PUMPKIN BREAD WITH WALNUTS & CHOCOLATE CHIPS

This pumpkin bread recipe was sooo good.  I made a few changes to the original, but I think there are probably several types of nuts / chips you could add for your own twist and it would still be perfect.  Beware, it makes a few loafs so be ready to share! 

You will need:

3 cups white sugar 

1 can pumpkin puree 

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cups water 

4 eggs

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (I put more)

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg 

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1 - 1 1/2 cups walnuts 

(of course the last two are optional, I may even try some roasted pumpkin seeds or almonds next time)

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour your pans!

2. Combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs in a large bowl.  Beat until smooth.  Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.  Stir in nuts and chips.  Fill your baking cans about 1/2 - 3/4 way full 

3. Bake for 45-60 minutes.  I would check at around 45 minutes.  Insert a knife or toothpick, if it comes out clean then your bread is ready.  Cool before removing from pan.  

Happy baking!

BREAKFAST FAVES / VEGGIE EGG SKILLET

If only everyday I could find the time to make a delicious breakfast, but I guess that's what weekends are for.  I had been wanting to make my own version of a veggie "skillet" that I love to order at one of my favorite breakfast joints.  For this, I chopped up onions, red peppers, and red skin potatoes.  I let that cook in olive oil, pepper, and garlic for a while before adding the eggs.  Then I went outside a plucked this basil from my plant (that is still alive, yay!).  Served with a fruit cup and of course, giant coffees. 

Happy Saturday, xx

GLUTEN FREE LAVENDER COOKIES

Are you ready for a delicious treat?!

I'm really into these lavander shortbread cookies (thanks mom).  I posted some she made me on instagram last week and decided I needed to try my own and share the adventure with you. I'm going to give you some options...so in case you're not a freak like me (aka trying to live dairy & gluten free) you can make them the "normal" way.  Have fun, enjoy, and share a few! 

Lavender Shortbread Cookies: 

5/8 cup butter  (earth balance for dairy free)

1/2 cup white sugar (or lower cal sugar substitute of your choice)

1 egg (egg beaters for dairy free)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

1 tablespoon lavender flowers 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten free baking flour)

*the original recipe called for an optional extra 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tbsp lavender for decoration, my mom said it was too strong so I left that part off as well, but that's up to you! 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

Grease cookie sheets 

Cream together the butter and sugar

Beat the egg and blend it into the butter and sugar

Add vanilla, mix in lavender flowers, and the flour

Drop by taespoonfuls onto cookie sheets

Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden

Remove to cooling racks and sprinkle with decorative sugar (optional)

*I ended up taking mine out at about 10 minutes, I'm not sure if it was due to the substitutions I made so you might want to start at 10 and check on them so they don't burn.

xoxo 

ROASTED VEGGIES WITH POMEGRANATE

On June 1st I began a Paleo-Based Diet / Whole 30 challenge.  The idea is getting back to our roots...subtracting processed foods, sugar, dairy, things that are not natural, from our diet.  I read up on the Whole 30 on Free People's blog. It sounds like a great challenge for someone who just wants to try it out or treat is just as a detox or cleanse.  They say anything you do for 30 days becomes habit right?! So anyways, Paleo is based on eating meats, eggs, lots of vegetables, some fruit, and only processed food that have natural and pronounceable ingredients.  I have altered a few things since I am a vegetarian.  I have added eggs and some fish into my diet but otherwise I am substituting with soy protein powder and more beans.  This diet makes total sense.  And for someone who has struggled with food allergies, stomach problems, and weight, I can't believe I didn't start doing this sooner.  In just 5 short days of cutting dairy and sugar from my diet I already feel better and my stomach already looks flatter...no joke.  

I am going to be sharing recipes and healthy snacks that we are eating during this time.  I've started an "eat" category on the left side to organize all of these posts.  I would love to hear other experiences with this diet...have you tried it? 

If you've followed any past food posts, you know I like to keep things simple and I'm unfortuntely not much of a recipe person so bare with me.  The other day I was looking around the store for ways to spruce up my usual dish of baked vegetables.  I saw this beautiful pomegranate and took it home to try out.  I added the seeds and squeezed the juice on brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and onions.  I also squeezed some lemon and added a small spoonful of coconut oil.  I seasoned it with garlic and pepper (remember no salt or butter on this diet! So the juices and spices became the "sauce").  I baked on 350 for about 30 minutes.   Our salad consisted of romaine, tomatoes, mushrooms, strawberries, walnuts, and hard boil egg for more protein.  Again, without using dressing I just squeezed some lemon, added a very small amount of olive oil, and some pepper. 

Happy whole eating!