You know what is a total buzzkill? Fitting triumphantly into your skinniest pre-pregnancy skinny jeans one week and the next having someone ask you if you're pregnant again. You know, because of your belly?
Zing!
Yes! (I mean Yes! that happened. Not Yes! I'm pregnant.)
Urgh.
It's okay, I've mostly gotten over it and I do think this friend is far more mortified (still) than I was. Also, I'm still nursing and my belly was never my best feature, let's be honest, and yadda yadda yadda, I have a beautiful baby boy in exchange, so who really cares, right? Except of course that one does care even if one is sort of amazed at how much less one cares now than one would have before one became a mother. Oh, self! You contain multitudes.
Luckily for me, I can identify pretty clearly the factors standing between me and Rock! Hard! Abs!, or, you know, Abs That Do Not Look Like They Are Encasing A Fetus. And those factors would be 1. Total and absolute sedentariness (is that a word?) and 2. My afternoon cookie-cake-whatever-as-long-as-it-is-sweet-and-delicious break that I've been doing religiously since Hugo's birth.
Since daily exercise is really limited only to what I can do at home during Hugo's naptime, it's the afternoon cookie break that I'm training my eyes on. It needs serious reforming and Sara Forte's The Sprouted Kitchen cookbook is currently my reform master.
Specifically, her recipe for Sesame Date Yogurt Cups, which jumped out at me last year when I was reviewing the pages for a blurb (full disclosure!) and hadn't left my mind since. They're so simple – just dates mashed with sesame seeds and then layered with yogurt that's been flavored with a pinch of cinnamon and crisped brown rice – but so much more than the sum of the parts. I mean, flavoring yogurt with cinnamon? So good. Pairing dates and sesame seeds? Of course! Putting them together with crisped rice on top for texture? Lady, you are so smart. These lovely little treats are as satisfying as they are virtuous. I really love them.
(If salt is your vice, not sugar, may I direct you to the recipe for nori popcorn on page 161? You're welcome.)
Sara's cookbook is full of little gems like that; healthy ingredients matched up in inspired ways that would have never occurred to me and that taste so, so good. Sara's idea of enlivening that old standby pesto with lemon zest and lemon juice to serve with lentil meatballs is so easy and yet I'd never tried it before. I usually ignore pesto, but now I plan on using this combination as a dressing for grain salads and cooked beans, anything, really, that needs a little kick. I loved her zucchini roll-ups, in which za'atar and Greek yogurt give grilled zucchini slices new style. And I cannot wait to try what sounds like breakfast cereal nirvana: pearled barley cooked in coconut mik and cardamom, then topped with toasted coconut, pomegranate seeds and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses. Yes?
YES FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
Happily, I have an extra copy of this lovely book for a giveaway! So for a chance to win a copy of The Sprouted Kitchen, please leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner at random tomorrow. Good luck!
Update: Erin is the winner and has been emailed! Thank you all for participating – comments are now closed.
Sara Forte's Sesame Date Yogurt Cups
Adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen
Serves 4
7 Medjool dates, pitted
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, plus more for sprinkling
Sea salt, optional
2 cups whole-milk plain yogurt (or Greek or goat's milk)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup crisped brown rice
1. Soak the dates in warm water for 10 minutes to soften. If the dates are soft enough, skip the soaking. Put the dates in a bowl with the sesame seeds and a pinch of salt, if using. Mash together to create a chunky paste. Press a fourth of the date mixture into the bottom of four small glasses.
2. In a bowl, stir together the yogurt and cinnamon, then spoon 1/2 cup of the yogurt into each jar. Sprinkle a few sesame seeds and a couple of spoonfuls of the crisped rice on top. Eat immediately.
Site Title 
325 responses to “Monday Giveaway!”
Have had my eye on this cookbook for a while! 🙂
LikeLike
i need zuchinni recipes – I am overrun every year!
LikeLike
Recipe looks wonderful. I’d love a copy of the book!
LikeLike
When I think someone is pregnant, I always ask someone else about it before I congratulate/never-bring-it-up-with the woman in question…Your friend must be so embarrased! And don’t worry about your belly, it will go away.
The yogurt looks delicious!
LikeLike
What a great recipe. My Mom always susbstituted dates for raisins in muffins. So tasty.
Kathryn
LikeLike
Oh, I’ve been looking at this book for months trying to decide do I need it…
Belly issue – well, it took me 2 years to get it back. But I didn’t sit on any diet, just tried to eat a bit healthier and to bake things with less butter and sugar in them 🙂
LikeLike
The one book I want but don’t have. So lovely for you to be doing a giveaway on it.
LikeLike
This cookbook has been on my want list ever since it came out! Glad you are enjoying it.
LikeLike
Nori popcorn? That sounds wonderful!
LikeLike
Luisa, after giving birth TWO AND A HALF years ago, I finally had to acknowledge to myself that those extra 15 pounds weren’t “baby weight” any longer. Kudos to you for not duping yourself and tackling the situation much, much sooner!
LikeLike
I love your blog so much! I look forward to tweets announcing a new post. Your writing is so easy and so fun! I have 4 kids, 9yrs down to 1year, so I’m with you on the feeding kids and losing belly fat, etc. 🙂 Loved today’s post!! And I’d love to win this cookbook (and yours!!) – oh, wait, that’s not part of this. Then I will def need to buy it very soon!! Happy Monday!
LikeLike
Sadly, I can relate to your friend’s gaffe. I am not pregnant and have never been pregnant, but have been on the receiving end of that question many times.
