Long time!

Almost a whole week!

I apologize, I have lost my camera battery! :( Today I am going to buy a new one, becauseI have looked everywhere for it and it's simply gone. I have also been so busy between work and school... and this weekend I'm going to be busy as well, it's crazy.

Simply wanted to check in and say, I'v tried a few new (for m anyways!) Products this week. :) Arctic Zero Ice Cream, Gnu Bars, SugarFree Da Vinci Syrups, and a few others! I will be writing my honest reviews on them this upcoming Monday. It should be a bigg post! So please, look forward to it. :D

I hope you are all doing well, bloggers and lurkers! ;)

~Genesis

Homemade Butternut Tortellini

Mmm. ♥

Una pizza, per favore!

Today for lunch, I was craving some pizza. Well, I rummaged through my kitchen and gathered some ingredients. Might I say, the results were quite yummy!

::"Origano Pizze"::

Oregano Pizza

Makes 2 Pizze

2 whole wheat La "Tortilla Factory" wraps

Half large red onion (chopped into cubes)

1/4 medium Zuchhini (shredded)

1/2 cup spinach

2/3 cup marinara or (in this case, homemade sauce recipe later?)

1 cup mozzarella shreds (or Vegan substitute; like Daiya)

Salt; Pepper;Garlic powder; Dried Oregano

2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olve Oil

Bring pan to medium-high heat, add 1 TBSP olive oil. Once oil is heated and coated pan, saute onions (with a few dashs of salt, it helps them sweat) until translucent and edges brown slightly. Put aside. Repeat with Zuchhini. Set aside.

\Set oven to broil at 550F.

Brush single side of wraps with the 1 TBSP remaining olive oil. Sprinkle crust with salt, pepper, and garlic to preference.

Place the two wraps on the oven rack (should be centered) and allow to slightly toast. (don' let brown!!!!!) flip and repeat the same to the "bottom" of your "pizza" crust. Allowa little longer time for the bottom, once removed from the oven wraps should still be somewhat pliable, not stiff.

Add sauce and spinke cheese on your crusts. Return to oven until cheese starts to melt. Remove once again, and layer vegetables. Spinach; Onions; Shredded Zuchhini and sprinkle once again with salt; pepper; and Oregano to taste. Add more cheese (if desired, I like to so everything sort of melds together) and return to oven. Allow to cook until cheese melts, and edges of wrap start to toast. Serve sliced into fours, enjoy!

♥

Q: What are your favorite toppings for Pizza?

I love spinach and mushroom, with caramalized onions... (drool)

Butternut Squash Madness

  I say madness now, because.... Have you ever tried to cut into a butternut squash?

Yeah, it's not easy.

I bought a few butternut squash(es?) at the supermarket this week, they were on sale and I told myself; I must be able to make something with these. So like the abnormal person I am, I bought five. The cashier gave me funny looks. That's okay, I'm used to cashiers questioning my purchases.

Excited with my new buy I rushed home, and went ahead with the slicing of the squash. I tried to cut it in half. I have some very high-quality knives, and I had to hammer my knife through the squash. Yes, hammer. Once that was done, and the beautiful snapping sounds of a succesfully cut squash, I preheated my oven and knew what I was going to make. Instantly.

::Butternut Squash Soup::

Tools:

Food Processor

Baking dish 

Ingredients:

1 large Butternut Squash

1 TBSP butter

1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

1 cup Unsweetened Almond Breeze (measurements of Almond Milk will vary from person to person, whether you like a thicker or thinner soup)

1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon Oregano

Preheat oven to 350F.

Wash squash and then cut lengthwise down the middle.

Scoop out the seeds.
Lightly coat the exposed parts of the squash with olive oil.

Salt and pepper to taste

Place flesh side down in a (lightly coated with olive oil) baking pan

Cook until knife tender; usually about 50 minutes to an hour.

Once tender, remove squash from the oven and let cool.

Scoop out the flesh inside the shell of the squash, into your Food Processor. Add Nutmeg, oregano, butter and blend

Slowly add Almond milk, until reached to desired consistency. Salt to taste, Serve warm garnished with pepper

Enjoy! ♥

I may have eaten this for breakfast. (weird?) The weather is so nice, and it's really cooling down... I was craving some warm soup. The flavors are rich, but the soup itself is very light and has a slight peppery bite. (with how much pepper I added) which I love. You can faintly taste the Oregano that is added in there, it added depth to an otherwise plain dish, and really compliments the mild sweetness of the squash. It was delicious!

Q: What is your favorite fall soup?
I love this soup. ♥

Goals.

This post won't have foodie photos, but rather sharing my goals for the next few weeks. There has been so much happening, between work and family, I feel like sometimes I have lost a bit of control!

