Holy cow - where has the day gone?! It’s disappeared into a sea of fun, I think – it sure was a great one over here. What about you all?
First matter of business: Thank you all soooo much for the congratulations – made my day! I honestly don’t know anything about the magazine – I don’t think it’s anything major, and I’m not getting my hopes up until all is said and done – but I was pretty flattered, nonetheless 
Although - I realized I may have to just re-shoot something anyways, because I’ve committed a cardinal sin when it comes to photography: saved over my high-res files with the low-res. Hey, I figured – I’m not going to need high-res files of my food photos, why take up the space on my computer?! Oops. But, oh well. At least eating is something I always do, hah. Not as severe as, say – a once-in-a-lifetime event 
I reverted to old times this morning with a simple bowl of whipped banana oats with dates. It was good – I always forget how much sweeteness banana adds to oats! It’s been quite a while since I’ve had banana in oatmeal – this bowl was almost too sweet! I still enjoyed it, though. You can’t go wrong with traditional! Although – I think the sweetness came more from the chopped dates in combination with the banana. I do love me some dates in oatmeal!
Le Base this morning:
Dressed Up With;
- honey chia-acai icing
- chopped cashews
- chopped dates
- Dundee ginger preserves
- PB & Company Cinnamon Raisin PB
- and some chopped banana sauteed in some almond milk with a drizzle of sizzurp and cinnamon. And a few random nectarine chunks. (nectarine oats was the intent – bad nectarine!)
Paired with some Green Mountain Southern Pecan.
Dates are easily my favorite dried fruit. I love figs, too – and what I would give to try a fresh fig! What’s your favorite dried fruit? And your favorite nut? Sorry – random question, but I’m curious! I love dried fruits and nuts, and am thinking about the plethora of them at the co-op…[which, I went today.]
Jess’s Tangent of the Day:
Does anybody have a food that thinking about it kind of repulses them, yet they love it anyway? Weird, I know. For me? Tuna. Cottage cheese. Sure, it’s not the taste that weirds me out. It’s the thought. Like, just saying tuna, I think “tuuuuuuna!” and “here kitty, kitty,” to which my cat comes galavanting across the room to lap up the spare tuna juice. Therefore, my mind says tuna = cat food. Therefore, I eat cat food. Cottage cheese? You all know how long it took me to get over that issue. And now I love it. But just saying cottage cheese makes me cringe a little bit. I can’t think of anything else at the moment (I guess the fermented part of Kombucha and Tempeh doesn’t get to me? hah) but what are your foodie woes? This probably seems really random, but I just read Jennifer’s post [can we just talk about that delicious red pepper spread for a minute? k, thanks.] and it made me think how awesome it is that everybody likes something different. Funnily enough, the same way I may think “oh yum!” to something I don’t even like but feel I should, I immediately thought “yuck tuna,” when I read tuna.
That being said, all of that is said in good nature – I try not to blatantly bash on a food in case one of you love it, haha. My friends always used to bash on tuna. I stayed quiet. I don’t want you guys to feel you need to stay quiet!
I confess - the fact that they call this mo' beta is what really sold me.
I grabbed this Mo’ Beta Odwalla Smoothie to take with me to class. Since it’s a 9:30 class and my hunger bells start chiming at 10:00, I get pretty distracted with hunger thoughts pretty much immediately after sitting down. Sad, I know – that I get just as hungry whether I’m sitting all day, or running a marathon. Okay, slight exaggeration. Anyways – that being said, it’s a class where eating would be relatively disruptive, so I thought this would be the perfect solution. And I was right! It was also really, really good! I was concerned it’d be too orange-juicy once I got the first whiff, but it was really more the mango, peach, and plum purees that stood out. Loved it! Not stellar by way of protein, but that’s fine for my purposes Will definitely be having one of these again.
