Maple-Cinnamon Peanut Butter Dip and Eating Green

Today I am going to share one of my most frequently made and eaten recipes with you!  For those of you that haven't already figured it out here and here, I love peanut butter (could I possibly put any more links into a single sentence?!)!  In fact, I probably eat peanut butter in some form or another 4-5 times a week: mixed into oatmeal, spread on fruit, spread on toast, added to a smoothie, whirled into homemade soft-serve, etc, etc. etc.

Taking peanut butter to the next level, this dip is creamy, spreadable, and slightly sweet - perfect for smearing on fruit or your choice of dunker!

Maple-Cinnamon Peanut Butter Dip
Serves 1-2

2 (heaping) T PB2*
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 T plain yogurt (I used Whole Soy)
1/4-1/2 T maple syrup

Directions:

• Add PB2 and cinnamon to a small bowl.

• Pour in the yogurt and maple syrup.
• Mix until fully combined.

• Serve with your choice of "dippers"!

*Note:  You could probably use creamy PB in place of the PB2 in this recipe.  However, I would not suggest crunchy nut butter because I do not think that it would mix well.  Regardless, because I have not tried this dip with regular PB, I cannot vouch for the result.

Other than this peanut butter dip, I spent much of the remainder of my weekend-mealtimes eating greens.  I would dare to say that there is not a green food that I can think of that I don't enjoy devouring!

On Saturday I made a batch of Spabettie's Spinach Pancakes.  I ended up eating them for lunch both Saturday and Sunday.  Specifically:

• on Saturday I smeared homemade Roasted Garlic and Paprika Hummus on top, and topped it with sliced tomatoes; and
• on Sunday I melted Daiya cheese on top!

YUMM-O!

On Sunday evening, I made Oh She Glows 15-Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta.  However, I did have to make a few alterations to her recipe, based off what I had on-hand:

• instead of 1/2 lemon juiced, I used 2 T lime juice;
• instead of 1/4 C fresh basil, I used 1/4-1/2 C cilantro;
• instead of 2 T EVOO, I used 2 T sunflower oil; and
• I added two diced red bell peppers. 

I have made the original recipe previously, and I have to say that I prefer this version.  Next time I might alter the recipe even more, and if I do, I will make sure to share it with you!

Next time - a post about "Life in the Navy" thus far!

Question of the Day:

(1) Do you like peanut butter?  If so, how do you prefer to eat it?
(2) Do you enjoy eating your greens (i.e. spinach, asparagus, green beans, peas, avocado, etc.)?!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Mexican-Inspired Pasta Toss

Change of plans: no yoga post today.

I was all ready and excited for today's yoga post, when I encountered a snag in my plan. 

You see, my photographer (i.e. Bo) has been working late hours at his other job (i.e. flying for the United States Navy. I know, how dare he, right?!  Hahaha...totally kidding!).  Thus far, I haven't been able to wait up until 10:30-11:00 p.m. for a yoga photo shoot!  Moreover, I have yet to figure out how to set the timer on my camera, much less position it perfectly to capture the yoga poses on my own.  With that said, my next yoga post will just have to wait until my camera man is back in the home office! :)

Instead, today you get a scrumptious pasta dish!

Before Bo left this morning, he asked if I might make him a midnight snack for when he gets home.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, Bo gets quite ravenous in the evening!  It is getting close to our weekly grocery store run, so our refrigerator is a little sparse...especially in the meat category.  So, I needed to get creative and come up with something that was both flavorful and protein-packed. 

I must say, the end-result far exceeded this not-so-pasta-loving-girl's expectations!  (Yeah, I know, I'm weird...I just don't really love pasta all that much.)

Mexican-Inspired Pasta Toss
Serves 3-4

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half moons
• 1 crooked neck squash, sliced into half moons
• non-stick cooking spray
• 1/2 tsp Herbamare, spicy blend
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 2 servings penne pasta
• 1-2 T cilantro, minced
• EVOO
• 1 can pinto beans, rinsed
• cheese for garnish (I used Daiya mozzarella)

 Directions:

• Place half-moon zucchini and squash on a greased baking sheet.
• Sprinkle Herbamare, pepper, and cumin over vegetables and toss to coat.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes, tossing every 8-10 minutes to ensure even roasting.

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Drain beans.
• Once pasta is cooked, drain, and immediately toss pasta and beans together in a large serving bowl.
• Add minced cilantro, EVOO, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Toss to coat.

• When vegetables begin to brown around their edges, remove from oven and immediately toss into large serving bowl with the pasta mixture.

• Garnish with cheese and an extra sprinkle of cumin.

I think cumin is the key ingredient to this dish.  Actually, cumin is one of my favorite spices!  I was surprised to discover that cumin is among the top 10 selling spices in the U.S.  It plays a key role in spice combinations such as taco seasoning, chili powder, and Mexican and Southwestern dishes. Cumin is also an essential ingredient in virtually every global cuisine, particularly the more trendy foods of North Africa, India and the Middle East. (citation)

In totally unrelated, but too-cute-not-to-post news, take a look at my friend Bethany's son Everett in his Halloween costume!

Isn't he the cutest thing EVER?!

Bethany is so creative.  She crocheted his hat and bib in a few hours!  And take a look at that adorably painted pumpkin!  I almost squealed when they dropped by Halloween night to visit. :)  Everett was just too cute for words!  I can't wait to see what costumes Bethany will come up with in the years to come...

Question of the Day:

Do you have a favorite spice? 

In addition to cumin, I also love cinnamon!  Bo always jokes with me about how much I use cinnamon.  The other day I was making him a turkey and cheese sandwich and he says, "Just make sure you don't put cinnamon on it!" 

I almost sprinkled it on there just to spite him :) hahaha!

Blessings,
Ally and Bo