Almond Apple Breakfast Cake

Hello friends, I have something very delicious to share with you... 

You know that saying, “if you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”… well I was about to with this one. The heat almost got the best of me in my apartment that unfortunately lacks an air-conditioner. Ninety degree weather certainly does not set the mood for baking, but I was inspired so, I hoped and prayed for a delicious end product that would make the sweat and tears all worth it. And it was! 

Here’s what I got - a slightly savory, bread-like, breakfast cake that could easily be turned into a dessert cake with a simple scoop of ice cream. This recipe is superb since it is made with nutritious ingredients like almond meal and oats. I love it because if you choose to indulge in a slice for both breakfast and dessert you can be rest assured you’re starting and ending the day, the healthy way! Hip hip hooray!

Here’s how you do it… 

Ingredients:

2 cups almond meal 

3 eggs

1 cup rolled oats

3 large apples, peeled

1/2 cup milk 

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons cinnamon 

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons apple butter

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Wash, peel, and slice apples (very thinly).
3. Combine almond meal, oats, sugar, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Add melted butter, milk, and oil. 
4. Whisk eggs and add to bowl. Add baking powder.
5. In a separate bowl, toss apple slices with almond butter. 
6. Coat a cake pan with nonstick spray. Pour in cake batter. 
7. Layer apple slices on top of the batter. Arrange so apples cover the top of the cake. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top. 
8. Place pan in the oven for approximately 50 minutes. (Cake should appear golden brown).

Dig in!

A Weekend in the Mile-High City

On Friday, July 9th my sister, Brittany & I traveled to Denver, Colorado...

Day #1
Camping! 

To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was the camping type of girl. I love the outdoors, but there’s something terrifying about being in the wilderness, sleeping with the mountain lions, and not being in close proximity to a shower. However, once the tent was pitched, a fire was started, and mojitos were poured, the trip became quite relaxing. Plus, I had the cutest pup, Ace by my side who’s face eased the anxiety. 

The campsite was located about an hour and a half outside of the city where we were surrounded by incredible mountain views and starry skies. As the sun was setting, we took a short hike up a rocky hill. Afterwards, Brie and Andrew, the most amazing hosts, prepared guacamole, barbecue chicken, and fire roasted sweet potatoes. Later on, a “meat rocket” was prepped consisting of ground beef, chopped onion, peppers, and mushrooms, and a dash of dirt. This baby roasted in the fire for 2 hours and we were all curious as to how it would turn out. Surprisingly, the veggies were cooked just right and it made the perfect midnight snack.

Day #2
Downtown Denver

After returning to civilization, we took a stroll through downtown Denver. Beginning at 16th street, pianos lined the sidewalks where locals performed their favorite songs. This led us to Larimer Square which was decorated with string lights, filled with outdoor tables, and amazing restaurants and bars. Next stop, Union Station… not your typical train station. This place was a dream come true…literally for the bride and groom who were celebrating their wedding in this enchanting space. As our feet tired, we stopped for a drink at View House which was a roof deck bar offering a incredible views of the city and a wide variety of games like volleyball, bean bag toss, etc. A glass of wine and order of sweet potatoes made this the perfect pit stop. Later, we had dinner at City O’ City, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant. This place was super delicious and very creative. I ordered a pizza with apricot jam, brie cheese, and seitan sausage. What a combo! I only wish I had left room for dessert because the “scout” cookie was calling my name - oats, sweet potatoes, and chocolate chips (all of my favorite things).

