The Friday Five 12.21.12

1. What I’m Reading: I love cookbooks, but usually borrow them from the library instead of buying them. When I do buy them, they tend to be more scientific or educational, rather than a compilation of recipes with photos. I finally got around to purchasing The Science of Good Cooking, one of books by Cooks Illustrated. It is the best and you need it. This is a must have for any home chef who likes to know the hows and whys of cooking.

2. What I’m Eating: As far as faux meat products go, I usually stick to Morningstar chick’n patties or spicy black bean burgers. I had some really bad products by Gardein a couple years ago, but these beefless burgers are a new favorite. I would have been easily fooled if someone told me they were beef.

3. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Savory Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with White Beans and Kale. Interesting combo, right?

4. What I’m Listening to: Her voice. His production. This collaboration: Sweet Nothing by Calvin Harris featuring Florence Welch.

5. GIFs I’m Loving:

WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS HELP WRAPPING PRESENTS

WHEN THE HOLIDAYS START TO STRESS ME OUT

WHEN SOMEONE ASKS IF I’M DONE WITH MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

The Friday Five 11.16.12

1. What I’m Reading: The Flexitarian Table by Peter Berley. This is an awesome cookbook! It’s got options for “vegetarians, meal lovers, and everyone in between.” There are a lot of beautiful photos and so many recipes I want to make. None seem very difficult and all very healthy.

2. What I’m Eating: These Simply Gingerbread pita chips by Stacy’s are really good. They taste just like their cinnamon flavor but “a little like Christmas” as my brother said. They’re seasoned with nutmeg and ginger. Grab a bag or two while you can!

3. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Orzo with Caramelized Fall Vegetables & Ginger.

4. What I’m Listening to:  A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. After you see Breaking Dawn Part 2, you will appreciate this song SO much more. The movie, by the way, was sooooooooo good. I really loved how they recapped the entire saga through Bella’s eyes and credited all the actors at the end. So so good.

5. GIFs I’m Loving:

WHEN I’M ABOUT TO EAT MY FAVORITE FOOD

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THEY DON’T LIKE AVOCADOS

Happy Friday! Go see Breaking Dawn!

The Friday Five 11.9.12

1. What I’m Reading: The Runner's Rule Book by by Mark Remy.

2. What I’m Eating: Holy crud, listen to me right now. Go to Whole Foods immediately and pick up a jar of this Earth Balance Coconut & Peanut Spread. Whether you decide on crunchy or creamy is up to you, as I can only attest that the former is quite delectable. It’s a jar of natural peanut butter with the addition of coconut oil. The coconut flavor is definitely there, but isn’t overpowering. I’ve been eating this by the spoonful every day. I’m going to pick up the jar of creamy next so I can use it for baking. Seriously, go buy this! 

3. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Barley and Kale Salad with Golden Beets and Feta.

4. What I’m Listening to: Stardust by Lena. Sorry, the official video isn’t out yet, but it’s worth a listen.

5. GIFs I’m Loving:

WHEN MY FRIEND STARTS TELLING ME HOW FAST YOU CAN MEET SOMEONE, FALL IN LOVE, AND GET MARRIED

WHEN I GET A FREE BABY MAGAZINE IN THE MAIL

. . .  

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

New Seasonal Food Finds

One of the main reasons I love having a food blog is because I get to share new food precuts with my readers. Whenever I find something fun, be it a food, restaurant, recipe, or trend, I share it through every social media platform possible: facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube…you get it. Here are some new gems I’ve discovered.

1. I first spotted these Toasted Coconut almonds at Target. Into the basket they went and (after paying) into my mouth they went.

Honestly, I was underwhelmed. They smell really good, but the flavor just isn’t quite there. Boo. I went online to look up other flavors and found these promotions.

Have you tried any of these three flavors? I suppose you could very easily create these at home.

2. It seems that there are about 70 different flavored creamers out there, and most that I’ve tried have been somewhat nauseating. The S’mores flavor, however, is right up my alley and perfect for the coming chilly months.I also need to try the Salted Caramel flavor. I will wait until they go on sale at Publix because I don’t love the idea of spending silly money on things that just fatten me…. ok that’s sort of a lie.

