Week 2 Menu & Sweet Potato Wedges {recipe}

Week 1: done! And I'd say it was a pretty good success. I had a few 'kill all the things' moments, but other than that, not too many side effects. I felt really good in the gym later in the week. On Thursday, we had a really quick but cardio-intense WOD and I was able to keep a really good pace and on Friday, I PR'd my front squat by 25 lbs. I'd say a success so far. :-) Next week, I really want to focus on getting at least 8 hours of sleep if not more. I can definitely feel a difference when I get just a little bit more rest.

Now on to Week 2! So what am I eating? I'm doing things a little different this week:

One- no trail mix snacks. Mostly because I find I eat it even when I'm not hungry because the sweet & salty combo is too good to resist.

Two- I really want to focus on a good post-WOD recovery snack. So to get more protein, I'm going to attempt homemade jerky. We'll see how that goes.... I'm also planning on tinkering around with making my own apple cinnamon RXBars ::fingers crossed::

Three- I had a TON of leftovers last week, so I'm only going to do 2 different dinner meals and since I'm not really eating any fruit throughout the day, each night will be with a side of sweet potato wedges {my fav!} for a bit more carbs {I don't want to be completely carb-deficient.}

Breakfast: Fiesta Egg Scramble {recipe post tomorrow}

Lunch: Buffalo Ranch Chicken Stuffed Peppers with Guacamole {I really like these cups because you can have guac on hand and it doesn't go brown in the fridge}

Snacks: Antipasto Snack {again, but this time with jerky}
Post-WOD: Jerky with some portable carb {banana, clementine, etc}
Dinners: Either Cajun Chicken or Grilled Italian Sausage with Sweet Potato Wedges {recipe for wedges below}

For my weekly prep work, I need to season and brown chorizo {for the egg scramble}, chop and saute onions and bell peppers {also for breakfast}, make jerky {fingers crossed it goes well!}, bake chicken {for lunch}, and assemble and bake stuffed peppers.

This week, I also have a few kitchen experiments going on. I want to attempt to make my own ghee using this recipe for NomNomPaleo and I purchased all the supplies to brew my own kombucha {or moldy juice as James calls it}.  I think I might have reached official 'hippie' status.....

But no matter....now on to my favorite side dish ever. I would literally eat sweet potatoes every day for dinner {and this week I will} and this is my absolute favorite way to prepare them.

Sweet Potato Wedges


What You Need:

• Sweet Potato {1 medium potato per person}
• Oil {I use olive oil because I don't like the taste of coconut oil, even though Whole30 recommends not heating olive oil
• Salt

What To Do:

1. Preheat oven to 475F. Have your top rack in the middle of the oven with your bottom rack directly below it and lay a large piece of foil down on the bottom rack.
2. You can peel your sweet potatoes if you'd like {sometime I do, sometime I don't- it just depends}. Then cut down into wedges. How I do this is I cut the sweet potato in half lengthwise, then aain in half again lengthwise {so you've quartered the potato}. I then slice each quarter into ~3 wedges. So you get about 12-15 wedges per potato, give or take. If it's a really long sweet potato, half each wedge.         
3. Lightly toss with oil and salt. Place wedges directly on the top oven rack with the large piece of aluminum foil on the rack below {to catch anything that might fall/drip}.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the outsides have started to brown and the insides are tender. Serve immediately. Especially good with sriratcha ketchup when not on Whole30 :)

         

Skittles Vodka

In an attempt to start crossing things off my summer bucket list, I thought there was no better place to begin than mastering my own cocktail.  I love playing bartender but I feel like I always make the same (boring) things: vodka tonic, run & coke, and if I'm feeling really snazzy, Malibu & 7-Up. (Watch out now- things are getting crazy)

It doesn't help that I'm really picky. I like sweet, but not pure sugar.  I like fruity, but I don't want it bordering on Hawaiian punch.  I like it to be strong, but I don't want it to knock me on my butt after one sip.

I've been seeing Skittles-infused vodka floating around the interwebs for quite some time and I thought that the flavors might make for a great original cocktail base.  The ideas are already brewing (pouring? flowing? enter appropriate cocktail pun here): Lime Vodka Mojito. Lemonade Martini. Boozy Orange Slushies.  The possibilities are endless.

Added bonus: I finally found a use for the box of mason jars I bought months ago.  I shouldn't be allowed in Target....

Raspberry & White Chocolate Scones

Here's a little insight into my world.  I spend all day here:

Surrounded by fake flower pens, a Lego Sears Tower to remind me of the greatest city in the world, an uber-geeky Stormtropper bobblehead, and a field of Post-It notes.  Along with my all-important breakfast stash of Special K protein bars and oatmeal that taste like cookies. Not shown- my old lady multivitamins. It's just real life.

