Tag Archives: dark chocolate

It’s a Date {Deux}

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I’m fairly certain I’ve used that title before…but whatever, it fits. haha

So, as of late – my pre-run fuel as been a couple of dates with some sunflower butter. Lots of energy from the sugars and fats – and it doesn’t leave my tummy grumbling with the “pre-breakfast…why are you running, I’m empty…blues.”

That’s been nice and all, but I kind of wanted to spice things up a bit…make it a bit more exciting…so what jumps back into my brain but the ah-may-zing Raw Chocolate Cake that I stole from Gabriela earlier this year.

I basically stuck to that recipe with only a couple of minor changes…

  1. I only had 16 dates – you’d never know that four whole dates were missing. :)
  2. I used dark chocolate cocoa powder this time around – major win.
  3. I did not add the extra melted chocolate.
  4. I added a tablespoon of raspberry jam just to see what would happen (not much)
  5. I used honey instead of agave because I wasn’t sure how “good” the agave I had was… I will say it was challenging to combine the honey and coconut oil…two very different viscosities.
Okay, so maybe there were more than “a couple”..
It all worked out well in the end though.

Ooey. Gooey. Darrrk Chocolatey (and maybe a little raspberry-y – though I think this is just in my mind because I know it’s in there). Coconut-laced goodness.

My favorite part? Probably the “frosting” – for the hard time that the honey and the coconut oil gave me – I love it. It is just sooo thick and gooey…really like a true ganache.

I mean…seriously now.

Basically, if this doesn’t put a pep in my step in the mornings – I don’t know what will. :)

Tonight I’m off to have dinner and drinks at Teatro in Boston with a fantastic friend of mine – very ready to indulge in some calamari, some delicious beverages (margs and sangria are callllling to me), to explore their summer menu and catch up before she gets back in the swing of things for school.

 

Red Velvet is for Bests & Birthdays

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May is full of birthdays. Many, many of the most important people in my life have birthdays in May – many of them are close (in proximity) to me, but my best friend lives alllll the way across the country.

Naturally, my inner-baker wanted to make her something special for her birthday. Something edible – not Popsicle bird houses or anything.

Cookies – don’t really say BIRTHDAY, and cakes…well, that’s not exactly the easiest thing to ship across the country.

Best solution.

Cake balls (truffles?)!

Regardless, they were red velvet (I’ll never forget my first taste of red velvet in Sea Island, Georgia – nommm)  and they came out fantastic.

Crumbled red velvet cake, combined with cream cheese frosting, divided into tablespoon sized balls, dipped in dark chocolate and decorated with festive sprinkles… I’ll let the pictures do the talking. :)

The drip is kind of evil looking. haha

The best part.

Had to lick the beaters, right?

Just a test slice :)

Picture perfect.

Bite.of.heaven.

Quick Curry

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Evenin’ loves – how’s everyone doing? TGIWed? haha I can’t believe that in a week family will be arriving to celebrate Thanksgiving!! I feel like it crept up out of nowhere!! Anyone else?

I was finally able to get in some errands. Purchased some 2011 calendars – I find that I have a tendency to put it off, and then by the time I realize that it’s 2011…I should get a calendar…all the good ones are gone! You’re left with really awkward, reject calendars. Nooo thanks. haha

I also got in a trip to Trader Joe’s. Hadn’t been in forever!! I went in search of their refrigerated margarita mix (I’d heard it’s really good), but alas they didn’t have it. ..does anyone know of a really great, not too sweet margarita mix?

However, I did manage to pick up a bunch of stuff that I didn’t know I needed. I managed to dive into this purchase before settling down to actual lunch.

Love the fact that it’s pre-portioned and 70% dark. Plus, the packaging just called to me while I waited in line. Impulse purchase #103921.

Lunch was a package of Cedar’s Chickpea Salad. I need to figure out a recipe for duplicating this … it is delicious!

The afternoon was spent catching up on e-mails and cleaning. Oh, and munching on pudding & chia seeds – seemingly unlikely duo, but it just adds a little crunch (and nutrition).

Anyway – let’s get right to dinner. After dining out on Saturday and enjoying amazing Indian food, I have just been craving curry like nobody’s business. Alert – new food obsession.

Again – Trader Joe’s to the rescue. After studying the various curry options, I decided on their Simmering Curry Sauce. I combined the curry sauce with frozen spinach, and let it chill over medium heat for a while. I piled the curried greens on top of a bowl of brown rice and VOILA.

Simple, delicious and seriously satisfying.

Once the jar is gone, I will attempt my own curry. I know Jenna has some great recipes.  However, it’s nice to find those reliable little pantry items; plus it’s always awesome finding something new and delicious in the grocery store.

  • What’re you all loving these days? Any new foods or products??

Give me a break…give me a break…

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…break me off a piece of that …KitKat Bar! haha

Okay, damn now I want a KitKat! But that newfound craving aside…

I AM NOW ON BREAK!!!!!

It feels so good. :)

This has definitely been an interesting week in terms of finals. First, the whole “almost didn’t wake up in time but somehow did” thing…and then last night, I stayed up to take my PR final the moment it was available online…but it wasn’t there. Uhg. And it still wasn’t there when I got myself up early this morning to do it….

It was supposed to be available on 12/15 (today) from 12:01am to 11:59pm…well…not so much. haha I sent my professor an e-mail, this morning, about it, and luckily everything got fixed by 10am..but still. Frustrating. I ACED IT THOUGH! :-)

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Before sitting down to take my exam, though, I made sure to make myself a big ole cup of coffee. It was just what my bod needed after being frustrated and up later than usual.

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I spent the afternoon studying for my Ethics final. I had some popcorn (slightly uhh…toasty…) and a yogurt mess: NF Greek yogurt, PB, blueberry flax, honey — it was kinda like PB&J yogurt mess. haha


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So I spent the afternoon (up until 5)…alternating between going over every study question I could think of, and mindless television. haha I’m so diligent…. I powered up for my final with JUICE! haha Green Goodness. It looks soo thick in the picture…but it really isn’t!

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I think I rocked my final though. Excited. I know I didn’t fail, at least. haha :) I rewarded myself with sushi and chocolate! Though … not together. haha

I picked up some spicy tuna rolls and a bar of dark chocolate with coconut flakes in it. I’m excited to try the chocolate. haha :)

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I’m excited for an evening of NOTHING. :) No alarms to set…nothing! Yippeeee!

I hope you all are doing well!!

Peace, Love & Munchies.

Seriously. Good. Eats.

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Evenin’ everyone! Today’s been pretty sweet. My evening class got canceled! Wahoo! haha Plus, my meeting didn’t go as long as I thought, but we got a lot accomplished so that’s good. This little red cup of goodness powered me through the meeting. :)

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I have been craaaving food all day — just a constant case of the munchies, and I knew nothing in my apartment would do for dinner. On my way home I stopped at Whole Foods and got myself some dinner that seems to be hitting the spot – so far – ! haha :) 1. Spicy tempura shrimp rolls 2. IZZE sparkling blueberry juice 3. Scharffen Berger Mocha Dark Chocolate. Some seriously good eats. :)

Anyone have those days where you just cannot find what you are craving?

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I’m really, really looking forward to the chocolate. haha :) I’m a sucker for chocolate…especially dark chocolate. Mwahahah.

Now it’s time to plow through some French homework, and then get some rest…tomorrow is Friiiiiday!! :) Wahoo! I’m hoping to get a good run or two into the weekend. Hope everyone had a great Thursday!!!

Peace, Love & Munchies!