First up: here are two breakfasts. Cheesy grits topped with leftover chicken (1/4 cup grits, cooked in water; cheese added at the end). There was a little bit of avocado on there too (avocado came with the chicken salad that this is leftover from).

Oat bran cooked with protein powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and a dash of salt. Topped with sesame seeds and maple syrup.

Have you tried Averie’s raw vegan cookie dough balls yet? Okay, mine are not balls (the first batch was), nor do they have chocolate chips. They are so simple to make.

Averie-inspired Raw Vegan Cookie Dough Yum

Ingredients (1 serving)

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• a little bit of water

Directions

Mix syrup and flour together. Add a few drops of water at a time until you get your desired consistency. I like mine a little bit too wet for balls (TWSS?).

Variations

• part wheat germ, part flour (my favorite)
• part wheat bran, part flour
• ground nuts for flour (Averie‘s original recipe)
• part oatmeal or oat bran, part flour
• grind oatmeal/oat bran in the blender and sub for flour

I also made bread the other day. I just took my Easy Peasy Pizza Dough recipe and subbed in a few things for the flour. Instead of 3.5 cups of flour, I used the dregs of a cornbread mix (maybe 1/4 cup – Jiffy brand), some Heart Smart Bisquick, and whole wheat flour. It came out well. It was a little dense, but yummy with soft butter.

I have 3 more pictures of healthy yums, but I’ll save them for when I’m on the road and lacking in delicious food.

I can’t wait to pick up Sophia tonight and go to the Foodbuzz Festival.

What are you doing this weekend? You know what I’m doing.

Like this post? Check out...

• October 8, 2010 -- How to Maintain Good Health (Cafe) Habits
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• May 9, 2008 -- Strawberry Lychee Couscous Cake
• June 28, 2011 -- Complex Versus Simple Carbohydrates

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Brancakes (Healthy Pancakes)

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1/2 cup wheat bran
• 1/4 cup mix: oat bran & wheat germ (I did half and half)
• dash of salt
• 1 teaspoon stevia
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder + 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• wet: 2 egg whites, 1/3 cup kefir, 1/3 cup water (more or less water as needed)
• toppings: butter, real maple syrup

Directions

1. Sift together (or just mix well) all the dry ingredients (wheat bran, oat bran, wheat germ, salt, stevia, baking powder, baking soda).
2. Add the egg whites, kefir, and water. Add the water gradually until the batter is thin enough. It should be about the same consistency as kefir, but obviously more bran-ey. Sometimes I have to add a lot of water, other times I don’t. Experiment.
3. Heat a pan to high heat and spray with cooking oil or butter. Scoop portions of the batter (I divided mine into 3 cakes total). Reduce heat to medium. Cook on the first side until bubbles start to come through and they stay open (about 5-6 minutes).
4. Flip the cakes. Cook for another 3-4 minutes.
5. Serve topped with real maple syrup and butter.

These were fantastic. They are filling, fairly low calorie, and delicious. I like to add a fair amount of butter and syrup which is why I like my base to be lower in calories. You could use 1 whole egg instead of 2 egg whites and it would come out just as well.

Yesterday’s blogger meetup was so fun! Check out Kath’s post for the details. Kath and Jenna (who I met once before) are so down-to-earth and fun. I hope I can see them both again. I also met some readers and another local blogger that I hope to meet up with again soon. When I get my pictures uploaded I’ll post about the day more.

Bobby and I ended up skipping out on the free concert (Train, Howie Day, Dashboard Confessional, Colbie Caillat) because we started walking there – and after almost 2 hours of walking (okay, very slow walking with shopping stops) we were still almost 4 miles away. We ditched it, took BART back to the Ferry Building, picked up lunch, and met up with some of Bobby’s high school friends. The we came home, exhausted, and totally zoned out all night.

What did you do this weekend?

Like this post? Check out...

• September 10, 2010 -- NuNaturals Giveaway (Free Stevia!)
• October 14, 2008 -- New Idea
• October 9, 2008 -- 09 October 2008
• August 21, 2010 -- What’s Up Saturday – 8.21.10
• October 6, 2010 -- The Non-Hunger Diaries: How I Eat And Move {Part 2 of 2}

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This is my surprise!

