Saturday Brunch - Orange Ricotta Pancakes and Cheesy Hashbrowns

Well I told you all I had some fabulous new brunch recipes for ya! 

And let me tell you I thought they were so good, they deserved their own post! 

There is nothing I love more then a lazy Saturday morning filled with lots of hot cups of coffee and a delicious brunch!  Brunch has to be one of my favorite meals, probably because in the past few years I have become obsessed with breakfast foods (and yes, I used to hate breakfast)!  I also love brunch for its laid back and easy going feel. 

This past Saturday I decided to try my hand at Ricotta Pancakes, and not just plain ricotta pancakes... Orange Ricotta Pancakes!  These pancakes were absolutely delicious!  

I followed a recipe that I found on Cooking Light (see my go to recipe source)!  Check it out here.  

While these pancakes were a little more labor intense (you have to whip egg whites) the end result was worth it!  Light, fluffy and delicious!  The batter had an interesting consitency due to the whipped egg whites, so don't be alarmed when you make these!

To go along with our wonderful pancakes I made Derek baked cheesy hash browns following this recipe.  Derek has a soft spot for cheesy hash browns, ever since he tried the ones at Chester's (local Rochester restaurant with an amazing Sunday Brunch).  So he was thrilled to be having my version for brunch ( I have told him for months now that I would make them someday)! The verdict on my hash browns... two thumbs up! 

I guess brunch was a success! 

What are your favorite brunch foods?

Weekend Review - Sports, dancing and movies Oh My!

Happy Monday Folks, and Welcome to the beginning of another week! 

Did you all have a fabulous weekend?  I hope so! 

We had a wonderful weekend full of activities, and some relaxing! 

Friday -  Dinner and a show with Nikki and Jason. 

We saw B-Boy J-Sun and his crew perform some Hip Hip.  And Holy Cow did they blow me away! Check it out! 

(This was from a previous show, not one we saw) 

The dancing was amazing, I only wish I could dance like that! 

Myself along with everyone else in the audience were in awe with their dancing ability! 

My favorite part of the show was when they had  a live trio on stage performing while they danced! The Trio was Saltee was made up of a Beat Boxer, Cellist, and a gitarist. 

So much talent in one evening! 

Saturday was one of those relaxing move at your own pace types of mornings. 

I made Derek and I a homemade brunch  (post to come containing recipes) which was later followed by our 5 mile run!  We have now officially finished with two weeks of half marathon training!  After all that it was finally time to to meet Derek's family for the Minnesota Wild Hockey Game!  

It was very exciting to go to the  Minnesota Wild NHL Season Opener!  I am so glad that hockey is back, and can you believe that Saturday was my first ever NHL Hockey Game?

The Wild ended up winning 4-3 which was a great way to start off the season! Hockey has to be one of my favorite sports! 

Derek and I wrapped up or weekend with church, a great lunch at Bread and Chocolate, errands and The Hobbit! 

Oh and check this out... My Butler Bulldogs are ranked above Derek's Minnesota Gophers!  Butler is 9th and Minnesota is 12th!!!  I just had to share! 

What did you do this weekend?

Weekend Plans - Hip Hop and The Wild

Well Folks, We made it to Friday! 

And I have to say that it was a long week, especially since I have been looking forward to this upcoming weekend since Monday! 

This weekend Derek and I will be going to dinner  and a show with his Cousin Nikki and her husband.  We will be seeing B-Boy J-Sun.

at the Cowles Performing Arts Center (Derek took me to see a this ballet there)!  Nikki and her husband have seen this Hip Hop artist before and say he is amazing!  I am looking forward to seeing some amazing Hip Hop dancing! 

And Saturday we will be going to the First Wilds Hockey game of the Season!

The lockout is finally over! 

I have my gear all ready, and I am ready to see a good hockey fight! 

Derek's parents got all the tickets for Christmas! 

I will have to give you a full recap of the weekend next week! 

But in the mean time, Happy Friday Everyone!  I hope you have some fabulous plans for your weekend! 

Green Smoothies - Not Love at First Taste

I have to say that I didn't jump right onto the Green Smoothie band wagon.  In fact at first I absolutely despised green smoothies!  The thought of actually drinking spinach made my stomach turn (and I love spinach)!  So what changed you might ask?

Source: zupas.com via HeavenBoundMama on Pinterest

Well, my entire perspective on the Green Smoothie changed when I simply just started experimenting with different flavor combinations in my blender (Oh, and the fact that they are insanely good for you helped too)!  You see I always like to challenge myself when it comes to New Years resolutions.  And I always have at least one New Years resolution focused around health and nutrition, and drinking 2-3 Green smoothies a week def. fits the bill!  

I  knew if I was going to be successful in accomplishing this little New Years resolution of mine that I better find a combination of fruits and veggies I actually liked!  