LikeLike
Perfect timing with your giveaway and your inspiring blog – especially in Germany and in Europe as a matter of fact – I’m getting real tired of all the meat “scandals” and all other food watch alerts going on at the moment. I just wish more people would stop eating junk and start buying better quality food and the good cookbooks like The Sprouted Kitchen that make wholesome cooking not really difficult nor does it have to be expensive. This recipe proves it. Super easy and fits in a family budget.
I find eating good wholesome food easy but why is it so difficult to get others on the bandwagon? I think your blog (and book) helps in a small way in getting the wholesome and “fun factor” message out about food.
Tip: I wear dresses and skirts a lot to cover some of my unattractive areas, which helps me feel better and (I think) look better. Enjoy your son while he’s so young – they grow fast!
LikeLike
Yes, please! I’m currently at the other end of the pregnancy spectrum (you know, starting to not fit into anything and trying very hard to not freak out every other morning because whatever fit over the weekend just doesn’t anymore) and heatlhy snack ideas are exactly what I need!
LikeLike
I could always use some healthy eating inspiration.
As for the pregnancy comments, is Berlin bad with that too? As someone who cannot wear an empire waist without people trying to pat my belly – I emphasize to all – unless someone is in the throes of labor and you can see a head crowning then do not ask that person “how far along they are.”
LikeLike
Yummy!
LikeLike
always loooking for new healthy recipes!
LikeLike
Even if I don’t win, I might just have to buy this book anyway…
LikeLike
It’s about my daughter and how she sprouts my grandson’s oatmeal every night. She’s been promoting this (the value of sprouting) to me for a long time. Guess it’s time for me to “listen up” and get cooking.
LikeLike
I’ve read some good reviews of this book. Might have to go pick up a copy, though of course, I’d love to win it!
LikeLike
I’ve been lusting after this book!
LikeLike
I love the Sprouted Kitchen blog, and would be so very happy to get my hands on a copy of her book!
LikeLike
Oh, this looks lovely! Your German puffed rice is adorable, too.
LikeLike
love her blog, and yours!
LikeLike
I love Sara’s blog and have successfully made several of her recipes. This one from her cookbook, which has been on my wish list, looks amazing. I love yoghurt and dates and sesame seeds. Thanks, Luisa.
Nori pop cor? Intriguing!
LikeLike
I’ve been mousing over this book a couple of times already on amazon debating whether/when to buy it, so this would be perfect for me 🙂
LikeLike
I too was asked if I was pregnant when I wasn’t (by a stranger). I replied that no, I was just fat (it just kind of came out of my mouth that way) and she was extremely mortified. To be fair we were at a toddler event with lots of pregnant mums, so it didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s taught me to beware ever asking if someone is pregnant based on tummy size! My tummy hasn’t really flattened out since that day and my son is 3 now! Must get off the sofa/office chair and stop eating cake. At least I’m in good company!
LikeLike
Oh that sounds really tasty. I’ve been hearing about this cookbook in the various corners of the internet so I’ve finally given it a look and lo, it’s right up my alley. Looks great!
LikeLike
Sounds beautiful!
LikeLike
The Yogurt cups look so good!
LikeLike
Oh, yes please! And thank you for making me laugh out loud this morning, despite a snot riddled head (cold). Surely some of these delicious recipes are just what the doctor ordered.
LikeLike
I would love to try the recipes in this book!
LikeLike
Getting back into triathlon training season – always in need of healthy ways to keep my body going – and satisfy my taste buds at the same time! Happy Monday and thanks for the giveaway!
LikeLike
I have a 9 mo old daughter, and I laughed when I read your habit of eating something sweet in the afternoon since Hugo’s birth – I can totally relate! If I made this recipe, I’d probably still find an excuse to sneak in a less healthy treat during the day. 🙂
LikeLike
love your blog- and that cookbook looks great!
LikeLike
Sounds like just the book I need to kickstart my resolution to be a bit healthier!
LikeLike
i am trying to get comfortable with the idea of one day getting the post-pregnancy belly. in the meantime, i’ll preemptively eat healthy things from this book 🙂
LikeLike
The recipes of her blog are great – I am actually cooking her “pistachio penne” (with brocolli, not butternut squash) this evening!
LikeLike
Looks like just what I needed to jazz up my plain (though delicious) Greek yogurt snacks! Thanks!!!
LikeLike
I’ve wanted to try that cookbook for a while now. I always look forward to your blog postings! You got me to try (and love) parsnips with the Roasted Parsnips with Za’atar and Aleppo Pepper recipe. The wonderful spicy smell from the oven when roasting those…mmmmm! Thanks!!
LikeLike
Loved the post, totally identify with the post-baby belly dilemma, and would love to try some of these lovely recipes!
LikeLike
Sign me up for some sprouts!
LikeLike
I’m finding more and more that the healthy snacks (and the positive way I feel about myself after eating aforementioned snacks) are becoming more and more common in my “diet.” Excited to try this recipe! Thanks!
LikeLike
I had a post-baby belly comment that went something like this:
How old is your baby?
6 weeks.
Huh, and you still have a belly?
Baby belly comments aside, this book looks wonderful!
LikeLike
Oh good god, YES! (please?)
LikeLike
I would love to win this! Thanks!!
LikeLike
Luisa, if it makes you feel any better, I was at your Soho House reading a couple of weeks ago and I remember my first thought when you came out: “My God, that woman is tiny! How could she have possibly had a baby in the last year, let alone her entire life!? This gives me hope!”
LikeLike
Oh goodness, Nori popcorn. I’d love to try that. I adore everything Sara Forte has done.
LikeLike
Yes please! I’ve got a baby belly to get rid of too….
LikeLike
I Just reserved this at the library but I’m pretty sure I need one for keeps 🙂
LikeLike