A Little Rosemary and Time

Experiencing life through trial, error and lots of food.

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Summer Kumquat and Citrus Salad

Kumquats and I have a love/hate, kind of sadistic type of relationship.   When I grew up in California, we had a kumquat tree in the backyard (along with the most amazing blood orange tree, but we’ll get into that another day) and maybe my memory is warped, or maybe it was a special type of tree but I remember kumquats being very sweet and enjoyable.  So now and then, I once again give them a shot and buy some, thinking that they will taste like how I remember them to be and in eating one, I will be transported to my youth.

But, as I have found, it has not been the case.  Instead I pop one in my mouth, start to chew and wince in pain at how sour it is, and then it opens up, to its sweet, luscious, juice.  And I think, “Wow, that was sweet.” and pop in another and go through the same thing all over again- regretting it in the beginning and enjoying it later.

So that’s how this recipe starts out- with me buying kumquats again and immediately wondering what I was doing buying them  Eventually I decided they would be good in a salad because all the leafy greens and other ingredients would help tone down the tartness while still letting the kumquats shine.

So if you are looking for light, healthy and super delicious happy salad, this one’s for you!

Summer Kumquat and Citrus Salad

Serves 1-2

Salad:

1/4 lb Mesclun Mix -approx 4-6 cups, not packed (I made sure mine had lots of sprouts in it)

½ Cup Kumquats, sliced into ¼ inch rounds, seeds removed

¼ Cup Slivered Almonds

1 Peeled and Grated Apple (I used Granny Smith)

Dressing:

1/4 Cup Orange Juice

2 TBSP White Balsamic Vinegar

1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

¼ tsp salt

pinch of pepper

In a large bowl, toss together all your salad ingredients. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the dressing mix and pour overtop of salad (you’ll probably have extra dressing).

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Guiltless Chocolate Milkshake!

It’s Smoothie Tuesdays but you guys, I want a milkshake.  Badly.  An extra thick, seriously chocolate-y one.  You know, the one that you almost need a spoon because using a straw is too hard and takes too much time.  Yeah, that kind of shake.

Right now I’m kind of kicking myself for not having any frozen bananas because I want to make another.  RIGHT NOW.  That would make my day so much better from the very start.  ‘Cause I mean, come on- milkshakes for breakfast? Oh yesssssss.  When I was a kid I don’t think I ever did that (that would actually require a little work) but I did definitely do the “eat ice cream right out of the container for breakfast” .  While it wouldn’t happen often, my family is kind of a “Dessert for breakfast?  Great idea!” kind of group.

These days I kind of stray away from such habits, or in this case, make alterations.  But hey, if I can make a simple, healthy version, then oh yes, it’s happening.  And yes, it is  happening.  Right here, right now.  Do it.

Guiltless Chocolate Shake

2 Large Bananas, frozen overnight*

3 TBSP Cacao Powder

1 Cup Almond Milk

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder (optional- if omitting, add
2 more TBSP of Cacao)

*Tip: Unpeel
and slice bananas before putting them in the freezer

Chop up bananas, put all ingredients in the blender and BLENDDDDDDDDDD!

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

FINALLY! A DAY TO REST!  I’m so grateful for Sundays because right now they are the one day I consistently have off from any and all “jobs” .  I use Sundays typically to relax (sort of), stay at home and take care of everything else.  So today, one of the things on my “everything else” list, includes putting up another recipe for you guys!

Today’s recipe is for those, who, if you are like me, have a HUGE sweet tooth.  I used to love baking and to be honest, I still do.

Cupcakes, cookies, cakes- they fill me with joy and happiness.

Until I finish eating it and then I want more and more and more and then usually feel sluggish and unhappy with myself for eating so much of something that really isn’t good for me.  Over the past few months I’ve been working to “kick the habit” and severely cut back on refined sugars because in all seriousness, sugar is an addiction (and the same can be said for carbs) and like most all other addictions, it’s not good for you.

When I’m craving something sweet, I typically turn to fruits and it works because I rarely crave baked sweets and the like anymore.

And that is how this recipe came along.  I used to never eat chocolate things with peanut butter because I was used to the famous, Reese’s Pieces which taste just awful! But I’ve found that when you use actual chocolate and actual peanut butter they really are a match made in heaven!

So, if you’re looking for something to indulge in without going overboard or need a little pick me up energy-wise throughout the day these babies are for you!

Chocolate, peanut butter and balls- an amazing combination!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Makes 12-13 balls

1 Cup Dates

¼ tsp Sea Salt

3 TBSP Peanut Butter

¼ Cup + 1/8 Cup Shredded Unsweetened Coconut, separated

½ tsp Raw Cacao

Pit the dates, if needed and place in food processor and process a little so that they start to break up a little, then add sea salt, peanut butter and 1/4 cup shredded coconut.  Process until an even mixture is formed.

In large bowl, combine the remaining shredded coconut and raw cacao.  Spoon out the date mixture about a tablespoon at a time and using your hands roll into 12-13 even balls.  Then take each ball and roll it into the coconut, cacao mixture until it is evenly covered.

Indulge!

 

If you want a little more information regarding sugar and its effects on the body, check out this slideshow over at Web MD below.  There is obviously a lot more information out there with regards to this, but this page has a nice, quick overview to get you started. 

WebMD

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Smoothie Tuesdays: Chocolate Cherry Smoothie!

Good morning everyone!  It’s going to be a busy week for me but I wanted to quickly post a yummy breakfast to start your day off right.

Now I’ve been seeing sweet cherries everywhere lately and if you’re like me, you buy them several pounds at once so if you can afford to spare a few before gobbling them all up this recipe is for you!  Sweet and filling but with a little tangy kick to get you started off right!

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Serves 1

1 1/2 Cups of Cherries

1 Orange

1 Cup of Almond Milk

1 Scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder

1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Remove pits and stems from cherries, peel orange and blend all ingredients together until smooth!

 

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Refreshing Island Smoothie- When You Want to Get Away

In terms of the weather, the past few weeks in NYC have been questionable at best.  Off and on flash floods one day, hot and sunny the next and then down to 50 degrees.

I’m not really the biggest fashion person, but I feel like I’m playing Russian Roulette with my shoes.  I keep coming into work with my Tom’s on days that it turns out to pour all day and then the next, when I wear my rain boots, it’s happy (read: hot) sunshine all day.  This may be because I usually forget to check the weather reports in the morning but I’m going to disregard that fact for now.

All that being said, this recipe was conceived on a rainy, icky, miserable day when the prospect of having to tough it out in the elements just wasn’t working for me.  This is the drink I make when I want to pretend I live on a different (more tropical) island than the one I currently know to be Brooklyn.

And you know what?  It works!  So I hope you enjoy~

Refreshing Island Smoothie

Serves 1

½ Mango
½ Frozen Banana*
1 Orange, peeled and cut into quarters (if needed, remove any seeds)
¾ Cup Almond Milk
½ Cup Pineapple Juice
1 tsp bee pollen (optional)

*When I freeze a banana, I peel it first and then slice it before putting it in the freezer- it’s really hard to peel and cut it after it’s frozen!

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Drink and relax- pretend you are on a tropical island!