[Just look at that peachy color! And it's not Photoshopped!]
Don’t you just hate it when your regular routine is disrupted? Well, maybe it’s just me. As a Libra, I tend to be perhaps a little too attached to routine consistencyboredom equilibrium in my life (Libra is represented by the scales, after all). When the calm of a well-established pattern is disturbed, as it was last week, I’m thrown into a tizzy.
And just what horrific event occurred that turned my previously placid waters into choppy seas, you ask?
My treadmill broke.
Okay, maybe not so earth-shattering. But I was accustomed to walking for 45 minutes every morning on my treadmill, while watching my soap opera (multi-tasking at its best). Now, I’m forced to head to the workout club each AM instead (howdy, octogenarian couple with the matching T-shirts! How ya doin, Burly Guy who wears black dress socks? Nice to see you again, trainer with the too-revealing tank top!). Which means I haven’t watched my soap in over a week (I’m so far behind, in fact, that in my episodes Jack and Carly have only been married six times). Which means I’ve had to switch to an elliptical trainer instead of a treadmill (my quadriceps are barely hanging on for 20 minutes at this point). Which means I must wake up, wash my face, get fully dressed and drive to the club before I can even begin to work out.
Which, ultimately, means less time in the morning to do everything else I used to do. Like wrestle with The Girls. Like answer emails. Like cook and eat breakfast.
Like so many people in the world of food and health blogs, I read Angela Liddon’s Oh She Glows. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s fun to read, Angela is an inspiration (she just completed a triathlon!), and (big points with me these days) she prefers to post recipes that are, to paraphrase her own words, quick, healthy, delicious–and contain only a few ingredients. Well, if that doesn’t just make my temporally-challenged day a little bit brighter!
Enter Angela’s seen-them-everywhere-on-the-blogosphere Banana Soft Serve Vegan Overnight Oats. The recipe is a staple on Angela’s blog (with a multitude of variations, such as peanut butter, cacao nib, carob, rice crisps and so on) and has made cameo appearances pretty much everywhere else, too.
And now it’s finally DDD’s turn to give these oats a try! Okay, so maybe I’m a little late to the party. But with this recipe, I was sort of like the dowdy bookworm who joins in with just a little sip of wine. . . and before you know it, she’s downed a half dozen glasses and is dancing on the tables. I went a little loco for these oats. Like the proverbial ACD-er in a pastry shop, I wanted to eat them all, and try out every varation I could get my hands on.
[Seriously, does that look irresistible, or what? Of course, you could serve this in a regular cereal bowl as well. But then it wouldn't be as pretty.]
It’s no secret how much I love my baked steel-cut oats, and they will always hold a special place in my heart (and stomach). But these Banana Soft Serve Vegan Overnight Oats are perfect for a warm summer morning: light, refreshing, creamy and cold. . . in fact, it felt more like I was eating a dessert than a breakfast (always a good thing in my books). Besides being ideal for the season (no cooking = no heating the oven = no sweating in the kitchen), the recipe also provides a substantial nutritional punch and will keep you feeling satiated for hours. Even though I normally find myself sniffing around the kitchen mid-morning for something to snack on (“Excuse me, Mum, but isn’t that our domain?”) , after one bowl of these, I was pleasantly full well past my usual lunch time.
Why did it take me so long to try these out? Blame it on the bananas. Since we ACD-ers aren’t permitted any “tropical” fruits (banana, mango, etc.), I had to come up with an alternative. I tweeted Angela a while back to ask if she had any suggestions for what I might use instead, and I settled on frozen berries. And so, my first version of BSSVOO made its debut:
Those were good, but I knew I could do better. Supporting the cause of the banana-phobic everywhere, I racked my brains to create a delectable and creamy Soft Serve worthy of the Overnight Oats moniker! One intriguing possibility was frozen pears (and while those would likely be delicious, we were all out–and I didn’t want to hold up the process of culinary creation).
Eventually, I decided, “yes!”, I would dare to eat a (frozen) peach–and tried that mixed with a few strawberries for color. The result was a visually stunning and tastebud-tickling parfait that provided one of the most enjoyable breakfasts I’ve had this year.
If you haven’t yet jumped on the overnight oats bandwagon, what are you waiting for? Hop right on. The recipe is super easy (ingredients stay in the fridge overnight; then layer–or not, your choice) and is a perfect way to consume seasonal fruits. Of course, if you’re able to enjoy bananas, go ahead and try it that way first. There’s always the rest of the summer for peaches. Or berries. Or pears. Or every single other fruit. Makes me glad I finally shook up that dull routine.
On another note, I love watching changes as they occur in the blogging world (even if I prefer stability in my exercise routine). One of the features you’ve no doubt noticed on many blogs these days is a question, or list of questions posed to the readers at the end of the post. I enjoy reading these, as they provide some insight into the blogger’s ideas and, even better, often generate a discussion among the commenters.
So here’s today’s question: Would you like to see questions rounding out the posts on DDD? Is this a feature you think would enhance the blog? (Cheating, I know; asking a question about questions!).
I always love reading your comments and would be thrilled with more interactive discussion on the blog. I’d love to hear more from you and welcome ideas about what you’d like to read/see on DDD! So please, pipe up (and lurkers, here’s your chance!) and share your thoughts!
