Satisfying Creamy Asian Kale Salad + WIAW

September 25, 2013 By Laura

There are no short cuts.

That doesn’t seems to stop people from trying .

Satisfries? Really Burger King? According to this article, the fast food chain has developed a lower fat french fry.* One serving is 190 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 210 milligrams of sodium.

*Yes, they are really called Satisfries

Apparently Satisfries taste like regular fries – they are made with the same oil as the full-fat version. The trick is that Burger King uses an oil-repelling agent in the better that lowers the fat content.

This is kitchen wizardry, not a nutritious french fry. I can’t stand when companies do this because it’s misleading to consumers. Yes,ultimately it’s up to the individual to do their research… but they DON’T. They see these products come out and think eating fries for lunch every day is a good choice (with a burger and a diet coke).

Right or wrong, the timing couldn’t be better. The U.S Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is requiring restaurant chains to post calorie counts on their menus next year. I wonder how many more menus items like these will be popping up?

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This is WIAW was crazy. I was in back to back meetings and pretty much only left my office long enough to pee and run to the fridge for more food. Thank god for food prep. I’m sure people think I’m nuts.

Read on for my San Francisco treats, and then check out Jenn’s blog. for some more “normal” days of food.

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Breakfast:

I’m still going with my new Aminos in my morning cocktail. I am liking it! It’s not a sweet, but I think that’s nice on my taste buds early in the AM.

The food part… well, let’s just say I won’t be leaving the house without tasting my breakfast first ever again. This was going to be a genius idea – mixing ingredients for an oatmeal mugcake the night before so all I had to do was nuke it in the morning. 2 mistakes: I tried a totally new recipe and I microwaved it WAY too long.

At least the Cats mug made me smile.

Mid-Morning Snack:

Porgy with celery sticks and my lentil hummus. Porgy was a new fish to me. I really liked it – it’s heartier, more similar to chicken than a flaky fish.

Bonus: Progy is fun to say.

Lunch:

This was salmon sashimi with lavar, Ezekial bread, and a massaged kale salad.

The dressing (massage lotion?) was my take on Heather’s Creamy Chickpea Salad. If you’ve never use tofu in dressing before, you MUST try it. I can’t believe how creamy and delicious this was!

Creamy Asian Kale Salad

1 bunch of kale
~10 shiitake mushrooms, diced
1/2 C chopped asparagus
3 ounces firm tofu
Fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tsp dulse (seaweed flakes)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp black pepper
Red pepper flakes, to taste

Toss together kale, mushrooms, and asparagus.

Blend together dressing ingredients, and massage into kale mix.

Can eat immediately, but best if allowed to marinate overnight so that veggies soften and flavors infuse..

Mid-Afternoon Snack:

Pork Belly of the sea! Sea bass is my favorite fish. Hands down. I ate it in my office with roasted cauliflower and sweet potato (topped with the cinnamon I keep in my desk).

Dinner:

Dinner continues to be more snack-like on my new schedule. I snacked on some (unpictured) granola before hustling to the gym. When I came home after 9p, all I wanted was my chocolate-beet smoothie.

I was out of beet powder (my Whole Foods quit carrying it!!!), so I tossed in a raw beet! The Vitamix blended it like a champ. Topped with more granola, then inhaled.

Then I needed round two. Double roasted kabocha and peanut flour sauce.

I could eat this every meal.

Dessert:

I’m so sad about this… I made my Carrot Cake Batter Protein Bowl using French Vanilla Designer Whey. Was planning to top it with a Banana Nut Quest Bar. And I did. But not before I burned it. I ate it any way, obv. Note to self: Don’t put your Quest bars under the broiler and walk away.

Topped with cocoa powder-coconut flour sauce and Nuttzo. Because that makes everything better.

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Don’t forget to enter the Designer Whey giveaway for a 1 year supply worth $500. Contest ends tonight at 11:59p!

Satisfries. Do you buy it? Would you buy it?

Do you keep a stash of spices in your desk or purse?

Protein Jackpot: Designer Whey Giveaway

September 23, 2013 By Laura

It’s no secret that I’m a protein monger.

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Designer Whey.

Given my addiction, I was thrilled when Designer Whey asked me to help them celebrate their 20th anniversary. Birthdays are a BIG deal in my family, and Designer Whey is doing it up right. They are giving away a FULL YEAR supply of products!!!

There are a few ways to enter to win at the end of this post. 😉

While whole proteins (eggs, chicken, fish, tofu, legumes, etc.) should be you main sources of protein, but I believe that having protein powder in my diet is beneficial for several reasons.

