Hello and happy Monday!
I can’t believe Mal and I traveled all the way to Hawaii and back. It was such an amazing, whirlwind trip, and I hope you enjoyed all of my blog posts so far. It was fun to write them! I still have one more post to come about the second hotel where we stayed, which was definitely a highlight of the trip. It will be on CNC first thing tomorrow””just need to finish it up!
Breakfast
This morning’s breakfast was a big, ripe plantain blended with Greek yogurt and shredded coconut. I used my Smart Stick to mix it all up, so it turned out whipped and wonderful. I also drank a glass of Dandy Blend with almond milk with breakfast.
Lunch
I spent the morning work, work, working and then broke for lunch around noon. On the menu: a burger with avocado on top and some Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower, which was so delicious and easy to make. If you like buffalo sauce, you will love this recipe! I actually ended up going back for seconds of the cauliflower because it tasted so good.
Ingredients:
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 1/2 stick of butter, melted
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank’s Red Hot)
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Cut cauliflower into florets and place in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, combine butter, buffalo sauce, and garlic powder. Pour mixture over cauliflower florets and mix well until fully coated.
- Spread cauliflower onto a prepared baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes. Turn oven up to broil for 5 minutes or so and cook to desired crispiness.
- Remove from oven and enjoy!
Oakley Sunglasses & Reebok Gear Giveaways
Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaways last week. Here are your winners:
Oakley Sunglasses:
Laura @ Carpe Run
I love the Oakley women’s Beckon in Green Sherbert! So cute with summer coming up and I’ve always loved Oakley’s!
Reebok Women’s Gear:
Laura T.
ahh I would love that tank top! i love the saying on it
Reebok Men’s Gear:
Joe @ The Frolicking Fells
I really want the men’s one-it’ll be a nice addition to my workout wardrobe!
Congrats, winners! Please email me at tina@carrotsncake.com with your full name and mailing address to claim your prize.
Health News & Views
I love coconut oil, so much, in fact, it’s become a staple in my diet. I use it in a variety of ways from sautéing vegetables to replacing the vegetable oil in my baked goods. Coconut oil is not only versatile in cooking, but it also has some pretty amazing health benefits. And, of course, coconut oil tastes great, so here are three ways to amp up the flavor profile of your meals!
3 Ways to Amp Up Your Meals with Coconut Oil
Question of the Day
Do you like buffalo sauce? If so, what’s your favorite food to put it on?
Some of my favorites: eggs and egg sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, canned tuna, and wings, obviously.
I just recently tried a new buffalo hot sauce, made by Tabasco. It was pretty good, and I might even prefer it over Frank’s now. The cauliflower recipe looks like it would be delicious!
Love Frank’s red hot, especially in a buffalo chicken grilled cheese or on top of a tortilla for an easy tortilla pizza. So good! This looks like the best way to eat cauliflower for sure.
I LOOOOVE buffalo sauce and it looks like it would be amazing on roasted cauliflower! I love Buffalo Wild Wing’s chicken wings – Kind of a boring answer but they’re the best with buffalo sauce 🙂
That looks amazing! I want to try it ASAP!
I just bought my first jar of coconut oil last weekend in NOLA. I’ve only used it on parsnip fries so far but I’m in love!
YUM! i LOVE buffalo chicken chili and can’t wait to try this recipe out!
ohhh i am definitely going to try this! I LOVE buffalo anything!!!!
My fave hot sauces are either Cholula or Sriracha. I use them in 1,000 different ways, but usually to add some kick to soups, tacos, pulled pork or anything that calls for some heat.
Oh, I always forget about cauliflower! Thanks for the reminder. I just started a Whole30, so I need all the help I can get! 🙂
This looks TOO tasty 🙂
I’ve never tried buffalo sauce? Is it spicy?
@Annette@FitnessPerks: A little bit! 🙂
This looks GOOD! One of the only ways that I like cauliflower (other than in cauliflower pizza crust, of course) is roasted. Using buffalo sauce while roasting it is a new idea to me, but one that I am definitely eager to try :).
I enjoyed your trip posts but am so glad you are back to doing food posts! I’ve gotta try the cauliflower. I bet it would be awesome dipped in ranch 😉
I actually use coconut oil as moisturizer for my face and hands and the ends of my hair. You just warm it up in your hands and it liquifies – it’s truly a miracle product!!
I’m from the UK so have never had buffalo sauce. Could someone explain the flavours involved please? It looks delicious and I most certainly want to try it!
I’m not a buffalo fan but I do love mashed cauliflower! I’m having leftovers for lunch!
Wow! The plantain blended with Greek yogurt and shredded coconut sounds amazing and looked delicious. I may have to try that. I’m not very creative when it comes to mixing foods so I always love reading about what other people do. Also, thanks for sharing the recipe! They look delicious and healthy. Gotta love when I can eat something healthy with buffalo sauce.
Um could you make that breakfast for me? That looks more like dessert! I know it seems super simple, but maybe a recipe? Or ratios?
@Katie @ Peace Love & Oats: It’s just 1 plantain mixed with a small container of Greek yogurt and some shredded coconut thrown in. Super easy! 🙂
@Tina: Thanks, Tina! Buying a plantain next time I’m at Whole Foods!