After class – as mentioned, I boogied in to the co-op. I needed tempeh and wheat bran. I purchased more than that, but I was pretty well behaved We’ll touch upon that in the coming days. Regardless, I hustled home because I had a horseback ride and a sweet potato panini on the brain. Lucky me, I had just about none of the essential components for a sweet potato panini. Regardless, I made it work, but that doesn’t mean I made it look pretty, at the same time.
No pita? Hmm…don’t really want bread – wrap? check. No tomatoes. Tomato paste? Check. No maple-dijon mustard. Maple syrup? check. No onions. Scallions? check. See where we’re going with this? Luckily, I had a sweet potato. I threw it all together with a plum and a couple pretzel crisps, and lunch was served. In a sloppy, messy, ugly but yummy manner. No shame.
I am a little ashamed of how fast I wolfed it down, though. I was still in “rush! rush!” mode from driving home and just having horses on the brain. I am one to slowly savor meals. Thats why I love oats so much. I can spend half an hour eating those big bowls…and do. I love just leisurely relaxing with them! Otherwise, I feel too full and uncomfortable, too. I think that’s why I haven’t had pancakes, French toast, etc. for breakfast lately. And cereal? Not a chance.
Of course, I made sure dessert followed
cinna-raisin date ball. Not the first of the day. Second?
But not before sampling two types of apricots
Organic wins for taste, turkish wins for looks.
There was a huge difference, actually: and I stand by my previous statement that organic dried apricots are simply the best. The end.
I went for an awesome horseback ride with my Mom this afternoon, who has the week off from work. I took Jiggy – a little more my speed!
Although - you wouldn't guess that from this photo.
We had a blast. Can’t wait to go out again. Definitely reminded me of how much I love it!
After our two-hour excursion, I browsed through my new Moosewood ’s book and noshed…
new Sahale Snacks!
I grabbed these from Hannafords last I went, and just today got around to trying them. I looove, loved the Valdosta Pecans – and these sing buri cashews don’t disappoint, either! Although, I will say – they are much more peanutty than cashew-y. Fine by me! I love the peanutty taste, as well as the mild chili.
Confirmed my belief that Sahale Snacks know what’s up.
I laid to rest my beloved fig and chevre spread, too. So long, delish dip/spread. You will be seen again.
OH! And date ball #3.
…made some pesto with sundried tomatoes, pepitas, basil, garlic, and kale…
pesto n00b.
…and more date balls, too. Except – done differently! I upped the amount of nuts, and also decided to just process the dried fruit without boiling first. These are muuuch easier to handle, but I think they each have their “perks”! I ran out of dates, so this batch was mostly golden raisins, and I flavored with cinnamon, ginger, and glove. And used mixed nuts. I was going for the ginger cookie feel, but once I realized I was going to have to use more raisins than dates, they turned into cinnamon raisin again.
old vs. new
I have a serious addiction. These are so fun to make, and so easy and delicious, too! I need flavor ideas, though! I have so many rolling around in there, that when it comes time to make them, I can’t think of any! Frustrations. hah.
Anyways, while I was forming those, dinner was a-simmerin’ and a-boilin’.
I tried my hand at Moosewoods’ Mushroom-Barley Risotto. Mainly pearled barley with a bunch of mushrooms, red peppers, garlic, and onions and I also mixed in some goat cheese towards the end. In addition, I cut up the rest of my sweet tater from lunch and had low and slow sweet potato rounds and a couple of parsnip fries. My mom requested some – so I had what was left.
While this was good, it didn’t personally rock my socks off. My mom enjoyed it, but I simply prefer a mix of sweet and savory, even when it comes to dinner. (Quinoa and apricots, for instance! Apples and kale, you know the drill.) This was pure savory with all of the mushrooms, red pepper, onions, and barley. Can you recognize when a meal is good, just not for you – or do you immediately classify anything that’s “not for you” as bad? Does that make sense? Like – seeing why someone might like a fashion trend, but not necessarily liking it yourself, nah’mean?
