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.
Writers block is the worst – luckily my company understands that they can’t stress the content team out too badly with looming deadlines and that we’ll perform best when we get our minds in the right space! (I personally also have a hunch I’d perform best with those endurance crackers in my belly right now)…
Try not to stress out too badly about stepping away for a bit. Swapping in another creative activity during that time can also help get your brain back where it needs to be!
Agree! I always say creativity can’t be forced. I guess that’s why I’ve never worked well with blogging on a set schedule.
Avocados!! I just made another of your no-bake double chocolate tortes this weekend. I slice it up after we’ve each had a piece (Ok, two pieces) and then individually wrap them so that if anyone feels like dessert or a chocolate fix, it’s right there. I love that I know exactly everything that went into it! Now that you’ve mentioned creamy avocado sauce, I need to make that too!
I also love Kashi Heart to Heart cereal. It’s really good, low in sugar and makes a great pre-gym/run snack.
I love that idea :) Enjoy the pasta sauce if you make it!
It’s a favorite – just haven’t made it in awhile . . which means it’s all we’ll be eating for the next month . . yum! :)
ah, glad to hear that! :)
I haven’t even heard of some of those amazing picks. I am loving blueberries and watermelon (finally somewhat in season).
Lately I am loving any sort of soup packed full of veggies. I’m also always in love with carrots & hummus!
I’m so intrigued by those raw wraps!
I WAS also really into banana soft serve….until one of the blades broke off my food processor! It snapped right off into my soft serve. I’m bitter.
Other than that, I’ve been loving waffle iron french toast, pears, kiwis, and anything mexican!
ah, what a bummer! Will the company fix it for you? Or maybe the store will replace it?
I can’t get enough raw asparagus lately – I’ve been adding making a ton of wraps using collard greens as the tortillas and putting all of the raw veggies I can find in them. With hummus, of course. Mashed avocado is a great “sauce” in them too. :)
yum!! you’ve made me super hungry and i just ate bfast! i hope you get your groove back soon b/c i’m dying to try those raw wraps! Happy monday angela!
Uh…is it wrong I immediately thought of making ice cream sandwiches out of the carrot cake cookies and banana soft serve?? *blush*
I like the way you think.
Hey Angela,
I just wanted to say that you should never doubt that what you’re putting out to the blog universe is wonderful and helpful. I can’t tell you enough (and I never have) how much your blog has spoken to me, and directly affected my diet, lifestyle and goal towards loving my body! Even posts like this are thought provoking and idea-inspiring for the people like me– trying to make a major life shift and working towards being more like you!
You rock,
Ann
P.S. Thanks for the lemonade recipe, I have been wanting to find one without sugar!
Aw thank you so much Ann, that is so nice of you to say :) I hope you enjoy the lemonade!
I totally get how you’re feeling! The last few recipes I’ve made and altered just didn’t come out that great, including a smoothie, which has never happened. Thanks for writing about it and reminding me that it’s a human thing, not a Maddi thing haha. Cheers to some good cooking and great recipes this week!
cheers to that :)
I still need to delve into the world of beets. I’ve never tried one but based on how much everyone else loves them, I think I should jump on board!
I hear you, I used to HATE beets! I started juicing with them at first and that got me used to the taste. Then eventually I was eating them raw in salads and finally, cooked! Now I just love them. Try the golden beets- they are a bit milder.
Awesome! i definitely will – thanks Angela! :)
I am loving tahini ketchup. I think I’ve put it on everything. Seriously considering just eating it off my hand.
Medjool date = nature’s candy for sure. I like to food process ’em and roll them in unsweetened coconut, can’t beat a classic ;)
add some walnuts and raw cocoa with them in a food processor and they are heaven
oh girl, I’m gunna have to grab a seat and sip on some lime water to calm down :) thanks for the suggestion!
I have not been feeling or craving much lately! But your frozen Strawberry Lemonade has sparked an interest. Looks YUMMY! I will need to give it a try!
hugs,
April
Hope you overcome your recipe-block! Maybe taking a little break is good because the new ones you’ll come up with will just be incredible (as are all of your other ones)! These foods all look super delicious and spring-like! YUM!
Definitely on the avocado train lately! Crofters is my favorite jelly/jam! I am obsessed with the jars and keep them all to reuse. hehee Asparagus has been on my radar this year more than usual and I’ve also found some fabulous organic strawberries already. I love when spring foods start to come into season! Totally feel you on the “recipe block” too!
I can’t wait to save this jar. It’s a special one..hah.
That organic raw wrap looks incredible! They need to sell those other places
Oh I love Kettle chips! I also just bought Terra sweet potato chips last week, and I LOVE them! They only have 3 ingredients, and they are so good!
I Iove the look of those wraps!! Good lucky with the dehydrator today!
Mmm date syrup? I love medjool dates. Right now, I’m really loving fresh pressed green juices that I get from a juice shop that just opened a few blocks away (yay!). Also loving gluten-free toast with almond butter and bananas. Also loving sundried tomatoes in stirfy!