This weekend didn’t turn out quite as I had planned.
Let’s see, instead of a day of pampering, shopping, and a girls night, I spent Saturday in the ER. Instead of getting that massage I so desperately needed, I got a lovely batch of herpes on the back of my leg. Instead of working today in the rain, I spent it sleeping most of the day. Okay, so the last one was actually much better than my original plan but still not as planned.
I took the doctor’s advice and rested up all day. I also started another dose of potent medication which I’m pretty sure forced me to rest but either way, I didn’t leave the house.
I wouldn’t call today totally unproductive though. Inbetween naps, I did manage to eat quite well. It’s odd because most people loose their appetite when they are sick but for me, it only seems to ignite mine.
Having time on my hands, I also managed to write up all of the recipes for you.
Starting with breakfast….
Pumpkin French Toast
I’ve been making pumpkin pancakes for weeks now but today, I wanted to change it up slightly. I spotted this at the store yesterday and the rest was history.
Serves 1:
- 2 Slices of Pumpkin Swirl Bread (or any bread will do)
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 C Almond Milk (or regular milk)
- 1 T Cinnamon
- 1/4 C Canned Pumpkin
- 1/2 Ripe Mashed Banana
Combine egg, milk, cinnamon, pumpkin and banana all in a large shallow bowl.
Whisk together. Place bread into the mixture and coat evenly. Let this sit for 5-10 min.
Heat a skillet on medium high. Once the pan is hot, add the bread slices and cook 6-8 min each side.
Top with almond butter, blackberries, pumpkin spice granola and syrup.
Some of the best french toast I have ever had!
This comforting meal was the perfect way to start my day of recovery.
Lunch was a little more protein and nutrient packed.
Pumpkin Roasted Chic Pea and Kale Salad with Lemon Basil Tahini Dressing
Serves 2-3
- 3 Cups Kale (stems removed, roughly chopped)
- 1 Can Chic Peas
- 2 T Maple Syrup
- 1 T Cinnamon
- 1 T Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Salt and Pepper
- 1/2 Eggplant, diced
- 6 Cherry Tomatoes
- 1/3 Avocado
- 1 small Red Pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- Pumpkin Seeds (pinch)
- Lemon Basil Tahini Dressing –> (recipe here)
Instructions:
Combine chic peas, syrup, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl and stir to coat. Add a touch of salt and lay on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 20-25 min.
Heat a large skillet and add red pepper, eggplant and garlic. Cook vegetables until they being to soften (around 4 min). Add Kale, salt and pepper and let this cook down for another 3 min.(You want the Kale to reduce but not cook through entirely) Remove from heat immediately and place in a large bowl. Add cooked chic peas, tomatoes, avocado and dressing. Combine everything until fully coated. Place in a bowl and top with pumpkin seeds.
You could probably get 3 servings out of this but I managed to cut it in half. One half for today, the other for tomorrow. It’s packed full of nutrients, healthy fats, and fiber and kept me satisfied all afternoon.
Even though this lunch was enough for my satiety, my sweet tooth still needed a little attention. I finally had a successful go with some granola bars. Me and granola bars never meshed well. It’s a little too close to baking for me and every attempt I had with them in the past turned into granola.
These surprisingly held up but I should also note that they were no bake.
Apricot Cherry Almond Butter Granola Bars
Makes 12 small bars
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 C Oats
- 1 C Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
- 3/4 C Muesli
- 2 T Chia Seeds
- 2 T Flax
- 1/4 C Chopped Apricots
- 1/4 C Dried Cherries
- 1/4 C Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 C Almond Butter
- 1/4 C Honey Apple Butter (I used TJ’s Brand)
- 2 T Coconut Butter
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine wet ingredients. Microwave for 30 seconds. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir. Place mixture in a shallow pan and let cool in the fridge for an hour before cutting.
At first, I didn’t think I had enough of the wet so I ended up adding just a bit more apple butter, but then I think they got a little too wet. They are still delicious, just didn’t firm up as well as I hoped. Next time, I will stick with the original measurements. See why I can’t bake?
Today may not have been what I had planned but it was exactly what my body needed. Rest, good healthy food, and a day off.
Hoping your weekend was everything you wanted and more.
Did anything unexpected happen to you this weekend? What’s the best thing you did?
{ 21 comments }
The pumpkin french toast sounds divine!!! And I hope you get better soon!
Thanks Tina!
Hope you had a great weekend.
All of these recipes looks amazing! Pumpkin swirl bread?! I really need to find one soon!
They make the bagels now too but the bread is much better I think.
That Pumpkin Swirl bread looks tasty…I will definitely be looking for that at the store! I hope you are feeling better and bounce back in no time.
They have the bagels too but I actually think the bread is better.
I need to try pumpkin french toast! Looks ahmazing
Lauren- IT IS!!! And really easy to make.
Glad you were able to get some rest!! All the rwcipes look good, but id br all about the french toast
the best thing i did this weekend was getting a pedicure with my friend Priya, plus my homemade raw cheesecake (with peanut butter/raison/oat crust).. mhmm… i have been wanting to make pumpkin pancakes too but maybe i will try your delicious french toast instead. looks so good
Oh my goodness that sounds heavenly!!! Do you have a recipe?
I will post it soon my blog! u will love it!
ugh! so sorry you had a rough weekend!! I always get sad to hear when you arent feeling 100%! Hope the meds are working well, and that you are 100% as fast as possible!!
Love both of those recipes though! At least you were eating WELL! i might have to make those granola bars soon!!
Thanks girl.
<3 you!
I hope you feel better soon! Get lots of rest
I’ve been looking everywhere for that Pumpkin Swirl bread and I can’t find it! Once I do, I’m definitely making this french toast! It looks amazing!
Thanks Hope.
Keep an eye out for it. I just saw it for the first time this weekend. It should be hitting your stores very soon.
This weekend Ben told me, “Say what you need to say…” and I thought of you
Awww, <3 you!
All those recipes look great. I love blackberries but I HATE the seeds, so much that I only eat blackberries in smoothies. I definitely envy those who have no problem with the seeds.
Lauren you poor thing!!
I hope you feel better soon and the shingles go away pronto!
On another note – I am OBSESSED with kale salads lately. So so good.
wow, these sound great. wonder what i could replace the museli with?
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