8 Months to Sexy: Recipe CARBS Edition

As promised, I am providing a few more delectable recipes for you to try on your pursuit to being more fit and fab.  I often am just dying for some kind of sweet treat, so I have an amazing way for you to feel good about eating a few brownies.  Often, I crave pizza or pasta too... well, I have a fix for you regarding that craving.  Whether it's for weight loss or just being/feeling healthier in your diet, these are some recipes that are SURE to help curb your carb craving! (Check out those alliteration skills!  I am SUCH an English teacher...)

Black Bean Brownies 

(Seriously, might be weird on the first bite... and then perfection!)

First, preheat over to 350 degrees (F).  Next, blend the following ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth:

 - 1 can low sodium black beans (thoroughly rinsed & drained)
 - 1/3 c. Melted coconut oil
 - 1/4 c. Unsweetened cocoa powder
 - 1/8 t. Salt
 - 2 t. Vanilla
 - 1/2 c. Honey or agave

 Next, in a separate bowl, lightly whisk 3 eggs. Fold eggs into chocolate mixture and fold 1/2 to 1 c. finely chopped dark chocolate (I used dark chocolate chips and just sprinkle a handful or two on top) into mixture.  You can also add nuts if your heart desires to do so.  Pour into 8x8 pan and back for about 25-30 minutes.  Let them cool for about 10-15 minutes and then cut and serve... I think they're better cooled though.  I know - an anomaly for brownies, I know, but it's true.  Haha!  You can even enjoy two of these and you still won't feel guilty... or, I didn't feel guilty. :)

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

(A sanctuary... For real.  Don't judge - I love carbs.)

This one looks not as good as my first second one... The second one was perfection.  

1 head (Small Head) Cauliflower

¼ cups Parmesan Cheese

¼ cups Mozzarella Cheese

¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt

½ teaspoons Dried Basil

½ teaspoons Dried Oregano

½ teaspoons Garlic Powder

1 Tablespoon Almond Meal (optional) - I didn't use it last time, but I think I would this time...

1 whole Egg

Preheat oven to 450 degrees (F). Wash and thoroughly dry a small head of cauliflower.  Cut off the florets—you don’t need much stem, but you can use stem if you'd like to. Pulse in your food processor for about 30 seconds, until you get powdery snow like cauliflower. You should end up with 2 to 3 cups of this ridiculously fine cauliflower. Place the cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl and cover. Cook for 6-7 minutes. Dump cooked cauliflower onto a clean tea towel and allow to cool for a bit before attempting the next step. I didn't do this the last time and I kept burning my hands - haha!

Once cauliflower is cool enough to handle, wrap it up in the dish towel and wring it like mad!  Get your anger issues out on this for a moment... :) You want to squeeze out as much water as possible. This will ensure you get a chewy pizza like crust instead of a crumbly mess. Dumped squeezed cauliflower into a bowl and add parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, dried basil (crush up the leaves even more between your fingers before adding), dried oregano (crush up the leaves even more between your fingers before adding - I always add extra cause I love it), garlic powder (not garlic salt), and a dash of red pepper if you want.

Now add the egg and mix away. I forgot this step last time and the pizza had NO hold - it's the sealant, so make sure to use that egg!  Hands tend to work best to mix this up. Once mixed together, use your hands to form dough into a crust on an oiled parchment paper on top of a pan. Pat it down thoroughly, because you want it nice and tightly formed together. Don’t make it too thick or thin either. Bake for 8-11 minutes, until it starts to turn golden brown and then remove from oven.

Add desired amount of sauce, cheese, and toppings you want - I like lots of onions, ham, tons of bell peppers, more spices (bring on the oregano and basil!), and cheese. Make it how you want it!  Now, slide parchment with topped pizza back in the hot oven and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Test your patience and allow it to cool for a minute or two. Probably closer to two. Then using a pizza cutter and a spatula, serve up your delicious grain-free cauliflower crust pizza! If you want two pizzas (they're a bit bigger than personal size), double the recipe.  I am obsessed with this because I can have pizza and not be breaking the carb bank!  I thought this was insane when I first read about it a few years back, but it's actually pretty good and I feel good about eating it more often than actual pizza.  Thanks to The Tasty Kitchen Blog for this recipe!

