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Appetites and Adventures

Strawberry Asparagus Tempeh Salad

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Monday was eventful!  I…

1. …found out I received a number in the famed Peachtree Road Race on July 4th.  Who else is running???

 

2. …picked out paint colors for an accent wall and trim.  Although I’m pretty sure I picked too light for the accent wall…


3. …bought a new (much-needed) washer and dryer – being installed today!  Thank you, Craig’s List.


4. …saved $10.50 at Whole Paycheck Foods.  That’s one helluva PR!

 

5. …tried a new ice cream: Almond Dream Praline Crunch.  It was AWESOME – creamy, nutty, and didn’t have the “I’m unsuccessfully trying really hard to act like ice cream” taste.  Totally worth the $$$.  Nevermind that I had a coupon.


Not too shabby for a Monday!

AND I continued my streak of morning workouts with my favorite bike-elliptical-treadmill interval routine.  Despite the insane thunderstorms/rain that went on all night long.

AND I am participating in “Your Best Recipe” for the month of March.  Check back on Thursday, March 31st for an update/link to the list!

 

Hosted by Spicy Foodie (click image for link)

 

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Every smoothie I drink is green.  I think tofu is delicious.  The only acceptable way to drink coffee is black.  Olives have been known to find their way into my cookies.  Salsa and eggs were made for each other, IMHO.

“Weird” eating habits are not new to me.

HOWEVER, I will concede that if someone tried to tell me the dinner I ate last night was delicious… I may have rolled my eyes.

Balsamic roasted strawberries.  Roasted lemon-y asparagus.  Grilled tempeh.  Served over a bed of spinach and parsley.

Pure deliciousness.

Sorry for the iPhone blurry pic... I was hungry!

Tempeh can be a bit bitter if you don’t boil it.  One of the cool things about this recipe is that the sweetness of the strawberries cuts the bitter.  This way you can pan-fry your tempeh freely without having to worry about adding a sugary sweetener.

Strawberry Asparagus Tempeh Salad

For the tempeh*:

  • 2T EVOO (I used habanero-infused)
  • 1 T soy sauce
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 block tempeh

Mix together first 4 ingredients in a small bowl.  Thinly slice the tempeh.  POur marinade over tempeh slices, gently tossing to coat.  Let sit 5-10 mins to absorb flavor.

Heat a large skillet over med-high heat.  Coat with a bit of oil and place tempeh slices in pan.  Cook until golden brown and crispy (~ 5-6 mins), flipping half way through.

Remove from heat and set aside.

*You could do this with chicken or tofu if you prefer!

For the asparagus:

  • 7-8 asparagus spears
  • Juice from 1/2 a small lemon
  • 2-3 tsp EVOO
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to broil.

Toss asparagus in lemon juice, oil, and pepper.  Place on foil in oven for 6-7 mins, watching closely.  Remove when just beginning to brown and wrinkle.

For the strawberries:

  • 1/2 C strawberries, quartered
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to broil.

Toss strawberries in balsamic.  Place on piece of foil in oven, letting roast for 2-3 mins.  (I just added mine to the asparagus during the last couple of minutes.)


Place a generous handful of spinach in salad bowl.  Toss with parsley.  Top with asparagus, strawberries, and tempeh.  Drizzle with a little EVOO and lemon juice.  Sprinkle with nutritional yeast (or cheese), and S+P to taste.

Note: You may notice in the pic that I added an heirloom tomato.  I’d leave it out next time… not terrible, but it didn’t add anything.

***

What’s the weirdest thing you like to eat?  Do people comment on your food choices?

My name is Laura and I <3 weird food.

 

Qu-egg-sadilla

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The Bachelorette had a great time.  We even were graced with the presence of the token interpretive dancer.

Wouldn’t it be funny if someone who knew him read this?!

Normal people sleep off a Bachelorette party.  Normal people may go to brunch, eat pancakes, and drink a little hair of the dog mimosa.

I, on the other hand, eat a Zucchini-Banana Muffin, get inspired by fellow-bloggers (thanks, Tina!), and write up a new work out.

I’m a glutton for punishment, my friends.

Killer (read: awesome) work outs get me excited.

New shoes also get me pumped.  Running shoes, heels, flip flops… doesn’t matter.

Here’s the Post-Party Workout:

Round 1:

20 reps of each (except squats)

  • Bicep curls
  • Tricep skull crushers
  • Bench leg lifts
  • 30-seconds quick squats

*** Sprint 0.3 miles***

Round 2:

3 sets, 12 reps each

  • Bent over barbell row
  • Wide grip lat pull-down
  • Seated row
  • Straight arm lat pull-down

*** Sprint 0.3 miles***

Round 3:

3 sets, 12 reps each

  • Alternating dumbbell curls (rotating wrists in as lifting)
  • Bicep curls
  • Hammer curls (last set until exhaustion)

*** Sprint 0.5 miles***

Round 4:

  • Stability ball roll outs (20)
  • Stability ball crunches (30)
  • Crunches with medicine call (50)
  • Alternating lunges with lat raise (20 total)
  • Side plank twists (12 on each side)
  • Decline crunch (50)
  • Side plank with leg lift (1 min each side)

Worth. It.