I made up a lovel dessert, though. Usually I’m too lazy to grab my camera, but I was in go-go-go mood still, and this was super good, so I figured why not?!
What number is this?
Banana soft-serve with a small spoonful of cottage cheese, and the ground nuts that were left in the food processor. So good, and creamy! Topped with some crystallized ginger, of course – and an old version cinna-raisin date ball. I can’t decide which I like better – sloppy or neat and convenient!
Ahah…I love re-reading my posts…because it puts into perspective how I ate for the day. apparently, I was carb-loading today? I’m going to go have some protein now 
Annnd, that’s all from me! I hope everyone had a stellar day – and has a grea tnight!
Holy cow - where has the day gone?! It’s disappeared into a sea of fun, I think – it sure was a great one over here. What about you all?
First matter of business: Thank you all soooo much for the congratulations – made my day! I honestly don’t know anything about the magazine – I don’t think it’s anything major, and I’m not getting my hopes up until all is said and done – but I was pretty flattered, nonetheless
Although - I realized I may have to just re-shoot something anyways, because I’ve committed a cardinal sin when it comes to photography: saved over my high-res files with the low-res. Hey, I figured – I’m not going to need high-res files of my food photos, why take up the space on my computer?! Oops. But, oh well. At least eating is something I always do, hah. Not as severe as, say – a once-in-a-lifetime event 
I reverted to old times this morning with a simple bowl of whipped banana oats with dates. It was good – I always forget how much sweeteness banana adds to oats! It’s been quite a while since I’ve had banana in oatmeal – this bowl was almost too sweet! I still enjoyed it, though. You can’t go wrong with traditional! Although – I think the sweetness came more from the chopped dates in combination with the banana. I do love me some dates in oatmeal!
Le Base this morning:
Dressed Up With;
Paired with some Green Mountain Southern Pecan.
Dates are easily my favorite dried fruit. I love figs, too – and what I would give to try a fresh fig! What’s your favorite dried fruit? And your favorite nut? Sorry – random question, but I’m curious! I love dried fruits and nuts, and am thinking about the plethora of them at the co-op…[which, I went today.]
Jess’s Tangent of the Day:
Does anybody have a food that thinking about it kind of repulses them, yet they love it anyway? Weird, I know. For me? Tuna. Cottage cheese. Sure, it’s not the taste that weirds me out. It’s the thought. Like, just saying tuna, I think “tuuuuuuna!” and “here kitty, kitty,” to which my cat comes galavanting across the room to lap up the spare tuna juice. Therefore, my mind says tuna = cat food. Therefore, I eat cat food. Cottage cheese? You all know how long it took me to get over that issue. And now I love it. But just saying cottage cheese makes me cringe a little bit. I can’t think of anything else at the moment (I guess the fermented part of Kombucha and Tempeh doesn’t get to me? hah) but what are your foodie woes? This probably seems really random, but I just read Jennifer’s post [can we just talk about that delicious red pepper spread for a minute? k, thanks.] and it made me think how awesome it is that everybody likes something different. Funnily enough, the same way I may think “oh yum!” to something I don’t even like but feel I should, I immediately thought “yuck tuna,” when I read tuna.
That being said, all of that is said in good nature – I try not to blatantly bash on a food in case one of you love it, haha. My friends always used to bash on tuna. I stayed quiet. I don’t want you guys to feel you need to stay quiet!
I confess - the fact that they call this mo' beta is what really sold me.
I grabbed this Mo’ Beta Odwalla Smoothie to take with me to class. Since it’s a 9:30 class and my hunger bells start chiming at 10:00, I get pretty distracted with hunger thoughts pretty much immediately after sitting down. Sad, I know – that I get just as hungry whether I’m sitting all day, or running a marathon. Okay, slight exaggeration. Anyways – that being said, it’s a class where eating would be relatively disruptive, so I thought this would be the perfect solution. And I was right! It was also really, really good! I was concerned it’d be too orange-juicy once I got the first whiff, but it was really more the mango, peach, and plum purees that stood out. Loved it! Not stellar by way of protein, but that’s fine for my purposes
Will definitely be having one of these again.
