Love what you eat. Live a full life.

Fun Cooking For One

Written by Nora on July 29, 2010 — 7 Comments

I have way too much fun cooking for one.

Coconut Curry Shrimp. Cilantro-Ginger Brown Basmati/Wild Rice. Sesame Snap Peas. Hermann J. Wiemer 2008 Dry Gewurztraminer.

At the end of the day I want three things: sweat pants, a glass of wine and a good meal. Typically I am cooking for one. All the more reason to be fancy and treat myself to some good cookin’!

So what is the key to cooking for one? I have three tips:

1) Use fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients and flavors make meals exciting! A healthy and fresh meal is the best gift you can give to yourself. It’s worth the splurge!

2) Be fearless. Try new dishes! If you find a lasagna recipe meant for 6 servings, MAKE IT! Life is too short to pass up on your cravings.

3) Have fun. Cooking is a release. An opportunity to relax and be creative. Even if you set the fire alarm off and create a disastrous dish no one has to know ;) . Live and learn.

In other news: I am obsessed with sesame seed oil and ginger. I thought of a million new things I HAVE to make while eating dinner tonight. I also had a brief moment when I contemplated making coconut-curry encrusted French toast. The coating on my shrimp was composed of coconut, panko, egg and curry. The “crust” reminded me of French toast. Maybe for dinner one night…I’m seriously debating the French toast idea, it was really good.

I’m off to search for a dessert to eat while watching Glee.

Planning New Meals,

Nora

Do you make fancy meals if it’s just for you?

Posted in Dinner, Fish, Nutrition, Wine/Beer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hot Feet, Cold Brews

Written by Nora on July 29, 2010 — 7 Comments

I know it’s only Thursday, but I am already excited for Sunday. While I was at work yesterday I received a special e-mail from my dad:

“Hot Feet run in the morning, then cold brews in the afternoon.”

YES PLEASE! I was having a crazy day so his  message was really appreciated. I spent much of yesterday driving to appointments, running around at work and making phone calls. Did I mention that it all started with an 8am fender bender? It was nothing serious. I was rear-ended at a traffic light and my bumper has a few scratches. I’ve never had to deal with something like this before and spent a good amount of time on the phone with a lady from my insurance company. Despite the craziness, all was not lost. I think I found an apartment with a real kitchen :) . Is it weird that I already have a list of goodies I want to make? At the end of August my blog will become a LOT more interesting. I can’t wait!

I went for a run this morning to prepare for my Sunday. I am planning to run about 10-miles so preparations are necessary. I fueled with a Super-Charge-Me Cookie and ran a light 3-miles. I have been playing around with a few “pre-run” foods and think I am going to wake up early and have peanut butter and banana toast before my long run. The best fuel for me seems to be some combination of banana and peanut butter.

When I got back I made a Green Monster Smoothie in a Bowl. I love cooling down with a refreshing breakfast. And this one had Dark Chocolate Dreams!

Blender: 1 frozen banana, 1 cup vanilla soy milk, 1 scoop Dark Chocolate Dreams PB, 1 Scoop Vanilla Whey Protein Powder, 2 handfuls of spinach, cinnamon, ice.

Toppings: Vanilla Granola, Coconut Butter, Handful of Blueberries (at the bottom of my bowl haha).

Lunch today is another “whatever-isn’t-spoiled-in-my-fridge” production.

Salad: Spinach, Cucumber, Tomato, Radish, Olive Oil/Balsamic

Sandwich: Thick slice of 8-grain 3- seed bread, sunflower seed butter, Crofter’s Europe Superfruit Spread.

I actually was really satisfied with lunch yesterday. I had a small snack later in the afternoon but it held me over quite nicely. The 8-grain 3-seed bread is really dense and hearty. A thick slice with nut-butter filled me right up! Amazing and delicious.

Planning a little treat for dinner tonight, can’t wait!!

Weekend Plotting,

Nora

Do you make weekend plans during the week?