Day #3
Red Rocks and (attempted) Tubing

We’ve all heard of the amazing Red Rocks theater where only the best of the best go to perform. Although I didn’t see a concert here, I did engage in a workout at the amphitheater in this mile high city. Brittany and I were warned about the difficulty and watched videos to prepare ourselves for what lied ahead. People running up and down the rows, climbing the planters which got steeper each row, and back squatting down… looked incredibly painful. Upon arrival, the planters were taller than me and the altitude certainly took my breath away. After a few bumps and bruises, I’m proud to say I completed a workout at the Red Rocks! Little did I know there were more struggles ahead. We then took a drive to Golden, Colorado to go tubing down a creek. I was so excited for this and ready to hop into the ice cold water. After only (maybe) a minute or two, I had already flipped over, took a tumble under water, and lost my tube. I quickly hopped on with Britt and we got off the next chance we got. This did not go as well as we had planned, but were able to laugh about it later on in the night!

After some blood, sweat and tears, and a couple of episodes of Orange is the New Black, we fired up the grill in Washington Park. Here, we were witnesses to the most beautiful sunset. Our favorite cooks, prepared salmon with special red rocks seasoning, grilled eggplant, and a fabulous couscous salad with cucumber and feta. Having someone else cook for you is such a treat! 

Toaster Waffle + Peaches, Yogurt, & Granola

I don't think I've had a toaster waffle since elementary school. 

During my most recent grocery shopping trip, I walked past the frozen breakfast aisle and came across WHOLE GRAIN TOASTER WAFFLES. I'm definitely behind the time with this one. This has been a breakfast game changer for me. You've probably already caught onto this, but I am not the best at preparing and packing meals during the week. It's quite the struggle for me. 

But now, my mornings have been so easy and I can start the day knowing I have fueled my body right. I love the addition of yogurt to this recipe for an extra punch of protein. If you're not keen on peaches, swap them for fresh berries or your favorite fruit! 

Ingredients:

1 whole grain toaster waffle
1/4 cup plain yogurt
3 tbsp granola
1 peach, chopped
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

Directions:

Place the waffle in the toaster until golden brown. Wash and dice the peach. Once waffle is toasted, scoop yogurt onto the top of the waffle. Top yogurt with granola and diced peaches. Drizzle honey or maple syrup.  

Enjoy! 

Best of Times & Tastiest of Treats [APRIL 2015]

Good Morning!

So, I decided I wanted to share more of my experiences on this roller coaster called life with you. Each month, I will be posting brief summaries of my favorite moments/meals/stories/jokes/whatever it may be right here. Starting with this pretty plate ...

This Eat Your Veggies Bowl from Laughing Planet

This #RD2BE gets serious cravings for veggies. I get nightmares if I haven't consumed several hefty servings.  This particular day was just one of those days the veggies weren't flowing into my belly and I was in dire need of a veggie fix. Visiting Laughing Planet for this veggie bowl was the best thing I could do since they are just as serious about serving vegetables as I am eating them.

A weekend spent at the Oregon Vineyards

As passionate as I am for food, there is something "fermenting" inside me that's just dying to learn more about wine. There is something so classy and sophisticated about having a glass of wine with dinner. I am not calling myself a wine snob, but my taste buds are slowly learning what a nice glass of wine ought to taste like. I am finding myself more and more curious about different varietals and food pairings. This just sounds so fun! One day, I will be a sommelier! 

A step in the right direction at Tryon State Park

Training for the Foot Traffic Flat half marathon on Sauvie Island on July 4th has begun! I am increasing the mileage every week and I'm pretty sure one these days my feet might just fall off. BUT I am sticking to a workout routine and feeling great! Here you can find me on a lengthy trail run. 

A fresh take on pasta at a new neighborhood restaurant

Oh, yes... it is open. Oak & Olive, a new Italian restaurant in the quaint little town of Hillsdale has opened its doors to the community. I can't tell you how nice it is to finally have a true Italian restaurant nearby. Portland has some of the best food I've ever had in my life, but Italian hasn't it made it to my list until this little cutie. The menu consists of homemade pasta and pizza dough, fresh salads, osso bucco, and pork tenderloin. The agnolotti, fresh pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach, and topped with cherry tomatoes deserves two thumbs up!

FRIENDS ---> please share some of your favorite things {in the comment box} this month!

