challenges…[i.love.them.]
April 27, 2010 Eating out of this soup crock, reminds me that I should probably make some soup. Maybe later this week. Anyone have a good spring, veggie-packed soup recipe?
Warning…this post might is going to get lengthy..SO much to talk about! Grab a cup of coffee ;)
Loving the Annie’s Honey Bunnies. The box is over 1/2 gone. I have been grabbing handfuls numerous times a day. They are so super crunchy and mildly sweet. There are a few different varieties…like a chocolate vanilla [uhhh, yum!!!], a fruity flavor and then a “plain.” I think I’m going to try out the plain next. It has only TWO grams of sugar and 1g extra of fiber [3g total].
Galaxy granola is pretty fantastic as well. I love how flavorful it is. The raspberry comes through a LOT.
I made another type of creamy oats this morning. This is my 2nd favorite way to make oats. Instead of an egg I use 1/4c applesauce! It helps fluff them up and add a bit of natural sweetness.
Creamy Applesauce Oats
- 1/3c rolled oats
- 1/2 banana
- 1/3c hemp milk
- 1/3c coconut kefir [made the oats extra creamy!]
- 1/3c water
- 1/2t cinnamon
- 1/4c applesauce [stirred in the last 2 minutes]
Melty Goo = pnut butter + justin’s chocolate pnut butter + coconut butter [~1.5T in total…microwaved, stirred, poured on top]
I felt like I have completely betrayed peanut butter lately. This was a FABulous way to bring it back! This bowl was rockin’ :)
A lot of you commented from yesterday’s post regarding my snack that I was contemplating…yogurt…chocolate…honey bunnies or all three? Most of you said to have all 3 :) However, when I opened the fridge I saw some plain leftover quinoa noodles, tomato paste and veggie broth and for some reason that sounded better. Weird I know, but it was totally satisfying. I’ve been craving a lot of carbs lately. Maybe it’s all the crazy running around at work and harder workouts lately?
Guess what?? A lovely reader, Dee from Joleystar, found this spoon on Amazon!! Thanks Dee!!
I had an awesome swim today. Before my swim, I gave the kitchen a complete scrub-down. It was as sparkly as it can get for an old house! I was kind of pooped on my walk to the gym, and my right arm was tired from wiping down the floors. I was really looking forward to get back in the pool, but I didn’t know how long I would last.
Turns out, once I got in the pool and warmed up, I had one of my best swim workouts yet!
- 50m kickboard – legs only
- 100m buoy – arms only
- 1500m – freestyle – 28min!!!
- 150 breast stroke – cool down
- 50m back stroke – cool down
- 50m freestyle – cool down
I felt like I was swimming really fast today and it seriously felt great. Apparently I should have been on swim team! Not saying I’m good…but saying that I am LOVING swimming!! The time goes SO fast and I never get bored. The counting keeps me occupied and trying to work on my form and breathing as well. Every 250m I would do a sprint 25m. So I was basically counting down to each of those which made it go by really quickly. Walked home feeling HUNGRY, EXhausted, satisfied, + proud :)
One of my favorite smoothies EVER.
Muddy Purple SluRple
- 1 packet Nutiva Chocolate HempShake [SO good]
- 1/2 banana
- 2T ground flax meal
- ~1c frozen cherries
- ~1c original Living Harvest Hemp Milk
Awesome texture. It was completely creamy..no chalkiness at all. Also, the flavor was amazing. I added about 1/2T Maple Cinnamon Almond Butter [hehee] and Honey Bunnies!! The AB was absolutely fabulous in this :)
I have been meaning to make this for awhile, and I’m nearly out of it, so I thought I’d give it a go.
Coconut Butter!!
[I had some intense light comin’ in the window while making this. Eeek!] This was by far the easiest butter to make. It came together SO quickly and only took about 3 bowl scrape downs. Even with photos it was liquid creamy in about 8min.
I used the whole bag…Maybe 1/2lb of coconut!? I can’t remember but it’s organic, unsweetened and cost about $3. I’ve had it for awhile, so I don’t remember the exact price.
You literally just let it spin in the processor.
And you wait for it to butterize. THEN comes the best part. You pour it on, well, almost anything.
Take for instance, low + slow sweet tater cubes! Ahhhhhhmazing. One of my favorite things to eat. This was the first time I’ve poured coconut butter on top.
