Spiced Roasted Chickpeas

Hey, all! I hope you all had a happy weekend. Joe and I spent our time up in Minneapolis partaking in bachelor and bachelorette festivities for Joe's brother, Jason, and his fiancé, Ali. And I solidified my title as worst blogger ever by taking zero pictures of our weekend. Thankfully, someone had the good sense to take a picture this morning at brunch with Ali's family, or I would have nothing to show you.

Ali has amazing friends. Even though Amber and I felt like the old married women among a group of 21-year-old college girls, a great time was had by all. Special shout-out to Ali's friend, Kaitlyn, who is about as fun as it gets and is a faithful reader of Espresso and Cream.

Before I left for the weekend, I made a batch of roasted chickpeas to snack on when I want something slightly crunchy and salty. Since chickpeas are packed with protein and low in carbohydrates, they make a great alternative to chips or crackers. The protein also helps to keep you full, which is great for portion control. Now that I've seen how easy roasted chickpeas are to make, I think preparing a batch each weekend in preparation for the week ahead is going to become a habit.

And now, because I'm sleep deprived and completely off my writing game, I'm going to leave you with another picture and this killer recipe...

Spiced Roasted Chickpeas
Makes 2 to 3 servings

Ingredients
*1 (14.5-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
*1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
*1/2 teaspoon Spanish paprika
*1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
*3/4 teaspoon ground coriander

Instructions
*Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set aside
*In a small bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Toss to coat evenly. Spread chickpeas in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chickpeas are toasted and crispy on the outside. Cool slightly before serving.

Happy Cooking!
Madison

Chop, Chop!

It must be something in the air, but I got the crazy desire today to cut my hair. And cut I did! I can't say I thought about it all that much. It was impulsive, to say the least. Ahh!

When all was said and done, I think I cut off somewhere around six inches. I can hardly believe it, but I feel even more ready for summer than ever before.

Happy weekend, all!
Madison

Crispy Baked Tofu with Marinara

Last week when I posted a picture of the tofu I had in my lunch from dinner the night before, I got a lot of requests for the recipe. Honestly, I haven't had much success preparing tofu at home in the past. Usually it ends up getting stuck to the skillet or ends up tasting soggy and tasteless. Unless, of course, you cover it in a bunch of browned butter or calorie-dense sauce, but I guess that really negates the benefit of heating tofu for a healthy meal, doesn't it?

Instead of sticking to what wasn't working, I mixed things up. After consulting a few online sources, I realized that my main problem with making tofu in the past was that I wasn't buying the right type of tofu, and even when I was, I had no idea how to prep it for cooking. 

No Fat Talk Tuesday: Chelsy's Story

Today's No Fat Talk Tuesday post comes to us from Chelsy. She is a longtime Espresso and Cream reader (and recently won the Chobani giveaway), and blogs about food and life over at Mangia. Chelsy brings a unique perspective to the series, having majored in Kinesiology. And in May she will officially be a certified ACE personal trainer. It's amazing to read her story of how she came to be such a healthy, beautiful and confident woman. Thanks for sharing, Chelsy! - Madison

Online "Clothing Sale" for Charity

 

Twice a year, I go through my closet and do a little sorting and purging. I get rid of old items I haven't worn in the past year and bring them to my local consignment shop or Goodwill, depending on the condition they are in. This spring I wanted to do things a little differently. Most of the clothes I was thinking of getting rid of were in great shape, some had hardly been worn more than a few times (I have a bad habit of buying shoes I think I can squeeze my feet into but can't), so it seemed a shame to just give them away. 

So this year, I thought it might be fun to host an online "clothing sale" where the proceeds of the sale go to a charity organization. Freedom From Hunger is a great organization that helps to keep women and children around the globe from going hungry. You can find out more about them by visiting their site, freedomfromhunger.org.  

Want to be a part of the clothing sale? Well here's how you can be a part of it!

 1. Make a donation. I will be collecting photos of items from my own closet, as well as items from yours, and putting the items up for sale on Ebay where people will be able to bid on them. If you think you have something that might be a good fit for the sale, shoot me an e-mail (madisonjanemayberry@gmail.com) and let's chat. The bidding will begin on Monday, May 14 and go through the week.

