Hey guys! Hope you’re having a great weekend so far. Mine’s been pretty good: worked all of yesterday, and am looking forward to spending the day with my mama! Even though I was at the restaurant for 12 hours yesterday, I found five things that made me simply and completely happy.
1. Cookie dough for breakfast. By way of Kath and Heather and encouraged by Janetha, I finally made a bowl of blended oatmeal. The recipe was inspired by Kath and perfected by Heather here; I followed it exactly except I used soy milk, less stevia, and only 1/2 square of Baker’s unsweetened chocolate. (The only way I can eat unsweetened chocolate straight is by mixing it up with a lot of goodies!)
Like Janetha, I also blended in a packet of protein powder; I picked up a couple single-serving packets at my health food store, and I’m trying a bunch to see which I like best. Although this was unsweetened, I found that it mixed well with the oats and wasn’t lacking in flavor. I wouldn’t have wanted it to be sweeter!
Anyway, back to the smoothie. It was so dense, with a refreshingly not-too-sweet taste; I actually had to eat it in two sittings- 2/3 at 10:30, 1/3 around 2- because it was so filling! I was satisfied for five hours, which is no small feat when I’m on my feet all day and don’t get to eat again until after 4. This is a keeper!
2. Fresh air.
Even on a borrowed stoop, sitting on who knows what, wind blowing the hair into my mouth… for one, glorious hour, I sat outside, eating my lunch, warm air on my bare shoulders, and the stress of a busy day at the restaurant was completely forgotten.
3. Mini treats from Starbucks.
How genius is this? Single-portion, all under 200 calories, the perfect mid-day, mid-shift treat. I’m kind of obsessed with these salted caramel pecan fudge squares.
4. Lemon zest.
Lemons and I are currently having a not-so-secret love affair… Ari knows all about it, unfortunately… I’ve been flaunting my trysts by sprinkling almost all of our dishes with this gorgeous spring flavor.
Like these.
NUTTY LEMON BRUSSELS SPROUTS
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and cut into quarters
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons walnuts, coarsely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest + more for garnish, about 1lemon’s worth
- freshly ground pepper, salt
- parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 400 and spread Brussels sprouts on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Sprinkle with walnuts, olive oil, and lemon zest; gently toss to combine evenly. Add a few cranks of fresh salt and pepper.
Bake for 25-30 minutes; I like mine extra crispy so I went for the full 30.
Remove from oven and garnish with additional lemon zest and parmesan, if desired.
5. Simple, delicious food.
After my 12-hour work day, all I wanted was an open-faced sandwich on raisin-sunflower bread with spinach, apple, avocado, and melted white cheddar.
I ate while catching up on Grey’s Anatomy. And there was no place I’d rather have been on a Saturday night.
What five things are making you happy today?
oh i love lemons! so refreshing. my 5:
1.sufjan stevens on rainy grey mornings
2. black kona coffee
3. rest day today
4. not resting my wallet today, maybe some good shopping in my future
5. a nice eggs and bacon brunch
That recipe looks excellent. I want to try that sometime.
5 things that are making me happy:
1. Sunshine
2. Baking sweet potato corn muffins first thing this am
3. Reading the book Prep
4. Drinking hot tea
5. Buying supplies for my Etsy shop
1.) Dancing with Suave Slav
2.) Trip to Whole Foods
3.) Watching Real Housewives reruns (guilty pleasure!)
4.) Feeling strong, confident
5.) Beginning of a new month
1. Espresso with almond milk
2. New workout tunes
3. Cinnamon
4. Drive in the country with my grandpa
5. New earrings
I made nearly that exact Brussels sprout recipe for Easter for my entire family. They loved them! I added a little bit of dried cranberries for extra sweetness. MMm so good
1. Finals week is nearly finished.
2. I made picture-perfect waffles this morning with the waffle iron, on my FIRST try
3. My kitties, who have been following me around the house all weekend.
4. The weather. So absolutely gorgeous.
5. Summertime gardening is here! Love it.
Those Brussels sound amazing. I haven’t had them in forever!
Five things for today:
1. My Birthdayyy!!
2. An incredible 9 miler (the longest I’ve gone since the injury)
3. Cookies
4. Getting phone calls from my relatives
5. It’s gorgeous outside.
Those little treats from Starbucks look fab! Five things making me happy today are:
strawberries (I’ve eaten about 4 bowls full today!)
sunshine
having the rest of the week off work
having time to relax
my upcoming trip to NYC next week!
OK, what is making me happy? This Brussels sprouts recipe. Would never have thought to add lemon zest, but I bet the flavors of the zest, walnuts, and Parm was amazing. Thank you for sharing. Now if only I had some Brussels…walnuts…and Parm. I do have some lemons. Grocery store trip needs to happen soon!
So glad you liked the cookie dough smoothie and that it satiated you as it sounds like you had a long day yesterday. I bet that fresh air at lunch did you some good. I love being outside too. Sunshine is another thing that makes me happy.
Five:
1) HEAB’s cookie dough oat smoothie! I altered it somewhat, but the basis was the same. To die for!
2) A super ride on my horse
3) A good run!
4) The fact I’m about to eat my favourite dinner…
5)…annd…my dissertation is finished!
Happy times!
l. A gorgeous May Day spent with my gorgeous daughter
2. A wonderful brunch at a friendly, new place.
3. The discovery of a beautiful, quiet new park.
4. Visiting a peaceful museum
5. The time and good health to enjoy the other 4.
Eeee!! Just bookmarked another recipe
I’m officially back in the states and so excited to have a blender back in my life (haha!). This cookie dough smoothie sounds insanely delicious and oh so healthy! I’ll have to let you know what I think!!
And oh! I definitely need to tell my mom about starbucks’ mini treats…she loves that kind of stuff! I wouldn’t hate trying some either
Happy Sunday love! Let’s catch up soon, yes?!
mmm sounds like a GLORIOUS weekend!!!
today my pedicure, the weather, seeing my old best friends mom, sleeping ‘late’ and peace & quiet have been my saving grace haha
i’ve been dying to make a cookie dough oatmeal smoothie thing! next weekend fo sho
i love that there’s single serving protein packets!! must find!
1. the blogging community
2. water– i sweat a lot today ha
3. my pillow– sweat = tiredness
4. fro yo
5. MAY
1. Soft serve ice cream with sprinkles and oreo crumbles that supported a friend who just died of cancer yesterday…
2. Seeing old friend at that ice cream fundraiser
3. Going clay shooting with my boyfriend for the first time!
4. Catching up on tv shows on Hulu with my man
5. 30 minute nap before a 30 minute run:)
1. eating good food with family
2. beautiful weather
3. desserts, lots of them
4. a good cup of coffee
5.and hopefully a good night of sleep
brussel sprouts sound amazing! I love lemon!
Yay for Spirutein! That stuff got me through college!
I love the salted caramel square from starbucks! The only complaint I have about is the crust…I wish it were graham cracker instead of shortbread.
I am loving being able to sit outside now in the sun. Nothing says happiness than parking myself in the sun’s rays, enjoying a snack, reading a book, whatever. Oh how I missed nice weather.
Dude. So filling.
I need to try that smoothie!
Thanks for the great recipe ideas! I love my brussels too!
1. I had the SAME breakfast as you! So funny.
2. Its Cinco de Mayo.
3. Yoga.
4. Finishing up some work.
5. My new road bike. : )
Yeah, you can say I like speed, … Mostly, I just like being around race cars and racing people. It was my hobby and it became my job and I still love it every bit as much as I did when I started.