Raw Power

I've switched out my usual rolled oats for steel cut oats, since they're supposed to be better for you, less processed. They do require a slightly higher alertness level in the mornings. Can't microwave them, as they will bubble over and make a mess. So I spend five minutes over the stove, whisking them. Then I stir in flax meal, maca, mesquite powder, peanut butter, and cacao nibs.

Olivia was a good sport about accompanying me on a boring errand (oil change that ended up taking an hour since I needed a belt replaced), so afterwards we treated ourselves to lunch at JuiceLand. She had a banana smoothie, while I tried the raw hot chocolate. It's made with cacao, almonds, coconut oil, vanilla and agave, and it's phenomenal. I'll be hooked on these all winter! We also shared a bag of Just Pure Foods raw onion rings.

Olivia and I both couldn't get enough of the onion rings! We quickly polished off the bag. The only bad part is -- holy onion breath! Good thing I had some gum in my purse!

Olivia always enjoys playing on the covered patio. It's a nice quiet place to chill and let her play.

After finishing her smoothie, she turned into a wild climbing monkey! She was full of raw power.

I had to take a pic of this drawing in the restroom. We have all been there.

For dinner I made a double batch of Appetite for Reduction's 40 Clove Chickpeas and Broccoli. We just had this a week or so ago, but it's so awesome, I want it all the time now.

You can never go wrong with some Iggy. (The original, not Azalea! Ha!)

BBQ Bowl

Spring is my favorite time of year to live in Austin. I want to be outside all day long.

Today we took a walk and stopped to take a few photos and rest some tiny feet. 

Doesn't this sidewalk graffiti look like it could be Super Jackson?

Skeleton horse is a little scary.

Dinner was a tester for Kristy's cookbook. BBQ ranch veggie bowls, topped with oven-baked onion rings. Lots of great textures and flavors all mixed together, yum.

Cookbook Challenge - Baked Onion Rings

Hola, how was your weekend? On Saturday, I did a little retail therapy and ate some Mexican food. Yesterday I just did stuff around the house. I was in kind of a blah mood until I learned some news -- there is a yoga studio opening right by my house! This cheered me up immensely. I used to go to yoga regularly when I lived in Austin, and I was pretty upset when we moved to New York and I learned that there were no studios in this area. I've tried practicing at home, but my son always wants to climb all over me and it is the opposite of relaxing! So I'm super excited to check this place out soon. The exercise and stress relief benefits of yoga are great, and I'm also looking forward to having some "me time" a couple times a week, which I don't really have right now.

This week, the PPK Cookbook Challenge begins! I posted the schedule the other day. This week, it's Appetite for Reduction.

I don't own this cookbook yet (I ordered it because I keep hearing good things, but it hasn't arrived yet), but I found a recipe online for OMG Oven Baked Onion Rings. They were easy. I used to be afraid to bread things, fearing a big mess. But you really only need to remember one rule -- keep one hand dry at all times.  It worked for my New Years Eve jalapeno poppers, and it worked for these onion rings.

Tony thought the onion rings were perfect for snacking on while enjoying some football playoffs. I could care less about football, but I ate my share as well!

I'm afraid this dipping sauce doesn't fit with the low-calorie philosophy of Appetite for Reduction, but it does pair nicely with the baked rings.

Awesome Onion Ring Sauce
1/2 cup vegan sour cream
2 Tbsp. ketchup
2 tsp. prepared horseradish
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper
Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl, serve with onion rings.