Hello Fall

I'm busy being studious and such, thus posting is being "post"poned. However, I will just take a quick moment, while procrastinating some homework, and tell the world how much I am loving the season.

You can always smell it in the air that Fall has begun. Something about the season is so rejuvenating and comfortable.

Farmer's Market

To enjoy a glorious Saturday morning and the bounties of the summer harvest, sample the local farmer's market.

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By the way... The extraordinary tostado I had for breakfast was simply a crispy corn tortilla, refried beans, shredded lettuce, oinions, avocado, cheese (not sure what kind), and some amazing marinated shredded steak.

Ninjas

An Adventure

One quiet evening, before the onslaught of fall semester homework, two eligible young ladies took a lovely evening bike ride in east Provo. Their first task was to conquer the looming hill at the base of the mountain. They did so with pride. (And with plenty of huffing, puffing, groaning, and squeaking.) The night sky was refreshing and the elevated view of the city lights was spectacular. However, all bliss was to be forgotten on their journey home.

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Meet the deer.

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This little guy (or one of the same lineage) decided it would be fun to stand in the middle of the road and not make any noise until we had almost crashed into him. Yup, deer in the headlights. Except for they were bike reflectors. Some of his other playmates were off the side of the road having a late night snack. We came out unscathed and full of giggles.

Breakfast

Bagel (with or without cream cheese)

My favorite bagels are raisin cinnamon or blueberry smeared with plain cream cheese. Bagels are so much more substantial than donuts, and often cheaper.


Banana Bread

This recipe is perfect for using up those nicely browned bananas.


Biscuit

The heartier version of this breakfast is biscuits and country gravy with sausage. A sweet reminder of home!

Cinnamon Roll or Twist

I feel a certain sense of accomplishment when I make these. Watch out if you're trying to slim down.

English Muffin

Make an Egg McMuffin if you would like.

Muffin

Oh the possibilities of the muffin! Easy to make, freeze, and grab on the go.

Toast

The classic breakfast for cereal haters. Try using different/exotic types of bread, jams, jellies, and preservatives. Say no to Pop Tarts!

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Cereal

My dad always has a bowl of cereal each morning, even if mom makes pancakes or waffles. Get a sugar high with some Reeses Puffs, Fruity/Coco Pebbles, Fruit loops, Honey Smacks, Cornpops or go healthy with some Kashi Mighty Bites Cereal.

Granola

Eating granola for breakfast fills you up until lunch time. It's fun to make your own homemade granola too!

Oatmeal

I confess I like the kind of oatmeal that comes in single serving packages and that is artificially flavored. However, I also love plain with milk and raisins, perfect for watching an early snowfall.

Parfait

A parfait combines the best morning fare: yogurt, fruit, and granola. This is great for those days when you need a visual to stimulate your appetite.

Yogurt

This is available in many shapes and forms like this snazzy product. Yogurt is an excellent way to get some calcium if you don't like milk.

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Crepes

If you've never made crepes before, now is the time. They are super easy, quick, cheap, versatile, and muy delicious! I usually make them on the weekend or to share with roommates. Here is the recipe for the basic crepes. Stuff them with anything your heart desires!

French Toast

Have you ever had a toad-in-the-hole?

Frittata

I'm going to have to try out a frittata recipe or two this semester because my mouth is just watering looking at photos of them.

Pancakes

This is another breakfast classic that is fun to experiment with. My little brother is a pro at making German pancakes. (And he's pretty good at eating the entire pan by himself too.)

Waffles

Waffles always remind me of the holiday season, probably because we always have a big waffle smorgasbord on Christmas morning. My favorite waffle is Belgium style with whipped cream and sliced strawberries. I am not a fan of Eggo style.

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Eggs

One way to make breakfast ten times better is adding an egg dish. I need a good egg cookbook. How about this one, or this, or this?

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Fruit

From bananas to kumquats, fruit is the perfect thing to add to your toast, cereal, or muffin.

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Milk

Juice

Smoothie

There are so many good recipes out there for smoothies, but a little bit of experimenting never hurt anyone. You can make them as healthy or as sugary as you want them. Smoothies are great for a commute to class or work also. Here is a recipe that sounds nutritious and delicious. Banana Orange Smoothie: You need: 1 banana, 1 cup orange juice, ½ cup of plain yogurt. Directions: Mix orange juice, banana, and yogurt in a blender on medium speed. Serve cold.

Hot Apple Cider

Hot Chocolate

Pero

Have a little
Pero to warm you up before heading out in the morning.

Postum

Although very pricey, Postum is the breakfast choice of drink for some. I remember my dad keeping a jar of Postum in the pantry for many, many years, because "It never goes bad." I tried it once, never again.

Herbal Tea

Check out your local health food stores to find some non-caffeinated herbal tea. I really like the refreshing and cleansing mint varieties. Alvita is a good source.

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International Recipes

Rice and Beans

Crumpets

Bauernfruhstuck

Bigilla

Eitsmiter

La Bouillie

Champurado with Tuyo

Gallo Pinto

Gaymer Wa Dibis

Mince Paratha

*Thank you to Getty Images for pictures.

Tips for College Cooking

1. Grocery Shopping 101

Have a budget. Start with the basics. Buy ingredients that will stretch out for two or three meals. Be careful when buying in bulk because things go bad very quickly when cooking for one. Stick to your list as much as you can. Compare prices and buy the generic brand when you can. Try to be courteous to your roommates when taking up food space in the pantry, fridge, and especially the freezer.

2. Eat Healthy Snacks

Instead of a Twix or a frosted pink cookie grab some fruit or oats, like a horse. Get some carrots and grass while your at it. No seriously, it is so easy to eat healthy snacks. Eating a whole bag of popcorn, even if it's fat-free, is still not healthy. Apple slices, a granola bar, or something else in between breakfast and lunch, and lunch and dinner will help curb your appetite and keep you going throughout the day. Avoid late night snacking however. That is the quickest way to add poundage.

3. Keep a Water Bottle Handy

Feeling tired, depressed, sick? Water will save the day! Drink like a camel, then save some some for the whales. Keep a water bottle in the fridge and have one to tote around during the day. Don't forget to wash them every so often. The smell will remind you.

4. Say No to Fast Food

Every once in a while fast food is okay, especially if it is the "healthier" fast food such as salads. Before paying that 99 cents for a taco, ask yourself these two simple questions, "When was the last time I had fast food?" and "Is it worth it?" You will save money, time, and that waist line if you forgo the fast food. Oftentimes the vending machines around campus offer healthy alternatives to fast food such as yogurt, fruit, crackers, bagels, etc.

5. Maximize Leftovers

Leftovers will become your best friend at your home away from home. Be sure to have enough containers to store leftovers in. Many times things like chicken, ground beef, rice, lettuce, noodles, fruits, and vegetables can be re-gifted, so to speak. Don't forget about your leftovers though, because before you know it something could be growing in the back of your fridge.

Remember...

Your meals don't have to extravagant and time consuming to be delicious, quick, and healthy. I usually think simple when cooking. Because of busy schedules, cooking can become an unwanted chore and it's easy to give in to frozen, boxed, or fast food meals. Don't give in. All it takes is a little bit of thinking.

A Rainy Monday

Come party with the TJAM in apartment 28!

Presenting from left to right, top to bottom: Johanna, Mandy, Amy, and me!