Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Granola, Bread & Pasta, Oh My! (Giveaway Post)

As per usual, I hope your week is off to a great start. The weather has been really nice so far, but I hear the humidity is on its way! I don’t mind the humidity much…I’d rather be hot than cold (which is a good part of the reason I moved to SC). What about you?

I wanted to show ya’ll a few of the eats that have come out of Itzy’s Kitchen this week. First off, I made up another Charleston’s Cafe rip off parfait at home using the other new flavor of Galaxy Granola, Hint of Honey:

P1080875

The parfait contained granola, vanilla yogurt & strawberries. I bet Rose could come up with a good breakfast story about this parfait:

 P1080877 P1080878 P1080879

Since we were already out of my Vegan Multigrain bread,  I decided to bake up a different loaf. This time, I chose this easy Whole Wheat Molasses recipe:

P1080881 P1080893 P1080891

And lastly, I love making up easy pasta dishes in the summer months. I used this recipe and used asparagus instead of cauliflower, added fresh lemon juice and zest, and pine nuts.

P1080888

What have you been cooking/baking up this week? Any fun new recipes (links would be great!)?

And my usual Workout Wednesday (Tuesday) Question: How are your workouts coming this week? Mine are as follows:

  • Monday: Quick run to warm up, taught Body Pump
  • Tuesday: Taught Body Attack
  • Wednesday: Quick run to warm up, Teach Body Pump
  • Thursday:  Teach 45 minute Body Step, 45 minute Body Pump
  • Friday: Off
  • Saturday:  Teach Body Step
  • Sunday:  Off

And last but not least…did you see my last post where I reviewed my new slow cooker from the CSN stores? Do you want to win a $50 promotional code to use towards your own CSN store purchase (this code will not cover shipping and or international fees, so please look for ‘free shipping’!)? To enter, go to the CSN stores website and leave me a comment below letting me know what you would purchase. You DO NOT need to have a blog to enter! Entries must be received by Thursday (June 10) at noon. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Friday!

P1080895

76 comments:

vanillasugarblog said...

yes pine nuts with pasta are the best aren't they? it really adds good texture.
we get awful humidity here on cape cod--i love heat too but just can't take the humidity. frank has the best life i swear

Jenna said...

I would have to say I'd want the Wildon Home Applewood Standing Mirror. We are moving and our new place totally needs one of these!

homecookedem said...

Such gorgeous parfaits!! And your pasta dish looks so simple and delicious!!

Since I feel our kitchen is kind of lacking in organization, I'd probably use the $50 to buy things to organize with. Maybe even one of the bread boxes to keep my bread in.

Lauren said...

I love when you recreate a recipe from a favorite restaurant. It's seriously one of my hobbies to try to recreate amazing food.

I love the CSN Store and would also love to have the hand immersion blender. Every time I make soup, I wish I had one of these gadgets.

Hope you're having a great week girl!

Winterjade said...

I would stock up on some cookie sheets with the silicone non stick mats :) or the mandolins look very nice and would make chopping fun! :)

Junghwa said...

i would love to have slow cooker

Stacey said...

I really need to bake some bread, it's been so long. I make a mean banana bread. :)

webmailaddress2 said...

I would stock up on nice pens and mechanical pencils. Dorky, I know, but I really like school supplies!

lee@In My Tummy said...

I need bedroom furniture. Badly! Jason doesn't even have a nightstand.

Maria said...

I hate the cold, but I hate the humidity too. That parfait looks amazing! I would buy dishes, I have an obsession:)

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

what a fabulous giveaway girl! i would totally love to have a mini food processor for our kitchen!

Megan D said...

What a pretty parfait! And I loove the sleepy puppy picture. :)
At CSN I'd get the "Hamilton Beach Prepstar Food Processor"!

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

Sounds like a great week of workouts!
The pasta looks great.
I don't mind the humidity or heat much either. I just hate the cold so much! That's a good part of the reason I want to move OUT of Illinois ;)
I'd probably want a new crock pot, seeing as how I mentioned in your last post I cracked mine! :)
www,runningaroundnormal.com

Molly said...

Bread looks delicious! And of course, ,Frank makes my heart flutter ;)

Domestic Diva said...

I'd love to get a guidecraft kitchen helper for my little one. Thanks for the chance!

Oh, and we're making parfaits after being tempted by yours. :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow. Lots of great stuff. I can't even figure out what to get. I'm sure something for the kitchen.

Anon said...

i would love a vitamix food processor for my (first!) apartment!! :)

Stephanie in Suburbia said...

Um, what is this, Sophie's Choice? I would say either the Baby Star Rock the Tote Diaper Bag in Metallic Silver or the Paderno World Cuisine Apple Corer / Slicer in Stainless Steel - 48289-10 (mine is so dull now and I love me some sliced apples with melted cheese).

Kristie Simmons said...

CSN = too many decisions. I would have to say an food scale, or an immersion blender, no wait, maybe a frozen yogurt maker. I can't decide.