 

But no matter how wonderful Mr. Quaker is (which I originally typed as 'quacker'. No, the oatmeal man is not a duck...), sometimes a girl just needs a change. 

Enter the awesome world of scones.  Light crumbly sweet biscuits shoved full of raspberries and spotted with white chocolate chips.  Perfect with a tall cool glass of milk or a creamy vanilla latte.  This week, I breakfast like one classy broad.

Green Smoothie

 

No. Please don't run away.  I swear I haven't gone crazy.  But you have to trust me. Deal?

I made health in a glass.  It's like super juice.  But I have a secret...

It actually tastes good.  Yes, there's spinach in it and it looks like grass. But there's also banana and peanut butter and oh-so-amazing vanilla almond milk.  All that awesomeness makes the spinach virtually invisible.

Well, that's a lie. You totes can see it. Just not taste it.  It's un-taste-able.

Mad Men Martini

As hard as I might try, I'm never going to be one of the "cool kids".  I'm way to nerdy, way to awkward to be hip.  Case and point- I almost just quoted Huey Lewis there. But it's 2012 - seriously...who quotes Huey Lewis? Me. Totes OK with it too.

I'm constantly YEARS, really years, behind trends.  Allow me to elaborate:

I never listened to Dave Matthews Band in high school even though all my friends loved them. Now, like 3 of their songs are on my most played iTunes list.

I didn’t get on the ‘skinny jean’ band wagon until a couple months ago (though I probably should have let that one just leave the station….these thighs were not made for spandex)

And it took me until last week to watch an episode of Mad Men.  However, I’m now obsessed. OBSESSED.  Like, looking forward to going home, sitting on my couch and watching 2-3 episodes a night OBSESSED.  I love everything about it- the time period, the clothes, the nonchalant attitude all the guys have about, well, everything. It’s simply fantastic.  Plus, who wouldn’t love a show that promotes day-time office drinking?

Shameless photo of Don to drool over

So in honor of my ever-growing love of Don Draper, let’s throw one back old-school. 

Chocolate Cinnamon Bread

 Dear Blog-

I'm so sorry that I've been an awful friend.  I've ignored you. Acted like you didn't even exist. I even cheated on you....yes, I made numerous fantastic sweets and treats without letting you know.

I have no excuses. I was just lazy.  Please find it in your heart to forgive me.

But I'm back. And I brought bread.  I hope you like it.

Love,
Sarah

Garlic Knots

I don't care what my lineage says, I'm convinced that I'm Italian.

I talk with my hands.
I could eat pasta every day of my life.
I love me some espresso.
And I'm pretty sure I have garlic and parmesan running through my veins.

Hence my absolute delight when I discovered garlic knots.  I know they're nothing new and I'm sure many of you have already partied with garlic knots before. But until now, I have not.  I'm so ashamed of my self-proclaimed Italian-ness.

Breakfast Week Finale: Monkey Bread

I'm a culinary cheat.  I use boxed cake mixes.  I buy those jars of minced garlic.  I've never cook with dried beans- canned is totes the way to go.

And I make deceivingly easy breakfast casseroles with refrigerated biscuits.  Generic brand no less.

Its all the awesomeness of a cinnamon roll without actually having to make dough, wait for it to rise, roll, cut, bake, etc..... Toss biscuit pieces in cinnamon-sugar.  Douse with melted butter and more sugar.  Bake. Devour.

Yep- cheating is delicious.

Breakfast Week Part Deux: Homemade Bagels

There are days that I rock.  Days that I wake up early on a Saturday, take the pup on a run, come back and make myself a good healthy salad for lunch and spend the day reading something that probably should be on Oprah's Book List.

Then there are days that I don't exactly do that.......Days where I wake up at noon, make bagels, and then spend the remainder of the day drowning said bagels in cream cheese and watch She's All That and Never Been Kissed.  

Both of these days are winners. Being active and healthy: Awesome.  Carbs and Freddie Prince Jr?  Equally awesome

I can neither confirm nor deny what kind of day Saturday was....

Breakfast Week Kickoff: Apple-Cranberry Pecan Muffins

Your 10th grade Health teacher told you over and over.  Your mom yelled it at you as you ran out the door late for school.  Your stomach not-so-kindly reminds you at about 9:00 in the morning....

"Don't forget breakfast! It's the most important meal of the day!"

Yeah yeah yeah......I admit- I spent the first 23 years of my life completing ignoring that advice.  I'm a pro at timing my mornings so precisely that I now exactly what time I have to wake up in order to squeeze in a shower, blow dry my hair, throw on some mascara, and run out the door to get to work on time.

However, being starving, staring a a computer screen with 3 hours til lunch to go is no bueno.  Plus your co-workers begin looking at you funny when they can hear your stomach rumble all morning over the cubicle walls (Sorry guys.....)