After class – as mentioned, I boogied in to the co-op. I needed tempeh and wheat bran. I purchased more than that, but I was pretty well behaved
We’ll touch upon that in the coming days. Regardless, I hustled home because I had a horseback ride and a sweet potato panini on the brain. Lucky me, I had just about none of the essential components for a sweet potato panini. Regardless, I made it work, but that doesn’t mean I made it look pretty, at the same time.
No pita? Hmm…don’t really want bread – wrap? check. No tomatoes. Tomato paste? Check. No maple-dijon mustard. Maple syrup? check. No onions. Scallions? check. See where we’re going with this? Luckily, I had a sweet potato. I threw it all together with a plum and a couple pretzel crisps, and lunch was served. In a sloppy, messy, ugly but yummy manner. No shame.
I am a little ashamed of how fast I wolfed it down, though. I was still in “rush! rush!” mode from driving home and just having horses on the brain. I am one to slowly savor meals. Thats why I love oats so much. I can spend half an hour eating those big bowls…and do. I love just leisurely relaxing with them! Otherwise, I feel too full and uncomfortable, too. I think that’s why I haven’t had pancakes, French toast, etc. for breakfast lately. And cereal? Not a chance.
Of course, I made sure dessert followed
cinna-raisin date ball. Not the first of the day. Second?
But not before sampling two types of apricots
Organic wins for taste, turkish wins for looks.
There was a huge difference, actually: and I stand by my previous statement that organic dried apricots are simply the best. The end.
I went for an awesome horseback ride with my Mom this afternoon, who has the week off from work. I took Jiggy – a little more my speed!
Although - you wouldn't guess that from this photo.
We had a blast. Can’t wait to go out again. Definitely reminded me of how much I love it!
After our two-hour excursion, I browsed through my new Moosewood ’s book and noshed…
new Sahale Snacks!
I grabbed these from Hannafords last I went, and just today got around to trying them. I looove, loved the Valdosta Pecans – and these sing buri cashews don’t disappoint, either! Although, I will say – they are much more peanutty than cashew-y. Fine by me! I love the peanutty taste, as well as the mild chili.
I laid to rest my beloved fig and chevre spread, too. So long, delish dip/spread. You will be seen again.
OH! And date ball #3.
…made some pesto with sundried tomatoes, pepitas, basil, garlic, and kale…
pesto n00b.
…and more date balls, too. Except – done differently! I upped the amount of nuts, and also decided to just process the dried fruit without boiling first. These are muuuch easier to handle, but I think they each have their “perks”! I ran out of dates, so this batch was mostly golden raisins, and I flavored with cinnamon, ginger, and glove. And used mixed nuts. I was going for the ginger cookie feel, but once I realized I was going to have to use more raisins than dates, they turned into cinnamon raisin again.
old vs. new
I have a serious addiction. These are so fun to make, and so easy and delicious, too! I need flavor ideas, though! I have so many rolling around in there, that when it comes time to make them, I can’t think of any! Frustrations. hah.
Anyways, while I was forming those, dinner was a-simmerin’ and a-boilin’.
I made up a lovel dessert, though. Usually I’m too lazy to grab my camera, but I was in go-go-go mood still, and this was super good, so I figured why not?!
What number is this?
Banana soft-serve with a small spoonful of cottage cheese, and the ground nuts that were left in the food processor. So good, and creamy! Topped with some crystallized ginger, of course – and an old version cinna-raisin date ball. I can’t decide which I like better – sloppy or neat and convenient!
Ahah…I love re-reading my posts…because it puts into perspective how I ate for the day. apparently, I was carb-loading today? I’m going to go have some protein now
Annnd, that’s all from me! I hope everyone had a stellar day – and has a grea tnight!