I cooked the taters with a little olive oil + salt. When they came out of the oven I put about 1/2t cinnamon on top and about 1T coconut butter. The butter turned out great. It’s super creamy and tastes the same as Artisana. However, mine cost about $3 and Artisana’s is $8-10 for an 8oz jar, which is how much mine made. I love supporting awesome companies like Artisana, but when I can make it that much cheaper at home, there is just no reason to buy it…ever again!
Do I have to tell you how good this was? I think not.
Creaminess.
Swimming makes a person hungry! I’ve never had goat’s milk yogurt before but have been meaning to try it. This was on sale so I picked up a few flavors. My first thought, “wow, this tastes really Goat-ey.” Meaning it definitely had that stronger flavor like in goat cheese. It took me a few bites to get used to that in my yogurt. Cranberry orange was an AWesome flavor combo. I’m not sure I’ll buy this frequently but the flavor and texture were really spot on. It had a little fat, 150cals, 6g protein, and 21g sugar. Not the greatest stats, but super natural and great if you can’t tolerate cow’s dairy.
Topped with organic brown rice cereal. mmm
My 2 new best friends.
This leads me to my post title. I have 2 new challenges. One came from my sister-in-law, Natalie. [LOVE.her.so.much.] Anyway, we were talking nut butters, like normal people do, and I told her to request whatever combo she wanted and I would whip her up a batch. Her idea was to make a Coconut Peanut Butter. I mean, how could that be bad?? I combine the 2 and pour on my oats pretty frequently. Well, I also know that Natalie LOVES the Justin’s Chocolate Peanut Butter.
So, her idea turned into this:
Peanut Butter + Coconut Butter + Chocolate - If you’re ever had Artisana’s Cacao Bliss, think that plus pnut butter! Also, an oat topping that I adore. I’m so excited to start playing!! I will take on almost any food challenge that I’m presented with.
Bring.It.On. [there is a dent in the coconut butter from me dipping a a Dr.Kracker in it, hehehe]
I made one of the quickest, most satisfying dinners, ever.
Here it is in it’s exact layered state:
- Rudi’s Organic multigrain oat toaste
- organic tomato paste
- Organic Valley extra sharp white cheddar cheese
- arugula
- Veggie Burgers from Costco [about 7 ingredients in the list..impressive..all REAL food]
- 2 farmer’s market sunny side up eggs
- s+p
The eggs were cooked about 30sec too long. I cover the eggs with foil when I’m making sunny side up. If they cook a tad too long the yolks start to turn white. They were still gooey on the inside though and provide such a deliciious savory sauce :) This seriously hit the spot and will be made again soon. I wanted another instantly after eating the first but settled for a piece of toast with Irish butter and a crunchy bunny snack while watching TV ;)
So I have something really awesome to share with you! Hang with me a little longer!! One of my best friends, Mike, that I’ve known since I was about 16 is going to be on TV tomorrow! Like on a fo’ real TV show!! It’s going to air on Spike TV TOMORROW at 11pm EST [Check online for local listings]. The show is called Crash Test, and you can find more details on Mike’s blog about it. and I cannot wait for it to air!! So super exciting!! Watch this trailer…he’s the guy in the red polo shirt and talks for a few brief seconds at the end. I was freaking out when I saw him on there. SO cool and SO excited for him!! This show looks intense for sure.
[check.it.out.] :) Congrats Mike!!!!!! Autograph please??
Okay…I promise I’m done. I feel like my weekend posts are somewhat boring now that I’m so busy with work. I really had so much to tell you about today.
Oh wait. I forgot. CHALLENGE TWO: Chris has challenged me to ride 18miles tomorrow, for my 3rd bike ride. I am so up for the challenge! I’ve never really been challenged by Chris for a hard workout, so this is fun. He’s not really into running but definitely loves biking.
Nite peeps! <3
Ashley
Family + Friends, Recipes, eggs, hemp, oatmeal, sandwich, smoothie, sweet potatoes, yogurt in nut butters
Reader Comments (81)
:O 18miles!! Impresssive, good luck with it!
So much to comment on in this post...that coconut butter, the oats, the dinner, the sweet potato WITH the coconut butter, goat's yogurt (I LOVE goat's yogurt - so tangy!) and the fact you'll have a famous friend after iiam! Seems like you had a good day :D
Okay, so many good things in this post!