Christina said...

woohooooo a giveaway!! i'd use it towards a new set of pots & pans! can't wait for next week!! also, omg, i ate at mustard seed for lunch. i had a hot date take me there, hahahhaa. little does he know i have major issues w/ mustard seed. that was the 5th time in the past month! i had the salmon & tuna cakes (like crab cakes) over salad w/ creamy onion dressing..ohhhhh my god i was in heaven. i couldn't moan at the table though, since i just met that guy and all! HAHA

Allie (Live Laugh Eat) said...

I would use it to get a dehydrator!!! They have some great looking (but not outrageously expensive) ones that I would love to try.

Trying To Heal said...

oh, that pasta reminds me of the one i used to make in high school! It had broccoli, pine nuts, bow tie pasta and mozzarella/parm cheese! so tasty!! so fresh and easy too!

BroccoliHut said...

Beautiful parfait!
I, too, would love to have a dehydrator--pretty sure it's the only kitchen appliance I don't already have:)

Ruthie said...

I would use it towards a good food processor to make homemade hummus and cake!

lynn @ the actors diet said...

i would get stuff for my dog. he needs it!

The International Loser said...

I'm getting ready to move into my own apartment so that $50 would be useful in helping me get started!

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

Gosh CSN has so much to choose from! I'd totally go for a mini food processor or immersion blender.

goofyfrito said...

I would use it toward the FBG Sanford Bed - I'm getting married in a few weeks and we need something to put a new mattress on!

Heather said...

I'd use the money towards some new pots and pans. We desperately need new ones!!

Your workout schedule looks close to mine with the teaching. I get lucky this week, though, and don't have to teach again until Saturday! I'll actually have time to do some workouts for myself this week!

Thanks for the giveaway, hon!

Simply Life said...

oh wow, what a great breakfast!

I won't enter although I'd love to win more things - but would feel a tad bit guilty since I've already won a giveaway through them :)

AlwaysJoy said...

I am a heat lover too - Massachusetts winters kill me!

If I won I would absolutely pick
Our Pets Store-N-Feed Adjustable Dog Feeder - SNF12B


Seeing as my dog is my life and I have decided he needs one of these! There are other prettier ones but my pupster isn't exactly what one would call graceful and so..

Sophie @ yumventures said...

I wold definitely get the crock pot. I have been dying to get one!

Katie said...

Your breads always look so delicious! I have so many of the recipes saved on my desktop.

I would love a crock pot! I've always wanted one.

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Frank just loves to snooze away. So does my bulldog, except he always wants to lay out on the deck in the sun spots!! I guess he is trying to get a tan? Who knows! Anyways, it looks like you've been a busy bee in the kitchen and with all fabulous results! That bread turned out stunning! Brown breads are my favorite.
From the CSN store I'd have to get griddle--I've been wanting one really bad!

Jessica said...

Great bread. I'm always envious of people's bread's. Mine just don't work out.
I'd say my workouts are going great! I haven't had a formal workout in weeks, but the garden is keepign me really busy and I feel good, so I'd say I'm on track.
:)

Holly said...

Oh my gosh, isn't pasta salad the BEST in the summer time?? I need to make up a "batch" for my lunches!

Awesome giveaway, too, girl! Since I've been saying for FOREVER that I want/need a food processor (this girl needs to make some hummus), I would LOVE the Hamilton Beach PrepStar Food Processor!

brandi said...

your bread looks awesome!

I would LOVE a new food processor. Ours broke MONTHS ago!

jenna said...

i love that you are making your own breads they always look so good!

i would put the gift card towards a slow cooker for sure!

Krista said...

I totally want a spiralizer!!! I'm off to check out that new bread recipe now! Have a great one....

Lauren @ Health on the Run said...

Love the way that bread looks. And Frank!! I'll never get sick of seeing him. :)

I would buy a new blender. CSN has a great selection (and it seems like quite a few are in the $50 range). I need a blender so bad -- I've just been using my busted food processor to make everything, which doesn't always work so well.

Julie said...

okay SO when we become housewives (of which you already are haha) you will open up your own cafe and we'll make people rockin parfaits. capeesh? we can open up 2 locations. one in sc and one in ny and travel (via private plane obvi) back and forth.

in the mean time i TOTALLY WANT A WAFFLE MAKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahaha sorry i just want one so bad.

anyways!!! glad you're having a great week :) i'm exhausted this week and still have a crazy weekend ahead! send up some of your heat! it's been kiiind of chilly here :)

Anonymous said...

I love pine nuts and pasta-it's an awesome combo!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

wowwwza I want everything in this post!! that vegan mutigran bread looks awesome! i need to get some corn meal so I can make it!!

I love bow tie pasta too..a little on the al dente side...veggies in it is the perfect summer time dish! (with goat or feta cheese too!!)

frank is so freakin cute!! dogs have it so good, I swear!!

ohh what a great giveaway!! i would want a spirilizer or awesome new dishes!!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

wowwwza I want everything in this post!! that vegan mutigran bread looks awesome! i need to get some corn meal so I can make it!!

I love bow tie pasta too..a little on the al dente side...veggies in it is the perfect summer time dish! (with goat or feta cheese too!!)

frank is so freakin cute!! dogs have it so good, I swear!!

ohh what a great giveaway!! i would want a spirilizer or awesome new dishes!!

