Happy Wednesday my lovely friends.
It’s Tuesday night and my brain is NOT in the mood to work… Despite all my enthusiasm in yesterday’s post about what’s going on in school. I’m the kind of person who does better by getting up at 6 am to complete school work than to try to do it at night. How about you?
Right now I just want to chill on the couch. At least I was semi-productive by procrasti-baking these oatmeal cookie bars for Terry. According to him it’s been too long since I’ve made him cookies.
Today I am showing you my eats from Monday. This day is filled with recipe-wins and I recommend trying them out. Thanks for the link-up!
Breakfast was my favorite baked oatmeal recipe. It’s made with applesauce, which I think adds a natural subtle sweetness. When making it, I swap the 1/4 cup oil with 2 eggs.
Topped with sunflower seed butter then put in the toaster oven. I recommend putting the sunflower seed butter on top prior to toasting- it really brings out the nutty flavor. Served with coffee x 2 (or 3?) and dark chocolate.
Later in the morning I snacked on one of these chocolate chip banana bread brownies. Not the prettiest, but DANG they are good. I struggled to make them last more than a few days.
Lunch was leftover lentil loaf on a bed of spinach plus plain Greek yogurt & strawberries. My vegetarian friend came over for dinne the other night and I made us this lentil loaf. The only vegetables I used were carrots and onions, because that’s all I had on hand.
The last time I made a lentil loaf it took me FOREVER because it had a million ingredients. I felt like this recipe was much simpler!
Snack time before class was a bag of mini-pretzels. I neglected to pack a snack, so I am thankful to my office for having free snacks lying around. I just needed some peanut butter!
Dinner involved my beloved zoodles! With warmer weather comes more zucchini, one of my favorite veggies. Rather than topping them with marinara like I usual, I opted for the this crockpot cheesy chicken enchilada sauce. I failed and forgot to buy corn, but I bet that would have been wonderful in this too.
I ended the evening with some half the pint of cake batter flavored Arctic Zero. I do not think this stuff compares to real ice cream, but this flavor was really good. Second to the strawberry flavor, in my opinion.
^Teeth marks in the pint because I couldn’t wait to get home to try it!
Have you tried any amazing recipes lately? Do tell!
The Domestikated Life 
YES! I have tried some amazing BGB ladies’ recipes. There are these peanut butter granola bars from Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen that you must try. Michele at Paleo Running Mama made this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G strawberry banana coffee cake. I changed it from paleo to gluten free, but it was still one of the best coffee cakes I’ve ever eaten.
Sounds delicious!!
I don`t cook a lot lately. Salads are my new go-to. With all that warm and sunny days nothing can beat easy and fresh meals. Your lentil loaf looks really good though.
It’s not quite summer here, but I am all about the salads in the summertime!
Ugh, I am trying to get back in the kitchen but it’s just not happening. When it does it’s chilled out weeknight dinners and salads right now. Roll on free time when school breaks for summer! The baked oatmeal looks great, I need to find a good recipe for my first attempt, which recipe do you use?
Salads are great, I don’t blame you!
I used chocolate covered Katie’s family sized baked oatmeal recipe. I swapped out the oil for two eggs. It’s a big recipe so sometimes I’ll have it or freeze some.
I want one of those banana bread cookies!! What recipe did you use for the lentil loaf? You just inspired me – I’ve been wanting to use the rest of the lentils I have! I don’t know how I feel about Arctic Zero – I definitely agree with you and don’t think it compares to the real thing. The texture is so weird, it takes forever to melt. I’ve tried a couple flavors, just maybe not the right one yet. You’re almost through the week, girl, Keep knocking it out!
The lentil loaf is from the simple veganista. It’s a really easy recipe!
I actually microwave the Arctic zero because I’m impatient. I think it taste SO much better when it is almost melting.
The lentil loaf looks amazing, I want to try it!