Protein Powder “Pluses”

Protein “Filler”: It can be added to meals that are normally lower in protein (smoothies, oatmeal, etc) to help keep you full longer
Convenience: When I travel (which is frequently), I always have a stash of powders. You never know when you’re going to be caught without a meal option! It’s also the perfect hotel breakfast. I use chocolate protein powder and coffee to make a gourmet hotel breakfast – Mocha Oatmeal!
Flavor Variety: For me, variety is key to staying on track. I can’t stand to eat the same thing all the time, so I love using different flavored powders as a boredom-beater. They can also act as a good base of customized flavors, like this Oatmeal Cookie Dough Shake
Muscle Fuel: After lifting, having an easily absorbed protein aids in building lean muscle and in recovery. Muscle burns fat. It will actually help lean you out. It’s the food you eat that bulks you. Feed muscles, not fat cells *steps off soap box*

There are two types of protein I like to use: plant-based and whey.

For the whey protein, my go to is Designer Whey and has been ever since I was introduced to them via FitFluential. Since then, I’ve been creating like crazy with it!

Balsamic Strawberries and White Chocolate Cream

Oatmeal Cookie Bars

(Mr. Olympia-approved!)

Microwave Carrot Cake

Microwave Zucchini Bread

Apparently I decided to thoroughly test it’s ability to be baked… I can assure you, it bakes very well. 😉

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So now for the really good part. How do YOU win the Protein Jackpot?*

*Protein Jackpot: noun; the chief prize in a game or contest; protein jackpot consists of twelve (12) 12oz Designer Whey French Vanilla protein powders; twelve (12) Designer Whey protein bar 12-ct boxes (4 12ct Peanut Butter Crunch boxes, 4 12ct Triple Chocolate Crunch boxes, and 4 12ct Caramel Chocolate Crunch boxes); twelve (12) Designer Whey Protein 2GO 5-ct boxes (4 5ct Lemonade boxes, 4 5ct Tropical Orange boxes, and 4 5ct Mixed Berry boxes); six (6) Designer Whey High-Protein Ready-to-Drink Shakes 4-packs (3 4-packs French Vanilla and 3 4-packs Gourmet Chocolate). Approximate Retail Value of Grand Prize: $500

1. Click HERE and order your free tattoo. Snap a photo of you and your tattoo, then send it in for a chance to win.

2. Enter my giveaway below for 1 year supply, worth $500! (The giveaway is open to US residents only.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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After a crazy weekend full of plumbing problems and staying on track with food prep, I cannot thank you enough for your encouraging words on last Wednesday’s post. They sparked me and helped me smile through it all. You guys ROCK! And you’re marvelous.

Have you ever tried Designer Whey? If so, what’s your favorite way to use it?

What is your favorite protein powder recipe? Share it in the comments!

Sunshine and Pumpkin Pan-lettes

September 16, 2013 By Laura

It’s a sunshine-y day!!!

Hey, we’re supposed to start the week on a positive. #cheese

This weekend was beautiful and sunny in Atlanta. I spent Saturday morning working out, then did some shopping. I purchased fresh eggs from the farmers market before heading to Fresh Market for some goodies:

I really love the wraps and the lentil hummus! Hatch chilies aren’t new to me, but I was thrilled that they were grilling them fresh outside the store to sell. Score! They went really well with the shrimp I bought (pre-cooked and tails removed – I can’t stomach doing those myself just yet).

Then I got dressed to watch two of my favorite people get married.

Admittedly, I was a little anxious about the reception. Open bar, lots of tasty reception food… and cake. I mustered all my motivation and commitment.

I knew I wouldn’t last without my own treats, so I came prepared.

Bring your own food to a wedding?! Why not? I made a quick turkey salad with my hatch chilies, parsley, and tomato. That was tossed in a sauce of nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, cumin, and smoked paprika. I also brought some green bean chips, a chocolate calcium disk, and kombucha. The kombucha was awesome to have so I felt like I had a “drink.”

Confession: I took a teeny cake sample. It was worth it. So there.

Isn’t the bride gorgeous?!

Sunday there was more marvelous with a great workout followed by a trip to Whole ~~Paycheck~~ Foods. On bike.

It was supposed to help with self-control… but really it translated to weighted cardio on the ride home. It’s 6.5 miles round trip! The need for kabocha is not to be denied!

See that beer in the middle? It’s a pumpkin beer. I’m afraid it will all be gone by the time I can drink it after my competition, so I asked the beer man (Max) to recommend the very best.

I purchased a single and it will remain in my fridge until mid-November. Wish me luck.

I’ve been tagged by a few people for the Sunshine Award. Thank you!!!

The last one I saw was from Janetha… based on the first question alone, I knew I had to answer. 🙂

1. Do you believe in aliens? Why or why not.

I don’t know… I’ll say yes. Because who are we to think we’re all that’s out there?!

2. If you could do ANYTHING in the world and have that be your career and your skills, paycheck, or anything else was not an object… what would you do?

I’d travel. That my one day get boring, but being able to explore and experience the world without the chains of time or monetary needs is my idea of heaven.

