I'd DATE you, sweetheart!

No, this is not a want add for a boyfriend.

Nor is this a relationship status update.

This is a recipe post.

A post that involves two really easy recipes.

One a side dish.

The other, a breakfast/dessert/snack.

Both involve dates.

Those dates help curb sugar cravings.

This is all very, very easy.

Roasted Asparagus With Dates

1 lb Fresh Asparagus

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 Medjool Dates

Citrus Champagne Vinegar

Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 350

Trim, wash and prep the asparagus.  Pit and chop the medjool dates

On a large, non-stick cookie sheet toss the asparagus and dates with a light drizzle of EVOO.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Remove from oven and splash with vinegar.

Salt & Pepper to taste.

Strawberry Date Smoothie

 1/2 Ripe Avocado

6-8 Medium Frozen Strawberries

3/4 Cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

1 Medjool Date, pitted

In your mixer, I have a NutriBullet, place all of the ingredients.  

Blend until smooth.

Enjoy.

Also, enjoy the many photos below.  In case the instructions were confusing or unclear.

Or, you are kind.  Mostly, because you are kind.

Cravings + No Cream Cheese "Cheese" Cake

Desserts are not a regular part of my diet.  I love savory food.  Pastas, buttery sauces, bacon, crispy brussels sprout.   Those are the dishes I cook the most and consider comfort food.  Every now and then I get a serious hankering for sweets.  My favorite, being cheesecake.  I also happen to be picky about my cheesecake.  If I am going to indulge, it had better be for some darn good cheesecake.  The sampler platters at the grocery store just don't do it for me.

Well, last night I had a high grade, level 5 cheesecake craving.  Since getting some quality cheesecake in my body on such short notice wasn't possible, I went with my go-to cheater recipe.  Not only is it easy on the figure, it also uses ingredients that are always in my fridge.

1/2 Cup Non-Fat Cottage Cheese

1/2 Cup Fage Non-Fat Greek Yogurt

1 Egg

1 Tsp Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

12 Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds {Optional}

Preheat Oven to 350.  Mix together together the cottage cheese, yogurt, egg, brown sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon.  Mix together thoroughly.  Fully incorporate the cottage cheese curds.  This can be mixed in the blender or food processor.

Pour into a large ramekin, or, two small ones.  This is a personal choice.  No judgement.  Ever.

Layer chocolate covered almonds on top of the mixture.  They may need a light poke to settle in.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until set.  The edges should be golden brown and the center should only slightly "Jiggle"

Let set and cool completely.  After 10 minutes of cooling, I put mine in the freezer for 10 minutes.  Just to speed up the process.

A Confession + Coconut Cream Cake

You may have missed it {insert sarcasm} but I just celebrated a birthday!  I had a cake, ice cream and cocktail party!  My goodness, it was fun, fabulous and unforgettable.

The drinks flowed.
The playlist was incredible.
My friends trumped everyone else's friends.

But the cakes.  My. Oh. My.  They were phenomenal.

My dear friend Holly made a coco feather cake that was decadent and delicious.
My lovely roommate made gluten-free carrot cake that tasted as if it were loaded with floury goodness.
Maybe if we ask nicely they will submit some guest posts and share their recipes.

And Martha Chartreuse, what did she make?  A coconut cream cake.