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. Omega 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. Update: I hear this link isn’t working for some of you. You can also view the recipe on Chatelaine’s website.
What foods are you loving lately?
For part 1, see 7 Foods I’m Loving Lately.
Sorry to hear about your recipe-block. Bummer! :-/
However, your eats look fantastic. Mmmm, dates! :-d Those are my current food I’ve been loving these past two weeks (it was part of my Easter basket candy! Dried fruits are the ultimate candy!!!)
Limes – I like to put lemon wedges in my water bottle at work but when I went to the grocery the store last week they were all out – can you imagine! So instead I bought limes and love the change in flavor. I also used lime zest in a few recipes in place of lemon and it was fantastic.
Recently discovered wheatberries – yummy in salad.
And lastly your detox salad with cranberries subbed in for currents and hemp seed sprinkled on top
You just reminded me about wheatberries…I need to bring them back in my life :)
Every post you write just makes me want to move back to Ontario! Canada has so many more healthy food options at affordable prices. I love presidents choice products!
We’re having the avo pasta for dinner tonight and I’m making the banana soft serve this afternoon :)
Hi Angela!
I stumbled upon your blog while looking for healthy vegan recipe ideas, and I just wanted to say hi and thank you for sharing such an awesome blog! Although I’ve only read the About You section and this one entry, I’m already super excited to continue exploring!! I’ve been a runner, yogi, and foodie for years, and have been earnestly trying to work more vegan meals into my diet :)
Have a happy Tuesday!
Colleen
Austin, TX
Hey Colleen, So nice to meet you! Thanks for your kind words about my blog. I hope you enjoy it :)
Crofter’s raspberry is amazing! I’ve totally switched over to it from my other jam.
I forget about foods all the time and then reconnect with them spontaniously. I always think, “how have I lived without you all these weeks.” I am thinking majool dates and me have a date for the near future now that you mention them!
I COMPLETELY agree about PC organic almond milk tasting better than Almond Breeze. It’s pretty mind blowing. I’m not completely vegan (vegan at home, vegetarian outside my home) so I haven’t quite forgotten what milk is like in tea since dairy-free isn’t always available. The point of me telling you this is that PC almond milk is the closest thing I’ve found to having regular milk in my hot beverages, in fact I can’t really tell any difference! and it’s even cheaper than AB at my local Loblaws!
awesome!! Glad im not the only one. Its soooo creamy right?
That Crofter’s raspberry jam is amazing!! I was addicted to it for a looooong time. I recently found that the Traders Joes Raspberry preserves taste about the same as well, so now I switch off depending on which store I do my shopping at!
Lately I have been loving putting mint in my iced coffee! Amazing! :)
going to make those omega cookies asap!!! I made a version of your ultimate oatmeal raisin cookie and they turned out AMAZING!!! They were even brother approved (he hates anything remotely ‘healthy’ but gobbled these up no problem). Hope your writers/recipe block clears up soon :)
I picked up those raw wraps yesterday at Organic Garage while grocery shopping and I am pretty sure I saw you there Angela!
I wasn’t 100% it was you otherwise I would have stopped to say hello.
The wraps are delicious, great suggestion.
hah yes I was there- getting MORE wraps!! haa. Thats funny you saw me…I was happy there were some left. ;) Hope to see you another time!
Hei Glowing Angela!
I have just finished reading your blog posts from 2008. (I started last week). And I’m hooked! There were so many posts that spoke straight to my heart and often made me cry. I could identify myself to the things you wrote.
I feel so inspired and first time in a long time (it’s been a tough winter) I feel the energy to change things (mostly my thoughts) and also enjoy my life as it is right now. Reading your posts made me realize that I’m not the only one with anxiety.
Anyway I’m hoping you a wonderful spring and lots of sunshine!
/Mari from Finland
P.S. creamy avocado pasta = Love!!
Thank you Mari, that means so much to me to read that! I wish you all the best with the changes you want to make. PS- Love that you are from Finland! So cool :) I want to visit there some day.
You’re mostly welcome! :D
I love your list! I am so looking forward to making that strawberry lemonade!
raw kale beet purple cabbage and carrot salad, with a tahini dressing. So. Good.
And lavender shortbread cookies!
Aw Ange! Even with writers block your posts are so fun! I really enjoy your sense of humor. I think I get writer’s block just thinking about the idea of committing to write anything on a schedule! I’ve been really into veggie chili’s all winter/spring. Chop up a mountain of whatever veg I have in the fridge, saute, add some diced tomatoes, bean of choice, chili powder, cumin, oregano, chili flakes etc… and eat a huge steaming bowl with brown rice. Just warms my soul on a chilly day! But transitioning into warm weather foods… we just made your veggie burgers this weekend and they were AWESOME!! Thanks for all your inspiration!
I think I ate that Asparagus everyday last week, still looking for more :-)
I’m so happy you posted those Endurance Crackers. I missed your original post about them. I have a tree nut allergy, so most granola/trail mix/energy bar recipes out there (as well as store bought ones) are off limits for me. I get really sick of relying on sunflower seeds and peanuts. These crackers look perfect for me!
Do you know if the finished product would freeze well so I could make large batches for future eating?
I can’t see why it wouldn’t freeze well! Let me know if you try it.
I might make them this weekend, so I’ll let you know!
I recently discovered PC Organics almond milk too. It’s the best. Really love it in my coffee or on cereal. Also I could eat an avocado everyday!