Like that time I ended up in Chile by accident and found myself on board a US Navy ship…

3. What is your earliest childhood memory?

That’s tough… I don’t remember? Maybe dancing around the living room to old records at Christmas time with my dad.

4. What’s for dinner tonight?

How about last night? That’s what I have a picture of. 😉 It was one of my new wraps spread with salsa and topped with shrimp, broccoli slaw, and a little local #yolkporn.

5. What was the most fabulous vacation you have ever been on in your entire life?

Italy. 2 weeks traveling to small towns on a self-guided food and wine extravaganza. I almost didn’t come home.

~~Often I wonder why I did.~~

At the tartufo festival in Alba, Italy

6. If you HAD to give up one of your senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing, or smell) which would it be?

NOT taste or smell! Maybe hearing? It seems like that’s the easiest one to accommodate for, especially if you’re able to hear prior.

~~I’d rather not hear half the shit that comes out of people’s mouths anyway…~~ 😉

7. Would you rather always be super freezing cold or ridiculously overheating hot? (and no, you can’t have a warm blanket or AC to combat the issue!)

Bring on the heat! I hate being cold. I have Raynaud’s Disease and it’s uncomfortable and creepy when my fingers go white-purple.

8. Why did you start blogging?

My mom told me to. Seriously. I was reading a lot of blog and getting inspired to make all of this #strangebutgood stuff and my mom said “you should start a blog!” So I did!

This is not at all strange for us.

9. What was the last compliment you received and what was the last one you paid to someone?

Yesterday I Instagrammed a sneaky selfie from the gym and my girl Meg sent me the sweetest text that made my night:

“Wow girl you’re looking phenomenal. Be proud of yourself.”

That Pumpkin Pie Smoothie recipe is on the Instagram post. 😉

*Please don’t be offended, Zumba people. I just thought it was funny. I tried it at Blend and it was HARD for this white girl.*

I’m struggling through this prep and someone noticing progress that’s hard for me to see in myself feels really, really good.

I paid it forward by telling a girl in the elevator that the homemade (paleo!) fudge she was bringing up looked amazing. Then I tried to steal one.

10. What is your most favorite thing to eat?

I hate this question (sorry Janetha!). I love different foods for different reasons, and it depends on the mood!

Right now I’m digging the Pumpkin Pan-lette (remember when I did it with sweet potato?) I made Saturday morning. There’s no flour in it – the base is just pumpkin and egg whites. Like a pumpkin omelette, but cooked like a pancake. Pan-lette. Get it?

Whatever you call it, it is a fluffy cake of fall deliciousness. I topped with a peanut flour sauce, which we all know I’m addicted to.

Pumpkin Pan-lette

1/2 C pumpkin puree
1/2 C egg whites
1/2 tsp butter extract (or vanilla)
1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of cloves
4-5 drops vanilla liquid stevia (optional)

For the sauce:

1 T peanut flour
1 T Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 drops vanilla liquid stevia
Almond milk or water, to thin

Combine all pancake ingredients into a medium bowl and stir until smooth. Pour into a prepared (I used PAM) skillet and cook as you would a pancakes (~2-3 mins on each side).

Note: I made this as one huge pancake, but I’d advise you to turn it into 2. It required some serious acrobatics and two spatulas to flip.

Meanwhile, stir together sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

Plate your pie-cakes, top with peanut butter syrup, and enjoy!

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Don’t forget to check out all the other marvelous in the world over at Katie’s link up!

The Sunshine rules say you have to come up with 10 questions and tag 10 people. Everyone and their brother has already done this… so I tag YOU!!! Choose one of the questions above and answer it below. Sharing is caring.

Would/have you ever brought your own food to a wedding?

Peanut Flour Love + WIAW

August 28, 2013 By Laura

What’s more exciting than packages?

Chocolate cake.

I came home last night to a delivery from iHerb. After a massage and a trip to Whole Foods, it was the icing on the ~~chocolate~~ cake.

Use discount code USO924 for $5-10 off your order!

Many of these are new to me – toffee stevia, Walden Farms caramel, and the peanut butter protein powder. I have been out of tahini and coconut flour for a while, so I’m excited to use those again. I bet I can use it all together!

Do you think I got enough peanut flour? I love that stuff. It’s better than the other stuff (ahem… PB2) because it’s just the de-fatted nuts. No added sodium or sugar.

What should you do with your peanut flour? Allow me to help…

Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Tofu Noodle Stir Fry with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Rum Butter Kabocha Bowl

Sweet Potato Scramble with Spiced Maple-Peanut Sauce

Sweet Potato Pan-lette

French Elvis Toast

There’s a lot more where that came from… check out my Recipage. I may or may not have an addiction…

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This WIAW was a good one. I was much more prepared this week to stick to my plan. I’m using more quinoa to help me hit my carbs. This time I made extra to keep in the freezer for quick access next week too.

Read on for my food, and then check out Jenn’s link up for everyone else’s tasty eats.

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