Cauliflower is definitely tops! We can even get Frank’s Red Hot here :)Love adding it to a chili for an extra kick!
That roasted cauliflower sounds so good! I love buffalo sauce!
Since I went vegetarian I really missed buffalo chicken dip, so I made a chickpea version instead!
I’m actually not a big fan of buffalo sauce – or barbecue sauce, for that matter (I realize they’re different, but I often get them confused and I just know I don’t like either). As a result, I’ve never gotten into wings or ribs, which I don’t consider a bad thing since neither are good for you. In fact, there’s a wings special 2 nights a week at our favorite neighborhood bar, and I usually just order boneless, sauceless wings (effectively making them chicken nuggets/chicken tenders) with some dipping sauce on the side (usually something akin to ranch dressing).
However, I do like your idea for roasting cauliflower with some sort of sauce mixture for a little pizzazz! Your pictures look delicious even though I’m not a fan of buffalo sauce 😀
meh, not a fan of buffalo sauce. But your cauliflower looks tasty. I have a smart stick too – I love it. I use it puree/mash cauliflower right in the pot. It’s a super handy tool.
@Melisa: Me too! I use it ALL the time! 🙂
I’ve missed buffalo wings SO much since giving up meat! Can’t wait to try these!
the buffalo cauliflower sounds amazing!! Gonna make some with dinner tonight!
Mmm- buffalo sauce! I like everything on it! But probably hot wings are the best 🙂
I really loved reading your posts about Hawaii! Travel posts are my absolute favorite since I like to recap myself (which reminds me, I’m overdue on a few haha)
Welcome back and the cauliflower looks delicious!
I <3 coconut oil, too. I'm happy that I've completed eliminated canola/vegetable oil from my kitchen and only use coconut oil or olive oil 🙂
this looks so good, my brother makes something similar, tastes awesome with wing sauce.
So funny…we JUST posted a buffalo cauliflower recipe today too! Check it out! Yours sounds delicious as well!
http://howtoeat.ca/how-to-snack-healthy-buffalo-cauliflower/
Love the idea of whipped yogurt with plaintain…I think I’ll try it with banana. Would also make a delicious dessert or snack!
My husband loves Franks Red Hot, and it just so happens I picked up cauliflower earlier today so I’m giving this recipe a try tonight!
I love cauliflower! And Buffalo sauce! That sounds like a winning combo in my eyes 🙂
Buffalo sauce on grilled chicken for me!
That looks amazing! I love roasted cauliflower. Believe it or not I’ve never actually tried buffalo sauce but it looks great with the cauliflower.
I have been making a similar recipe for buffalo cauliflower and I am obsessed. I could literally eat an entire head of cauliflower myself. haha 🙂
I think I need to run to the store for buffalo sauce. Another cauliflower buffalo recipe is this one – http://theveganpact.com/2012/10/bbq-cauliflower-wings/
Those look delicious! Thanks for the link! 🙂
That looks delicious!! I definitely will be trying this recipe soon 🙂
Oh man that looks delicious! I’m a huge Frank’s fan, so I’ll be making it ASAP 😀
Yum, love that cauliflower idea. I already love roasted cauliflower, so I’m sure I’d love it with Buffalo sauce!
Uh yum. Can’t wait to try this cauliflower 😀 thank you!
Unfortunately, I am not into buffalo sauce =( Do you have suggestions on a different sauce I could try?
That buffalo cauliflower looks awesome! I made garlic mashed cauliflower last night so I’m totally on a cauliflower kick- I’m definitely going to give these a try! Thanks for the recipe!
LOVE buffalo sauce, I’m going to have to try this! 😀
I’ve been thinking about trying this cauliflower recipe.. I’d seen it floating around pinterest. I’m working on a homemade ranch dressing recipe.. so once I perfect that we’ll try the cauliflower. We’re vegetarians, so having a wing-alternative would be awesome
I make buffalo brussell sprouts, and now I want to make buffalo cauliflower! Too bad I already ate dinner tonight, so I will just make this tomorrow 😉
Mmm… Love the idea of buffalo Brussels sprouts!
Yum!! This is a great option to a new side!!
I never think to put buffalo sauce on anything but buffalo – I mean, chicken wings. Totally doing this next burger night. Which I think is tonight. Yay!
I’m actually not a huge fan of buffalo sauce, but I do like it on wings 🙂
Tina, your cauliflower recipe looks delicious! Be a little careful using coconut oil so liberally though. It’s not like other plant-based oils because instead of being mostly mono and poly unsaturated fats, it’s almost entirely saturated fat! There may be some health benefits because it does come from a plant, but the studies are not definitive yet. So just treat it like you would any other saturated fat and use it sparingly!
Your trip looked amazing too! What a treat!
@Nikki: Not all saturated fats are bad! Check out this article: http://www.menshealth.com/health/saturated-fat
I LOVE Frank’s Red Hot Sauce as well and pretty much put it on everything. But my absolute favorite is topping it on pizza. 🙂 I use coconut oil as body lotion too. I know weird, but I smell like the beach and it leaves my skin so much softer then those lotions.