The Other Eight Hours: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

What do you call a cross between a granola bar and a cookie?

I'm not really sure what you call it, but I think I baked it. When I made this recipe, I first thought "They shall be called Granookies!" My second thought was "This is how I'm going to make my millions!" One quick google search later and all my hopes were dashed. Somebody granookied me to it. Oh well, they are yummy and worth a share anyway. The recipe below is vegan and gluten free but you could easily substitute if you have no dietary restrictions. The nice thing about making a vegan recipe is that it keeps really well and there are no worries when eating the batter!

The process:

"Hi, I'm Flaxseed"

All the dry guys ready for the party

Cinnamon oat meadows with peanut butter mountains and an agave river :)

Lined up like little soldiers

Meg's Granola Cookie Bar Thingies - Vegan and Gluten Free!

1 3/4 C of Dry Oats (gluten free)

3/4 C Gluten Free Flour (I use Bob's Red Mill most of the time)

1/2 C Vegan and Gluten Free Semisweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 C Sliced Almonds

1 T Cinnamon

1 T Vanilla

1/2 C Salted Peanut Butter

1/2 C Blue Agave Sweetener

2 T Flaxmeal

6 T Warm Water

Total Time: <30 min including bake time!

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Mix flaxmeal in warm water and set aside to gel (this makes the equivalent of 2 eggs)

3. Mix dry ingredients: oats, flour, chocolate chips, almonds and cinnamon together

4. Add wet ingredients: vanilla, peanut butter, sweetener and flaxmeal/water and mix well

5. Spread onto 9x9 cookie sheet

6. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes

And, since I like to know that I'm not putting crapola in my body...

Makes: 14 servings

Nutrition Information per Serving:

Calories - 220

Fat - 9.9 g

Sugar - 13.4 g

Fiber - 3.6 g

Protein - 6.5 g

In running life news, I ran the Trolley Run yesterday. I'll post a complete running update later this week, but I completed my goal of running 4mi in under 40 with no hip pain. I feel really good; so, now it's time to get down to business!

As always, I hope you are having a stellar week!

-M

Monday, April 9, 2012

Give me an F!

This past Friday had me doing a little cheer. There may have been some arms and legs flailing about, but don't worry no one got their eye poked out. Normally, I think the letter 'F' gets a bad rap unless, of course, it stands for the "Fever"... you know the "Spartan Fever". Or when it stands for Food Trucks and First Fridays!

In Kansas City, this all goes down in the Crossroads District the first Friday of every month (thank you Captain Obvious). If you live in the area and haven't been, you should get it on your calendar pronto! With all that cheering, I worked up an appetite. Lucky for me the food trucks now have a permanent parking lot at 21st and Wyandotte.

Where the magic happens...

So many trucks so little time!

Scott doesn't quite get my obsession since there isn't usually a whole lot I can eat (thank you Celiac Disease), but it's more about the atmosphere and the people watching! I had chicken tacos and Scott went with the meatball sliders - delish.

'Cluck Yeah' slider and Chicken Taco


Cute boy - I think I'll take him home.

Mid-eats

After stuffing our faces, we spent the evening walking around watching street performers and catching...

If you do venture down to the Crossroads and you like pottery, check out Archival Designs. It is one of my favorite spots.

'Mugshot' at Archival Designs

Kemper at the Crossroads always has unique exhibits. This is from Eric Fertman's 'Here's Your Hat, What's Your Hurry' and will be at the gallery through July.

Kemper at the Crossroads

18th and Wyandotte is fun anytime with a cafe and a few shops. Usually, you can find street dancers here on a First Friday. They are awesome!

18th and Wyandotte

I really like the one below and found it in the old Arts Incubator space. I think it is now the Todd Weiner Gallery (unfortunate last name).

Buy me this. It's only $2500.

Street band - not sure what's up with the masks?!

My ride home...gas is so expensive these days. I wonder if I can get one with a cup holder...

If you haven't been, there is so much more to see! So, pick a nice Friday night and head on down for food and fun. Oh, and remember, respect people's personal space! (SNL Spartans)

-M

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

In Bloom

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" - Robin Williams

And by party, I'm sure Mr. Williams meant the "Garden" variety ;-). One my favorite ways to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is digging in the dirt. With the weather being unseasonably warm, Scott and I have spent the last couple of weekends doing just that!

"I'll take one of everything please and thanks!"

Potential!

This will be our third season using the square foot gardening method. We use the mix listed here and we loosely follow the other rules (you know 'cause we like to live on the wild side). What could be better than a garden that requires no weeding?! If you've been thinking about giving gardening a try, this is a good way to start.

One day maybe we will have space for a bigger garden, but this works great for the two of us. Our strawberry plants are full of blooms right now. I'm hoping I can keep the squirrels away!

Some other spring loves...