Myth Busted...

Kitchen Skills. I thought they came with the territory. Just a part of the whole estrogen package. The way I thought all testosterone driven creatures could, just by nature, shoot a rifle with precision.

Then I met them. The people who would completely dispel both myths. I have changed their names...to protect the "innocent"...so we'll just call them Michael...& Ceci :)

My testosterone belief was tested when Michael, having gone on a wild turkey hunt (a difficult hunt in his defense), proudly emailed a link displaying the photographs of his kill. The first thing that popped out of my mouth...clearly without thinking..."What did you kill him with? Your car?" My intention was not to be cruel or even sarcastic...it just was evident that this was NOT a "clean kill" by a skilled marksman. Myth Busted.

On the estrogen front, my very own sister Ceci came to visit me in Colorado for my daughter's 4th birthday. As we planned for the party, homemade cupcakes were on the "to do" list...to be more accurate actually, semi-homemade. The list was made for the grocery market & she offered to make the trip. It was a short list & the market was just around the corner from my neighborhood.

As I was busy attending to other party details at the house, I hadn't noticed how much time had passed. Then the phone rang.

Me: Hello
Sis: (exasperated) I can't find the cupcake mix!!
Me: silence & then tear streamed laughter

I realize now that this sounds a little harsh on my part. I was just a little thrown off by the fact that a woman...an estrogen infused member of my own family...was standing in the baking aisle...staring down the cake mixes & searching desperately for a box that simply read "Cupcake Mix". Betty Crocker had let her down! Myth Busted!

I love this memory & the smile (no...laughter) that it still brings! While cupcakes were not on the "to do" list last night, I did mix up a quick peanut butter bar to satisfy that little sweet craving we all get & thought I would share it with you.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars
16 servings

1 cup natural peanut butter
3 large eggs
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tsp pure vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 (3.2 oz approximate) dark chocolate bar, rough chopped into chunks
(I used a Chocolove 55% dark chocolate bar & put it in the freezer while I was mixing other ingredients)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 pan (use butter or a butter spray like Mazola Pure containing no alcohol or silicone).

Mix peanut butter, eggs, agave, almond milk, & vanilla until smooth. Add baking powder & mix well. Add wheat germ & flour, mixing just until blended. Stir in chocolate chunks. Bake for 20-22 minutes (just until lightly browned & firm).

Remove from oven & place on a cooling rack. I melted the chocolate shavings left over from chopping & drizzled them across the top of the bars before cutting them (this was actually my son's idea...he is a creative chef in the making!)

These bars are a satisfying little delicately sweet protein rich delight with a cake-like consistency providing a great dessert or after-school snack option. We even enjoyed one for breakfast...shhh...don't tell ;)

Agave nectar: you will probably become a big fan of this natural sweetener; consistent, pleasant, mild flavor; very versatile; suitable for any sweetening need; dissolves readily even in cold beverages; will not crystallize; has a milder insulin impact than raw sugar; while newer to the market, it can be found pretty readily in most markets now, usually located near other alternative sweeteners or honey

Well, a few years have passed since both of the above mentioned "myth busters". Michael has gone on to become a much improved hunter...practicing & perfecting his skills with the rifle.

My sister is an amazing woman, wife, & now mother of her own two beautiful children. She possesses many life skills that would put the most ardent of "Martha Stewarts" to shame...& she throws a pretty mean birthday party of her own!

She was redeemed just a couple of years ago when Williams Sonoma introduced a gourmet line of...you got it...Cupcake Mixes. I presented her with the Red Velvet version for HER birthday!

Sweet eating,

Cenee'

Thank You Lifetime Fitness Guests...

I had the great pleasure this morning of being a guest presenter at the Annual Fitness Expo hosted by Lifetime Fitness here in Parker, CO. I want to say thank you to the small but attentive and most delightful group that attended my presentation. I hope that you were able to take away a few morsels (pun intended) of goodness that you can incorporate into your lives.

I promised to post the website for grass-fed beef: http://www.backcountrybeef.com/. It has been worth my time to make this investment as the beef is so much more flavorful and digestible.

And by the way, the agave nectar that I gave away this morning was by Madhava out of Lyons, CO. Another great way to support our local economy. They also have a line of honey. I get it at Vitamin Cottage which has the best price on their products.

Following is the energizing way I started such an important day. (And I warned you to stay tuned for a great way to use some of that quinoa you prepared for dinner a few nights ago!!)

Cream-of-Sweet Breakfast
2 Servings

1 1/2 cups prepared quinoa
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 Medjool dates, pitted & diced
4 dried apricots, diced
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp flax seed, ground or whole
1 tsp toasted slivered almonds
1 Tbsp agave nectar

Put all ingredients in a saucepan, mix well & heat through on medium heat for a couple of minutes. Almond milk will absorb. Enjoy & get ready to feel energized & alert!!

A note on almond milk: You will find this product on the dry-food shelves (sometimes on the baking isle). Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Original is my favorite. Purchase it unsweetened & unflavored...this makes it more versatile. It is shelf stable until the seal is broken (watch the "best if used by" date) & then will last about 10 days in the refrigerator after opening. Go to www.bluediamond.com for a coupon.

Dates (the kind that grow on trees...): very nourishing & energizing; great source of potassium which is beneficial for our cellular function, hearts, muscles, & nerves to name a few; very alkalizing to the body; help with hypertension & maintaining hydration

If you attended my presentation this morning & read all the way to the end of this post...Thank You!! In addition, if you are one of those attentive guests, be the first to email me with your name & address (you have that address on my business card) & I will send you a complimentary 3 day menu complete with recipes, shopping list, & pre-prep ideas!!

Bon Appetit,

Cenee'