I made Braised Coconut Spinach & Chickpeas with Lemon over the weekend, and it was so good! It was the first time trying this recipe, and it did not disappoint! http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-braised-coconut-spinach-chickpeas-with-lemon-recipes-from-the-kitchn-164551 The recipe put the mixture over sweet potatoes, but I used brown rice since that’s what I always have in the pantry. It was delicious, and I can’t wait to try it over sweet potatoes when I make it again (probably next week ha).
Oh my, that sounds really good! I’m putting it on my meal plan for the next week.
Yes! I’ve been craving baked oatmeal and was just wondering “what recipe does Kate use? I should ask.” Yours always looks good yet I have always been less than satisfied when I make my own. That cheesy chicken enchilada sounds awesome. Thanks for all the shares!
Baha – teeth marks. You and I are about on the same “class” level. 🙂
I can’t say how addicted I am to the baked oatmeal. It’s ridiculous.
I’m glad that I have friends who are also down for eating ice cream out of the container no spoon or not!
My favorite part of this post is the teeth marks in the attic zero container! Totally something I would do!!
I used to make lentil loaf pretty frequently but I got out of the habit. Thanks for reminding me!
Terry is so funny! But I love any excuse to bake.
The lentil loaf was really good. Perfect for leftovers!
Saving that lentil loaf recipe–ive been wanting to try it but havent found a good recipe yet! Ive tried chocolate and peanut butter arctic zero flavors and was not a fan. i feel like it tastes really bland. maybe the cake batter is better?
The cake batter was better. I’ve found that Arctic zero has to be almost melting for the flavors to be strong. Though I get it only once in a blue moon because it’s kind of pricey!
I saw Arctic Zero in the grocery store and although a good low calorie option, $5 for one pint! $5 for 150 calories? No way is that a good return on my investment! I really want to try lentil loaf though, I like the recipe!
That’s funny! I rarely ever buy it. Mostly when I’m in the mood to eat half the pint. This time it was on sale too. I guess as 15+ mile runner, the amount of calories something offers is important to consider when purchasing! I agree 5 dollars is too much though.
It’s a treat 🙂 I respect that indeed!
Oh my goodness, the teeth marks in the ice cream gave me all-over chills – I have super sensitive teeth and just the thought makes them hurt! Those banana brownies, though. I need to make them.
When I was younger I was the same way! Maybe survival skills set in and I got over it, lol!
Wow, love the idea with the zoodles! I’ve never thought about doing it that way but definitely going to try it!
Highly recommend! It’s a great way to switch it up!
I’ve made zoodles in a asian peanut sauce and with bolognese and with pesto…but I’ve never tried it mexican style!! Good idea!
That sounds good- I need try the peanut sauce!
Yum!! those zoodles look great. I need to try making those sometime! 🙂
Definitely! They are fun!
I’m the exact same when it comes to work! My best writing happens at 5:30 in the morning, right when I wake up. Any other time of day, I’m not in the mood at all. Chocolate chip banana bread brownies? I’m pretty sure that is every dessert I love combined, so I must give this a shot.
Mornings are too short but so precious for the brain!
These recipes all look so good
Right?? They didn’t disappoint
Fellow morning person here. And my brain is never in the mood for work. But I do tend to do my best work in the early morning while sipping some tea. Your zoodle meal looks delicious by the way.
Haha! Never, but the morning is better!! I like that.
Chocolate chip banana bread brownies huh… I am intrigued and I want it!
Oh man, those zoodles look really tasty.
I can totally relate to wanting pretzels with PB, I actually snacked on an embarrassing amount of PB stuffed pretzels yesterday, oh man.. it was delicious. Can you believe the serving size was 4 pieces?? haha, definitely ate more then that.
I am in awe at your ability to sink your teeth in cold ice cream like that, that would seriously cause me a ton of pain haha!
You would know the banana bread brownies!
Oh my goodness those peanut butter stuffed pretzels are so addictive!
I love the teeth marks! I relate on so many levels, lol.
Haha, girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!
I’ve never tried peanut butter on pretzels before, but I love them both so I bet they’re a match made in heaven 😉
Blessings,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee
You’d love it!!