Category Archives: Breakfast

Baked Maple PB Pumpkin Oatmeal

The minute the calendar hits October 1st, I start breaking open the cans of pumpkin and don’t look back until at least December. And since Southern California hasn’t quite gotten the memo that it’s fall yet, I’ll consider my pumpkin recipes an offering to the fall weather gods. Starting with this baked maple pb pumpkin oatmeal.

I’ve teamed up with Peanut Butter and Co. and Bob’s Red Mill (two of my favorite brands) to help celebrate #Oatober! But since I love oatmeal so much, pretty much every day is #Oatober for me.

I decided to combine three of my favorite things: oats, peanut butter and pumpkin into a delicious breakfast dish that is the perfect leisurely weekend breakfast that can then be reheated into leftovers for the week. This recipe is simple, requires minimal ingredients, and is oh so delicious.

I used Mighty Maple peanut butter in this, but regular PB would do just fine. If you are feeling a bit more decadent, I think Dark Chocolate Dreams would make an excellent choice…but then again, when is chocolate peanut butter not a good idea?

Baked Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Mighty Maple Peanut Butter

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Oats

1/4 cup almond milk

1 egg

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350F.

In a large mixing bowl mix your pumpkin, egg, almond milk, vanilla and peanut butter until all is well blended. Gently fold in your oats, salt, baking powder and cinnamon and continue to mix.

Fold your mixture into a greased baking dish and place in the oven for 25-30 minutes.

Remove from the oven, eat and enjoy! Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Thanks Peanut Butter Co. and Bob’s Red Mill for sending me the delicious goodies!

Paleo Chocolate Doughnuts

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I have a new obsession and it is in the form of the coffee from Sidecar Doughnuts. I’ve written about their doughnuts numerous times, but it wasn’t until recently that their Forty Winks blend made with Stumptown coffee has stolen my heart. I get the same order every time; large cup of coffee with some steamed almond milk to add just a slight bit of sweetness. So what does this have to do with paleo chocolate doughnuts?

As we all know, Sidecar makes delicious doughnuts. And every time I step into their shop to grab a coffee you can smell the freshly baked doughnuts in the air. The Englishman and I have now established a Sunday tradition where we pop into Sidecar to get a morning cup o’joe and sometimes a doughnut (gluten-free for me) or two. If you follow me on instagram, then you probably saw that we also started a birthday coffee and doughnut tradition.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a firm believer in treating yourself and enjoying delicious things like these doughnuts, but for my wallet and waistline I can’t exactly buy them every time I step into the shop. So what’s a doughnut-lovin’ gal to do? Make her own!

These paleo chocolate doughnuts are simple low in sugar, and the perfect accompaniment to my Sidecar coffee. The great thing about these doughnuts is that you can add nuts or chocolate chips into the batter…or just top your doughnuts with them!

If you don’t have a doughnut pan, you can easily convert these into muffins as well.

Paleo Chocolate Doughnuts (adapted from The Detoxinista)

Makes 6 doughnuts

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup olive oil or coconut oil

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup maple syrup or honey

1 egg

2 egg whites

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350F. Grease your doughnut or muffin pan.

In a medium bowl whisk together your coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold in your olive oil, egg, egg whites, water and vanilla until everything is well blended.

Gently fold your batter into the doughnut pan and place in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the doughnuts cool for 15 minutes.

Pair with your favorite cup of coffee (or tea!).

Now serious question: do you spell it donuts or doughnuts? I always have the “ough” when I write it out but I see the other spelling quite often too.

A Market

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I have lived in Orange County for most of my life (aside from my 10-year stint in LA), and am constantly stumbling upon new gems that make me love my neighborhood even more. My latest discovery is A Market in Newport Beach.

Now I can’t take full credit for discovering A Market as I first heard about it from my lovely friend and wedding photographer Dana Grant on her instagram, and knew I had to check it out. A Market shares the same parking lot as the famed A Restaurant, only it’s a more casual marketplace/cafe/wine cellar.

