Will Run For Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Celebrate fall with chocolate zucchini bread! 

I don't know about you but after a big event (Montreal)I lose just about all motivation to train.  It's usually fear of my next event that eventually gets me out of the door.  That and feeling like a giant slug isn't much fun.

I've discovered in the past two weeks that eating and training  are not the same thing so you probably shouldn't exchange one for the other.

I've been reminded of just how intense cross-fit workouts are (four days later I could finally walk normally).

And I've come to realize that running the least amount possible between now & my next half-marathon at the end of October may not be the best strategy if I want to be able to climb the three flights to my classroom on the Monday after the race.

So even though eating and training are not the same thing here is a chocolate zucchini bread recipe.  You could put it in a cake pan and call it cake.  With a little frosting no one would know the difference.

So question of the day is how do you get back into training after a big event and/or the end of racing season?  

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

(1 loaf)

ingredients

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 C Cocoa (Camino is my favourite)

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1/3 C melted coconut oil

1/2 C + 1 T unsweetened applesauce

3/4 C granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla bean paste

2 C finely shredded zucchini (do not drain liquids)

1/3 C raw pecans

1/3 C chopped dates

Preheat oven to 350 F.   In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, dates, pecans and cinnamon.  In a medium bowl combine melted coconut oil, applesauce, sugar, and vanilla and zucchini.  Add wet mixture to dry mixture stirring until just combined.  Your batter will be thick enough to make you think that you might have forgotten something.  Pour batter into a greased loaf pan (silicone is my favourite) and bake for 50-60 minutes.

Share with your Granny & Great Aunt (if you are so lucky) over a cup of tea.

Maybe it's time to stop cursing all the zucchini on my counter

Will Run For Berry Lemon Crumble

Some people run (bike & swim) for crumble.  Other people run for Duncan Hinds chocolate icing. 

 It turns out that I wasn't the only person that needed some crumble at the end of the weekend.  The week of midterms may not be the time to ask your favourite 3/8 nurse for medical advice unless of course you are wondering if there is a difference between Aspirin & Advil (three weeks on maternity and you too will have this mastered.  Or you could just read the bottle).

  Who knew that nursing students were icing connoisseurs? 

 There is clearly a difference between Betty Crocker & Duncan Hinds icing. 

 Idiot.

 They needed crumble.      

apple butter and lemon extract make everything better

quinoa flakes might be the new oatmeal

out of the oven and into my belly

nursing students need more crumble

Berry Lemon Crumble

(serves 4)

*1/2 C quinoa flakes

1/4 C oats (not instant)

1/4 C ground almonds/almond flour

*2 T coconut oil

2 T organic sugar

2 large gala apples peeled and diced

1 1/2 C frozen blueberries

1/2 C frozen cranberries

3 T applebutter

*1/4 tsp lemon extract

Preheat oven to 350. 

In a small bowl combine quinoa flakes, oats, ground almonds, coconut oil and organic sugar.  Using your hands combine until large crumbs form.

In a large bowl combine apples, blueberries, cranberries, applebutter and lemon extract.

Place 1-2 T of crumb mixture in the bottom of four 2 cup oven safe ramekins.  Divide berry mixture evenly amongst ramekins and then top with remaining crumb mixture.  Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until apples are tender and crumb mixture begins to brown.

*The quinoa flakes, coconut oil and lemon extract really make this recipe so if they aren't already in your cupboard they are definately worth a trip to the grocery store. 

Cider Poached Apples With Brandy Coconut Cream, Spiced Walnuts, and Apple Cider Syrup

party for breakfast!

Who doesn't like a party for breakfast especially on Christmas Eve?  There are a few steps to making this dessert (or breakfast) happen but they are all really good excuses to get up early, drink lots of coffee, and lounge around in your pyjamas. 

 

poaching apples

Poached Apples

*6 Gala apples 

8-10 cups apple cider (reserve two cups after poaching for making cider syrup) 

2 cinnamon sticks

lemon juice

Core apples (it's worth investing in an apple corer or asking for one for Christmas).  Peel top 1/3 of apple.  Brush peeled portion of apple with lemon juice.  Add 8-10 cups of apple cider to a heavy bottomed pot along with 2 cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil.  Add apples.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Allow apples to cool in cider for approximately 30 minutes.  Remove from cider and serve at room temperature.  

* If you are not using Gala apples be sure that your apples will hold their shape (Macintosh apples for example DO NOT hold their shape.  Hello, apple sauce!).

While you are waiting patiently...

coconut cream

Coconut Cream

1 can full fat coconut milk

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp brandy

1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Place can of coconut full fat coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight to separate the thick cream from the milk.  Open the can & scrape out the thick cream.  Add 1 tsp of sugar, 1 tsp brandy & 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste.  Whip until desire consistency is reached.  Return to refrigerator until needed.

