I love fall.
Something about cool weather, the changing leaves and the process of switching out all those summer dresses for sweaters and boots just gets me in the fall spirit.
With it, comes my long awaited comfort food kick. First thing I always make… Chili.
Ever have one of those mornings where you wake up hungry? You know, the mornings when you can’t even get dressed without your stomach yelling “feed me now!”
For me, this doesn’t happen often. I’m more of a sip on my coffee & watch the Today Show for a while and then think about having breakfast kind of girl.
But for some reason this morning… I woke up dreaming about what my first meal of the day was going to be. When this happens, I usually try not to be impulsive by grabbing the biggest bowl I can find in my kitchen and filling it with cereal… That’s my sister, Kelli’s specialty.
I usually whip up my favorite go-to protein pancakes for a healthy, filling breakfast.
Sometimes in the afternoon, after a long day or an extra hard workout… I get a little sleepy. That’s no good when it’s a Friday night.
Whenever I’m feeling a little sluggish, I make myself a pick-me-up smoothie with espresso beans, almond milk, 1/2 a frozen banana, cocoa powder and ice. Sometimes I treat myself and add a spoonful or two of almond milk ice cream or a small scoop of protein powder if I feel like a little protein.
This thing tastes too good to be true… think mocha milkshake status (who doesn’t love desert before dinner?). Don’t feel too guilty, this shake is a healthy treat! A boost of energy, a dose of vitamins and potassium, and a great way to curb those chocolate cravings.
Banana Bread!
Growing up, one of my favorite treats my mom would make for us was this ooey gooey delicious banana bread. Seriously, it was SO good… the loaf was always gone by the next day.
I used to make banana bread in college with my roommate, Jen. Whenever we had ripe bananas laying around we’d make a loaf or two and give them to friends (keeping a little for ourselves, of course).
St. Patty’s Day is known to many as the notorious day of drinking excessive amounts of green beer and whiskey, staying up all night mumbling along to Irish songs you would NEVER listen to on any other day of the year (songs you don’t know any of the words to…yet you still insist on yelling along until the bars throw you out). You somehow make it home just in time to take a quick nap (if you’re lucky), hop in the shower and head off to work… Don’t get me wrong, that all sounds like a blast. Really! But I have to admit… That’s just not me.
What did I do on St. Patty’s Day, you ask? I did what my mom has done for my sister and I every St. Patricks day since I can remember: made green shamrock pancakes and green scrambled eggs, served it up with green-dyed milk and made a treasure hunt that led to a pile of gold coins (chocolate of course!).
I don’t know about you, but I love my occasional pizza-fix. Especially when I feel a lazy movie night coming on.
When I’m really craving pizza, I like to make my own. It’s so much better fresh and hot out of the oven. I have yet to try making my own gluten free dough/crust (that will be for another time), but for now… I stick with my go-to gluten free pizza crust by Udi’s. They are the best. Seriously, try em. You can find Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust at most grocery store, but you’ll be sure to find them at Whole Foods, or any health foods store.
Ingredients:
Here’s a picture of one of my pizza creations – Crust, Sauce, Goat Cheese
It’s so easy to pull a crust out of the freezer, slab on some yummy tomato sauce, and sprinkle on a little goat cheese (or any toppings of your choice), throw it (okay, gently slide it, let’s be real) in the oven on 375 degrees for about 10 minutes and you’ve got a very yummy pizza for two – or one if you’re really hungry! ;)
Enjoy!
