On to the recipe!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

1 banana - ripe is better
¼ a cup of milk
⅓ cup of yogurt - I like vanilla
A glop of chocolate syrup or a ⅓ cup of un sweetened cocoa powder - depends on my mood
2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter or the real stuff - I use real syrup and powdered Pb or real PB and powdered cocoa depending on what I am in the mood for that day
2 ice cubes crushed

1. Blend together on low for 1 minute, then high until smooth looking and you don't here any grinding in the jar!

Along with the hot cocoa I made recently, I love making my coffee in the morning. Sometimes, my 9 am class is unbearable without drinking some coffee and eating some breakfast. I really love french pressed coffee and I make it most days. It's inexpensive and it always makes a good cup of coffee!

It all starts with the coffee you choose. I love Starbucks coffees and stock up on them when they are on sale at the grocery store. The blonde roast is really good for everyday but the dark roast is what I use to make my thai iced coffee. I get it ground at the store or bring it to Starbucks and they will grind their coffee for you. I keep my coffee in a mason jar in the freezer. I only take it out to measure my coffee out and then it goes right back. It really keeps it fresh!

Next, you need a french press. I got my press at Ikea for like $9 but there are a ton of options and price points for everyone. I really like ones that dishwasher safe for when you need to deep clean this baby. For those who don't know how to use a french press, here is a nifty video that taught me how to use mine! I have a smaller french press than in the video but the idea is that same. It makes your kitchen smell heavenly. I also like Keurigs, I have one and I use that for when I don't have time to steep my coffee.

Lastly, the sweetener is crucial. I love either 2 Equal in my coffee or a spoonful of this raw honey. It's solid because it has some stuff from the hive like pollen and things in it. It's really good at boosting your immune system slowly and I think it's my key to not getting too sick this semester. It's also great spread on toast!

Hopefully, this tutorial will help you make a great cup of coffee and enjoy your mornings more.

Fun Fact: If your coffee creates bubbles or a foam when you brew it, it means that it is fresh!

Something about bagels always reminds me of home and Sunday Mornings with my family. My dad or mom would run out and buy bagels for all of us and we eat them at the table like hungry little piglets. I have always wanted to learn how to make them and these recipes have caught my eye! One of the things on my 101 in 1001 day list is to make bagels so I have to get on that ;]

Blueberry Bagels

Cinnamon Roll Bagels

Cinnamon Crunch Bagels

Source

I love to make homemade tomato sauce. I don't have an exact recipe but I have a recipe that I add and subtract to depending on my mood. I will take a nice picture of my version of tomato sauce when I make my next huge batch!

You'll need:
A tall Pot and lots of time
One large dash of olive oil
2 tablespoons of garlic
One container of fake beef crumbles for me or 1 pound of ground beef for others
1/2 cup of lentils - split gives a smoother texture or whole gives a more chunky texture
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 medium sized can of Italian stewed tomatoes, diced up (plain diced is good too)
1 small can of tomato sauce
4 Dorot cubes (Frozen cubes) of basil
2 good shakes of Oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Heat the oil in a tall pot on medium high heat.
2. Add the garlic and saute until it just starts to brown.
3. Add the fake meat crumbles and stir to make sure they incorporate nicely.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, and sauce. Stir well!
5. Add the lentils, basil and oregano. Stir well.
6. Texture check- it should be a little watery so if it isn't- add a little broth or wine or something flavorful to increase the liquid because the lentils will soak up quite a bit.
7. Put the pan on low, on a back burner. Stir every 15 minutes or so making sure to push the gummy bits on the side back into the sauce.
8. I consider my sauce done when I put a wooden spoon in and it drips off in chunks and not a ribbon.
9. Enjoy with ravioli, pasta or even with veggies :]

This morning, I work up feeling awful. My sinuses were protesting every movement or breath I took. I had work as well, so I went through my day and took care of my business. As soon as I could come home for a break, I made sure to make something hearty and homey to make myself feel better.
These take about 15 minutes. I put them in the oven, showered and when I came out, they were all ready to eat.


You'll Need:
2 veggie burgers - I used Morning Star Chipotle Burgers
2 pieces of Colby Jack Cheese
8 flaky biscuits
Salsa and hot sauce for dipping

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat the veggie burger in the microwave to warm (not too hot) and crumble with a fork.
3. Roll each biscuit into a long oval shape about 6 inches long.
4. Put one tablespoon of burger and 1/6 a piece of cheese on one half of the oval.
5. Pinch the two sides together with your hands. Ideally, you want a little flat area so it bakes into a seal.
6. Make all 8 of these and arrange on the tray. Pierce with a fork so steam will escape!!!
7. Put in the oven for 15 minutes, checking to make sure you do not burn them.
8. Pull out of the oven, let cool and get some salsa.
9. Enjoy!

Being that I usually have 1/2 hour for a meal, this came together well, tasted delicious, and made my roommates curious to what I made. Considering I never made crab cakes before, I call this a win!


You'll need:
Crab Cakes
2 tablespoons of butter (for sauting)