I’ve been suffering from major recipe block. Or is it recipe flop?
Is that even a thing? I guess it is. I didn’t know it was a thing until I started making so many darn recipes. After last week’s so-so recipe creations, I spilled an entire can of coconut milk all over the inside of my fridge on Friday afternoon. Checkmate. That’s when I knew it was time to step away from the kitchen for a bit.
As it turns out, I like to eat a lot so my kitchen boycott didn’t last very long!
Then there is writer’s block. I can totally understand how writers lose their marbles and go completely bonkers. The more you think about writer’s block, the more blocked up you get. The blanker and more annoying the screen gets. And then you just end up writing something random like this post. I’ve also had speaker’s block since 1985. It can be cured with a couple glasses of wine though, so it’s not too serious. You should’ve seen me on Saturday night! I could’ve hosted my own talk show.
Despite feeling a bit apathetic to recipes as of late, food and I are still on very good terms. Shocker, I know! Grudges are not something I’m into. Just because my homemade chocolate recipe didn’t turn out the other day doesn’t mean I don’t happily take handfuls of chocolate chips from the jar when I walk by. I’m a firm believer in second chances. Plus, this recipe from 2009 wasn’t so bad to begin with.
To celebrate my love for food and streak of recipe flops, this is my next installment of Foods I’m Loving Lately. If you are looking for a recipe, there are a few below, including a fun strawberry lemonade that I can’t get enough of lately.
1. Avocados
For some reason I fell off the avocado train for a couple months, but I’m back like I was never gone. Do you ever forget about foods you love? I do it all the time. Then, BAM, one day I spot it in the store and it’s love at first sight all over again. Eat them in a wrap, on toast, in a salad, or in 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta. I’ve also been known to just slice one open and spoon it straight into my mouth.
2. The Ultimate Organic Raw Wrap by Natural Living
When I think of all the wheat or rice based wraps I’ve enjoyed in my life…these flax wraps trump them ALL! They are bursting with good-for-you ingredients like ground flax, veggies, herbs, lemon, and spices. Wait! How can ground flax taste this good? I really don’t get it either. I bought these at Organic Garage in Oakville (in the freezer section)..but promise not to take my stash from me…
Dressed up with avocado, veggies, and hummus…incredibly good and healthy.
I was actually inspired to dig out my dehydrator (which has been collecting dust!) and try to make my own! I’m going to take my first shot at it today…wish me luck. Sour cream and onion kale chips and banana flax wraps are also on the menu. But first, I should wipe the 5 inches of dust off it.
3. Frozen Mixed Greens
Are you stuck in a spinach rut with your Green Monsters? It’s an easy thing to do. Buying frozen mixed greens is an easy way to get a nice variety of nutrients in your smoothies. This blend in particular has a mix of collard, kale, and mustard greens. I’m not usually a fan of collard and mustard greens (ok…never), but I don’t even notice them once blended into a smoothie.
4. Banana Soft Serve
Spring is in full force and so is Banana Soft Serve! I have bags of frozen bananas in my freezer to prove it. One thing is for sure, you never want to be caught with a banana soft serve craving and find yourself without any frozen bananas. It’s soul crushing. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the time. To make it simply process frozen bananas in your food processor until creamy like ice cream. You can add a splash of almond milk or other mix-ins as desired. I will forever be grateful to Gena for bringing this into my life.
5. President’s Choice Organic Almond Milk
President’s Choice just made me love them a bit more. They just came out with an organic version of their almond milk. This could be all in my head, but I SWEAR it tastes better (I did a side by side taste test). It’s also the same price as the non-organic Almond Breeze in one of the stores I spotted it.
6. Sasha Co. Spelt Bread Crumbs
Like Panko, only whole grain and very flavourful. I love mixing these into stir fry’s to add a little somethin’ somethin’ & crunchy crunch.
7. Oh Mega Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
Eric always says that I never make good recipes more than once, so once in a blue moon I prove him wrong. These cookies lasted 2 days.
8. Crofter’s Raspberry Spread
What do you get when you spread Crofter’s raspberry jam, Sunbutter, and a mashed banana onto a piece of toast? Heaven, that’s what.
9. Lemon or lime water
I’ve been trying to get more water into my diet and this is a good start to the day.
10. Asparagus
Ok, I’m finally getting a bit tired of asparagus (I’ve made a couple cookbook recipes you didn’t see!), but prepared this way is just irresistible.
11. Kettle Brand Krinkle Chips
We don’t buy chips very often, but when we do it’s a real treat. I love the short ingredient list of Kettle chips: organic potatoes, safflower/sunflower oil, and sea salt. The jalapeno and salt & vinegar are next on my list.
Might I also add, they are the perfect food to cure a hangover on a Sunday morning!