I have been running 3-4 miles consistently, Monday-Friday for the past three weeks. I have lost about 2lbs, and an inch off my waist (yeah!) Though weight loss isn't my goal, it was nice to see. On the other hand... since I am more of a weight lifter (*flex* *fail*) I fear that the 2lbs lost was of muscle. Last night I did some lifting before my cardio for the day, and I have found that my lifts have been affected. I cannot lift the 15lb weights for as many reps as I used to, and it's a bit of a bummer. But that's okay! I just have to focus a little more on weights, and create a healthy balance with my Running. :)

My measurements this month:

Current Weight: 109-110lbs

Chest: 33"
Waist: 24 1/2"
Hips: 35"
Thighs: 18"
Neck: 11"

I notice my abs are showing a bit more defined now, from the running. Also my (muscular thighs D:) legs have slimmed down about 1/2 inch. Again though... it may be muscle loss.

Regardless, I am going to continue my running, and once I become slightly more cut, I will incorporate more weights back into my schedule.

Right now it goes something like this:

Monday-Friday
40 minute PM Jog/sprint, approx. 4-5 miles (depending on how fast my pace is that day and my energy levels)
Abs every: Mon. Wed. Fri.
Legs: Tues. Thurs. (on these days I take the cardio lightly)

This schedule really works for me, and I find the motivation comes easy as long as I put on my running shoes! :)

I have certain goals I want to reach by the end of the year, both physical and work-wise. Also things I want to do before the year is over!

• Buy my own car!
• Work a lot, save a lot
• Exercise consistently
• Don't eat too many pumpkin pies (but steal a slice whenever there is one around)
• Go to New York with the boyfriend and Parents (still up in the air)
• Visit my grandparents
• Focus on enrolling into Culinary School
• Spend Time with Family on the Holidays

So, quite a few little things, then some more important ones.... I am ready for it! ♥

The summer wind...

...Summer is slowly fading... Miami is getting cooler! No heat or humidity today (a first) So it seems like we're moving, (finally!) towards winter! ;)

Today's breakfast (which is being eaten right now)

Blueberries, Strawberries, 2 TBSP oats, Homemade pumpkin syrup, crushed almonds all settled into a pool of almond milk

Yummm. ♥ I love fruit cereals.

This weather, I must admit, has me excited for the upcoming holidays. I'm already thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas! October is my favorite month of the year. It's lovely... the time where stores start changing their displays from Sun-kissed blondes frolicking in the beach, to pumpkins and Fall decorations. Candy already being sold for Halloween, Starbucks getting into the mix with Pumpkin Spice Lattes, canned pumpkin back in season. (You know how I love this.) Pumpkin pies, fresh baked goods with an Autummn twist (i.e.: Jack 'O Lantern shaped cookies)

I'm all giddy!

Q: What is your favorite holiday?

Mine would have to be Thanksgiving and Christmas... One for the food, the other because its so magical! Lights adorning every corner, the little excitement that still builds on the 24th... and the wait for New Year's only a few days after.

Eggs and Peaches

Title sounds kinda yucky, huh? Well, I found these beautiful white peaches at Publix today and knew I had to buy a few, just to try them out.

Sliced White Peach, Egg white scramble w/ Mushrooms & Spinach

This white peach was absolutely amazing. I had never had white peaches before (crazy, I thought so too) And I think the are my new favorite fruit. Peaches, Plums, Strawberries and Blueberries. Heaven!


Oh, and I also bought these tiny little cuties. They are a mere 1 1/2 inches tall! ♥

Left one = consumed. Right one... just wait 'till tonight....

Q: What are your favorite fruit?
I. love. Peaches. of course. ;)

Birthday Boy ♥

Yesterday, Octorber 1st, was my nephew's Birthday! He turned two, and he is growing extremely fast.

It was lovely to see family again, My grandparents, Sister, and her husband as well as the little munchkin. :) Don't you love family get togethers? Brings back good memories, I am very happy we attended!

My mom, sister and I! LOL! we were purposely pulling ugly faces ;)

Why, hello gorgeous!

food!

Dora cake :) he loves Dora!

Croquetes and pastries...

 OM...

NOM NOM!

No thank you!! That's your croquete. I'll have a pastry ;)

I was taking so many photos, everyone was laughing, dancing and partying it up! :) The bf and my sister's husband were lost.... I wonder What they were doing?

Ohhh boyfriend.... that's too cute.

Yeah, my grandpa took a photo of me taking photos. LOL

MOM lol.

The boyfriend ~

Myself.... and......

LOL the boyfriend's creativity. Dora came to the party!!! ;)

After we all ate, spoke, hung out and danced to Yaz (yes, 80's music. I ♥ 80's music) More family came, from my sister's Husband's side. We intoduced ourselves, there were a few piture taking wars, some sexy dance lessons (courtesy of the grandma) LOL and some intense re-inactions of battle scenes from the movie 300.

