On Pondering Peanut Butter

As I am sure you all are aware, peanut butter has been a prominent topic in the news lately. Due to a Salmonella outbreak, several companies are issuing recalls for peanut-containing food products, ranging from cookies to dog food. (For a full list of recalled products, click here).

As an avid lover all things peanut-butter, this news saddens me. After checking and double-checking, I have come to realize that I have a PB Cookie Larabar and a few Clif minis that must be discarded. I have held onto these tainted goods for the past few days for the following reasons: 1) I already ate several of the other PB Clif minis from the same box and did not suffer any adverse side effects, and 2) I keep reading about fellow bloggers who have taken the risk of eating the allegedly contaminated products and survived with no harm done. What do you think? Is it worth the risk to hold onto these peanutty pleasures? I'll probably hoard them for a few more days, in case the folks at Larabar and Clif magically decide to cancel their respective recalls. Otherwise, they'll find a new home in the trash.
My peanut butter dilemma continues, this time due to product unavailability. Many of you are lucky enough to regularly enjoy the wonders of Peanut Butter & Co.'s products. I have no problem locating them in Birmingham, but they have proven to be much more evasive here in Durham. Not at Whole Foods, SuperTarget, or WalMart. Sheesh. Any ideas on where to purchase these jars of decadence?

Alright, now that I have bored you with my peanut butter obsessing, let's get onto the grub:

Wednesday
Dinner was at an on-campus eatery (The Loop), where I ordered my continuing favorite, the Crunchy Broccoli Salad. Fortunately, this one had plenty of walnuts:) I also had a side of fruit.
Despite all that roughage and fibrous fruit, I was still hungry when I got home, so I made a quick grilled two-hummus-mozzarella sandwich. For the hummus, I used the last of my tomato basil, plus a scoop of traditional hummus. For the bread, I used a few slices of light 100% Whole Wheat, a generous gift from Rena at Arnold Bakeries. While I am not trying to lose weight, these reduced-kcalorie slices come in handy when you just want a small sandwich or toast and PB for a light snack. Look for a product review in the future...
The smoothie of the night consisted of one of my favorite but often ignored combos: blueberry-banana. Delicious.
Thursday
I made another Banana Blender concoction yesterday morning, this time with GoLean and almonds. Using GoLean really improves the pudding-like texture. Observe:
For lunch, I had to evaluate another on-campus eatery for the dining committee. I ordered Garlic Veggies and Tofu with the sauce on the side. I also picked up some awesomely ripe melon. Here it is all boxed up:
But, I decided to prettify it for you and add some cashews and crackers to the mix.
Before heading out to a church group meeting, I scarfed down some peanut butter noodles with zucchini, salad, and pineapple.
I was feeling indulgent again last night: the shake included chocolate rice protein, dark cocoa powder, banana, strawberries, coconut, soymilk, and dairy-free chocolate chips. I was really sad when I reached the bottom of my glass.
Friday
Vegan banana pancakes were on the menu this morning. I enjoyed them with almonds and spiced pumpkin.
I headed out to Whole Foods, and picked up some good loot:
Highlights include a new jar of Sunbutter, Peanut Butter Pows, and blood oranges. Yum.

Next up on the agenda was an afternoon of tutoring. I packed a quick lunch before running out the door: Corn Thins with hummus, carrots, trail mix (pepitas + cranberries), and an apple.
For dinner, I used up some white beans by making a white bean stuffing/dressing with whole wheat bread, white beans, garlic, pecans, oregano, basil, and S + P. I also had some broccoli, salad with Annie's Raspberry Vinaigrette, and leftover melon.
This post is getting monstrous! Before I go, check out what finally came in the mail yesterday:
Ta-ta for now!