Peach (or other) Soft Serve Vegan Overnight Oat Parfait (ACD Phase II and beyond)
This is an easy and delicious way to treat yourself in the morning. When you wake up to a serving of these oats, you really will feel as if you’re eating something special.
For the Oats:
1/3 cup (35 g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats (not instant or quick cook)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) chia seeds
1 to 1-1/4 cups (240-300 ml) plain or vanilla soy, rice, or almond milk
5-10 drops plain liquid stevia, to your taste
1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon
For the Soft Serve:
1 medium peach, washed, pit removed, cut into chunks, then frozen solid
2-3 fresh or frozen strawberries
2 tsp (10 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 tsp (5 ml) fresh lemon zest (optional)
1 Tbsp (15 ml) agave nectar OR 5-10 drops plain liquid stevia, to your taste
For the overnight oats, place all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight. (Note: Angela mentions that these can be ready in as little as 1.5-2 hours if you start in the morning, or if you’re desperate for a snack).
For the soft serve, place everything except the agave in a food processor and process until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle with agave and continue to process another 20-30 seconds until the mixture comes together in a ball and begins to soften. Take care not to overprocess, or it will melt too much and liquefy.
To assemble, alternate layers of the overnight oats and the soft serve in a bowl or glass. If you’re rushed (or lazy, like me), you can simply top the oats with the soft serve in a bowl and aim for a bit of each in every spoonful.
Optional toppings include cacao nibs, dried fruit, granola or puffed rice, or pretty much anything else you can think of that would complement the flavors. Serve immediately. Makes one very substantial serving. Recipe may be doubled.
With its ability to straddle the breakfast/dessert divide, this recipe is a perfect submission to Amy’s Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays event. Check out her weekly list of yummy AND healthy recipes!
AND ALSO: Jacqueline of Tinned Tomatoes has just begun a new site, FoodBlogDiary, that lists all blog events for each month. She’s already got more than a dozen events listed for June (including Kim and my l’il SOS Challenge). Check it out so you can enter the events that appeal to you, or submit your own!
One night when I was sixteen, I watched Marvin Hamlisch (composer of A Chorus Line, etc.) on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The previous guest was Adrienne Barbeau, the buxom actress who played Bea Arthur’s daughter on the sitcom Maude. I was appalled as I witnessed Hamlisch, seated on the couch beside her, stammer and fidget (eyes flitting repeatedly toward her massive chest) while more or less grovelling for a date on air. Despite his musical genius, despite his fame and fortune and an upcoming gig at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, it was painfully apparent that Hamlish reverted to a tongue-tied nerd when faced with a beautiful woman who, clearly, barely registered his existence.
As soon as I got up off the sofa and turned off the television (no remotes in those days), I went to my typewriter and typed a letter to Marvin. It said:
Dear Marvin Hamlisch,
Someone with your reputation shouldn’t have to lower himself to ask Adrienne Barbeau for a date. Obviously, she doesn’t appreciate your genius. If you ever come to Montreal, I would go on a date with you any time.
Sincerely,
(Miss) Ricki Heller
I addressed it to “Marvin Hamlisch, c/o Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, USA” and popped it in the mail.
The following week, I received a handwritten letter on Marvin’s personal stationery. It said:
Dear Ricki,
If I ever get to Montreal, you’re on.
Sincerely,
Marvin Hamlisch
Sometimes I think back on that letter and ask myself, “Wow, did I ever really have such audacity? Where did that starry-eyed insouciance go? And why didn’t Marvin ever call me for that date?”
Then I remember: oh, yeah. I was sixteen.
Well, dear readers, I’ve decided it’s time to dredge up my inner 16 year-old once again. And you can help!
Even at my advanced age, I’m still a pop culture groupie. I’ve been a fan of Ellen’s for as long as I can remember (almost as long as it’s been since I heard from Marvin). I love her even more now that she’s vegan and sugar-free–and I want to be on The Ellen Degeneres Showso I can bring her some amazing baked goods from my cookbook, Sweet Freedom!
[Elsie's definitely on board! (or is that a little board on Elsie?)]
Am I a little bit crazy? You betcha!
As someone who’s followed a whole foods diet for over decade, I know first hand how much a healthy diet can affect your well-being (just look at the impact of the ACD on me over this past year!). Based on the cookbook’s reviews and all your fabulous feedback (thank you! thank you! My blog readers are the best!), I’m confident others will agree that treats from the book are both healthy AND delicious. What better venue to spread the word than The Ellen Show, especially since the show’s star herself has adopted–and now promotes–this same way of eating?
["Here, Mum, you'll need this to dance on the show."]
Besides, I’d be a perfect guest for the show! We have so much in common, Ellen and I: She loves dogs; I love dogs. She eats a vegan diet; I eat a vegan diet. She’s sworn off sugar; I’ve sworn off sugar. She loves American Idol; I love American Idol. She’s gay; I’m—
Hmmm.
She loves dogs; I love dogs!
And you can help! On April 2, 2010, I tweeted for an entire day nonstop, with every single tweet that day directed to @TheEllenShow–with NO laptop, NO BlackBerry, NO pre-scheduled tweets–just me sitting at my desktop computer, typing away (with the occasional bathroom break)! The major blitz is over, but I’d like to keep the campaign going!
["Mum, I know you named me Elsie, but I think I'd like to be called Ellen from now on."]