2. Buy something! As mentioned above, the items will be going up on Ebay on Monday, May 14 with 100% of the proceeds going to Freedom From Hunger. You get a great new item for your closet and you'll help feed the hungry at the same time. A total win-win!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Madison

Everyday Lunch: Quinoa Salad with Broccoli

Last week when I posted this salad that I take to lunch each week, lots of you responded saying you wanted to see more lunch ideas on Espresso and Cream. Sometimes my lunches are just a random assortment of whatever is left in the fridge, but other times I take a few extra minutes to prep something more reminiscent of a meal.

One of my favorite strategies for lunchtime success is to prepare a large batch of whole grains at the beginning of the week to go in lunches in the days to come. Quinoa, brown rice and whole wheat pasta are my personal favorites because they're so easy.

What do you eat?

When I was home in Idaho a couple weeks ago, my dad asked me (earnestly, not in a sarcastic manner), "What do you eat?" You see, my dad's a very healthy eater, but the world of vegetarianism is an uncharted world to him. After returning home, his question stuck with me. What do I eat? Normal things, of course! It was so familiar to me, that I hardly knew how to answer the question.

So to answer the question, I made a habit of snapping a few photos before I sat down to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Dad, and everyone else reading, here is what I eat...

{Whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and sugar-free jam with coffee, of course}

Tracking Food and Protein Consumption

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Nutmeg got a haircut last Friday, so we took a few beauty shots. She was also complaining about not being on the blog much lately, so before I get to talking about food tracking, here are a few snapshots.

Lately, I've been getting quite a few Tweets and e-mails about protein and nutrition, much of which is directly related to being a vegetarian. Many people wonder if you can get enough protein day-to-day without consuming meat, and the answer is, yes! I've done a few protein posts in the past (found here and here), but I thought that today I would show you a handy little tool that I've been using over the past couple of months that has transformed the way I track food intake. 

No Fat Talk Tuesday: Tara's Story

Last month when I was in NYC for work, I had the opportunity to meet Tara of Chip Chip Hooray in person.  I had 'talked' with Tara for the longest time via Twitter and through comments on our blogs. Now that we've actually met, I feel a little less crazy calling her a friend. In the short time I've spent with her, I can tell you this: Tara is absolutely beautiful, inside and out and radiates confidence and joy. I hope you are as touched by her story as I was. - Madison

Like a lot of the women who’ve told their stories here, I can remember the first time I decided that I needed to lose weight. I was thirteen, and when I stood sideways and looked in the mirror, all I could see was the—to me, unacceptable—curve of my stomach. For more than a decade since then, thoughts of weight and food intake and need for exercise have alternately consumed and exhausted me.

While I have never been diagnosed with an eating disorder, I know that the way I viewed and obsessed over food could for a long time have been labeled “disordered eating.” I counted calories, panicked if spontaneous changes of plans pulled me away from my preplanned meal or normal exercise routine, and, on top of everything, still felt hungry more often than not. Going to the gym was a punishment to me—I loved food (if you read my blog, you know I still do), but every cookie I ate had a price in the form of more minutes logged on the treadmill, more laps spun on the bike.

Pink Ombre Cake

First things first. The winner of the Keep It Sweet Desserts giveaway is....

Congrats, Ashley! Please e-mail me (madisonjanemayberry@gmail.com) and I'll get you in touch with Lauren to claim your prize!

Moving right along...

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

A couple weeks ago, a co-worker of mine (Hi, Janet!) brought in an assortment of cookies. Usually, I try to avoid the baked goods at work, since it seems like there is always something you could munch on, but for some reason those cookies were calling my name. I couldn't resist.

I ate one. Oohed and aahhed my way through the entire thing. Then took another cookie home to share with Joe. Oh course, he was equally impressed, which meant I needed to get the recipe from Janet.

Keep It Sweet Desserts Giveaway

Last fall when I was in NYC for The Rachael Ray Show, I had the pleasure of finally getting to meet my blog friend, Lauren, in real life. Lauren and I had been commenting on one another's blogs and talking via Twitter for almost a year, and I was trilled to find out she is just as sweet and wonderful in person as she is on the web. Don't you love it when that happens?

