breakfast jane

Like I said.

I made pancakes via Edible Perspective this morning. What I love about these pancakes is that they are one serving. A quick blend in the blender and some flips on the griddle and you have yourself a perfect serving of happiness on your plate. They hold together really well and I love using coconut flour any chance I get as well as flaxseed meal. I topped mine with natural peanut butter and a drizzle of honey. I also couldn't pass up $3.99 blackberries at Costco yesterday.

vacation jane

I'm not teaching, which means I am doing whatever I wanna for 2 weeks. I actually have a lot of things to do, and projects to work on, and people to have lunch with, and shows to catch up on, and things to be cleaned, and spaces to be organized. But one thing vacation Jane takes very seriously is breakfast. Never ever is it thought-less. Here is a green smoothie made of kale, spinach, almond milk, banana, berries, and honey with a main course of egg whites and a yolk, tomatoes, and mushrooms heated with ghee*.

*Remember when I talked about butter here. Well my Mom brought me some ghee to try out and this was my first usage. I put a dab on a skillet and cooked my eggs and then added the vegetables in with it and let them sit for a few minutes. I really liked the taste and it served it's purpose. I'm very interested in learning more about ghee and how to use it.
If you want really knowledgeable information about ghee you should read this post from one of my favorite blogs. It fascinates.

Now...what should I have for breakfast tomorrow...

a muffin date

It's the first recipe I've tried from my new Power Foods cookbook. I haven't made muffins in a long time. I really love things in mini cause you don't have to commit as hard. Pop it in the mouth and that's it. Then you can do 3 more and it doesn't feel like a big deal. These muffins have applesauce, dates, an egg, honey, ginger, allspice, almond milk (it called for buttermilk which I didn't have), some whole wheat flour, oats, wheat bran, and flax meal. You should buy the cookbook and then try the recipe. These would be really ideal for freezing and taking two out for breakfast on the run or a snack in the day.

Tonight for dinner I'm trying a soup from the cookbook. I'm expecting great things. I'll be back here for a report on how it went.

Did you know I'm off-track from teaching for 2 weeks? I'll be making lots of supernova granola progress. finally.

Power Foods

This cookbook is blowing me away. I get so excited when I look through it. Every recipe I want to try. You should get yourself a copy.

I've already mentioned some cookbooks that I love on this post. But I'm wondering...

How often do you cook from a recipe? How often do you try a new recipe? I'd say for me it's about once a week. I wish it was more, but let's be honest, we don't always have the time every night and it can be expensive to do, especially for a single girl like me. (and I never mind having something as simple as a whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter and a banana for dinner.)

butter me up

It's top 3 favorite treat.
Popcorn.
Fresh popped from the best popper.

I used to be a spray butter-er, but since December I have said no more! (and guess what? it was easy) Why was I using a product that isn't even real?

I am trying to cleanse everything in my fridge, cupboard, and therefore diet of all unnatural things. More wholesome, true, good, natural ingredients for me please.

Instead, a tiny drizzle of olive oil in the popper and then topped with real salt is the perfect popcorn. It tastes better then spray butter anyways.

For other foods that do better with a little butter I use earth balance butter. Foods like a baked sweet potato, toast, even cookies. I would like to give ghee a try but have yet to find it in a Utah grocery store. My Mom is using it and loves the way it tastes with food when she uses it in her pan instead of olive oil.

What will you say No to this week? I challenge you to pick one thing you know you could do better without. I bet it will be easier then you thought. Please share.

ms. citrus

Citrus Granola was a success! I'm going to try more today! I'm thinking of giving Meyer lemons a run this time. I'll let you know how it turns out.

You know that zester you see there in the picture? I got it for Christmas (thanks Lindsey) and it is incredible! I've heard how great it is before but I was always thinking blah, blah whatever till I decided I deserve a good zester. And you know? You do too.

What is your favorite citrus fruit? I can never decide.

p.s. last night I had a crepe with lemon squeezed over powdered sugar. HOW have I not lived yet?

Winter Winds

Went to Kelly's natural health support group meeting on Thursday. Top notch information. Really excited me. I love green smoothies but don't make them a ton, especially now that it's winter and I'd rather have warm things.
Inspired, I put some spinach, almond milk, bananas, and blueberries that I already had in my fridge and freezer to use. It was a tasty Saturday lunch. I'm looking forward to getting more creative and packing in as much nutrients and whole, natural food goodness as I can in a blender.
Supernova granola would make a great green smoothie topper. With a little crunch and texture it'd be the perfect addition.
side note: Kelly split her night with Theresa who is an essential oils expert. I am spinning with excitement about essential oils. It's incredible stuff that I knew nothing about.

+++
All week long

i'm just saying...

i'm doing horrible at goal #5


but i'm not giving up. I'm just saying.

2011

Photo: Disneyland 2010, It's A Small World ride

2011's good health goals
1. drink a tall glass of water first thing in the morning
2. try a new recipe once a week
3. take my daily vitamin...daily
4. continue to purify my diet with unprocessed foods and natural ingredients
5. go to bed earlier

what are your resolutions for a better, healthier you?