I also found this paleo, dairy and gluten-free recipe, but I have yet to try it out: http://www.theluckypennyblog.com/2013/05/the-best-dairy-free-cauliflower-pizza.html

Interesting note on carbs - I feel like I am starting to not process them in my body as well now that I eat them less.... bizarre, right?  Your body adapts and changes as you make changes... who'da thunk it? :)
*muah*

Song of the Day:  A really great new jam by one of my fave bands, Parachute.  Here is "Hurricane."  I LOVE this song!!! I love this band and every song they have ever made... For real. My favorite line of this song..."Funny how it all comes back when you're trying to forget it..."  LOVE!  Enjoy!

8 Months to Sexy: Recipe Edition!

So, as I've been on my "path to sexy" (or sexier) I have needed some good recipes to keep me sane.  Here's the deal, I'm all about quality of life... and I want to eat good food!  I am not going to eat things that taste horrible - I'm sorry.  I'm not going to do it... I find joy in eating good food, which IS okay, but it should be good tasting and good for you.  I'm all about health because I'm all about quality of life and I've come to find that IS genuinely a greater quality of life.

So, let's get to why you're really reading this... the recipes!  I've got a few up my sleeves that I've gotten from others and adapted to what works for me.  Do the same!  Adapt them if you don't have something at your house or if you don't love the taste completely because of one ingredient. Now, adapting by adding chocolate syrup to everything is probably not the best choice.... probably not.  So, still make smart choices!

Here are some of my new faves: (Some sounded CRAY at first! Yes, CRAY.)

Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Pancakes!

(You can have pancakes?!  Yep - and they're GOOD!)

6 egg whites (or do 4 egg whites and two full eggs if you'd like!) 

1 cup rolled oats, dry (steel-cut are best)

1 cup cottage cheese 

1-2 tsp. raw sugar or honey 

2 teaspoons cinnamon (a natural metabolism booster!)

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Instructions: Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Heat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup of batter onto griddle. I actually just pour it from the blender and eye how big I want my pancakes.  Flip when they start to bubble and cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter, spraying the griddle as needed. (Thanks, Court!)

I top these with bananas I fry with a little olive oil or coconut oil and fresh strawberries than a little honey... Yep, I do add a little sugar because I HATE the sugar-free stuff.  I tried it, hated it, and I decided to take a different route.  You don't need much syrup (use pure maple) or honey when you use the bananas though - they make it super sweet and these pancakes are already super moist! 

Parmesan Broccoli 

(Seriously - INCREDIBLE!)

1 big head of broccoli

Olive Oil

Salt n' Pepper

2-3 Tbsp of Garlic (depends on how strong you like the garlic taste)
Lemon juice

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

First, take time to wash the broccoli and dry it off.  Seriously - do that first.  Then, pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees (F).  Put the broccoli on a cookie sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. I just eyeball it - never measure it really.  I put olive oil in my hands and rub it on all the broccoli so it's coated, but not dripping off.  Then, I put a little salt over it all and a good amount of pepper.  Now add the garlic!  I use pre-chopped garlic bought at the store.  However, the recipe I found says around 4 cloves if that's your route.  I sprinkle it on and then rub it around with my hands - I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty!  But do wash them in between steps... Haha!  Next, cook the broccoli for about 20-25 minutes, letting it brown (not black) on the edges.  Let the broccoli cool for a few minutes and then toss with lemon juice - don't pour on a ton!  Just put some in your hands and toss it with the juice.  LAST, add 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and toss!  It's like veggie candy... AWESOME!

These are two I have discovered... more to come shortly. :) Enjoy and PLEASE share any you come across in the comments or via my email.  I am dying for new recipes to experiment with and eat!  Next time, I'll post on black bean brownies and cauliflower pizza crust - both BOMB! :)
*muah*

Song of the Day: I love this jam!  Here is Ellie Goulding with "Burn."  SOOOOOO good!