I knew Lauren loved to bake, so when she told me that she was quitting her job in finance to open up Keep It Sweet Desserts, an online bakery and catering company, I can't say I was surprised. In fact, I was trilled for Lauren and her big step! But, as someone who loves to bake myself, I wasn't sure about the notion of purchasing baked goods online; couldn't I just make something myself and save the money?

Lauren offered to send me a mixed dozen of some of her desserts to coincide with the launch of Keep It Sweet Desserts to taste and review. I was a little nervous, reviewing desserts by someone I know and adore.

Well, the package arrived last week, and here's the deal: Lauren's desserts blew me away. Honestly, they are some of the best cookies and bars I've ever had. I can't tell you how trilled I am to share them with you, and offer one of you the chance to win some yourself (keep reading). Here's a look at what I tasted...

Baked Chicken Parmesan

 

Last weekend when Joe and I were in Idaho visiting my family, we stopped by Great Harvest to pick up some bread for the weekend. Like Joe and me, my family loves Great Harvest bread because it tastes, well, like bread is supposed to taste. I could go on and on about their bread, but I'll spare you the details and tell you to get yourself to a location near you. 

Up until six months ago, Des Moines had two Great Harvest locations. Sadly, they both closed within a couple of months, leaving Joe and I devastated. Naturally, when we were in Idaho, we picked up three loaves of bread to take home with us and store in the freezer, two loaves of Dakota and one loaf of their Garlic Cheddar Bread. Joe loves that bread so much that he asked me to create a meal on Monday night that revolved around the bread. 

Initially, I suggested pork tenderloin and broccoli. Evidently, that's not what Joe had in mind, because when I suggested that, his face dropped a little and he said, "I was thinking something more like Italian. Specifically, Chicken Parmesan." 

It's not often that Joe actually makes a specific meal request, so when he does, I try to accommodate. Chicken Parm has been made in our house in the past (my fried gluten-free version here) but for this version, I wanted something more. A crispier, lighter Chicken Parmesan was what I had in mind, and the results of this panko-Parmesan baked version didn't disappoint. I loved that I didn't have to mess-up the stove top with grease and oil from frying and the fact that it was ultra-easy to prepare in the oven. And Joe? Well he just loved the way it tasted. 

Family cooks: Do you allow your family members/significant others to make meal requests? Or do they just take what you make? 

Baked Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
*1 tablespoon olive oil 
*1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
*1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
*1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
*2 large eggs, lightly beaten
*2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
*1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese 
*2 cups purchased marinara sauce
*4 servings angel hair pasta, cooked according to package directions

Instructions
*Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan with the 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
*In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Mix to combine.
*Place the beaten eggs in a second bowl.
*Slice the chicken breasts each in half widthwise to form four thin chicken breasts. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture to coat, followed by the panko mixture. Transfer coated chicken breasts to the prepared baking pan. Bake chicken in the oven for 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy. Top the chicken with the shredded cheese. Switch oven to broil and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
*Toss the prepared pasta with some of the marinara sauce in a large saucepan and heat over medium heat on the stove top. Divide the pasta among four plates or bowls and top each portion with one of the chicken breasts. Finish with additional marinara sauce, if desired, and grated Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 servings

Happy Cooking!
Madison

No Fat Talk Tuesday: Kristin's Story

 Today's No Fat Talk Tuesday post comes to us from Kristin. I enjoyed reading what Kristin wrote because I think it really examines the thought process behind fat talk and body confidence. I especially liked the last part of Kristin's post where she says, "I knew it was my mindset that needed to be reformed." Isn't that the truth? Thanks so much for sharing your story, Kristin! - Madison

No "fat talk" may seem like a simple enough mantra. If you ask my husband, he'll tell you it wouldn't hurt me to gain a few pounds. While I sincerely appreciate that he'll love me  and be attracted to me no matter what, I wonder why it isn't that simple for girls to think this way.

