Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Big Dreams....

On days when I'm really distracted (and hungry), I'll plan out meals in my head. I create menus filled with hors d'oeuvres, multiple courses and fancy drinks. I know! I live a wild and crazy life! 

One day, when I grow up, I plan on hosting all my friends for a brunch at my house in the country with my trophy husband and beautiful children. And when that day comes, this is a recipe that I'll make! Which probably isn't true because I would have already made a hundred better pretend recipes in my head and discount this one.
   
This recipe is really quite versatile. It is a pancake-y, crepe-y fruit tart. The great thing about this recipe is that it's elegant looking, you can use any fruit you want, and (if you're actually able to pronounce the name) sound fancy! I had some New York State grown peaches that I wanted to use before they go bad, hence why this is a Cinnamon White Peach Clafouti.

I reduced the amount of sugar in this recipe, but you can add more if you prefer. It's only 30 grams of carbs per serving, which is pretty good for a desserty dish!

I couldn't resist a slice before cutting. Fat kid.

Cinnamon White Peach Clafouti

by Bonnie Graham
Keywords: bake dessert peaches


Ingredients
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 4 packets Truvia or 1/4 c sugar
  • 3/4 c whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 c milk
  • 1 tbsp melted margarine or butter
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 2 ripe white peaches
Instructions
1. Lightly beat eggs and sugar together. Add the milk and slowly incorporate the melted butter.
2. Slowly add your flour and salt. You don't want to overmix the batter as you want it to be light and airy.
3. Let the batter sit for 30 minutes.
4. In the meantime, preheat overn to 350 degrees.
5. Slice and core your peaches (or whatever fruit you are using).
6. Place pears in a greased pie pan and pour the batter on top of the fruit. Some of the fruit will float to the top while baking so don't worry too much about how you scatter them.
7. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes or until clafouti is set and slightly browned on top
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Monday, February 25, 2013

Coke Shakes

On the outside, I look cool, calm and collected. I appear attentive.

On the inside, I am simultaneously having a brain freeze and a panic attack. Bet you didn't think those two things could happen at the same time, but oh yes, they can! I feel may hands start to shake. Sweat starts to form at my temples. Thoughts are forming but the ability to get the words out is limited.

I am in the middle of a meeting. Getting up abruptly will definitely be noticed. Passing out from a low blood sugar will be even more noticeable.

While obvious getting up and eating something to end this craziness is a no-brainer, how to do it, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated. Do I just stand up, walk through the middle of the meeting, and out into the kitchen? Do I make some sort of awkward announcement? Umm, excuse me everyone, if you hear a crash outside the door after I leave, can you just come and shove some Skittles down my throat? Thanks. Thoughts of "Do other people see me shaking? Do they see me sweating? Am I going to be able to form a coherent sentence to explain myself? Why didn't I bring something in with me?!" cloud the decision making process to get up.

Finally, I awkwardly whisper to the closest person to me that I need to go check my blood sugar. With speed, I successfully cut through the meeting and out to the hall before reaching my office where my meter confirms a 55 blood sugar. I grab my granola bar, make my way back into the conference room, looking like the world's biggest fat kid who couldn't wait another 20 minutes until the end of the meeting before getting my granola bar.

Ah, all in the day at the office.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Carbaholic

Hi. I'm Bonnie and I am a Carbaholic.

It's a real problem. Especially when you're a diabetic.

Lucky for me, my addiction comes out only during a certain time of the month, if you catch my...flow. Apparently, I carb load in preparation for my period. My body is preparing, like I'm about to run a marathon. It knows it needs to store energy to survive. What's the cheesy pinterest saying? "Never trust anything that bleeds for 5 days and doesn't die."

Anyway, now that I divulged waaay more information then you ever really wanted to know about my menstrual cycle, I've been trying to find ways to feed my cravings without killing my diet (and insulin pump). And I have been failing. MISERABLY. Hello brownies!

In attempt to get back on course and still curb my carb cravings, I made these delicious, healthy chocolate muffins....and ate 3 of them for breakfast.