I got a new-to-me Nikon D40 on Craigslist! It came with a different lens than the kit lens (one for longer distances), so I need to get a close-up lens too. The guy did give me the kit lens for free, but it’s broken – if I can get it fixed I might.

In between figuring out my camera and procrastinating, I found time to scare the cats.

Bo thinks I’m being stupid.

I love the camera. I made this for breakfast yesterday (recipe to come) – “brancakes“:

Nice picture, right? Back later. Happy Sunday! P.S. There’s a free concert today in Golden Gate Park featuring Train, Colbie Caillat, and Howie Day. It’s noon-5pm; Bobby and I will be there for at least some of it.

P.P.S. Bobby is going to start doing P90X and I might try some of the exercises with him. Any thoughts? (He was going to try training for a half-marathon, but I think this is a better option.)

Like this post? Check out...

• December 13, 2007 -- Whole Wheat Oatmeal Bread Recipe
• October 19, 2009 -- DVF Exercises – DVF Stretching – Diane Von Furstenberg Workout
• September 27, 2010 -- What’s Up Monday – 9.27.10
• November 18, 2009 -- Kombucha My Kabocha
• October 22, 2009 -- Day With Dad

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Protein Fiber Crepes

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• scant 1/3 cup wheat bran (or oat bran, or whole wheat flour)
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (I used PB2 powder)
• stevia or other sweetener, to taste (I did about 2 teaspoons stevia)
• dash of salt
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup water
• toppings: kefir, real maple syrup, grapes

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients (except the toppings) together. Beat it well. You may add more or less water to get the right consistency. It should be smooth, but not watery.
2. Heat a nonstick pan over high heat. Lightly spray with cooking oil.
3. Pour 1/3 of the batter into the pan. Let it cook through until you can flip it. Repeat with the rest of the batter.
4. Top with your desired toppings. Maple syrup (real, of course) is my favorite.

The crepes alone (no toppings, using PB2) offer up just 160 calories, 33 grams of protein, 8.3 grams of fiber, 16.3 carbohydrates, and 3.6 grams of fat. Using real peanut butter will obviously give you more healthy fats; I’ll probably try this at some point. Once you add the kefir and maple syrup you’ll have a very well-rounded breakfast. Mine came out kind of ugly, but that’s because my non-stick pan is no longer non-stick.

I recently found a fantastic deal on Coombs Family Farms maple syrup thanks to Alisa at One Frugal Foodie. I got 4 pounds (2 jugs) of organic syrup for just $26.00 on Amazon, and free shipping. All you have to do is pick your maple syrup and use the code BASCOM35 when you check out. You get an additional 15% off if you sign up for their subscription program, which you can just cancel after you get your syrup. My order arrived 2 days after I sent it in. The deal ends on September 30, so make your order quick! I picked Grade B, which is really flavorful.

I also made a version of these crepes yesterday – they included chia seeds and Amazing Grass Supergreens. For some reason they were not crepe-like in the least; they were more like a mushy bran scramble. They tasted fine, but they were quite hideous. I’ll spare you the picture.

Okay, I have no idea why I’m awake at 5AM when I went to bed after 1AM. I’m going to make the most of it and try to be productive. Off to post at A Love of Words…

P.S. Have you submitted your healthy pasta recipes yet?

P.P.S Last chance at Katie’s giveaway!

Like this post? Check out...

• May 31, 2008 -- Review: Gelayo Gusto (Mountain View)
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• September 24, 2010 -- I Can’t Budget
• October 23, 2010 -- What’s Up Saturday – 10.23.10

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Corn Bitelettes with a Hint of Orange

Ingredients (makes 27 bites)

• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 egg whites
• 3/4 cups orange juice
• 1/2 cup corn meal
• 1/2 cup wheat bran (or flour)
• 1/4 cup oat bran (or flour)
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425F.
2. Mix together the wet ingredients (olive oil, egg whites, OJ).  Mix together the dry ingredients (corn meal, wheat bran, oat bran, baking powder, salt).  Mix them together.  Add the corn! and mix well.
3. Drop tablespoons of batter into mini-muffin cups.
4. Bake for 18-19 minutes at 425F.

Enjoy! I wish I had thought to put cheese on them.  That would have been perfect.  These are delicious and corny and oh-so-yum.  I hope you try them   Since I forgot to put cheese on top, slathered on some fresh whipped butter.  It was great.

Like this post? Check out...

