I won’t lie…I’m a carb-a-holic. Is that really a thing? Is that a word? Doesn’t matter. Carbs make me happy. Gluten-free bread, pasta, donuts, muffins, potatoes, rice…you name it…I love to eat it.
That being said, I’m doing a slight bit of overhauling to my diet this year…aiming to cut back on all those processed carbs (like…bread, pasta, donuts, muffins, etc) and try to replace them with real food…healthier choices…and something that will nourish my body more.
Before I was diagnosed with Celiac…I may have lived at the Chinese buffet at least 2 times a month. I love Chinese food. I always have. But, most of it is not even an option for me these days, unless I make it. I’m Irish…not Chinese. My Chinese food is never as amazing as when…you know…someone who is Chinese makes it.
That being said, I’ve been craving as of late…and I finally decided to cave and give into it. And I got out my skillet on Sunday afternoon and whipped up a healthier version of fried rice, replacing the rice with riced cauliflower. The recipe is below:
Cauliflower Fried “Rice”
Cauliflower Fried “Rice”
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets (or one bag of cauliflower rice)
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
½ cup frozen peas
½ cup carrots, cubed
2 eggs, beaten (if making vegan, sub in tofu or just leave out)
¼ cup low sodium tamari
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
⅛ tsp. ground ginger
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp green onions, chopped (optional garnish)
Directions:
**Chop head of cauliflower into florets and place in food processor. Pulse until it starts to resemble rice; set aside.
**NOTE: If you want a less-mess, no maintenance way of doing this, go to Trader Joes, Kroger, Target, or pretty much ANY grocery store these days and they have bags of already riced cauliflower in their produce section and even in the freezer section. I do this…because food processors are a pain to clean! So, skip the first step if you cheat and get the already riced cauliflower. At the end when you add it in with the sauce, cook it until it has softened.
Heat a large wok (or skillet) over medium heat and add 1/4 cup water. Add onion, peas and carrots and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. (Add more water as needed to prevent veggies from sticking).Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and red pepper flakes; set aside.
Slide veggie mixture to one side of the wok and add in the beaten eggs (or tofu…or skip this step if you opted to go without the protein), scrambling until cooked through and then incorporate with the veggies.
Stir in cauliflower “rice” and pour the sauce over top, mixing well. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until cauliflower is soft and tender.
Top with green onions, serve and enjoy!
~*~*~
Simple, easy…and yes…super delicious!! Oh…and only 220 calories per serving! You can’t beat that, right? Highly recommended to your Chinese food lovers if you’re looking for a healthier alternative!! Or maybe you just want to try something new!
Either way, it’s an easy recipe with little to do but stir away!! So…no excuses, friends. Get rockin’ that wok!
So, my roommate and I are making a few more dietary changes this year and so far it’s not been too hard to stick to. I mean, there are days that are completely off the plan (Hello, Soft Pretzel Wednesday!)…but that’s okay. This isn’t about perfection, it’s just about progress!
We are working on cutting down on added sugars and processed carbs. This is not to say that we are never going to eat gluten-free pasta or use rice in dishes ever again. And this is not to say that dessert is off the table. I did, however, very proudly, get rid of the stash of chocolate in my office drawer. I reached for those M&Ms one too many times while stressed out…so they are gone…and not coming back in.
Normally I have a pretty set meal plan going into the weekend, but for some reason, this past week got away from me and I just…didn’t get to it. Not going to sugar-coat it. SO…I decided to prep some different things and just attempt to make something a little bit healthier.
One of my favorite types of food (second to Indian) is Thai. I love Thai food, and Thai food is so easy to make gluten free. That being said…I didn’t have pad thai noodles on hand and I’m on a tight budget after my trip to California (like…it’s non-existent, to be honest)…so I only wanted to have to grocery shop for the essentials. I needed filling, healthy meals on the fly…so I bought Trader Joes and Kroger out of their bags of riced cauliflower.
That is not an exaggeration.
And from it emerged 3 dishes made with riced cauliflower (not counting the ones I did earlier in the week, which I should put up in the blog…so if I get time, I will. I promise. They’re delicious). But this week…I was most excited about my take on pad thai…using…riced cauliflower instead of noodles. This dish is SUPER easy to make…so I encourage you to do so!
Recipe: Cauliflower Rice Pad Thai
Cauliflower Rice Pad Thai
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 large head of cauliflower (or one bag of cauliflower rice)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 yellow onion, chopped
12 oz bag frozen stir-fry vegetables
1/4 cup lightly salted peanuts
Ingredients of the Peanut Sauce:
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos or low-sodium Tamari
3 tablespoon seasoned white vinegar
1/2 tablespoon lime juice
Directions:
**Rice your head of cauliflower by chopping the florets roughly and adding them to your food processor. Pulse the cauliflower until it resembles rice. Then heat it up in the microwave for 7 minutes, stopping to stir it once halfway through.
**NOTE: If you want a less-mess, no maintenance way of doing this, go to Trader Joes, Kroger, Target, or pretty much ANY grocery store these days and they have bags of already riced cauliflower in their produce section and even in the freezer section. I do this…because food processors are a pain to clean! So, skip the first step if you cheat and get the already riced cauliflower. At the end when you add it in with the sauce, cook it until it has softened.
Line a large skillet with a thin layer of water.
Add the garlic and onions tot he pan. Cook for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Add additional water, if necessary.
Add the frozen vegetables to the pan. Cover the vegetables and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until everything is heated through. Once again, add additional water to keep things from sticking.
