Confessions

Confession #1:
 I don't like fruit.  I don't hate it, but I don't reach for it as a snack.  I pack my husband 3 things of fruit a day- a banana, an apple and whatever else is in season- peach, plum, nectarines. But me? I'd rather eat cheese. Have I mentioned that before?  Anyway, when a recipe for Peach Gazpacho came up on We Are Not Martha, I jotted it down, knowing I wanted to try it. 

I loved how easy this dish was to prepare but the simple truth still remains: I don't like fruit.  This soup was sweet and interesting and I bet most of you out there would like it, but my hub and I felt it wasn't savory enough.  Maybe it was the fact I didn't measure anything or that I didn't add enough salt and pepper. But after we ate it Dave asked how many of his peaches I used.  Sadly, he will be without peaches for the rest of the week.


I served this soup with something I did absolutely love- Mango Chicken Sausage, Shrimp and Arugula Salad.  I had bought the Mango Sausage at Trader Joe's along with pre-sliced Mango (yes I still haven't figured out exactly how to slice a mango), Shrimp, and Arugula.  And pretty much thats all you need.  I added jalapeno, red pepper, red onion, lime juice and salt and pepper and it was fabulous.  This is a REAL fruit salad : ).  So I guess I do like fruit- when its not the star.

Confession #2:


I don't like oatmeal. I'm a food blogger and I HATE the texture of oatmeal.  I used to force myself to eat it but then I discovered three other (healthy) breakfasts I enjoy better.

1) Baked Banana Oatmeal
I love when my bananas turn brown.  I'm also a banana stealer.  If I'm at a friends house or my in-laws and I see bananas about to go bad, I try to take them so I can make my baked oats. 
I make this in a loaf pan on Sundays and then I cut it into bars- usually five for the week.  I bring the five bars into work on Mondays and have it for the week.  After I workout and get to work, I microwave a slice and its perfection.  Especially if you unhealthify (is that a word) a bit and add some chocolate chips.

 RECIPE:

Baked Banana Oatmeal

Combine the dry ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp kosher salt

(Toppings of your choice, I've used chocolate chips, coconut, heath bar chips...)

Combine the wet ingredients:
1 egg, beat
1 mashed banana
1.5 cups almond milk
1 tsp vanilla
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Mix well.
Instructions:
Spray some cooking spray in a loaf pan then add the mixture and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

2) Egg Cups
My friend Lisa originally mentioned this recipe to me when we were in the Biggest Loser competition.  She said she got it from the South Beach Diet and since I had that book, I checked it out.  So easy! (Use any sauted veggies you like!)

RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon of EVOO
1 Cup of Baby Spinach
1/2 cup of mushrooms
2 Roasted Red Peppers
Handful of sliced pepperoncini's
5 eggs and a little milk
1/2 cup of light shredded Mexican blend cheese
salt and pepper
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350. Saute vegetables in pan with evoo until spinach is wilted and veggies are starting to get soft. At the same time, whisk eggs and milk in a bowl. Let the veggies cool then add the veggies to the eggs with half of the cheese. Whisk together. Spray Muffin pan with cooking spray. Fill the muffin pan 3/4 of the way full. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. This worked out to 11 Veggie Cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until the eggs are set. Remove from Muffin Tin and let cool.
 
3) Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins- my latest favorite breakfast! (Inspired by The Way the Cookie Crumbles)
I made this Sunday and I've been enjoying it all week so far.  It would have been really healthy, but I added White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter (I couldn't help myself- the stuff is like crack and its amazing to cook with!) I also may have added some chocolate chips and peanut butter chips....

 RECIPE
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins 
Ingredients:
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
½ cup All-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons applesauce
¾ cup granulated sugar (if you have brown use it)
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed banana (about 3 bananas)
6 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (another confession- I don't love peanut butter but I do LOVE White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter and I used it here!)
1 cup skim milk
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350? F.  Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, sugar, eggs, banana, peanut butter and milk until smooth.  Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated and fully blended. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups.  Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool
completely.


Confession #3:


I try to run people off the treadmill.  Meaning- I like to be the last one on the treadmill at the gym. Also, I watch music videos in the morning while running.  Remember music videos? Yep, they still play them.  But only before 8:30am. Oh and I mouth the words to songs while running and play the air guitar. I'm totally normal.


Confession #4:


I don't use Google Reader. I read my blogs like this:

Does anyone else out there go old school and just keep multiple tabs open? Or am I the only one?