Simple
In continuing with my resolution to try a new recipe every week, I made a jambalaya-ish dish last night from a recipe I found in Real Simple.
It was, in fact, really simple, and really good.
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I had a book club meeting tonight to discuss Water for Elephants (which I loved!), so I decided to make what I like to call peanut butter balls. Ya know, because elephants like peanuts and all….
Grey Snowy Island
A grey and snowy island = ultimate relaxation
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We all spent the majority of the day on the couch in front of the fire, but we ventured out just before cocktail hour for a little exercise.
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This morning I spent some time at the gym at the Bald Head Island club and then Kanz helped me tackle a baking project I was supposed to make a few days ago: Lauren’s pumpkin pie chocolate cups!
My mom had gotten me a couple of bags of the soy-free chocolate chips I love so much, so I used those instead of white chocolate to make the cups. We also only had the jumbo foil cupcake liners, so I made about 6 huge cups instead of ten mini’s.
Ta-Ta Pumpkin
Good Afternoon,
I’ve enjoyed pumpkin season so much this year, but I think it officially ends with Christmas. I had half of a can of pumpkin in my fridge last night, so I made one last loaf of pumpkin bread (with a little bit of frozen butternut in it as well) to bring home to my family.
I filled this one with raisins, so I’ll let you know how it tastes.
Like most of my trips home, my schedule is pretty much packed. Today, Matt and I are hoping to peek into a few potential apartments for next year. I’m obsessed with real estate and apartment hunting is one of my very favorite things in life, so I’m totally pumped. We’re not anticipating moving until July, but I really couldn’t wait to tour a few places I’ve been dreaming about:)
This evening, I’m hosting a little gathering with my bff’s from high school, so I’ll give you a recap of all the [hopefully] delicious eats tomorrow. Let the holiday festivities begin!!!
Read MoreThe Squash is Back
I was warned this would happen: ecto ate my post. I’m trying to stay positive and I’m writing this post for the second time today.
Monday was nice. This weekend was my college’s homecoming and this morning I realized that the one positive thing about not attending (this was the first time I didn’t go) was that I didn’t have to suffer through the withdrawal that usually results after a weekend back on campus. I’m typically in a bad mood for at least a week after spending time with friends and pretending to be a college student again.
I didn’t do too much at work today. We had a speaker this AM and I made a few last minute edits to my case study before handing it in. Two down, four to go!!!!
This morning, we also celebrated two birthdays at my internship, so I baked!
I have a meeting and class back-to-back tonight, which means I’ll probably be having pb and jelly for dinner. I am ok with this because I love anything involving peanut butter, but it’s not very photogenic, so I’ll share my packaged TJ’s indian dinner because it was delish.
Saved By Spinning
Today was just one of those days. I was sad that my friends were gone, the festivities I had been looking forward to for weeks are over, and my stomach was cramping because that just how it rolls. I really needed an attitude adjustment. I took the weekend off from the gym, so I knew it was in the cards after work, but the thought of going straight home was too enticing. The couch won. Usually, once I go home for the day, I can never go back out to the gym, but today, I had an epiphany. I could have my cake and eat it too. So, in the spirit of Taking Back my Twenties, I decided I would have my couch time and then go to the gym. And the best part – there was a spinning class at 5:15 and I got into it at the last minute. As soon as I mounted that bike and heard the ‘Club Can’t Handle Me’ in that dark room, I was full of energy and I sprinted away from my bad attitude.
And then, on the way home, I got a peanut butter birthday package from my sister who just happens to be turning 28! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kath!!!
The positive trend continued with a bagel fresh from New York (Thanks Liz!) and an awesome dinner salad made with leftover kidney, black, and pinto beans, blue cheese, peach salsa, and yogurt dip.
And, for those of you who requested recipes, I’ve posted them below. Enjoy.
I actually got this recipe from Real Simple magazine, but the original called for white chocolate, which I couldn’t find soy-free. You can obviously use any chocolate you like, but I swear the soy-free chips taste more incredible than regular chocolate chips.
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- candy corn
- dried cranberries
- mini pretzels
I think the easiest way to make this is just to melt the chocolate chips (slowly in a few rounds, stirring in between) in the microwave in a bowl lined with parchment paper. This way, you can just transfer the parchment paper with melted chocolate directly to a pan without losing a lot of chocolate on the side on the bowl. Using a spatula, spread the chocolate out in a square pan and top it with the goodies. You’ll want to press the pretzels into the chocolate a bit or they will fall off when you break the bark into pieces. After refrigerating for a couple of hours, you’ll probably want to let the chocolate warm back up to room temperature before breaking it up so you don’t hurt your hands like I did!
- kidney, pinto, and black beans (I used about 1/2 to 3/4 of a can of each type)
- frozen corn (~1 cup)
- handful of cilantro
- tsp cumin
- diced dried apricots ~10?
- diced jalapeno
- jar of peach or other fruit salsa
- lime juice
Be careful if you make this brie dip, because you will NOT be able to resist it if you like sweets. I’ll have to ask Matt’s mom where she found the recipe because it actually came with the dish below, which I received as a Christmas present last year.
You’ll need:
- candied pecans (1/2 cup, I found these at TJ’s)
- brown sugar (1/2 cup)
- orange liqueur (1 TBSP, Triple sec)
- brie wedge
Cocoa Power
Remember when I said I was going to play with the recipe for these?
Well, I bring you chocolate date walnut bars!
I was inspired by this purchase from Trader Joe’s:
I was imagining that this powder would be weak, like hot chocolate mix, so I was surprised at how bold it tasted. I added four tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the original KERF recipe, but would probably only add 2ish tablespoons in the future.
Instead of raisins, I added about 15 chopped dates. The dates were by bar the best part and I will definitely double this portion when I make these again.
With plenty of coconut sprinkles:
These taste quite different than the plain oatmeal raisin bars, but certainly a fun variation on the original bar.
And when they are fresh out of the oven, the dates nearly melt in your mouth. Mmmmmm….
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Welcome to TBT!
I've created this blog because I'm in a bit of a quarter life crisis. Since graduating from college in 2008 and earning an advanced degree in school psychology in May, I still don't know what career path to follow. All I know is that time is moving way too fast and I find myself living only for the weekends. Bear with me as I attempt to reclaim my twenties by finding pleasure and balance in the work week and incorporating my passions of food, fashion, fitness, and fun into everyday life. 
She said what?