A break from the kitchen
yes, it’s that time of the year when I decide to kick grocery shopping to the curb and make do with what’s at home, so that means: no baking or cooking allowed until we’ve gotten rid of most items we already have. such a sad, boring time: Buffy’s expression says it all.
I’ve recently nixed refined sugar from my breakfast*, and attempted to add a bit more (healthy) fats to it so that it lasts me for a longer period than my good old Luna Bar did. and it works! this morning I had a sweet corn muffin top to which I added some cashew & macadamia nut butter from Trader Joe’s. what a treat!
so of course I am now looking all over the place for inspiration and recipes that would fit the bill of such breakfasts, and let me tell you: I can’t wait for the pantry to get more acceptably empty so that I can whip out the apron and whisk all over again!
in the meantime, I’ll just try to benefit from the culinary (as well as photography) break and grab some energy for what’s to come.
*I’m considering getting rid of it for every meal, in the long run, but considering I just successfully lowered my caffeine intake, let’s take things a bit slow, shall we?
but anyway, I’m doing it because my blood sugar has been a bit wonky for a little while. besides, I work out so much in the morning that I need something more nourishing than a Luna Bar, no matter how tasty these can be.
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Really sad true ;-) but something that has to be done…seldom…but has to be done..
I’m afraid I’m one of those who never control these things but I have to learn :-(
So have a good day! and take everything slowly honey..no one is running behind you! Sit down relax with a good coffe cup…:-)
Silvia
will do, Silvia! I hope you are doing well.
Enjoy your break and all the goodies you have on hand! (I haven’t had refined sugar in my cooking for almost a decade–can be done!) :)
Celine, as you’ve already seen on my blog, I’ve taken a break from the kitchen as well :0( We’ll get through this!!
thanks, Ricki! yeah, it’s not like I’m abusing the stuff anyway, but I find that a sugar-free meal in the morning gives me a far better boost than anything else. I work out a lot early in the day, so I definitely need something more…substantial and lasting.
Liz: can’t wait to have you back in baking mode. I’m so sad over here about the lack of kitchen-entertainment, I got all excited when I had to cook spaghetti and spinach for upcoming meals. how pathetic is that?
That’s a smart idea, I need to do some spring cleaning too!
That’s fantastic that you’re getting rid of refined sugar. I never use it, and I don’t miss it, and now when I do taste something with it, it seems very very sweet!
I need to do this. But it would result in lots and lots of baking as I think I have more flours than I remember actually buying in the pantry. I am beginning to think the spelt flour and the whole wheat flour made soy flour baggies or something.
Enjoy your break!
Oh man, your breakfast sounds so good!! I had a slice of dark rye with that same nut butter yesterday morning…but topping a sweet corn muffin with it sounds divine!
awww…buffy looks so sad (and cuddly)! yay on eliminating the refined sugar from your breakfast routine!
People need breaks, like me for example. When I moved into this place last year I was astounded at how much cabinet space I had - I truly have a lot. But I’m now storing boxes of cereal on the counter for lack of space…It’s sorta sad, I really need to go through and finish the food around here but it’s hard to convince yourself to do that. There’s nothing wrong with baking though if you’ve got the goods and only need, say, some milk and eggs. I don’t count fridge stuff, you always need fresh items.
- The Peanut Butter Boy
Nick: isn’t it pathetic, what big food packrats we can become? yeah the only thing I will not restrict myself into buying will be fresh veggies and fruit. I buy soy milk or other milk alternatives in aseptic packs anyway, so I don’t even have to worry about it. woo!
Amy: it’s working miracles, to not have that low-sugar issue like I used to. can’t believe it took me so long to work on fixing it, dammit.
Ashley Nicole: so funny we had the same nut butter! I would have loved dark rye bread too. half and half? :)
Calimaryn: oh now you see, you might be onto something…note to self? keep them flours bags waaaaaaaay separated.
Romina: kudos to you for not using it! I won’t say I will nix it completely from other meals, but making it an occasional thing rather than the way it’s been of late? most definitely.
I’m sure you won’t miss the refined sugar. I find unrefined sugar tastes much better. And Happy Kitchen Break! :)
My food was getting low, so I just went grocery shopping, but I truly should have used more of the items I already had, especially the dry goods! Good luck on the clean out!
That’s awesome! Refined sugar is the yuck.
My current favorite breakfast item (which I’ll be posting about soon): Organic Oats & Flax with some raw agave nectar for sweetening.
Goodluck Celine! Things may taste funny after a while as you use less to no sugar though- just need to wait for the magical tastebuds to re-adjust.
I am also going without baked good for almost a month, but instead I will be making raw desserts (as in using nuts and fresh fruit- not eating raw batter, although that would be nice). Since you are still buying fresh produce, I can’t see why you can’t still have your ‘cake’ and eat it too ;)
Sigh. Sugar is my achilles heel. I love it. Over the years I’ve mostly moved away from refined sugars, but still I like to have cereal for breakfast, still i LOVE baking, still I like chocolate bars and the occasional bag of spice drops or swedish fish.
Breakfast is a good meal to keep healthy though. I definitely prefer a nourishing breakfast, so I’m eager to see what you come up with! I usually do yoga when I wake up, and eat afterwards, and then I’m famished. Really the only reason that I resort to cereal so often is that I’m too damn lazy - and hungry - to make anything else.
thanks, everyone! I’m not too worried about switching to unrefined sugars completely, as I have been using a lot of them for quite some time already as it is. it’s mostly a question of starting off the day on the right foot instead of going low-sugar and feeling wonky because of it. anyway, hooray for maple syrup and agave nectar! :)
Amey: I’m with you on the too hungry to make something too demanding! that’s why I like to prepare my meals ahead of time, so that I can just pop them in the microwave if necessary and munch in a matter of seconds. I know it’s best to eat food that’s made as freshly as possible, but I’d be an utter, uhm, witch if I had to wait for too long once hunger strikes.
Hey Celine,
good on you for doing a pantry raid :-). I tried it recently and discovered that I actually do not have that much stuff - apart from 2 packs of pasta as well as the odd can of tomatoes. But that’s about it. I have various flours, nuts and seeds but I constantly use them so that’s fine :-).
When I went vegan (2 month ago hehe) I switched to raw sugar and haven’t looked back. I usually don’t actually put sugar in stuff that doesn’t need it, but I have a sweet tooth. So while I drink my coffee (espresso) without sugar, I enjoy the occasional (quite frequent recently whoops) berry crumble :-).
I’m sure after having used up most of your stocked foods you’ll feel ready to take on new kitchen adventures. And it’s all the more exciting when you have a fresh and clean looking kitchen to work in :-). And you might even find new foods at the store to experiment with :-).
All the best
Eva
i wish i could eat out of my pantry before going grocery shopping again, but alas, i am kinda addicted to food shopping.
yeah, me too, Lori. is it sad to say that I’m mopping around not knowing what to do with myself since I cannot really bake or shop? I’m ashamed. not really, but it does sound fairly pathetic even to my ear.
I love raw sugar too, Eva! I use it all the time. :)