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Party like a rockstar.  Workout like a rockstar.  Eat a well-deserved a rockstar lunch.

Thankfully, 101 Cookbooks just posted an irresistible-looking Quesadilla.

(Side note: everything on 101 Cookbooks is basically brilliant.)

So here’s my version.  With a TON of local ingredients.

It was good.  Real good.

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Qu-egg-sadilla

  • 1 T lime zest
  • 1/4 C Greek yogurt
  • 2 T capers
  • Splash of habanero-infused EVOO (regular is fine too!)
  • 1 egg
  • S+P, to taste
  • 1 tortilla
  • 1 T pimento cheese
  • 1 C fresh spinach

Mix together lime zest and Greek yogurt (Atlanta Farm Fresh is my Greek-style of choice) in a small bowl.  Set aside.

Rinse capers and pan fry them over medium-high heat in a small splash of oil (I used Sweetwater Growers’ habanero-infused) until just wrinkling.  Remove from pan and set aside on paper towel to cool a bit.

Beat the egg a in a small bowl.  Beat the egg with a little water (water makes it more fluffy than milk!) and S+P, to taste.

Spread pimento cheese (I used my new fav American Gra-frutti) on tortilla.

Add a splash of EVOO to small skillet, heating over medium heat.  Add egg mixture to skillet.  Do not touch until bottom sets, ~20-25 secs.  Top the eggs with spinach, then place tortilla (I used a Rudi’s spelt tortilla) on top of egg and spinach.  The top of the egg will still be a bit runny, so it should attach itself to the tortilla/spinach as it sets.  

Wait another 20-25 secs (until egg has set enough not to run), and flip.  Fold tortilla in half, and cook each side a bit longer until outside of tortilla is nicely browned.

Place tortilla on a plate, top with yogurt mixture, capers, and freshly ground pepper.

***

Do you read other blogs to get motivated for a workout?  

What are your favorites?

Roasted Red Pepper-Asparagus Mini Quiches

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It is an unwritten rule in the South that you cannot have a bridal shower without the following items:

  • Mimosas
  • Pimento cheese
  • Chips and dips
  • Quiche

We covered all the required bases

 

Wait!  Where’s proof of the mimosas?!  Hold up…

How cute is Christina showing off her ring?!

The pimento was my new favorite, American Gra-frutti.  Mayo and gluten-free.

SO much better than the typical mayo-soaked version at your family picnic.

This chips and dip were also well-represented.

Tostidos sent me a coupon via She Speaks to try one of their new Artisan Recipe flavors.  I selected the Roasted Garlic and Black Bean.

We served them with homemade hummus and fresh veggies.

The ingredient list is pretty clean for the Artisan chips- they are 100% natural and contain real black beans.

However, I found them to be a bit salty.  Weird, as the package says there’s only 90mg sodium. I bet they are good with pico and guac.

Then there was quiche.  Mini quiche.


I love these for parties – you can customize them with virtually any veggie or  cheese (I’ve even made them with bacon).

 

AND they are super easy to make ahead and re-heat.

Of course, they are also a finger food.  Finger foods will get you bonus points on the Southern unwritten rules test.

Reminiscent of the awesome breakfast eggfins, no?

Mini Quiche recipe after the jump…

… 

Read More »

Black Bean Burgers

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It wasn’t just a fluke last week!  The Sleep Cycle app once again got me out of bed in time to exercise before work this morning.  Amazing.

The real test will be tomorrow.  I have a one-month membership to a local gym (thank you, Groupon).  A friend of mine swears by a certain 630am class… and I committed to meeting her there tomorrow.  At 630am.

*deep breath*

I can’t remember the last time I woke up that early.

The icing on the cake is that I haven’t tried spinning since high school.  I made it through one class, then vowed “never again” after it left my crotch feeling bruised.

TMI?!?

If last week was Indian week, then this week is faux-burger week.

Last night being burger-less became unbearable.

There is no way I can chew a real burger (plus I’m not so sure I want to go back to red meat), but a soft, black bean burger seemed do-able.  Off to the kitchen I went to create.

The result was awesome.  I couldn’t stop at just the burger.  Inspired by the recent over-saturation onslaught of burger-creations in Atlanta, I added a fried egg and some tasty (mayo-free!), spicy pimento cheese.

I used the American Gra-frutti gluten-free pimento cheese I wrote about last week.  Again, I’m not gluten-free.  I just like good food.  This stuff is GOOD.

Whole Paycheck Foods had a tasting this weekend where I was able to try American Gra-frutti’s “They’ll Never Know” gluten-free chocolate chip cake.  It was awesome.  Not too sweet and, as promised, I would have never known there was anything different about it.

The burgers are vegan… the egg on top notsomuch.

 

Vegan Black Bean Burgers

  • 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 carrot
  • 1/4 C fresh parsley
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 C red onion, chopped
  • 1/3 C whole wheat panko
  • S + P, to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a food processor and blend until coarsely chopped.  Add spices, blending once more and adjusting to taste.  Incorporate the onion and panko at the end, blending just a moment (if you, like me, prefer a little texture).  Salt and pepper to taste.

