MONDAY MORNING RECIPE POST - BREAKFAST BOWL - VERY HEALTHY

I wanted to start off the week with a healthy meal and not being a fan of a lot of the ingredients, Gregg went a different way. This for some would be a very bland meal if you are used to lots of flavors, but there are times I enjoy a healthy and even a bland meal. I intend to do it again sometime and that's why I am putting it on here. It might not be your cup of tea either so you may want to skip. 

There is a lot of preparation so I started cutting up vegetables the night before and getting everything measured out. 

Gregg came down the next morning to the smell of cooked eggshells and beets and broccoli cuttings in the trash, which I had forgotten to throw out before I went to bed late. These being his least favorite things to greet the nostrils at any time of the day, let alone a whiff first thing in the morning, or mine either for that matter. I won’t forget next time, no matter what it is.

The recipe comes from Eating Well and the link to the original recipe can be found here.

Roasted Vegetable Breakfast Grain Bowl

Serves 6

1 small acorn squash, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)

2 small red beets, peeled and cubed (3/4 inch - about 2 cups)

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

3/4 teaspoon ground cumin, divided

3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, divided

3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided

1 medium head broccoli, cut into florets (1-1/2 inch - about 4 cups)

6 large eggs

6 tablespoons tahini

1/4 cup lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons, depending on size) 

2 tablespoons water

2 cloves garlic, grated

3 cups cooked quinoa

1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. with racks in top and bottom third positions (see my note below).Toss chopped squash, cubed beets, 2 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt, cumin, smoked paprika and pepper together on a large, rimmed baking sheet until evenly coated; spread in an even layer. Roast on the bottom rack, stirring once, until lightly browned and tender, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss broccoli florets with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each cumin, smoked paprika and pepper on another large, rimmed baking sheet until evenly coated; spread in an even layer. Roast on the top rack until browned and tender, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high heat and set a medium bowl of ice water next to the stove. Gently use a spoon to lower 6 eggs into the boiling water; reduce heat as needed to maintain a steady simmer. Simmer gently stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Transfer to the ice bath; let cool for 2 minutes. Drain the eggs and set aside.

Whisk 6 tablespoons tahini, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons water, grated garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a small bowl until creamy and smooth.

Stir 3 cups cooked quinoa and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl; divide among 6 bowls. Top with black beans, roasted squash mixture and roasted broccoli. Peel the eggs under running water, discarding shells; cut each egg in half lengthwise and place on top of the breakfast bowls. 

Drizzle each bowl with the tahini mixture.

To make ahead:

Make the eggs and refrigerate in their shells in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Gently reheat in warm-hot (not boiling) water. 

Make the tahini sauce and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

I enjoyed it and will make again. Gregg looked at it and said, "Nuh-uh!" Lol! 

It all depends on your individual tastes. 

I found it a lot of prep work and started the night before. Made it a lot easier and I am glad for the leftovers to last me a couple of days.

I also am trying a few anti-inflammatory meals, and this is one of them.

I made a few short cuts. I couldn't find any fresh acorn squash in our supermarket, nor frozen. I substituted a packet of frozen, cubed butternut squash. 

Not wanting to turn the oven on because it's way too hot for that, I steamed the veggies on the stove top. When the weather turns in the autumn, I will make this again using the exact directions.

Hopefully I have explained everything properly but if anything looks a bit off (it's almost midnight and I wanted to get this published in time for tomorrow so have rushed a bit), let me know in the comment section.

Added note: Gregg discovered later that he liked the Tahini Dressing as a dip for his Triscuit crackers. It was quite good. 

I have written the whole address out below for you to copy and paste if you prefer.

https://www.eatingwell.com/roasted-vegetable-breakfast-grain-bowl-8742347

Thanks for looking and 

wishing you all a great week.

MONDAY MORNING RECIPE - OATMEAL/BANANA PANCAKE

As husband was heading out to his favorite bagel shop for breakfast, and I didn't really want bagels that morning, I stayed home and made this recipe. There is no link and I'll be the first to say that I don't think it will be everyone's cup of tea. Gregg would fit into that category. He better likes the crepe-like pancakes I make for him and even prefers those to the regular, thicker ones that I enjoy when we have gone out for breakfast. Most of the time we have the same tastes but occasionally we part ways.

