Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Hot, Hot, Hot

July has officially arrived; those lovely 80 degree days are a thing of the past. The hot weather has been considerably intensified in our house these past few days, however. One of our air conditioning units broke, so I might just break a sweat as I type this post.

Call me crazy, but I've still been cooking up a storm. Do you think gastronomy can be addictive?


Monday

My mom and I decided to make a spontaneous Target trip on Monday evening. I know, I'm such a wild child. Anyway, as a result it was close to 8 by the time we returned, so I just heated up a Helen's Kitchen meal. It was delicious!I don't have much experience with curry but this one made a good impression. Helen's meals are lower in sodium, vegetarian (this one was vegan), and organic--quite the triad if you ask me. I also had steamed zucchini, salad, and two dried figs. Another shake success! I used the Alive! Apples and Cinnamon flavor this time--like (green) apple pie in a glass:)
Tuesday
As per usual, a quick breakfast on Tuesday: GoLean with soymilk, sliced almonds, and a bowl of farmers' market blackberries. So simple, so tasty.

After class, I made a recipe out of my Healthy Vegetarian Recipes cookbook: Savory Sprouts with Avocado. The recipe involved raisins, garlic, parsley, and oregano. I really enjoyed the avocado/raisin combination, but the brussels sprouts kind of ruined the party. I also had a simple salad with chickpeas, cukes, balsamic vinegar, and crackers.
For snack, I tried a new cracker: Dr. Kracker. I wonder if his PhD is in cracker-makin', because I really liked these little guys. Beware--they're quite thick/hearty and require considerable chewing! Kath would love 'em.
For dinner, I made a baked eggplant sandwich (inspired by the Student's Vegetarian Cookbook) with roasted yellow peppers and dijon mustard. Also pictured are a Helen's Kitchen Tofu Cutlet, salad, and natural applesauce with honey-roasted peanuts. The sandwich was winner.
Chocolate has returned! My shake last night was as one might expect when using chocolate hemp protein--phenomenal.
Wednesday
Another simple breakfast today: frozen cherry-soymilk smoothie with a few handfuls of Corn Bran cereal. Oddly enough, this held me over until 2:30! Maybe it was the fiber?
For lunch I made a black bean burrito with avocado and tons of fresh salsa. I had some trouble closing up this one--perhaps I should have used the tin foil trick I read so much about. I also had a salad and a big bowl of grapes. I had quite a hearty dinner this evening.
I heated up the oven tonight, despite our lack of AC, to make Dreena's Orange Sesame Tofu. I was generally pleased with the dish, but I think I was a bit heavy handed with the maple syrup. Sometimes I just can't control my sweet tooth...Also pictured are steamed zucchini, whole wheat couscous with walnuts, and salad. As you might imagine, I am a tad full right now.
I am off to study the cardiovascular system. Be back Friday!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I also thought the Orange Sesame Tofu was too sweet maybe I'll use less sweetener next time.


I just have to try those Alive! shakes, they look so yummy!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Mmm, that Savory Sprouts with Avocado dish looks fabulous!!

Good luck studying!!

healthy ashley said...

Somehow I lost your blog, but I am SO glad I'm back because i now have a whole list of recipes I want to try from you!

You made me laugh: "I wonder if his PhD is in cracker-makin'"

Little Miss Sunshine said...

Oh man, this post reminds me of how much I LOVE curries - my mum's curry to be exact! I must asked her to teach me how to make a vegan version next time :0)

Oh man, that cracker looks SO good!! I love crackers with seeds on them ... so fragrant and delicious!

Your baked eggplant sandwich with peppers and dijon mustard sounds FAB!!! Might try that combo next time - BTW, did you marinate/salt the eggplant before baking them?!

Orange sesame tofu - BOOKMARKED!! Sounds really good, I wonder why it wasn't bookmarked by me :0/

By the way, is wholewheat couscous the same as couscous?! I don't see any wholewheat couscous here :0(

Eh, sorry for the whine ... sometimes I can't shut up :0X

Anonymous said...

