Batter Up
Hey hey hey 🙂 How are you? Hope you’re having an amazing year so far 😉
I’ve spent a good part of this morning looking for a jacket for that furry face. She has a few but alas, they’re in the POD until the Pilot and I get a house, so I’d like to get her one for the meantime. When we got to the car this morning, she was shivering! Target didn’t have any, so I’m on the prowl.
It’s amazing how productive today has been, despite a slow start 😉 I did some work stuff,
munched a snack
(brown rice cake with almond butter)
nachos (!!!)
Romaine leaves topped with Trader Joe’s refried beans, melted Daiya cheese and homemade guacamoleeeeeeeee <— recipe
Delicioso.
Since my sweet tooth has been a savage beast lately, I decided to make some dessert to have on hand, since lately I’ve been snacking on chocolate chips like they’re going out of style- the only sweet I’ve had in the house! I fixed that tragedy asap 😉
Gluten-free brownie mix made with goat’s milk yogurt instead of oil, and flax eggs instead of regular eggs for fun.
I have a little secret for you (I’m sure my entertaining guru isn’t reading this), but if you buy a good quality mix for cakes or brownies, they usually taste just as good as homemade. Just make the frosting from scratch and add some cinnamon to the batter.
And save yourself some, mmm k?
After the brownies are baked up, I’ll cut them into servings and freeze- this way, when I want a sweet, I can just microwave and munch.
The goodies for the tamales are all ready to go:
-Husks (hojas)- you can find these in the ethnic section of most grocery stores
-bag of frozen organic corn
-masa harina (if you can’t find this, use cornmeal and toss it in the Vitamix or a coffee grinder to finely grind)
-2 cans of green chilies
-cheese of choice (I’m rolling with Daiya), butter of choice (I’ll use organic butter, but Earth Balance is lovely too), a lime, onion, cumin, garlic powder, sea salt and pepper (not pictured)
I’ve got a hot date with my yoga mat and then it’s tamale-making time!
Have a lovely night <3
Gina
Today’s workout jam: “She Ain’t Got” Letoya Luckett. Awesome for cardio! Swing batter batter batter… 😀
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Landsend.com has great dog coats for a reasonable price!
I’ve never had a tamale. The shame…
I made a doctored up cake mix cake last night. As long as you add the right stuff, it tastes awesome….sweets are sweets, right? I don’t think I’ve ever had a tamale, so looking forward to seeing the finished product!
I’m so excited to see the tamale making post. If you can’t find a doggie jacket there you might try Etsy (or a craft show) – my dog has one kind of like this http://www.etsy.com/listing/61051748/custom-fit-blanket-style-dog-clothes?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_search_query=fleece+dog+coat&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=handmade
He gets cold too.
My husband and I have been wanting to make tamales forever! This is amazing. Now I know a good recipe is within reach. Muchos gracias.
Mmm brownies and brownie batter…a great way to start the year! 😀
Gina I made gluten free organic brownies yesterday! Added some mini chocolate chips for extra chocolatey-ness 😉 Great idea to freeze and heat up. Love a warm brownie once in a while 🙂
I had my first tamale at Macayos down here in Arizona. It was absolutely fabulous!
Those brownies sound delicious! I love the goat’s milk yogurt idea. I like to do the same thing, make a batch and freeze them individually, but I haven’t done that in a long time. I might have to rectify that soon! 🙂
That guacamole looks delicious!!! Can’t wait to try the recipe.
I love using brownie mix to make brownies! So easy! And they always taste so great! The fudgy ones are the best!
Great tip to make homemade frosting! The cinnamon sounds like a great addition!
happy new year! i liked reading your post about cake mixes
Ummm, apparently I like the word “great.” I used it three times in my comment, lol!
I’ve never had a tamale, I don’t think. I should probably remedy that.
Hey Gina! I’m a new reader, but I’m loving your blog! Those “nachos” look de-lish! Can’t wait to read more!!! 🙂
Did you lick the spoon? I hope your new year brings you Happiness.. I cannot believe that I turn 30 in 280 days, Ashlee let me write about it today http://ashandlewplus2.com/2011/01/01/280-days-to-a-new-me-lew-that-is/ I think you will enjoy. It was nice meeting you in San Fran during the FoodBuzz Festival. I Look forward to reading and being inspired this year.
Lew
loved meeting both of you at foodbuzz! so excited to catch up on your blog 🙂
I want to learn about these tamales you love so much!! I’ve only had the Amy’s tamales, which are fabulous, but I want to try a real one!