My family and I used to go along the hedgerows when we were kids and pick wild blackberries to take home. Blackberries are at the top of my favorites. I always ate a hot bowl of oatmeal in the winter before setting out to school. The only pancakes I ever had were the traditional yearly ones on Shrove Tuesday (those are what I make for Gregg when he requests them). These are a little different and they might not be for you. I am adding it here for myself as I will make it again sometime. With that ringing endorsement I will continue.

Banana Oatmeal Pancake

1 banana

2 eggs

1/2 cup old fashioned oats 

A splash of vanilla extract

To put on the top:

Any favorite topping. These were on our latest shopping list: blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, quantity is up to you. 

Maple syrup

Next time I thought I would sprinkle with sugar and lemon juice which was another British tradition and how mother served them on Shrove Tuesday. 

Mash the banana in a small bowl. 

Add the eggs and mix until well combined. 

Add the splash of vanilla extract. 

Add the oats and mix well.

Heat a frying pan to medium-high. Coat frying pan with a good spray of avocado oil. Turn down to medium heat.

Pour the mixture into the pan.

I used this for one large pancake but it was a little tricky to turn over, so I will make 2 smaller ones next time.

Cover and cook 3 minutes on one side (if you think it is getting too brown, turn heat down).

Flip and cook 2 minutes on the other side.

Put on serving plate and serve with your choice of toppings. This one has a dusting of powdered sugar on the top.

We were lucky enough to have been given a jar of maple syrup from a dear friend of ours, and someone Gregg has known since early childhood. A friend of his made it (sharing a picture below). We are both in agreement here, it's delicious! Thanks dear friend!

And thank you for visiting.

I hope your week is a great one.

ODDS AND BODS FROM 9-16-25

 Hello friends and…

(Good Morning)

I hope you started the day off with a nice breakfast. This little guy wants to know...

(What are you doing today?)

Right now, we don't have any plans, so we are going to have a quiet one, maybe start off with a little exercise...or singing.

(Start the day with a song in your heart and a giggle in your wiggle.)

Don't forget that giggle and wiggle. Those are very important steps to start the day. Go on, look in the mirror and go do it. You'll be giggling all the way through your first cup of tea, or coffee. Most importantly we are...

even though we have had quite a rainy day today (9-16-25).

We needed a little extra liquid sunshine.

 Yesterday we went to the garden center and bought mums for the pots on the back deck. It's very nice to see a little color out there. I wanted to buy them early as last year it was too late in the season, and we didn't have them for very long. 

The neighborhood was getting brown grass on all the front lawns. This is just what was needed. My toxic thumb killed off my other plants. Maybe they were annuals. Yes, let's just say they were annuals.

Are you a dog lover?

(Dog lovers are called Cynophiles)

or dogophiles!

I found this interesting but check with your vet first. Click on to enlarge if you have trouble reading.

Top part is “yes”, next is “with moderation”, next “not recommended” and lastly “no!” Pictures are self-explanatory.

Of course, you could be an "ailurophile?"

(Ailurophile (n.) - a cat lover)

He's a smart one, he doesn't know what the word is but he's looking it up and he is checking these lists.

Again, check with your vet first.

Do you like cats and dogs? We had both when I was young.

A word for someone who loves all animals is a zoophilist or philozoist. I'll just go with 'animal lover', it has the same meaning and people don't look at you like you've gone a bit doolally when you say, say "I'm a zoophilist!" or a philozoist.

Here are a couple of more words: "Biophile", a person who loves nature and living organisms in general. Or "Naturalist", a person who studies and loves the natural world.

Anyhow, here's to all the zoophilists or philozoists in the world, and to everyone else who keeps their humanity.

I lift my glass to each one of you.