Cinnamon Chocolate Muffins

by Bonnie Graham
Cook Time: 16 - 18 minutes
Keywords: bake dessert breakfast snack low-carb cinnamon oats
Ingredients (12 muffins)
  • 1 3/4 c oats
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 c unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional - if you want it spicy!)
  • 1/2 c plain yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 c water
  • 1/4 c stevia extract cup or 3/4 c sweetener of choice
  • 1/2 c chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with foil cupcake liners (paper ones will stick) or spray tin with cooking spray.
2. In a blender, (or food processor), mix all of the ingredients together, except for the chocolate chips. Blend until oats are ground and mixture is smooth. Alternatively, you can use oat flour and mix everything in a mixing bowl once the oats are ground.
3. Place mixture in a bowl and stir in the chocolate chips
4. Place muffins tins in the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you can choose to remove the muffins from the oven and add some extra chocolate chips on top, but it's not necessary.
5. Continue to back for an additional 4-7 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Date with a Doctor

I had a date with a doctor this week.
He didn't know it.
But we were definitely on it together.

I saw my endocrinologist this past week. On Valentine's Day. Isn't he so romantic? In honor of V-Day, Dr. McDreamy gave me one of the best presents a (diabetic) girl could ask for, a lower a1c! Yippee!

The last time I had my a1c checked, I was disappointed. I had gone up remarkably from a 6.1 to a 7.2. The combination of broken insulin pumps, bad insulin, summer vacation, and the stress of trying to single-handedly hold together a relationship probably had a lot to do with that dramatic increase in numbers. Stress does REdiculous things to your blood sugar!

I am pleased to announce that this past Thursday, I had an a1c of 6.4! 6.4, mofos!

It was all I could to do to stop myself from swiping McDreamy's belongings off of his desk in classic Grey's Anatomy style!

But then I would have had to pick it all up.

Before being escorted out of the building by security.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Sucker

I'm going to share something deep and personal with you.

I hate to admit it, but I'm a sucker for Valentine's Day.

Not in that lovey-dovey way, but more in that I love all things red, with hearts, and who doesn't love chocolate. Am I right or am I right? This love would explain why I have a gigantic container of Valentine's Day themed sprinkles taunting me from my cabinet. Sprinkles with cute little pink, red, and white hearts.

I feel like I'm exposing my soul to you! We're so connected.

With a recent snow day past and a great need to use these pretty little sprinkles, what else does one do but make some cupcakes! These are easy cupcakes to make and you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry right now, but have a little bit of a strange ingredient. Don't worry, it's not beans. It's mayo! I know, weird, right? But it totally works. I swear.


Chocolate Valentine's Day Cupcakes

by Bonnie Graham
Keywords: bake dessert cake
Ingredients (6 cupcakes)
  • 1/2 c all-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 c sugar (I used stevia)
  • 1/4 c low-fat, all-natural mayo
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 c plus 1 tbsp water
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F and place 6 cupcake liners inside a muffin pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients and sift very well.
3. Making a well in the dry ingredients, combine remaining three ingredients and whisk until the mayo is completely smooth. Now mix wet into dry and stir until just combined.
4. Immediately divide among the cupcake liners.
5. Bake 21 minutes, then let sit 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Store in the fridge. Use your favorite icing and top with your favorite colored heart sprinkles!
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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Snack Pack

Isn't there something about smelling other people's delicious food that makes you want to eat EXACTLY what they're eating IMMEDIATELY?!

This has become a regular experience for me in the last few months. My yoga teacher training happens to take place above a Panera Bread and Starbucks. While normally I bring my own food, there is something about watching other people drink their lattes and eat their soup out of a bread bowls that I can't resist!

One item that I have been a frequent consumer of is Starbucks' Protein Bistro Box. This box contains
a hard boiled egg, cheddar cheese, honey peanut butter spread, multi grain bread, apples and grapes. Sounds like just the thing a diabetic needs when doing 6 straight hours of yoga, right? 

Starbucks' Protein Bistro Box
Except it costs seven dollars. Seven dollars?! Yes, seven dollars! For essentially something I can make myself for 50 cents. Okay, maybe not 50 cents, but definitely for significant less then $7.

Challenge......accepted!

Here is my version of the Protein Bistro Box.
Isn't it cute?
My version of the Protein Bistro Box contains:
1 Jonagold apple - $.65
1 hard-boiled egg - $.25
1/4 c roasted peanuts - $.25 (though I could just as easily put in a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter)
2 slices of 2% milk cheddar cheese - ~$.75
1 Grab & Go Orange Oatmeal Cupcake - ~ $.75

For a whopping grand total of $2.65.

Take that Starbucks!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Setting Intentions

Ready to play semantics with me?

I've made resolutions for the year, right? That whole "be aware of complacency/be nice to myself/let myself heal/travel" thing. Well, now, I'm setting intentions. I'm sure you're wondering about the difference between the two.