Together, we can make this happen! If you like my recipes and want to see me serve delicious, vegan and sugar free treats on The Ellen Show, please feel free to tweet Ellen at @TheEllenShow, or send an email in support byclicking here. You can also post a link to this page on your blog, Stumble this blog entry (just click on “I like this” at the top of the page if you see this on StumbleUpon), tell your local librarian, get a tattoo–whatever works!
And don’t forget tohop back here to leave a comment telling me you did so (so I can send you a free copy of the book if when I get onto the show)!
[But where's Mum?]
If I get invited on the show, every single commenter who participates in this blitz will win a FREE copy of Sweet Freedom, the ebook , which is identical to the paper copy! (And isn’t giving away free goodies very Ellen-like of me?).
And even if I don’t get asked to appear on the show, I’ll still choose 10 names at random on Sunday–three people will win hard copies of the book, and seven will win ebook. It’s my way of saying “thank you” for all your support!
I think it’s a win-win-win. If Ellen invites me to her show, she’ll have the opportunity to try some amazing, healthy baked goods. I’ll get to fulfill the dream of a starry-eyed teenager (and, more recently, a starry-eyed menopausal blogger). And you will get a FREE copy of my cookbook–everybody wins!
Let’s make it happen! Let’s show the world what “grassroots marketing” really means! Let’s prove to all the aloof, disinterested corporations that even the little guy (okay, technically I’m not quite “little” yet–but 45 pounds is nothing to sneeze at) can drum up support for an independent project without a huge marketing budget! Let’s help Ellen discover some truly delicious sweets to eat on her sugar cleanse–and share them with the world! And let’s all go try out one of these raw cookie dough truffles right now! (Well, you’ll need a good source of quick energy for all that typing, I figure).
“Mum, that’s a great idea! And we know The Ellen Show would be lucky to have you. But, um, we are your usual kitchen helpers, you know. . . so does that mean we get to be on TV, too?”
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (ACD-Phase II and beyond)
As soon as I saw this recipe on Alicia’s blog, I knew I had to try it. The filling emulates a real raw cookie dough almost too well–gooey, sweet, chocolately. Except, um, it’s not bad for you! AND it’s ACD-friendly! Variations are endless, as well–in addition to the two provided, you could try banana cookie dough, gingersnap, or snickerdoodles–mmmm!
Cookie Dough:
2 Tbsp (30 ml) raw cacao nibs or chocolate chips*
1/3 cup (80 ml) whole old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant or quick-cook)
2/3 cup (160 ml) lightly toasted cashews*, walnuts, macadamia nuts or hazelnuts
10-20 drops plain or vanilla flavored stevia liquid, to taste
1-2 Tbsp water or plain soy or almond milk, if needed
Coating:
4 ounces (110 g) unsweetened chocolate
1 Tbsp (15 ml) coconut oil
2 Tbsp (30 ml) carob powder, sifted (it helps cut the bitterness when unsweetened chocolate is stevia-sweetened)
20-30 drops stevia liquid, to taste
In a small food processor or coffee grinder, pulse the cacao nibs 3-4 times to chop them up. Turn the chopped nibs into a small bowl.
In the same processor or grinder, whir the oats, cashews, cinnamon and salt together to form a fine flour. Take care not to process too much–it should still remain dry and floury.
In a very small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the yacon, vanilla, stevia, and 1 Tbsp (15 ml) water. Pour this over the mixture in the processor and process to form a soft “dough” (if you need more water, add it one teaspoon/5 ml at a time). Turn the dough into the bowl with the cacao nibs and stir to distribute the nibs throughout.
Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, scoop the dough and place scoops on parchment-lined tray. Freeze until firm, then roll into balls; refreeze until solid.
Meanwhile, prepare the chocolate coating: In a small pot over medium-low heat, melt the chocolate with the coconut oil and carob, whisking to ensure that no lumps develop. Whisk in stevia until smooth.
Once cookie dough balls are solid, remove from freezer and quickly dip them in the chocolate; roll them around if necessary. The coating should harden almost immediately. Remove with a fork and tap the fork on the side of the pot to remove most of the excess coating. Place truffles on a tray and refrigerate until firm. Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Makes 10 truffles. May be frozen.
* Some anti-candida diets veto cashews. If you don’t eat cashews, use one of the other choices. For ACD Phase I, you can use unsweetened carob chips instead of cacao nibs; omit the coating and just roll the balls in carob powder.
Carrot Cookie Variation: use 2 Tbsp (30 ml) dried unsweetened coconut in place of cacao nibs, walnuts in place of cashews, and 2 Tbsp (30 ml) finely grated carrot in addition to other ingredients. Reduce initial water to 2 tsp (10 ml).
Post-Script: I realize this stunt may seem rather, well, adolescent to some of you (and to others, a clear indication that midlife crisis has struck with a vengeance). And after this post, I promise we’ll be back to business as usual here on DDD. But you know what? I still get a kick out of that letter from Hamlisch. So for now, I’ll once again channel that audacious sixteen year old, just for today. I figure, what have I got to lose? I’ll either be asked on the show; or I may be permanently banned from the show. Either way, the process will be fun.
And maybe–just maybe–that 16 year-old girl of yore will be surprised and delighted once more, with an opportunity of a lifetime. Here’s to healthy baked goods for all!