Happy New Year! 😀
I’ve got tamales in the steamer right now too! I’m kinda nervous though because this is my first time making them, we’ll see how it goes 🙂 I used roasted poblano and cheddar with the masa (which I made with veg stock and butter)… I love the idea of adding some lime/spices too though – thinking I’ll try that next time depending on how these turn out!
I’ve never had a tamale either but I’m excited for the post!
More than a coat, you should look into booties for her. We have a small pomeranian and the vet said they lose a lot of heat out of their feet. That’s why when they are hot, they like to stand in puddles. I got some here http://www.dogbooties.com/index.html! Happy New Year!!!
MMM, I want to join you for dinner!
I love your “nachos”
What a fun idea.
I have never eaten tamales…what’s up with that eh?
Your poor baby! Do you have a local pet store??
How have I never had a tamale before? They look amazing. So do your nachos. And as for the cake mix/yogurt, that’s how I make my waffles when I’m feeling naughty LOL.
Hope you’re having an amazing year so far 😉 —hahah, yes, all 18 hours of it or so have been super!
Cake box mixes…yes, there is a reason duncan hines and the like have been around for 100 years. Because they have those recipes down to a science. The dry good. It’s the wet, ie. eggs, oil, butter, etc that is the real wild card anyway. But any and all things can go from just ok to amazing with homemade frosting!!! I love the way you think 🙂
Enjoy your yoga and your tamales!
I have never had a tamale…. 2011 is a year of change for me…. guess it’s time to eat a tamale and try new foods. 😉
I’ve never had a tamale either, I think this needs to change!
Yay for tamales! I have not had one in forever!!!!
So glad you had a great night with your family ringing in the new year!
p.s. I stink at bowling too!!!!!!! Its bad ; p
home made tamales….bliss! Sounds like a productive day. 🙂
I made carnival squash and black bean tamales yesterday, YUM!
I agree with the box mixes..although I still find myself making them from scratch simply because it’s usually cheaper. If you can find one that’s not loaded out the butt with sugar and fat then go for it! 😛
Bella is so adorable 🙂 she reminds me of my family dog Sammy who still lives with mom & dad, i miss seeing her everyday since I moved out!
The other day in your yoga video I laughed at how she was snoozin’ while you did your yoga practice!
happy new year 🙂
Try petsmart’s new Martha Stewart line of doggy stuff. They cost a little more but made well. Glad u had a good new years. Our neighbors had a party & had fireworks until 5:00 am so we didn’t sleep so well. Today I made our usual cornbread/collards/ & hoppin john for good luck & prosperity. Then celebrated my dad’s birthday. Can’t wait to see your tamales.
ohh good to know! i’ll check it out
that sounds AMAZING 🙂 bought my tickets for january- lets plan on bfast sunday the 30th??
Good plan!
Bell looks upset that you haven’t sent her measurements to Armani yet <3
bella is also upset that she can’t have smoked salmon for bfast everyday, but we can’t always get what we want 😉
Mmmm, do post on how you make the tamales as I’ve got a WHOLE bag of corn flour waiting to be used! 🙂
By the way, buying corn flour at a Mexican market is A LOT cheaper than buying BR at Whole Foods!
aww bella, so adorable
all the food look yummers
Those nachos look so good, sounds like you’re having an awesome year so far!
Oh my gosh I love that nachos idea!
what a fun way to healthify nachos! yummy 🙂
I’m definitely a fan of using cake mixes when I’m in a pinch. It’s all about the homemade frosting anyways. 😉
Poor little Bella! I hope you find a sweater to keep her warm! This post made me excited because I am bringing home my own 8 week old poodle puppy tomorrow 🙂
Hope you find Bella a coat soon. 🙂
I love your blog!! Hope you have a wonderful new year filled with many blessings 🙂
Do you ever send The Pilot care packages? My husband had 3 cousins in Afghanistan and we want to surprise them with New Year’s care packages. I have googled for lots of great ideas but wanted to know if you had any additional fun things that you have sent to The Pilot. We already have a lot of the basics (gum, magazines, powdered gatorade, zip lock bags, cards, beef jerky, etc). Any ideas would be nice 🙂 Thanks!
cake in a jar! bake the cake in a jar (filled 1/2 way) and send a thing of frosting with it- they LOVE it and the cake stays super fresh