* Alternatively you can use 1/3 cup of whipping cream.

spiced walnuts and cider syrup

Spiced Walnuts

1 C walnuts

1 T amber maple syrup

1 1/2 tsp butter, earth balance or coconut oil

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp allspice

Preheat oven to 300 F. Melt butter.  Combine butter, maple syrup, spices and walnuts.  Bake on a baking stone for 8-10 minutes or until crispy.

Cider Syrup

2 cups apple cider

Boil cider until it reaches a syrupy consistency.  This should take 15-20 minutes.  Once it cools you may want to add some reserved apple cider to thin syrup.  You'll want to watch it closely (burnt syrup smells awful and makes washing the pot a bit of an adventure.  So I've heard.).

da, da, da, la... cider poached apples

Merry Christmas!  I hope your holiday is filled with dessert for breakfast and all of your favourite people and things.

Will Run For Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Truffles

happy holidays!

I wasn't terribly disappointed this morning when I woke up to a freezing rain warning and multiple highway closures.  I wouldn't be surprised if Pace Bunny was jumping up and down clicking her heels when I suggested a treadmill run instead of our regular run. 

I suspect that she ran in her flannel penguin pyjamas and took multiple coffee/bathroom breaks.  Not that I should really judge given that I broke out my favourite bright green shorty shorts and a fluorescent  yellow sports bra that is covered in mud stains from the Spartan run (in case you were wondering).  Pace Bunny did say something about her ego not being able to take any information about her speed and distance.  I on the other hand have convinced myself that there are 2.5 kilometres in every mile. 

I've been baking Christmas cookies for weeks.  Baking cookies is a great way to avoid all kinds of other things that you should be doing.  There have been chocolate cranberry biscotti, chai & almond thumbprint cookies, ginger snaps, shortbread, crescents and the list goes on.  Not only have I convinced myself that there are 2.5 kilometres in every mile but also that eating cookie dough is very different from eating actual cookies.  

On that note it was time for a healthier treat.

Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Truffles

(12 truffles + 2 for taste testing)

ingredients

1 C of dates soaked until soft (overnight) and then drained.

3/4 C almond flour or ground almonds

1/4 C raw pistachios

1/4 C dried cranberries(I used Johnston's apple juice sweetened)

1 T candied ginger finely chopped

2 T cocoa

2 T ground cocoa nibs (measure before grinding or alternatively use an extra 2T of cocoa)

2 T bittersweet dark (71% cacao) Camino chocolate shredded

additional almond flour, cocoa, cocoa nibs, chocolate shreds, candied ginger, pistachios, cranberries for rolling truffles

By hand (totally not worth washing the blender) with a fork make a paste out of your dates.  Add almond flour, pistachios, dried cranberries, ginger, chocolate, cocoa and ground cocoa nibs.  Mixing everything by hand meant bigger chunks of nuts, ginger, chocolate and cranberries.

Roll mixture into bite size balls.

Next, roll your truffles in your favourite ingredients.  I couldn't decide so I tried almond flour, chocolate shreds, candied ginger, cranberries & pistachios, and cocoa.

Enjoy immediately with your favourite beverage and/or hide them in the bottom of your freezer in your unheated mudroom so that you don't eat the entire dozen at once. 

Will Run For Harvest Cake

It's my birthday and I can eat cake for breakfast (and lunch and supper) if I want to!

happy birthday breakfast

In preparation of a day of cake eating I started my day at the gym (narrowly escaping the birthday tiara).

Next was a tea party with the beautiful creamer set that Farmer bought me while visiting Prince Edward Island.

sugar lumps from Magog

After that Pace Bunny promised me the workout of my choice for my birthday.  I was really hoping for matching running themed jewellery or dirt in a jar from our favourite running route (please note sarcastic undertones) but the workout of my choice didn't turn out to be so bad.  Six kilometres + a 1 K walk.  There isn't any walking in running with PB and I so this was all kinds of awesome.  I might take up mall walking.   

Finally,I was lucky enough to get to have dinner with Granny & my favourite great aunt (all while watching Y&R).

While a birthday is a great excuse to eat cake any excuse will do.  With more zucchinis, carrots & beets on their way from Spill The Beans Farm I hope to see more cake in my future.

