My podcast debut: a dream come true

Hi guys!!

I'm am thrilled to announce that I had the privilege to contribute my voice to the latest Gastropod podcast "Extreme Salads and Crazy Potatoes." If you guys are regular readers you probably know by now that I absolutely LOVE Gastropod and being able to open their latest episode is a dream come true! You can listen to it here: http://gastropod.com/extreme-salad-and-crazy-potatoes/

I am also pleased to announce that the Week of Lunchie is going really well! Keep liking (voting on) those Instagram photos and I might extend it to the Month of Lunchie! :)

Please stay warm everyone! If you need some help with that, here is a great list of awesome hot chocolate recipes: http://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseypippin/22-hot-chocolate-recipes-to-get-you-through-winter (btw, I tried the peanut butter one and it wasn't as great as it sounded :( )

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Gourmanda

Overnight Oats: the solution to your breakfast quandaries

What is the most important meal of the day?

This is a question that causes serious debate in my house, so I would like to know, what meal do you value most?

Of course there is the old saying "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" which I think is great marketing by the breakfast people. But is breakfast all it's cracked up to be? According to the "Breakfast of Champions" podcast from my fav Gastropod, breakfast isn't really "the most important," although that doesn't mean you should skip it. Instead, opt for a quick, portable breakfast that you can make ahead for an easy breezy morning. My absolute favorite recipe for this is Overnight Oats. I love it because it is super quick, easy, healthy, and very customizable! See a quick little recipe below:

Overnight Oats

A drawing I did of my oat jar :)

1/2 cup of rolled oats

Almond milk (or any kind of milk you prefer)

Fruit (this can be dried, frozen, or fresh)

Nuts: peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax, pecans, etc. 

Honey or agave nectar (optional, I usually leave it out. Remember: all sugar is processed the same way!)

Almond butter (or any nut butter) 

1. Layer all dry ingredients into a jar. I prefer this order: oats, nuts, fruit, almond butter. 

2. Drizzle honey over the top (again, optional). 

3. Pour in the milk so that it covers the oats on the bottom of the jar. I estimate this step, usually I pour until it looks like all the oats are covered. You dont want too much milk or not enough. 

4. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy the next morning with a spoon! The oats will have absorbed the milk and become soft and creamy. 

I'm telling you this only takes 5 minutes. I make it right after I eat dinner every night so I don't forget, and it saves so much time in the morning. Because when you're trying to make the bus, every minute counts!

If you guys try this recipe, which I urge you to do, then let me know how it turns out! Comment below or post your delicious creation on Instagram and tag my account @gourmanda_ and I just might repost it!!

Oh, I almost forgot, HAPPY MARCH!!

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Gourmanda

Jiminy Cricket!

Last Sunday I ate bugs for the first time.

No they were not crunchy or bitter, salty or squishy. They were actually quite delicious! This probably was due to the fact that I was eating pancakes made from cricket flour (see previous post about crickets!), and not whole bugs, which I do plan on doing. In fact, if I was unaware of the fact that I was eating insects, I would not have known the difference!

I made cinnamon cricket pancakes with bananas, topped with almond butter more bananas, and almonds. They were sweet and savory, fluffy and nutty, a perfect weekend-morning pancake! I really feel that insects are the new frontier for American cuisine and that I am a pioneer by being the first to try it out.

That is why it was crazy when on last Thursday evening, I received an email from someone I admire very much. Cynthia Graber of the new podcast on the science and history of food, Gastropod, replied to an email that I had sent for Gastropod's giveaway to the first four emailers of cricket treats from Aspire Food Group. She said that she and Nicola (her co-host) had already chosen four lucky listeners, but that they had contacted Aspire and agreed to send a gift basket to me as well!! I will be honest here, I was so happy when I heard this that I collapsed on the floor of my kitchen and started to cry. Oh, teenagers! :) If by any chance Cynthia or Nicola are reading this, I would like to thank you again! I am so excited to receive my gift basket and will share my review of it on this blog.

Whew! So that is where we are in my adventures with crickets, stay tuned to learn what becomes of me after I O.D. on bugs and I will also tell you more about Gastropod and how much I love it!

As always,

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Gourmanda