Good morning! 
Thank you SO much for all of your supportive and sweet comments regarding my book deal. I still can’t believe it’s happening. I’m excited, but so nervous! I really hope I can do this! Ahh!
Breakfast
Breakfast was yummy this morning! 
I did some baking last night (recipe below), so I took a piece of my Raspberry Almond Quick Bread, cut it into small chunks, and cooked it right into my oatmeal. It made for a bread pudding-esque bowl of oats. I added a scoop of peanut butter too. Delish!
My recipe for Raspberry Almond Quick Bread was inspired by Dede Wilson’s Blackberry Walnut Streusel Quick Bread. Did you know that National Homemade Bread Day is on November 17th? Sounds like a perfect reason to do some baking! 
The fresh berries in my Raspberry Almond Quick Bread added a rich texture, full flavor, and kept the loaf nice and moist overnight.
I actually had the opportunity to ask Dede a question about how to make delicious baked goods that are lower in calories and fat without comprising their taste. Her response is basically what I expected– it’s not easy! She also offered her advice on portion size and balance, which I absolutely loved!
Here’s what she said:
My forte is not low fat. That said, I have had success cutting back fat by as much as 1/4 in recipes and have them still work. Same could be said of sweeteners. However, the recipes will be different and I believe not as tasty or texturally satisfying as the originals. It’s a trade off. For each tablespoon of sugar you cut, you only save 48 calories. That’s it. So cutting 1/4 cup of sugar from a recipe would only save you total of 192 calories.
Personally I like to eat smaller quantities of classic desserts and recipes and save calories in that way – good old portion control! I find that if I have a small bit of something truly satisfying, it goes a longer way than eating more of something that is lacking in texture, flavor or mouthfeel.
I also like to look at calories and fat on a week to week basis, not a day to day basis. If I indulge in something higher in calories and fat on a particular day, I know I can save calories and fat on another day. By allowing oneself to have any foods, by keeping nothing off limits, I find I do not over indulge. My advice is to eat a small amount of the real thing. And enjoy it!!!
Raspberry Almond Quick Bread
Makes 1 9×5” loaf
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ¼ cup agave nectar
- ¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ sliced almonds
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350* F.
- Coat a 9”x5” loaf pan with nonstick spray; thoroughly coat with flour, removing any excess.
- Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Add batter to prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Cool before serving.
- Wrap in aluminum foil to store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
POM Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered the POM Giveaway. Here’s your random number: 130
Congrats to the winner!!! Please email me with your full name and mailing address.
Question of the Day
Do you have a 5-year plan? If so, what is it?
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
That raspberry almond loaf sounds great!
WISH I had a 5 year plan…right now it’s a 1 year plan, that I’m a few months into. It does include hopefully moving to Boston.
Congrats on your book! I just read yesterday’s post and it’s sooo exciting!
I used to have a five year plan but not anymore. I would like to have a house within five years and hope that everything else falls into place!
Tina – congratulations on your book! Wow!
I do not really have a five year plan. Everything’s going along quite good right now but I should probably figure out exactly what I want for the future.
I don’t have a solid 5year plan. I know it involves adoption of at least one child and progressing in my career. Other than that I’m open.
I don’t have a 5 year plan but I do have a 6 month plan. It involves leaving my job and moving to a new city!
Great breakfast creation. I have a lot of goals, but not necessarily a 5 yr. plan. I know we want to have kids within that time frame and I hope to quit my job:) I also have some traveling plans too!
6-month plans seem more realistic. Life ebbs and flows – planning anything that far in advance – well you just never know what’s going to happen.
I’d like to have 1 or 2 kids
and be in a career that involves what I love- nutrition and fitness!
oh that bread looks pretty darn tasty. my five year plan is pretty simple: get married (i’m currently engaged), build a loving home with my future husband and continue to pursue my writing career… all while being HAPPY.
)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! i didn’t read the news until this header! good luck with the book, you deserve it!
CONGRATS TINA!!!! I will be lined up to buy that book!!
I’m heading back to school to pursue a second bachelors and hope to be a personal trainer in 5 years. I’d like to get married and start a family within the next 2…I’m tempted to tell my bf to piss or get off the pot. We’ll see
Congrats again Tina!
My five year plan is pretty elaborate, and I have it all charted out on my computer. Mostly, it involves getting a master’s degree, buying a house, and doing some extensive traveling!
That’s an awesome recipe! I’ll have to try it
Definitely no 5 year plan. How about making it through college first
My 5 year plan changes every day, but most of them include:
- Writing something: the blog, a cookbook, something I love…
- Having kids
- Getting a dog
- Just being happy wherever I am
I love raspberries in bread – that sounds great!
5 year plan? NO WAY!!
You just never know what could happen, how your interests may change, or who you meet- I see no 5 year plan in sight. I need to get through today first.
I think that being fully present is the only plan I aim for now
How do you always have so many new and delicious looking recipes?! That breakfast looks so good!
Congrats again Tina!
You breakfasts always look great!
My plan is to graduate, get a job in Child Life (I think Oncology is my ultimate goal) which means getting certified, get my Masters, and move to CO (ultimate goal, but hard to get a job there) or somewhere different. My goal is just to live the next 5 years with the only goal of being happy in mind!