Harvest Cake

1 C wholewheat pastry flour
1 C unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 C buckwheat honey
1/2 C soymilk + 2 tsp lemon juice (stir and allow to sit until thickened)
2 flax eggs (2 T ground flax + 6 T warm water)
1/4 C olive oil
1 T vanilla bean paste
1 C grated carrot
3/4 C grated zucchini
1/4 C grated beet 

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Grease 9 inch square baking pan with olive oil.  Set aside.  I decided that I would cut the cake in 1/2 and make a 1/2 cake instead.  It wasn't my best idea.

half cake

Grate 1 C carrots, 3/4 C zucchini, & 1/4 C carrot.  Set aside.

glorious garden vegetables

In a medium bowl combine dry ingredients.

In a large bowl combine honey, soy milk + lemon juice, flax eggs and vanilla.  Stir vigorously or drag out the electric mixture until everything is well combined.  Add grated vegetables and continue to stir.  Slowly add dry ingredients.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

In desperate need of icing

Icing

For the icing I used My New Roots recipe for honey coconut icing.  This recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients: coconut milk, honey, coconut oil, cornstarch, water and a pinch of sea salt.  I would recommend doubling or even tripling the recipe if you are a lover of all things coconut, honey and/or icing.

I need to eat cake more often

Will Run For Rhubarb Berry Cherry Crumble

Crumble makes things better.  Especially when it's on top of rhubarb and cherries.  You might try some crumble after you've read a race waiver that reads:

The risk of injury and/or death from the activities involved in the Spartan Race and the Event is significant including, but not limited to the following: (i) drowning and cold water; (ii) near-drowning and cold water; (iii) sprains; (iv) strains; (v) fractures; (vi) heat and cold injuries; (vii) over-use syndrome; (viii) injuries involving vehicles and caused by electrocution; (ix) animal bites and/or stings; (x) contact with poisonous plants; (xi) accidents involving, but not limited to, paddling, climbing, biking, hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, travel by boat, truck, car, encountering electrocution , or other convenience;(xii) heart attack and (xiii) the potential for permanent paralysis and/or death. While particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of death or serious injury does exist;

I'm thinking poison ivy? Snake bites? Heart attack caused by snake bites? All while being chomped by mosquitos?

I suspect that we'll make it out in one piece or at least most of us will.  Our team motto after all is every woman for herself.  

Rhubarb Berry Cherry Crumble

(serves 6)

Fruit Mixture

2 C diced rhubarb

4 C PC Organics Power Fruit Blend (or a mix of frozen cherries, blackberries and blueberries)

*1-2 T honey, maple syrup, or agave (optional)

Crumble

3/4 C old fashioned oats

1/4 C ground almonds

2 T organic sugar

1 T ground flax

2 T coconut oil

1 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp allspice 

Preheat oven to 350 F

In a 9 x 13 ceramic dish combine rhubarb, power fruit blend and sweetener if using.  In a small bowl combine oats, ground almonds, ground flax, cinnamon and allspice.  Using your hands or a pastry blender add coconut oil until crumbly (it's perfectly okay to taste test the crumble mixture).  Top fruit mixture with crumble.  Bake for 25-35 minutes.  Try not to eat the entire pan by yourself (or at least not all in one morning).

* I didn't add sweetener mostly because I forgot.  I thought the recipe was delicious but someone who is used to a more traditional crumble (like my granny) might appreciate a little maple syrup or honey.

Will Run For Chocolate Patties

When you start running 19 K on Sunday for fun you might find yourself doing other things that you never thought that you would do.  Like busting into a hotel restaurant during mother's day brunch to "use the bathroom",  going to the bathroom in the woods (really a park with a walking trail, a parking lot, and a road that you didn't notice until it was just a little too late) or being the lookout (obviously not a very good one) for a pace bunny who really needs to drink some water, eat some vegetables, and forget the last 10K of the Ottawa Marathon ( 42K + Immodium = a fate worse than death).

On that note I thought that chocolate patties with dried fruit and nuts would be a delicious post run snack and great excuse to make fun of pace bunny.  If you aren't into chocolate patties served on poop bags chocolate cups aren't so bad. 

pistachios & candied pineapple

almonds and goji berries

dried cherries & cocoa nibs

Chocolate Cups

(serves 6)

ingredients

100 g of Camino Dark Bittersweet Chocolate 71% Cacao

1 tsp coconut oil (optional but delicious)

12 T nuts ( raw cashews, raw almonds, raw pistachios, cocoa nibs etc.)

6 T dried fruit ( goji berries, candied ginger, candied pineapple, dried cherries)

Melt chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler (you could do this in the microwave just remember to stop and stir often).  If making chocolate cups divide chocolate evenly amongst six cups and top with nuts and dried fruit.  If you're making chocolate patties spoon chocolate onto a silicone baking mat and top with fruits and nuts.  I placed the cups in the freezer for about 15 minutes until they were firm.   I'm pretty sure that this barely counts as a recipe but it's definately a quick and easy dessert or post run snack.