I started by looking at popular recipes online and then just started throwing random fruits and veggies together in my blender.  I have tried countless fruits and veggies; bananas, spinach kiwi, apples... the list could go on.  And I didn't only experiment with fruits and veggies but bases as well - like water, coconut water, milk and kefir all of which added a slightly different texture, consistency and flavor! 

So what Green Smoothie has been my favorite so far - Pineapple Banana! 

Pineapple Banana Green Smoothie:

Serves 1 

3/4 Cups Frozen or Fresh Pineapple (I like Frozen Trader Joe's Pineapple Tidbits - they blend well!) 

1 Ripe Banana (Since I use frozen fruit I don't freeze my banana) 

2 Handfuls of Baby Spinach 

1-1.5 Cups Water (or Coconut water) 

1 Spoonful of Vanilla Protein Powder (optional - I don't always use) 

Ginger

1 - Place everything but your spinach and iceberg lettuce in your blender and blend until smooth. 

2- In small batches blend your spinach and iceberg lettuce into your smoothie until there are no large chunks. 

3-Pour into a glass and enjoy! 

Often times I take my green smoothie to work with me.  If I make it the night before I just pout it into a sealable container (I love blender bottles, they stay sealed tight) and pop it in the fridge! 

Tell me - Do you like Green Smoothies? What is your favorite one?

Wheels in Motion

I always get excited when I receive my issue of Cooking Light  in the mail, and this month was no different!  As soon as I got back to my apartment I flopped down on the couch to flip through pages of delicious looking recipes.  

My monthly issues of Cooking Light always ends up looking a little worn and ragged with a million recipes "dogged eared" in the hopes that I will someday make them!  There is no doubt that the first place I turn for healthy recipe inspiration is Cooking Light.  

Yesterday, as I was pondering how to use the rest of my Rotisserie Chicken (which was an impulse buy for my Moms Pasta and Veggies with Olive Oil) I found inspiration once again in the pages of my Cooking Light Magazine.   The recipe that sparked the creative wheels was -  Spicy Thai Basil Chicken from Cooking Light.   So armed with my leftover Rotisserie chicken I set out to experiment in the kitchen! 

The results... Flavorful, 

Spicy Thai Basil Chicken - Slightly Adapted from Cooking Light 

Ingredients:

2 Teaspoons Canola Oil 

1/2 Cup Minced Shallots 

1/2 Cup Thinly Sliced Red Pepper 

4 Teaspoons Fresh Minced Garlic

1/2 a Rotisserie Chicken Shredded

2 Serrano Chilis 

2 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce 

2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar 

1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper 

1 Cup Basil Leaves 

1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice 

Lime Wedges for serving 

Directions:

 

1- Heat 2 Teaspoons Oil and Sautee your minced shallots for 2 min.  Add your red pepper and continue cooking for 1 minute.  Finally add your garlic and sautee for 30 seconds. 

2- Add your soy sauce, serrano chilis, brown sugar and black pepper in with your shallots mixture.  

3- Slowly add your shredded rotisserie chicken handfuls at a time, and cook on low till the chicken is heated through.  

4- Remove chicken from heat, and stir in chopped basil and lime juice. 

Serve along side Sesame Rice and some lettuce leaves for wrapping! 

Happy Monday All! 

Recipe Alert - Makes these Tonight

Happy Friday Loves!

Monday night I got to spend the entire evening with my little sister, and we had a blast!
Talking, Laughing, Cooking and Frozen Yogurt were a few of the highlights from our evening!

I made these delicious Spicy Avocado Chicken Enchiladas - From The Novice Chef!

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Miranda on Pinterest

And, Oh My Goodness were they good!
The homemade enchilada sauce came together in a breeze, and had a great flavor!  It was also extra spicy!

I subbed in black beans for some of the chicken, and used pepper jack cheese!
If there is one recipe you should make this weekend it is for sure these enchiladas!

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Tackling a Resolution

Thank you all for sharing in my excitement about my blog and Cooking Light! 

I am still very excited about the opportunity that has presented itself - I think 2013 might be a good year for my little blog! 

Speaking of 2013 I have already started prepping for one of my New Years Resolutions (read my New Years Resolutions here)!  Yes, you heard me correctly!  I have already started for my Half-Marathon! 

I am following the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training program, and so far so good! I didn't do any formal training for my 10 miler, but I thought it would be best to tackle 13.1 miles with a little training!

I plan on running my half marathon in early May!  That gives me over 12 weeks to complete training!  Derek has decided to tackle this long milage with me along with two of my co-workers - And I have to say it will be good to have all of them as running partners. I absolutely love running races with Derek, he is such a good motivator! 

All 4 of us will be following the same training plan! 

I have to say I am a bit nervous but super excited to tackle a half marathon.  I haven't decided what time I would like to finish the half in.  My only goal right now for the half marathon is to completely run the whole race!

So here is to training and to completing one of my 2013 New Years resolutions! 

Tell me, what is the furthest race you have run?