The Englishman and I decided to check out A Market the morning after our friends wedding in Palm Springs. We made the bleary eyed drive back to OC determined for a strong cup of tea and a hearty breakfast and A Market did not disappoint.

We wanted to try a variety of things so we started off with splitting the quiche of the day which included ham, broccoli, and cheese. It was a crust-less quiche and delicious. I haven’t had quiche in ages and this one did not disappoint.

The Englishman got the Breakfast Panini which included fried eggs, ham, tomato and cheese. He also added extra bacon because, well bacon rocks. I stole a bite and loved it. The bread was perfectly grilled (a must for paninis) and the ham, egg and swiss just worked together.

I kept things simpler and got fried eggs, bacon, avocado, and fruit. It may sound boring, but everything about this breakfast was perfect and exactly what I wanted.

Since breakfast was such a big hit, I returned a week later for lunch with my blogger buddy Joelle.

I went the salad route this time and got the Mediterranean Salad topped with feta, avocado, olives, tomato, cucumber and chicken with a lemon vinaigrette on the side.

The salad definitely did not disappoint. Everything about it was pretty much perfect. I definitely need to come back for lunch and try some of the other salads and sandwiches on the menu.

If you are looking for a cute little spot for breakfast, lunch or even a cocktail (they have those too!) then I highly recommend A Market. This is definitely going to be my new local spot!

Brunch at SeaLegs Wine Bar

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A couple of months ago Karla and I decided that the only way to proper celebrate our last long run of half marathon training was to treat ourselves to a delicious brunch. We decided to have our celebratory brunch at SeaLegs Wine Bar after stumbling upon a groupon that included an entrée and bottomless mimosas for $15.

Our brunch was set for 11 AM, and after running 11 tough miles that included a strong headwind, almost getting attacked by poodles and aggressive transients on PCH, we were more than ready to get our grub on. And apparently we weren’t the only ones as the line to have brunch at SeaLegs Wine Bar was out the door when we got there. Thankfully Karla made reservations and we were seated right away.

As promised, our meal started with champagne and orange juice, which was a nice way to start brunch while we perused the menu.

The Englishman (who is also training for the Big Sur Half) decided to get things started on the right foot by ordering the “donut of the day” which was a chocolate maple bacon donut.

Since I have such a high standard for donuts (thank you Sidecar), I didn’t end up sampling it but he said it was tasty, however not on the same level as Sidecar’s donuts. Noted.

For my entrée, since the runger (it’s a word I swear) was in full force, I went with the Vegetarian Omelette which came with kale, mushrooms, and truffle oil with a side of roasted potatoes. I also ordered an extra side of avocado and fruit, because why not?

I was pleasantly surprised at the portion size of my dish. The omelette was cooked perfectly and was nice and filling, and the potatoes were a great compliment.

Karla followed suit and ordered the shrimp omelette which I did not try but will seriously consider ordering the next time I have brunch at SeaLegs Wine Bar.

Karla’s boyfriend Jesse got the Chilaquiles, which included braised chicken and a poached egg over tortilla chips. I couldn’t partake because of the corn component, but everyone else raved about them.

I had told the Englishman there was a chicken and waffles dish which he immediately ordered. The verdict was it was good and possibly better than famous Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles which is a pretty high compliment.

The only knock I would give SeaLegs is that the service was a little slow and it looked like dishes were coming out at inconsistent times. I do love the venue and their extensive wine list, so I think I’ll be back for happy hour and some tapas.

We all left brunch feeling pleasantly full and then proceeded to have post run/brunch naps, which is one of the best things about half marathon training.

Thanks Karla and Jesse for being such fabulous brunch companions!

Sweet Potato Bites

Good Eats with a Healthy Twist!

Category Archives: Breakfast

Baked Maple PB Pumpkin Oatmeal

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Paleo Chocolate Doughnuts

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A Market

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Brunch at SeaLegs Wine Bar

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