A Taste of Emeril

A crazy weekend in Philly that included 12hrs on the train left me with a nasty cold that is ever-so-slowly getting better. While I did some cooking, I couldn't taste it until this weekend :/ I've been meaning to give a shoutout to Foodbuzz's Tastemaker program, through which I recieved some Emeril goodies to try out. I used the organic Vegetable stock when I made Kalyn's Autumn Harvest Soup this past week. As I normally use chicken stock, I was very impressed with the flavor of the stock and would definitely use it again if the price was right! I don't know if it was my particular spices, but I felt like the soup could've used a bit more. That also might have been my taste buds ;) This was also a delight to eat texture-wise as it combined kale, butternut, and farro! Not quite chicken soup, I think it had enough nutritional goodness to help fight my cold ;)

Autumn Harvest Soup

Boston-area bloggers/readers/friends: Let me know if you're interested in an apple-picking adventure at Smolak Farms this Sunday morning!!

Anyone else have plans to do some apple picking this fall?? I may have to try my hand at making apple cider donuts...

Musselman's Healthy Picks

*chirp chirp*

Sorry about the absence over here... while i'm trying to get my mojo back, there's something I've been meaning to get to-- a review for the new line of Musselman's applesauce. I'd seen it on a few blogs, but was excited for the chance to try it myself (Thanks Krista!!).


The Healthy Picks line of applesauce is designed to be a healthy, portable snack for us busy folks. It comes in three flavors: Blueberry Pomegranate, Raspberry Açaí and Key Lime Cupuaçu. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to try these was that there is no added sugar--apples are sweet (or they should be when you make applesauce!), no need to add anything extra. I also am attracted to flavored applesauce, as the plain varieties don't hold my attention unless they're homemade. The nutritionals aren't bad at 70 cal/cup and 3g fiber, and an ingredient list that is pretty respectable.


My impression? I think these are a great snack option! I found that one of these and a handful of almonds (i have the dark cocoa roast ones at work now) were able to keep the hunger at bay for a couple of hours. Packaged applesauce will never have the consistency of the homemade stuff I love (which I thought I had posted but couldn't find?). But these are great options to have around whenever and wherever you might need a pick-me-up. I liked each of the flavors, my favorite probably the Blueberry Pomegranate. I didn't think the Key Lime tasted like lime... what it was, I couldn't put my finger--er, tongue-- on. Still good, and none of them were too sweet.

I often use applesauce to replace some of the fat in baked goods, but it's never a large volume. These smaller containers would be great here as well, so long as it was a fruity loaf. Musselman's also suggests popping the applesauce in the freezer for 30min for a slushy treat. I bet this would be great in the summer heat! Want to try it yourself? Click here for a coupon and tell them I sent you!

Oikos Greek Yogurt

I have to be honest, the very first time I tried Greek Yogurt, I didn't like it. It was the nutritionals that got me coming back for more, and now I really enjoy it! It's got a tang to it, which I wasn't used to. But I started by adding a little drizzle of honey (or agave), mixing in some fruit or granola, and have really come to love it, even on its own. Heck, crumble in a warm brownie or cookie and I'll bet you'll eat it :) And what a great protein-boost to that dessert!


As I mentioned in my last post, Kristina from Stoneyfield Farm was nice enough to offer up some coupons to try Oikos. Who am I kidding, I've definitely had it before, but I'm not one to turn down free greek yogurt :) It is the only organic greek yogurt on the market! For those unfamiliar with greek yogurt, it is thicker than regular yogurt as it has been strained to remove the whey. Which I'll be honest, confuses me, as I thought the protein was in the whey... yet greek yogurt has easily 3x the amount of protein than other yogurts. Can anyone clear this up for me? I did learn something from their website--strained yogurt stays fresher longer, and is less likely to curdle when cooked! Ok, on to the yogurt...


With my free coupons, I picked up one of each flavor: plain, honey (not pictured), vanilla, and blueberry. While the plain had the tart/tang normally associated with greek yogurt, the flavored variations did not. Those would be another good starting point if you're just trying them out for the first time. They were all thick, creamy, and delicious! The flavored ones weren't too sweet (the honey had a nice subtle flavor-- I didn't even realize there was actual honey on the bottom until i got there!) and all had under 20g sugar. I like the flavored ones when i'm on the go, or attempt to have it for dessert if my dinner isn't particularly heavy on protein. Otherwise I normally stick to plain and add whatever fruit I have around.

