Yogurt Parfait Pancakes

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I have to admit, while I've been feeling generally fantastic throughout this pregnancy, my creativity has diminished almost completely.  The house is in disarray (so not like me!), I can't seem to make the nursery look anything but cluttered, and when it comes time to cook dinner, I'm at a total loss.  I usually like trying something new every night and lately, I can't even whip up old favorites.  My whining aside, I've surprisingly been cooking delicious new brunch recipes (last week's French Toast was just one of them).  
I'm on a pancake kick and you already know how obsessed I am with all pancakes (pumpkin, lemon-ricotta, and just about all other varieties).  Well, this weekend I came up with a new pancake recipe - the yogurt parfait pancake.  I looked through all of my pancake recipes and adapted a basic recipe to incorporate some Greek yogurt since I had some on hand.  The result was Heavenly!  I had to share.

Yogurt Parfait Pancakes.  All photos, my own

Ingredients:1 cup flour*1 tbsp sugar*1/2 tsp baking soda1 tsp baking powder1/4 tsp salt1 cup Greek yogurt2 eggs1 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 tbsp melted butter*4-5 tbsp milk* Granola crumblesFresh strawberries Whipped cream

*My suggestions: I wanted to vary the flour, so I used 1/2 c. all purpose, 1/4 cup whole wheat, and 1/4 cup cornmeal for texture, although if you do half and half white:wheat flour you'll also get plenty of texture; I used 1/2 granulated and 1/2 light brown sugar; I used melted Crisco shortening.  I find it makes the fluffiest pancake.  Canola oil and butter are excellent to use as well; I used organic fat free, and it worked well.  I want to try buttermilk next time
Preparation:
Heat griddle iron on medium heat.  Heat oven to 250 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Add yogurt, eggs, vanilla extract and butter.  Mix well.  Add milk, one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.  

flour variety and Chobani Greek nonfat yogurt, vanilla flavor

Mixing flours and sugars for a better-for-you pancake

Spray griddle with cooking spray or melt butter over griddle.  Pour batter onto heated griddle iron, about 1/4 cup per pancake.  Add granola crumbles to raw pancakes.  When they start to bubble, flip.  Let pancakes cook through before removing from the griddle.  Place cooked pancakes on cookie sheet at keep in preheated oven while you cook the second batch.  

granola goes on the batter

 Top with whipped cream and strawberries.  Serve with pure maple syrup.
 Makes 6 large, fluffy pancakes.
Enjoy!
Cheers!Ana

Blooming Tuesday

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Don't you love the difference a little pop of color from a floral arrangement makes to brighten up a space?  Last year I had the urge to splurge on annual plants at Home Depot and I asked Z to plant them in our unsightly dirt patch in the patio.  I am so happy that this year those plants are just starting to yield buds and blooms.  I've snipped a few roses from our rose bush and the two hydrangeas that bloomed to make beautiful arrangements in our home. 
What's better is that I see more hydrangeas blooming and our lilies are starting to bud as well.  Soon I can use those fragrant lilies to fill my empty bud vases.

A floral arrangement in my home office makes the workday more pleasant.  Vase: Vera Wang Duchesse for Wedgewood

is it just me or do these roses beat the ones you can find in a store?

Hydrangeas and roses in the living room.  Vase: Waterford's Lismore

All photos: my own

Cheers!Ana

{We're Obsessed!} Charlotte Olympia Shoes

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Oh I've admired Charlotte Olympia pumps for about a year now, so I am just  thrilled to own my first pair!  I see them worn by ALL of my style crushes and figured it was time to spoil myself and just buy some finally, before the already insane prices continue to creep up.  So while in Dallas in April I splurged and debuted them at my baby shower a couple of weeks later.  And as you can guess, I'm obsessed!  

One of my favorite fashionistas, Kelly Ripa, in Charlotte Olympia "Dolores" pumps, $895, Neiman Marcus

Kelly Ripa and Jennifer Lopez step out in Charlotte Olympia Masako pumps, $875, Net-a-Porter

I bought this pair and I love them.  So does J-Lo!  Charlotte Olympia Dolly pumps in raffia, $875, Neiman Marcus

Cheers!Ana

{We're Obsessed!} Colored Denim

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Happy Monday!  You can probably guess how happy I am that the colored pants look is back for the fall, and how better than to wear color than brightly hued denim?  Since trends don't always make their way to maternity sizes, I missed out on the trend this spring so I'm extra excited to embrace the look this fall.  I went with the blue jeans and coordinated them with a number of tops I had in my closet.  What do you think? 

Blue denim by Mossimo for Target, $23

1. 2. (similar to pictured) 3. (similar to pictured) 4. 5.

And just a few other ways colored denim has been spotted:

Pictures pinned from Pinterest

Cheers!Ana 

{We're Obsessed!} The Tweed Jacket

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Oh you fine tweed.  We are particularly in love with this jacket because it's a sophisticated break from another fall obsession, the motorcycle leather jacket.  It's amazing how the jacket can dress up a simple tee and jeans.  And if it dresses up the most simple of outfits, imagine the possibilities!  

Theory Jacket, $415, shown with jeans, tee, shoes and handbag, all Net-A-Porter

Theory Jacket, $250, Neiman Marcus
Shown are two almost identical versions by Theory.  One is available from the current collection and the other is last season (summer tweed) and half off! 