• January 8, 2012 -- Humbled.
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• August 31, 2009 -- Raw Cheese? In a salad it’s all good…
• June 13, 2010 -- Honeymoon Planning & Couples Massage

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Menu for the Week of April 12 – April 18

Sunday dinner – kabocha w/parm, butter, brown sugar + salad for Leng’s salad challenge (spinach, tomato, sauteed corn + onions, parmesan, Newman’s Own lowfat sesame ginger dressing); dessert – rice cakes spread with Greek yogurt + brown sugar, grapes, + a little bit of raw cookie dough (nom)

Dinner ideas

• steamed kabocha with parmesan + brown sugar + butter (it’s good, I swear)
• zucchini quiche/frittata
• salads (greens + a topping + a protein + dressing optional)
• egg scramble (using up groceries)
• moving day! (lease starts Friday; probably will eat out)
• YogaFit day! (eating out – too tired to cook!)
• sushi?

Lunch ideas

• salads (greens + a topping + a protein + dressing optional)
• tuna salad
• egg white omelettes
• peanut butter sandwiches

Breakfast ideas

• fruit + yogurt + granola parfaits
• oatmeal/oat bran/wheat bran
• toast (my new love)
• cold cereal (bran cereal + new wheatabix) with fruit

Dessert ideas

• fruit (duh)
• milk ice pops (from the Japanese market – I had one on Saturday and it was so good!)
• no more cookie dough!  (just kidding… this is a new favorite.)
• rice cakes with yummies on top (Greek yogurt + sugar, peanut butter, jelly, whipped butter, etc…)

I’ve been trying to stick with Ashley’s after dinner challenge, but have been failing miserably.  I’m still trying though!  Fortunately every day can be a fresh start.  Do you have something that you’re trying to change, or a habit you want to break?  What’s your approach?

Like this post? Check out...

• May 30, 2010 -- Review: Sacred Chow Vegan Brunch (New York)
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• May 10, 2009 -- Happy Mother’s Day!
• May 14, 2010 -- Friday Fix: I’m out of here!

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Bobby wanted something lighter tonight so I opted to fry our okonomiyakis in less oil than usual.  I also subbed out some of the flour with wheat bran, which is a lower calorie option.  You could probably fry these with cooking spray, but the oil really does add a certain something – try it, even if you only use a little bit!

Okonomiyaki (Japanese frittata)

Ingredients (serves 2-3 people; we eat a lot so it served 2)

• 4 cups finely chopped cabbage (or shredded)
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped white onion
• 1/2 cup wheat bran (or 1/4 cup more of flour)
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 4 eggs
• salt & pepper
• oil, for frying (I used olive oil)
• optional: seafood or meat (I split the batter in half at the end and added cooked chicken thigh to his half)
• topping: mayo, tonkatsu sauce, or ketchup!

Directions

1. Mix together the veggies in a big bowl: cabbage, scallions, onion.  Add the wheat bran and flour and toss to coat.  Add the eggs, salt & pepper, and mix well.
2. If you’re using meat, add it now.  I portioned out the batter into halves and added cooked chicken to Bobby’s half.
3. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat.  Lightly coat the bottom with oil (less than 1 tablespoon).  Dump in the batter and form into a large pancake.  Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. Flip it over (this is the hard part), and cook, uncovered, for another 3-4 minutes.
5. Repeat with the other half of the batter.  I actually did our simultaneously in 2 saute pans.
6. Serve hot, with various sauces – mayo, tonkatsu sauce, ketchup.

I ate my entire okonomiyaki (yes that is a large dinner plate!!); Bobby ate most of his but he also had some rice on the side.  It was very filling. Love eggs!

My favorite part about okonomiyaki is the topping.  I spread mine with a little bit of mayo, some tonkatsu sauce (found in the soy sauce aisle), and a little bit of organic ketchup.

Have you ever had okonomiyaki?  What’s your favorite Japanese food? I love sukiyaki…

Like this post? Check out...

• January 12, 2009 -- Eating for pleasure
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• May 7, 2009 -- Kabocha + Garlic = a healthy combo
• February 27, 2009 -- Friday eats, and an award :)

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This week’s menu planning was easy – we’re going on a cruise that begins Friday, and we’re heading to LA on Thursday.  I forgot that vacationing means using up produce, so I have to eat about a bajillion pounds of fruit this week.

