Epcot World Showcase

Me in front of the big orb...

I know it's been a several weeks since we got back from our Florida vacation... but I wanted to post a few things about what we did.

I'm not a huge fan of theme parks, since I'm not crazy about heights or falling... I usually just end up be a nervous wreck on 2 or 3 rides, then just watch everyone else ride.  So, Epcot was a perfect park for me.  They do have a few rides, but I couldn't ride most of them anyway, being prego and all. No biggie.  We spent about 7 hours in the "World Showcase" area of Epcot, enjoying the exhibits and shows.  There were a couple of small flume type (water) rides that we rode... and being that we were there at the World Showcase when it opened at 11 a.m., there were no lines and no waiting.  Sweet.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

This is ice cream not for the faint of heart.

I will admit, it does take some time and effort, but the results are SO worth it.  I've been experimenting with some ice cream recipes this year, but this one is by far my favorite.

Apple Cider Baked Doughnuts

Apple Cider Doughnuts are a fall staple at every apple orchard I've ever visited.  I MISS FALL!!!  Born and raised in New England, fall to me means the scent of wood smoke hanging in the crisp fall air, apples and pumpkins, colorful leaves on the trees and crunching underfoot.

Sigh.

Coconut Lime Power Balls

Shortly before our trip to Canada, I happened upon a recipe for a reverse engineered Larabar (similar to Cliff bars or Luna bars - basically pre-chewed nuts and dried fruit.  Sounds gross, but actually isn't bad.  As long as you don't think about it too much).

Inspired, I took to the kitchen to try out a few varieties... which I loved!  I brought 3 varieties with me on vacation and they held up really well on the plane and in the car as we traveled.  They were great for a quick energy pick-me-up while we were on the go.

When we got back home, I decided to branch out and try some other varieties, then got REALLY adventurous and created my own version with ingredients I had on hand - mostly inspired by a bunch of limes from the discount produce rack. Gotta love 12 or so limes for about $1.50.  I didn't care that they didn't look pretty; they tasted amazing!

I have to admit, these power balls are best fresh.  But, in a pinch, you can freeze them and they still taste fine a month or so down the road.  Disclaimer:  they only lasted 6 weeks in my freezer...because  I ate the last of them just recently on our day trip to the Caverns.  So, I'm not sure exactly how long they will last... 

Coconut Lime Power Balls

by Raye

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: none

6031409

Ingredients (8-10 balls)

• 1/3 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup almonds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1/3 cup unsweetened, unsulphured golden raisins
• zest of 1 lime
• juice of 1/2 lime (about 1 Tbsp)
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

In a food processor (or blender), process nuts for about 30 seconds until they reach a mealy consistency.

Add raisins and coconut; process another 20 to 30 seconds, until raisins are chopped finely. Add zest, lime juice, and nutmeg. Pulse until combined. Mixture should stick together when pressed between your fingers. If mixture is too dry, add water 1/2 tsp at a time until mixture comes together.

Roll into equal balls, approximately .75 oz each (1/2 inch diameter). Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week (or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks).

Note: balls can be somewhat sticky, feel free to roll them in more unsweetened, shredded coconut so they don't stick together when packed.

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These are also a great variety to make if you have a hard time finding dates in your area - golden raisins tend to be a little easier to come by.   Note - I made these in a food processor (recommended), but you could also make these in a blender.

Let me know what you think!

Eggplant Mini Pizzas

I was at the Farmer's Market this morning and had to laugh when I overheard a conversation between a vendor and a customer.  She asked how much he was selling his eggplant for and he told her her it was free for the taking.  Apparently, he planted a few too many and they're coming out his ears...

Are you in the same boat?  Eggplant and zucchini tend to the be garden gifts that keep on giving... and giving... and giving...

This recipe takes a little prep, but it's worth it.  I highly recommend using a Mandoline slicer if you have one; it will cut your prep time in half and your slices will be even (and they'll cook more evenly).

Pancake Breakfast Sandwiches

The Hubby is obsessed with anything related to pancakes...I may have mentioned that previously.  But, he also enjoys breakfast sandwiches.  I've been experimenting with making them at home... he's never been a huge fan of the pancake version, and up 'til now has stayed loyal to the biscuit and sausage variety.   I, however, am not a huge fan of sausage... and marriage was made for compromise, right? So, compromise we did.  He gets breakfast sandwiches. It involves meat, eggs and cheese. And pancakes - and they're WAY better than the "maple flavored" store bought kind.

