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.
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.
I love everything you posted except red beets, golden I can handle! I hope you can give me some ideas for my dehydrator, mine is a dust collector too. How bout some more good salad combinations, dressings, etc.?
Why don’t you try experimenting with recipes for the blog/you and Eric that are completely different to those you are making for your cookbook? Maybe try other cuisines you have yet to dabble in much- such as Peruvian (Bryanna Clark Grogan has some authentic recipes), Iraqi, Caribbean, or Portuguese (obviously veganising along the way?!) That way you could be filling your brain with new cooking styles, flavours and ingredients and this might lead to even more inspiration later on in your recipe development. Maybe you could give yourself fun challenges, for example to make vegan croissants, homemade yogurt or tofu (with herbs or sundried tomatoes to make it more unique), an aged nut cheeze or marshmallows? (Some of these are on my to do list!) My inspiration nearly always fails me just when I need it the most too!
Hello Angela,,,sorry for your block,,,can only imagine,,,but it will not last when your so creative, naturally! I love avocado ANthing, and your 15 minute sauce-devine! Dates-yep, date paste absolutely and loving asparagus – tons this last week,,,just lightly steamed with a huge kitchen sink salad<3
Can't wait to see your next creation/pics!
Can’t wait to see if the wrap works out! I hope so, because I want to make it. Lately, I’ve been loving coconut milk ice cream, fresh blackberries (all berries really), avocados, kiwi, banana soft serve, Alter Eco dark blackout chocolate, dates, sunbutter, pistachios, macadamia nuts, almond milk, and almond milk-based hot cocoa. Mmmmmmm….
Whoa, I want that raw wrap! I’ve never seen anything like that here. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled!
The strawberry lemonade is so delicious! I added a few frozen raspberries, too. Yum.
I would love to try the Strawberry Lemonade, but the link isn’t working for me :(
It was 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, 1/4 c. water, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, a splash of maple syrup -> blend these together -> add a couple cubes of ice and re-blend. It’s so good :)
Thanks! Can’t wait to try it!!!
Oh that lemonade is just calling out to be made a summer cocktail!
Even though I just made (and ate) a kick ass lunch, that wrap looks delicious. Lately I have been loving Ezekiel bread toasted and layered with smashed avocado, heirloom tomato, caramelized onions and sprinkled with cracked pepper and nutritional yeast. I occasionally add sauteed mushrooms. Mmm…heaven!
I agree with crofters/sun butter/banana on toast. Good breakfast. Thanks for the reminder to go stick more bananas in my freezer. They are nice and brown! :)
I think we could all talk about food forever, no? Especially when it all looks as good as your photos!!
I love avocado’s I’ve been eating loads lately! Along with lots of green juices and green smoothies. I went off citrus fruits for a while, but I have been loving oranges again this week! Medjool dates are always a winner!
I’m back on the avo bandwagon, too, but totally loving kale smoothies for breakfast every day (I make mine simple: half cup plain soy milk, handful of frozen strawberries, one whole banana, couple drops of vanilla, and fill the rest of the blender with kale!), and just discovered kind bars, my guilty pleasure snack of choice now. I basically eat by “foods I love” principles; I just eat the same things over and over and then get sick of them and eat something else over and over again and … so on and so forth!
Um, now I want to make that avocado pasta meal. Also, that organic almond milk is amazing!!! I have been using it (and I am not a fan of almond milk) and love it. I have to make that lemonade, this week.
There’s been some research that shows doing the opposite in your spare time of what you do in your work time relieves stress and helps you perform better. For instance — gardening in your spare time, if you spend time analyzing spreadsheets all day. You should try it.
If I have trouble with writer’s block, and have to produce (sometimes waiting for creativity isn’t an option), I always try to trick my brain by writing backwards, trying to compose in verse, etc.
And if all else fails, there’s always dark chocolate and espresso. . .
I am loving eating avocados with Nama Shoyu…it is seriously heavenly!! I have also been steaming sweet potatoes and asparagus and combining it with whole wheat couscous. Thanks for the post. I always love to see what others are eating!
Um, I have the exact same bag of Kettle Chips in my pantry (from Costco I believe, and yum by the way), but the ingredients do not list the potatoes as specifically being organic, although they do talk about a lack of pesticides and artificial flavors…
Great list, Angela! I do forget about certain foods occasionally, and then randomly pick them back up one day…I just can’t seem to think of a specific example at the moment, haha!
Right now I’m loving bananas in cereal (rather than oatmeal with berries) for breakfast…not sure what spurred the change, guess I just needed something different!
Totally intrigued with the flax veggie wraps! I would stock up on them today, but can’t find them here. Crossing my fingers (and toes) that you can work up a homemade one just as tasty.
So many good ideas…thanks! Those flax wraps look fun. I hope I can find them. I have a bunch of asparagus in the fridge that’s been begging me to use it up so I’m going to try out your recipe tonight!
I love those frozen mixed leafy greens from Whole Foods! I used to always keep frozen spinach on hand for smoothies, but now I use those instead. They were especially helpful during my most recent pregnancy (I suffer from low iron during pregnancy) since I don’t like greens at all unless they’re disguised well!
