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Appetites and Adventures

Edamame and Jicama Salad

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What do you do when its 20 degrees warmer than usual?

Embrace it with big green salads for lunch!

This creation was inspired by a wandering trip through the grocery store.  I am someone who reads menus or looks at ingredients and can get a sense of what a flavor combination will taste like.  As I strolled through Whole Foods (and it was a stroll – 2 hours!), I began tossing the ingredients in my cart and a refreshing summer salad idea formed in my head.

Edamame has long been a favorite snack, but for some reason I rarely use it as the “main event” in a dish.  Having picked up a huge jicama, I began to imagine the contrast of the textures – the soft edamame with the crunchy apple-like fruit.

Jicama always makes me crave cilantro, which also make me want to toss onion in the mix (have I mentioned that I love Mexican food?).  A little jalapeño for some heat and lemon zest for brightness brought the dish to life.

Best of all, this light dish comes together in less than 10 mins!

The measurements are just guidelines – I literally just tossed this in a large bowl.  Add or adjust ingredients to your liking.

I loaded up extra cilantro and jalapeño on mine and served it alongside gazpacho and broccoli slaw.

Edamame and Jicama Salad

Edamame Jicama Salad

  • 1 C edamame seeds
  • 3/4 C jicama, diced
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 1/2 jalapeno, minced
  • 1/2 C cilantro
  • 1/3 C yellow onion
  • Juice of 1/2 small lemon
  • S+P, to taste

Toss together all ingredients in a large bowl and enjoy!

Serves 2-4.

***

The rest of my family ate this in lieu of fries alongside their (grilled) Chick-fil-a sandwiches.

Have you tried jicama before?  How do you like to eat it?

Are you planning an Easter brunch?  What are you serving?

Facebook and Eating Disorders + WIAW

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Facebook may lead to eating disorders.

Last week it was narcissism, this week it’s eating disorders.  Poor Facebook is taking a hit!

 

 

A new study that found that “51% of respondents felt more self-conscious about their physical appearance after looking at pictures of themselves on Facebook.”  These Facebook users are checking out their friend’s photos, which leads them to be more critical of their own physiques.

I don’t know about this… you can compare yourself to other people just walking down the street.

Read the full article on Newser by clicking here.

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Want to know how to feel better?  Eat some veggies!

Yesterday I asked you all to join me in the Green Giant Veg Pledge to add an additional cup of veggies to your daily eats.  Jenn @ Peas and Crayons is also taking part in the challenge, so this month her  What I Ate Wednesday theme is…

 

 

Check out my veggies below; then click here to see how everyone else incorporated extra servings.

 

 

Breakfast:

Do you ever wake up starving?  After Sunday’s jam-packed day of softball and plyometrics, I was in need of an extra-filling breakfast.  I mixed this concoction and let it sit in the fridge to thicken (~15 mins) while I downed a glass of water and got the coffee started.

Those blackberries on top were incredible – the first perfect berries of the season!

 

 

In my oat bowl:

  • Rolled oats
  • Chia
  • Greek yogurt
  • Chia seeds
  • Unsweetened almond milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon
  • Blackberries

 

Lunch:

I failed to take a picture of the final result… but here’s what my veggie-centric lunch consisted of:

 

 

 

I am fully aware that gazpacho is easy to make yourself… but with my crazy schedule, Whole Foods’ soup had to happen.  It was delicious with some red pepper flakes and avocado (unpictured) on top.

I devoured this with some spinach, broccoli slaw, and ak-mak crackers.  These crackers were new to me – they were delicious and reminded me of Wasa crisps.

 

Snacks:

It was a snack-y sort of day – handfuls of this and that here and there.  A few munchies:

 

KIND bars are my new addiction

Bowls of grapes and edamame

 

My two favorite drinks - coffee and kombucha

 

Dinner:

I was starving by dinner time.  You know what that means…

 

 

All that remained were 2 strips of tempeh when I remembered to take a pic.  My cousin and I hit up a local vegetarian spot called World Peace Cafe for dinner.  It was my first time there, but certainly won’t be the last!

That tempeh was sitting on top of a huge salad with shredded beets, carrots, and tomatoes.  On the left is a bowl that held a delicious mushroom–kale–lentil soup.  The crumbs around to bowl belonged to a slice of rye toast.  The tea pot in the background was filled with lemon-gnger tea.

We also split a piece of vegan chocolate-almond cake.  It was divine.

 

***

Adding veggies isn’t so hard… I think I could eat edamame all day long.

Did you incorporate an extra veggie serving to your day?  If so, how?

Any thoughts on the Facebook story?  Do you think it’s any worse than the millions of other way you can compare yourself to others?