A couple of reasons I prefer pancake sandwiches over breakfast biscuits.

1. They're flatter.  Weird, I know, but it makes me happy when things stack easily.  Deal with it.  
2. They're portable.

Still not convinced?  Feast your eyes on this! I wish this post could capture the smell.

To freeze, I recommend freezing the pancakes separately on a cookie sheet for about an hour, then assembling the sandwich without the cheese.  Either wrap each sandwich individually for storage, or stack them in a zip-top bag.

You can fit about 8 sandwiches in a gallon-size freezer bag.

There are a few ways to reheat these:

1. wrap frozen sandwich in foil and warm in a toaster oven on high heat for about 25 minutes.  
2. Or, you could microwave it for about 3 minutes, but I find it tends to make the eggs sort of rubbery.
3. Or, you could thaw the sandwich overnight in the fridge, the warm it in the toaster oven for about 15 minutes on high heat.
4. Last but not least - add a slice of cheese during the 2-3 minutes of reheating in the toaster oven (or last 30 seconds if using the microwaves.

Personally,  I prefer the thaw overnight/reheat in the toaster oven method.  Of course, they're best fresh!

Ready to make yours?  Check out the recipe on my recipage here.  Comment below if you've got cooking/reheating question, or a favorite breakfast sandwich variation.

Chocolate Cherry Biscotti

Some things are better together.  Chocolate and cherries.  Biscotti and coffee. Or better, all four at the same time.  Chocolate cherry biscotti with a steaming cup of coffee.  What better way to wile away a rainy afternoon?  Or wind down after a stressful day at work?

Other than chocolate cherry biscotti, coffee, comfy socks and a really absorbing book...

Cookout Survival Strategy

Source

The Hubby's co-workers are having a cookout today.  The cookout location is on shorefront property, so there is a good possibility of kayaking happening in my near future. Of course, eating healthy at a potluck cookout can be hard to do, since you don't know what's in most of the food.

Thoughts...on Mayo...

Ok, so I've never been a huge fan of mayonnaise.  Even when I was a kid, good ol' yellow mustard was my go-to condiment. And now that I'm all grown up, I still adore mustard... not that I have 6 bottles in my fridge or pantry at the moment or anything...  Anyway! Mustard-aholic that I am, I still have to admit that there are some things that mayo is good for.  Chicken salad for instance... actually, any sandwich filling that ends with "salad" for that matter, egg salad, tuna salad, salmon salad... I could go on, but I'll stop there.

Travel Tips: Eating Well on the Road

On the road in Puerto Rico (last summer's wicked awesome vacation)

It's almost time for vacation! Hurray!  Those of you who know me understand my obsession with seeing new places.  I have a REALLY long bucket list that includes seeing hundreds of places.  It's the traveling TO the destination I'm not so crazy about.

Right now I'm getting ready to hit the road... well, flying first, then driving (more about that later).  This year, I am determined to eat well while traveling and not spend a boatload of money on airport food. I'm reminded of a Jerry Seinfeld bit I heard once about stores in airports not knowing what the rest of the world charges... but he tells it better (as I'm SURE you can imagine). :-)

Basic Oatmeal Pancakes

Saturday is usually the Hubby's day to sleep in. He enjoys lounging around until 10 a.m. or so. As a result, by the time he showers and is ready to eat something, it's usually closer to lunch-time than breakfast. Making pancakes together on Saturday mornings is something we really look forward to. We have many pancake recipe variations, but Basic Oatmeal Pancakes are the Hubby's favorite.

Confession: He's better at it than I am. In fact, he may or may not have the recipe memorized.

Food Philosophy

As I begin this blog, I've given a lot of thought to why I do what I do and the journey I've taken to get where I am, nutritionally speaking. There is SO much hype online these days about what is and isn't healthy and it gets really old sometimes! At the beginning, I felt like I would just grasp one concept and begin to apply it, then read in yet another article or yet another blog that I was doing it all wrong. I felt so discouraged! But more than anything, I want to raise a healthy family and that has given me the motivation to continue.