Pumped

Hello, beauties! And happy September (whaaaat?! when?! whyy?!)! I have no clue what’s happening in my house. Mayhap it’s the wind down of summer or neglecting my grocery store duties, but everything seems to be running out at home. Exhibit A:

That pitiful dollop of caramel is just barely a tablespoon. And it took a helluva lotta manpower to dig it outta the jar, too. RIP Butterscotch spread – I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again soon.

In other news, breakfast still managed to rock my flats (Note: I haven’t worn socks since May) off. I guess all it takes is cinnamon and fresh strawbs to do that to ya.

[[ Mix of Quaker Oats + Quaker Oat Bran cooked in soy milk. In the mix: flaxseed, wheat germ, egg whites, strawberries and almonds. Topped with a (pitiful, though still delicious) dollop of caramel ]]

Bombe.

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This week has been soo chill. Not good, because I’ve barely gotten any shifts at work (I’m on my school schedule already), but good because I’m catching up on the sleep, rest and relaxation I was deprived of for a while there! Still, I find myself getting pretty restless quite easily, almost wishing I were out at work or something. Said sentiments quickly fleet when I get into the kitchen and come out with:

I’ve missed you, baking!

I know the sides look kinda custy in these pictures, but it’s all because of my new silicone muffin tray. I love that thing! Eliminates the need for cooking spray (aka CHEMICALS) or muffin trays (aka WASTE), etc. Mine was super cheap – ~$6 at Superstore – and it’s President’s Choice (FTW!), so atleast I know some sketch chemicals won’t be released into my baked goods.

I based these on Mizz Vanilla‘s Protein Dollies, except that I subbed applesauce for pumpkin (didn’t feel like opening a new can), chocolate protein powder for about half the amount of vanilla protein powder, and the tsp of instant coffee for a tsp of real espresso. I also used my Starbucks drink syrups (caramel) to sweeten instead of a cal-free sweetener.

I incorporated this beauty into a yoghurt mess, OBV.

[[ Kashi GoLean Crunch ;; Nature's Path Peanut Butter Granola ;; Liberte Greek Yoghurt ;; Strawberries ]]

(Then may or may not have eaten two more straight up…)

The innerds were light and airy, but smooth. It tasted so familiar to me – I was sitting there racking my brain trying to recall what it reminded me of! Then I realized – have any of you ever had or heard of Ptasie Mleczko?

Eastern European dessert of my childhood, right along with krowkie and delicje. Basically, this is a flavoured marzipan-y/meringue-y/marshmallow-y  creation costed in milk chocolate. The texture of my brownie/muffin thingers were spot. on! I need to start adding espresso to my desserts. Seriously – t’was but a teaspoon, but it was the most fantastic, delicate addition. No bitterness whatsoever. Lovely.

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Despite being sad to say goodbye to the summer months, I’m getting increasingly pumped for school and autumn. I really do love autumn – I love how it cools down a bit from the sweltering summer heat, yet isn’t as frosty and inconvenient as the deep, dark winter months. I love the changing fall colours and going out for the day, then cuddling up with a Pumpkin Spice Latte at a local Starbucks with my friends and talking late into the evening. I love the smell of fall.

I also feeling really pumped for starting school with my new attitude. I was doing pretty well this time last year – my calories were up and I was eating consistently. This time, however, I’m doing much better mentally. I’m not just motioning the actions of recovery, I feel committed to beating this once and for all. I’ll be eating intuitively more and I feel comfortable with this. I can’t wait to let go of calorie counting for good – I feel like it’s that final bit of control my ED is gripping on to. And we all know what a control freak ED can be…

I’m at my highest weight since since my relapse at the end of the last semester, and I feel good. I feel better about myself – we’re talking physical, shallow self – than I have in a while. I’m just pumped to let go of this disorder that`s had a solid grip on all aspects of my life for years. Holy crap – years.

(I’ve officially overused the word “pumped” in this post…but I am…pumped!)

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I was also pumped to put together some other goodies this week. I love having evenings off! Dinners served on a plate > dinners served in tupperware, officially.

(Truth: this was actually a lunch…but y’know what I mean…)

[[ Ezekial 4:9 tortilla stuffed with spinach, maple marinated Tempeh strips, red pepper and grated mozzerella cheese. Served with sauteed + seasoned broccoli and mung bean sprouts on the side ]]

I don’t eat much meat, so when it comes time to preparing it, I’m often at a loss what to do with it. But as I always say, if all else fails, throw it in a pan with some sauce and veggies and call it a meal.

[[ Poached turkey breast, shredded in a pan with Classico tomato sauce, red peppers, more tomatoes and seasonings. With EVOO-sauteed broccoli and corn, served on a bed of quinoa ]]

[[ Enjoying late-night dessert by moonlight television-light - some of my most baller icecream yet! Lotsa ice, bananer, guar gum, caramel sauce, soy milk and vanilla protein powder. Win. ]]

Not cooking related, but certainly food related. A little while back, I got a bunch of coupons for free POM Wonderful juice, and I just got around to buying and trying it this week!

I took a sip “straight up” – it’s quite sweet. Too sweet for me to drink straight out of the bottle, anyway. I’ve never tried pomegranites or pomegranite juie before, but it kind of reminded me of cranberry juice? I the rest of it with some tonic water (a la Kath) and liked my POM-tail a lot better this way! It reminded me of an Italian Soda (old fave). I can’t wait to try incorporating POM into my oats or baking – saweeet. And then actually trying a real pomegranite (though the way of extracting the seeds kinda grosses me out! Youtube it!).

Thanks, POM!

Aiight, I’m off for a visit to my dentist (arghhh). Believe it or not, but I haven’t had a cavity in atleast five years (possibly more), but I’m pretty sure I have somethingsomething going on in one of my back teeth :$ I also will have to figure out when I’m gonna deal with the three wisdom teeth I have to be removed (yes, I have three wisdom teeth up top!!!). I’ve already had the bottom two removed, and have been putting off my top ones till I got my work insurance. Wish me luckk! :$

Tagged: chocolate, Ezekial 4:9, ice cream, kashi, liberte, muffins, nature's path, oatmeal, POM Wonderful, protein, Ptasie Mleczko, Quaker, recovery, tempeh