Although I consider myself a late bloomer in most areas of my life, there’s one event I experienced long before anyone else in my circle of family and friends: the mid-life crisis. In fact, I got mine over with in my early 20s.
I can remember many hours of beer-addled conversation with my beloved mentor in those days, asking the kinds of questions you’d expect from a jaded middle manager in his late 50s rather than a 20-something Master’s student: What is my true calling? Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life? Why are we even here? What is the sound of one hand clapping? And will I ever achieve thinner thighs?
As it turned out, dunno, no, who knows, nothing, and not likely.
Then, when I discovered holistic nutrition and began teaching it and offering cooking classes, I thought I’d solved the crisis. Until this round of the ACD, that is.
But wait! Before I continue, let me pause to issue a heartfelt “thank you” to all of you who read this blog. Thank you for tagging along on this bumpy anti-candida ride. Thank you for your supportive and helpful comments as I traverse the circuitous path toward better health. And thank you for sticking with me, even though this blog seems to have morphed from “Diet, Dessert and Dogs” to “ACD, Stevia and Dogs”–it really doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it? (“Well, Mum, at least we are a consistent presence. We hate to break it to you, but most of them are actually here for us, anyway.“) I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you all.
The more I learn about candidiasis and the more I read about the condition, the more I am coming to accept that I will have to follow this diet for a much longer time than first anticipated–a year, at least, perhaps longer. While most people on the program see results and find relief within 3-6 months, there are a few of us who require longer-term dedication (I’m just lucky that way, I guess).
You see, I am what could be termed a “hard case.” A lifelong chocolate/ sugar addict, I am the gastronomic equivalent of a recidivist criminal, one requiring tough, long-term rehabilitation. A culinary kleptomaniac, a pathological liar in the larder, a cereal killer. Until I am better able to handle my confections, you need to lock up the chocolate and throw away the key.
Which brings me to my current mid-life crisis: Will I ever be able to bake again without worrying about consuming the entire recipe? Will I ever get permanent control of this horrid candida? Will I ever have thinner thighs?
For now, I suppose, it’s a moot point, as I am steadfastly following the diet as long as I still exhibit any symptoms. But it’s clear that my love for baking and desserts hasn’t abated in the least; I still crave sweets, even after all this time; and after baking up a batch of this blueberry oatmeal breakfast pudding, I was tempted to eat the entire thing in one sitting.
This is a luxuriously creamy, rich-tasting pudding, the warm berries inside baked to near-bursting. Not too sweet, it fits perfectly at the breakfast table, and would be wonderful topped with some Coconut Whipped Cream or a splash of maple syrup for dessert. Even the HH, who can eat chocolate and sugar with impunity, thoroughly enjoyed two servings after dinner the other night.
As to the Quest for Control Over Sweets, I suppose I’ll just have to keep working on it and hope that, with time, I can grow indifferent to (or, at least, in control of) sugary foods and resolve this crisis as well. For now, I’ll keep seeking healthier desserts and bake as much as I can within the restrictions of the ACD.
Oh, and keep listening for that sound of one oven mitt, clapping against the rack as it removes a hot pan of Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Pudding from the oven.
Baked Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Pudding
This dish is the result of my playing with Celine’s amazing Baked Apple Pudding recipe, which I made a couple of times and enjoyed immensely. I decided to take Celine’s suggestion and experiment with variations; because I like a slightly lighter, less dense pudding, I added more milk, subbed hazelnuts and cashews for the walnuts and threw in some blueberries.
1/2 cup (75 g) lightly toasted hazelnuts (filberts), with skin
1/2 cup (75 g) lightly toasted cashews
1/2 cup (60 g) old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
3/4 cup (180 ml) unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp (30 ml) agave nectar or maple syrup; or 10 drops stevia liquid
2 tsp (10 ml) cinnamon
1/8 tsp (.5 ml) fine sea salt
1-1/4 cups (300 ml) unsweetened, plain or vanilla soy or almond milk
1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw first if frozen)
Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Grease a 4-6 cup (1-1.5 L) casserole dish.
In the bowl of a high-speed blender*, place the nuts, oats, applesauce, vanilla, agave, cinnamon and salt. Pour the milk over all and blend for about a minute, until perfectly smooth and creamy. Pour mixture into the casserole dish, then gently fold in the blueberries (scatter a few extra blueberries over the top if you like, as they won’t sink).
Bake in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, rotating the casserole about halfway through, until the edges begin to puff and crack and the top appears dry. Allow to cool somewhat before serving; may be served warm or cold. Makes 4-6 servings. Store, covered, up to 4 days in the refrigerator. May be frozen.
*To make with a regular blender: Pour in the milk first, then add the remaining ingredients (except blueberries). You may need to blend in batches to achieve an equally smooth consistency.
[Sometimes, you just want to eat something now. I've decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly or else is so easy to make that no recipe is required. Here's today's "Flash in the Pan." (For other FitP recipes, see "Categories" at right).]
Over the past year or so, it seems that a bowl of humble oatmeal has catapulted to star status on food blogs. Not just any oatmeal, either; old-fashioned, cooked, steel-cut oatmeal–but with fancy add-ins.
When I first started this blog near the end of 2007, I wrote about one of my favorite breakfasts: baked oats. Back then, I couldn’t have imagined all the recent variations on steel-cut oatmeal that have since materialized, from those with almond butter stirred into them (fabulous–it creates an incredibly creamy cereal); to blended oats (gotta love the ultra-smooth texture!); to carrot cake oats (with carrots and “frosting”); and even spinach oats, with their vibrant emerald hue (and while I love my greens, I can’t say I’m quite ready for Shrek-inspired oats just yet).
