Powering Up for Crunch Time!

Well, the calm has finally broken in the kitchen - from the time I made that coconut cake last week, it's been go-go-go for (at least the planning stages) of birthday goodies of all sorts! I'm so happy that the kitchen storm can finally get underway, since being unable to churn out goodies was leaving me in a pit of boredom! I guess the only downside to the timing of this kitchen creativity is that I have to do everything one handed... as of last Saturday I've been rendered without the use of my left wrist (which, I can tell you, makes typing tons of fun! Thank God for spell check is all I can say). What did I do? Well, it wasn't so much me as it was these little morsels of piping treachery playing havoc with my joints. What can I say, I'm a very old not-even-20-something (28 days though!)! What a pretty brace, isn't it? Yeah, I like to show off that engagement ring from Andrew too!

At least I have an "official" snow day tomorrow off of school, with the forecast calling for a whopping 30cm of snow (although it's sad that it means no Black Forest Cake for me :-[ ), so I can rest up and finish planning the timing that all of the goodies I have to make anyway. So, dear readers (the few loyal followers I have), you'll be seeing at least these yummy smells coming out of this kitchen over the next few weeks. Hope you're looking forward to em!

Buttery Buttermilk Vanilla Cake (Mom)
Nutty Night Owl Cake (Mom)
lasagne of some sort (Mom)
Buttery Banana Cake with a Buttermilk Glaze (Dad)
Torta del Garbanzo (Me!)
Red Velvet Cake (Teaghan)

Yay for sugar rushes!

Of course, these won't be made on an empty stomach... ohh no, we here like our breakfast (or at least I do). Luckily for me, oats are a delicious and fast source of whole food nutrition! For this week's round up of ARF / 5-A-Day over at Sweetnicks, I have two breakfast delights for you - you choose depending on the time you have on hand!

Choco-Block Peanutty Breakfast
Serves 1
1 packet unflavoured instant oatmeal
1 tbsp dark cocoa powder
1 tbsp brown sugar
pinch salt
1/2 tbsp smooth peanut butter

1. Combine oatmeal, cocoa powder, brown sugar and salt in a bowl.
2. Place peanut butter in the centre of the dry mixture.
3. Pour boiling water over everything and stir until well combined.
4. Let stand 5 minutes and enjoy!

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 215.0
Total Fat: 6.5 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 326.7 mg
Total Carbs: 35.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 5.3 g
Protein: 7.4 g

The steel-cut oats remain crunchy and never get mushy like regular rolled oats, and the quinoa brings a boost of protein, fibre and a unique taste. Feel free to use whatever kind of low-fat milk product you like, I choose So Good Trim soymilk but regular will do!

Personal Power - On Porridge
Serves 1
2 tbsp steel-cut oats
2 tbsp quinoa
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup low fat, plain soy milk
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch ground ginger

1. In small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Bring to boil over high heat.
3. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 344.5
Total Fat: 5.0 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 61.8 mg
Total Carbs: 68.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 6.8 g
Protein: 11.1 g

So, I don’t want to hear any excuses for missing breakfast!