Friday FunDay

I got a text from my boss yesterday (is that odd?) saying Happy New Year and that the office would be closed today. I was so excited- I literally ran outside to tell Isaac! One more day off – well actually 3 including the weekend!! Not sure what we are going to do today- Isaac, being a teach and all, he was already off work. We thought we might go see a movie – which would be perfect because it’s raining and cold out. Speaking of which, to warm up after I woke,  I drank some tea and decided to make some oats for b-fast.

• 1/2 cup of old fashion oats
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• 1 cup h20
• 1 tablespoon ground flax (mixed in once the stove was turned off)
• a small handful of walnuts sprinkled on top
• a spoonful of pumpkin butter

I chopped/mashed the walnuts in a mortar and pestle, another Christmas gift being put to good use!

For lunch I grabbed fixed up a great salad from the bar at Ellwood Thompson’s

The bottom layer is greens with sprouts and brocc, roasted red peppers, locally made plain tofu, sliced beets, spicy tofu, cucs, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, and bean salad. So good!!

We did end up going to see a movie – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was really good, but quite long. I had three handfuls of popcorn from a friends bag and then 1 handful of peanut butter M&M’s from a 50 cent candy machine. I think I got about 7-8 for 50 cent, perfect portion! I did end up cryinh a little bit, I’m a sucker for crying at movies though. After 3 hours of sitting, we came home and made dinner. Isaac and his friend Aubrey grilled steaks and I decided to make this bag of “Chard of Many Colors.” I used the recipe on the back of the bag that included sauteing garlic and olive oil, adding the greens and 1 cup of veggie broth. They turned out lovely. I had a salad and some challah bread on the side. Love Challah! I hadn’t had it before dating Isaac and boy am I glad I started dating him.. just for the Challah. Just teasing.

And as promised here is the Carrot Cake Recipe. It’s my take on a recipe I got from a friend’s mom. After trying her cake and loving it I had to ask for it.

Here’s my version:

Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar (I used turbinado)
• 1 cup of unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/2 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 2 cups flour (I used unbleached all purpose, because I was scurred to use Whole-Wheat, but I would like to try it again with the wheat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped finely

Frosting Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 a stick) of butter, softened
• 1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened (I used the 1/3 less fat)
• 1 lb box of powered sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• walnuts, chopped finely (if desired)

Preheat the ov to 350 degrees

To prepare the cake – Mix the sugar, apple sauce, oil, and eggs. Slowly mix the dry ingredients in with the egg mixture. Lastly add the carrots and nuts. Pour in 9″ x 12″ pan (buttered or sprayed with oil and floured) and bake at 350 for about 40 mins. or until toothpick come out clean with inserted in the middle of the cake. Let it cool 1-2 hours.

Wait for the cake to cool for a good amount of time and then make the frosting: – Let the butter and cream cheese soften. Then cream them together and add 1 lb box of powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. After mixing for a while the consistency will be creamy and spreadable. Add nuts if desired. Lastly, ice the cake!

I’m definietly not saying that this the most healthy carrot cake in the world, but I am saying that is delicious- so enjoy!

Tagged as: challah bread, Oatmeal, salad, tofu, walnuts