And while we're at it, let’s teach our children or grandchildren to enjoy nature, to love, keep and protect the natural world around them, and respect all the people who respect them. One thing leads to another and...

you've got kind, thoughtful kids out there. A few with slightly slipped halos is okay too, and as long as they don't get too carried away. I've met a few scallywags in my time who have turned into decent and good human beings, and I love them dearly.

(My lovely wildflower.)

We also need to let them know the older gang love nature and can still dance in the rain…

(Enjoy the little things.)

for…

(When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world - John Muir.)

But...what's most important is to remember...

(Kindness can change the world, and so can your voice for that matter.)

(Scatter kindness.)

And remember...people can be kind and fun too.

(I like people who are kind but carry a bit of sass in their back pocket.)

Time for my dream cottage. What I like about it is that it's small, with tiny windows and a thatched roof. It has roses and other plants growing around it, not necessarily highly manicured and that's okay. The wildflowers take care of themselves and need not worry about the toxic thumb. It also comes with my own pet sheep, who will keep the grass nice and short. I wonder if there are chickens out back? (It would be nice to have a never-ending supply of poached or soft-boiled eggs.) And look where we are, we can go through the gate, down the path to the ocean and walk along the beach. 

It has a nice, cozy dining room.

A lovely corner to catch up on mail, if you like stepping back in time. I love those old typewriters.

The bedroom with my own dried herbs hanging from the light fixture, giving off a lovely scent.

Then I would come down and drink my first cup of tea, or coffee, on the porch out back and watch the sun rise.

In my little dream of a garden, I would walk through this gate. I love those old rusty hinges along with the pretty flowers and birds, don't you?

Time for the food. How about a loaf of quick bread?

And this for dessert. This is going to be a high carb day, but remember, this is only in my dreams. All bets are off when it's a special treat day.

I make a pie crust on the rare occasion - it’s been a long time - I am curious about adding the cornstarch. Has anyone ever done this?  

And oh, this sounds so good. 

Or this

These when you might have a tickle in your throat. I haven’t tried any of the following, but the first one sounds very soothing and healthy even without a cold and I will make the others sometime. And don’t forget to check with your doctor first.  

If I don’t write everything out for translation and our international friends are curious, let me know and I will write them out in full in your comment. You can check back the next day.

Here's a good place to start winding this down.

(You don’t have to be positive all the time. 

It’s totally fine to feel sad, frustrated, scared and even fearful. Having feelings doesn’t make you a negative person. It makes you human.)

(“What’s your best discovery?” asked the mole. 

“That I am enough as I am.” said the boy.)

Thanks for visiting!

and remember…

What do you have to remember?

See you tomorrow!

(Thank you Pinterest for today’s inspiration.)

ODDS AND BODS - 8/15/24

Thank you for all your comments after my knee sprain post yesterday. I cannot put into words how very much I appreciated them. Our blogging community is a very caring and loving family.  

 I started this one on Thursday, August 8th, 2024. We had a good soaking rain, and there was a tornado watch also, but it didn’t come about.  A few trees toppled in the area.

This is our forecast from Friday, August the 8th to Saturday the 17th, 2024.

Are you a…

Or a…

I am all of the above and

   I absolutely love…

More words but this time describing…

Another rabbit and still going through my rabbit phase. When was I ever out of it?  I had many of these as a child, lots of them all at once. They provided endless comfort and companionship, along with a much loved dog and cat, Skipper and Binky. The European Robin is a sweet addition. 

Let’s be rebels!

I found the following on line, a letter sent from a teacher to all her students parents, and would like to say “Yay”, and a big thank you to all the great teachers out there, past and present. I am applauding heartily.

Always knew it!  We are all connected. 

This is today’s dream cottage.

And yes, I can see this in there, definitely a comfy place to snuggle up with a good book and looking ahead, wrapped up in a favorite blanket and sipping a cup of tea, or coffee, or hot chocolate. I find myself looking to Fall weather after a hot and humid summer, another favorite time of the year for me.

And pardon me while I go make myself an open-faced sandwich far too pretty to eat. I will just stare at it for a while, and take photos and then lunch!

This looks delicious…

But just in case you want to go in a healthier direction. 

All for now and …

and