The Kindness of Strangers

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the best compliments come from the mouths of complete strangers? My friends and family can praise me to the high heavens, but it often means infinitely more coming from a person with whom I do not have an intimate relationship. Let me explain:

Last week while on one of my many Christmas shopping expeditions, a woman stopped me as I entered the store. She said, "You know, you have gorgeous hair!" This small compliment may seem trivial to many, but to me bore great significance. Before my struggles with anorexia, I had a long, thick mane. Obviously, as my disease progressed my characteristically voluminous hair disappeared. It may seem petty, but losing my hair was one of the most painful parts of my eating disorder; it was a painfully apparent side effect of the damage that I was uncontrollably inflicting upon my body. Thus, to hear a stranger comment on the healthy state of my hair was especially rewarding, even if it has been 3 or 4 years since my recovery. I guess my obsession with avocados and almond butter has benefits besides satisfying my tastebuds:)

Have you ever had a similar experience? Has a stranger ever paid you a particularly flattering or meaningful compliment?

Alright, I better get to the food--I am headed out tonight for an early celebration of my birthday (it's not until Wednesday). Take a look at my nibbles:

Friday
I was uncertain as to what kind of smoothie I would be able to make with the limited food available in our lake house pantry/freezer. Fortunately, I discovered some frozen strawberries and frozen pineapple--score! I combined them with soymilk and a packet of berry pomegranate hemp protein that I had brought with me. Truly tropical and tasty.
Saturday
Before heading out, I made myself a quick Banana Blender. I didn't have any flaked cereal on hand, so I used my favorite "adult" cereal instead, Kashi GoLean. Fantastic! The finished product had the perfect consistency, close to that of pudding. Yum.
After a run around the neighborhood, I refueled with some Peanut Butter Noodles, to which I added some broccoli slaw. On the side, I had a salad with dried fruit and a drizzle of Annie's Ginger Dressing, as well as some clementines.
For dinner, my family decided to order in Chinese food. I opted for a simple steamed vegetable dish to which I added shelled edamame, cashews, and a sweet agave-mustard sauce. I also had some fresh pineapple (and maybe a fortune cookie...)
The smoothie of the evening featured blueberries. I combined blueberry Spirutein, blueberries, soymilk, and granola. SO fab.
Sunday
I kept breakfast simple but filling, as I was headed to help out with my Mom's Sunday school class. I knew I would be running after 3-year olds all morning! I heated up some almond milk and poured it over crumbled Weetabix; I had a sliced banana with cinnamon-raisin PB.
I scarfed down lunch pretty quick because my family was headed out to see White Christmas at the Alabama Theatre. We have been going every year since I was 11! Anyway, I made a quick Tofurky-avocado wrap with spinach, mushrooms, and whole grain mustard. This was suprisingly delicious! On the side, I had broccoli slaw (dressed with rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and agave nectar) and peaches.
Pizza night! I never made it to the store for a Boboli crust, so I settled for a whole wheat tortilla. I topped it with pasta sauce (Classico), 'shrooms, bell peppers, and reduced-fat cheese. I had a salad with Woodstock dressing and fresh fruit salad as well.
The smoothie last night took on a tropical note again: pineapple, soymilk, vanilla Spirutein, and coconut.
Monday
I had plans to go to the gym with my sister this morning (due to the newly arrived 20* weather!), so I made an easy but fun breakfast--Banana Fingers. I rolled sliced banana in cinnamon-spiked yogurt and crushed GoLean. That's almond butter on the side for dipping.
Once we returned from our workout and errands, I prepared myself a recipe from Vegetarian Express, the "filet" of tofu with mustard-dill sauce. I substituted agave for honey and vegan mayo for regular--otherwise, I stuck to the recipe (for once!). I also had a salad with walnuts, toast, and clementines.
Urgent question for you all: What should I make for Christmas breakfast and dinner?? I have no idea what to prepare! I would rather not rely on packaged meat alternatives (as I did for Thanksgiving). I was thinking of making a tofu quiche for Christmas morning, and Christmas dinner is entirely undecided. Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

I will leave you with some pics of my favorite ornaments. The last one is precisely 21 years old--it's from my first Christmas!
Happy Monday!