12. Endurance Crackers
The easiest cracker to whip up and the perfect vehicle for hummus.
13. Medjool Dates
Nature’s candy! I’ve been trying out homemade date syrup too.
14. 60 Second Strawberry Lemonade
Delightful on a hot day. For the recipe, click here.
What foods are you loving lately?
For part 1, see 7 Foods I’m Loving Lately.
I just made banana soft serve for the FIRST time last week and it was awesome! I put some PB and Enjoy Life choc chunks in it…and I was in heaven. The problem is the whole banana thing! I have super ripe bananas (ahem banana bread later today) and super under-ripe ones because those are all the grocery store had yesterday. Serious banana crisis…I know!
I want to try those wraps! I admit, they look like they couldn’t possibly be any good but you have me intrigued! Also, you don’t have to tell me twice to make breakfast cookies!
I’ve been on a smoothie kick lately, which is normal, but I’ve been experimenting with ingredients a little more lately. I’m also a tea fan so I’m constantly looking for new kinds to try!
I’ve really been hooked on almond butter lately. I’ve been making salad dressing with it to go on Asian-style salads and can’t get enough. Also mangoes. I combine chopped mangoes, chopped avocado, chopped cilantro, chopped jalapeno and a can of black beans with a lime-juice dressing. It is fantastic! I also have a bit of a glass jar hoarding problem. ;)
I WANT TO TRY EVERYTHING in this post!!! Thanks!!
Thanks to you I am a lover of endurance crackers, strawberry lemonade(which tastes just as good as the ones we always get in florida!), and banana soft serve. I also recently switched over to the Organic Almond milk…I use to buy almond breeze but a couple of the ones I bought were bad before I even opened them. so I switched and couldn’t be happier!
Thanks again for sharing all of your awesome recipes!
Avocados! I’ve been craving them but not been able to buy them
Try drinking warm or hot lemon water before your meals…especially breakfast, and it is nice in the evening. It is so detoxifying, you will lose any extra water weight. I drink cold lemon water all day and it does not have the same effect as the warm/hot.
Hi Angela,
how would I go about making my own wrap using those same ingredients?
much appreciated,
D
Seriously… we love all the same things! I can’t get enough of those medjool dates, especially when they’re cold from being in the fridge. I like pulling them apart and stuffing a bit of coconut butter inside or if I’m feeling really crazy, a bit of coconut oil, then dropping the whole thing in cocoa powder. Hello chocolate!
I’m with you on the writers block, I seem to be suffering from it, too.
I’m running to the superstore today to see if I can find the PC Organic Almond milk in my town! Yay PC! …. and if I could only be so lucky to find the raw wraps I might do a happy dance in the store.
I’m fully on the avocado train too, just ate a half with a spoon and some salt with breakfast! Also tomato juice… strange, tahini… always on that train, and more raw veggies with the warmer weather.
Writers block can be tough for sure- hang on, it’ll pass.
On another note, though, Id like to finally comment on your gorgeous food photography! It alone always inspires me. :) all the foods listed look great.
And as for your question – I have to choose One? :)
Okay – anything with carrot pulp – like Genas carrot cake cupcakes. And now Ill be trying out those flax wraps too! Thanks!
Thanks Mandy!
Those wraps look delicious! I must find them now.
Margaret Lawrence once said, the most terrifying thing in the world is a blank page. I couldn’t agree more. I was in a recipe rut a few weeks ago. I forced myself to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. It definitely helped.
You had me at avocados! I also love dates as a treat. Yum :)
Ha! I love how you mention that you forget about your favorite foods sometimes! I totally do that too, and then it IS like love at first site when you discover it again! I also need to get on the frozen banana train. I crave Chocolate Covered Katie’s vegan milkshake recipes ALL.THE.TIME. but I rarely have frozen bananas! It goes right back to forgetting about my favorite foods! I ADORE frozen bananas, but totally forget to freeze them! By the time I realize U need to keep some on hand, they are gone! *face palm*
Hi,
The link to the lemonade isn’t working for me…. After seeing the picture I would love to make it.
Thanks for all the recipes!
hmm can you try it now? It just worked for me. Recipage has been having some issues lately so it could be that.
i can only imagine the writers block! ughh ull get through it though! and ive been obsessed with avocados, dates and banana softserve lately too! after my runs in this somewhat hot weather i get home and have a piece of frozen banana and its amazing! and mashed avocado with agave and cocoa powder with a cut up banana has been part of my breakfast all week yum
Definitely avocados. And jicama- I just can’t get enough of it!
Those wraps look amazing- and combined with hummus and veggies… oh man. My stomach is growling now!
Lately I am also loving avocado. Strawberries, agave nectar, and homemade bread. And granola, a one-time vice of mine.