 

Green Giant Veg Pledge

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Eating clean takes effort.

Many of us use spring as an opportunity to clean up our diets.  The crisp, seasonal produce and the warmer air lends itself to lightening up our dishes.  Adieu, winter squashes.

However, the feeling in the air alone doesn’t make it easier to eat cleaner.  Eating better does take some forethought.

 

Skinny Girl Thai Greek Sauce

 

As part of the Food Buzz Tastemakers program, I was selected to take the Green Giant Veg Pledge.  This is a two-week pledge to eat one more cup of vegetables per day.  I am especially excited to have the extra motivation to step away from the Peeps and towards the rabbit food.

 

Beet Sunflower Pesto

 

 

Who else is up for the challenge?

To help us get started, here are some ways I like to add additional veggies to my diet:

  • Add a handful of spinach to smoothies/shakes – it will turn your beverage green, but you’ll never taste a difference.  Check out this green spinach smoothie:  

 

  • Before dinner each night, begin with a side salad – this can get your greens in and help you to fill up on the good stuff before filling up on heavier fare
  • Use greens in place of carbs, like I did with these collard tacos
  • Keep pre-cut veggies in your fridge for a quick grab-and-go snack
  • Shop the perimeters of the grocery store – if you don’t meander down the cookie aisle, those treats won’t end up in your pantry at home and you’ll be “forced” to choose a healthier (veggie) snack option
  • Turn salads into meals by “eating the rainbow” – add colorful veggies like beets, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, sugar peas, raw yellow squash/zucchini, etc. (Check out these lunch salad ideas!) 

 

  • Add a veggie or two to your usual meals: saute spinach and mushrooms to go with scrambled eggs, toss some kale into soups, serve grains in a roasted red pepper or tomato, use parsnips as rice or beans for burgers. 

***

I do love my greens. Nevermind the gas.  🙂

Will you take the Green Giant 2 Week Veg Pledge with me?

How do you incorporate more veggies into your diet?

 

Being Serene

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Sunny weekends seem shorter.

 

I never want them to end!  

Before diving head first into a crazy week, here are the top 5 highlights that I remembered to take a picture of:

 

1. Serenbe Cooking Demo

While at my team’s retreat we were treated to a cooking demo by the founder of Serenbe, Marie Nygren.  Serenbe (“be serene” spelled backwards) is a small sustainable community just outside of Atlanta.  It reminds me of Seaside (where The Truman Show was filmed), but without the ocean.

 

Marie led us though a short cooking demo in her home.  She prepared collard greens two ways, kale, and cabbage.  It was all delicious… and her house was GORGEOUS!

 

 

2. *Almost* Justin Timberlake Sighting

Justin Timberlake is in Atlanta shooting “Trouble With the Curve,” with Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams.  Below is the camera crew.  No Justin… but I swear I saw Jessica Biel walking down the street the other day.

 

 

3. Softball Sunday

My team won!!!  The second game.  

Our problem is that we aren’t morning people.  We don’t wake up until half way through the first game.

 

My groin woke up too early thanks to play at first base.  I did a full split and caught the ball for the out.  And pulled my groin.  Ouch.

 

 

4. Powdered Hummus?

On my weekly trip to Whole Paycheck Foods I came across hummus powder in the bulk bins.  The instructions say all you need to do is add is water and olive oil.

Does this sound awesome or weird?

I haven’t tried it yet, but will report back soon!  They also had a powdered black bean dip.

 

 

5. Green Thumb

I’ve mentioned before that I have killed every plant I have owned.  I even killed mint.  Yesterday I helped my mom plant flowers.

 

They are so pretty, right?!  I hope my black thumb doesn’t affect them.


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I miiiiight be allowed to try running again tomorrow.  I go back to the doc and he’s going to give me the green light.  Or not.  I’m a little nervous since by the end of softball today it was a little sore from running bases, but nothing like before.

This week was a little light on workout intensity… and the clean eating… but I’m not going to kick myself too hard over it.  Sometimes you just need to take it easy.

 

Workout Recap (3/26 – 4/1):

  • Monday – This BodyRock, stationary bike, 100 push-ups
  • Tuesday – This workout by Lori, 100 push-ups, 20 mins of P90X Cardio… then quit in favor of playing tennis. 🙂
  • Wednesday – P90X Tris/Chest, Ab Ripper X
  • Thursday – This Pinned Workout (3x), 100 push-ups
  • Friday – Rest
  • Saturday – This BodyRock, Back/Bis, 100 push-ups
  • Sunday –  Softball 2x, P90X Plyo, 100 push-ups

 

***

I totally forgot it was April Fool’s yesterday.  We should have the whole month to mess with people!

Did you play any April Fool’s Pranks?