***While the vegetables are cooking, whisk the sauce together in a medium bowl.
***NOTE: If you aren’t feeling frisky, both San-J and Annie Chun make FANTASTIC peanut/pad thai sauces that are gluten free. So…if making the sauce seems like too much work, just use the bottled stuff.
Once the vegetables are cooked through, add the cauliflower “rice” and peanut sauce to the pan. Stir until well-combined. If using bagged cauliflower rice, cook until cauliflower has softened, about 5 minutes.
Dish servings into bowls and garnish with peanuts.
ENJOY!
~*~*~
I wasn’t sure how I’d appreciate the change from actual pad thai noodles to using riced cauliflower, but it worked. This dish was amazing. And it’s dinner again tonight. And that’s always something to look forward to!
It’s winter. Officially. Although, at times, it doesn’t quite feel like winter. Regardless, it’s the end of January, and I’m craving my warming and hearty (yet healthy) soups and stews and chilies. I won’t lie, with recent talk at the office of the Annual Chili Cook-off (I won last year!), my mind has been on creating a new chili to cook up for the big competition.
This past weekend, while doing some recipe testing with cauliflower…I decided to do something completely different and make some chili…from scratch.
This meant on Saturday afternoon, I had dry heirloom beans soaking in water on my counter top. When I do something…I do it right. Now…if you don’t have the time, patience, or a clue as to how to work with dry beans…no worries, this recipe will work with canned beans as well. Just use 2 cans of tri-blend beans and you will get similar results.
That being said…I wanted something smokey…with that true homestyle flair. So…instead of tomato sauce…this chili got the bbq sauce treatment. And I have some local, amazing bbq sauce on hand…lots of it in fact…so I got a little chefy and a little creative. And the result…left the people who tried it raving.
SO…I figured I would just go ahead and share the recipe with you!
Recipe: BBQ Bean Chili
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 sweet onion, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 (4 0z) can mild chiles
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 cup dry beans, soaked overnight (I used Epicurean Specialty Heirloom Bean Blend – which contains beans, peas & lentils)
1 cup bbq sauce (I used Masters Hand with Integrity [Medium])
Directions:
Prep the beans. Place beans on a sheet pan or clean towel. Remove and discard any shriveled or broken beans and any stones or debris. Rinse thoroughly in cold water.
Soak overnight. Rinse and place in a large pot, covered with fresh water. Bring water to a boil for 3 minutes, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 60-90 minutes, until beans are tender. Reserve a cup of the cooking water.
Line a large pot with 1/4 cup water over medium heat.
Add onions, garlic, and chiles. Sauté until soft.
Add in chili powder, oregano, cumin and cayenne; stir for 2 minutes.
Mix in the cooked beans, 1/2 cup of the reserved bean cooking liquid and the bbq sauce. Bring to a boil, stir, reduce heat and simmer until theflavors blend and the chili thickens. About 20-30 minutes. I found I needed to a the rest of the bean water to get it to the texture I like…but vegetable broth would also work.
Garnish with a sliced avocado!
(Of course, you can garnish this however you like…sour cream, cilantro, grated cheese…but I love me a good, ripe avocado on top).
ENJOY!
~*~*~
LOVED this chili from the first taste. It’s tangy, it’s got a kick to it, but it’s not overwhelming. Not only that, it’s warming and hearty…and healthy! How’s that for winning?
Go ahead, cook some up!! It freezes well, but, trust me, it may not be around long enough to need to hit the freezer!
So…this is it! The last long run before the big day. This is the make or break point. And, I’m really, really nervous about it. Every single one of my 20 milers (the 2 prior to this one), I have gutted out…alone. On my very own. And while this is nothing new to me, there is something magical about running WITH people. It just makes the miles seem a little less daunting…and even make them go by a little faster.
That being said…tomorrow…I once again am heading out without a training partner or running buddy…to do this one last long distance run before I start the taper…
And while I can only hope this last run will look and feel this smooth and effortless, the fact of the matter is…my long runs, as of late, anything over 13 miles, have been rubbish. And I’m not talking pace. I run these slower than my regular race pace…I’m talking about how I feel. Maybe it’s the heat and humidity. Maybe it’s the fuel (which I have started to change and experiment with as…my stomach cramps the last 18 miler and 20 miler were enough to tell me to quit). Maybe…it’s just me. I don’t know. But more than likely, my run tomorrow will feel more like some kind of combination of the following…
Seriously…those have been my feels for the last few long runs. I know some of it has to be the humidity. For real. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. It makes me feel better about feeling like crap at the end of it. Or feeling sick…ill…and just plain…BLAH! I mean, after my 20 miler 2 weeks ago, I almost passed out in the shower. So…my problem is 1 of 2 things (or more)…
OR…
I wish I could pinpoint it for sure. My nutrition has been on point for the most part…but I am in the process of trying new fuel for while I am running. GU started to give me issues. I don’t like chewing much while running…so beans were out of the question…and I tried Tailwind for awhile, but it started giving me stomach cramps. Like…horrible stomach cramps. Went to a running store and had Skratch recommended to me…problem is, it’s more for electrolytes than full-out fuel. So…it’s a version of NUUN. I tried it at the Minnesota Half Marathon and knew it wasn’t going to work for any sort of long-distance fueling. So, I’m going to give Generation UCAN a try. I have heard good and bad things. Don’t worry, I have a backup fuel just in case things go horribly wrong. We shall see. Here’s hoping. I have four weeks…FOUR WEEKS…to figure this all out.
I am FREAKING OUT!
MUST. REMEMBER. TO. BREATHE.
Sort of important to the whole…running thing, yes?
