Quaker Soft Baked Bars

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Quaker Oats. All opinions are 100% mine.

Our family has become extremely busy!  So busy that we are constantly in the car.  Between school, PTA and after school activities I've had to build a pantry in my SUV.  As a Mom, it's very important to me that they get a healthy snack that feeds their brains but doesn't give them empty calories and chemicals.

My daughter has a high metabolism and has always been a snacker and I know to have something on hand, especially if I want to avoid the drive thru window.

I'm so excited about the new Quaker Soft Baked Bar and I'm sure my family is going to love them.  They have two delicious flavors: Cinnamon Pecan Bread and Banana Nut Bread.  They are made with real fruit and nuts....wholesome food!  This is the perfect breakfast snack or between meals.

I love that they are only 140 calories and have 5 grams of fiber.  It's also a high protein snack which my kids need and filled with 5 B-Vitamins.

My kids are going to love the Banana Nut Bread choice and I won't have to let bananas rot on my counter anymore.  I'll also feel really good about feeding them a healthy snack on the go.

 

 

80 Plates

Have you seen the new cooking show on Bravo?  Around The World in 80 Plates?

It's fantastic!

My husband and I watched an episode last night and we loved it.  Unfortunately, I recorded only the second one so we have to find the first one on iTunes but we were really excited about it.

We used to love to cook together.  But now we have a galley kitchen and only one person fits in it....so, we haven't made anything together in almost two years.

I miss it so much!

We decided that we're going to start trying some of the recipes that we see on the show and we're going to do it at my brother in laws house.

I hope he's cool with it. HA!

Trader Joe's Corn Salsa

I'm on a mission.

Source

I was in California two weeks ago and one of my friends bought a jar of Corn and Chile Salsa when we were at Trader Joe's.

I'm obsessed with finding a suitable substitute until Trader Joe's comes to Denver.

I tried something from Target and it's good...but it has tomatoes in it.

Maybe I should just make my own.

Brunch at 240 Union

I was relaxing in my yoga pants this morning....about to open the Denver Post when my husband asked if I'd be interested in going to brunch.

Hell Yeah! 

He's not much of a breakfast person so when he's in the mood, I jump on it.

We decided now would be the perfect time to start teaching our two 5 year olds about eating in a fancy restaurant so we went to 240 Union.

I loved my $2.40 Mimosa but I was shocked to see that they charged me $2.50 for a child's orange juice.  It would have been cheaper to order them Mimosas.....Champs on the side.

Champs.  That's what I call Champagne now because of my idol....Heather Dubrow from The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Where was I?  Oh yes,  we ordered the Deviled Eggs and they were delightful!  I wasn't really expecting much because Deviled Eggs aren't all that usually but these were different.

They had a bit of a kick to them....we debated on what it was, cayenne or Wasabi.  The green liquid on the plate was basil oil and it took every once of willpower not to lick the plate clean. I was trying to set a good example for the children.....

I ordered the Egg on Brioche with Spinach and Wild Mushrooms.  It was really tasty but I discovered that I'm not that much of a fan of spinach so I switched plates with my husband.  He had the Smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs with chive cream cheese.  I liked it very much.  Thank Honey....for letting me eat your breakfast!

We were all stuffed....but I noticed Key Lime Pie on the dessert menu and I've never had it and figured everyone would help me finish it.  This was more like a cheesecake and the lime flavor wasn't as pronounced as I was expecting but it was light and creamy.  

240 Union
240 Union Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80228
303.989.3562

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review of 240 Union and I would never serve my children Mimosas.

Food from a Road Trip

For Spring Break, we went on a whirl wind trip! We left Denver and headed south to Winslow Arizona. From there we hit The Grand Canyon, Huntington Beach, Disneyland and ended up near Fresno to visit family.

Along the way, we had some great food. Food that I don't want to forget.....

Porterhouse Steak at Dambar and Steak House in Kingman, Arizona.  This place was great! Checkered table clothes and sawdust on the floor. 

Crab stuffed mushrooms and sushi at Roe in Fresno.  This place is LA cool with an all-you-can-eat option.  Everything we tried was very fresh and had a lovely presentation!  Late at night this place is also a nightclub.