Easter Weekend in Idaho

Last weekend Joe and I hopped a plane and headed off to Idaho to see my family (dad, second mom, little sisters). My dad's sister, Gwen, flew in from Florida for the weekend, too. I can't tell you how great it was to be able to spend time with everyone. We did a lot of normal, everyday things, including watching my little sister Taylor run in her first track meet and attending my other little sister Ashley's sorority philanthropy event. And on Sunday, we got to visit my family's new church in Idaho for an Easter Sunday service and eat brunch together before heading back to Idaho.

Since we got in late last night, we're scrambling to get things back in order before the work week begins. There's grocery shopping to be done, workouts to be done, dogs to be walked and laundry to be done. I'll see you tomorrow with a No Fat Talk Tuesday post!

Here are a few pictures from our weekend away...

{I love this house. Actually, I love all the houses in Boise. If Joe and I had careers that led us to Idaho, I wouldn't be upset, since I've absolutely fallen in love with this place.}

{Taylor is a 6th grader and was running in her first track meet. She competed in the long jump and ran the 100 m dash, 4x100 m relay and the 200 m. Go Tay!}

Spring Green Salad

 

Lunches are difficult for me. Are they difficult for you? The whole process of packing a lunch, trying to find something in the fridge that will transport well and keep me filled throughout the afternoon. Something that's not going to stink up the office fridge (which is already its own kind of disgusting). It's really a drag, isn't it? But since I'm trying to eat out less during the week and save us a little extra money, brown-bagging it is the way to go. 

A couple weeks back, I made an effort to specifically buy ingredients that would make for a killer salad. Avocados, feta cheese, hummus. And then I proceeded to eat this salad four days in a row. Sometimes when something is that good, you don't get sick of it. 

NYC Travels and IACP

Last week Wednesday I hopped on a plane and headed to New York for five days to attend IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals). You might remember last year's trip to Austin, in which I met the lovely Dorie Greenspan, watched thousands of bats fly at night and ate some of the most amazing tacos of my life. This year's trip was entirely different but every bit as fun. Most of my time was spent at the conference, but during my downtime I tried to squeeze in as much fun as possible.

The first night of the stay was spent at The Premier Hotel in Times Square because it was connected to the conference hotel. The subsequent nights were spent at my company's apartment in the city. Having access to a full kitchen and plenty of space was such a blessing since I was there for five days.

During breaks in the conference, I was able to take in a little sight-seeing, and some shopping, too. Living in Iowa means we don't have much access to anything other than the standard lineup of stores and a handful of boutique shops. On my list of places to go: Zara, Cole Haan and H&M.

No Fat Talk Tuesday: Alaina

Today's No Fat Talk Tuesday post is from the lovely Alaina who blogs over at The Jogging Concierge. Although Alaina claims she doesn't really have a way with words, I would beg to disagree. Her story touched me and motivated me to continue to work towards fighting the good fight against fat talk. Thank you, Alaina, for sharing your story and helping others learn to love their bodies! - Madison

I’ve never really been the one who was extremely eloquent or articulate with words and such. When I e-mailed Madison about writing for her No Fat Talk Tuesday series, I was so excited when she took me up on the offer. Then I was subsequently anxious. I knew what thoughts went on inside my mind but how could I get them down on paper (or in this case in blog form)? What did “No Fat Talk” really mean to me? I certainly don’t call myself fat. But I used to. 

Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Hello, all! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I've actually been away in NYC for work since Wednesday (more on that later) and am just getting home today so things have been a little slow around these parts.


But I know what you really want to know is who won the giveaway, right? It seems like I'm not the only one obsessed with Greek yogurt since over a hundred of you entered to win the free Chobani. So, let's name the winners...


1. The case of flavored yogurts goes to Ali A.
2. The 3 (32 oz) containers go to Chelsy Ethridge.

Congrats, ladies! Please email me (madisonjanemayberry@gmail.com) and I'll have Chobani get your yogurt in the mail ASAP!

Oh, and this pie I've been teasing you with in the photos? It's the Grandma Jacobs original, laden with sour cream and spices, yet somehow light and airy. Although I prefer the Greek yogurt version shared last week, this version is Joe's preference. I can't say I blame him.