Books and food, relaxation and productivity. It’s not always that a weekend meets its high expectations, but this one did. And now I get to link it all up!
Expected: Good Books.
Embassytown by China Mieville
Mieville sets up an eerily spectacular world that is alien in all senses of the word. He raises the fantastic issue of whether beings can be so utterly different that they cannot communicate and barely recognize that the other exists. He plays with language philosophy and turns this book into so much more than a scifi romp. At first. But then the alien-ness breaks down, the story begins to drag and slog, and what made the first part of the book so unique and interesting disappears. This wasn’t a terrible book, but it didn’t hold up to the promise the first half made.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
I thought this book would be good, but in an enjoy-it-and-forget-it way. Boy, was I wrong.This is one whopping tale of emotion, of life, of the sprawl of the past and the future. Beautiful, poetic, and what I can only cheesily refer to as “moving.” I sobbed through the last chapter–not because it was sad, but simply for the reality, the openness, the honesty of it.
“…happy to no longer expect the dead perfection of museum art, but embrace the sweet lovely mess that is real life.”
Expected: Nuts.
I had old bananas. I had the Meatless Monday A to Z requirement of walnuts. I had a hankerin’ for Greek-yogurt-based pancakes ever since reading this post. I expected banana-bread pancakes.
But then I decided not to buy walnuts, because they are freakin’ expensive and they make my mouth feel weird.
Turns out plain ol’ protein-powered banana pancakes are pretty good as-is anyway. Probably even better if you top them with walnuts.
High-Protein Banana Bread Pancakes
- 1/3c oats, blended into flour
- 1 scoop protein powder (30g scoop)
- 1/2t baking powder
- 1/2 banana, mashed
- 1/2c Greek yogurt
- 1/4c Almond milk
- 1/2t vanilla
Mix it all together, cook it pancake-style. Makes 1 delightfully big serving (~5 medium pancakes).
What did you do this weekend? Did it meet expectations?
Chris read Embassytown and I remember thinking that the “living simile” part was super cool.
Those pancakes look really good! I have never heard of walnuts making someone’s mouth feel weird? Like, sort of dry and gritty, maybe?
I actually think I’m mildly allergic to them–not in a harmful way, just an uncomfortable one. I don’t really know how to describe the feeling other than “weird.” And not in a good way. It’s not as bad if they are cooked/in things–but I’m definitely not about to shell out mega-bucks for something that doesn’t quite agree with me.
Wow! So your pancakes had 30g of protein? I seriously do not get enough. Like, nowhere close. I’ve wanted to get cracking on the book I bought, but I feel like I need to sort out my food situation first. Did you have this problem?
Oops, the 30g refers to how much powder since scoop sizes vary–it’s about about 18g of protein (using Garden of Life unflavored)–although the Greek yogurt adds another 9g, so I guess the total IS close to 30. Baller, hadn’t even totaled it up.
It definitely IS overwhelming at first, but don’t worry about tackling everything at once! I promise it’ll all fall into place and just end up being easy/routine–don’t stress about being “perfect” in terms of nutrition or fitness, just slowly experiment with where and how you can add more protein, remember what works and doesn’t, and gradually build up to a good amount of protein, easier for the body to adjust that way too! Maybe just focus at first on some good high-protein options for right after your workout? That one’s really key and a good place to start, and helps tie fitness&food together.
Dang! I was thinking of asking if you meant 30g like how Brits would measure, but then I decided you meant 30 grams of p!
I hate when books fall apart in the second half! The pancakes look yummy at least
I totally judge books by their cover, so glad the book was better than you thought! This weekend was all about obligations, hoping this coming 4 day weekend is all about fun!
I am terrible about judging books by their cover…I don’t even want to imagine how many good reads I have foregone because of my shallowness
! These pancakes sound delicious….do you think adding a bit more almond milk could work in place of the Greek yogurt?
Hmm, they might end up being too thin with that swap–I’d try adding more banana instead, if you want to go dairy-free. Plus who can complain about extra banana-ness?
Thanks Allie – will let you know how it works out
!
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter has officially been added to my too read list
My weekend was pretty lame. I pretty much studied the whole time… fun…
I have that problem where if I start a book I can’t not finish it, even if i hate it half way through. tough dilemma for sure.
I love great weekends that meet expectations, and I’m highly amused walnuts feel weird in your mouth. Maybe you should toast them first… I always thought walnuts were in the cheaper range of the nut family, no? Especially compared to cashews, macadamia, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios I could go on and on. I love me some nuts, especially when they’re in my mouth.
I have never been able to make a good pancake, I always end up burning mine or getting odd little bubbles. I love pancakes and with I could get them to turn out well at home, maybe one day!
Yummy recipe! I love pancakes now and again especially Sunday morning
. I just added Beautiful Ruins to my kindle sounds like my kind of tale. Thank you for sharing 
. Love and Shine Courtstar
I cannot believe a book left you sobbing. Now I need to read it purely to see if I can *not* cry. These are the challenges I set for myself (considering I was sobbing alone in the movie theater during the final Harry Potter movie, I don’t think I’ll succeed).
Yay pancakes! So glad you made them. I need to try cooking with yogurt to see if it affects me like it does when it’s uncooked.
oooh I’d love to check out Expected Ruins!! I’m just starting “Something for the pain” by Paul Austin. I borrowed it off a friend who said It’s about an ER doctor talking about his work life and how it almost ruined his home life, and trying to balance both!
I have heard of “Beautiful Ruins” and I avoided it because I thought it might make me sad. I’m terrible like that. I avoid sad movies too LOL.
We tried the new Mexican Restaurant… and um, it almost met my expectation. The chips and salsa were excellent as was my fish tacos, but the rice & beans.. oh they needed some work.
I wonder if the pancakes would work with walnut flour, which doesn’t have that weird mouthfeel?
I love you for doing book reviews.
Those pancakes sound amazing and healthy!!!
I had two types of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday today – American pancakes (or Scotch pancakes as we call them!) and crepes
Pancakes are the best haha
Beautiful Ruins sounds like a book I would enjoy
Beautiful Ruins sounds great. I need to order it from the library.
Thanks for the reminder about Beautiful Ruins. I had that on my list to add to my hold list–yes, lists for lists–but they hadn’t purchased it the last few times I checked. It is there now. [Of course, I'm 47th in line...]