Hi guys! Sorry I’ve been so MIA lately–my Thanksgiving break started on Thursday afternoon and since then I’ve been busy writing papers (why do professors make assignments due right after break?), cleaning the house before my grandparents come for T-day (I haven’t seen them since my high school graduation 2 1/2 years ago!), doing a butt load of grocery shopping and just enjoying my time off. I definitely needed to come back in time for WIAW though! Especially since it’s just before American Thanksgiving and I have a couple of recipes to share ๐
Garnet yams and sweet potatoes are my fave veggie right now, other than kale. Or maybe cauliflower. Anyways, I think I love sweet potatoes because they’re one of the few veggies where it’s totally normal to top them with sweet things. I went with raisins and maple almond butter this time, and it was a great combo.
I am such a sucker for all things Christmas, whether it’s a limited edition holiday coconut milk drink, or an adorable decorated Kleenex box. I realize these things tend to be overpriced, but Christmas only comes once a year. Why not live it up with a snowman tissue box ๐
As much as I like to write, I don’t like it enough to be able to breeze through a 4000 word term paper. Ironically, this is for one of my journalism classes and in all journalism, specifically broadcast journalism which is my (hopefully) future career, the writing is very short and to the point. None of this 20 page paper bull shitย crap. At least I’m interested in the topic I’m writing about, it’s just incredibly time-consuming. But I literally only started this paper on Friday, so I’ve gotten pretty far. This calls for a coffee break…
Most people even hate or love peppermint. I personally love it, especially combined with chocolate. So it’s no secret that I love Starbucks’ soy peppermint mocha. And now I love it even more that they offer a skinny version. I like sweet things, but their normal version is way too sweet so I like that they have a sugar-free version so it’s not too overpowering.
Speaking of Christmas, it’s definitely not too early for me to start playing Christmas music. I started a week ago, when Sirius XM started playing their holiday stations again and now I’m listening to it daily, almost non-stop. It just puts me in a good mood, even when I’m mad because I got a crap ton of work to do over break.
Remember when I made cinnamon rolls out of pizza dough? Cinnamon rolls have always intimidated me but when you make them with fresh dough, they are beyond easy to make and customize. This time I went with a pumpkin chocolate chip combo and it was even better than the original maple pecan rolls.
Pumpkin Chip Cinnamon Rolls (vegan)
half ball of fresh multigrain dough (can use gluten-free)
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 tbsp maple syrup (or agave or coconut nectar)
sprinkle cinnamon, to taste
powdered stevia, to taste
1/2 tbsp mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs
Preheat oven to 375. ย Mix dough with sweetener to taste. Roll out dough on floured cutting board until about 1 inch thick and rectangular in shape. Mix pumpkin, maple syrup and cinnamon in a small bowl until thick and paste-like and spread on dough. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and roll into a thick log, pinching ends. Cut into 6 small rolls with a floured knife and place in sprayed baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until starting to brown on top. Serve warm from the oven topped with pumpkin butter, protein frosting or more maple syrup.
Remember when kids used to be made fun of for wearing glasses? I find it so funny that now it’s actually fashionable to wear them. These aren’t my real glasses, but they are my new favorite accessory. They add a nerdy chic touch to any outfit and I just think they’re fun.
I hope I never get sick of this dinner, because it is just so damn good! I think if I keep mixing around the ingredients, I could eat this forever. I’ve had it three times since last Wednesday and each time it’s been a little bit different. One time I topped it with peanut flour paste and had red cabbage and kale in it, then I had cauliflower in it and the other time I had sweet potato chunks and kale in it. Sooooooo good, so easy.
If you’ve never been to Colorado, you probably think we’re the land of snow and cold, at least in the fall and winter. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, the mountains get dumped on but here on the Front Range, we get temps in the 60s into November and December sometimes (I remember a couple of days this past January that were nearly 70!). We almost never get a white Christmas (we’re more likely to get a white Easter) and Thanksgiving Day is usually pretty warm. It’s been sunny and gorgeous all week and I’m loving it. As much as I want to move somewhere like California or Arizona for even warmer weather, I do love it here. And I get to see the beautiful mountains every day!