I am hoping, simply, to survive the humidity out there tomorrow. This past week had runs between 6-7 miles for 3 days of the week…wherein I ran well…really well…but when I stopped moving, I was soaked. Seriously, it looked like I had just climbed out of a swimming pool, I was that drenched in sweat. And I am NOT a big sweater. Yeah…that’s pretty damn humid. Swimming pool humid. BLECH.
Needless to say, physically, I rested today…I ate right…I hydrated. Physically…I’m ready. It’s the mental aspect that I’m struggling with more and more as my race gets closer. I start to doubt myself and when my last few runs have been anything but stellar…well…it just gets hard to believe you can really go the distance.
Really…I just need one…ONE…really good long run.
Tomorrow…I’m going to give it my best. Slow…steady…and climbing. If you see me out there on the hills…give me a wave and a word of encouragement, could you? I might need it.
Let’s climb. Let’s get it done. Let’s hope it all goes according to plan.
See you at the top! I hope! Ready or not (and I don’t feel ready)…the taper starts next week…so this has to happen…whether I finish it running, walking of crawling. Hitting the hills to mimic some of my marathon course.
Embrace the suck. Sweat it out. Push through it. Run. Rest. Repeat.
Be safe out there if your weather is like mine. Hydrate and take it slow and steady. If I can do it…you can too.
Have a great long run. Who knows…it may go better than expected.
For the record, track and field starts up tonight…use that for motivation and inspiration!
“Fear is gradually replaced by excitement and a simple desire to see what you can do on the day.”
-Lauren Fleshman
Blueberries are always on the top of my list when it comes to favorite fruits and berries. Always. It has always been one of my favorite things to eat…whether in a muffin, pancakes, waffles, jam, donuts…and yes…especially in bagels.
So, leading up to the ONLINE EXCLUSIVE release of their latest flavor, the crazy baglers at Sweet Note Bakery teased a bit on social media as to what they have coming up. I knew immediately from the pictures that it was going to be blueberry. And I knew, the moment they hit the store, I would be ordering.
I think I’ve told you enough about Sweet Note Bakery…their origins and the like in all the past blogs I’ve done about them. If you are just now tuning in…you can read about their history here. If you want to know why size always matters, especially in certain important matters like…bagel size…read all about it here. Seriously…if you want authentic New York-style bagels…that are both vegan and gluten-free…NOTHING beats Sweet Note Bakery! Their bagels are phenomenal. Feel free to go back to all the past entries (and I still have 1 more of their new flavors to review!) and see what every flavor is like. Trust me…I grew up in New York. Bagels and I are BFFs.
And if bagels and I are BFFs…then I would totally date blueberries. This is what makes the latest flavor of the Sweet Note Bakery line up of bagels all the more sweeter. I pre-ordered the blueberry flavor the moment they said they were taking the orders and last Thursday, much to my delight, they arrived safe and sound. It was difficult not to just open one up right then and there and devour it, but my weekend was packed with plans that would keep me full and happy…so the bagels would be my Monday breakfast for sure. Right after the first of my two (2) spin classes that day.
So, one of the crazy and wonderful and remarkable things that sets Sweet Note Bakery apart when it comes to their delicious and epic (yes…epic) gluten-free bagels is…they use real ingredients. And, yes, that means that these blueberries are the real deal. No fake bits. No dried bits. Real blueberries. Giving you real blueberry flavor. And not just a few berries. These bagels are loaded with blueberries. When they sell you a blueberry bagel, you’re getting a blueberry bagel. You will not be disappointed with that. So, you won’t feel like you were left hanging with only a few blueberries scattered in the dough (sort of like when you get chocolate chip cookies and they only have a few chips in them…no, no…load those bitches up!), you will get sweet bursts of berries in every…single…bite. I swear it to you!
Upon returning home from the gym, I pulled the package of blueberry bagels out of the freezer and set to defrosting two (2) of them. One for me. One for my roommate (who doesn’t have to eat gluten-free…but mostly does at home. All her gluten-containing foods are kept away from my foods). I was pretty stoked. So, after doing my usual thawing method (30 seconds on one side…flip…turn…30 seconds on the other side…let sit for a minute…slice in half), I placed each half on the baking sheet and put it in the preheated 350°F oven. While they toasted for about 15-20 minutes, I went to shower and returned in just enough time to pour some coffee, get out the [vegan] cream cheese, and mix up a little cinnamon-sugar topping (an idea I pilfered from Lin-Manuel Miranda as this is how he tops off his cinnamon raisin bagels in NYC). The bagels (which smelled PHENOMENAL) were removed from the oven and I allowed them to cool for a moment before schmearing them with a healthy dose of cream cheese and a smattering of cinnamon-sugar. Breakfast was served.
Sweet Note Gluten Free Blueberry Bagels with a schmear of vegan cream cheese and a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar
Normally, I ask my roommate what she thinks as I deliver her plate to her first and she digs in before I return with my own bagel. But, for some reason, today I didn’t do that. I settled in to my own breakfast, coffee nearby, and took a first bite. And…WOW!! For real…just WOW!! There has never been a blueberry anything that I have purchased that has packed this much flavor, great texture, and pure goodness and deliciousness…in every single bite. This is not an exaggeration. If you’ve been conned by previous blueberry bagels on size, taste, and…the amount of blueberries you have in each bagel…then it’s time to look for a better bagel. And there is none better than the (happily) gluten-free (and trust me…no one would guess it!) and vegan (again…no one would guess it!) Sweet Note Gluten Free Blueberry Bagels. When I took my first bite…I went…”OMG…YUM!” To which, as she was devouring yet another bite, my roommate said, “UM…YES!” We were both totally smitten with the newest Sweet Note Bagel in the lineup. Blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse. Pair them with the most perfect bagel recipe (yeah…I said it, Sweet Note!)…and you have a perfect product to satisfy every taste.