Oh how I’d love to try those wraps!! I don’t get writer’s block simply because I never write :), but I’m confident the juices will start flowing for you! I’m looking forward to more entree recipe posts…those are my favorites! Thanks for all your great posts. You do a wonderful job!
I love crofter’s jam too (I wonder if they sell it in the US or if its a Canadian company?? Have you ever tried the sugar free crofter’s one?? It’s actually really good.
I havent..the full sugar one would be hard to beat! hah. What sweetener do they use?
wow, I’ve been in search for new and interesting foods, and here are TONS to try! Thanks!!
Does anyone know where I can get those wraps in the U.S.? They look awesome!
Kale salad, and it turned off cool so been making lots of soups. One of my favorites is Smoky Refried Bean, yummy!
Hi Angela, I recently discovered your blog and you are such and inspiration to me!
Anyway, I am addicted to avocados right now too! I like to eat them in a spinach salad with radishes, carrots, drizzled with olive oil, lime juice, and garlic. It’s surprisingly delicious! The garlic makes it taste like guacamole. I am also in love with larabars! Especially the chocolate brownie and lemon bar flavors.
Hello Angela! Congratulations on your blog! Loving it so far, and looking forward to trying your recipes when I find time :) Thanks a lot for sharing! Hope you don’t mind me telling food lovers about it! :)
Lately, I’ve been trying out different mixes, pulses/legumes + grains. Today for lunch I had pearl barley + yellow split peas in coconut oil and spices. For dinner I’ve been enjoying salads with vegetables + fruit. I absolutely love my porridge oats with cinnamon+ginger+honey in the morning. Must admit I’m a bit obssessed with honey and I use it in everything I cook. Have you ever tried roasting vegetables like butternut squash/ sweet potatoes/ parsnips/ onions with no water or any oils and served them with some honey+cinnamon+ginger on top? Will always be a fav of mine!
You shouldn’t worry about coming up with more new recipes anytime soon! You’ve already accomplished a lot and am sure that the less you worry the more those new recipes will come to you.
Once again, thanks for sharing! xx
Thank you for your lovely comment Lucy! So glad to hear you are enjoying the blog :)
p.s. avocado is one of my favourite and guess what..? it’s good with honey and cinnamon on top after you’ve grilled the avocado! :))) ok, enough of honey now!!! xx
Those wraps are really similar to some from Live that I discovered at a local health food store this week from Live Food Bar. I’m OBSESSED! I was surprised that they’re still moist and pliable. Since cutting back on wheat/gluten, I’ve been looking for a replacement and I’ve had them for lunch all week with hummus and veggies.
I’m totally on the bandwagon with Kettle chips (one of my guilty pleasures) and avocado. Everything is better with avocado!
Do yourself a favor (or non-favor) and try the salt and pepper kettle chips next. I call them “devil chips” because I seriously cannot stop eating them once the bag is open.
I look forward to hearing about your dehydrator experiences. I have been wanting on as I love crunchy veggies and the store bought ones often have canola oil :(. I am torn b/w that and an ice cream maker as the vegan ice cream I have tried to make in our vitamix does not come out all that great…..
i just got back with avocados last week! my friend threw some into our stir fry and i was thinking the cooked avo would not turn out well, but it was the perfect amount of creaminess with the rest of the dish. Sweet potatoes are another one that I constantly forget about. It’s like finding a shirt in your closet you forget you had then, bam! free new shirt!
Beets! Just had a yummy salad – romaine, baby spinach, celery, fennel bulb, topped with roasted beets and walnuts, drizzled with olive oil and apple cider vinegar and a grind of pepper
I’m loving my kale!!! By the way if you choose between lemon and lime water, keep in mind that lemons are richer in vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and folate ;)
Angela,
I tried to google the wraps you featured, but couldn’t find them in a quick search. Do you know if they are sold online? Or do you know if you will attempt to make them on your own and teach us? (hee hee). They look incredible!! I’m staying away from soy, yeast, and gluten, so they are perfect.
Thanks
I can never truly comprehend the taste of the avocado. Good choice with the lemon water though. Our fridge always has that in stock.
Looking forward to trying the wraps, will head to Organic Garage this week. Brown rice wraps are ok but tend to flake. Also, have been loving hot water with organic lemon slices first thing in the morning. I highly recommend it! Especially since you’re not doing green tea anymore, right?
OUTSTANDING POST! and those wraps look amazing! but I cannot seem to find them anywhere. Any suggestion on where I may be able to find them in Toronto?
Not sure, I would try emailing the company!
Banana soft serve?!?!?! How have I never heard of this life-changing food??
This post made me crave a green smoothie. Yum!!
I definitely need one of those dehydrators!
Angela,
I’ve only recent happened upon you’re site but it has soon become my new obsession. Thanks for posting such great recipes. I made the rustic pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving with whipped coconut cream and it was a huge hit! I will definately be making recipes from here regularly :) I notice though on a few posts about bought Almond milk. A couple of months ago I discovered how amazingly fresh and simple it is to make your own! I just soak 1 cup almonds overnight, drain, and blend with 3 cups filtered water, press through cheesecloth, and voila! You need to let it set in the fridge and shake it a few times so it doesnt separate, but honestly since discovering this I will never buy the stuff again. And there is the added bonus of almond meal afterwards! Which turns into great Almond Raspberry Thumbprints (yum!). Thanks for all the awesome recipes, tips, etc.- I’m truly inspired!!