No problem about the muffins I totally understand. I do have a question about the nature's own bread. Is there a reason you choose 50 calories per slice bread rather than like peppridge farm's whole wheat for 100 calories per slice? (I am not at all attacking, I am genuinely asking, I know it's hard to tell over the internet). Since the pasta brand you mentioned a while ago is a low carb/low calorie one- I know it's not that the shaktik (sp?) noodle, but it's still low carb/cal compared to regular pasta(it's my aunt's favorite, who is forever on the atkins diet), I was just curious what makes you choose these versions.

Anonymous said...

You said: "I tried a new cracker: Dr. Kracker. I wonder if his PhD is in cracker-makin', because I really liked these little guys."

You totally crack me up! I love all your food - looks great. I am a huge fan of Dr. Kracker - in fact I am going to the health food store today to get some. You cannot beat it for fiber. It is the best cracker going!

Unknown said...

Yay for adding crackers to salads~I just LOVE the crunch they add! Where do you buy the Helen's Kitchen meals?-You always seem to have such great reviews of those products! Oh, and I loved your cereal mixing idea...I probably had about 4 different types in my bowl today :0)

Anonymous said...

Those Dr. Kracker crackers look right up my alley! And that chocolate hemp shake - awesome!

Too bad about the orange sesame tofu - from the picture it looks delicious!

ChickPea said...

Shelby: Hmm maybe the recipe is just sweet...regardless, I will use less syrup next time!
VeggieGirl: Yay! Another brussels sprouts fan!
Ashley: Glad to have you back! I was worried that my PhD crack would be a tad corny...which it was, but at least you enjoyed it:)
Cecilia: Aren't "seedy" crackers great?! I did add some salt, pepper, and rubbed some garlic on the eggplant before baking it. Whole wheat couscous is tiny pieces of whole wheat pasta,just like couscous is tiny pieces of regular pasta. I love all your comments!
Lauren: You didn't seem accusatory at all in your comment. Here's the scoop:
I buy the Nature's Own bread for its wide availability and price, especially considering it's whole grain. ALSO, I am not the only one in my house--my parents live here too. My mom is constantly trying to watch her weight, so she prefers lower kcalorie bread. She gets a little annoyed when I request Ezekiel bread, so this is a bit of a compromise.
As for the pasta, that brand does produce a low-carb variety, but they also make a regular version. It's not whole grain, but I really like the texture and flavor (they add garlic!). Hope that helps!
Nikki: Ha! Glad you enjoyed my corniness. Enjoy your crackers!
Allison: I love the crackers in the salad idea--expect to see it more often in the future! I buy the Helen's Kitchen meals at Whole Foods. They're a tad expensive, but they're great for when you're short on time. PS Glad you liked the cereal mixing idea-let me know what combos you come up with:)

Erin said...

It's great when breakfast keeps you full for longer than expected! I have such a hard time anticipating my hunger. Normally I'm starving within two hours!

I bet I'd like those Dr. Krackers. I love good whole grain crackers.

ChickPea said...

Erin: I'm the same way! I'm hungry at the most inopportune times as a result. My tummy is just unpredictable I guess.
I am a fan of good, hearty crackers too--the more (healthy) "stuff" on them, the better!

Anonymous said...

Three cheers for Corn Bran! Such a great cereal ;)
Love the sounds of that eggplant sandwich too, I'm going to have to give something like that a try sometime!

Anonymous said...

Oooh, everything looks great

ChickPea said...

LIghterPortions: This was a successful use of eggplant--kind of a rare occurrence for me. Eggplant is one of those foods that can be really good or really bad. Anyway, I recommend that you try this preparation method!
MadAboutUdon: Thanks!

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Apple pie in a glass?! I still want to try your cake-batter smoothie (can't track down that powder)... and now there's ANOTHETR combo I must sample!

ChickPea said...

CCV: I ordered my powder online...I think the address is livingharvest.com...so many combinations to try, so little time!