I’m dreaming of eating another one as I write this right now.
Good thing there are four (4) in each pack.
So, while on the subject, let’s discuss what Sweet Note Bakery packs into their Gluten Free Blueberry Bagels. I mean, besides the obvious…blueberries. Each bagel is made with LOVE (yep…an actual ingredient…and you can tell), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, apple juice infused blueberries, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, olive oil, molasses, yeast, xanthan gum, wild blueberry juice concentrate, psyllium husk, and salt. As always when it comes to Sweet Note’s bagels, these bagels are gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. Made with love, indeed!!
As far as nutrition goes for the Sweet Note Gluten Free Blueberry Bagels you’ll find you hunger satisfied and here’s why. A serving size is one (1) bagel, which is about 4.5 oz (128 grams). There are four (4) servings per package. Each bagel will deliver 320 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 69 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 17 grams sugars, and 4 grams protein. The sugar count on these is a bit higher due to the inclusion blueberries and the blueberry juice concentrate. BUT…they are amazing nonetheless. And I am going to keep on ordering them until they tell me I no longer can. Which I hope never happens. For real!! THIS…just became my most favorite bagel that Sweet Note has introduced.
And, trust me, I can’t wait to see what else they manage to cook up in the future. Every time they come out with a new flavor, they exceed expectations and previous products. Every. Single. Time. And I never tire of placing orders to keep my freezer properly stocked and ready for a quick, toasted, deliciously schmeared breakfast.
So, yes…whether you love bagels, blueberries, or blueberry bagels…head on over to the Sweet Note Bakery online store and place an order. You won’t find these in locations where Sweet Note Bagels are sold. These are only online. Trust me…you’ll find love at first bite too. Delicious…blueberry…love.
And let’s face it…the Olaf/Frozen/In Summer references don’t get old. Because…it’s Olaf. And Olaf is awesome. Anyone who says so has no soul.
Summer is H-O-T. HOT! So hot. And while I prefer to train in the heat…the one thing I do suffer through (like most other people) is the humidity. And being that I live in the Ohio River Valley…it’s pretty damn humid. Like…all the time. One morning, this past week, I got up to run and it was 84 degrees at 4 am. That’s not normal! And it’s not even July yet.
With all that being said, how about I highlight some of the things that made this hot and stormy week a little cooler…
1. Game of Thrones
So, last Sunday was, possibly, one of the best episodes of Game of Thrones. The battle scene, shown above, was one of the most intense and best things I have ever seen on television. Kit Harrington, who plays Jon Snow, was amazing in this episode and totally deserves to win some awards. I mean, he really had 100 horses charging at him. That is not CGI!! Unfortunately, my HBO Now stream was locked up (as was the rest of the world, apparently), so I ended up having to stay up an hour later than usual to actually watch the episode. I was NOT looking forward to spending an entire day off the Interwebs if I saved it to watch the following day. It was totally worth it, but damn, it through off the rest of my week for sure.
All that being said, tonight is the season finale! OMG!!! I hope HBO Now isn’t bogged down this week and that the finale lives up to this past week…because…DAMN!
2. Blueberry Picking
First of all…yes…I picked the blueberries pictured above. I went to Bryant’s Blueberries with the intention of only picking 5 pounds of berries…but the crop of Blue Crop berries this week were AMAZING! I mean…big and ripe and awesome. Oh yes…I was in a good place. So, as it was bound to happen…I got 10 more pounds. WORTH IT. These are the best blueberries I have ever had. Forget anything you get in the store. I don’t know if more jam will be in the future, but I think some blueberry bagels and/or waffles and/or pancakes will be happening. And blueberry muffins are definitely happening.
3. Louisville City FC…SOCCER BABY!! So, on Tuesday (which meant I did my hill repeats in the heat of the day…after 2 spin classes on Monday), and last night, I was at Louisville Slugger Field, not for baseball…but for soccer!! I am a season ticket holder to Louisville’s very own professional soccer team. In fact, last night’s match was broadcast on ESPN3. Which is pretty cool. We also had our highest attendance record to date, finally breaking that 10,000 mark. In fact, it was 10, 062 showed up for the match last night.
But, beyond that, after the match on Tuesday night, I got to get my picture with my favorite player this year, Enrique Montano (#20). I look horrible in the picture, as I still had my hat on (I hate hats), and I had been melting in that heat I had been speaking about…but this picture is…awesome! I love when the payers come over to the midfield section to meet the fans. And Montano is very good about that. Happiness.
If you’re local and haven’t made it to a Louisville City FC match yet…stop delaying. Our team leads our division…so we’re pretty awesome. It’s worth it
4. Fun Hair I don’t think it will last for long, but on Wednesday afternoon, I went to my hairdresser and we got a little funky with my hair. Teal. Yes…I dyed my hair teal. Not all of it, but quite a bit of it. The problem is, I workout and run quite often, so I sweat. And my hair, just being blonde, doesn’t hold color too well. So, I’m enjoying it while it lasts, but it’s already, sadly, fading.
5. Roadside Assistance
I’m not talking about AAA or the local trucks that stop and help out stranded drivers. Nope. I’m talking about a super-amazing project that I am a part of with some great friends of mine. One of my girls, Indy (aka: Jennifer), had a spark of genius about creating a project that centers around the songs released off of Peter Cincotti’s new album. Since Exit 105 was released the other day, Indy put together a Tumblr blog and posted a recipe already for a cocktail based off the song “Long Way From Home.” So from now until Peter’s birthday on July 11th, we’ll be developing and sharing recipes inspired by the songs on the EP. These will be shared everywhere we can think to post them, but will also be collected onto a Tumblr blog-http://exit105-roadside-assistance.tumblr.com/ Check it out!!