Have you seen powdered hummus before? Is it good?

 

Foodie Penpals + I’m a Joiner

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Remember having pen pals in elementary school?

They were the best!  I looked forward to getting a handwritten (*gasp*) note in the mail from my penal in Oklahoma.  The adult version of the tradition dreamed up by Lindsay is even better – it involves food!

My Foodie PenPal this month, Jennifer @ Peanut Butter & Peppers, sent me a big box of awesome:

From my pal Jennifer:

  • TJs Seaweed Snacks
  • Lucy’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (so flippin’ good)
  • SDT & Basil Quinoa
  • Sesame Wasa Crackers (my new fav work snack)
  • Roasted Almonds
  • Lara Bars
  • A cute mat to take pics on (such a cool blogger-gift idea!)
  • A hand-written note

To sign up for a Foodie PenPals in April, send an email to the brilliant Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com with the following info:

-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address (if you’ve got one)
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
-Whether you are a US resident or Canadian

Join in by April 4th as pairings will be emailed on April 5th!

I’m at a work retreat for the latter part of this week, so I’m a bit light on the post today.  Translation: perfect time for a survey post!

You may have seen this “ABCs” survey circling the blog world… I’m about 2+ weeks behind the times, but thought I’d finally be a joiner. 🙂

A is for age: 28.  When did I get so close to 30?!

B is for breakfast today: Nothing yet, but it will be conference food (which is 100x better than average, I must say).

C is for currently craving: Kombucha!  Since I’ve been travelling, it’s been 3 days without!!!

D is for dinner tonight: I’m going to a mother-daughter dinner with my mom, my BFF, and her mom.  Atlanta, beware!

E is for favorite type of exercise: Weight lifting!  Although not being able to run has really made me appreciate/crave running.

F is for an irrational fear: Roaches.  I can’t handle them.

G is for gross food: I know this is weird, but I cannot STAND white potatoes.

H is for hometown: Atlanta.  Where that playas play.

I is for something important: Being the best you possible.  Why bother doing anything half way?

J is for current favorite jam: Tough choice!!!  Anything by Mumford & Sons.

K is for kids: I know what causes that… nothankyou.

L is for current location: In my cute cottage at my work retreat.

M is for the most recent way you spent money: I bit the bullet and bought the VitaMix.  Best purchasing decision EVER.

N is for something you need:  A good sweat.  If I don’t get moving for at least for 15 mins every day, I start pacing like a caged animal.

O is for occupation:  Consulting in the area of Sales Effectiveness.

P is for pet peeve: When servers start clearing plates before everyone is done.  In the words of Stephanie Tanner, “How rude!”

Q is for a quote:  “You can do anything you want to if you want to badly enough.” – My Dad

R is for random fact about you: I would love to do a tri, but I can’t swim.  Actually, I downright hate swimming.

S is for favorite healthy snack: I legit LOVE healthy snacks – protein shakes or chia pudding are my go-tos.  Loved this Roasted Beet and Orange. 

Unhealthy Snack: Hmmm… my snacks really aren’t bad.  Desserts are my weakness. Warm chocolate chip cookies, anyone?

T is for favorite treat: Really, really good wine (Amarone, anyone?) and chocolate cake.  Preferably together.

U is for something that makes you unique: I’m special just like everyone else!  Maybe having played roller derby? That’s a pretty cool adventure.

This is me breaking my jaw.

V is for favorite vegetable: Spinach!  Every smoothie I make is a peculiar shade of green. 🙂

W is for today’s workout: A quick HIIT thing in my room this morning.

X is for X-rays you’ve had: Jaw (see letter U), teeth, knee (fractured)… I think that’s it (surprisingly).

Y is for yesterday’s highlight: Meeting my new colleagues AND doing a “Cooking Experience” activity with the founder of Serenbe.

Z is for your time zone: East Coast, represent!

***

I always say this… but I really mean it this week… TGIF!!!

What are you up to this weekend?  Any races?

Time for your quiz!  Pick a few letters and tell me a little more about YOU.  Please. 🙂

Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Ice Cream

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I’ve been keeping secrets.

A few weeks ago you were all asking what this ice cream creation was:

It still needed some tweaking… and to avoid scaring people off I re-dressed it.  It’s not easy being green.

This was the end result:

Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Ice Cream.

Sweet potatoes have long been abused.  For years they been drowned with brown sugar and marshmallows at your grandmother’s Thanksgiving table.  These tasty ‘taters don’t need to be hidden by all that sugar-laden stuff!

It’s time they were liberated.  In fact, sweet potatoes don’t even need to be served hot to be delicious.  It’s 80 degrees outside!  Let’s celebrate with ice cream.  And peanut butter.