Posted in Banana, Blueberries, Bread, Breakfast, Lunch, Nutrition, Peanut Butter, Running, Sandwich, Side Dishes, Smoothie, Spinach, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Second Time Around

Written by Nora on July 28, 2010 — 6 Comments

I don’t like leftovers. I know this might seem strange. Leftovers are considered a ‘Godsend’ to most because they save people  time, effort and money. I don’t disagree with this mentality, however; my strange self feels deprived of the chance to be creative in the kitchen when I have leftovers on hand. I’m not one to waste so typically I take leftovers and “enhance” them. For dinner tonight, I did no such thing. This is an exact replica of what I had for dinner on Monday. Chana Masala has me contemplating life. This was even MORE delicious the second time around.

Dinner: Chana Masala. Greek Yogurt. Cilantro. Whole Wheat Pizza Dough. Hermann J. Wiemer 2008 Dry Gewurztraminer.

I almost considered writing this entire post about wine. I had a glass and a half of Gewurztraminer with dinner and it made me believe that everything was right in the world. I love this wine by itself but the flavors in the Chana Masala provided me with a whole new experience.  I kept taking a bite and holding it in my mouth with the wine. Then taking a bite of food and cleansing my palate with the wine. Gewurztraminer typically pairs well with spicy food, however; I believe that the complexity of the spices I used (Coriander, Cumin, Masala, Turmeric and Cayenne) made the pairing incredible. It was a perfect balance and the most enjoyable meal I have made in a long time.

Dessert:Frozen York Peppermint Patty (and a few swipes of Sunflower Seed Butter while packing lunch.) Mint chocolate much? Love these.

Contemplating Life,

Nora

How often do you have dessert after dinner?

**I have dessert every night. Sometimes big sometimes small but ALWAYS end on a sweet note ;) .**

Posted in Bread, Chobani, Desserts, Dinner, Memorable Meals, Thoughts, Wine/Beer | Tagged , , , , , , ,

Night Owl

Written by Nora on July 28, 2010 — 4 Comments

Overnight Oats: 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt, 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk, 1 banana, 1/2 TBS chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla extract, blueberries, 1 heaping TBS sunflower seed butter.

Despite my failing refrigerator, I broke down and bought more soy milk. I found that certain parts of my fridge are colder than others, so I am hoping that it is going to be okay for now… I am attempting to use it as quickly as possible. I made overnight oats for breakfast in a wine glass to be fancy. It kept cold and was refreshing. I also had a little something-something in the middle of the night: cold cereal and milk.

~1/3 Kashi GoLean Crunch, ~1/2 cup vanilla soy milk

I’m not sure why, but last night I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep. I think it is just because I am anxious about finding a new apartment and have a lot on my mind. I was thirsty and started to get a little bit hungry. If there is one thing I know, it is that I can not fall asleep if I am hungry so I fixed myself this snack around…oh 3am. It was perfect and I slept like a baby. I miss cold cereal and milk. I cant even the last time I had it for breakfast!

Essentially everything of substance in my refrigerator has spoiled. My lunch was an effort to eat veggies, use things before they spoil and still be satisfied.

Most Random Lunch Ever:1 thick slice of 8-grain 3-seed bread, almond butter and Crofter’s Asia Superfruit Spread

Salad: Spinach, Beets, Cucumber, Tomato, Radish, Olive Oil/Vinegar.

I anticipate that I might be hungry after this so I packed dried fruit and nuts as well. Looks like nut butters and carbs and Larabars will be my main sources of nutrition for the next few days!! UGH. I miss my cheese :( .

Making It Work,

Nora

Posted in Almond Butter, Almonds, Banana, Blueberries, Bread, Breakfast, Chobani, Cinnamon, Crofter's, Lunch, Nuts, Oatmeal, Sandwich, Side Dishes, Smoothie, Spinach | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stomach of Steel

Written by Nora on July 27, 2010 — 4 Comments

Dinner: Lemon-Rosemary Marinated Chicken Breast. Lemon Scented Green Beans with Walnuts and Pecorino Cheese.  Corn on the Cob. Russian Jack Sauvignon Blanc.

