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.
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325 responses to “Monday Giveaway!”
Nori popcorn? This, we must try.
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Looks delicious! Can’t wait to tame my sweet tooth.
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looks amazing!!
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I just ordered the cookbook online for my sister. I was contemplating whether I should give it to her or keep it for myself! But since it’s her birthday soon I guess I’m going to have to give it away.
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This cookbook is exactly what I need!
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I was just drooling over this book at the bookshop last week! I would love a copy of my vary own.
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yes sesame date yogourt cups do sound amazing. Those are all ingredients I always have on hand but I have never put them together like that. It would be fun to discover the other gems in this cook book.
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After borrowing this book from the library, I know this is a definite ‘must have’ cookbook. Thanks for the chance to win it.
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I need some healthy inspiration too! Need to fix my habits due to health reasons too.
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I’ve been eyeing this cookbook – it looks great! Thanks so much for your blog. The recent sweet potato recipe was the first weeknight meal this stressed out law student has made in literally months – it was perfect!
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This book has been on my wish list for a while. Your description of that yogurt (yogurt with cinnamon alone is so good, I can’t even imagine the goodness of yogurt with cinnamon AND dates AND sesame seeds) had me about to jet off to the kitchen, almost forgetting that this post is a giveaway. Oh dear. Do I ever want this book.
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The yogurt cups look great, sadly I can’t eat dates but the other recipes from the book sound really tasty!
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Here too, with the baby belly. My twins (#5 and #6), are 18 months old and I could definitely still pass for pregnant, no trouble sigh. I’d love to win the book 🙂
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Oh my goodness, I have been hankering after this for months! Fingers crossed!
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Oh my goodness I have been hankering after this for months- fingers crossed!
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Those yogurt cups look amazing–the perfect ‘better’ afternoon treat! Would love a copy of Sprouted Kitchen–no baby belly, but I do have an intense love of healthy, delicious food.
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I love her blog, and it’s true that the Nori popcorn is so good!
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Luisa, I’m finishing up your book and want to say how much I’ve enjoyed it. We may be moving to Germany sometime in the future and you’ve provided a little bit of the cultural insight I look for… plus I’ve savored all the parts about Paris, too.
Merci for the book giveaway! Hard not to be drawn to Hugh’s photography, and would like to try Sara’s recipes.
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Sounds so delicious! And my belly could use it too…
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I am also searching for healthier snacks for the special mid-afternoon slump that having a near toddler causes. This looks great.
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Oh yes yes yes… I’d eat that book whole! Looks delicious.
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I LOVE the cover of that cookbook! And the inside picture shot.
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Looks like a fabulous book!
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hi,
I’d love to try the date cups, but what is crisped rice in German and where do you get that?
Thank you,
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I’ve been lusting awhile about this cookbook! Don’t stress too much about getting back that pre-pregnancy body, btw. It will happen.
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oh sorry,
I just saw the picture of the vollkorn rice. now I know. sorry
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A friend just recommended this cookbook to me as “my kind of book.” Thanks for offering this giveaway!
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I’m trying to eat healthy this year and this book would surely help- thanks so much for the giveaway!
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Heading to the grocery store after class because I need to try this!! Love your blog and would love to have Sara’s book 🙂
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This sounds lovely. If the others are like it, the book sounds great.
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I’d love to win this cookbook! I need inspiration on how to combine healthy ingredients.
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This book looks great! I’ll be sure to check it out!
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I borrowed this book from the library and was so sad to return it. Would be wonderful to add a copy to my cookbook collection
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I’ve been eyeing this book for a while, it is even on my amazon wishlist!
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This sounds delish — as do all of the other references to the book. Love to have one for my own.
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I love her blog and would certainly love her cookbook!
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Luisa – I have a belly too, and I don’t even have a baby! Would love to get a copy of this book 🙂
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I’ve been wanting this cookbook for a while! Thank you for the offer!
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lovely post! i just picked up a copy of your book, i can’t wait to start it!
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I too am battling nursing belly–in fact, the only way I know to get rid of it is to get pregnant again. This was my third and last time, so this method’s not going to work again. 😦 I have this book on my wishlist–I’d love to receive a copy!
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Thanks for the chance and have a great day!
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This looks great! The book and your creation!
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Yes please! The recpes sound amazing!
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Um. Dates + sesame seeds? Yes, please. I’ve been in a hardboiled egg for breakfast rut for months. Tomorrow’s will be much less boring.
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Learning to love my own belly in its many and ever changing shapes and sizes. Most importantly learning new ways to nourish it in health and happiness. Like using such great sources like the sprouted kitchens book.
Wishing you well in your journey.
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Hmmm…..those yogurt cups look amazing! I am loving dates right now! Takes the edge off one’s sweet tooth!
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This book looks fantastic!
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I need help with my afternoon sweet craving too!! It’s afternoon nap right now and I’m thinking about what I should bake…. 🙂
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For Lent I am trying to eat more healthily but cutting out as much meat and sugar as possible and the book sounds like it would be a perfect companion!
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I have had my eye on that delightful book for some time now and would love a copy of my own. Also, I’m pretty sure I need that yogurt cup today. Thank you for sharing!
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