Beware: it will soften in the sun while you take pics

This sweet, nutty creation was especially good with the cinnamon and ginger additions.  Just enough to add a hint of flavor, these spices brought out the sweetness of the potato and highlighted the peanut element.

Topped with a little more cinnamon and enjoyed in the sunshine, this was the perfect afternoon treat.

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Sweet Potato-Peanut Butter Ice Cream

  • 1 medium garnet sweet potato, baked
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
  • 1/2 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 in piece of ginger
  • 2 T peanut flour (can sub peanut or other nut butter)
  • 8 drops stevia
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of guar gum (or other thickener)
  • 2 C ice

Place all ingredients in Vitamix.  Turn on machine and increase speed to #10; then to high. Use the tamper as needed to press the mixture into the blades while processing. In ~45 seconds, four mounds will form in the mixture.  Stop blending and serve immediately.

Note: Do not over-mix or your ice cream will melt. If your ice cream is more of a milkshake, firm it up by adding more ice cubes.

You may also use an ice cream maker; prepare according to maker instructions.

Serves 2.

***

I must have been strange kid because I didn’t even like the marshmallow-topped casserole stuff back in the day.

Do you like all of that ‘mallowed up casserole of your youth?

What is your favorite flavor or ice cream?

Narcissism + WIAW

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Facebook is an indicator of narcissism.

Raise your hand if you’re in trouble…

According to a recent study, there is a link between the number of “friends” you have and narcissism.  The participants were assessed on the based on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI).  Who knew that even existed?!

The study wasn’t fully representative, but the theory is that a high friend count indicates you need excessive attention.

Clearly these people never played in a ~100 person roller derby league or went to grad school.  That’s like 50% of my friend count!

 

But I digress.  Today is the last  green themed What I Ate Wednesday!  Give my day of eats some attention, and then give Jenn’s blog some attention by clicking here to see what everyone chowed down on.

 

Breakfast:

I was in a rush, so I did a quick 15 min HIIT workout before breakfast… which left me starving.  I scarfed another Raspberry Barked Oatmeal To-Go (perfect in-a-hurry-meal), along with slices of the best grapefruit I’ve ever eaten.

This fruit was so sweet I couldn’t believe it wasn’t an orange or maybe an Ugli fruit.

Lunch:

Again with the busy theme, I ate lunch on the road.  Literally – I was driving with my knees with a cell phone in one hand and my burrito bowl in the other.

Safe, I know… at least is didn’t try to take a picture!

I wish I had gotten a pic because Willy’s is the only Mexi-rito chain I have seen that offers tofu.  Vegan tofu burrito bowl, FTW.

Snacks:

Random, but yummy:

  • Cashews
  • Squash sticks dipped in marinara
  • TJ’s Sweet Potato Chips + Eggplant Garlic Dip (sooooo good!)
  • Grapes
  • Beer… it was a pre-tennis snack! 🙂
  • Rick’s Picks Mean Beans – spicy pickle green beans

Dinner:

A quick post-tennis veggie stir-fry served with apple slices, and seed bread over a bed of mixed greens.

In my quickie stir-fry:

  • Yellow cauliflower
  • Squash and zucchini
  • Collard greens
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Liquid aminos
  • Thyme
  • S+P

Dessert:

One of these Chewy Granola Cookies from the freezer.  I love a low-sugar quickie dessert.  I may have had 2.

***

In the theme of narcissism…. it’s the last time I’ll post my weekly vote plea.  A nomination as a “Best Healthy Eating Blog” for the 2012 Fitterati Blog Awards on FitnessMagazine.com blew me away.  I know I’m never going to reach the 1000+ vote mark, but I’d be honored if you felt inclined to click here and vote for me. 🙂

What is your favorite burrito-chain order?

Let’s talk Facebook… do you believe the theory?  How narcissistic are you?

Do You Chia? [ChiaSeed Recipes]

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We all had chia pets growing up.

The adult thing to do with EAT the chia.  The seeds, not the pet… actually, I wonder if you could eat the pet…

Today I am guest posting on my friend Heather’s blog – Better with Veggies.  This vegan-rockstar endurance athlete is tearing up the slopes on a snowboarding adventure!

Click here for a little chia education and some tasty (and easy!) recipes like…

Peach Cobbler Chia Pudding

Blueberry Pear Overnight Oat Chia Pudding

Sweet Potato Chia Pudding Pie

Chocolate Breakfast Pudding

***

I’m going to be sweating it to keep up with blog this week… work is out of control!  Sorry if I am slow to comment.

Do you use chia seeds?  What’s your favorite way to incorporate them? 

Have you ever walked around with seeds stuck in your teeth?  Why don’t people tell you these things?!

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