And if you are unfamiliar with the talent of Peter Cincotti…discover him…NOW!
Did you do anything amazing, fun, and/or exciting this past week? Ever dye your hair a crazy color? Got any fun plans for the upcoming 4th of July holiday?
Product: Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes – $3.99+
Sometimes, I don’t remember why I pick things out to try…they just sort of intrigue me at the time when I am at the grocery store. It happens. And while I have been steering mostly clear of packaged and processed foods, sometimes you just have to give in and try something that calls to you.
And that is apparently what happened when I snagged a box of Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes. Let me tell you…the box makes these things look amazing. Like little broccoli hashbrowns. Or…broccoli and potato latkes.
I love potato pancakes (latkes)…and I love broccoli. So this was basically Dr. Praeger’s brilliantly meshing the two of them together. BRILLIANT!!
Dr. Praeger’s is a multi-generation, family-owned food company founded by two heart surgeons. The company is committed to encouraging a more sensible and healthier way of eating. Everything created by Dr. Praeger’s begins with their no-compromise recipes that help support an active lifestyle. Every ingredient that goes into each and every Dr. Praeger’s product is pronounceable and recognizable. You know how I love that!
As I stated above, I LOVE Broccoli! Like…LOVE IT! Always have. Always will.
So, imagine my elation when I spotted this little box in the freeze section of one of the many grocery stores I frequent. I don’t know why I felt the need to snatch it up and try it…but it was like…meant to be. Because it was BROCCOLI…and…
…POTATO!
I’m Irish. Potatoes and I are BFFs. Like…for real BFFs. I eat at least…at least two potatoes a week, but usually more. No joke.
The box of Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes describes these little treats as a savory blend of broccoli, potatoes and onions. There are six (6) cakes in each box, making it easy to decide whether you want to eat these as a snack, a side, or as a meal.
For me…MEAL!
Oh yes…meal time.
It was actually a Friday afternoon where these were pulled out of my freezer. I had a half day at the office and was going to head into Louisville to get my grocery shopping done early so that I could go pick blueberries Saturday afternoon instead of running around and grocery shopping then. So, I wanted something that was easy to make, not too big (as I was cooking up Gluten Free & Vegan BLT Sammies…with a side of guac and blue tortilla chips. So, an easy, fast, and filling lunch was what I was looking to make for my roommate and I before we hit the numerous grocery stores. Because otherwise we are a bit like this with any samples at said grocery/natural food stores.
The Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes are really easy to prepare. Each round cake is individually wrapped, so, again, you can pick how many you make. The serving size is two (2) cakes, but as this was lunch, I made up all 6, so each of us could have three (3) each. The preferred method for cooking these is the one I used…preheating the oven to 450°F and putting the cakes on an ungreased baking pan. The cakes go into the oven for about 5-7 minutes until browned. Then, you carefully flip them over, cook for another 4-6 minutes, until heated through and browned. You can also cook these in a skillet or in the microwave, but the oven baked these up to perfection.
They honestly looked like little broccoli hashbrowns. Which is fine. Because hashbrowns are one of life’s best foods to ever be invented, created, and consumed. They smelled fantastic. And I ended up topping them off with a drizzle of a vegan lemon cream sauce that I had made earlier that week for another dish. Lunch was served…and it took less than 20 minutes. LOVE it.
First of all, the oven technique really does cook up the Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes to a crispy perfection, all without the use of butter or oil. And as I’m trying to cut back on some of that…that was a big thing with me. I was afraid they would be mushy and soft, but they totally crisped up on the outside, getting that gorgeous golden color and crunchy texture. The inside…warm…soft…and perfect. You get a lot of broccoli flavor in each bite, but you get potato and onion and whatever spices are blended into the mix. It was delicious. I was beyond surprised. I had one without the sauce, and it was fantastic. They have the same consistency as a latke or potato pancake…but the flavor is more complex with the addition of the broccoli. I loved these. So simple…yet so delicious!
So, let’s take a look at the ingredients that go into the Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes. These amazing cakes of green goodness are made from broccoli, potatoes, onion, expeller pressed canola oil, oat bran, potato flakes, egg whites, arrowroot powder, sea salt, garlic, and black pepper. The Broccoli Cakes are gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO.
As far as nutrition goes, with ingredients like that, you will love the nutritional info in the Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes. A serving size is two (2) of the cakes and their are 3 servings (or 6 individually wrapped cakes) per box. This serving will provide you with 130 calories, 6 grams fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, 16 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 2 grams sugars, and 4 grams protein. Believe it or not, these are quite filling…because the sampling snack monsters were kept at bay.
Dr. Praeger’s as a remarkable line of gluten-free and vegetarian offerings in their product line-up. Not everything they make is gluten-free and vegetarian though, so read the boxes. They label everything, so you will know just by looking at the box. I have never had a Dr. Praeger’s product that I haven’t loved…and I think lots of that is that they really do strive to use real ingredients and real foods in each and every one of their products. If you haven’t tried the Dr. Praeger’s Gluten Free Broccoli Cakes yet…go to wherever Dr. Praeger’s items are sold near you…and grab a box. Trust me…you will not be disappointed.
Like it or not…summer is here. This…this is the weather of my people!! Yes…I understand that I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota…but let’s ignore that for a moment and focus on the fact that…THIS is the weather of my people.
I love summer. Even the hot temperatures that slow me down when I’m out running. Goal this summer…to not be injured and out all summer. The past two years…that’s exactly what has happened.
