smoothie fridee

Due to some recently discovered food allergies and intolerances, I’ve been on a pretty restricted diet since December. And by pretty restricted I mean no corn, wheat, soy, oat (OK, grains.) or sugar.

For a while I didn’t want to blog about it because I didn’t want it to be perceived as complaining, but then I realized that I have been heavily relying on other people sharing their coping mechanisms online, so why wasn’t I sharing what I’d learned, too?

At first I tried to just take those things out of my diet, but now that I’m a few weeks in, I am tired of veggies, meat and nuts. Minus peanut butter. Will never grow tired of that.

This week I have been exploring more options, including the smoothie below. I was really struggling without fruit, and this one tastes almost as good as my regular morning banana smoothie. Even if you’re not grain and sugar free,  I highly recommend it.

Ingredients:

Almond Milk

Spinach

Peanut Butter

Flax

Ice

Cinnamon

I subbed the peanut butter and flax for my latest obsession, Trader Joe’s PB with Flax. Blend to taste, and enjoy! And know I did!

brekkie

I've often heard cooking described as an art, but a recent endeavor of mine proves otherwise. Due to a lifelong quest to find the perfect on the go breakfast, I made egg and spinach quiche cups.

I thought they'd look like this:

But they actually turned out like this:

Although they were less than beautiful, they were pretty tasty. They're only 75 calories, and super easy to make (recipe!). I added extra cheese because, well, obviously, and also added jalapenos because I'm having a love affair with them, as well as lots of Cayenne. I think the trouble was that I didn't drain the spinach well enough and too much water overflowed. Also, the suggested 10 ounces of spinach was too much. I'd half it.

And to redeem myself from this disaster, Hannah and I made pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes, and although the pumpkins on top would certainly be abstract art, they made us proud:

good (nom!) morning...

Last week, Liz blogged about the breakfast of champions, which has since become my morning addiction. My fruit and yogurt isn't nearly so appetizing now that I've tasted the sweetness of peanut butter and berries.

I added wild blueberries in with the strawberries and have been in a state a bliss each morning.

I find myself wishing the last bite of toast would multiply, which is a very good sign, since that is how I feel whenever I finish ice cream. :)

via everything fabulous

baby cakes

It's a constant predicament for me: salty or sweet?

I'm not one of those people that can say confidently that I always pick one way or another. Typically I like something sweet after dinner, and then something salty later in the night (bah!).

But, where it really becomes a difficult question is at breakfast. I never know if I'm craving pancakes or eggs. I almost always choose eggs, but deep down would love just one little pancake to accompany my omelette.

Which is why these breakfast hors d'oeuvres are ingenious. Could it be more perfect? Just a little taste of pancakes to eat before my eggs arrive.

They make me think I should have made brinner.

good morning!

This week I've been slightly low on completely out of groceries and have been eating scraps for breakfast.

Scraping the bottom of my peanut butter jar and savoring bites of my last apple for the week has left me yearning for a hearty brunch.

And what do you know, in my time of trial I stumble upon this insane french toast, topped with marshmallows - one of my favorite sweet treats [see hierarchy of desserts here].

It's settled. I must go to the grocery soon.

via oh joy

incredible edible meat

My Greek yogurt and Total is all packed up and ready for me to eat this morning. However, after learning about Mo's Bacon Pancake mix, my breakfast is looking a little boring.

The name says it all; the mix combines the perfect amount of crispy bacon and cakey fluff to create a very indulgent breakfast treat.

Although I'm not a bacon fan, I know a few men in my life that would be very interested...

And between the bacon mix and Lady Gaga's infamous VMA outfit, I can't help but wonder if meat is making a comeback...

Photo via dailycandy