My Usual Breakfast

Since my last post was a yummy weekend breakfast treat, I thought I’d share what I typically have for breakfast during the week. Well, sometimes I’ll definitely have an egg or two with some black beans or a slice of sprouted grain toast instead and save the protein shake for after a workout, but lately this has been my morning choice. Maybe because I’ve been hitting the gym more than usual lately, but my body definitely enjoys the protein blast. Anyway, this shake is really tasty (I promise) and definitely keeps me full for several hours. And I love squeezing some greens in at breakfast time .

Blackberry-Orange Margaritas

SUMMER.

Whole Wheat Lemon Thyme Strawberry Shortcakes

I’m clearly on a bit of a baking kick.

If two desserts in a month constitute a ‘kick’, that is.

I’ve been wanting to make strawberry shortcake for a while, and I was so happy to find a recipe that uses whole wheat flour, to boot. This was so yummy — loved the thyme and the lemon flavors with the strawberries and cream.

Blueberry and Cream Pie

Happy 4th of July! I’m happy to be writing this from one of my favorite places in the world: Cape Cod. It’s the very best thing about Massachusetts, in my opinion. We drive 90 minutes from Boston, sit on a lovely private beach, swim in the sea, eat 1,000 clams from the bay per person, watch the zillions of little bunnies frolic in the street and yards, and soak in the salty air. And then eat pie. Fabulous.

Sweet Blueberry Muffins

My love for Costco is no secret and these muffins are a copycat version of the amazing, gigantic blueberry muffins that they make. When I was young, my mom used to buy these muffins and grill them in a little butter. OHMYGOD it is the best thing ever. The last time I was at Costco, I came dangerously close to purchasing some of these humungous babies — well, a dozen… it is Costco, after all — justifying because we had the kids that weekend. In the end, I decided it wasn’t fair to pass my addiction on to more innocent children, so I passed. When I ran across this copycat recipe, I couldn’t not try it. This time I’m justifying it because they’re much smaller than Costco’s and I had all of these organic blueberries to use up from my CSA box, which makes them health food. Right?

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberry Pistachio Pesto

This recipe is why I quit weight watchers. After one day. I had been looking forward to making this dish for about a week, wherein I foolishly joined that fat-hating regime.  One serving of this dish, which is decidedly wholesome, would be half of my daily allotted food because of the [healthy] fat found in the nuts and olive oil. Funk that. I just can’t give up real food and replace it with food-like-substances like fat-free cheese, so I quit. And this was delicious!

Eggnog Cranberry Muffins

When I saw these muffins, I knew I had to try to make them. It is no secret that I am not an accomplished (or willing) baker, but these just looked too good. Well, I’m happy to report that these came out perfect, and was a lovely breakfast on a super snowy morning.

Here's what we're dealing with in Boston today.

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Part of the reason baking has always seemed so daunting to me is all of the directions. Keeping dry away from wet, sifting, making butter and flour look like “peas”, etc. It’s all so exhausting. What is most difficult for me is actually remembering to use all of the ingredients you’re supposed to use. This has happened on more than one occasion. This here blueberry zucchini bread was baked twice this week in my household, because the first time I completely forgot to add the sugar. Now, because it was still delicious without the added sugar (just a little tart, but still yummy), I could have totally just played it off as a south beach friendly baked good. Before I go messing with recipes, I like to make them as intended first, so I can taste what I like and dislike about it. Enter loaf #2. Also, delicious, not overly sweet, but definitely sweeter than the original. Verdict: I liked #2 better. Either way, you won’t go wrong with using berries and squash fresh from the farm.

Berry Oat Crumble

Another yummy accident. These were techincally supposed to be bars, but for some reason they didn’t set up for me when I try to cut them. Either way, this is probably the best crumble I’ve ever had. You can use whatever berries you like (the original recipe used strawberry jam and blueberries only).

Portuguese Corn Bread French Toast with Berry Syrup

When I was growing up, my mom would buy this amazing round of corn bread from a nearby Portuguese bakery and make the most delicious french toast with it. I saw some in the grocery store today and knew I had to make it. The bread is so dense and sweet – it makes for a really sturdy french toast to soak up all the eggy deliciousness.

Strawberry Cupcakes*

A special Valentine’s Day treat, especially if you know anyone who loves strawberries, like I do. 

*Editor’s note: Some of you may have noticed that our girl Sprinkles has absconded from Just the Tip. This means that a) you should check out sugar sugar for her amazing baked treats and b) I now have to learn how to bake! Boooo. Here goes nothin’.