NOT. THIS. YEAR. (I hope). So…with that in mind…
1. My fist humid, hot, sunny run… (IN SUMMER!!)
So, it only seems fitting that my first hot run back this year was done with two of my favorite people to run with…Tammy and Matt. We headed out early on Saturday, trying to beat as much of the heat as possible to get in our 15 miles. It was brutal (humidity-wise), but it kept me on pace and I had good conversations and we pushed through our miles that morning, finishing up just after 9 am.
This picture represents your brain on 15 hot, humid miles on hills. Whew.
2. Morning Running, Soccer and Dinner with my Sole Sister…(IN SUMMER!!)
I was THRILLED to have company on my Thursday morning run this past week. I am usually doing my (early) morning runs solo, but Natalie had this past week off for vacation and we managed to work it out so that we could run together one morning. The best option was Thursday…I had 5 miles on tap so she came over around 4 a.m. and we headed out, running together down to the YMCA and then back to the apartment. We had great discussions and enjoyed the last morning of cooler temps.
And then last night we put our season tickets to work by taking in the Louisville City FC (that would be Louisville’s professional soccer team…they play at Slugger Field and if you haven’t gone to a match, you’re missing out!) match. It was hot, but what a game. We were up in the 2nd half…until a late goal by Wilmington Hammerheads FC tied it up in stoppage time. And, while we put though a valiant effort to come back, we just didn’t have time. So we drew…2-2. MEH. But I’ll take a draw over a loss. Tonight, Natalie is coming over for dinner. I’m cooking up some Cauliflower Breadsticks and Smokey Zucchini Cakes. There will probably be peach wine too.
3. Cotton Candy Gapes…(IN SUMMER!!)
Nothing makes me happier than the return of Cotton Candy Gapes!!
If you haven’t tried these yet…you are SO missing out. These plump, juicy, all-natural green grapes (non-GMO too) is a new variety of grape that is brought to you by Grapey. These grapes actually do taste like that pink spun-sugar treat that you get at festivals and fairs. And I mean exactly like cotton candy. Cathy spotted these at the Whole Foods in Louisville yesterday, so this is my afternoon snack this week!! So excited. I do know that Kroger eventually started carrying them last year. Anyway, if you love cotton candy, but could do without all the stickiness and ALL THE GRANULATED SUGAR that comes in that fluffy treat…these grapes…will blow your mind. They will blow your mind anyway. Try them. Trust me.
4. Zootopia on Blu-ray…(IN SUMMER!!)
Well, I wrapped up the Disney Animated Movies In Order marathon viewing last weekend, but one more was just released. And it is one of my favorites. ZOOTOPIA! And you better believe I went out to Target on Tuesday and snagged a copy of it.
Seriously…I am Officer Judy Hopps. She’s totally just like me. I relate to this. You will too. If you missed seeing this one…or wasn’t sure what to make of it…trust me…you’ll love it. Redbox it, Netflix it, Buy it. But WATCH IT!
5. Louisville Says Goodbye To The Champ…(IN SUMMER!!)
Okay, I almost didn’t take on the “in summer” part there…but it’s the theme. Regardless, on Friday, Louisville, Kentucky put on a beautiful, memorable goodbye to The Greatest. Muhammad Ali’s procession, burial, and memorial was held in Louisville this past week and it was a memorable and beautiful event.
All week since he passed away, the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville became a memorial to the late boxer. Now, I didn’t grow up watching boxing or knowing much about the sport. That being said, I do know a lot about Muhammad Ali. You can’t live in this city and not know much about The Greatest. I was able to watch the last couple hours of the memorial service after work on Friday and the speeches were amazing. Billy Crystal was fantastic when he spoke. I was tearing up during different speeches and admired how stoic the family members were. He was laid to rest in Cave Hill Cemetery. This city mourned, celebrated, and came together to celebrate the life of this hometown hero. RIP, CHAMP. RIP!
My trip to the Ren Faire this weekend has been pushed to next weekend, which is good…because I think I would have melted out there today. I want to get out and about at some point because I don’t do well just sitting around the apartment on a Sunday, but it will be in air conditioning.
Anyone else happy to have the warmer temps? What is your favorite part of summer?
It was about…Wednesday afternoon…and I’m sitting at work…working (because, what else are you doing at work?)…and all of a sudden I just start to feel…meh. Welcome to the Ohio River Valley. The area of the country where air quality is horrible in the spring and allergies have me all…
Yeah…SUCK!
So, from Thursday on…the struggle has been real. I’ve gone from feeling really good to…meh…back to good all in a matter of an hour. But, this too shall pass, and yes…I will survive.
1. Bondi Band Compression Socks
On Tuesday, my Bondi Band Compression Socks arrived in the mail. All of the #BondiBandAmbassadors got a pair to test drive. I decided to wear mine out to hill repeats. Yep…hill repeats are back in my life…and they still suck. Why am I doing hill repeats? Have you seen the elevation chart to the marathon I’m running in September. They say to train according to your race. My race has HILLS FOR DAYS. I’m struggling with these. It seems I just can’t get the power on the uphills that I used to get. I hope, in time, this will change. But, it’s aggravating and frustrating when you’re one of the first people to head up a hill and get passed up by every one on the way to the top. Stupid hip.
Anyway…the point of this tale was to say, the Bondi Band Compression Socks (and they do sleeves) are comfortable and nice. And they come in fun patterns. I was secretly hoping for argyle, but I was sent the pirate ones. As I was born on National Talk Like A Pirate Day…this will do. Head over to Bondi Band‘s Web site and check them out. If you place an order, please feel free to use my discount code to get 10% off your purchase. When you checkout, use CELIATHLETE.