Jody said...

Oh that bread looks so yummy. S otempted to try to make it but I hate using the oven this time of year since I don't have central AC. Saving it for the fall. If I wer to get the gc I'd use it towards some new plates. I'm just starting to redo my kitchen and want to update all my place settings.

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

Excellent giveaway! I think I'd do just what you did and get a slow cooker. I could really use something like that when I've got a long day in store!

hbobier said...

A) I want to snuggle with your dog.

B) I'd get a pasta maker from CSN!

Lisanne Boling said...

I would probably get a new floor lamp for my living room. I am desperately in need of one for my reading chair.

Stacey said...

I would buy the Cusinart Ice Maker. I have been wanting one for a very long time.

Diana @ frontyardfoodie said...

yummy looking bread!! I don't think people realize how most bread is vegan......I mean, unless you use honey or something it's super easy!

Natalie said...

that bread sounds FABULOUS--I love homemade bread :)

As for the CSN giveaway, I want an ice cream maker SO BADLY!!!

fittingbackin said...

Great workout plan! Love the sound of that pasta- don't you just love lemon zest? This time last year I had never heard of it!

fittingbackin said...

Honestly - not to be a cheeseball but I think I would purchase that crockpot! Mine doesn't have a "locking option" and I'm going to need two to get ready for a party i'm throwing this summer!

Kelsey Ann said...

i love how the granola is called "hint of honey" thats cute! mm reminds me of my post yesterday with my parfait. i need a cute glass like that tho!

xoxo

Sarah said...

Your parfaits have inspired me to make my own for an afternoon snack the last few days! I have blueberries instead of strawberries, plain yogurt, and a bit of granola or cereal. And yesterday I put it in a big wine glass which made it much more fun!

Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews said...

I would get a new blender!

Nora@LiveLifeEatRight said...

That parfait looks amazing!!! I cant wait to try that granola!

tam said...

your parfaits always look so good I gotta get on this band wagon! x x

Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ said...

Yay Frank! Can you believe I like the cold weather better?? I think you should open up a parfait shop! I'm pretty sure it would be a major success! I think I'm ready to knock out my final tomorrow night. Cross your fingers for me. Maybe beach on Sunday??

Lori L said...

I would definitely use it to buy sometype of pasta attachment or maker for my son who loves to cook. I guess it runs in the family :)!

Lori L

Anonymous said...

Would use the gift card to buy new pots when I go back to college so I can cook great healthy meals. The pots I have are not that great and do not cook evenly.

Corey F

Corey F said...

I would use the gift certificate to put towards the purchase for a new pots set that I can take to college. I really like to cook but the pots I have are very thin and do not cook things evenly.

Corey F

Anonymous said...

woohoo parfaits! so simple, yet so delicious!

i would get the chef's choice waffle maker. i've never made my own waffles before, so i think it'll be a lot of fun!

happy thursday! meaning... it's almost friday :D

Melissa @ For the Love of Health said...

Hi Erica! Everything you made looks really good! What a perfect-out-of-a-cooking-magazine parfait! :-)

Cute puppy photo!

Do I have to choose just one thing? LOL I really would like a good food processor or a juicer.

Have a great day!

Lindsay said...

I would also love a food processor. I'm totally into hummus, so I need something good to chop up those chickpeas!

Esi said...

You've reminded me that I need to make more granola..asap

janetha said...

your parfait looks even better than the cafe's! i have got to make some of your bread soon. i have the baking itch :) oh frank. love him.

@ CSN stores, i would buy bathroom sink faucets. only because i already am going to.. but $50 off would rule my life. :)

have a great rest of your day!

Anonymous said...

frozen yogurt maker!! that would be wonderful!!!

i really want to try the galaxy granola!

bree said...

anything that has anything to do with a kitchen!! alot of the dishes look nice---or a blender!!

Maura said...

i need a new slowcooker---i'm not kidding i think mine is pushing 90--;)

Unknown said...

waffle maker for waffle weds!! lol
i love love love parfaits--i think i could have one everday day and never ever get tired of it

lovebug said...

yum---i think i could marry granola!
any kind of pan--i need a new frying pan so badly--i just keep putting it off!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

hi beautiful
ill take some draperies or curtains. new place needs them and they are pricey
love and miss you, sorry for mia, but yea know how it goes when moving!
xo

Pining for Pinterest said...

I really need another slow cooker. Mine is 9 years old and falling apart. I have to tell you that I fell in love with Charleston when we went!! Seriously, the shops and restaurants are awesome. Also, it is so beautiful!!

Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter said...

Any houseware stuff! I love getting new cooking supplies instead of using stuff from old garage sales :)

Hehe looove the dog.

Lauren said...

Parfaits are such an amazing breakfast in the summer. I had one today too, but only I seem to have trouble limiting mine to a small cup, so they end up being a crap load of fruit in a big bowl with some yogurt. LoL!

I would love to get the Immersion Hand Blender from the CSN store. Every time I make soup, I wish I had one of these. :)