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!”
I’ve followed Sara and Hugh’s blog for a while and would love a copy of the book! and for what it’s worth, I think you probably look lovely, nursing or not.
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I used to be an Educational Consultant & worked in some pretty tough schools. One day I was wearing a jumper & a boy (about 10 yo) said “What are you gonna name it?”
I responded “I’m not pregnant – I’m fat!” He was mortified & slunk away. Score one for me!
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Everything you mention from the book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win a dopy of the book!
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oh wow, i think i need this book before i get pregnant!
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It’s my birthday today!! Would really love this as a gift 🙂 I am also a whole foods fanatic and can’t wait to experiment. Thanks!
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SK mmm
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Looks yummy!
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Thanks for the contest!
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This sounds delicious. The whole cookbook looks great. I recently had a baby, too, so I can completely relate to the belly changes, lack of great opportunities to exercise, and need for something sweet.
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Already love the Sprouted Kitchen blog, and this recipe and so many others look amazing!
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This cookbook sounds intriguing/fabulous! Thank you for the wonderful blog!
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As a college student in need of some seriously aesthetic and nutritious food inspiration when stared down by my totally illegal hotplate-centric dorm room kitchen after midterms have beaten the life out of me, I sympathize with your need for some cookbook motivation. Sometimes all y’need is some resolution-affirming food porn to get the day off to a good start.
Here’s to post-baby tummies and sophomore sixteens (that’s a thing, right?)
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Oh, her cookbook looks amazing! Thank you for the giveaway.
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Dates, sesame seeds, AND yogurt…yum.
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i am coveting your beautiful yogurt cup! but at least i get to eat its contents for dinner, and again for breakfast tomorrow. thanks for the awesome recipe and the giveaway!
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Thanks, Luisa. Can totally relate.
Meanwhile, healtlhy sprouted food sounds like the perfect antidote!
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Oh that has been on my list of cookbooks to get!
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Wow… I thought every woman knew that you should NEVER ask someone if she’s pregnant unless she’s waving an ultrasound! But I would love to see this cookbook!
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Yes, please!
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I love the sound of nori popcorn! I lack a sweet tooth but salt is my Achilles’ heel so I can always use some healthy inspiration.
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I would be honored to have this book.
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Oooh, I make my own whole milk yogurt, and have been looking for new topping ideas.
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I’m typing this with my right hand as I am holding my 3-week-old daughter Lilli in the crook of my left arm. Hooray for pre-pregnancy skinny jeans! I’ve got, um, 40 lbs. to go before I get there. (Blerg.)
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I actually AM pregnant again, and still trying to lose the first baby belly. Would love to use this cookbook during pregnancy so my belly isn’t so big later…
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Per favore scegli me 🙂
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That looks delicious and sounds like
a great book too!
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Yum, I need to try that breakfast nirvana!
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Thanks for passing along the delicious idea. Sesame and dates are a favorite combo of mine!
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Great cook book!
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I love new takes on healthy combinations! Everything you’ve mentioned here sounds so delicious and fresh, thanks!
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Dates and yogurt = awesome.
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I would love to win this book. I need some healthy inspiration.
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nori popcorn for me please!
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I’ve cooked many lovely things from the Sprouted Kitchen website and gave the book as a birthday present to a friend. I would love to own it myself!
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Oh, those sound just perfect. What a great idea. By the way, I made the sweet potatoes with feta salad the other night, and oh my, SO GOOD. Thank you for sharing!
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Like you, I’m working hard at changing my eating habits to become healthier, and trying to exercise to become more fit. I’d love to try this cookbook as I work toward my goal of getting back to a good weight. Thanks for this chance!
Love your blog, have been reading it for quite some time. I appreciate your tested recipes!
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Mmm, that’s the way I like to cook–it would be good right about now to see how someone else does it.
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I’d love to try this book.
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Oh yes, it all sounds amazing!
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I would love to have this cookbook!
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Yumm, my salt tooth wants the nori popcorn (my abs do too, possibly? Must be better for them than this cookies I’m currently eating!)
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that looks amazing! and thank you for the giveaway. 🙂
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That looks absolutely delicious. Thank you for sharing!
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would love to win this!
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This reminded me of stuffed dates I made on one occasion…they filled the sweet And the salty quota! /sigh of happiness.
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I can always use a cookbook that has tasty, healthy ideas in it. Thank you!
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Sounds delicious!
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I’d love to have a copy of this book! (My belly has never been the thing to highlight either, and I should probably do something about it some time…)
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Yum. Sounds delicious!
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Wow, that cookbook sounds like just what I need for some fresh inspiration!
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