Roasted Parsnip Fries

We're really getting fancy with our fry selection. French fries, sweet potato fries, and now parsnip fries. I have to admit I've been so curious as to why so many recipes for parsnip fries are popping up all over Pinterest.

Yesterday, I was in the produce aisle of the grocery store and I wanted to try something new. And then I saw parsnips. So, I bought a few and the next day they were washed, sliced, and thrown in the oven ready to become part of the fry sensation.

After 30 minutes, I was hooked! Parsnip fries are totally delicious. Dipped in a little bit of ketchup, they make the perfect pair to any meal. Plus, they're way healthier than your run of the mill french fries. Go ahead, try for yourself!


Roasted Parsnip Fries

Ingredients:
3 large parsnips
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp minced garlic

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Wash and lightly peel parsnips. Slice into thin strips.
3. In a bowl, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.
4. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
5. Spread the fries out onto the baking sheet and place in the oven until golden brown (~25-30 minutes).

Serves 4

A [Quick] Weekend in Paradise

Sand. Sunshine. Mojitos. Paradise.

This is how I spent my weekend...and it was absolutely perfect. Throughout the past few years, I have spent a lot of time in Los Angeles. Since starting the dietetic internship and moving to Portland I haven't visited in a while so, I was extremely excited to make my return to the land where summer never ends.

This trip made me realize something about myself - I don't like to stay in the same place for a long time. I like to travel and explore new places, things, and people. It's so fun to soak in other cultures, experiences, and cuisines. It keeps things interesting and exciting. It stimulates the mind! Even short trips like this get my mind refreshed and excited to keep traveling and even get back to the swing of things in internship land.

My first day in Southern California was spent in Catalina Island. As soon as you step off the ferry, you really feel like you're in another country. So quaint, so peaceful, so perfect.

I parked myself on the beach for the day and I am proud to say the mojitos started flowing at 10:30 am. A vacation isn't a vacation without a good mojito. After hours of pure bliss and sunbathing, the beau and I rented a kayak and paddled our way around the island. Sunshine and warm weather is certainly a huge motivator for me to be active. Incredible views like these don't hurt either (look for yourself ---->).

After working up an appetite, we splurged on a fancy Italian dinner which was heaven on a plate. We started off with some fried calamari followed by linguini and clams + chicken parmesan. We continued to walk around town stopping in cute little boutiques until it was time to take the last possible ferry back to LA.

The next (and sadly final day) was spent on Santa Monica beach. I made it my job to get as much vitamin D as possible... and a tan. Santa Monica promenade is possibly one of the most lively places I've ever seen. Every few steps, you find yourself stopping to witness the talented musicians and street performers.

Later that night, I met up with some old friends at Mike & Anne's, a great restaurant in South Pasadena with outdoor seating in a courtyard trimmed with white lights. We shared a bunch of appetizers including a pomegranate salad, brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, and olives. Our waitress joked at our dietitian-like dinner choices. It's funny when you haven't seen someone in almost a year and yet it feels like no time has passed at all. This night was filled with a lot of laughs and later some fro yo.

I couldn't have had a better time or have been surrounded by better people. The message of this story is to stay curious, see new places, and live a little. Sometimes putting yourself out there and breathing in the fresh air is just as nourishing for the mind and body as feeding it well.

Cinnamon Vanilla Overnight Oats

Overnight oats have been a real life saver for both me and my stomach. Prepping meals for the day ahead is not a strong suit of mine. A great deal of effort goes into packing a yogurt cup, granola bar, and banana. So, since overnight oats have been discovered they have made their way onto my menu on nearly a daily basis. They're quick, delicious, and very satisfying - and so they shall stay on my makeshift menu. As someone who prefers to snack throughout the day, some days are busier than others and snacks don't always fit in between meals. Oatmeal is my best bet on these hectic days due to their high fiber content which keeps my belly full until I can fill it again.