I needed that wine more than anything tonight. While I was prepping dinner I dug into some hummus and carrots. The hummus had a few little pinkish spots that I scraped away and ate around. I’m having SERIOUS refrigeration issues. Everything I eat is questionable and I regretfully had to throw a few items away because things were happening to them that I have never seen before.

Here are my top 5 fun observations:

1) The goat cheese on my sandwich today was NOT legitimate. I told myself that it was extra tangy tasting and ate it anyways.

2) The tempeh I bought last week turned red. Yea…I have NO idea. I was too afraid to test the limits on that one. TRASH.

3) My Feta cheese had a film over it and smelled like chemicals.

4) The alfalfa sprouts I bought last week smelled and looked like a swamp. No further description. TRASH.

5) I keep eating my Greek yogurt but I am 100% sure that it has gone bad. Hey if you add cinnamon to it…okay, okay I know that is disgusting.

Dessert tonight was a smashed mint ice-cream-bar-thing that has been in my freezer for far to long and a few finger swipes of Dark Chocolate Dreams because I was feeling sorry for myself and my health.

If you don’t hear from me tomorrow assume it was food poisoning.

Dramatic Kitchen,

Nora

Posted in Cheese, Chicken, Desserts, Dinner, Nutrition, Peanut Butter, Thoughts, Vegetables, Wine/Beer | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Don’t Cry, Eat a Cookie!

Written by Nora on July 27, 2010 — 7 Comments

Breakfast Cookie: 1/2 cup rolled oatmeal, 1/2 mashed banana, splash of WATER (should have been milk), 1 TBS Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter. Topped with 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, chia seeds, cinnamon and blueberries.

I went for a run this morning and had 1/2 of a banana with Dark Chocolate Dreams before heading out (new pre-run favorite). I wanted overnight oats when I returned but had to settle for a breakfast cookie. While I was preparing breakfast last night, I realized that my vanilla soy milk had fallen victim to my refrigerator beast. It had a mucus like consistency. Not pretty. Instead of crying over spoiled milk, I did what any rational girl would do and dug into the depths of my “icebox” (literally…see picture below) for the last spoonful of my Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream and two frozen Super Charge Me Cookies. No pictures though. I was wallowing.

I strongly dislike this. It is ruining my life food.

Luckily I am visiting a new apartment today!! I’m hoping and praying that it works out. I am going during my lunch break so I packed a sandwich, a sliced apple, a big handful of sugar snap peas and a few Brazil nuts for the run. It’s a crunchy lunch for sure! The Brazil nuts are a random addition but I found them in my nut-jar and needed to add them to make lunch more fun!

Main Event of Lunch:2 thick slices of 8-grain 3-seed bread, Goat Cheese, Crofter‘s Asia Superfruit Spread, Cucumbers.

Fingers Crossed,

Nora

What is your go-to “lunch on the run”?

Posted in Banana, Blueberries, Bread, Breakfast, Cheese, Chobani, Cinnamon, Lunch, Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, Sandwich, Sandwiches | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Chana Masala

Written by Nora on July 26, 2010 — 8 Comments

I’m in love. A photo shoot trumps words tonight.

So…..when I was home and had access to a real kitchen, I made Chana Masala and Whole Wheat “Flat Bread” (using purchased pizza dough).

I am currently levitating. Every part of this meal was essential. The heat of the Chana Masala was eloquently balanced by the creamy, cool Greek yogurt and lemony cilantro. The sweetness of the toasted, doughy, whole-wheat bread was a perfect vessel for the hearty bite. And the wine…oh the wine. I could not have picked a better wine. The 2008 Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Gewurztraminer needed this spicy dish to bring out its beauty.

Can dinner be magical? If it can, than I hereby proclaim this meal Houdini.

I have always been too intimidated to make Indian food. This was my first attempt and I can assure you that it will not be the last. The flavor was unreal. For once in my life I am beyond happy to have leftovers. I wouldn’t mind eating this for dinner every night.