"Tuesday Ten" - Here We Go Again!

Here comes another "Tuesday Ten," and let me tell you... there are some pretty hilarious clips included below.

1 - 6 yr. old Solar System Expert: Brandt Bickford.  Doesn't that name just sound smart?  I know.  I am in love with this little boy, who I would love to see now that he's 9 years old!  He is HILARIOUSLY adorable and so stinkin' funny.  He reminds me SO much of the boy I use to shadow a few years ago, Ez - I miss that boy immensely.  Watch this interview Brandt did with Ellen (whom I also adore!):


2- Liquid Eyeliner.  I'm obsessed.  I have been for some time now... I have used it on the top lid for a few months and now I use it on the bottom a lot too... It stays all day, doesn't smudge or run and looks fabulous!

3 - Film Directors.  The films specifically and the actors tend to get all the credit and attention, but in reality, a film SUCKS without a good director.  A script needs someone with vision and an innovative approach to really transcend what's already been seen on the screen in the past.  There are bad actors and then there are bad directors... Half the time when you walk away thinking, "The acting was just so terrible," it's really because the directing wasn't that strong.  The actor(s) still might suck, but the direction of a piece or specific shot/line has a LOT to do with it.  Thus, here are my faves: J.J. Abrams, Guy Ritchie, David Lynch, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Baz Luhrmann, Ron Howard, and though I'll catch some flack for this, M. Night Shyamalan.  These are my favorite film directors as of late!

4 -Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies!  I tried these tonight and they were quite literally the best cookies I have ever eaten.  Ever. (Click on the cookie name for the recipe!)

5 -  Gold's Gym Express.  I have even written them a letter to express my gratitude...

Dear Gold's Express - 

For the past few weeks we have been having a really hot love affair.  I realize that we've grown closer and I feel stronger when I'm around you...  You make me happy.  I need to let you know that I'm really committing to this relationship. 

Sincerely - Thick, Beautiful, and Slowly Tonin'

6 - Paradise (Peponi) - Coldplay cover by The Piano Guys ft. Alex Boy - This piece is beautiful and the visuals are breathtaking.  I love the piano and have a soft spot for Jon Schmidt - he just arranges things beautifully.  I'm a HUGE fan of these guys and ALL their stuff - check out their latest, "Paradise (Peponi)" below:


7 - Tim Tebow.  Yep - I'm on that bandwagon.  I am not ashamed.  NOW, that does not mean that I am now a Broncos fan or that I will ever be.  I will never cheer for the Broncos against a team I like more because I like Tebow.  Nope - I'm an Eagles and Chargers girl till the day that I die.  I have the T-shirts to prove it!  Haha... I really actually dislike the Broncos quite a bit.  I just think that Tim Tebow is a legit man.  He has a good heart and as I said before, the world could use a few more of him around - even if they are Broncos.  Plus, if I could convert him, I'd be all over that!  Haha... no, but really.  (Click on his name for a link to an AMAZING story about him!)

8 -Kelly Clarkson's newest album, Stronger!  It's an amazing work-out CD and I LOVE her most recent single off the album - However, the entire album is gold.  Here is her song/music video "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)."  Enjoy!


9 - Mom, I'm Dating a Mormon  Reality Web-series.  I saw the sneak preivew for this today and I think it looks like it could be worth watching.  We'll see, but it looks fun!  I like the guy.  I like the girl.  It looks legit.  I'm excited for the premier of the first episode on January 30th!!! The preview is below and the website is accessible by clicking on the title of the web-show above):


10 - Sh*z Mormons Say, by Stephen Jones!  The video speaks for itself.

Sidenote: I say "Son of a Biscuit" and "Holy Hannah" ALL the time...

*muah*

Cinco de Mayo w/ a Hint of Lime... Cupcakes That Is, and a Fiesta!

Happy fifth of May - Glücklich fünften Mai - Feliz Cinco de Mayo!  I figure why not celebrate in every language I know... or, kinda know.

