My Heart Belongs to Justin.

Justin's Nut Butters, that is.

It was the first time I've ever tried Justin's, and also the first time I've ever tried almond butter. Really, I think I'm in love. It was so good. Two tablespoons, and I'm hooked. I WANT MORE! *stomps and pouts.*

Loving on Pilaf

Yesterday, even though bed ridden, felt the need to cook. Katie posted about a pilaf using oats and it sounded so yummy and tummy warming, so I had to try it. I tweaked it and used regular butter and added some rosemary. I haven't been able to get enough of it! It even made an appearance at breakfast this morning.

Egg white omelet with broccoli, cheese and tomatoes paired with Katie's pilaf. Oh, I also had a banana- but most of it got eaten before I had a chance to snap this shot. :)

I also made a microwaved "Single Lady" Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin. YUM. I really liked the taste and the ease, but it seemed really dense. This could be because of the microwaving, so I'll try it in the oven soon and hopefully that will resolve the problem.

BACK TO PILAF!!! No, it wasn't only at my breakfast this morning. Yesterday's lunch and dinner got some pilaf lovin' too.

Stir fried veggies and the pilaf for lunch. I may or may not have licked the plate.

Dinner was a veggie and cheese quesadilla with a pilaf stuffed bell pepper.

I went to the doctor today. It's supposedly a sinus infection. I hate when you feel so much worse than what your doctor says is wrong with you. Oh well. School tomorrow. Yay, catching up. :(

Sick Armadillo Creates Masterpiece!

Sniffle, sneeze, cough, whimper, whine. repeat. I'm not feeling so hot. Today's my THIRD day this week missing school. I can hear the truancy people knocking at my door now. All the Theraflu and hot tea in the world couldn't help me and I don't know why. Meh.

So maybe you've heard of a peanut butter and banana sandwich (PBB). Such a great combo! But have you ever heard of a peanut butter and banana enchilada? No? You have now. A hot gooey banana cocooned in a soft tortilla drizzled (or drenched) with peanut butter sauce on top. Sound delicious? You bet.

Peanut Butter & Banana Enchilada
(PBBE)

• .5-1 banana
• 1 wrap/ tortilla
• 2 tbsp PBU
• cinnamon to taste

Put the banana on the tortilla and microwave for 45 seconds- 1 min. Liberally sprinkle with cinnamon and fold like a burrito. Drizzle the peanut sauce on top and devour!

I feel like in the last few months, I have educated myself and have grown a lot wiser in health. I know that calories are not everything. There are a lot of foods that are high in calories that are so good for you. And just because it's low calorie, doesn't mean it's good for you- at all. Sure, those 100 calorie snacks are handy dandy, and meal replacement bars and shakes are convenient, but those things don't give you the nutrients your body needs! My sister and I were in the store the other day and she was looking for some rice. I asked her to get brown rice. She came back at me saying that it "takes to long to cook" and has more calories than white rice. MORE CALORIES! My heart almost broke when I remember telling her that. That's when I was absorbed in calories and nit picking every box in our house comparing everything to see which has the least amount of calories. NO NO NO! Brown rice is good for you! White rice isn't even comparable. :( Whyyy?!

I've also accepted that fat is your friend. Your body needs fat and you're not doing yourself a favor by buying low fat anything. Saturated fat gets a bad rep (oh, butter) but it's nothing to fear, I promise! Everything in moderation. The only fat I still stray away from is trans fat. That's bad fat, for sure. Eat more peanut butter! Put that little dab of butter on your potatoes! Just don't go overboard and end up consuming half a stick of butter a day. Enjoy what you eat, and don't worry so much about calories and fat. It's bad for your mental health, and you'll get to the point where you don't even enjoy eating anymore. I've been there, and I don't want to go back.

Big Dogs Are Great to Run With. A glimspe from 11-29

Ugg boots, however, are not. What a lesson. I was walking Pico and I decided that the both of us could use a little exercise. We had a good time, running, panting, barking at some passersby. I recommend you go running with your pooch, but definitely not in your Uggs. :(

Speaking of running, I was stupid and went running on an empty stomach and was DYING when I got home. I needed something fast. I looked in the fridge- nothing in there. The pantry was bare too, except for some instant oatmeal. I could go on and on about my love for oatmeal, but I'll save that for another post. The thing is, I hate instant oatmeal. I dug through the fridge again, as if something had magically appeared, but to no avail. So yes, I ended up making instant oatmeal.


I ate them plain, and boy did I feel better.

Yesterday's eatings were a mess. Pancakes with syrup and peanut butter for breakfast. Then went along a banana, a quesadilla, one more spoonful of peanut butter... (okay, it was more like 3) Lunch was a homemade potato soup, but I didn't really feel like eating it. I mindlessly snacked on stuff all day and by the time my dinner bell was a'ringing, I just felt sick. I made roasted veggies anyways.

I'm thankful for...

I'm thankful for a lot of things. Mostly for my little family and the time, music and food we share. But I'm also thankful for the feast I had today.

And yeah, totally not healthy. But it's Thanksgiving, and you can bet I ate my heart out. Excuse me while I go into a food coma.

*


*


*


Oh look I'm alive! Also, I've seen lots of people with Vita-mixes and I want one so so bad. I'd blend, baby, blend- all day!! If anyone sees one on sale, please let me know. Thanks. :)

Things I've eaten lately.

Dear blogging world,

I'm Ashley, and I eat veggies. I've read a lot of blogs, and even more food blogs. The more I read, the more I became inspired to have one of my own. Some of my favorites are:
heathereatsalmondbutter.com (Oh dear, I just realized I kind of stole her name idea. :/) and
chocolatecoveredkatie.com, just to name a few.
They talk about the foods they cook, eat, love, and make healthy. They're quirky and interesting. I want to be quirky and interesting, too! I also strive to live a happy and healthy, too. So here is my attempt to do as they do, and blog blog blog. Forgive me, I'm not a pro at this!


Homemade veggie pot pie. :)



Stir fry veggies and a baked sweet potato.



Heather Eats Almond Butter's Pop-Tart Pancake recipe minus the "frosting."



Oatmeal+banana+peanut butter= heaven in a bowl.


Speaking of bowls, that pink bowl is my favorite. It has a straw built into it (I call it a strauble... straaaaw-bowl?) so you can drink up the milk in your cereal with ease, but I like them for anything. Even though I can't slurp up my oatmeal through it. :(

Can't wait until Thanksgiving tomorrow! The one day in the year you get to pig out without people judging you. Sound like my kind of day! :D

Thanks blogging world.
Love, Ashley.