Life feels like it’s spinning at 6453 klicks per hour these days.
Some things are happening in our lives that I can’t tell you about just yet, but will soon. Don’t you hate when people say that? I do. I hate myself for saying that.
No one likes a tease, including me. But here I am being a tease. ;)
I can tell you it’s home and career related for us (not baby related), but that’s about all I can divulge at this time. Unless of course you get me drunk and spill the beans like I did to every breathing soul that I chatted with at the wedding. I’m a good secret keeper like that. Give me a 5.5% beer and I’ll tell you my life story.
The summer is speeding by though! Suddenly, it’s August 9th, I’m craving pumpkin like it’s Thanksgiving, and I’m in serious trouble if I don’t buy Eric a kick-butt birthday gift by the 11th. We’re also hosting some Irish family this week and capping the weekend off with another big family BBQ. The weeks are flying by!
Eric said, “Ange, don’t worry! You don’t have to get me anything for my birthday.”
Oh, what a relief. I thought I had to for a minute!
Wait. This is a trick.
I thought only women played the “you don’t need to get me anything” card. Sometimes Eric even plays the “you don’t need to get me a card” card. Clearly, he wants to test me. Or he hates my cards.
Or maybe he wants one of those sentimental homemade gifts this year.
Oh noes.
Does a homemade meal count?
I will scour Pinterest hoping inspiration strikes. If all else fails I’ll just make one of everything on my Food board and send him into a food coma until he forgets all about birthday gifts.
Yes, food coma it is.
Double Chocolate Torte, you’re next on the list.
Oh She Glows
Cheezy Summer Pasta
This is a great recipe when you need to clean out your fridge! I just chopped up whatever veggies I had lurking deep in the crisper, mixed it with my go-to cheeze sauce, and threw in my fav cooked pasta. Add some chickpeas or beans if you are looking to amp up the protein. I love using Kamut or brown rice pasta because it’s high in protein. I can see this recipe working with many different ingredients, so have some fun and play around with it…you really can’t screw it up. Well, there was that one time when I…oh, never mind.
Cheeze Sauce:
Sautéed Vegetables:
- Roughly 4 cups chopped vegetables (I used 1 zucchini, 1.5 bell peppers, 2 cups grape tomatoes, 2-3 cups kale leaves)
- 2 tsp olive oil, for sautéing
- Herbamare or kosher salt + black pepper, to season
- 1-2 tbsp Earth Balance to stir in (optional)
Pasta
- Roughly 3 cups uncooked pasta (I used Kamut Rotini)
Directions:
1. In a food processor, add all cheeze sauce ingredients and process until smooth.
2. In a large skillet, add chopped onion and cook over medium heat for about 6-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Next, add the rest of the chopped vegetables and cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat.
3. Meanwhile, cook your desired pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
4. Add cheeze sauce to cooked veggies in the skillet and stir well. Finally, add drained pasta and stir again until combined. Stir in a tablespoon of Earth Balance if desired (I love doing this!). Heat and serve immediately. Makes about 6-7 cups. Pasta tastes best served immediately warm. If reheating, add a splash of non-dairy milk as the sauce tends to dry out in the fridge.
I recently made this cheeze sauce for my family last week and everyone devoured it! They spread it on sandwiches and loved it as Mac n Cheeze. The kids and adults both gobbled it up!
Unlike birthday gifts for your significant other or alcohol and secrets, you can’t go wrong with this dish.
For dessert, I made something that looked much more naughty than it really was, made primarily from GROUND FLAX and a few other all-natural ingredients.
Oh She Glows
Flax Glowballs
Inspired by 5 minute Almond Butter Chews and PInterest.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flax seeds, ground (or just use pre-ground)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats, ground into flour
- 1/4 cup Sucanat (or other dry sweetener like white sugar), or more to taste
- 1 cup mashed banana (~2 lg.bananas)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used almonds)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut, for rolling
Directions:
1. In a blender or spice grinder, grind the flax seeds and rolled oats into a flour like consistency. Alternatively you can use 1 cup ground flax if you do not have whole flax seeds. Add the ground flax & oat mixture along with the cocoa powder and Sucanat (or dry sweetener) to a large bowl. Adjust sweetener to taste.
2. In a smaller bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. Scoop the banana onto the flax/oat flour and combine well with a fork or spoon. This process will take several minutes to combine thoroughly.
3. With slightly wet hands, shape balls and roll in shredded coconut. Place balls on a parchment lined plate and freeze for 30-60 mins. If freezing for longer, allow to sit on the counter for 5 minutes or so to de-thaw slightly. Makes 10-12 large balls.
I prefer to roll them in sweetened coconut because the flax balls aren’t very sweet and it gives them a nice pop of sweetness on the tongue, however unsweetened coconut works too. Freeze them for 30-60 minutes to set and enjoy!
The chopped almonds give them a little crunch too and the cup of flax lends an earthy, nutty flavour with a hint of sweetness. You know what else I love about them? They pack in a ton of healthy Omega oils that aid in glowing skin, hair, and nails. Hence the name, Glowballs. :)
Glo Bar Giveaway
This week, I’m busy baking, packing, and shipping Glo Bar orders and I thought a giveaway would be fun! I’m giving away a box of Glo Bars to a lucky reader this week because you guys just make me happy each and every day.
