I traveled through Europe in a day

I remember my high school dreams of studying photography in Paris!

That’s right folks, I wanted to be a famous photographer.  My big plans included photo shoots for models, not just any model but fashion models.  I would study in Europe, heck I decided I would just work in Europe.  After all, the best fashion comes from there!

I never made it to Europe.  Heck, I never studied photography.  I actually decided to attend a local college to become an SLP in the public school system.  I know!  Europe. Would. Be. More. Glamorous 🙂

Instead I take photographs with my small camera of food in my very own kitchen! 

Well, my son’s school decided to take us through Europe today, so I knew I had to start my day off right….

German Chocolate Oats

• 1/3c oats
• 2/3c water

Mix together and place in the fridge overnight for the oats to soak.  Pour them into a pot in the morning and add the remaining:

• 1/3c almond milk
• 1/3c water
• dash salt
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 banana sliced
• dash of vanilla
• unsweetened shredded coconut
• pecan pieces

cook the oats to desired consistency.  Add the vanilla, coconut, and pecan pieces during the last few minutes of cook time.  Top with more pecan pieces and shredded coconut.  I also topped my bowl with pecan butter & coconut butter.

This was a great start – even if the German chocolate cake didn’t originate in Germany!

So how did we travel through Europe in a day with a 3rd grade class…

It included a little of this

And a little of this

We had a field trip to see the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra 🙂

  

I really enjoyed the music and the performance.  The musicians are so very talented and dedicated to their work.  I think that the class really learned a nice musical lesson today.  The production consisted of musical pieces that originated from various lands through out Europe.  It was phenomenal!  Lessons were also given about the different instruments such as names, type of instrument, where the instrument originated, etc. 

Of course the best part was when the carnival music was played…..we love some carnival season! 

After the production we went to the local recreational park for a little lunch and playtime.  Lunch was very simple since it had to be eaten out of a bag at a park.  A fried egg of one of my homemade English muffins.  Then is was “check out” time, and we headed home early!

*****

Once home I decided to get started on dinner early.  After all, if it is cooked early I get more down time this evening 🙂

First I needed a quick snack!

Microwave Oatmeal & Raisin Muffin

• 3T egg whites
• 3T oats
• 1T raisins
• 1/2t cinnamon
• dash of vanilla
• 1-2T maple syrup, depending on how sweet you want it

1. Mix all ingredients together. 
2. Spray a ramekin with non-stick spray and pour in the oat mixture. 
3. Cook in the microwave for 90 seconds.  Enjoy it plain or top with topping of choice.

Now let’s get to dinner shall we.  You see I was forced against my will happened to pick up a lovely little can of manwich for the hubster over the weekend, per his request.  This goes against my better judgment, but as we all know you can’t bribe convince the man to eat homemade versions of processed foods!  So what is a clean foods girl do in this situation?  Why make my version of sloppy Joes!  Now I have to give a little credit from this recipe to Mama Pea.  That lady is a genius, you should really check out her blog! 

Anywho’s she made a sloppy Josephine, as she calls them, last night.  I have a meatless sloppy Joe that I cook with red kidney beans.  Mama Pea used lentils in her recipe last night.  I.  Have.  Never.  Thought.  Of.  Lentils.  So I swapped out my kidney beans for lentils, but kept the rest of the process the same as my old recipe.  I like mine a little zesty!

 

Zesty-Meatless Sloppy Joes

• 1/2c dry lentils
• 2.5c of vegetable or chicken broth, or water if you choose
• 1/4c diced onion
• 1/4c diced green pepper
• 1/4c grated carrot
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1t chili powder
• 1/2t oregano
• 1 8oz. can tomato sauce
• 1T Worcestershire sauce
• 1T red wine vinegar
• 1/8c steak sauce 

Cook the lentils in the liquid until tender, drain & set aside

In the same pot (cuz I hate lots of dishes) heat 1T olive oil.  Add the onion and bell pepper, sauté until just tender.

Add in the carrot, garlic, and seasonings.  Sauté a minute longer.

Pour in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, and steak sauce.  Stir to combine.

Add the lentils back to the mixture and heat through.  Serve on whole wheat buns.

Of course if you are a meat eater you can always add ground beef, turkey, chicken, or meat of choice to this recipe.  I have to tell you first, this is perfect the way it is.  Besides lentils are so nutritious for you, why would you want to change it?!

This recipe needs to be doubled if you are feeding a family.  I cut my recipe in half due to the fact that I am the only person eating the lentil version of sloppy joes.

With a side of homemade cajun fries 🙂  This recipe is courtesy of Rachael Ray, you can find it here.

This was a nice & nutritious dinner.  I am super excited to have enough leftovers for at least two more meals 🙂  I ❤ leftovers!

Hope your Tuesday was a lovely as mine.  I am off now to do a little reading!  Speaking of reading, have any of you read any good books lately?  I have a list that I am working on, but I would love some more suggestions 🙂

What were your dreams for your future in high-school?