Yesterday, I had a little gathering at my place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and it was great!  Some friends from Provo came up, some friends from SLC came down, and people from Draper just came on over.  It was great!  I got to release a bit of my creativity cooking (enchiladas, seven-layer dip, margaritas, empanadas and margarita cupcakes) and setting up for the celebration, which was fun for me too... I kinda love parties and events - and oddly, hosting them.  

I took a shot at making some virgin strawberry daiquiri margaritas, and they actually turned out pretty good! I even ran a lime around the rim of each cup and dipped it in sugar (with a pinch of salt for zip)... I know, I'm pretty much a pro - aka: I googled how to do it.

So, Kate used her mad skills and made some obleck, because Brenden had never heard of it (Sidenote:  Either has my sister...).  It was a major asset to the party - he obviously LOVED it... Haha!

The before (above) and after (below) shot... I kinda prefer the before. Haha!

There's that crazy obleck again... it really was a party center-piece. Just ask Karin! Haha...

We had a handful more people there, but I only took pictures for a few minutes... It was a good group! Some people I hadn't since before I left for Germany came too, and I got to see them which was fabulous.  I even made a dinner date with Meghan (finally!) and Amber for next week... Life is good. 

Now, see those beautiful cupcakes above this text - the green ones with pieces of lime on top?  Yea... Those are margarita/lime cupcakes that I created!  BAM!  I swear this is not becoming a food "how-to" blog, but a friend asked how I made them with the statement, "You can just put the recipe on your blog."  To this I thought, "Great idea!"  So, that's that... Here is the SIMPLEST recipe ever for margarita/lime cupcakes:

1 Box of White Cake

Eggs, water and oil (amt. according to what the box states)

Half a package of sugar-free Lime Jello!

That's it.  Really!  I feel a bit embarrassed at how ridiculously easy my discovery was to make... but it worked!  I read a few recipes and they were all asking for tons of extra stuff, and I finally said "To heck with this - I'm using jello to make them green and flavored."  So, I did just that.  Then, I topped each one with homemade cream cheese frosting, green sprinkles, and a tiny slice of lime.  A TIP:  Don't put the lime slice on until right before you serve them... It doesn't make them taste way different, but the acid in the fruit made the frosting melt just a little bit.  Eh!  They were still bomb!

On a final note, a great party + great people = a great night.

*muah*

Song of the Day:  On June 23rd, on of my favorite bands is playing here in Utah for FREE!  I am stoked!  As I have said and promoted before, this boy named Will is the lead singer for the band Parachute, and he also graduated from HS with me.  No, we weren't buddy-buddy.  I think I talked to him only a handful of times, but I went and watched him play downtown with his band from time to time, and love them (Sparky's Flaw).  So, here they are with a song co-written by them and Lady Antebellum - here's Parachute's new song "Kiss Me Slowly."  Enjoy and come see them in concert in June with me and some friends if you desire!

You Want Fries w/ That?!

Contrary to somewhat popular belief, I do NOT spend all my time baking in the kitchen.  Yes, this woman remains without full-time employment.  However, I've been subbing like mad, which makes good cash.  Alas, I think I'll have to give in and work somewhere less desirable for a college grad for the summer before I have to start paying for Graduate School. As long as I don't have to say, "You want fries with that?," I'll live.

Sidenote:  Do fast-food joints REALLY ask that anymore?  They always attack me with happiness and offers right from the get-go, but... "Hi!  Welcome to Carl's JR!!!  Would you like to try a new Turkey Burger?!"  Yep.  No fry offer presented.

Back to the kitchen...

I admit I have become quite the passionate lil' baker since my return to the states... I think I just enjoy cooking in English again.  It's nice to know which spices I'm using each evening.  I've become specifically passionate about unique salads (stealing inspiration from Cheesecake Factory, Chilies, etc) and... cupcakes at this moment.  All around the states people will go into cute, themed shops and pay $5-8 for a cupcake covered in a large dollop of frosting, sprinkled cookie crumbs, and a mini-flag sticking out the top.  This made me curious... and competitive.