So now a box of instant oatmeal permanently resides in my file cabinet and every morning I have a hot, yummy, filing breakfast that holds me over until lunch.  I have seen the light! And I'm hoping you will too :)

I know- most people would consider oatmeal every morning deathly boring.  So this week, we're going to branch out.   I got muffins and bagels and cinnamon-sugar goodness coming your way.  Let's do this.  First up: Hearty, fruity, nutty muffins- the perfect grab-and-go breakfast.

The Best Baked Fries EVER

I have tried honestly 10 different recipes for oven baked fries.  They never turn out right.  They very get good color. Or if they do, they don't have the right texture.  I was almost resolved to stick to buying the frozen ones in the bag.

But then I found this recipe and decided to give homemade fries one last chance.  Consider my search complete.  These are fan-freakin-tastic.  I can't say enough- just go get your potato on.


Adapted from this recipe


What You'll Need:

• 3 Large Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
• 5 Tbsp Veggie Oil, divided
• Salt and Pepper

What To Do:

1. Preheat oven to 475F.  Place potato wedges in a large mixing bowl and cover with hot water.  Let sit for 30 minutes.  
2. Evenly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with 4 Tbsp of the oil, tilting to completely cover (or use a pastry brush).  Sprinkle pan with salt and pepper
3. Drain potatoes.  Dry wedges by spreading on clean kitchen towels and patting dry.  Dry out bowl and put wedges back in there.  Toss with remaining 1 Tbsp oil and additional salt and pepper.  Arrange wedges on baking sheet in a single layer and cover with aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 5 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, rotating the sheet after 10 minutes.  Flip each wedge and bake for another 5-15 minutes, until wedges are crisp and golden brown.  
5. Once done baking, turn out onto paper towel to soak up grease.  Season with additional salt and pepper if needed

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This post is not New Year's resolution friendly.  And as much as I do hope that you had a lovely New Year's Eve with family and friends and plenty of cocktails, I'm here to wreck everything you vowed to change this year. My bad......

As a kid, I used to eat banana bread like it was candy.

Who am I kidding, as an adult, I still eat it like candy.  This loaf disappeared in an embarrassing short amount of time.  Like, really embarrassing.  Like, less than 24 hours.  Like, for reals. 

But can you blame me? Chocolate chips were involved.

And there was chocolate glaze too.  This bread was made to be Sarah kryptonite.

It's dessert disguised as a hearty, healthy, fruity bread.  Ok, fine. You can probably see right through its disguise.  Aren't you a smart cookie? (Or I guess, top banana??)  ((ba dum, crash))

Cranberry Martini

I read somewhere once that everyone should have one good cocktail that they are an expert at making.

I thought this one would be perfect for New Year’s Eve.  The cranberry juice gives it that wintery vibe but the fact that it’s a martini adds a special festiveness that New Year’s is all about.

 A little hint, the key to being a good bartender is having the right tools.  There’s all sorts of bar kits out there, but I find myself always coming back to two things:

One- A jigger/pony.  It's that weird, slightly off hourglass shaped measuring device.  The larger side is 1 ½ fluid ounces and is known as a jigger.  The smaller side is a pony and is 1 fluid ounce.

And two - A cocktail shaker

 Now go get all Tom Cruise-y in Cocktails and start mixing up your own concoctions.

Cookies & Cocktails

 

In my world, nothing says Christmas like cocktails and cookies, both enjoyed liberally. 
Not necessarily together, but if that’s how you roll- feel free.  Who am I to judge?

My cocktail tastes are simple. Vodka-tonic with a little bit of lime and I’m a happy girl.  Throw in some cranberry if I’m in a festive mood.  Jack and Diet if I’m feeling crazy.  In need a “sweet escape”?  Vanilla Absolut and I are good friends.

 

However, sometimes you gotta kick it up a notch.  Sometimes you gotta put on your big girl apron (the kitchen equivalent of big girl pants if you weren’t aware…) and get out the blender.  Then you need it introduce it to some old buddies of mine- vanilla AND mint chip ice cream.  Oh, and peppermint schnapps can come too. That’s a must.

As for the cookies- TO. DIE. FOR.  You know those sickening sweet, store-bought sugar cookies? You know the ones.  Awesomely soft and loaded up with frosting.  These are those. But better.  Seriously.  

  
What’s your favorite “adult beverage” of choice? 


Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to load up the car with plenty of wine and cookies (and Max of course) and hit the road.  I'm off to sunny South Carolina to spend Christmas with the coolest uncle and aunt a girl could ask for. And some pretty fantastic cousins too. There will be much cheesecake and banana bread and Wii dancing.  It will be great.


Oh right- Hi Mom and Dad, you'll be there too :-P