Candleswere blown, and everyone dug into the cake. It was delicious! Chocolate and Vanilla... I also had a slice of pizza (with cheese removed... thank you boyfriend! ♥ ;) And a few pastries. Not so healthy choices but, hey, it was a PARTY!

and I love cake. (shhh... don't tell anyone)

Q: What's your favorite part of family get togethers?
For me, I love the time everyone gets to spend together. Taking a break from work, and everything to relax with the ones you love most.

Breakfast

Today I was craving eggs. More specifically, sunny side up eggs, ketchup, and toast.

This breakfast invention (x2) was delicious.

Oh and, also a slice (or two) of this.



Pumpkin-Blueberry Almond crusted Bread Pudding


My food hasn't been so exciting lately... and my camera has been really acting up! :( I think I need to buy a new battery pack or something.

Yesterday was my anniversary with the bf. :) And tomorrow is my nephews birthday so... photos coming your way!

Q: Eggs and Ketchup? Yum or Eww?

A new week begins!

This weekend was rather busy. It was great beause I got to cook a lot, eat yummy foods, and spend time with the boyfriend. :)

I haven't stopped cooking it seems! I've made pumpkin pudding, pumpkin pancakes and crustless pumpkin pie (twice!)

The family is loving my craze, and I am as well. ;) Today we're going to make a trip to Costco, simply to buy a bigger bulk of the orange stuff! Yeah, we're crazy for pumpkin over here.

Low in calories, carbs, and good for you... how can you not be?! It's a perfect addition to many foods. Perfectly delicious. ♥

I will write another update most likely later on tonight. I'm going to try my hand at Pumpkin Ravioli sometime this week as well (Hey, we're Italian over here, we love our pasta! :P) with the Dad.... we'll see how that turns out!

Q: Do you like pumpkin? What are some ways you like to prepare it?

And so, fall is here....

....Because canned pumpkin is BACK on the shelves~! :))))

Now, I loooveee pumpkin. In stews, pies, breads, pancakes. Yes, pumpkin pancakes are extremely delicious. It's like a pumpkin pie, mixed with pumpkin bread, and just the right flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg... and that beautiful orange color! All the things that make fall wonderful.

Simply Yummy Pumpkin Pancakes

1 1/2 cup whole wheat (or multigrain) flour (I use Arrowhead Mills Multigrain Mix)

1 cup Vanilla Soymilk (I really like the Silk Organic Vanilla soy, sold at Costco)

1 egg

Tons of cinnamon** + more for sprinkling after

A dash of nutmeg**

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 can Pure Pumpkin Puree (Like the kind from Libby's)

Stevia drops (or 8-10 packets of Splenda) to sweeten
1 TBSP whipped butter

**or if you have pumpkin all spice, that works too.

Combine dry ingredients first, whether by hand or blender. (I find a blender works better, in this case) Then add the egg, soymilk, and remaining ingredients. Blend until a smooth consistecy is made.

(The temperature of the skillet is the most crucial factor in the success of the pancake. The skillet must be hot enough that water droplets dance on the skillet and smoke rises from the skillet, but must not be any hotter. Chefs recommend that you wipe a skillet that is too hot with a wad of wet paper towels, then allow the skillet to smoke before proceeding.)

Once skillet is heated, spray with non-stick cooking spray, and carefully pour batter to make a 5" circle. Allow bubbles to form, and flip. Continue until all the batter is gone. Sprinkle finished pancakes with cinnamon and a dollop of whipped cream (or your favorite vegan substitute) and enjoyyy!

I know I did. ♥

My Favorite foods (From A-Z!)

I've seen this on quite a few food blogs as of late, and figured I'd jump on the bandwagon as well!


Apples. They're delicious, crunchy, and a perfect balance of sweet and sometimes tart! My favorites are Fuji Apples.
Baba ghanoush. I. love. to use this as a dip for pitas.
Carrots. Give them to me raw, steamed, roasted or thrown into a stew.

Daiya Cheese. Cheese is delicious. Vegan cheese makes me happy. ♥
Eggplant. Between baba ghanoush and this... can you see I really love Eggplant?
Falafel. Give me any kind of middle-eastern food, and I'm a very happy person.

Grapes. Wine, grapes and cheese. Need I say more?\

Hummus. I wasn't joking about loving middle-eastern cuisine.

Ice Cream. You know this one was coming! Who doesn't absolutely adore Ice Cream?! Toffee Ice Cream... *drool*

Jalapeño peppers. Spicy!

Ketchup. On eggs, Vegan burgers, used as a dip (or just eaten straight... hey. I'm weird.)

Lychees. A childhood favorite for me, I can go through a ton of these in one sitting.

Medjool Dates. Can you say Nature's perfect candy? ♥

Noodles. All kinds. Udon, Ramen, Rice, Clear.

Olives. Kalamata, Spanish, Sicilian.