Guys. Why did I never try spaghetti squash until now? It’s so good, and really interesting. I like pasta and noodle dishes, but it’s all about the sauce and toppings. Spag squash makes for a great noodle replacement because it’s a fiber-filled veggie with a light taste that goes with red sauce, Asian sauces and pretty much anything. This version featured cauliflower, a spicy peanut flour-based sauce and sprouted pumpkin seeds. Gooooooooood stuff!
I go crazy over seasonal scented lotions. Bath and Body Works is my lifesaver–they have so many yummy scents at a decent price and they introduce new ones all the time. This one was new this year, and I hope they never stop making it. It’s just great, period. Please go smell this now if you haven’t.
Do you like seasonal products? What’s the longest paper you’ve ever had to write?ย
That yam looks so delicious :)! And so cute that it is shaped like a โค
It was so adorable I almost didn’t want to eat it ๐
Oh wow, there’s a lot going on in your life lately.
I’m glad you’re able to see your grandparents again after such a long time.
So you’re studying Journalism? Which topic are you writing your paper about and how much time do you have? 4.000 words are one heck of a lot. We usually get assigned a certain number of signs instead of words so I wouldn’t know how many words the longest paper I ever had to write so far was.
My paper is about the media coverage of a wildfire that happened over the summer in my city. I have about 2 weeks left to write it which isn’t bad but I’m one of those people who just can’t cram in an assignment at the last minute–I’ve gotta start it well in advance!
I had no clue BBW had a pumpkin lotion. That’s pretty neat.
The weather here is usually warm, but like you I understand the whole snow thing. People visit SC and don’t think it gets cold here or don’t think we have seasons, but we do. Colorado has to be an interesting place to live because of the climate changes too.
Yeah, I think people have a misconception about a lot of places in the South like they don’t have seasons but it’s good to know that that’s not true. And Colorado is really interesting weather-wise because it can change literally from one minute to the next–I guess it keeps us on our toes!
I love topping sweet potatoes with sweet things – any excuse to eat more sugary goodness is a win in my books ๐ And I love all things peppermint too, especially if they’re paired with chocolate. I’m actually kind of glad that peppermint and gingerbread are starting to replace pumpkin. I’m ready for full on Christmas mode here ๐
Oh, and I’m definitely feeling you on the long papers. I love writing, but not when it involves 20 page essays. At least you got a good chunk of it done though!
I’m so ready for Christmas too! I’m pretty much over the pumpkin obsession and now I want everything peppermint…though gingerbread doesn’t sound too bad either!!!
I am glad you are taking advantage of your time off, so needed I bet. Ps. your glasses are freaking adorable, I wish I had glasses like that
Thanks! I got mine at American Eagle for about $15, totally worth the price.
Kale is definitely one of my favorite veggies. And that recipe sounds amazing! I just baked a vegan pumpkin pie today and tomorrow morning I’m going to bake some pumpkin scones.
โค Melissa
wildflwrchild.blogspot.com
Mmmm, pumpkin scones sound really good right now! I don’t know if I’ve ever had a scone but they always look delicious.
Those glasses look amazing on you!! Not everyone can pull those off. I love the sweet potato pic too, it kinda reminds me of a pic I’ve got on my post for tomorrow…
Oh, and I totally know where you’re coming from with all the homework. I have 5 major assignments due next week, aahh!! starbuck = best study break ever โค
Thanks ๐ Ugh, what is it with getting all these assignments this time of year? But I agree, Starbucks is the best place to study or take a break from studying!
Mmm your breakfast shaped heart is too cute!:) looks like some amazing eats!
Thanks, I love eating cute foods!!!