I got to thinking, "I could do that!"  One lovely morning I headed to Lindon to meet my bestie, Sam, for two-for-one massage day (aka: Heaven by Hands for CHEAP!) and some Kneader's French Toast (aka: Heaven for Mouth for... not expensive).  We kinda love that stuff... Well, I saw some of their "amazingly unique" cupcakes in the display window and scoffed.  I could create the same thing... and was determined to do so, but better.

I'm not saying I'm amazing, but I'm getting better and better at it!  Remember how I created my own cupcake batter recipe from SCRATCH?!  Yea.  That was a good moment.  I felt rather triumphant... Also, do you recall the cookie monster cupcakes, or the bumble bees?  I'm getting more and more creative... or better at stealing ideas off of google, then  implementing them into my designs.  Either way, today I created the following masterpieces (giving credit for the idea to Bridget Smith):

Awesome, right!?  I know...  Hamburger cupcakes!  That picture at the beginning is NOT a hamburger, but a cleverly disguised cupcake!  Cleverly disguised by yours truly...

 

I was impressed that they turned out so cute the first time... Someday, when I have kids, I'm going to make my kids pretty bomb cakes for their birthday.  Haha!  OR, right now I can make anyone's birthday cake/cupcakes...?  Haha!  Below are pictures of the steps to create them in case you wanna do the same:

Above: Bake yellow cupcakes till golden - like a bun!  Below: Dye some coconut green (for lettuce), make some red frosting (for the tomato affect) and make rice krispy treats adding a Tbsp of cocoa into the marshmallow/butter mix (to get the hamburger color/look goin'...).

Above:  Cut the cupcakes in half (obviously) horizontally.  Below:  Put the "pattie" on the "bun," squeeze some red frosting around the outside and in the middle of the "pattie" to create a "tomato."  Add some of the green coconut on top the "tomato" for "lettuce", and put the top "bun" back onto the "burger!"  Seal on with more frosting if needed...
Sidenote:  That was way too many quotations...

 Now, take pictures of your ridiculously, cute creations and... EAT!  Mmm Mmm Good... Now, I just have to figure out how to make fake fries to go with them!  Hm... I smell a challenge - literally.

The best part of making these?  Nope, not eating them.... Giving them away!  I wrapped them, took them out to my VT girls and friends, and just visited with different people for awhile - AKA:  It took m five hours to deliver nine cupcakes to seven homes within a five-six mile radius.  It was pretty great...

*muah*

Song of the Day:  This song, "Thought of You" by The Weepies is fantastic!  However, the video that this animator created is also AMAZING!  I can not believe how much time this must have taken - it's beautiful... Watch it.  Listen.  Love it.  Enjoy! 

A Boastful Baker

The kids from my mom grade made a goal to get 100% participation regarding the school's annual giving.  That means that each student in their individual homeroom had to donate at least a dollar to the school.  When they had reached their goal, I decided that I would offer to bake each child a cupcake, decorated to "epic proportion."  

Thus, when my mother came home on Friday with the news that her homeroom, as well as another homeroom in her grade, had accomplished 100% participation, I grabbed four boxes of cake mix and made a HUGE batch of frosting.  Sunday afternoon, during and after the final session of General Conference (entry regarding GC to follow), I proceeded to bake and create 65 masterpieces.  In other words, 65 works-of-art on a slab of cake... It was worth it.

For my first attempt, I'm pretty dang proud of my little creations... Not only did they taste awesome (as I've learned to add little bits of this or that to recipes, making them "my own"), but that looked pretty awesome.  Next time, they'll be even better.

*muah*

Song of the Day:  I'm currently in love with this movie called Tangled.  It's the most recent Disney animated film, and if you have not seen it before, you should.  It's funny, visually beautiful, tenderly cute, and the music's fantastic... I like it a lot.  The "love song" of the show - though it's about more than that too - is called "I See The Light," and is sung by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi.  Enjoy!