I love this post and those The Ultimate Organic Raw Wrap by Natural Living wraps looked so so good, but I don’t think I will ever be able to make it to the store you buy them at given that I live in the states so…. I would love if you came up with a recipe for them so that all of us that don’t live in Oakville can enjoy them too! Your blog is the best!
tried two trials today…the first one was a huge fail but the second one is getting a bit closer :) Hopefully I will get there!
I’m obsessed with grapefruit lately, and sweet potatoes!
Angela – how much is the PC Organics Almond Milk? If it’s cheaper than Almond Breeze (I get it for $1.99), I might make the switch! Thanks!
Food I’ve been digging lately:
– matcha tea (plain, chain, cacao… mmmm!)
– this food combo: unsweetened applesauce + frozen cherries + cinnamon + cacao nibs + pumpkin seeds
– eggs (especially with nutritional yeast and smoked paprika mixed in)
– peanut butter and co.’s “the heat is on” peanut butter (SPICY peanut butter! it’s so good in savoury dishes!)
Yes, try the salt & vinegar kettle chips! Just bought a bag for the first time the other day and they are very good! I don’t buy chips often either, but I was really craving that salt & vinegar combo. It made me think of your salt & vinegar chickpeas which I definately have to try soon!
And I definately have that jar of jam in my cupboard right now that I have yet to open, thanks for the reminder :)
Oh my gosh, I NEED those wraps!!! They do not sell those at our health food stores in Indiana.
Angela, I beg of you to figure out how to make them and post the recipe. I’ll purchase a food dehydrator just for them!
hah I will try my best! My 2nd attempt was better than the first so progress is being made :)
I was so happy to see that almond milk too! I usually buy the huge carton of almond breeze as its more economical, but this being organic is a plus!
I’ve been loving, loving, loving, the new PC multigrain crisps in salt and vinegar. I want you to try them, but proceed with caution! They are addictive…
I have been enjoying a lot of these foods too!! Especially dates and banana softserve!!! Especially together! :)
I bought a jar of vegan queso at Whole Foods that uses nutritional yeast and finally heated it up last night. I was surprised how much I dug it. It has chunks of peppers in it and was really spicy, which I love.
That wrap looks amazing! You’re making me so excited to go to Organic Garage again when I get home. Also, I love the PC almond milk too. And as a bonus, it’s fortified with more nutrients than Almond Breeze!
Lately I’ve been loving Yogi Egyptian Licorice tea. I’m seriously hooked on it!
So glad you wrote this post. I didn’t know about the breakfast cookies or the strawberry lemonade! I’m excited to try both right away. I am loving dandelion greens, arugula, and nettles right now. Can’t get enough.
Foods I’m into right now:
Mary’s Organic Crackers- go to Costco for them!
PC organic almond milk
Kind bars- almond and coconut variety
juicing- carrots, celery, apples, ginger
Oh, and your oh mega carrot cake cookies
and homemade granola I make these two things almost on a weekly basis!
I am very much into salty kettle chips these days too :)
FLAX CORN TORTILLAS:
3 cups fresh corn kernels, cut from 2-3 ears, or thawed frozen corn
1 1/3 cups chopped yellow or red bell peppers
1 cup flax meal
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon ground chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp ground cumin
* The last time I added some cilantro and a chunk of onion
Blend in food processor until smooth
Dehydrate at 115 for 3 to 4 hours. Flip over onto the trays and peel away the Teflex. Place back in dehydrator for about two more hours.
I’m loving Broccoli Slaw lately. We’ve made homemade broccoli slaw egg rolls, sauteed it and served pasta sauce over it, etc. The possibilities are endless!
I’ve been hooked on some of the same foods — can’t wait to try the carrot cake omega cookies – yum!!
i was wondering when you make those banana flax wraps will you post the recipe? I also have a dehydrator that is collecting dust. Those wraps sound really yummy!! Thanks!
I love this list! What a great post — forget all that “writers block” talk, this is such a joyful little interlude. Why not just celebrate the things you love every once in a while?! We should all be lucky enough to have 14 delicious foods to be grateful for!
(PS: No kidding, how awesome are dates?!?)
Totally agree!
Avocado is definitely on my LOVING IT list!
I am also really likeing TJ’s 8 veggie salad and TJ’s dried bananas (with PB).
These Picky Bars are my go to training food right now!
Angela – you are a magician in the kitchen – you amaze me and think of the best ways to be so good and so evil with food :) SO, wanted to share: I LOVE my plain greek yogurt. Fage is my fav, although not organic. I use it for a salad dressing often: I take a frozen cilantro cube defrosted and them mix in yogurt, splash of lime, S&P to taste and maybe a little olive oil to thin (the best over greens, red onion, avocado and spicy black bean burger). Also LOVE spreading PB or almond butter over a rice cake & then topping w/ greek yogurt, cinnamon & blueberries for snack. For my toddlers, mix in defrosted frozen berries and flax meal – yum! Thanks for all of you do, it is ALL worth it!!
Thank you Kristin!
Big YUM to all the above! I’ve been on a bit of an asparagus kick lately and love it even sliced raw in a salad or roasted is amazing too. I just bought large raw, unsweetened coconut flakes and have been putting them in my oatmeal/grains in the morning. Sooo good! Also, have you ever had mochi or cooked with it? It seems so…different.
And I have to say that as soon as I read jam, sun butter, and banana on toast I was all ready to scroll down and see a picture of it. Guess I’ll just have to create it on my own :) Sounds delish!
Love to hear what you’re loving!