Happy Hump Day / V-day!!!

Popping in this morning to bring you a semi-recipe post as it's been a long time since I shared one and also to remind you of something v, v important!

Though during 'normal' days I tend to take the time to make myself a nourishing breakfast, every year on Valentine's Day I try to be even more intentional about doing so. For me, this typically means pancakes! It may also be because a) yesterday was pancake day and you may know I really really really really love my food holidays b) I have this appropo silicone heart-shaped pancake mold, a reminder from my childhood that my mom gave to me when I started college. Weekend mornings growing up, waking up to the smell of chocolate chip pancakes in the shape of flowers and hearts. For some reason the shapes make such a difference despite being the exact same batter. I think it's the care and thoughtfulness put into merely using it that creates intention. 

and more for the freezer!!

Whether you are single AF (🙋🏻‍♀️ ) or have an S.O. or it's complicated, remember to be your own Valentine first. And not just today on this contrived holiday but all days of the year. 



I also just saw this on my Instagram feed and just had to share because it was pretty magical:

For the pancakes themselves, I adapted this recipe from Cookie and Kate -- using APF + Kodiak cake mix for extra protein, honey and soy milk -- filled it with frozen blueberries and fresh strawberries, then topped all off with leftover cashew cream I had from this Well & Full apple cake. They are so ridiculously light and fluffy!!!

If you want more pancakes, check out these older posts on the blog:
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Questions:
What are you doing for yourself today?
The deciding battle: Pancakes or waffles? 

• Early on in the week, Monday to be exact, first I volunteered at the animal shelter then went out for a Peruvian dinner with my parents and aunt. Got this chicken tamale with pickled onions and also had some fried plantains and toasted corn. 
• Made it through another cold front here in Dallas. Yes those are icicles hanging off the bare tree branch. To make matters worse, Google Photos reminded me that this time last year I was enjoying the sun at the arboretum. I was even wearing shorts!!! 😢

• Got free oatmeal at school for breakfast! Taking advantage of free food while I still can. 
• Managed to stay on top of all my studying. Just gotta keep chugging along...  
• Because of a free week pass at a local yoga studio, attended 3 classes, which actually felt pretty intuitive. Even if the classes weren't necessarily as physical draining as I thought they would be, I didn't feel guilty. A refreshingly different feeling than where I was in the beginning of my recovery journey.  
• Kinda a weird accomplishment but grocery shopped during the week as opposed to the weekend. 
• Subsequently, meal prepped for the upcoming week the Kaylee way aka mostly just mise en place-ing because I am a terrible meal prepper.

• Celebrated National Pizza Day the right way. On that note, ordered delivery for myself basically for the first time ever... (yes I know how sad that sounds)
• Tolerated with this nonsense on my computer without throwing it on the ground. Also, several abrupt shut downs. Real talk though, is 5 years a long time to have a computer?? Is it reasonable to replace it yet? 

• However, the biggest accomplishment by far was that I survived a weekend with a dog!!! The greyhound adoption agency I am going through is super accommodating and allows potential adopters to do trial runs to see test compatibility and to see if you know what you're getting yourself into (see below for the verdict!). Coming into this, I was doubting myself. So this experience did help me trust myself more. It made me realize that I actually can do this dog ownership thing. 

Questions:
How do you feel about meal prepping?
What is a 'weird' accomplishment of yours? 
Have you ever had decide between your heart and your head? 

• One of my absolute favorite Filipino dishes is mango float. Layers of graham crackers, mango slices and condensed milk all frozen together in dessert form. I have been meaning to recreate this here but need to a find the best mangoes to use! Until then, I will savor the memory of its deliciousness.

• For a New Year's day, my family and I celebrate with a brunch buffet. Gotta love mini desserts at buffets. Chocolate bread pudding (life-changing!!! Why have I not done this myself?!) and a play on a carrot cake.Split these two with my mama but got another round of dessert after plates of actual food. 

• The first thing I dug into when I got back to the states was a slice of a gingerbread spice loaf + yogurt topped with raisins. Craving satisfied ✔️ ☺️

• Bowls and bowls. Now this is my kind of super bowl. On the left, one of the last meals with friends before leaving Manila. It was an anti-sibo (though thankfully I don't suffer from sibo!) dish filled with all the fermented veggies. On the right, back in my kitchen again. I made this tempeh and quinoa bowl with bright turmeric hemp and cashew dressing. That's a mouthful. 

• Then just last week I had this delicious bowl of vegetarian ramen with my family before watching that play I mentioned. Loved how customizable this restaurant was. I got mine with buttered corn, seasoned bamboo shoots and mustard greens. Didn't get to finish all the noodles though because I was stuffed.

Hope you had a fabulous weekend!

Questions:
Have you had ramen before? What are your favorite toppings?
What are you looking forward to in February? 
Did you watch the Superbowl?