Protein shakes. I have one almost everyday, with fruit, almond milk... blended into a sweet, cold treat.

Quinoa. Replaced brown rice for me! It's so versatile.

Ramen bowls. Now, I'm not talking about Maruchan or Nissin. I'm talking, legit, huge veggie packed, noodle filled, asian spiced bowls of homemade ramen. Healthy comfort food at it's finest.

Salsa. On everything. Eaten alone. I love the stuff!

Toasted bread. Comfort food for me! With almond butter, or some real butter spread on a slice aside a warm cup of joe.

Udon noodles. My favorite of the noodle family. ♥

Vegetables. A give in!

Wasabi. Another one of those foods that I excessively slather over stuff. And kill my sinuses in the process.

Xanthum Gum. Not an edible food by itself, but it's AMAZING for thickening up protein shakes and different dishes.

Yams. Baked yams with some cinnamon and truvia.

Zucchini. Shredded into eggs, raw in salads, baked into breads.

Q: Do we have any in common? What are some of your favorite foods?

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Yesterday was a good day. :) I got a lot of work done, hung out with my mom and watched a great documentary about World War II. I also jogged for 4-miles, had a delish dinner



Lavash Bread toasted in the oven, topped with homemade pizza sauce, mushrooms, garlic, onions and Vegan Chik'n Strips



and bonded with my father over a game of Call Of Duty: World at War.
Something you all should know about me, I ♥ History. Especially WWII related subjects.

Oh, and I did something to my hair, a change for the fall season...

Yeah, I cut bangs into my hair!

 Do you all like it? I look really young with straight bangs, but I love it. Not many people have straight across bangs! At least, I haven't seen any around where I live...

Today's breakfast was also really yummy. ♥



1 cup Fage 0% yogurt, Topped with 1/4 cup oats, 2 TBSP of freeze dried blueberries all settled into a small pool of unsweetened almond milk.



Today are the usual plans... work, jogging, and making homemade Almond Butter!

Post later~ please look forward to it. :D

Yesterday was a fun day...

 Filled with cuteness...



dad? mom? why so many photos?!





taking pictures of our baby!



Relaxation...

Some more cuteness...

Beauty...

And ended with yummies. ♥





♥ sunny days.

I. love. vegetables.

YES.

I went for my 4-mile run, and once I showered and got to relaxing, it struck me that dinner should be made. and fast because, I was craving, roasted. vegetables.

Now, this wasn't a craving that was to be ignored, naturally. You see, there are 5 foods that I cannot get enough of!

Roasted Vegetables

Fresh Salsa

Baby Carrots (roasted, plain, in soups and stews, desserts... i didn't get my name for nothing! ;)

Sorbet (Oh my god, give me some berry sorbet and I'm a very happy girl)

Ketchup (I love ketchup on EVERYTHING.... pretty much everything anyways... ketchup on ice cream?! ewwwww)

Are my tastes strange? I crave carrots? maybe.

So Immediately, I threw together some olive oil, pepper, salt and garlic and poured the mixture over a medley of vegetables. Set the oven to Roast, and in they went!



Om Nom Nom....

    

Once those were done, I wanted something crunchy to accompany it. Something... warm... salty... cheesy.



1 oz. Lavash Bread, Daiya cheddar and mozzarella, Classico Tomato & Basil sauce and Half a packet of Light Tuna


Oh. and there may or may not have been an extra little serving of ketchup for vegetable dipping. Just saying. I ♥ my ketchup.

Good Morning world ~

 I woke up today rather late... but full of energy!

I checked emails, went over a few things with work, tanned... oh and now I'm enjoying this.




1cup vanilla Organic Soymilk, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 4 ice cubes

 

Served in my trusty Venti Starbucks cup. ♥ what great way to start the morning... a frosty treat after spending time under the gorgeous sunshine. 8)



Plans today are::

-Go running
 (3-mile run everyday, it's not much but it's good to stay consistent with something :)
-Prepare some more hummus (parents loved it!)
-Work
-Dance class

woo!

Dinner & exhaustion

Today was a superrr tiring day. I ran errands, went to class and worked my butt off!

Not to mention, went for a 8 mile run tonight.



yeah, I was pretty ECSTATIC to be done and over with it.

 The weather was hot and humid (when is it not in Miami?) Little bugs kept flying into my eyes, I could hardly see in the darkness of the night! (my parents live where literally there are only farms around here...) and I lost my way... twice.

My legs. are. burning. That's what I get for not exercising for 10 days!

I know that after such an misadventure I was in the mood for something savory for dinner after such a dragging run.

French bean casserole, steamed peas and a ton of pieces of Lavash Bread

Oh, and also some of this.

Natural Homemade Strawberry Sorbet
Made from only strawberries

Now I want to sit with a book, and maybe catch up on a little bit of piano. ♥