First, the oats look fantastic as always. I am always longing at your oatmeal pictures, especially with your beautiful toppings. You always make them look like a work of art!
Second, I can't believe you attempted the coconut butter. This is brilliant! I haven't been able to find the butter anywhere and it never really occurred to me to just make my own! :)
Third, that egg sammy look incredible!!! I was planning these for BFD this week, and now I think I know exactly how I will make mine.
Have a great day!
Ohmigosh I am SO going to make coconut butter now! And PLEASE try the coconut peanut butter! That sounds so amazing.
that coconut butter looks amazing!!!! and so much cheaper than spending $12 on it here! Does it taste the same? better?
all your eats look amazing as usual.
Can't wait to see this pb, coco, choco concoction
OMG...I'm so excited to know that it's possbile to make your own coconut butter...I wanted some SOO bad....but couldn't find it here :(..{of course}...so now I'm thrilled to know I can make it myself..so easily and cheap too!! THANKS :)
No chocolate mint Larabar at Heinen's last night. Boohoo.
OH MY GOSH is right! I just about screamed with excitment when I saw your coconut butter. I have the exact same bag of coconut...BUTTER here I come! Thanks for experimenting and giving us the great idea!
you are a nut butter making machine! the first time i made coconut butter i freaked out...so cool :) can't wait for the recipe for the peanut+coconut+whatever-other-goodness butter!
Oh my gosh all this yummy food!!!! And I love that you actually made coconut butter!
Good luck on the bike ride :) You can do it easily!
Ok, so your coconut butter looks freaking amazing! My wallet is not going to like this, because it seems like I just need to close my eyes and finally buy a food processor. I guess I can offset the cost with all the money I will save by making yummy 'butters' myself? Yeah, I'll go with that....
Have fun on your 18 mile ride!
Your dinner looks great! What brand are the Costco veggie burgers? I love Amy's Texas veg burgers, but they're so expensive!
a) There is a bag of unsweetened coconut in my cupboards that's taking forever to get through and b) I've wanted to try coconut butter but haven't bought it because of the price. I think I found my answer. Plus, I bought a sweet potato yesterday...
Good luck on the bike ride!! Where do you guys ride? On a bike path/trail or just around the city?
All your recipes are fantastic- I especially like the ones for all the butters as they are so hard to get here in Ireland- I never realised how easy it would be to make my own - doh! Not that I expect anything to last too long as it looks so delicious but how long do you think the coconut butter and almond butter would store for? My mum is over in a few wks and she would love these! Keep the delicious food ideas comin' !
Congrats on all your swimming success! I've been swimming for over 15 years and you. are. right. Swimming makes you hungry like no other sport does! I think it's because it is a complete full-body workout. If you are looking into taking your swimming to the next level... visit my website www.goswimcation.com -- swimming vacations in tropical locations. We also offer tips on our blog -- Caps and Bloggles. :) And in the words of Nemo... just keep swimming.
You've inspired me. I think we should have a nut butter/coconut butter making party some time. :)
Love the challenges! I should just make some coconut butter with the massive amount of coconut I have on hand! can't wait to read about the ride!
I still haven't wanted to spend that much on Artisana's coconut butter, mostly because I'm not sure I'll use it often enough to justify getting it (probably not true..). I am SO excited you made this yourself, as this will now be my way to test it out :) Do you think only finely shredded would work??
I made your original AB a while back, but it was definitely a fail, mine did NOT get nearly as smooth and spreadable as yours looks. It was very pasty and incred. thick. I'm going to try your new AB recipe soon though! Should I just be giving the food processor more time? Or letting it sit there for a while?? Thankkss
OOh, also, do you swim with flippers? I'm guessing you don't. I know that they make you go faster, but I've also heard after a while it gets more difficult than w/o slippers because you have to push your feet a lot. Any thoughts?
Good luck with 18 miles! You can do it!
Oh my God you just made my day with that coconut butter! I always pick it up at the store and end up putting it back. I have that exact coconut in my pantry right now and I am so excited to toss it into the food processor! I feel like I need a huge "duh" and forehead slap! Thanks!
so incredibly excited for the coco.choco.p-nut butter - thanks lady, you're the bestest :)
That same brand of coconut makes a low fat coconut (I bought some last week). It doesn't toast, BUT it tastes great bake into cookies or in frostings or I am sure it would work in your coconut butter. I LOVE the idea of coconut butter and PB togther, YUM!