So I’m guessing that someone has already posted about my new love, zucchini bread oats, but since I haven’t come across the recipe, I’m sharing it here (and hey, if you’ve already posted about it on your own blog, let me know!).
I’ve been enjoying this breakfast about once a week over the past month or so, what with the abundance of zucchini at the markets these days. Not only is this a great way to enjoy those overgrown 10-inch zukes*, but the grated zucchini softens and fairly melts into the oats when cooked so that it’s barely discernible and virtually tasteless in the mix. And as a bonus, it adds fiber, moisture, Vitamins A, C, and K, as well as good amounts of magnesium, manganese, and potassium to your morning meal.
“Mum, we’d be happy to give those spinach oats a try–the color wouldn’t bother us at all. Besides, since we’re color blind, we won’t even notice the green. Oh, and we probably wouldn’t notice it in any case, given that we’d lick the bowl clean within about 2.5 seconds.”
Zucchini Bread Oatmeal
Infinitely adaptable, this recipe is great when you’ve got leftover cooked grains, extra zucchini, or just feel like a hearty, tummy-warming breakfast.
Per serving:
2/3 cup (160 ml) water or soy, almond, or rice milk
pinch fine sea salt
1/3 cup (80 ml) dry steel-cut oatmeal
1/4 medium zucchini, grated very fine (use smallest holes on box grater, or “fine” blade on food processor)
handful chopped pecans
1/2-1 tsp (2.5-5 ml) cinnamon, to your taste
pinch nutmeg or 1/8 tsp (.5 ml) ground ginger, if desired
1 heaping Tbsp (20 ml) natural smooth almond butter, or nut/seed butter of your choice
handful raisins, if desired
1 Tbsp (15 ml) agave nectar or maple syrup, or 5 drops stevia liquid
In a heavy bottomed pot, bring the water and salt to a boil over high heat. Add the oats, lower the heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice (if the bottom begins to scorch, add a bit more liquid).
After 15 minutes, add the zucchini, nuts, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir well, then cover again and cook for another 5 minutes. (Again, if the oats are too dry, add a bit more liquid).
Remove from heat, stir in the almond butter. Stir before serving with sweetener of your choice and more milk, if desired. Makes one serving.
NOTE: This is not a zucchini-flavored oatmeal; you won’t really taste any zucchini in this (though you might detect a few shreds here and there). The veggie is just a silent nutritional bonus!
Variation: You can substitute about 3/4 cup (180 ml) of another cooked grain of your choice for the oats and water. In that case, either reheat the grains in about 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk before adding the remaining ingredients, or blend the grain, nut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk in a food processor before warming gently for 7-10 minutes; stir in the zucchini and then allow to warm through before serving.
* Sorry, people who found this post via those depraved Google search terms–I’m talking about food.
Oh, and stay tuned next time for a yummy giveaway!
[Thanks to everyone who left such sweet comments and encouragement for the hellish week of marking! (And I know I still owe some of you emails. . . coming soon!) Some of you who are students noted that you'd be doing as much work on the other side of the red pen. Whether students, parents, teachers or the lucky few whose only connection to academia is reading about it in the newspapers--hope you all survived the past crunch week or so of midterms, study week, or finals. Now get ready, 'cause there's a lengthy return post ahead--on to the food!]
[Base of rice and buckwheat; sautéed rapini and chard with onions and garlic; tahini-miso sauce; sprinkled with hemp seeds.]
I’m sure we’ve all met her (or perhaps we are her?): that woman who’s incredibly competent at dispensing affection, comfort, nurturing or support–yet seems to ignore her own emotional needs and physical well-being.
Well, I admit it, I’m as guilty as the next gal. Ten days away from the DDD home base had me reflecting often on this whole notion of self-love. Actually, that was only one among a plethora of topics on which I mused during the hiatus, which included (but was not limited to) the following:
how much I miss blogging when I’m away. I was struck by a true sense of void during this time, and it astounded me. Honestly, who are “they” who post studies about the Internet and prophecies of doom regarding how it diminishes social skills or limits interactions with other people? Seriously. In some cases, I’m in contact with blog buddies more often than my “in-person” friends (some of whom live only five minutes away). Don’t let anyone tell you that the society of bloggers isn’t a bona fide community of lively, vibrant, and very much interactive people–all of you!
how to create a tasty, grain-free breakfast pancake. I wanted something that didn’t require refined, or even whole-grain, flour–and I found it! (more on that anon).
how this &%$!!?* winter refuses to retreat, even though it’s March already and why are you still hanging around, Mr. Jack Frost, can’t you tell you’re not welcome anymore and nobody wants you here, so just go away and don’t come back, ya big bully!
how, with the economy as bad as it is, I’m hoping the HH and I might still save for our dream home (okay, I’d be willing to cut some of the frills and just be happy with a daydream home). And while we’re both incredibly lucky to still be gainfully employed, on the topic of saving money and stretching a dollar, I’ve been mightily inspired by the frugal and fantastic Melody over at MeloMeals.
why, once again, I have been willing to risk my health, well-being and future for the evil (and truly, ephemeral) charms of that sepia seductress, chocolate.