Place on lined (or non-stick) baking sheet and cook for ~45 mins (or until firmed up), flipping 30 mins in.

Makes 4 burgers.

***

Do you enjoy trying “specialty” foods even though you may not have “special” food needs?  

What’s the best new product you’ve discovered lately?

Indian Week

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PSA: Sleep Cycle is the best app ever.

 

Wild ass claim…

From their website, Sleep Cycle is a “bio-alarm clock that analyzes your sleep patterns and wakes you when you are in the lightest sleep phase.” Since using it, I have woken up on time (or early!) and not pressed snooze the first time.

By far, the most useful app I’ve downloaded to-date.  I’d give it an Oscar. For the second morning in a row… I had time to go to the gym!!!

And make a tasty breakfast:

Roasted grapefruit with fresh nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander.  Side of Greek yogurt + chia seeds.  Coffee.

If you’ve never tried a roasted grapefruit, I highly recommend it.  It is an easy and grapefruit is in season right now.

For a “how-to,” check out this post.

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This week has inadvertently become Indian cuisine week… (more after the jump)   … 

Read More »

Sunday Winners

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Last night I stayed up way to late watching the Oscars.  I wasn’t amused until the very end.

Favorite dress was definitely Reese Witherspoon’s classic strapless:

 

Source: Fox News

Least favorite?  Cate Blanchett.  *shudder*

 

Source: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

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I did have 2 wins of my own yesterday:

Win #1:

 

America Gra-frutti: mayo-chream cheese-gluten- free pimento cheese

Peachtree Pimento - Spicy

Pimento Cheese by American Gra-frutti.  No cream cheese.  No mayo.  Gluten-free.  Only 60 calories for 2 T.

I typically do not like pimento cheese, but this was delicious.

Thank you, Whole Paycheck Foods sampler lady.

I had never heard of this gluten-free bakery before, but I look forward to trying more from them.  No, I’m not gluten-free… but I do like good food.  This was good.

And how cute is the company’s name!?  Totally Oscar-appropriate.

Win #2:

My favorite maker of Greek-style yogurt, Atlanta Farm Fresh, now has a chocolate flavor!

Chocolate Rocket.  In an amazing act of self-control, I have not tried it yet.  But I guarantee it won’t make it through the night.

***

Did you watch the Oscars?  Who is on your best/worst dressed list?

 

All I Want for Christmas

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Still in the hospital with mom.

 

I’m rapidly becoming less and less impressed with doctors.  They are supposed to FIX problems, not create them!

Anyway, since there isn’t any food to speak of, I thought I’d share my Amazon Christmas Wish List!  Baby Sis was looking for mine and texted me to ask a question: “Is yours the one with all the cooking stuff?”

Duh.
So here are my Top 10 Wish List Items (no, they aren’t ALL about cooking!).

1. The Improvisational Cook – There are several cookbooks on my list, yet I know I’ll do my usual.  Use them 2-3 times and then get distracted by other shiny objects recipes and not open it again for 2 years.  I still want this one though.  The theory behind why certain ingredients work and how to expand dishes fascinates me.  Some people read novels, I read cookbooks.

2. Food Scale – For my diet?!  HAHAHAHA!  No, friends.  Scales are much more accurate than measuring cups.  Better to bake with!  I’m fully aware that I’m probably the only person in the world wishing for a scale so I can make more yummy anti-diet food.

3. The Healthiest Meals on Earth – This is the last one, I swear!  Again, this book has a lot of background and “why it works” info, with the addition of more nutrient data.  Love.  It.  I’ll probably store it on the scale to balance out the baked goods.

4. Glass Straw – I love my smoothies.  And I do have occasional hippie-like guilt for the excess plastic I waste using a different straw everyday.  A glass straw would solve it all!

5. Ice Cream Maker – It is the perfect size – 1/2 a pint!  I’ve been eyeing a certain Oatmeal Ice Cream recipe for a while.  Add blueberries and cinnamon.  Peanut butter sauce.  Chopped walnuts.  Coffee.  Is anyone else hungry?

6. Shun LEFT-HANDED 6-in Utility Knife – That’s right.  LEFT-HANDED!!! Maybe this will help alleviate the little problem I have with slicing my fingers?!

7. Wrist Guards – These are for derby.  Mine smell so bad I can hardly stand it.  I’m also hoping Santa brings some elbow pads to replace that stench too. 🙂

8. Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters – Speaking of derby… these will allow me to make appropriately themed cookies for my Sake teammates!

9. Measuring Matroyshkas – How cool are these?  Hopefully they are accurate.  I cannot get enough nifty kitchen stuff!

10. Power Balance Wrist Band – I heard these work.  I saw a demo.  It is probably a load of you-know-what. I reallllly want to try it out.  In theory, this band “uses holograms embedded with frequencies that react positively with your body’s natural energy field.”  It supposedly makes you stronger and more steady.  Sounds like an athlete’s dream come true.

Honorable mentions:

***

I’m now trying to shop for a certain sister who is IMPOSSIBLE to buy for. 

What do you do for situations like that?  Gift cards???

 

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