Full and Happy Monday,

Nora

Have you ever been intimidated to make a cuisine or dish? Did you eventually try?

Posted in Bread, Chobani, Dinner, Vegetables, Wine/Beer | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Craving Call: Grilled Sausage

Written by Nora on July 25, 2010 — 2 Comments

For some reason I have been CRAVING grilled sausage. This might seem like an odd thing to crave, however; the thought of biting into a flavorful, fennel-seed laden sausage has been haunting my thoughts for weeks. I needed to do something about it.Dinner: Caprese Salad. Grilled Zucchini, Squash, Red Peppers, Marinated Mushrooms. Sausage. Chianti Classico. (doubled on the grilled veggies…SO delicious!)

This Chianti Classico is going to be PREFECT for fall pasta dishes. I was having flashes of spaghetti and meatballs while sipping it :) . Dessert: Individual Peach and Blueberry Crumbles with Vanilla Ice Cream. YUM.

I will miss having a functional kitchen this week :( . I did manage to make a few “make ahead” meals today that should last me through out the week. SCORE!

Here is a hint. Tomorrow’s dinner will involve wheat pizza crust “flat bread”.I can’t wait to share my latest creation!!

Until tomorrow my friends.

Cooking Up A Storm,

Nora

Posted in Blueberries, Cheese, Cinnamon, Vegetables, Wine/Beer | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Lunch on Sunday?

Written by Nora on July 25, 2010 — 2 Comments

I swear I cant remember the last time I had an actual lunch on a Sunday. I always have the awkward hour “brunch” and end up snacking until dinner time. Well, Not today. I made a real Sunday Lunch.

Salad: Mixed Green, Arugula (Olive Oil, Balsamic and Honey), Torn Basil, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, Carrot, Radish, Green Beans, Herb Chevre, Walnuts

Sides: 8-grain 3 seed bread with Raspberry Preserves. Watermelon with Mint. Sparkling Lemon Water.

And then while planning out  recipes I want to make this week, I heard a little buttery chocolate-almond biscotti calling to me from the kitchen. I was lured away from my computer to take care of business.

Off to the grocery store to make my kitchen dreams come true…oh…my…6th. Day. In. A. Row.

No Shame,

Nora

Posted in Bread, Lunch, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , ,

It’s Nutty, It’s Bananas

Written by Nora on July 25, 2010 — 3 Comments

It might sound nutty. It might sound bananas. My dad and I woke up at 6:30am on a Sunday to run. We met with a group of runners for a run sponsored by Fleet Feet. Every Sunday they gather to run different mileages and paths. I like this concept. I wasn’t sure how far we would be running so I fueled with a banana covered in Dark Chocolate Dreams and made sure to hydrate before we left.It wound up being a beautiful 7-mile river run. Stopping once for Gatorade and water. The entire time I kept singing the song  from Pocahontas “Just Beyond the Riverbend” in  my head. It was special. I was completely exhilarated when we finished because I haven’t run that far in a long time and it felt great. I was also happy to have a massive bowl of overnight oats waiting me. I knew that I would be needing some substantial protein and carbs immediately when I returned.

Overnight: 1/2 (heaping) cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup 2% Greek Yogurt, 1/2 chopped banana, cinnamon, vanilla extract
Morning: Blueberries, ~1 TBS sunflower seed butter

I usually add the banana and yogurt in the morning, but decided to save time and put them in the mix last night. I think I liked the flavor/texture better! The banana had time to meld with the oats and substantially sweetened them.  The difference in texture was thanks to the addition of 2% Greek Yogurt. I added a bit more this morning and it was spectacular. This was the perfect post-workout meal, however; I can already tell I am going to need a few snacks later in the day. The extra millage= 1 hungry girl!!

I’m off to Church with my family then hopefully some reading and cooking this afternoon. I wonder what dinner will be…

Relaxing,

Nora

What are your favorite pre-workout/post-workout foods? Do the change depending on your workout?

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Posted in Banana, Blueberries, Breakfast, Cinnamon, Nuts, Oatmeal, Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, Snacks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
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