2. Meal Prep
Yesterday, I felt like a total rockstar. I got up…and muddled through a 14 mile solo run around my town because the usual suspects I run with were all doing the Barn Yard Dash up at Hubers. They were also winning ALL THE AWARDS! That being said…I had planned to do 16 miles in Frankfort with two amazing runners that my coach, Linda Word, also coaches. I had to cancel due to feeling like death in a pollen-infused bubble. MEH. So, I went out on my own, early, and got it done…before 8 am. Afterwards, I went to get coffee, breakfast, hit up the Farmers Market, do the rest of the grocery shopping, and then…I got into my kitchen and made ALL THE MEALS for this week. ALL THE MEALS. They are done and in the fridge…ready to go. Seriously. And this was all accomplished before 4:30 p.m. I think all the cooking and prep only took 2.5 hours at most. I’m getting the hang of this meal prep thing, I think! This also means that I have my entire Sunday to do whatever I want, instead of stressing out over making all the meals for the week, which is my usual Sunday panic/freak-out. YAY!
3. Future Sister Time
Karla & Landon at the Birmingham Color Run on May 28
Nothing will brighten my day more than a text or call from my sister. Especially when said contact means she is planning a trip up this way. This time, she’s aiming at bringing Landon up with her. Now, Landon is a bit of a soccer star there in Alabama, so I thought, if it worked with the schedule, doing a Louisville City FC match with them. I would, because I am an awesome auntie, spoil Landon rotten and get him a scarf or shirt or whatever he wanted. And food. And the match. I love seeing my sister and spending time with her and her kiddliewinks. I am SO excited. Now she just needs to dial in on a weekend. I can’t wait to spend some time with her. It’s never long enough, but it is better than nothing.
4. Runner Girl
Dean, one of the numerous friendships that I have made in the local running community here in Louisville, is quite the craftsman. He has gifted many a female runner with these amazing wooden Runner Girl’s that he makes himself. I was on the receiving end of one today at the Breakfast Club run (where I did 2 more miles than I thought I was going to do…quicker than I intended). She is hanging proudly off the rearview mirror of my car. Super special. This little gift meant a lot to me, for real. It’s the little things in life that mean the most to me. This was one of them. So, thank you, Dean, for this little token. It lifted my spirits after a hard week…and totally just makes my car look complete! I display her proudly!
5. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of Warm Weather
I won’t lie. I would much rather sweat it out and fight through hot weather than step outside and run in cold weather. Warm weather is my friend and I love being out in it. But humidity…humidity and I don’t even talk. I can gut anything out in the heat, but add that sweltering, stifling humidity to it and I’m all…
Couple that with the allergy issues I mentioned above, and every run has just felt…so much harder. You know, it’s summer. And the past 2 summers I’ve pretty much sat out thanks to injury after injury after injury…and I have been wanting to gut out another summer of running. I’m weird…the heat doesn’t bother me much. I can go out in any dry (not humid) heat and rock a run that when I finish I’m all…
…but this week has just been humid. And my 14 mile solo run was not what I had expected nor wanted on Saturday. But I got it done…pain-free. So…if I have to conquer allergies and humidity all over again for the first time since 2013…I will. I can do this. And I’ll smile, even after a disappointing run…
Any day I am able to run without pain is a good day. Even when the run is anything but good. I’m thankful and blessed for each day I am able to do what I haven’t been able to do for far too long.
So, remember, bad runs happen. Keep smiling.
6. Stress Relief
This past Wednesday was National Running Day! YAY, RUNNERS!! And running has been quite the stress reliever for me. However, given the amount of time I had been forced to take off due to all the injuries…sometimes where activity was very limited, I lost a lot of my good habits I started to embrace back in 2013. And I have been really starting to get mad at myself for stress eating and just eating out of boredom. That being said, instead of doing the organized 4 mile group run for National Running Day (it’s okay…I dedicated 6 miles that morning to 2 friends who currently are injured and can’t run) on Wednesday, I was meeting with my sports nutritionist and she and I are focusing on a plan to break me of bad habits and what I do when I do get stressed out. I am already feeling a bit better about things and am working to do a few other things, nutrition-wise, that will help me in the long run (ha…punny). Stress is no joke…and it affects everyone differently. It puts me in a dark, unhappy place and I’m not happy there. Time to get out of it. I’m sure there will be days I fail…because I’m human…but I’m being proactive before this becomes more difficult and harder to fix.
What struggles have you been dealing with lately? How do you break yourself of bad habits? Did you do something for National Running Day?
Product: Sweet Note Gluten Free French Toast Bagels – $7.25
Breakfast. Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day…but the most versatile and best meal…in the history of ever.
Anything can be breakfast, honestly. There was a time when a cold slap of pizza would carry me through my morning classes to lunch time. That was a very long time ago. Back when a container of spaghetti was fair game for brekkies.
That being said, I have always been a fan of “real” breakfast food. Seriously. Breakfast has always been the most magical and wonderful meal of the day. My mom made it a point to cook a hot breakfast for myself and my two siblings every morning before sending is off to school. It was always something different…nothing fancy…but just what we needed.
We were also that family that would eat pancakes for dinner. Or scrambled eggs. Maybe waffles or French toast. Yep…breakfast has always been one of my favorite things in the history of ever.
So, you can only imagine how my mind was blown when the Crazy Bagelers at Sweet Note Bakery put together the ultimate fusion of ultimate breakfast favorites. Bagels (because…New Yorker here!)…and French toast.
YES…introducing the ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Gluten Free French Toast Bagel.
FRENCH. TOAST. BAGEL.
Let those three words sink in for just one moment…
…one epic moment.