Menu for the Week of March 22 – March 28

Sunday

dinner – okonomiyaki (Japanese fritatta – eggs, cabbage, leeks mainly)

dessert – “carb watch” pitas with peanut butter OR fruit

Monday

dinner – sweet & sour stir-fry to use up veggies & kabocha

dessert – fruit!

Tuesday

dinner - sushi (probably?) with a former roommate & Bobby

dessert - fruit!

Wednesday

dinner - either eating out or using up veggies in a stir-fry, depending on what is left

dessert - fruit!

Thursday

dinner & dessert - restaurant in LA (to be determined)

Friday & Saturday – cruise food!

Lunches – pitas, peanut butter, kabocha, lots of veggies, & hummus

Breakfasts – miso soup, oats, pitas, fruit (so much to use up!), leftover okonomiyaki

Like this post? Check out...

• September 13, 2008 -- Goodeats for 9/12/2008
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• July 6, 2009 -- Best Day Ever
• April 3, 2009 -- Faux Cheesecake

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I did 2 of Polly’s yoga videos this morning – yoga for core, and yoga for hips #1.  Polly’s videos are fantastic and I hope you all try them.  She makes yoga fun and meaningful!

Breakfast was oat/wheat bran again, with double blueberries and no banana.  Dash of salt, stevia, and vanilla.  And a monster peanut butter spoon.  I think I’m going to have to make the trek to Palo Alto to get more Mighty Maple.  I miss it!  (There was unpictured miso soup as well; always!)

Check out this awesome salad I made last night (I’ve been having a big salad + pitas with peanut butter for dinner… yum).  It was so colorful – carrots, tomatoes, fresh kalamata olives, napa cabbage, sauteed spinach, and microwaved kabocha.  The dressing was a mix of PB2, chili sauce, and some newman’s own lowfat sesame ginger.

Housing update:  I spent this week and last weekend looking at so many apartments and houses.  We had decided that buying was a possibility, so we looked at several houses in east San Jose that were in our price range.  They were all in terrible condition and in not-so-nice neighborhoods.

Then I finally found a beautiful condo yesterday that we are going to rent for the next year (possibly longer).  It’s in Sunnyvale, and it has a wonderful kitchen.  I’m going to be spoiled.  It also has a washer/dryer in the apartment.  It has a big balcony as well.  We’re signing the lease tonight.

After we sign the lease, we’re going out to eat… probably at Blue Mango/Cheesecake/Jang Su Jang (Korean).  My entire menu plan fell through this week (because Bobby had so much pressure at work) so I’ve been mostly eating at home.

What are your weekend plans?

Like this post? Check out...

• September 6, 2008 -- Goodeats for 9/5/2008
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• December 11, 2007 -- Apples with Brussels Sprouts Recipe
• December 12, 2008 -- Giveaway! (Pumpkin Pecan Butter)

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I finally got up and did some Paula Abdul Cardio Dance – this routine is getting fun now that I know the moves!  I repeat the full routine a few extra times at the end now just for kicks & some extra calorie burn (~25 – 30 minutes).  I also did a yogAMAZING routine (25 minutes or so) – “weight loss flow” – that I found on iTunes for free.

Which left me hungry for…

Miso soup, while waiting for my oat bran to cool.  (Reading Lee’s blog, which I love!)

Then I ate a very blue bowl of oats – oat bran (1/2 cup), wheat bran (1/2 cup+), 1/2 banana, and some blueberries.  I’m all out of Mighty Maple, so I had to make do with Trader Joe’s creamy salted peanut butter.  A jumbo spoonful.

I know I’ve said in the past that generic (like Trader Joe’s) natural peanut butter is my favorite, but I think I have to take that back.  I am having a love affair with Mighty Maple and I can’t go back.

I’m trying to sign up for classes at De Anza but they are almost all full, and I keep changing my mind about the classes I want to take.

Can you make decisions easily?  Or do you agonize over even the most insignificant of choices?

Like this post? Check out...

• May 16, 2011 -- HEAB’s Butterfied Oaties
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• July 29, 2009 -- Gazpacho Recipe (Raw)
• October 16, 2009 -- I’m a veggie, I’m a veggie, from Abbeywood way
• May 13, 2008 -- Strawberry Coconut Couscous Cake

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