Apple Pie Oatmeal

I am on a cooking kick these days. It's kind of nice, except for the dishes. Anyway, on the weekend I like to treat myself with 'special' breakfasts. This past weekend I figured I would try the Apple Pie Oatmeal since I didn't have the pear I needed for another recipe (which is kind of funny, because I actually do have pears - I just didn't know it).

This is not a recipe I would make again. The flavour is nice, but I didn't like the consistency/texture. I prefer a drier oatmeal and this was very moist and almost slimy. I also found the serving size too large, so I put half aside for the next day. Hopefully it reheats well.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pancakes

I made these pancakes for supper the other night to distract myself from the cheese cravings. The recipe says it makes 5 pancakes, but I only got three out of it. I guess my pancakes are thicker or something?

It's a good and easy recipe. However, I would likely omit the chocolate chips or replace with something else. While I like chocolate, I also like pure maple syrup...and the chocolate chips seemed to overpower the maple-y goodness that should come with all pancakes.

Off-topic kitchen failure

Today is my husband's birthday. And I'm a horrible wife. I remembered it but didn't get him anything because he didn't give me ideas. Instead, I offered to take him out for supper and to pay for skiing tomorrow (if he goes). I figure that's not so bad, right?

We went out for supper, and I was pleasantly surprised by the ovo-vegetarian choices. I had been avoiding this restaurant since they don't have an online menu but it all worked out.

After supper, we came home and had plans to have the already baked cake-mix cake. We both prefer cake-mix cakes. They are moist and yummy. And typically, I make chocolate cake-mix cake with pre-made chocolate icing. I go all out, I know. Anyway, this year I had to get a white butter cream pre-made frosting because of the whole dairy-free thing.

This was a bad idea. I'm not a cake person. Mine never look pretty. They are typically lopsided. I just consider it a success if the icing doesn't get too many crumbs in it. Chocolate frosting is much better at hiding the crumbs than white butter cream frosting on chocolate cake.

As I was frosting it, I was laughing and warned my husband of the awful mess of a cake. He couldn't see it and promised that he wouldn't judge. He lied.

Yes, this *is* the finished product

In defense of the finished project, my husband was rushing me to get it ready. And he was slightly drunk...which seemingly has no impact on *my* icing ability....but, uh....Just pretend that it does.

Plus side? I've now ruled-out professional cake decorator as my career back-up plan. Phew. One less thing to consider!

Also, I'm a horrible wife because I forgot to sing happy birthday to him until he was finished his piece. But, hey, when I remembered I did sing with a lot of enthusiasm. It was just very out of tune.

Oh the cravings!

I am *so* close to being 3 weeks dairy-free. But today, I would do very evil things for cheese.

Earlier it was milk chocolate causing issues. I solved that by buying Easter chocolate and telling myself it was for later. And I haven't touched it. (this is a miracle).

Right now, though, the issue is cheese. My craving is so bad that:

• It seems logical to drive 10+ hours to order my hometown pizza
• I couldn't eat supper with my husband because he had cheese-y leftovers
• I could smell the cheese from the other side of the house, where I was yelling out to him so we could still have our end-of-the-day chat
• I contemplated having a tantrum so someone would encourage me to eat dairy

I figure my inner-child is being a pest right now and the best course of action is to strangle her. Unfortunately, I'm not even sure how that would work. So, instead, I decided to try a new yummy recipe. I'm having Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pancakes for supper. Well, probably. Unless I burn them (since I'm typing this as they cook).

I will post a review another day. As long as you promise not to criticize the pictured finished product. Let's just say I cannot flip a pancake to save my life. Maybe my version should be called Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Clumpies.

Reflections

So, I'm over two weeks in to the no-dairy thing. Overall I do feel better. It has been somewhat difficult to eat out and as a result I have likely eaten a few dairy items unintentionally. (For example, work lunch this week was at Pizza Hut. I had salad, pizza with cheese scraped off, and a macaroni dish with cheese picked out).

I noticed less difference the first week but am now overall feeling less bloated. The not great thing is that it hasn't helped with the migraines. My co-worker has lent me a book that indicates that it may actually be a gluten problem and that gluten problems can cause sensitivity to dairy. Anyway, I burnt the book* and am trying to erase the knowledge from my memory since gluten-free is not something I want to face.


*Ok, I didn't really burn the book since it's a borrowed book. However I wanted to burn the book. I have managed to bend a few pages in my travels and a corner might be bunny-chewed.

Conversations

Earlier today I went into the rabbit room and was horrified to find red specs on the floor. I freaked out and thought a bunny was hurt. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was tiny pieces of paper that had been chewed off of the bunny room broom.

Later I told my husband that 'his rabbits' were eating the broom. He's like, what?! And I explained the above. His response?

"oh, no. That was me."

He went on to explain something but I still don't get why he was chewing on the broom. I think his explanation had something to do with the vacuum. But then I just stopped listening because it was becoming more and more ridiculous.

I should probably hide the brooms now.

COOKIES!

This morning I made vegan flourless chocolate peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Oh, and I made vegan muffins but those were from a mix and so they don't count. Back to the cookies...mine didn't turn out perfectly. And before they went into the oven I figured it was another failed attempt of vegan baking, which is kind of frustrating because I am a good baker. I guess I just need butter and eggs. Or more practice at this vegan baking thing.

However, the cookies do taste mostly good and I am pretty sure of where I went wrong, so I will make them again down the road. I don't know what they are supposed to be like, but mine are *very* dense with a super chocolate-y and peanut buttery flavour. They definitely taste better than they look. And the husband test came back that they are 'good and better than last week's brownies' (which is pretty good considering he ate all of those brownies without any help from me).

Tonight I am going to try to make vegetarian 'chicken' balls and fried rice. With some vegetables. I will post the results later in the week. Later this week I may also post my review of new-to-me beauty products.