Happy International Waffle Day! Hold on.. there's a day dedicated to waffles?! It is actually a tradition that started in Sweden as Våffeldagen (waffle day) which they say stems from the mispronunciation of the Christian holiday Vårfrudagen (Our Lady's Day). March 25th marks the annunciation of Virgin Mary (she announced she would conceive Jesus) and is celebrated by feasting on waffles. The alternative USA Waffle Day is August 24th, when the waffle iron was patented.



For me it's an excuse to eat waffles for dinner. Pshh, like I needed one. Being on a health-kick, I went for the alternative low-carb, gluten & diary free version by using coconut flour. Even if you don't like coconut flavor you can still enjoy these protein packed bad boys by substituting coconut with almond flour. Although I found when baking with coconut flour, the flavor is pretty neutral. These waffles are very light and slightly sweet just the way I like it. I just add whatever topping I want- depending if I let myself cheat and have more sweets. Best part is you can make extra because they freeze well. Just toss them briefly in a toaster or toaster oven when you want more.

Dessa våfflor fortfarande smakar mycket goda! These waffles still taste very good!

Waffles with Coconut Flour

You'll need:
4 large eggs
1/2 cup almond milk
1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp raw honey or maple syrup or stevia 
1/2 cup of coconut flour

Do this: 
1. Preheat waffle iron 
2.  Add all the ingredients to a bowl and blend well. 
3. You can use a mixer, blender, food processor, or a whisk. Pour batter to iron and cover 3/4 of it. Mine took 2-4 minutes to cook. 
4.  Top with mixing of your choosing. I put a bit of raw honey and a dash of cinnamon. (I forgot to buy strawberries or I would have added that with a bit of almond butter).

Makes 3 to 5 waffles depending on your waffle iron. 




Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Waffles with Coconut Flour



Breakfast- it says it in the name. Take a quick 'break' from your morning and eat your meal 'fast'! Who has time to even think about breakfast when we are scrambling to get ready, drink our coffee, and beat the morning rush. But we all know that we should not skip the most important meal of the day. I've found a healthy solution that let's me press the snooze button one more time (yes!). Overnight oats with chia seeds is my newfound favorite spring-summer breakfast. It is a nice switch from warm oatmeal in the winter time. 

The general rule is: 1 part rolled oats, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, 2 part liquid
I generally don't drink diary or soy- so I use almond milk. You can substitute 1 part of the liquid with yogurt - Greek yogurt or almond yogurt would be healthiest.  

My basic recipe:
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup almond milk  
  • 10 raisins or so 
  • Pinch cinnamon  
  • sweetener: either 1 Tbsp raw honey or a couple drops of Stevia
    Add all ingredients in a mason jar (I've also used recycled peanut butter jar), shake, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning you have the option of topping it off with some raw or unsalted oven-roasted nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews) or some fresh, frozen, or dried fruits. I added a few frozen blueberries. 
No cooking, no fuss, no reason to skip breakfast!
Stay healthy my friends!

Xo


Monday, March 24, 2014

overnight oats + chia seeds


  

I have a slight obsession with jewelry.....   







 


Whats your sweet tooth? 
Friday, March 21, 2014

arm candy

  

The crisp of the chip that melts as soon as it hits your mouth, the taste of the olive oil, and the slick of salt on the tongue... For a moment you might think you are eating potato chips. But I'm talking about kale chips. These are seriously addicting and healthy (bonus!) snacks. 

Over the past week I baked a whopping total of 10 bunches worth of kale chips (they do shrink once it is baked.) I even made them for Leif's kids, Dakota & Koll, and they scarfed them up in seconds! Which is great because kale chips are best served out of the oven since they loose their crunch after a while. Dakota who claimed she doesn't like leafy greens, even asked for more! They inspired me to share this wonderful snack recipe. 

***The secret to making it perfectly crunchy is making sure it is bone DRY. I wash them immediately when I get home from the grocery store, dry, then lay them in paper towel before putting it in the refrigerator.


Kale Chips
makes 2 servings

You'll Need:
• 1 lb (2 bunches) kale, washed, stemmed, and thoroughly dried
• 3-4 Tbsp olive oil
• cumin, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper 
(about 1/2 tsp of each, depending on your preference) 

How to make it:
1. Turn over to low broil, and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper
         [Side note: if you use aluminum foil to bake, DON'T!] 
 "A new study published in the International Journal of Electrochemical Science has discovered that cooking with aluminium increases the risk of developing Osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s Disease."
 2.  In a medium bowl, mix the spices, salt, and oil. You want each piece to be glistening so that oil is covering most the kale leaves and that the seasoning is not at the bottom of the bowl. You can also taste a piece at this point. It shouldn't be too salty, because the taste will condense in the final chip. Add more seasonings if you like (I love to pile on the cumin & cayenne!)

3. Spread the leaves in a single layer on two baking sheets for optimum crispiness. 
 Bake 8-12 minutes (one sheet at a time) or until the tips of leaves are slightly crispy -the center will still be a little soft. But make sure you keep an eye the first time you bake them because everyone's oven is different. Put your timer on 8 minutes and bake longer if needed. I had to experiment a few times to get timing right.

Enjoy.. once you go kale you'll never go ail!  

Nutritional Fun Fact: It is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.
 