Because this, my friends, is epic breakfast food. Bagel fusion at its finest, for real! Imagine, if you will, the most perfect, dense, chewy, amazing New York-style bagel. Now…imagine if it tasted like maple syrup and dreams. Can you imagine it? If not, you’re in luck…because this heavenly breakfast food is available through Sweet Note Bakery’s online store.
It’s Friday…and I was out of the vegan and gluten-free pumpkin pancakes I made earlier in the week. I asked my roommate if bagels were okay in the morning. She agreed. So, as is my typical Friday morning…I did my core work, my physical therapy exercises, and all that before heading to my 5:30 am spin class. Upon my return, I turned on the oven, greeted the roomie who was on the couch, ready for the freshly brewed coffee. She got a nice warm cup of coffee and I pulled the last package of Sweet Note Bakery bagels out of my freezer (don’t worry…four new packages that I ordered came in today). It was the (amazing sounding) Gluten Free French Toast Bagels. I set out to my usual perfect thawing method…heat for 30 seconds on side, flip over, heat for another 30 seconds. Let sit for about 30 seconds…slice…toast in oven. It’s simple…and this has been the best way to not get harder parts on the bagel when you thaw them in the microwave. My microwave is ancient…but it came with the apartment…so maybe that just happens with my caveman microwave…but this helps even out the heat and allows the bagel to get to that right level of softness to make the knife slip right through. I placed them on a baking sheet, stuffed them in the oven, and went to take a shower. 15 minutes later, I was out of the shower, dressed, and pulling these amazing smelling bagels out of the oven. Seriously…it smelled like…like warm maple syrup and pancakes. But like toasty bagels too.
Before leaving for spin, I pulled the Daiya Vegan Cream Cheese out of the fridge and measured out two servings. Then, I sifted in a bit of confectioners sugar and drizzled in a bit of maple syrup. I whipped it all together and put it back in the fridge to chill. This is what got spread over each half of the Sweet Note Gluten Free French Toast Bagels. To finish it off in true chefy fashion, each half got a small additional drizzle of pure maple syrup. I walked out a bagel to my roommate, schmeared with my special cream cheese and set her to feasting. I went back to prepare my own…ready to dive in because I was H-U-N-G-R-Y. And these smelled A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
As I was preparing to grab my own cup of coffee and settle in on the couch to watch some of the news before heading to work, I asked her what she thought. She was chewing…and didn’t actually answer me. I asked her later on and she said, “I don’t know where the French Toast part came from, but they were tasty.” I explained that the French Toast part of the name probably comes from the cinnamon and maple flavor that infuse the bagel and rests atop it too. Finger-licking-good!
Sweet Note Gluten Free French Toast Bagels with a schmear of Vegan Sweet Maple Cream Cheese and Coffee!!
So, here is my more thorough take on the Sweet Note Gluten Free French Toast Bagels. Do you love a breakfast that you can pour maple syrup over and devour? Do you like French Toast? Do you like bagels? Texture-wise…the Sweet Note Gluten Free French Toast Bagels taste like…a bagel. But the sugar-y, maple-infused top and bagel itself, with that little brush of cinnamon flavor…definitely makes you think of French Toast. Without that weird egg-y flavor/texture that you can sometimes get. It’s, honestly, the perfect fusion of two of the most amazing breakfast foods. I loved the little hint of spice that the cinnamon adds, and the sugary sprinkle on top was a very nice touch. That maple flavor is key, though, making it taste like pancakes and bagels and French toast and breakfast. All the breakfast. I think the sweetness that the confectioners sugar added to the cream cheese made for the perfect topping for this breakfast treat. I mean, powdered sugar and French Toast go together like…pancakes and syrup. The maple syrup that was stirred in added to that French Toast appeal. And yeah…I had to remind myself to slow down and savor my breakfast instead of just gobbling it down mindlessly because it tasted so amazing. That perfect golden toasted crust and that soft and chewy dense center…ah…so good. So very good…and reminiscent of the bagels I could eat back before the Celiac diagnosis. Seriously, no one would guess these were gluten-free if they were just given one to eat.
So, what exactly goes into this breakfast nosh of dueling breakfast treats? Well, I can tell you! The Sweet Note Gluten Free French Toast Bagels are made from love (yep…that’s an actual ingredient), water, white rice flour, tapioca flour, sweet white rice flour, sorghum flour, sugar, cane syrup, molasses, maple syrup, yeast, xanthan gum, psyllium husk, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. As with all other Sweet Note Bakery bagels, the French Toast variety is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, egg-free, peanut & tree nut-free, and cholesterol free. And breakfast heaven.
As far as nutritional information goes, these bagels have all the basics covered. A serving of the Sweet Note Gluten Free French Toast Bagels is 4.5 ounces (128 grams), or one (1) bagel. This bagel will serve you up 310 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 65 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 14 grams sugar, and 4 grams protein. Due to the higher fiber and protein, these will leave you feeling full all the way through lunch. I know the sugars seem a bit high, but it’s a French Toast bagel. There’s going to be sugar. Worth it.
Okay…so if you still haven’t tried Sweet Note Gluten Free Bagels…what are you waiting for? I have reviewed every single one of them…so look up the tag “Bagels” on my site and look them over. Seriously…you need these in your life. Whether you have to eat gluten-free or not, these taste amazing and are the most authentic gluten free bagels I have ever eaten. The first time I ate one, I had to double-check the package to make sure they were seriously gluten free. Small, dense, and NY-style all the way…you’ll love every bite of the French Toast bagels…or any of the other varieties.
Hop over to their Web site and check them out. Just…trust me!
The Celiathlete 