I get a kick out of eating Brussels sprouts.  In my mind, they are famous for being the most disgusting vegetable someone might ever threaten a child (or picky adult) with having to eat.

When I discovered that Brussels sprouts are not disgusting or gross, there was only one logical conclusion that I could make about myself:

I like Brussels sprouts, therefore, I am a bad ass.

Trimmed Brussels Sprouts

Before I continue to congratulate myself on my vegetable badassery, allow me to whisper the secret to enjoying Brussels sprouts if you don’t already know it.

**

Broccoli shows up at #37 in the list of 44 Healthy Foods Under a $1 and this is at least true for conventional broccoli – organic tends to be more expensive.

Broccoli is at low risk for pest invasion so it’s supposedly sprayed less than other vegetables, but the Environmental Working Group puts broccoli right in the middle list of their list of Fruits and Vegetables with Pesticide Residue (ordered from worst to best) – what’s a semi-paranoid produce penny pincher to do?

Judgmental Cat is Judging You

November 1st, 2013 | Posted by Alison Spath in Breakfast - (2 Comments)

I recently saw a quote that said:

The greatest prison people live in is the fear of what other people think.

Somehow, that resonates much deeper than the standard “don’t worry about what other people think” one liner.  That just makes me think “don’t boss me.”

I mean, it’s probably not a bad idea to care a little bit about what other people think… especially if it motivates you to do things like brush your hair and to change out of your food splattered yoga pants before leaving the house.  But maybe not caring so much that it paralyzes you from trying new things or being an authentic version of yourself.  In that case, forget everybody.  Do what you want!  (Whoops, I think I’m bossing you.)

Pumpkin Pumpkin Everywhere

October 19th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Breakfast - (6 Comments)

It’s simply that time of year.

Green Mountain Coffee Pumpkin Spice

I don’t usually buy flavored coffee, but for whatever reason, I decided to go for it this time. I think the Green Mountain Coffee Marketing Department totally sucked me in with their “Limited Edition!!” ploy.  I can’t miss out!  Throw it in the cart!!  HURRY!

I’m such a sucker.

It’s too pumpkiny though, to the point of being nearly undrinkable.

I solved that pumpkin problem by buying a pound of regular and brewing a 1/4 pumpkin, 3/4 regular in our little 4 cup pot.

Pumpkin Coffee

Zucchini Oatmeal Breakfast Cakes

September 26th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Breakfast - (9 Comments)

I seem to be on a pancake kick recently – but ’tis the season for warm breakfasts after all! Let’s roll with it.

After I spied a small zucchini hanging out in the fridge this morning and feeling very much in the mood for something substantial after an early morning bike ride, I decide to whip up some zucchini pancakes today. Zucchini is awesome for it’s ability to taste like nothing in baked goods, while quite generously giving you a serving of vegetables at the same time.

Zucchini Pancake Ingredients

The coffee maker is cranky.

Cranky Coffee Pot

Coffee Maker cannot figure out why all these baking supplies are out at such an ungodly hour of the morning.

Coffee Maker is cranky and hot and does not like to be crowded.

But you see Coffee Maker, it’s all because of the zucchini from yesterday’s CSA pick up.

Zucchini

This zucchini is practically begging to made into Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

But zucchini bread means the oven has to be turned on.

Let Them Eat Cake

March 20th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Parenting - (11 Comments)

I’d love to be able to tell you that my kids are vegetable chow hounds. I have blog with “vegetables” and “kids” in the tag line after all, shouldn’t it follow that I get to tell tales of my little posse begging for broccoli, beans and beets? Shouldn’t I be writing posts about how easy it is to get your kids to eat fruits and vegetables? I could even use lots of exclamation points!!! I could say “all you have to do is try!!!!”

That’s what some people might like to call “Irony”.

Salad For Breakfast

February 5th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Weight Loss - (17 Comments)

I think it was mid-December when I started looking for an alternative to my typical oatmeal/grain-based breakfast.  Not because I stopped digging oats mind you, but because somewhere toward the end of last year I came to understand that sugar is just no good and I wanted to start eating less of it.

Now before you get annoyed with me and that blasphemous statement, I’m not saying that I’ve stopped eating sugar or bread completely or don’t enjoy sweets.  I’m just not eating sugar (or as the case may be, foods that your body eventually converts to sugar – i.e., grains like rice, pasta, bread) on a daily basis like I have for oh, I don’t know – 31 years?

Lately I’ve been keeping an eye out for grain free, sugar free breakfast ideas.  Thanks to The Primal Blueprint, I’ve been feeling this urge to put a little space between me and my typical breakfast of champi-oats.

Ask and apparently you shall receive!  Didn’t a recipe for a bitter chocolate pumpkin cake land in my virtual lap?  I saw it here first at Heather Eats Almond Butter and then clicky clicked my way over to a Spoonful of Sugar Free for the original recipe for this wonder of sugarless, no grain, breakfast wonders.

Cash Rules Everything

December 5th, 2010 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (9 Comments)

My camera has seen better days.

Better Days

And no, taking this picture could not wait even a single second for me to take off my hat or jacket.

Apparently the front cover of my camera lost its lust for life about a month or so ago.  It’s barely holding on here.  I had to resort to rubber bands, hair ties and super glue to hold it together.

These materials were doing a fine job of getting my camera through its tough time – and I was especially appreciative of the fact that they saved me from the snotty “Lens Error. Restart Camera. (You Jerk.)” message it would give me whenever the lens got caught up in the front cover.