Celebrations Call for Jam Volcanos

We were invited to three parties to celebrate the laborers of the world, all of which started around the same time yesterday. We decided to attend the two parties that were closest to home and I determined I needed to make a little something to bring along. I searched through Eat, Drink, Be Vegan and settled on the Jam Print Cookies.

I used the recipe as a guide but made a few substitutions. It all started with these simple ingredients:

• Whole Wheat Flour
• Spelt Flour
• Nutiva Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil
• Nutiva Shelled hempseed
• Unrefined sugar
• Agave Nectar
• Brown Rice syrup
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla
• Sea salt

The hemp seeds and coconut oil are samples I received this weekend from the kind folks at Nutiva. I’ve never used hemp seeds before and the timing of their arrival worked out perfectly since I needed them for the recipe. No, they didn’t turn the recipe into “magic cookies” but they did add a nutty flavor, protein, omega fats, and magnesium.

I filled each cookie with Crofter’s Superfruit spread. The recipe made about 16 cookies so I used the Asia (Raspberries and Yumberries) variety for half and the South America (Maqui and Passionfruit) variety for the other half. They looked so cute before entering the oven.

However, they turned into mini erupting volcanos with jam lava after baking. I’m not exactly sure why this happened, but I’m guessing I used too much jam or perhaps the indentations weren’t large enough.

I was a little bummed with the non photogenic results, but then I tasted one and realized it didn’t matter how they looked because they were absolutely delicious.

Although the hemp seeds make them look so healthy people were scared away at the gathering. Many people tasted them and even commented on how good they were. So all and all the recipe was a success.

Reverting back to Saturday morning before the eruption. I went to the gym for a quick workout before heading off to Isaac’s grandparents for his Mimi’s 80th birthday bash. I had a purple smoothie for breakfast and packed a few snacks for the trip.

I ate a considerable amount of the raw cashews and almonds on the way down. Here I am wearing sunglasses while going through the Hampton Roads Bridge tunnel. There was a ton of Labor Day traffic. I had already read 2 magazines and I was bored….

Once there, we visited. I also stole wireless internet from an unprotected neighbor, posted about x-rated peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, walked the block multiple times while catching up with a good friend on the cellular, and then we headed out for dinner at Isaac’s Aunt’s house. It was mexican themed and there wasn’t much in the vegetarian department, but Isaac’s mom thought ahead and brought us some vegan general tso “chicken” from Whole Foods. Between that, some fiery salsa with chips, and some corn and bean salad our bellies were perfectly content. Especially after eating a big slice of homemade ice cream cake with a layer of chocolate, a layer of vanilla and Oreo cookies squished inbetween. I don’t know when I’ve had an Oreo last (probably 2002), but that cake was way too good not to the eat my entire piece. I’m sure it wasn’t nutritiously sound at all, but I enjoyed every bite. I’m sad I didn’t get a picture!

We stayed the night and then headed back after breakfast on Sunday morning. I had some cantaloupe, the instant oatmeal I had packed, some almonds and cashews, and 1/2 a alice of rye bread with jelly before leaving. The ride home had considerably less traffic and we got home much faster.

The package of Nutiva products were waiting for me when we arrived home. I went straight to work trying them out and used the hemp seeds as a topper for a jumbo salad.

And used a packet of Chocolate Hemp Shake to make a smoothie.

The nutrition facts for the Hemp Shake are pretty good- a decent amount of protein, and not too many calories, plus I couldn’t believe the packet had 12 grams of fiber!! I combined the hemp shake with a frozen banana, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a couple cubes of ice and a few raspberries in the Vita-Mix. It turned out quite yummy, I could taste the hemp protein but it wasn’t over powering and there were little bits of hemp that added a nice texture.

It totally looks like a Starbuck’s Frappuccino with the green straw.

After lounging around the house for the majority of the afternoon, I got to work baking the Jam Volcanos and then hit up the gym for a 45 minute interval and hill treadmill run, came home and got pretty and then headed out to the Labor Day parties. The first party was hosted by our neighbors directly across the street from us and there wasn’t a shortage of delicious food and drinks. For dinner I had tomato pie, potato salad, orzo salad, and some grapes and strawberries. Everything was so tasty. I wanted seconds but decided to get dessert instead.

Glass of white wine x 4. It was that kind of night.

We had a great time hanging out with our neighbors. Everyone is so friendly! Although we were having a blast we left early to go to the second party of the night. It turned into quite a catastrophe actually and I don’t have any photo documentation of how the rest of the night unraveled but lets just say we didn’t end up staying long at the next party, but a friend of mine called me while we were walking home and invited me to yet another party. I went, drank and didn’t get to bed until 3. It was a crazy night to say the least. I guess that’s what holiday weekends are for.

I’m now still in my pjs and it’s 20 minutes until noon. I have taken out the recycling and did some laundry so at least I’m being somewhat productive. We shall see how the rest of the day unfolds. I’m hoping to get some grocery shopping done and a workout in.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend. Did you do anything fun?

- Brittany

Tagged as: Eat Drink Be Vegan, hemp seeds, hemp shake, Jam Print Cookies, Labor Day, Nutiva, orzo salad, potato salad, white wine