Besides wanting a few more actual blueberries in the blueberry yogurt, the only drawback is price. I usually stick to what's on sale, or Trader Joe's 2% (couldn't believe the difference from 0%!!), so Oikos is a splurge or coupon purchase for me. I really can't pick a favorite between Fage, Chiobani, Oikos, TJ's... I've come to love them all! Icelandic yogurt (Skyr.is or siggi's) might win out if it weren't for the cost, but right now I'm a post-doc in Boston. (aka not swimming in it!)

Thanks again Kristina, I love your greek yogurt!! Ok everyone, what are you waiting for?? Once you go greek, you'll never go back ;-) Who's with me??

FYI: Cinnamon Chips

Hey guys, I meant to take a picture of these for the muffins, but somehow I forgot. Since everyone seemed interested, thought I'd post it tonight :) The cinnamon chips are on the right in the photo, with PB-choc swirled chips on the left. They're a bit smaller (although larger than the mini chips), making them even nicer for baking as you get more cinnamon throughout! I wouldn't scruitinize the ingredients list, but for baking they are pretty fun!! I picked these up at a Wegmans, but have seen them at random places since then... keep an eye out ;-)

Dri Fit's Best Friends

What, you expected food? Haven't I been doing enough cooking??

I wanted to share some things that could help a brother (or sister) out. I can remember when it was such a novelty to wear such things as dri-fit, coolmax, or whatever they're calling it! Now it seems like this is the norm. I've long been a fan, and in the past couple years discovered these products which I'd highly recommend.


I tried adidas deodorant because I had a coupon, but turns out it rocks. Maybe it's just me, but I'd started to notice sweat stains on my shirts from working out, especially white ones. No longer after using this deoderant. And I immediately noticed a difference after picking up another brand last time. Plus, it's aluminum-free, and also better at not leaving those white streaks on your clothes. It may not work for everyone (a quick search revealed a few dissatisfied reviews), but might be worth a shot next time you're in the market for a new tube.

I'm not up for spending money on new clothes all the time, so my workout gear gets some use. Or should I say a LOT of use. I always washed them in Woolite, but after awhile they just didn't seem as fresh anymore. Sample packets of the win and penguin sport wash had been provided in some race packets, so I gave them a shot. No lingering scent-- fresh and clean! I ended up getting win online and I really like this stuff. I've also seen it in more stores, so it seems to becoming more available. The website for the penguin sport wash also claims it restores the wicking properties of such fabrics... (I can neither confirm or deny :))

Err, I'm a girl, I don't sweat (haha)! And I smell like daisies :) Anyone else have experience with these or other products??

Water and a Gratin

I was thinking about posting about hint waters when I discovered target's version today!! I try to drink as much water as I can, but sometimes... I just can't stomach it. I'm really trying to avoid artificially sweetened drinks, so I was thrilled when I tried hint. Now there's another cheaper option with fun flavors! The flavors in these aren't overwhelming, it's really just a "hint" of flavor (maybe that's where they got the name :)) Reminds me of squeezing a lemon into a glass of water, but with more interesting combinations.


For dinner, tonight was Cooking Light's Cauliflower, Pasta & Cheese Gratin. Sorry I didn't get too creative with my picture-taking. I'm a bit tired from not sleeping to well up here (I think it's the lack of white noise in the city!!), as well as spinning and some tennis with dad today :)


The gratin was alright. I was waiting so long for my water to boil that my sauce cooked a little long, so it wasn't as creamy as we would've liked. The flavors weren't really strong, but with some improvements in that area it could be a nice lighter version of mac and cheese. Maybe using broccoli instead with some ham?

