Change Up Your Breakfast: Sweet Potatoes

Before going veg I used to live off of eggs and yogurt for breakfast (not together... that would probably be gross). Actually what I was going to eat for breakfast was a slight concern of mine when I made the decision to forgo my once beloved animal proteins, since every morning I would have a bowl of oatmeal, and either two or three eggs (for a brief period egg whites) with cheese, or a greek yogurt and fruit.

But I got creative and found my new favorite breakfast... sweet potatoes!

Getting in Touch with My Roots... Sorta: Baked Plantains

Some of you know and some of you may not, but I am originally from Bogota, Colombia. Now, before you go asking me if I can speak Spanish and all that (common question, and the answer is no I cannot) was adopted and thus didn't grow up there.

Fun Fact: Coffee beans are one of Colombia's biggest exports and despite it being my nickname I hate coffee.

Over 30 Likes: I'll Toast to That!

I just want to say you guys are awesome and I seriously appreciate all of the kind words from everybody! This blog has been a blast for me to do and I'm so glad all of you have been enjoying it!

So as promised, this weekend I made something special...

Shots!

So toast! Here's to you guys :)

Spicy Mexican Chocolate Shots

• 2 parts Vanilla Vodka
• 1 part Absolute Peppar
• 1 part Creme de Cacao
• splash of simple syrup
• pinch of cayenne

Pour all ingredients into shaker with a handful of ice. Shake well and pour into shot glasses.

It's Like a Hug for your Tummy: Creamy Steal Cut Oats

Oatmeal is amazing. It's like a base or a blank canvas for which to build the perfect breakfast. Sweet or savory it can be whatever you like! I love to make mine colorful and bright, using lots of fresh fruit, cinnamon and raw nuts.

So here's to breakfast and all of it's awesome possibilities! 

Quick Fix with a Mexican Twist: Enchiladas

Mexican food is awesome! Simple and flavorful, but you don't have to go to cheesy themed restaurants just to get your fill.

This recipe takes such little effort, and while cooking takes time you could definitely use canned sauce instead of using the recipe below. I usually have everything on hand in my pantry and its easier for me to make some and save the extra sauce for next time. Also another time saver, make a double batch of the vegetable filling mixture and freeze the extra, That way it's a pinch to reheat toss in some tortillas and bake with the rest of the sauce you made :)

New Best Friend: Cashew Milk

 
I can't get over how amazing this stuff has been. Today I've been putting it in everything possible. I cooked my oatmeal in it (p.s. there is nothing wrong with breakfast for lunch) and it turned out super creamy. I steamed a sweet potato and smashed some into it, sooo good! I even just straight up drank a glass.

Give You're Ass a 'Good Morning' Kick: Spicy Tempeh Hash

Good ol' hardy breakfast hash. It's something I haven't had for years EVER!

And I'm not talking about frozen ore-lda here, I'm talking about fresh, from scratch and spicy! Cooking is an adventure, and if you don't like to get you're hands dirty... get out of my kitchen :) 

Undying Love: Homemade Peanut Butter

If you know me, you know that I loooove peanut Butter. I love it on toast, in oatmeal, in wraps and pitas, with fruit, basically it's amazing! Unfortunately I love organic, all natural PB... aaaannnddd it's a little more expensive than I would like.

So Last summer I realized that the ingredients to my favorite PB's were super simplistic (Peanuts, and oil) I quickly whipped out my shiny new food processor and got to work. Which lead me to discover that not only were the ingredients simple, but the process of making homemade peanut butter was as well.

What better way to start your day: Fruity Tri-Colored Quinoa Pudding

I'm sure you've heard it all before: quinoa is for you. And if you buy it in bulk, it's also pretty cheap! But have you ever tried it for breakfast? This recipe (inspired by Poor Girl Eats Well's recipe) is great for a weekend morning, or a weekday that you have a little extra time.

Lazy sundays

 So tonight my motivation to cook was lost somewhere out there in the crazy blizzard. So here goes... quick, simple and most importantly warm.

What to do with a 3 lb bag of apples? Applesauce and Apple Butter

Tired of the same old jam/jelly you keep spreading on your toast? Are you a fan of apples? Then you should probably give apple butter a shot.

A bit of Valentines sweetness: Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

My husband's love of peanut butter is unmatched, as is my love for him. So I couldn't resist suprising him today with homemade peanut butter cups. Here's a super easy no bake dessert that you can whip up for your loved ones!

A little Minnesota love: Wild Rice Hotdish

Oh hotdish, the comfort food of my childhood. If you grew up in Minnesota you too are no doubt very familiar with it and all of it's warm yummy goodness.

Lately I have had serious cravings for the foods I grew up on. Things my mom and grandmas made for my siblings and I back in the day. The kind of dishes that even smelled like love.

Two times the creaminess: Cream of Mushroom & Cream of Wild Rice

It's a long story, a story I'll tell more in my next post. Last Christmas, I made my mom a homemade cook book. She would keep her recipes, which were written on little note cards or spinets of paper, scrambled in an old shoe box in the cupboard. So I took them and rewrote them into a little note book. As I was doing this I realized just how many old recipe called for the convenience of canned goods. And they all started with "cream of....".

Here's to you baby!

 8 wonderful years and never once a dull moment :)

My heart belongs to him

It Probably Exsists in Your Cupboard: Red Lentil Dahl

 
It's something I had seen on the menu at our local Indian restaurant but had never ordered before. I'm not sure why because it was sooo amazing! Also chances are if searched your kitchen you most likely have everything on hand to make this super easy colorful little dish.

I made burgers. Deal with it!

My husband and I are currently on a 'Better Off Ted' kick. Its so amazingly funny, it's a shame I never bothered to check it out before it was canceled... hmm...

Soup Week Continues Onward: Miso Soup

Miso tired of being sick... haha...ugh...

Full of nutrients, great for digestion and apparently a boost to your immune system. Not only that but it makes for an awesome breakfast. It's good anytime of the day for that matter

Soup Week Rages On: Thai Chili

Today has been full of hacking, coughing and other unpleasantries... So tonight I took matters into my own hands. Nothing like a little (and by that I mean a lot of) spice to clear your system! I was inspired by a friends facebook picture of an awesome looking bowl of chili and PPK's recipe for Red Lentil Thai Chili

Not surprising I didn't stick to the recipe and made a few of my own changes. Which I will include below, if you want the original recipe (which is adapted from a Clean Eating recipe) click here.

It's Soup Week!

possibly even two weeks... we'll see how long this stupid cold lasts.

Anyways, I couldn't think of a better way to kick things off with a super simple vegetable broth recipe.
I adapted this one from a Cooking Light recipe, in order to accommodate all of the extra vegetables in my fridge begging to be used before they spoiled.

I  hovered over the stove the entire time.
P.S. the steam felt amazing.