A Sunday of Eats
It’s been a super lazy day in Beckland! I came home for a hot shower and sweats after that rainy walk. I was chilled to the bone…and soaked to the skin…and a hot shower is the only remedy. A warm puggle doesn’t hurt either!
My meals have been slightly unremarkable, but considering my laziness, I did try to keep my simple meals nutritious and delicious.
First up: breakfast! I made use of some fresh fruits to create Bananaberry Pancakes.
I used an oatmeal pancake base of oats, egg whites, and baking powder. This morning I just added sliced strawberries and 1/2 a banana to the batter. I plopped the mix onto the griddle and formed my cakes. They cooked up quick and had such sweetness from the fresh fruit. I topped each cake with a smear of Justin’s Chocolate PB and a the remaining banana slices. I enjoyed breakfast without syrup this morning…the sweet, caramelized fruit was just perfect on its own!
I walked my way through the morning without stopping for a snack. I sipped a hot green tea from DD after walking, but decided against the donut combo 
. By the time I got home, I was hungry! I quickly pieced together some semblance of a meal.
My plate included two slices of toast with almond butter, asparagus spears, and a sliced apple. It only took minutes to prepare….and eat! I liked!
A few hours later, I went back to the kitchen for an afternoon snack.
The strawberries are still going strong! I sliced up a few more red, ripe berries and topped them with some plain Greek yogurt and granola. This was definitely a satisfying snack!
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By the time dinner rolled around, I was tired of the same ole stuff! I kept things homespun, but I did get a bit more creative.
A black bean burger. The easiest black bean burger ever! I just mashed 1/3 c. black beans, 1 T. of whole-wheat breadcrumbs, and 2 T. salsa together to form patties. I threw in some corn niblets at the last minute and cooked these up on the griddle. Like any good burger should be, my patty was topped with cheese – and eaten bun-less.
Sweet potato fries. Nothing like hand-cut fries! I cut up a small sweet ‘tater and coated it with some canola oil, cinnamon, salt, and ground flax. The fries crisped up nicely at 400*.
Corn. Corn used to be the only veggie I ate. Seriously. I know, I know…I’ve learned! I still love corn though. Even the frozen kind. I sprinkled some cayenne pepper over these niblets to really bring out the Tex-Mex in my meal. It was a nice touch!
This meal was filling and delicious. It felt like a departure from the meals I’ve been eating lately and I welcomed the change. It’s nice to revive foods that have gone by the wayside. I was all about the black beans for awhile…and they’re baaack!
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The good times just kept on rolling in Beck’s kitchen tonight. It’s Sunday. Work resumes tomorrow. Baking ensued.
Chocolate-Coconut Peanut Butter Bars (adapted from Tina’s recipe for Peanut Buttery Bars).
- 1.5 c. old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
- 1/2 c. agave
- 1/2 c. Justin’s Chocolate Peanut Butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 c. shredded coconut
- dark chocolate chips (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350* and coat baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Combine first five ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Add 3 T. of shredded coconut to the batter.
- Spread batter evenly into the baking dish.
- Top with reserved coconut and dark chocolate chips.
- Bake at 350* for about 18 minutes.
- Allow to cool.
- Eat and enjoy!
And I enjoy, I did! I crumbled my bars atop a small scoop of coffee ice cream. Chocolate, coconut, coffee – the three C’s!
I think I’m finally willing to say goodbye to vacation and hello to another work week. I can already hear excited kiddos waiting to share their vacation stories. Fun, fun!