My noggin's been thinking: Maybe some nutmeg would give the sauce some punch, or using a different cheese (goat cheese or some good aged gruyere... yum)

Eggplant & Tomato Risotto

Hmm, well on tap for tonight was Eggplant & Tomato Risotto, finishing up the eggplant from the Ratatouille tart the other night. It used a cheese I hadn't had before--ricotta salata. It's kinda like a dried-out ricotta, almost feta-like but not as salty or strongly flavored. It actually went really well in this dish, it was the bites lacking this cheese that seemed to be lacking... Not sure if more basil would've remedied this, or maybe just more cheese. It was nice and fresh, but missed the mark ever so slightly--maybe 3 1/2 stars out of 5.


After bodypump this morning, I hit up the farmers market up in Saratoga, NY. ~swoon~ What do you know, almost the first thing I saw was a stand of locally made pb. Such a sucker, I had to pick up one of her flavors: the maple honey. Wow, can't wait to have this on some waffles and apples!! There was another flavor that was a blend of peanut and almond butter, flax seeds, cinn, raisins, and maybe something else. So good, but I couldn't spend that much on one jar of pb... at least not at this point in my life! Apparently, the brand is being highlighted in Rachel Ray's magazine this month!


While in the area, I stopped at a local organic market my mom had given me a coupon for, Four Seasons. I've never seen so much packed in to such a small store! But I did find those Honest Foods Granola Planks--score! Tried the Maple-Almond with some yogurt and peaches for lunch, quite tasty and chewy enough to make me them a bit slower so that was good :) I'll have to figure out a way to portion them out as they are pretty high in calories... More goodies as I try them!

More. Red. Meat.

I'm not a huge red meat eater, so I wasn't quite looking forward to dinner last night. I'll take a fantastic burger any day of the week, but I'm not one to *swoon* over steak. This piece of flank steak was already grilled up, I just had to make a sauce.

For the marinade I used: ~1/2 chopped scallion, 1 minced clove garlic, dash red pepper flakes, 1/2t dark sesame oil, juice from 1/2 lime, ~1/4T each: grated fresh ginger and brown sugar. Let it do it's thing in the fridge for ~1.5hrs, turning whenever I remembered.

Now to the sauce. I [heart] peanut butter, so that's what kept me going last night. Now I know everyone's raving about the PB&Co flavors, and i've tried a few, but the only one I think I'd buy again is Crunch Time. Not to say that I wouldn't try making my own, especially to remake those Dark Chocolate Dream Cookies :) But I digress. When I saw this in the store I couldn't help pick it up for pure curiosity sake. And it was in a smaller container, so if I didn't love it, I wouldn't have a ton of it to eat.


Sorry for the blurry picture.... i think it's my camera--does better with people and landscapes than up close and personal images. Alright, back to the sauce. I had searched online and had an idea of what to do, but when I got home I realized my small saucepan was already packed. woops! Hmm, so I improvised: ~1T Heat is on PB, juice of the other half of lime, and some water (I just eye-balled it, probably could've used a little more). Microwaved for 25sec, stirred, then put it back in for another 30sec or so. At the first stir I didn't think it was going to work, but then it came to a boil (i think) and thickened up into a sauce-like consistency! Doesn't look the prettiest, but it actually tasted pretty good on the meat!


Any other ideas on what to do with the rest of this unique flavor? I'm thinking on a turkey sandwhich it would bring some nice flavors to the party... but that's all I got so far :) Oh, it's their all-natural peanut butter blended with chili powder, cayenne and crushed red peppers. On it's on it's got a little heat behind it, but not too bad--although I won't be eating this one out of the container!

What's on the rest of my plate? That's me trying to use up the frozen corn and can of black beans... it was ~2c corn (thawed), 15oz can black beans, pint of grape tomatoes halved, 2 scallions chopped, some parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice (it was sitting in the fridge), and maybe 1/4c of some light italian dressing that had been forgotten about. Another tasty way to eat your veggies!

Sambazon Acai

Look what I found at the bottom of my freezer!! I had completely forgotten about these puppies!! You can read about Acai here, or on Sambazon's website, but it's a great fruit with more antioxidants than pomegrantes and blueberries. I picked up these convenient frozen smoothie packs at whole foods, and it was the perfect addition to my post-run smoothie!! Nice, cold and refreshing. Sambazon's website has other ideas on how to use these, so I'm about to go read and find out :)