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Dinner with mom

Dinner my mom made. Sauteed veggies, some beef roast baked with onions and garlic and a salad. Love the avocado! I tried to keep the feta chunky since that's how the Greeks eat it! :)

Pizza

The "Greenwich Vegetarian" pizza at Uncle Vito's Pizza place in Davis, CA. Not too shabby. The slivered almonds provide a great texture. However, I went again to this place last week and ordered the tomato pesto pizza. Very disappointed. They needed a stronger cheese, I could barely taste the Parmesan cheese or pesto. Kinda pricey, too...I doubt I'll be returning anytime soon :(

I eat a lot of Z-bars (the kid version of Cliff bars). They have a great texture and are relatively low in calories ~120 cals? Plus, buying them at Costco also saves some money. It's very helpful if I wake up late and have to get breakfast on the go. But last night, I became pretty inspired to try making my own after watching an Good Eats episode called "Power trips" on the Food Network.

Protein Bars

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005

Prep Time:

25 min

Inactive Prep Time:

0 min

Cook Time:

35 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

24 (2-inch) squares

4 ounces soy protein powder, approximately 1 cup

2 1/4 ounces oat bran, approximately 1/2 cup

2 3/4 ounces whole-wheat flour, approximately 1/2 cup

3/4-ounce wheat germ, approximately 1/4 cup

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

3 ounces raisins, approximately 1/2 cup

2 1/2 ounces dried cherries, approximately 1/2 cup

3 ounces dried blueberries, approximately 1/2 cup

2 1/2 ounces dried apricots, approximately 1/2 cup

1 (12.3-ounce) package soft silken tofu

1/2 cup unfiltered apple juice

4 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/2 cup packed

2 large whole eggs, beaten

2/3 cup natural peanut butter

Canola oil, for pan

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and lightly coat with canola oil. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, oat bran, wheat flour, wheat germ, and salt. Set aside.

Coarsely chop the raisins, dried cherries, blueberries and apricots and place in a small bowl and set aside.

In a third mixing bowl, whisk the tofu until smooth. Add the apple juice, brown sugar, eggs, and peanut butter, 1 at a time, and whisk to combine after each addition. Add this to the protein powder mixture and stir well to combine. Fold in the dried fruit. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Brown Rice Crispy Bar

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005

Prep Time:

15 min

Inactive Prep Time:

0 min

Cook Time:

9 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

24 (2-inch) squares

3 ounces puffed brown rice, approximately 6 cups

3 tablespoons flax seed oil, plus extra for the pan

1 tablespoon orange blossom honey

7 ounces mini marshmallows, approximately 4 cups

3 ounces toasted slivered almonds, approximately 3/4 cup

1 1/2 ounces coarsely chopped dried cranberries, approximately 1/3 cup

1 1/2 ounces coarsely chopped dried cherries, approximately 1/3 cup

1-ounce dried blueberries, approximately 1/3 cup

Lightly coat the inside of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch metal pan with oil and set aside. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Spread the brown puffed rice evenly on a sheet pan. Toast in the oven for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the rice is toasting, prepare the marshmallow mixture.

Place the oil, honey, and marshmallows in a large mixing bowl set over a pot of gently simmering water. Stir until the marshmallows are melted, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Once the marshmallows are melted, quickly add the toasted brown rice, almonds, and fruit and stir to combine. Coat your hands or a spatula with oil and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Once the mixture has cooled completely, cut into squares and store in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY GO-TO / FAVORITE ENERGY BAR RECIPES??

Another cookie recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
(also from a fellow running buddy)

-1 stick of butter
-1 egg
-1 Tbs of vanilla (maybe more)
-1/2 c brown sugar
-1/2 c white sugar
-1/4 c soy egg nog
-1 1/4 c flour
-1 c oats
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 bag of chocolate chips

She did not include any steps but I'm going to advice my usual.

1. Mix dry and wet separately
2. Combine & spoon onto baking pan
3. Bake for 10-12 min or till golden brown in an 350 degree oven

Sorry no pictures for this one, but trust me! This is a really great recipe!

Mangoes!

GUEST POST!
from my running club buddy, C.Rosario

Mango Pie recipe
This is going to make 2 big pies. You can also put it in a rectangular pan.

-2 packets unflavored gelatin
-1/4 cup warm water
-1/2 pint heavy cream
-1 cup sugar
-8 oz. cream cheese, softened
-1 large can mango pulp
-1 tsp. vanilla extract
-2 graham cracker crusts

Recipe can easily be cut in half. It should be made in advance.

1. Mix the gelatin in warm water and allow the gelatin to dissolve completely.
2. Mix the heavy cream and gelatin together with an electric mixer (it may be mixed by hand but will take longer).
3. Add cream cheese and sugar, and blend well.
4. Slowly add the mango pulp, little by little, mixing well after each portion is poured in.
5. Beat well until the whole can of mango pulp is incorporated.
6. Add the vanilla essence and blend until all ingredients are fully and evenly combined.
** Make sure there is an even color throughout the mixture.
7. Pour mixture into the graham cracker crust and refrigerate for 7 hours or until set completely.

Baked brie with chutney
This one is awesome!

-1 Pepperidge farm pastry dough (in frozen section)
-1 brie wedge (I used El Prisendente brie)
-chutney-pratically any chutneywill work, but I have had a mango chutney, cranberry chutney, and mince meat
-1 egg

1. Defrost dough overnight.
2. Preheat oven at 400.
3. Spread out dough. Cut a small strip for use later on.
4. Lay a tablespoon of chutney at the center of the dough.
5. Place the brie on top of the chutney (you may have to cut it in half.)
6. Fold dough over brie and pinch the dough to form a closed ball.
7. Place dough ball upside down (pinched side down) on a foil covered dish for baking.
8. Cut or shape the strip of dough that you put aside into design and place on top of the dough ball.
9. Mix egg and brush on the dough.
10. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the dough looks golden brown.
**Serve with crackers, but people have eaten the brie with pastry dough alone.

Thanksgiving Dinner at a friend's house
-Baked salmon with homemade lemon dill sauce
-Ceasar Salad
-Apples, bread and cheese
-Feta cheese
-Stuffing
-Mashed potatoes
-Baked brie with cranberry and walknuts
-Pecan pie
-Pumpkin pie