I do the same thing, grabbing handfuls of cereal. I am beginning to realize that cereal may not be a great food for me to have in the house when I'm feeling munchy...
Thanks lady!!! Yes, soooo easy! What is BFD? Big f'ing deal? I can't figure it out in the context you used! haha
Do you really have to beg me to make coconut peanut butter? lol
It tastes the same!! They are both delicious and melt perfectly and harden at room temp. They both have a slight grittiness [but not in a gross way] from the coconut. SO MUCH CHEAPER though :)
Welcome!!
I think you'll really like the key lime pie dad!
I apologize...but yes, you MUST buy a food processor. Let me know if you need recommendations ;)
Have you ever had sunshine burgers??? They are THE BEST and their ingredient list is amazing. However, the costco are much cheaper..still an impressive ingredient list but not as tasty. The brand is "Don Lee Farms"
Awwesome!! We've been riding at Wash Park...Chris ventures out further but I haven't yet!
I know, right? SO easy! If you store it in the fridge it will last for months!! I have been eating mine quickly so I haven't put them in the fridge. If you refrigerate them, they will harden so you'll have to microwave or scoop some out and let sit at room temp for awhile :)
I bet the larger shreds will work just as well...the smaller shreds are just the larger ground up...so it should work! The trick for the AB is letting it whirl around until it is creamy and smooth...it takes awhile..especially if you double the batch. It might take up to 15-20min with bowl scraping. If after 15min it's not getting creamy and smooth add 1/2T of a light oil [safflower, grapeseed, sunflower] and see if that helps. It should work! Also, roasting the nuts beforehand helps it process more easily because the oils in the nuts are released and will help soften things up faster.
Nope, no flippers! Not sure of my thoughts :)
hahaha...it seems like it should be harder to make with a cost that high...but nope, pretty easy!
haha..yeah...I just take a few small handfuls or pour some in a bowl...the good thing is this cereal isn't full of sugary junk.
my jars of artisana's coconut butter and cacao bliss are pretty much empty, and you can be sure that i'll be making my own when they are [and putting coconut butter and cinnamon on sweet potatoes is my new fav way to eat them]. i'm also thinking i'll be making your cinnamon maple almond butter while the food processor is out as well ;)
and the chocolate coconut peanut butter sounds like a delicious challenge to take on ;)
I was wondering where you got that spoon from... I am going to add that to my amazon list.. thanks! your morning oatmeal always looks to delicious!!!!
Fantastic idea for making homemade coconut butter... I know how I'm using the rest of my shredded coconut!
Wow you have been a busy girl! Love that coconut butter :)
Wow, that coconut butter looks awesome! Must try it! <3
PS
What is the nutritional stats for the coconut butter?
oh my goodness! oh my goodness! i die at this post! YUMMYNESS all around!
So much to say!!
1) When you make your nut butter rivers and you say you just put the 1 tbsp pieces together in the microwave, does it really melt all together like that? Mine always gets sticky!
2) Return of the purple slurple!!!
3) COCONUT BUTTER!! I'm all out and totally missing it. I have only about a cup of coconut in stock, but I might try it anyways tomorrow. LOVE!
Hi Ashley!
After reading this I tried making my own coconut butter but I only had dried sweetened coconut flakes, not organic. It didn't turn out like butter even after processing for about 10 minutes. It turned into more of a powdery substance but did not congeal. I am wondering if the organic coconut has more natural oils? And maybe the sugar in the kind I used dried it out too... In any case I'll try again after I get the right kind of coconut.
Thanks for your posts, they are such a pleasure to read!
I sent you an email..hopefully it helps!
Hey Ashley!
I had the same problem, only I used unsweetened coconut flakes, not sweetened. I can't get it to turn into the butter!
Love your blog!
Stunning photos!!! I usually grate the sweet potato into thin slices, bake them in the oven till they become crispy chips and then have them with yogurt, that's a great healthy alternative to packaged chips!
[...] butter when I realized I had such an abundance of large flakes. For an easy tutorial, check out Ashley’s post. It took only 5 minutes in my food processor to make the butter and tasted delicious topped on oats [...]