Congrats Tina!! That is amazing :O). You, Caitlin and Jenna are doing fabulous things right now!!
At the moment, my plan is to get into food writing in as many ways as possible. I think going to culinary school is next up on my agenda and hopefully things can go from there!
I have absolutely no idea where I’ll be in 5 years. It’s a bit scary to think about it, even.
Yummy looking breakfast!
Great looking breakfast! OOH almost national bread day.. sweet!!
Congrats on your book deal.. wow, thats fabulous
My life is so unpredictable! In five years, I want to continue to be happy
My 5 year plan is to; start teaching high school english, buy a house and get my master’s degree in education. I’d also love to continue food blogging!
Hi Tina, the raspberry almond quick bread looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it and see if I can make a gluten free version!
My 5 year plan is to go back to school for Integrative Nutrition and become certified as a holistic health counselor. From there, I’d like to help others develop healthy eating habits and lifestyles to overcome illness and experience how awesome they can feel. And from there I’d like to get a Master’s in Nutrition Administration and change how we feed our children, hospital patients, etc.
Thanks to great blogs like yours, we’re becoming healthier and healthier every day. I hope to play a role in helping people regain their health and experience all that life has to offer soon!
That raspberry loaf looks great! Great recipe and thanks for sharing! BTW, congrats on the book deal! You don’t need luck, you are going to be great! I just know it. My 5 year plan? It keeps changing. Right now, I just want to be happy, living in a house with my family. Hopefully, children will be in that picture!
I’m so happy for you with the book deal! You totally deserve it!
My 5 year plan: graduate with my Masters in dietetics this spring, complete my dietetic internship, get a job, write a book, live in the same city as my boyfriend (2 years of driving back and forth has been plenty — and we still have at least 5 more months to go!). From another perspective: in 5 years I hope to see myself living joyfully, in good health, and finding peace and balance each and every day . . . and I want to inspire others to do the same!
My 5 year plan is to pay off my credit cards.
Congrats on the book deal….that it awesome! You deserve it….how fun!!! You know I’ll buy your book for sure!!
My five year plan? To be happy and healthy and raise my kids to be kind, polite, happy and healthy!
A BOOK! That’s so exciting. Congrats! Love your food philosophy, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store…
to stay young and not get fat!! congrats on your book deal, how exciting!!
5 year plan: Graduate from law school with my sanity, find a fulfilling job that interests me, get married, possibly get a house?? basically a bunch of stuff I’m totally excited for
So excited for you about the book deal!! Enjoy every moment of your success!!
I have a general idea of a 5-year plan in my brain- but your question reminds me it would be good to put it on paper. Thanks! Have a great Thursday!
I’ve never had bread pudding but it sounds so comforting!! I agree that small amounts of the real thing idea – when I make tiramisu, for example, I don’t cut corners so a little bit of the REAL DEAL hits the spot
Hey Tina, I’ve been reading some of your tweets lately and don’t let the negativity of other people get you down. Think about it, if they have time to find your blog and write nasty things, then it’s really an issue THEY are having…NOT you.
You are an inspiration to many people who want a healthy lifestyle (myself included). Have a great day! carrotsncake=my crack
@diana(mymarblerye): Thank you for your sweet comment! Yesterday was a tough day for me. I appreciate your kind words for than you know.
A wanna congratulate you with the book deal!
Maybe it sounds strange, because I only know you from your blog…but I am really proud! And it feels like someone close to be got a book deal! I’m so excited for you!
Are you nervous? Will we get previews?
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
@Julia: I’m sure there will be at least a couple!
The bread sounds great! I think I might make it and try experimenting with some whole-wheat flour combinations.
WOW, I just read your last post… congratulations on the book deal! I am so happy for you!
It is a dream of mine to write a book so I am just ecstatic to see others following THEIR dreams.
5 Year Plan:
1) Continue to run & eat healthy and lose a the last few pounds on my body!
2) Get promoted at work!
3) Become more “financially” stable & grow my savings!
4) Move to Clearwater, Florida (near Tampa) to be by the Gulf of Mexican
5) BUY A HOUSE!!!
P.S. Going to make your Raspberry Almond bread this weekend, I know my hubby will love it! =) OWE & CONGRATS ON YOUR BOOK DEAL!!!
DUH! I can’t spell above………meant Mexico!
yummm that bread looks great!!
jenna
Congrats on the book deal!!
My 5 year plan involves:
1) Law school!
2) Qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon.
3) Running a sub-3:30 marathon.
4) Completing my first triathalon.
5) Learning how to make more “fancy” dinner party dinners!
a 5 year plan seems like soo long, but i would hope to be graduated from college, and moved to the city of Chicago, with the hopes of my fashion career jumping into full swing!
Congratulations on the book deal! That is really exciting news!
Tina, have fun writing your book…remember one page at a time! Congrats and You Go Girl!
Enjoy!
A 5 year plan…hum…could be something to look into!! Haha! I actually get extremely OVERWHELMED when I think that far into the future. I guess that could say something in itself….
That quick bread looks fantastic! Thanks for the recipe
My five year plan includes going back to school to finish my Nutrition degree, paying off my $30,000 student loan debt, getting married, buying a house, and moving out of Manitoba. It is going to be an exciting 5 years
.
Congrats Tina! I’m so happy for you!
Next Comments →