[Oat groats and amaranth base; grilled eggplant and grilled marinated tofu; broccoli, avocado and green onion; orange-fig sauce.]
Yes, folks, it’s time to focus on the “diet” portion of this blog yet again.
When I first began to ponder how I’d spend my break from the college, I considered traveling to a new locale, attending a retreat, picking up old hobbies like sewing or knitting–but it never occurred to me I’d get sick instead. Then, at my annual checkup last week, I discovered that my old candida afflction has reared its yeasty head yet again, and this time, with a potency that could rival the combined superpowers of the X-Men.
I’ve decided that in order to rid myself of this recurring problem once and for all, I’ll need to return to the anti-candida diet (ACD). I’ll be facing a highly restrictive diet and a few detoxes or cleanses along the way (no wonder I’ve been avoiding it). But I’ve had it with the persistent cycle of diet, dessert and destruction (you thought I was going to say “dogs,” didn’t you? heh heh!). To paraphrase that seminal queen of weight loss, Susan Powter, “the insanity must stop!” (And what the heck ever happened to her, anyway?).
I’m going on an anti-candida diet so I can be healthy. So I can move more easily, and feel comfortable in my own body. So I can express a little more self-love and self-care through my diet and lifestyle. (Anyone familiar with Sally’s fabulous blog already knows what I mean by this: treating my body, mind and spirit with the kindness, reverence, and care it deserves.) So I can enjoy a social life without being fixated on food. Oh, and so I can lose 40 pounds by my highschool reunion this May. **
My last “true” candida cleanse occurred nine years ago, and in the interim, my eating habits have slowly reverted to those that got me in trouble in the first place (chocolate too often; sweets too often; wine too often). After reading the diet on this site (which is slightly less ascetic than the regimen I followed before), I think it’s doable (the only recommendation with which I disagree is to use aspartame or aseulfame, so I’ll just omit those).
To those of you who’ve been reading for a while, I understand if you’re skeptical, and I apologize. After all, I’ve tried more than a few times to cut chocolate and sugar from my life. Well, I’ve learned it’s never a great idea to publicly declare such a complete lifestyle overhaul on the blog, because later on, if you don’t meet your lofty goal, your initial vow is indelibly there for all the internet to see. With that in mind, I’ll restrict my candida commentary to the Progress Tracker page (may as well give it a new use, as I long ago stopped recording my weight over there).
And since I’ve already done a bit of baking over the past couple of weeks, I can intersperse the spartan dishes with more interesting fare. If I play my screens right, you folks will barely notice a difference.
[Rice and brown lentil base; spinach leaves and steamed sweet potato wedges with chopped green onions; topped with almond-curry sauce.]
The first step is to prepare the system with a week or two of clean, whole-foods eating that doesn’t worry about yeast or fermentation (yeast and fermented foods will be cleared out next). Rice or noodle bowls are a great place to start.
[Barley and amaranth base; grilled red pepper strips and onions; steamed broccoli; sprinkling of cashews and sunflower seeds; topped with tahini-miso sauce.]
Meals-in-a-bowl like these have become very popular at health-food restaurants and stores around North America. There’s a local haunt that serves an amazing bowl called, appropriately, “The Mish-Mash Bowl.” Every meal contains either brown rice or quinoa, topped with your choice of four toppings from three categories (protein, veggies, or good fats), then drizzled with your choice of one or two dressings.
My own variation on the Mish Mash is a quartet of at least one healthy grain plus a protein, healthy fat, and complex carbohydrate (ie, veggies). I was amazed at how satisfying–and how filling–a clean, healthy bowl can be. The marriage of fresh, colorful veggies with chewy grains and the crunch of nuts or seeds is entirely enchanting (almost as enchanting as that vixen, chocolate–though in a different way, of course).
In putting these together, what I discovered rather quickly is that “the sauce makes the bowl.” A grain bowl sans effective topping is sort of like a perfect outfit without the right shoes or accessories–it may be good quality, it may be tailored , it may even sport a designer label, but without the proper accoutrements, it’s just a length of beige, beige, beige.
With a winning sauce, however, these bowls are stellar; they’re delectable; they evoke impatient yearning; they’re Zagat-worthy. And, much like those lines of toddlers’ clothing that allow the kids to dress themselves by choosing one top and one pre-coordinated bottom, they’re fun to mix and match, just to see what comes up.
The combinations here are simply starting points to get you going; play around with different grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, veggies, and sauces. Use these sauces with any combination you please, or go with my mixes–either way, you’ll be treating yourself with love.
**I asked this question entirely tongue in cheek–so please, no need to send me emails detailing how unhealthy a 40-pound weight loss in 8 weeks would be! I have no intention of actually losing that much. Besides, at the rate I’ve been going this past year, a FOUR pound loss by May would be nothing short of miraculous.
Tahini-Miso Sauce
Light and tangy, this sauce would also be perfect with raw veggies or in a sandwich.
2 tsp (10 ml) freshly grated ginger root
1 Tbsp (15 ml) tamari or soy sauce
2 tsp (10 ml) pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp (30 ml) tahini (sesame paste)
1 Tbsp 915 ml) light miso
2 Tbsp (30 ml) water
Combine all ingredients in a blender and whir until smooth. Makes enough for 3-4 bowls.