Cheers!
Ana

Circadian Concoctions: Whole Foods' Carrot Cake Pancake

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Recipe:

Carrot Cake Pancakes

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/3050 

Carrot Cake PancakesSubmitted by: Whole Foods Market See all customer images Recommend Upload a photo   Email recipe | Print recipe | Post to Twitter | Post to Facebook Rated by 19 people Rate this | Add your comment

Serves 4

This may sound like dessert but it's actually an easy (and tasty!) way to add more nutrients to your morning. Try warming the remaining crushed pineapple for a topping.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups 365 Everyday Value® Organic Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup plus 2 TB low-fat (1%) milk or unsweetened non-dairy beverage
3 tablespoons expeller-pressed canola oil, divided
1 (1.5-ounce) box 365 Everyday Value® Organic Thompson Seedless Raisins
1/4 cup canned crushed pineapple, drained well
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans

Method

In a large bowl, whisk together pancake mix and cinnamon. Add milk and 1 tablespoon oil and whisk until combined. Stir in raisins, pineapple, carrots and pecans until well combined. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brush lightly with some of the remaining oil. Working in batches, form each pancake by dropping ¼ cup batter onto the skillet. Cook until golden on bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer. Repeat with remaining batter and oil to make 8 to 9 pancakes total.

Nutrition

Per serving (2 pancakes): 340 calories (140 from fat), 16g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium, 42g total carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 13g sugar), 7g proteinTags: Budget, Family Friendly, American, VegetarianNote: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember — we're cooks, not doctors!You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information.See our Terms of Service.

 

Bamboo Thai Bistro...don't judge the place by it's cover!

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It's located on the North East corner of 51st & Yale Ave in Tulsa, Ok.  If you're familiar with this area, you know that it's primarily retail, fast food and known for a less "fancy" genre of restaurants and shops. To say I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in, was to say the least. The decor is fitting to the Thai food. More of a upscale casual, which is contemporary to restaurants these days. It's definitely a good place to take families, dates, etc. because it isn't too loud and you can actually hear your conversations.


 Immediately, I'm greeted by friendly wait staff who are not only friendly, they're efficient. 
I opted to start off with the Thai Iced Tea and they brought me the complimentary Shrimp Chips...unique and yummy!
Next, I ordered the Spicy Squid as a starter. It's crispy squid stir fried with onion, garlic, jalapeno pepper, bell pepper and five spices...very good.
Next, I was in the mood for something with a creamy, coconut flair. So, at the waitresses suggestion, I went for the Gai Tom Ka...it's described as a traditional coconut soup with chicken, onion, and straw mushroom. Topped with cilantro and green onion. It was creamy without being too heavy...the cilantro gave it a hint of lightness. It was delectable, velvetty, goodness.

You can't go to a Thai restaurant and NOT order some Pad Thai, so, I ordered the Pad Thai noodles with pork. It's made with bean sprouts, green onion, ground peanuts and egg. Topped with fresh bean sprouts and fresh lemon on the side. I ordered mine "hot" so the lemon came in handy to help cut through the spice. It was everything I thought it would be...no disappointment here...in fact, I was impressed above my expectations.

Okay, so finally, I asked my waitress what her favorite entree was...she said, with a smile, "definitely, the crispy duck." As soon as my entree arrived I knew why she smiled when she answered me and I'm pretty sure my smile mirrored hers when I took my first bite. It was crispy on the outside, juicy and packed with flavor on the inside. The sauce really brought out the flavors even more.
I wish I had room for desert because they had coconut ice cream or fried banana roll on their menu. But, I had to have my meal boxed up to go as it was and ended up making four meals out of what I ordered this night. Next time you're in the mood for some really great, authentic Thai, visit Bamboo Thai Bistro, you'll be glad you did...Thai(nk) you!

Fassler Hall's 1st Annual Inaugural Beer and Beefsteak Banquet

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 First, thanks so much to Fassler Hall for hosting such a great event! I hope this is the first of many more to come!

 The turn out was impressive, especially for a first time event. The price, $50 per person or $45 per person for groups of 4 or more. If you think this sounds steep, well, it's not. I sat next to men that almost cried out like babies. First, from the pure joy of the platters after platters of beef tenderloin deliciousness being placed before them, then from the pain of said non-stop gorging. You just had to be there, smelling the aroma of the beef and the fries, more on that in a minute.  Traditionally dubbed a "male" event, Fassler Hall launched this in "co-ed" friendly fashion and we ladies were oh, so glad they did!
 Upon arrival we were handed a commemorative apron, which doubled as momento and a true, much needed apron, it turned out. (Yay for juicy, tenderloin...and beer splashed bread fights.) With the apron, we were also handed a cup, to open the flood gate of high quality, German beer that was to come.
 Yes, this is the delicious, savory, smoky beef tenderloin that was clearly marinated for hours maybe even a couple of days. It was tender, juicy, smokey, and succulent. They brought out platter, after platter, after platter...you get the point. Rumor has it, they planned approximately 5lbs of meat per person...yikes! And, what's beef without potatoes?

Fassler Hall can't do anything plain Jane and they prove it in everything they do, even something as simple as fries. These are extraordinary, like everything else...say hello to Tulsa's best Duck Fat Fries. By the way, the servers kept bringing these out non-stop as well.

 Remember that cup they handed us that opened the flood gate of beer? Turns out we DID need it, to wash down the food! We also found ways to entertain ourselves...




...in keeping with the "Beer Inauguration and Beef Steak Banquet" traditions, there was an unofficial bread tower contest. Diners figured out early on, they can eat more beef if they omit the bread.  So, they built towers of bread and the tallest tower of bread is proclaimed the winner.
Klondike 5 String Band was the entertainment. As always, they put on a really good show. They were lyrical, melodious, bread fight-starting, musicians extraordinaire!

 It was a really great time...met some neat people, hi Heidi & Sarah :-) By the way, Heidi has a really cool and informative food blog that caters to gluten free recipes and the recipes look better and healthier than many non-gluten free. You've probably heard of her blog as she's a seasoned food blogger... you're going to love her blog site: http://glutenfreeindie.blogspot.com/p/gf-indie-bio.html