It’s cherry season!
Cherries are one of my favorite grab-and-go snacks, as well as a favorite dessert addition.
Apparently they have a ton of health benefits too!
- High in anti-oxidants
- Act as anti-inflammatories
- May help fight cancer
- Loaded with minerals (potassium, iron, zinc, copper and manganese)
It’s also WIAW! This is one of my favorite “events” (Jenn @ Peas & Crayons is a genius for thinking this up) because I love getting inspiration from what others are creating/eating, and I love finding new blogs to read in all my spare time.
You know when you’re sick, have no appetite, and nothing sounds good? This lead to a day full of eclectic snacks and small meals.
Why did my immune system miss the memo that it’s 90 flippin’ degrees outside?!
Breakfast
Sick –> comfort food –> oatmeal.
Sweet berries + salty cottage cheese = oatmeal deliciousness
Cherry oatmeal! I made this the old-fashioned way on the stove top. In my comfort oats:
- Almond milk
- Cottage cheese
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Cinnamon
Lunch
Salad on the road:
- Spinach
- Orange sections
- Edamame (which sunk to the bottom)
- Liquid aminos
To dress this salad, I used the orange juice and Bragg’s Liquid Aminos.
If you haven’t tried this yet, I highly recommend doing so. Liquid Aminos are NON-GMO soybeans and purified water. The taste is similar to soy sauce, though its much more mild and less salty. Added bonus: it comes in a spray bottle!
Snacks
Brazil Nuts
Think Thin Chocolate Toffee Bar
with…
New PB! Sunland Almond and Roasted Valencia
I added sriracha
Dinner
My spaghetti squash with it’s leeks and lovely Spinach-Walnut Pesto looked like this when I started:
Then I attacked it! Mmmmm…
I love spaghetti squash to begin with, but adding a bright, lemon-y, flavorful pesto made it amazing. I also tossed it with some sautéed leeks. Topped off with freshly ground pepper to set it all off.
Never tried spaghetti squash? It’s mild flavor and spaghetti-like texture means you can use it in place of pasta in virtually anything. Click here for a “how to.”
Perfect welcome for Summer on the solstice. 🙂
Spinach-Walnut Pesto
- 2 C fresh spinach
- 1/4 C fresh basil
- 1/4 C walnuts
- 1 T extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 jalapeno, seeds removed
- Juice from 1/2 a small lemon
- S+P, to taste
Toss all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until mixed. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides occasionally.
Makes 9-10 tablespoons.
***
Master sommelier Andrea Robinson says the perfect solstice pairing is a glass of champagne. Had I felt better, I would have indulged!
Did you do anything to celebrate the solstice?
What are your favorite comfort foods with you don’t feel well?
ummmm I love you. haha
I am all OVER that braggs in a spray bottle! I wonder who carries the spray version? I’ve seen the regular one at marshalls of all places! so crazy! =)
ps: noodle soup + sriracha is why we are bff.. seriously =) I put it on everrrrything too! Hope you feel better super fast! <3
It’s at Whole Foods! Best find of the month, fo’ shizzle. 🙂
P.S. Sriracha will totally clear out the sinuses, FYI. xo
Favourite comfort foods… probably pasta, pesto, spinach, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms and toasted pine nuts topped with parmesan. It was the only dish I could make for years but i’m still not bored of it! 🙂 That and sweet potato curry! I hope you feel better soon!
Wow, what a day of eats! I had no idea Bragg’s came in a spray bottle. I’m cuckoo for that stuff! I love Sriracha, too (melted earth balance with sriracha is a perfect popcorn topper!)
TI’m going to have to try that popcorn recipe!
Cherries are my favorite summer fruit as well…worth every penny!
And great minds do think alike, although your spaghetti squash looks 100x better than mine. 🙂 I’ll use your recipe as inspiration next time!
I’ve been looking for a tahini-less pesto to try and I think this one will be the winner!
Spent $7 on cherries last night – whoops! I love spaghetti squash too!
Sick? Oh no – get well soon!!! I haven’t tried cottage cheese in oats. That sounds interesting. I love both, so maybe I’ll give it a go in the near future. Thanks for the idea.
I’ve been OD’ing on cherries lately! … I just wish they would go on sale!
So glad u mentioned the Bragg’s . u reminded me that I NEED to pick up a bottle. Favorite comfort foods = oatmeal, quesadilla, toast w/ mashed avocado
Ahh. Brazil nuts are my favorite nut!! I’m sorry you aren’t feelin well 🙁 My favorite food while sick is probably fudge pops 🙂
Ohhhh… fudge pop… 🙂
I love spaghetti squash!!! But I’ve never tried it with pesto! I freaking love pesto, so I feel like that combination should have happened for me a long time ago!!! But alas, better late than never 😉
We’re in a drought and it FINALLY rained… on the first day of summer (weird, huh, after not raining all spring). I love homemade chicken noodle soup when I’m not feeling so hot!
Sriracha is meant to be paired with EVERYTHING. Good call on adding it to soup! I’m loving the idea of pesto with spaghetti squash too. So fresh and so good!
What a grand way to comfort yourself.
We don’t get Braggs in the U.K, so I was amazed to see the variety of sizes they come in – must be popular stuff.
Hope your feeling much better now.
You can order online – I think they ship Internationally. Thank you!
Being sick in the summer SUCKS! I hope you feel better. I haven’t made oatmeal on the stove in so long. I did buy some irish oatmeal the other day and that is the only way to make them,MMMM!
I really want to give spaghetti squash a try! And why are so many people getting sick right now?? Bad timing. But hot oats sound like a good solution.
Oh yum! I have been making pesto out of spinach, basil, and almonds/sunflower seeds – both great combos. Who needs expensive pine nuts anyways, haha
I love sunflower seed pesto!
Oh all of this looks so delicious!!
Pesto makes the world go round – in my world anyways!! That dinner looks amazing! And I’m absolutely loving the cherries in your oats! Happy WIAW!
oooh that mixed nut butter looks great!! I’ll have to try it.
I love spaghetti squash so much!! I’ve been wanting to try it sweet, have you ever tried that? I usually celebrate the solstice somehow but I’m busy packing for my summer camp job. When I don’t feel well I usually go with things like smoothies, salads and yogurt.
Totally trying that pesto tonight. As in, right now 😉
I love Braggs! Never thought to put it on salad. I might try that pesto recipe. Looks good and it is vegan.
MmM, I lov starte WAlnut pesto, and adding spinach is such an great idea!
I like oatmeal for comfort too. And also spoonfuls of nutbutter 😛 And starchy stuff like pancakes and such- even though I havent really eaten that in ages 😛
Have a great day 🙂
I am so inspired to buy cherries next time I’m at the store! Hope you’re feeling better, Laura.
Ahhh, I had SO much spaghetti squash last summer (we were growing some) and yours looks so good. I almost forgot about it, actually. I loved it with pesto, too – your recipe for it looks awesome.
I hope you start to feel better soon!
Yummmm! This looks really really good. I just bought some bragg’s today for the first time. Maybe I’ll give this a try.
Whitney