They are pretty much two sides of the same coin. Both help to commit us to strive for change. I'd like to think of resolutions as concrete, long-term goals whereas intentions are present moment shifts in perspective. Intentions are things we strive for in our moment-to-moment. I'd like to think of resolutions as yearly goals and intentions more like daily or weekly goals. 

Total semantics, right?

Especially since many of these "intentions" actually seem like long-term goals.

Whatever. It's my blog. I can do what I want to. :)


30 intentions for 2013
Be aware of complacency
Be more up-to-date on research for work
VOLUNTEER
Save $$ and reduce debt
Study the yoga sutras
Take chances
TRAVEL
Follow a budget
Meditation practice
Practice other kinds of yoga
Overcome fears
MAKE STUFF
Learn to like myself
Start a yoga blog and website
Be more responsible with $$
Learn to say "no" and not feel guilty
GO HIKING
Focus on one yoga pose a month
Start my yoga business
Read more books and poetry
GROOMING
Be more organized
Ask for what I need and want
Be kind to myself
Cultivate relationships
DRINK LESS
Be mindful of my eating
Accept the unknown
SELF-CARE & ACCEPTANCE

Monday, February 4, 2013

Battle of the Asians

In my old apartment in Astoria, there were dueling take-out restaurants on opposite corners, one Thai and one Chinese. Generally, I'm not a take-out kind of girl. Especially Chinese food! Bleck! I haven't had Chinese food in almost a year and that was only because someone's mom had a coupon. Can't turn down a bargain!

But occasionally, the alluring scent of chili-garlic sauce and MSG would spark a craving in which I will feebly attempt to create something to satisfy the take-out urge!

Since I love Thai-food, that's the route I usually take. However, my own version of "Thai" food deserves quotes the same way my "Indian" food does, in that the flavors miss the mark of authentic. If it has peanuts in it, I'll consider it "Thai-inspired."

Luckily, this recipe is pretty damn good.


Spicy Eggplant in Peanut Sauce

by Bonnie Graham
Keywords: eggplant peanut butter sriracha peas
Ingredients
  • 1/2 large onion, cut into thin slices
  • 1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large eggplant or 2 smaller ones, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1/2 large tomato, diced, optional - I actually prefer it without the tomato
  • 1/2 c frozen peas
  • 1 - 2 tsp srichara (optional, depending on how spicy you like it)
  • 1 small handful of cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 to 1 c of homemade peanut sauce
  • canola oil
  • salt and pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Spray cookie sheet with oil and toss cubed eggplant with a couple of teaspoons olive to ensure they don't stick to the pan when roasting. Let eggplant roast for 45 minutes our until eggplant gets golden, flipping in half way through the roasting process. This can be done a day or two ahead of time.
3. When eggplant is cooked almost all the way through, put onions in a pan with oil to begin softening. After a few minutes, add garlic. Adding the garlic after the onions have started to cook will prevent garlic from burning.
4. Add tomatoes and cook for a few more minutes before adding the roasted eggplant and peas. You can also add the srichaha at this point.
5. Add peanut sauce, stirring to coat all the ingredients. Warm through.
6. Remove from heat and add cilantro. Serve.
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Saturday, February 2, 2013

Lovingkindness

Lovingkindness.

It's really a beautiful thing.

It starts off as a meditation practice. A mantra, if you will, that you repeat to yourself while meditating. Did I lose you at meditate? Hang with me.

You mindfully repeat  these words to yourself:
May I be safe.
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I live life with ease.

You then begin to offer these words to each of the following people:
Someone you greatly admire and care about
Someone who may be suffering or struggling
Someone who is neutral, maybe a person you encounter every day at the store, but know nothing about
Someone you feel anger or hostility towards (you can fill in the blank there)

Like any meditation, when you lose yourself in thought, you simply come back to these phrases and offer lovingkindness to whoever comes next in your mind. If one person becomes to painful to send lovingkindness to, return to sending lovingkindness to yourself for you're the one who now needs some compassion.

Seeing as how February is marketed as the month of love, I thought this would be a nice time to challenge myself with 28-days of lovingkindness. Every day for the month of February, I will do this meditation and offer lovingkindness to those around me and see what happens. If I am able to feel more compassionate not only towards others, but for myself as well.

Maybe you want to do it too.  And then we can offer lovingkindness to each other. What a love fest!!