This list started out strong (healthfully speaking) but it’s about to go down the clean eating drain. Please accept my apologies for this and for almost lying to you in #3.

3. Jell-O. Gingerbread and Candy Cane. Should I buy these? I feel like it’s the equivalent of eating fair food. Could be the worst moment of my life or the best moment of my life. But nothing in between. 

4. Yoplait Pumpkin Pie and Apple Crisp flavored yogurt. I was a huge fan of Trader Joe’s pumpkin yogurt, but for some reason I’m nervous to try these.

5. I gagged a little when I saw this but had to include it anyway. Pumpkin Spice cream cheese.

6. Pumpkin is taking over! Who’s sick of it? I’m not. Yet. Give me a couple more weeks. These sound crazy sweet.

7. Now this I could get on board with, especially with a healthy serving of peanut butter. Weirdo combo?

8. First there were the Birthday Cake Oreos. Then there were the Candy Corn Oreos. Now there are Gingerbread and Peppermint Oreos.

Interesting fact: In 2010, Nabisco came out with Peppermint. I wonder if they’re the exact same thing.

9. Like I said on Friday, I am ecstatic for these to appear at, let’s face it, Target. All the good seasonal junk is exclusively at Target.

10. Last but not least, I’m praying to the chocolate gods that these come back. Pray with me!

What seasonal items are you loving?  Anything you’re sick of?

Do your teeth hurt after reading this post? I’m off to brush mine.

The Friday Five 10.26.12

1. What I’m Eating: Every candy in sight? No, seriously. I can’t stop eating plain M&Ms. At the Blackbaud health fair one of the vendors handed out these pill containers full of them. How funny is this? I like opening up a container, throwing them all back at once, and watching people’s reactions. Not pills, just candy!

I’m also dying for these to come out. I cannot wait!!!

2. What I’m Pinning: I want to darken my hair. I always say this, I know.

3. Recipes I’m Bookmarking: Sriracha-Sesame Turkey Meatballs.

4. What I’m Listening to: Grade 8 by Edward Sheehan. 

Enter video caption here

5. GIFs I’m Loving:

EVERY OCTOBER

THE WEEK BEFORE AND AFTER HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloweekend!!

Müller Yogurt Review & Giveaway!

As you may know, Müller Quaker Dairy, a joint venture between PepsiCo, Inc. and the Theo Müller Group, is bringing Europe’s beloved Müller™ yogurt to the U.S! Müller yogurt is made from reduced-fat, Grade A milk and is a good source of calcium and protein. It’s a delicious way to add delight to your day, with the nutritional benefits of yogurt.  

As a part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker program, Müller™ provided me with a stipend and product for sampling. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Müller Corner Open Pour Shots – creamy low-fat yogurt paired with delicious fruit toppings as well as crunchy cereal mix-ins. Available in Strawberry, Greek Caramelized Almond, Greek Blackberry Raspberry, Greek Strawberry.

Müller Corner – with add-ins that you can flip, stir or dip into the creamy yogurt. Available in Blueberry, Choco Balls, Choco Flakes, Crispy Crunch, Granola, Strawberry.

Müller Greek Corner – low-fat, Greek-style yogurt with delicious fruit or nut mix-ins. Available in Caramelized Almonds, Blackberry Raspberry, Honeyed Apricot, Strawberry.

Müller Fruit Up – low-fat yogurt on the bottom with a vibrant layer of fruit
mousse on top. Available in Blueberry Bliss, Luscious Lemon, Peach Passion, Radiant Raspberry, Splendid Strawberry, Very Cherry.

I was recently sent a shipment of the different yogurts for review. After trying them all, I have to say that I’m a huge fan. My favorite, by far, was the Greek yogurt with caramelized almonds. I also really loved the Greek blueberry and Greek honeyed apricot. I highly recommend you try these!

For more information, check out their:

• facebook
• twitter

Want to win some Müller yogurt? Two of you will win five coupons for a free yogurt.

To enter: Tell me your favorite kind of yogurt! Giveaway ends Friday, September 28th.

The winners of  the Muller Yogurt Giveaway are: Cassandra Padgett and Vaughn. Please email your shipping information to me at christinaorso@gmail.com. : )