Almond and Curry Sauce
Slightly sweet, slightly spicy, this substantial sauce goes well with cooked root vegetables and adds a protein punch to your bowl. I used a food processor for this batch, which was chunky; I think I’d use a blender next time (or even use almond butter instead of fresh almonds).
6-10 dried dates, roughly chopped, to taste
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp (90 ml) boiling water
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp (90 ml) natural almonds, with skin
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly grated ginger root
1/2 tsp (5 ml) mild curry powder
1 Tbsp (15 ml) tamari or soy sauce
1 small clove garlic, minced
pinch chili flakes
Place dates in a blender and cover with boiling water. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and blend until you have a smooth sauce. Makes enough for 3-4 bowls.
Orange Fig Sauce
Delicious over bowls when a higher protein content is provided by the ingredients in the bowl. This also works beautifully on a tofu omelet.
1/2 cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
one 2″ (5 cm) piece of ginger, peeled and minced
1 tsp (5 ml) light miso
2 tsp (10 ml) tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) agave nectar
2 large dried figs, stems removed, chopped
Whir all ingredients in a blender until perfectly smooth. Drizzle over your bowl as desired. Makes enough for 3-4 bowls.
* [Absolutely no relation to the reality show of the same name] ##
[That is one MoFo huge smoothie!]
Now that the holidays are over and a new, fervently hopeful year has begun, I’ve decided to simplify my life.
It might have been the post-apocalyptic array of file folders, sticky notes, to-do lists (to-do lists ON sticky notes), drafts of recipes for the cookbook, empty interoffice envelopes, glasses (of both types), half-filled mug, pens, pencils, scotch tape, daybook, boxes of tissues, assorted and sundry notes-to-self, a stapler, checkbook and magazines and paperbacks and various other items that seem to have settled randomly, like nuclear fallout, on my desk.
Or perhaps it was the never-quite-cleared kitchen table, the kitchen counters encumbered with bins of flour and Sucanat and oats, bottles of agave nectar, cannisters of raisins and dried cranberries, bowls and spatulas and whisks and pans and measuring cups and spoons (okay, I do have an excuse: the aforementioned cookbook).
Still, it could have been the closet full of wayward shoes, or the three distinct, mostly unworn wardrobes (that would be “slim”; “gaining weight”‘; and “fat”), assorted scarves, out of season accessories, fuzzy slippers and terrycloth bathrobe.
No, no, no–it must have been the 14 unanswered emails, 27 unanswered voicemails, three scheduled doctors’ appointments, two scheduled vet appointments, one hair appointment, one dog training appointment, as-yet to be determined appointment to set up an appointment with myself to get it all together and finally organize all my appointments. . . .
Okay, I may be exaggerating a tad. But just a tad. It’s true what they say: the older you get, the more complicated your life becomes. (Or was that, the older you get, the louder you turn up the volume on the television? Same difference.)
[Simplicity at its finest.]
A while back, my friend Eternal Optimist informed me that she’d completed a total purge of her abode, sort of like an emotional smudging. She tossed boxes of garbage, shredded reams of old papers and files, donated countless bags of clothes to charity, and repurposed old posters, kitchen chairs, picture frames, unused shelving, CDs and books, and various and sundry other long-neglected items courtesy of Freecyle. It felt great, she averred.
And while I’ve never been a huge fan of the magazine Real Simple(it seems too self-consciously austere and geometric for my taste, reminiscent of Dieter on Sprockets), I have frequently nurtured a dream of chucking it all and moving to a one-room cabin in the woods, complete with wood-burning stove, 100 acres of surrounding forest, and plenty of space for The Girls to gambol to their hearts’ content.
Just think of it: freedom to do what you like, at one with nature, fresh air, green grass, no schedules, no time-stealing technology. On any given day, I could just wake up, throw open the door and inhale a long, deep breath of unpolluted, pristine country air. . . well, after I chop the firewood for that stove, I guess. And after I shoo the raccoons out of the food bins at the end of the cabin. And I guess I’d have to chase a few mice from the cupboards, too, which would mean cleaning up mouse poop. And also swat those spiders in the corner above the bed–oooh, I hate spiders! And snakes. I hope there aren’t any snakes out there. And I’m scared of mice. And don’t raccoons have talon-like claws? I’ve heard they can be really vicious if cornered. And I bet they don’t serve Triple Mocha Lattes at the intersection of Pine Tree and Deciduous.
But it did make a lovely reverie, didn’t it?
(“Yes, Mum, a perfect reverie! But does this mean we don’t get to gambol in the woods now? Oh, and would you mind turning down the volume on that TV?“)
I also failed miserably at organizing my life over the holidays. My initial zeal to reorganize my desk, clear out some boxes from our basement, organize the garage, draw up a Five-Year Plan, and resume my lost habit of daily meditation never materialized (oh, and let’s not forget: get my finances in order, secure a retirement plan, start a new workout regimen, finish a cookbook, and clip Chaser’s nails–nothing too onerous, you understand. Well, excepting Chaser’s nails.). All I managed was to clear off the desk–and that task alone took two weeks.
Still, the sense of accomplishment and buoyancy I felt prompted me to seek out other ways to simplify. After the recent holiday excesses and toppling with a (very heavy) thud off the healthy-eating wagon, I’ve decided to pare down my diet as well. So I’m afraid you won’t be seeing much fudge, or pecan pie, or marzipan-topped shortbread, or any other dessert that, for some strange reason, seems to spike my blog stats exponentially for a while. The blog stats will just have to wait until I get my body stats in order.
