ON Lazy Days Sometime Cheese Just hits the spot

With out local Safeway closing I went out and purchased all kinds of goodies -- frozen fruit and veggies, cheese (low fat Cabot, and yes I was lazy and bought pre-sliced cheese at 30% off), and more. I thought I would eat the pre-sliced cheese tonight as a pre dinner snack. I also bought the super processed but super yummy lite Laughing Cow cheese. Ever since its recommendation during the South Beach Diet craze, I've bought it on and off. It was a delightful night of easily prepared over processed cheese. I ate some of the Laughing Cow along with carrots followed by the ever reliable Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Over all a sucessful day of food after a wee bit much of snacking. But sometimes you need that, and although my vitamins are surely lacking from tonight's meal, my stomach is most definately happy.

Baked Whole Wheat Pancake

Now,

I've been dreaming of making a baked pancake for quite some time. There is a comfort, familiarity, and specialness to baked pancakes stemming from 2 experiences.

1. Bickfords -- See the Big Apple Pancake

As a kid, after Eastern sunrise service on the top of the Blue Hills just south of Boston, we would always go out to a special breakfast. The Big Apple Pancake became my favorite annual meal, that I associate with a cold brisk and early morning.

2. Pannekoek -- Dutch Pancakes

After living in the Netherlands for a brief period, Pannekoek became one of my absolute favorite things. The fact that they have Pancake Houses devoted to the creation of their delicious pancakes means the country is really dedicated to the art of Pancake making. They also have Poffertjes, which are mini pancakes that are street food.

So bound for a whole wheat pancake recipe I found this one on Lisa's Kitchen. Boy was I delighted! I made them this morning with slightly thawed frozen organic raspberries and cherries. Greek Gods yogurt was a find I bought at Silver Spring/Takoma Park Co-op.
I used their Honey yougurt for a little boost of flavor, and turbinado sugar. Everything else was the same, but boy are these pancakes yummy! A great filling, healthy breakfast! I didn't need syrup, sugar, or anything on the top and I'm a syrup junkie. I think I'll be picking up some of Hannah Teter's syrup next! I have her Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor and that is quite good.

Yesterday was my first day of exploration involving breakfast yumminess. I made french toast using Whole Food's Whole Wheat Wheatberry bread with some banana on the side. Also highly recommended!

A New Month a New Challenge

As we get our way into 2010, I have posed some more challenges to my eating lifestyle in the hopes that I will be healthier in 2010 than ever. After getting sick again over the month of January, I have continued to alter my lifestyle. I have no cut out Salsa entirely from my diet, I realized even eating the garlic free salsa made me sick, so I have decided to go cold turkey. Additionally I've cut out all fresh onion products, many people with garlic allergies also have a problem with onions and as I've been noticing my problems I've realized it is likely tied to eating fresh onions. So I've also gone cold turkey on fresh onions. Cooked onions seem to be less of a problem, so I am continuing to eat them for the time being. I'm also converting to a whole grains diet, something I do on and off.

One recommendation in the DC area:
Homemade Pizza

Take home pizza you choose ingredients and cook it @ home! So good and with lots of yummy options (and a whole wheat crust pizza)!