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Spicy Kale Chips

In sun-deprived Washington state, the promise of nice spring weather prompted my friend, Kyleen to start sprucing up the flower box on her deck. We stopped at a nursery in Madison Park and basically wanted everything they sold but without a green-thumb, we were afraid of killing them.  The sweet gentleman who worked there gave us wonderful advices.. We picked up an array of ever-green plants that have spring blossoms and can withstand the direct sun-light she gets on her deck. The plant in this particular photo is a type of hellebore called "Candy Love." There's something about the upright soft creamy pink flowers above the highly decorative foliage that touches me.  They're aren't cheap, but if you want a beautiful bloomer that will last, you can't beat this. The flower will persist for 3-4 months that age to a chocolate pink color. And it is a perennial, so it will re-bloom!
Free People Coin Drop Bangle Set
Cardigan


Monday, March 17, 2014

all white + dash of color

At over 1,200 miles, it is the lifeblood of the great Pacific Northwest. Flowing from Canadian Rockies into Washington and emptying into the Pacific Ocean by Astoria, Oregon, it is world famous for its largest hydropower system and for supporting one of the greatest salmon and steelhead runs on Earth. The dams and its tributaries produce more electricity than any other North American river. And I have been so privileged to be able to wake up to a view of this magnificent Columbia River. 

My boyfriend's house is located on Beebe Ranch development that winds along two miles of the river frontage, and is home to a variety of wildlife, including big game animals, upland game birds, eagles, owls, and song birds. Taking advantage of our natural recreational opportunities, we often go on runs or hikes in our neighborhood. There are so many hidden gems in Washington and I love discovering them.

Just last week, we climbed some terrains we've never gone before in the proximity of our backyard. The most heavily trod deer trails lead us along the river and gave us a sense of way in the wild terrain. Traversing through the steep hillside made my boyfriend apprehensive about continuing on at one point. Meanwhile I was casually treading behind him responding to a text, unbeknownst of the treacherous path that laid ahead. He was shocked to find I was texting but not knowing the threat gave me a sense of bravery. 
 
The views opened up as we continued upstream. The panoramic view atop the peak of the hillside was inspiration! If you’re looking for some motivation to get off the couch, go hiking! Besides the  rewards of nature and being outside or getting a good physical workout... the most important reason for me is the mental aspect of it. I admit I spend a lot of my time on my computer or phone but hiking offers silence and solitude, exploration, freedom, challenge, introspection and most of all relaxation.
Here are some inspiration photos I've taken to get you off your gadget and into the mountains!









Best friend came to Chelan to hike and hang
Love watching the reflection off the river
Saturday, March 15, 2014

Hiking: Columbia River

The chicken or the egg causality dilemma is commonly stated as "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" My theory is that the chicken came first...  Eggs taste so damn good, the eggs would have been eaten before the chicks hatched and therefore neither chicken nor eggs would have existed! ;)

It is probably the Asian in me, but I loveee eggs, especially poached eggs. Those tender whites around a warm liquid yolk that oozes out like liquid gold when you cut into it.. Served with chunky guacamole spread on gluten-free bread is an impeccable combo. This omega-3s and protein packed breakfast is one of my favorites. You'll have an eeeeggsplosion! 

You'll Need:
Poached Eggs
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp white vinegar
• ring from mason jar 
• toasted bread (I used Fran'z 7-grain gluten-free bread sold at Safeway)
Guacamole 
• 1 avocado, very ripped
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• lime wedge, juiced
• 1/2 tsp no-salt seasoning (I used Kirkland brand)
• salt & pepper, to taste


Method:
Guacamole
1. Dislodge the pits, then scoop out the avocado fruit into a mixing bowl.
2. Using a fork, roughly mash the avocado. (Don't overdo it! The guacamole should be a little chunky.) 
3. Add the salt, pepper, the seasonings listed, and lime juice. The acid in the lemon juice will help delay the avocados from turning brown. 
4. Taste and add more salt or seasonings to your liking. 
Poached Eggs
1. Bring water to an ALMOST boiling point in a shallow pan, add white vinegar (it helps the egg whites to congeal).
2. Crack the egg in a small cup
3. Place the lid to a mason jar in the water. Slowly slip the egg into the ring and let it settle.
4. Turn off the heat, cover for 3-4 minutes.
5. While the egg is poaching, toast your bread and spread with guacomole as desired.
6. Use a slotted spoon to gently remove the egg from water onto a paper towel lined plate. Blot gently to dry.
7. Gently place the egg atop the guacomole toast. Salt and pepper to taste.

Nom Nom Nom! #eggporn




Thursday, March 6, 2014

Poached Eggs & Guacamole Spread



The morning sun glints on the water of the Columbia River as I watch from my deck. Slowly sipping on my coffee, I proceeded to procrastinate writing my first blog. If there was an award for procrastinating, I would be world champ (just like our Seahawks, Ka-Kawwww)! The beautiful scenery finally inspired me to capture some photos. Well actually my sweet boyfriend snapped a few amateur photos of me on our deck in Chelan. I've spent a majority of my winter days hanging out here, despite my love for Seattle and missing a few girlfriends, I'd rather get a little more natural Vitamin D. Statistically there are 80 more days of sun on this side of the mountains than Seattle. Come on, do I really need an excuse to get away from the hectic city life to enjoy Washington's playground? 

But brrrrr baby, it's cold out here! Just because it's cold out doesn't mean our clothes need to be boring and unflattering. In fact, we have more options during the colder days: more clothes and accessories to pile on! I love pairing my grey and black palettes with an accent-oversized scarf. I chose a brighter baby blue & white stripped scarf to convey today's sunny sky.

Scarves are the ultimate accesory, no matter the season -- it can transform any simple outfits in the time it takes to make a loop. I hang most my scarves over the door, so without thinking, I'll grab one on my way out... WAAAA-LA! I'm cozy, accesorized, and warm!
 

 

scarve- similar
arrowhead necklace - Novella on etst
Free People black high-low tank


Accent Scarf

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Youtube

Contact

© Gypsy Tan.com

Categories

Design by The Basic Page