Ingredients:

1/2 c oats

3/4 c milk (low fat, soy, almond, etc)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

1/2 tsp maple syrup 

1 tbsp chia seeds

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a jar overnight. Heat in the morning. Eat!

5 Tips for Being Positively Productive

I don't know about you, but sometimes I let procrastination get the best of me. When there's so much to explore on a sunny day, which we've been lucky to have so many here in Portland, it's easy to put everything on the back burner. This often leads to trouble - late nights, cram sessions, and just too much to do in so little time. So, my friends at Kabbage, a company that empowers small businesses (and blogs) to follow their dreams by providing funds to grow big and strong, inspired me to compile a list of some of my essential tips for being your most productive self!

#1 Write it down
Grab a piece of paper, a planner, or white board (whatever you're most likely to look at) u'd create a list of the tasks at hand. Whether it's to write a paper, do laundry, go for a run, or attend a meeting, having it all written down in ink will help you visualize how to schedule your time.

#2 Prioritize
Now that you have your handy dandy list, consider what's most urgent. Can the laundry wait? Is the paper due at midnight? I usually like to stick with whatever's due first.

#3 Brain Food
Being productive can be exhausting. Or, you may just get hungry out of boredom. Having something healthy to munch on will help you fight through mental blocks. My favorite productivity snack is a handful of raw cashews with dark chocolate chunks.  yum.  Oh, and a cup of coffee or tea will do wonders!

#4 The Perfect Playlist
Put in your headphones and pick a playlist on spotify - Chill, Focus, Intense Studying (whatever floats your boat).  This will help set the mood for a productive day.

#5 Minimize Distractions (aka put the cellphone away!)
Yeah, those text messages are just flooding in, but you won't get very far when your honey is trying to say hey. So do yourself a favor and put your phone away. Every hour take a 15 minute break and use this time to check in with friends.


{Brain Food Recipe} Bite Size Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Cookies


For entrepreneurs looking for some more productivity tips, check out Kabbage's website and blog!




[Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.]

Apple + Granola Breakfast Cookies

Do you ever skip breakfast just because there isn't enough time to prepare a meal on top of getting ready in the morning, making the next bus, or maybe just due to a bad hair day? If this describes you (& frizz gets to the best of us), meet your new best friend...

These apple + granola breakfast cookies will provide you with the fuel you need to get the day running with your best foot forward. They are packed with fiber to keep you fuller longer and are easy to grab and go when on the run. They're not only perfect for the working woman/man, but they are also super easy to pack in a kid's lunchbox for a healthy snack. Give them a try! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 medium apple, finely chopped
1/2 cup granola
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a baking pan with nonstick spray or oil.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, oats, and apple sauce. Mix.
3. Mix in the egg and butter.
4. Add the apple, granola, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir.
5. Place 2" balls of dough onto the baking pan. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes ~ 15 cookies

5 Minute Black Bean + Salsa Tacos

Hello everybody! SO sorry to have been away from my blog for so long. Good news is you'll be seeing a lot more recipes popping up on Noms McGee from now on. Like this one... Black Bean & Salsa Tacos!

So,  part of the reason why I haven't been making too many recipes is because I started this thing called grad school which consumes most of my life. But, it has provided me with inspiration to create healthy meals in minutes.... yes, minutes! As a grad student, I come home hungry, or hangry is probably a better word. The only thing on my mind riding the bus home is what can I whip up that will feed me asap! Well, this recipe did just the trick and now it is has become a weeknight staple. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients:
6 corn tortillas
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 can tomato paste
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup prepared salsa
1 small avocado

Directions:
1. Warm tortillas in a pan for 2 minutes on each side.
2. In a bowl, mash the drained beans and mix with tomato paste.
3. Spoon black bean mash onto center of tortillas. (approximately 2 tbsp)
4. Top each tortilla with a tablespoon of salsa, yogurt, and avocado.

Enjoy!



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