Jason loves these sandwiches.  They are good, I must admit.  We do not have them in Portland, so it is a treat when we go!

Now, just to back-track a little, as I got behind the last few days.  I just wanted to share the grilled veggies I had with my flatout sangwich on Wednesday.

That is all for now.  After a few days away, I must spend time with my kitties that have walked across this keyboard at least 30 times while I worked on this post, do some laundry and watch a movie on this relaxing Sunday. I am going to see what all the Twilightfuss is about.

First, the nog ice cream:

I poured about a cup of Silk Nog in the food processor and stuck it in the freezer for about 20 minutes.  Then I took it out and blended it. I did this four more times! Sprinkled with pumpkin pie spice.  It was a nice treat.

Yesterday’s green monster was kale, spinach, 1/2 banana, 1 scoop superfood and less than 1/2 scoop Jay Robb protein powder.

My goodness! It snowed yesterday.  The snow is not very common here.  So when it snows, commuting is BAD! After all the cold and sitting in the car, I had time to think up a yummy soup to make when I got home.  Corn chowder it was.  Well, actually Jason requested this last week.

Oh YUM! The house smelled so good while it was cooking.  It had red and orange bell peppers (love). We topped it with cilantro and bacon. What does a soup like this need to go with it???

Ahh yes, cornbread!

I was talking on the phone with my Dad on Christmas and he was telling me about some cornbread that he made.  It had jalapeno and cheese!! So this one does too!

All together now!

It seems I am having a little bit of a hard time getting back to my workouts.  It is troublesome how I can be so “into it” for a while, then not wanting to, for a while. I blame all the sweets and rich food I was eating around Christmas.  I am one of those people that can be all or nothing.  Sometimes that can be a good thing. Well, it isn’t when it comes to dieting.  When I am eating well, I am more jazzed to workout.  Or once I workout, I only want to eat healthy.  I am so much stronger to resisting crap food after a great workout.  Well, that can all go the other way too, if you know what I mean! Let’s just put it this way.  Had I worked out last night, I may not have opted for corn chowder and cornbread!

Crymanee! Well, I know what works for me, and that is inspiration! I think I might look through the Athleta catalog that came in the mail (can’t wait till my goal weight so I can order some of those sweet-ass clothes) or simply go look through some of my clothes that I can’t wait to fit intoanymore.  That is really the most rewarding! Holding on to clothes that you love and finally fitting into them again one day!

Dangit!! Woke up and it was cloudy and dark.  Maybe that had to do with my sleeping in until 9:30!!!!! Grrrr….

I had to amp up on coffee and some favorite music to get the energy to clean the house.  The day went so fast.  At 4:00 I realized it was time get scooten to the gym.  I started a soup that I would let simmer while I was gone.

Saute some leeks and garlic.

Added carrots and a bay leaf.  After a few minutes of the sizzle.  I added water, veggie bullion, 1/2 cup of barley, 1 red pepper and zucchini.

I actually sliced and added that before the gym.  I just wanted to show how little it was. It spiced the soup perfectly.  I didn’t even add hot sauce.  That is so not like me.  When I got home, the house smelled GREAT!  I added a can of white beans and a handful of frozen green beans.

This was so nice to have right after the gym.  I was starvin!  Elliptical  and stair master for 50 minutes and arms for 30 minutes will do that to you.

More veggie chips.  A lil laughing cow light, swiss made it a grand slam.

I am actually going to do a little baking tomorrow.  I wasn’t going to at first.  I think it would be nice to give some baked goods to a few friends though.  I also thought I was going to get Christmas cards out this year.  HA! At this point I think it might be too late.

When I went to bed last night, I swear this was on the tree.

This morning it greeted me on the kitchen floor….KITTIES!

I think I might be getting a little sick of my current workout music.  I think I need to look through itunes or something.  Anyone have favorite songs that really get you moving?? Please let me know some of your favorite workout songs. I need some up beat stuff here.  Gotta lose the ba-donk-a-donk, if ya know what I mean!

Wowsa!  I did some maja squats and lunges with weights on Saturday.  I was so out of shape sore that it even hurt to move in bed.  Sitting and standing were a chore! I think I was even more sore this morning!  So, as the day passed I was thinking of using this little excuse to pass up my workout after work….Well, I didn’t and I am so glad!  I put in 35 minutes on the elliptical and did arms and stomach.  I love how good it feels post workout!

Last night I cut up the last pumpkin from Halloween.  All others were carved.  I made sure to save one for decoration and cooking.  I like to cook it and then freeze it 1 cup and half cup measurement for later use.

I made some pumpkin soup.  It wasn’t to shabby.  Although, I think I am a pumpkin/sweet, more than a pumpkin/savory kind of gal. Into the food processor went: cooked pumpkin, roasted onion, garlic and red bell pepper, vegetable broth, salt/peppa, chile and cayenne, and 1 bay leaf.

It also doubled as leftover lunch.

QUESTION: Is it ok to drop globs of hummus into your soup?

ANSWER: Hell fricken ya!

The hummus kinda melted into the soup when I stirred it.  Cool deal!

After the gym I rushed home to make a salad.  I was crazy hungry!

green leaf lettuce, spinich, yellow pepper, mushrooms, tomato, sweet potato, hummus and baked tofu. Dressing was a combo of some teriyaki sauce and the hummus.  Good times!

I could really go for a hot fudge Sunday right now.  I was hoping the tea would curb that though.  It did.  Phew!

Do be warned, this stuff is tart. Oh well, it helped me stop wanting sweets.

My goal is to try and wake up @ 5:30 tomorrow and get to the gym before work.  Wish me luck