[Refreshing Refuel] Orange Spa Water

On a hot day, or after a fierce workout, I like to add a little twist to my ice water.  Orange Spa Water is perfect for those who want a hint of orange taste, but don't want all of the sugar and and tartness of straight orange juice.  Also, who doesn't love thsi pretty spa water in tall icy glasses?

Orange & Strawberry Spa Water
1 gallon of purified water or sparking water
1 orange sliced into 0.25 inch slices
4 strawberries rinsed & sliced vertically into thin slices

Refrshing Refuel: Berries & Cream

Our cafe at work, Bon Appetit, offers many organic and and healthy options.  Their lunches are always playful and experimental, but one of my favorite things is their snack options.  Recently they added KRAVE jerky to their options, and I must say, I love having low carb, high protein snacks for post workouts or that 2oclock snacking.  A new snack I discovered today is the Berries & Cream fruit cup.  Freshly whipped vanilla ceam & slicked strawberries and black berries.  

Try making at home with this simple recipe!

Ingredients:

1 lb carton of strawberries

1 carton of black berries

Vanilla Whipped Cream, 

1) Wash strawberries.  Add 1 tbsp salt and rinse thoroughly.  The salt helps kill and germs, but make sure you rinse it off completely to not alter the taste. 

2) Pat dry with a paper towl 

3) Cut off the green tops, then quarter the strawberry length wise.  Pour into large bowl.  

4)Wash blackberries in similar fashion to strawberries

5)Toss in large bowl until evenly mixed.  

6) Pour fruit mixture into snack-sized cup, and Pour an indulgent 3 tbsp of whipped cream on top

7) Enjoy!

Spices, eggs, toast!

Mediterranean Night!

It's Jimmy Johns Time!

Andy took me to Jimmy johns....I haven't been there in over a year!  It was better that I remembered!  Om nom nom? Here's a pic of my fav sandwich eater lol

Happy Heart Lasagna

February is the months of hearts.  The passionate whimsy of Valentine's day combines with the serious warnings of Heart Health Awareness month.  To celebrate the new season, I put together a Heart Healthy Lasagna recipe for you to share with your loved ones.

[bake][scones] Basil & Strawberry Scones

My friend Jason and I were reminiscing about the delicious scones we had tasted 2 summers ago in Seattle.  There's something about reminiscing about a distant memory, an anecdote that only you two share-the inside joke of anecdotes.  fuzzy memories and happy smiles filled our dialogue-weren't those the happy carefree days of our youth?  The conversation made me nostalgic...and then very hungry...I wanted to taste that summer, taste the freedom once again...and then 30 minutes of internet research later, these scones were born:

Figure 1: Fresh Basil & Strawberry Scones made with whole wheat

.  

I adapted this from a recipe from happyolks.com.  It was a cold rainy day in Portland-the kind that makes you want to cling onto the faux-summer days that were given just weeks ago.  I adapted half of the recipes to fit our family's needs(olive oil instead of butter for added heart health, whole wheat flour instead of white flour, almond milk instead of full fat coconut milk, etc.)  Also, I dropped the baking powder because I didn't have any more, and the Portland Snowpocalypse prevented me from venturing outside.  

Accompanied with a glass of milk or warm cup of black tea or coffee, it makes a yummy, filling snack. I work long hours at my high tech company, so I count on these yummy scones to keep me alert and happy until I go home at 8pm.  

Strawberry Basil Scones

2.5 cups whole wheat flour

2 tbsp turbinado sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp olive oil (OR 1/2 cup butter)

1 1/4 cup chopped strawberries

2 tbsp minced basil

1/2 cup almond milk

2 large eggs

1) Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

2)Combine whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt in a medium bowl

3) Crack the eggs into your large mixing bowl.  slowly add almond milk, oil, and sugar in, and whisk lightly with a fork until it's combined evenly

4) Add basil and strawberries.

5) Slowly pour your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients, while continuously stirring.  Continue to mix until the mixture is evenly mixed.  

6) Point your hands like shovels and lightly knead the dough until there is no more loose dry ingredients.

7) Shape into a ball and transfer to baking pan

8) Flatten into a 1" thick disc

9) Use a sharp knife and cut into halves.  Then rotate 180 degrees and cut again.  Then cut each of the quarters into halves

10)When the oven is ready, pop into the oven

11)Bake for ___ minutes.

12)Use a bamboo skewer to poke it to see if it's ready.  If it comes out clean, it's ready!

13)Pull out of the oven and let it cool for a minute

14)Use knife and separate the slices before they cool down. 

15)Plate and enjoy!

Thanks,

Livy