Pho Saigon Garden in Dinuba California had an extensive menu....but we were here for Pho.  It was my husband's first time and now he's hooked!

Bravo Farms Cafe in Traver California is a hidden gem!  It's a cheese factory, antique museum, petting zoo, restaurant and gift shop!  This place as has a tree house in the courtyard.  Kids will love it and you'll love the salsa.  Spicy and fresh!  I tried the nachos and they were delicious!

I also need to mention.....Tony Roma's across the street from Disneyland.  After a long day at the park, my husband walked down and got a to-go order of ribs, filet medallions with blue cheese, bacon topped mac and cheese and beans. 

I don't have pictures of this incredible meal.....because we devoured it like animals in the privacy of our hotel room!

What unforgettable meal have you eaten lately?

Eye of Round with Horseradish Cream

I've been trying to be good and eat little to no gluten. It's been tough! I should have never had the gluten free for all that was December. Getting back on track has been a little bit easier with a couple great recipes that I've found recently.

This is a new favorite!

I recommend using a Programmable Probe Thermometer.  You can also find them at Target with the kitchen gadgets.  The original recipe said to leave in the turned off oven for 2 hours....but because I was using the thermometer, I knew my roast was ready after only 35 minutes.

Eye of Round with Horseradish Cream
adapted from My Recipes

1 package of cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (4 pound) eye of round roast
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine the cream cheese, horseradish and mustard.  Stir until smooth, cover and chill.

Combine wine and butter in large bowl or a zip lock bag.  Add the roast.  Cover the bowl with a lid or saran wrap and chill for 24 hours, turning occasionally.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Remove roast from the marinade and discard the marinade. Place the roast in a foil lined 13 X 9 pan.  Combine the salt, pepper and garlic powder in bowl, then rub on the roast.

Bake uncovered at 500 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  Turn the oven off and do not open the door until your roast reaches 145 degrees (for medium rare) or 160 degrees (for medium).  This can take up to 2 hours but my roast only took 35 minutes.

Thinly slice meat, reserving pan juices and serve with horseradish cream.

Coffee Talk: Two Rivers Coffee

 One of my Foodie Resolutions for 2012 was to visit more coffee shops.  And I don't mean Starbucks!

My friend Denise from Eat, Play, Love is always up for an adventure and I was thrilled when she agreed to check out a coffee shop in Arvada even though she was on day 20 of the Whole Living 21 Day Cleanse.  She is a super trouper!

I did a little bit of research before going to Two Rivers Coffee.  I knew that they had high quality small batch coffee offerings.  This delighted me!  I love trying new coffee and know that it all tastes different depending on how it's grown and where it comes from.

I really need to go to coffee school.  Is there such a thing?

 

I started with the San Sebastian coffee from Colombia and what I think was a blackberry scone.  I arrived early so that I could down a pastry before my detoxing friend showed up.  I didn't want to eat it in front of her.  I'm so considerate!

The coffee was full bodied and didn't need ANY cream.  I loved the cup it was served in....with a high backside so that I could breath in the vapors.  Each cup of coffee is brewed to order in a clover machine.  They weigh the coffee beans instead of measuring them.  It's very scientific and exact!

Denise arrived and went with a white tea so that she wouldn't cheat.  She is has amazing willpower!

She started talking to Eric (who we later found out owned the place) about different coffee pots because she wanted to get a gift for her coffee-obsessed husband.   Eric showed us some of what he has in the store and he offered to show us how the Siphon Coffee brewing works.

I was really excited about this because two years ago, I went to a Siphon Bar in Salt Lake City who shall remain nameless and had a fabulous cup of coffee there.  The reason that I won't tell you where I went...is because the guy was condescending and rude.

Eric was so excited to show us the Siphon and let us take pictures.  He explained each step...I felt like I was in coffee school! 

Two Rivers coffee will be my new go-to place when I'm in Arvada and need to escape from my children.  It think I'll be coming up with excuses to go to Arvada now.  Sunflower Market and Hobby Lobby are just steps away!

Two Rivers Coffee
7745 Wadsworth Blvd ste B
Arvada, CO 80003
303.424.1313
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