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 totally agree with chips being the perfect hangover food! I don’t know if its the salt or fat, but whenever my tummy is off chips just seem to sort it out a treat. I’m all over avocados as well right now!
I have been told that Almond Milk has being highly processed and contains many preseratives. Therefore, I have been staying away from it. Anyone know more than me that can help? I must say I am loving adding Coconut milk and water into my smoothies. They are both amazingly good for you and taste great too! I am also started adding Maca into my smoothies, which is great for a energy…and helps with sexual function too :)
If you’re concerned about the level of processing (which I wouldn’t be) you can always make your own homemade almond milk very easily. Check out Choosing Raw’s How to Make Almond Milk Blog post.
Great post…there are things like banana soft serve, medjool dates, peanut butter…they never get old for me. Interesting finds on those crackers and wraps!
I just posted all kinds of avocado & green recipes for Earth Day yesterday. Those have been on my lovin’ list lately.
I love avocados too, I almost have them with every meal!! Also, I have never had the President’s choice Almond Milk but I am addicted to the Vanilla Almond Breeze it is amazing!
Oatmeal! Whether a baked oatmeal recipe or Organics oatmeal with added berries and touch of maple syrup!
I get in recipe ruts, too, even though food and I never end up on bad terms, either. haha. That’s when I start pulling out old favourite recipes and trying them out again. Or, I’ll go to another blog and try something different!
Do you thaw the frozen greens before blending into a smoothie or do you just chip off a frozen chunk and let the blender do it’s thang?
Nope…I just add a handful and let the blender do its thing :) Easy!
One of my favourite snacks or lunches used to be a slice of really good sourdough bread, toasted, then spread – while still warm – with avocado and topped with a little bit of lime, salt and sweet chili sauce or sriracha. I need to start making that again!
Lately I’ve been obsessed with tahini – like, eating it straight from a spoon obsessed – really good, pulpy orange juice, avocados, sweet red peppers, anything lemony and goat cheese.
Awesome post! So many great things to try – and I’m in agreement with a few myself! Lately, I’ve been (re)falling in love with Green Smoothies, Almond milk, and my favorite “shake”: Frozen cherries, frozen bananas, almond milk, and a scoop of chocolate flavored greens. I swear it’s better than any shake I’ve had! Oh, and I so relate to the wine = talk show like experience. ;)
I love this list. I too am on an asaparagus, beet, and avocado kick. Also, kumquaits, all berries, and a ton of apples. :)
I start every morning with a cup of hot water and lemon helps clear out the toxins. Then I have a smoothie, I am not sure if I need a new brand of protein [powder or just a new blend of fruit because lately I am just gettting them down. I am loving mushroom soup for lunch the easiest recipe to make, funny after years of avoiding mushrooms I found out Imliked them when I became vegetarian and had a portobello burger. I do not like the texture cooked however so instead of chopping I use the grator attachment on the food processor and it is like eating a mushroom noodle soup. The recipe is also a good base for gravy. Regarding the de hydrator do you find you use it regularly? I would really like to buy one but do not want it to end up like the juicer sitting in the cupboard. I have read a lot of reviews and they all agree the excalibur is the best, is this the brand you have?
I originally bought it for my bakery’s raw bar, but to be honest I didnt make much use of it aside from that. I’m hoping to change that though!
Thanks for the raw wrap recommendation! My husband and I love wraps so I can’t wait to try it! I really really really hope you have success making a raw wrap and put it in your cookbook because I just bought a dehydrator and would love to make a wrap in it. By the way, maybe you could reduce the amount of pressure you’ve put on yourself to come up with all new recipes for your cookbook by making a large percentage of them the favorites from your blog. I, for one, would actually prefer that because then I don’t have to have my phone or laptop in the kitchen and then all of your recipes are in one handy place. It would make your job so much easier. You could even take a vote from your blog readers to see what they think too.
I can’t get enough of Ancient 12 grain bread and earth balance. I don’t care what time of the day it is, I’m always craving it. Edamame hummus from trader joe’s also goes pretty quickly in my apartment between me, myself, and I. :) Got to meet Kris Carr over the weekend! So cool!
WOW. I’m obsessed with avocado, but that never goes away. I think it comes with being a California girl. I’m glad you reminded me of a few great recipies of yours I want to try. And that I need to get cashews to make kale chips.
I honestly don’t know how you do as much as you do, all the posts, recipies, creativity – I think it is only fair to your brain to allow for a little writer’s block. As far as I’m concerned (and I’m sure I’m not alone) writer’s block days could easily be suplimented with a photo of sketchie.
Have a great week!
hah well I did take a Sketchie video this weekend… ;)
Thanks for your kind words!
Hahaha, your “speaker’s block since 1985” comment really made me laugh. I can definitely relate – luckily, wine cures it for me, too :) Mmm, I have definitely spooned avocado straight into my mouth on many occasions – so good! That’s a great tip about using frozen mixed greens in smoothies; I never thought to do this, and I’m always sad if I don’t have fresh spinach on hand to add into a smoothie. I made banana soft serve last night and I added in 1/2 cup of frozen mixed berries for instant berry sorbet! It’s truly magical. And I completely agree – medjool dates really are nature’s candy. I just ran out and need to buy some more ASAP!
Organic Garage is my absolute favourite store!
Loving those raw wraps!
Next time you go there ~ it wasn’t me! ;)
(kidding)
xo
heh it’s my fav store too…& so much cheaper than WF!
I love this post! I’ve been doing the same thing with water so that I’ll drink more of it, I always make banana soft serve, and I eat avocados every day! I wish I could try those flax wraps but it looks like they’re only in canada :( Anyway it is great to see some of the things you eat on a daily basis, thanks! (making those cookies asap too! :)
My mom finally got me to eat beets and I am loving them!
I’ve been having a bit of recipe block too lately, I know the feeling! But some of these are also huge in my house – Crofter’s fruit-sweetened jams? Yes! And I love President’s Choice but haven’t tried their organic almond milk yet. Thanks for the heads-up, it’s now on my list!
I’m happy you’ve discovered great wraps. I have such a hard time finding good ones!
Lately I’ve been loving horseradish and cabbage. I always love those, but it’s been in full-force lately.