Which brings me to today’s recipe. Coincidentally, over the holidays one gift I received was a book called The Healthiest Meals on Earth,by Jonny Bowden. It contains breathtaking photographs of really healthy foods, along with pertinent nutritional information and great recipes. This smoothie is one I adapted for breakfast the other day. It features one of my all-time favorite foods–sweet potatoes (yes, for breakfast!), and is both simple and quick to make. The potatoes confer a natural, light sweetness, and the oranges add a bit of tang. I loved the cheery color and the thick, almost pudding-like consistency (I was tempted to eat this with a spoon, in fact).
If simple living can taste this good, I may have to reconsider that cabin in the woods.
Unlike many smoothies, this really does feel like a meal. The sweet potato provides a substantial density and nutritional profile here (both beta carotene and antioxidants), along with vitamin C in the fruit. I used eggnog flavored soymilk for a festive touch, but you can use any milk you please in this.
1 medium sweet potato, baked until very soft, peeled and chilled overnight
3 mandarin oranges (or one small seedless orange), seeded, peeled and broken into sections
1 Tbsp. (15 ml.) ground chia seeds
1 Tbsp. (15 ml.) ground flax seeds
2 Tbsp. (30 ml.) whole old-fashioned rolled oats
1-1/2 tsp. (7.5 ml.) cinnamon
2 cups (480 ml.) eggnog flavored soy milk, or flavor of your choice
Cut the sweet potato into chunks and place in a blender with all the other ingredients. Blend until very smooth and thick. Adjust the amount of milk to desired thickness. Drink immediately. Makes 2 breakfast or 4 snack servings.
Last Year at this Time: Smooth Operator (I detect a theme here. . . )
Last evening I logged on to my blog and was gobsmacked to discover that my post had been listed on the Best of Holidailies! You cannot imagine how thrilled this neophyte blogger was at the news (made the H.H. read the whole thing–he liked the pic of Elsie’s paw especially) and also how surprised. So thank you, panel of Holidailies readers, and thank you, everyone who dropped by to read the post (I thought I was hallucinating when I saw the blog stats yesterday).
Oh, no. But now the pressure’s on. I will feel compelled to write a witty, irreverent entry every day. Or will I end up like Alanis Morisette, and only disappoint after the first big debut? Only the rest of December will tell. I’m just glad that today is recipe day–simple and straightforward. So here goes.
This past Saturday evening, my friend Deb, flush from a recent trip overseas, dropped by and became our first guest in the new place. For the occasion (okay, and also because I knew I’d committed to writing about a dessert here), I played a bit with an ancient recipe I had for Banana Bars.
The original bars called for sugar, eggs, butter, and a mixture of bananas and oats. Since I’ve overhauled virtually every aspect of this dessert by by subtracting ingredients, adding others, and substituting still others to make it NAG-friendly, I now feel that this is my own recipe, which I’ll post here. I did use the Maple Frosting from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, though, so the credit for that goes to Isa and Terry (ain’t it cool how bloggers can be on a first-name basis like this with complete strangers??).
In my head, the bars were chewy, gooey, and the rich banana flavor was beautifully complemented by the subtle maple of the frosting. All that was true in the finished product, except for the gooey part; these were more moist and chewy, like what a soft granola bar is supposed to be. And they definitely were complemented well by the frosting.
These are a lovely, not-too-sweet dessert and, sans frosting (okay, even with) a quick and convenient breakfast bar.
Frosted Banana-Oat Bars
1/2 cup Sucanat or other UNrefined organic evaporated cane juice
1 Tbsp. finely ground flax seeds
1/4 c. vanilla soymilk or almond milk (we had some Vitasoy Holly Nog in the house, so I used that, and it added a delicious richness to the flavor)
1/4 cup organic sunflower or other light-tasting oil
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 very ripe, medium bananas (don’t mash them just yet)
1/3 cup raisins, optional (I used them this time, but actually think it would be better without)
1-1/2 cups whole old-fashioned rolled oats (NOT instant or quick-cook)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup oat flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. alum-free baking powder
1/4 tsp. sea salt
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8 x 8 inch pan, or line with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the Sucanat, flax, soymilk, oil, and vanilla.
Cut the bananas into chunks and add to the bowl. Using a potato masher or large fork, mash the bananas into the mixture, leaving a few little chunks (about the size of peas) here and there. Stir in the raisins, if using. Set aside while to measure the dry ingredients, or at least two minutes.
In a larger bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Pour the wet mixture over the dry and stir well to combine. It will seem too wet for a bar dough; this is as it should be.
Scrape the mixture into the pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake in preheated over 40-45 minutes, until top is dry and a tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely. (Alternately, you may cool and frost right in the pan).
Meanwhile, prepare frosting. When bars are completely cool, spread with frosting and chill until the frosting firms up a bit, about 30 minutes. Cut into bars and enjoy. Makes 16 small or 12 more acceptably-sized bars. Frosting does not freeze well (though plain bars do).
[This recipe will also appear in my upcoming cookbook, Sweet Freedom, along with more than 100 others, most of which are not featured on this blog. For more information, check the "Cookbook" button at right, or visit the cookbook blog.]