To Enter: simply ‘Like’ Oh She Glows on Facebook. (If you already liked my page, you are already entered!)
[I’m OK with bribes for food if you are.] :D
I will be choosing one random winner out of my Facebook fans on Wednesday. Goodluck!
{ 164 comments… read them below or add one }
What if I already like you on Facebook?!
You are already entered then!
Yum! I have not tried kamut noodles before, I don’t know if I have ever seen them even. You have me curious now!
Yayyyy Glo Bar giveaway!!!!!!!!!!! If we already ‘like’ you on FB, are we already entered? =D
That pasta dish looks absolutely fabulous! Especially the kale – I can never get enough kale. Never thought to put it in pasta dishes, but I will from now on!
I like you on FB!
I already “liked” you on Facebook, so bring on the Glo!
I like you on FB! :) Those Glowballs look delicious…I just might have to try them…
What a great way to use up veggies!
I’m not on Facebook but I like you ;)
:)
Both of those recipes look so delicious and easy! You are a genius! Those glowballs are going to be a nice alternative to cakeballs, I get myself into trouble with those bad boys :)
I almost never crave pasta or find it appealing but this looks delicious!
Of course I already like you on FB :D
You are now ‘Liked’! Maybe we should go out for a drink… or two… or three this weekend? I promise I’m like a locked vault with secrets. :P And I hear ya on the pumpkin thing – I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I feel like I’ll jinx summer if I eat it though. I’m sure Eric would be very very happy with these recipes on his birthday. PS. Tell him some of the best people are born in August. ;)
I liked Oh She Glows on Facebook the day you got it :D
I for sure liked you on facebook haha. Man two recipe in one day! loves it and thanks. These glowballs will definetly be made :)
“Liked”!
Too bad I’m a terrible cook, or else you would have food bribes coming out the wazoo! I liked your FB page, and am crossing fingers and toes!
I already “liked” OSG on FB
The Glowballs remind me of something I used to have when I was little, I’ll be making these for a trip down memory lane :-)
I have a life changing secret too! (And I’m not pregnant, since that’s everyone’s first guess). I should be able to share this week or next.
^^ Couldn’t keep that in!!
I think yours is that you’re writing a book!
nope! [Well I have plans to write a cookbook this year, but that's not it!]
Darn! Baby!? Haha.
I. DIE.
a) just “liked” ya on the FBs.
b) those glo bars just gave me vertigo they look so good.
c) that cheesy pasta? I just fainted.
I ‘like” you on facebook!
I can’t wait to try that pasta recipe :)
I liked you on facebook!! Yay! Love your blog. I’m a new vegan, so I’ve really enjoyed everything you post :)
Wellll obis you can’t be preggers cause you were drinking! I liked ya on fbook :)
I know, but ppl still ask! lol
I like ya on FB! That pasta recipe looks fab! I love kale in pasta dishes! So delicious!!!
Can’t wait to hear the big news! Book book book??
I officially “like” you on Facebook – and in real life too :) Does that get me double entry?! Haha.
I’m with you on this summer speeding by but I kind of don’t mind because I’m SO excited for Fall baking – apples, pears, pumpkin, oats! I absolutely cannot wait.
And also? You are a tease – and now I’m dying to know what it is!! I’m sure it’s wonderful though so I’m preemptively happy for you (and will be in real time when the secret is out as well!) :)
I like you on Facebook!! And that pasta salad looks perfect for the summer. Great way to use up veggies!
Such a tease! Can’t wait to hear your big news. :-) Off to like you on fb and score some Glo Bars!
I liked you on FB! I love summer-y pastas with kale. so good!
Those glowballs really do look naughty, but sound quite healthy! I can’t wait to try them! I bet the addition of peanut butter in those balls would also be delish!
Question for you: Where do you find these different kinds of pasta (kamut, brown rice, etc.)?
I buy it at Superstore :) Natural food section
I’m glad to hear someone else already has pumpkin on their mind! I am counting down the days til I can crack open my pumpkin chai tea from david’s tea. I put it away in hiding once the Christmas season hit. Can’t wait!
Did you say Pumpkin Chai tea??? Going to scour Davids tea online now!!!
Yes that’s right! I am pretty sure it was part of their fall seasonal line last year, so they may not have it in stock year round… but I am positive they’ll bring it back this fall since it was so popular last year. It is delicious!! I just opened my can and took a smell… mmmm! Have you tried any of their other teas? I have about a dozen of them, all amazing in their own way :)
yes I LOVE their teas!!!
I liked you on FB!! :)
damn, I am not from the U.S. Those bars look great – I would definitly have ordered some!
Ow owwww!!! Love giveaways! Also I want that cheeze pasta, in mah belly, right MEOW.
Nice, this looks like dinner tonight! I definitely liked you on facebook =)
Can’t wait to hear the news !!
That pasta looks amazing! So glad you’re on FB now :) I “liked” your page!
You’re SUCH a tease!
….and now I’ll be stalking your blog hourly until I see the scoop! :)
Well gosh, of COURSE I liked you on Facebook right when I found out :D
Love your recipes, your spirit and your blog :)
The cheese sauce looks fantastic. I am totally going to make this!
Total tease Angela but you sound excited so therefore i am excited for you!
Off to like you on facebook now but first i’m going to drool over that salad a little more first :)