It’s 9/29! You didn’t think I’d forget National Coffee Day did you!?!?
Not a chance. I’m a tad behind in blogging because I’ve been playing catch-up around the casa. I’ve been productive, but I hardly deserve a pat on the back since it’s all stuff that I should have accomplished last weekend.
For breakfast on Tuesday I had a bowl of One Lucky Duck grawnola, cheerios, and bananas on top of greek yogurt.
Tuesday I got my running mojo back and after this bowl of deliciousness had digested I set off for a nice 30 minutes of jogging on the beach. It was glorious. I stretched for another 15 minutes when I got home, which was almost better than the run.
Lately I’ve been into throwing curve balls when it comes to normal flavor combinations. Like making foods that are typically savory into sweet dishes, and vice versa…
Continuing the trend, for Tuesday’s lunch I toyed with the idea of creating a sweet hummus. Sounds weird, right? It took a looong brainstorming sesh, but I finally came up with a winning recipe.
Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
Remember that delicious almond butter fluff I made a few days ago? Allow me to introduce sweet almond hummus.
Sweet almond hummus
- 3/4 cup chickpeas
- 1/2 cup raw soaked almond butter
- 1/4 cup water
*If you don’t have almond butter made from soaked nuts you could use 1/4 cup regular almond butter with an extra 1/4 cup water instead
Pulse in a blender or food processor until everything is super smooth.
I dipped carrots and apples in it, and I have to say, it was pretty awesome. As far as dips go, this one is really versatile because it can work for both sweet and savory foods. Next time I make it I’ll use less water and see how it goes with pita wedges.
The afternoon was fairly snacky. I had a berry MIX1 smoothie which was absolutely stellar. It’s not vegan because it contains whey, but it is lactose free.
I rarely drink (a) smoothies that I haven’t made myself and/or (b) pre-made beverages that are more than 100 kcals (that’s an arbitrary numeric amount, but it’s generally about right). That said, I felt like a thick and fruity drink. What can I say, I don’t live in black and white and MIX1 has good smoothies that don’t leave you feeling like you just downed a sugar bomb.
Later I had 3 apples (2 galas, 1 braeburn). Hello fall!
Dinner was a vegan quesadilla.
- La Tortilla Factory whole wheat tortillas
- hummus
- Daiya vegan cheddar “cheese”
- kidney beans
- chili powder
- paprika
Beanie weeney (that’s for you Kailey)
I smooshed the kidney beans then threw it in the micro for a few seconds.
Fold and feast.
It’s kinda like a new and improved crack wrap…more hearty, more beany, and all around delicious. Plus the chili powder kinda gave my taste buds a run for their money. Spicayyy.
On the late night I had some hummus with Livin’ Spoonful raw crackers. I effing love these things. I even order them from my own OpenSky shop because I adore them and can’t find them ANYwhere.
This was my last pack though :(
On Wednesday, I got up early and celebrated National Coffee Day.
Then I headed off to the farmer’s market. This is basically becoming a Wednesday tradition since I’ve now gone the past 3 weeks in a row, with 2 Saturday trips as well. I love the atmosphere and supporting the local farms, but I also love scoping out good deals. I have scored bags of multi-colored bell peppers (that taste out of this world) for $2. That said, I also think some stuff is triple what it would cost in the store (like the pears I “had to have”).
Fig had a mini-kitchen set up going on and their menu looked legit. I’m going to have to remember to try the restaurant out soon. Being semi-new to the area, I am continuously discovering good places to dine…when I got home and googled Fig, I decided it was right up my ally. Add that to the to-do list!
Anyways, today I was supposed to meet a friend at the market, but there was a miscommunication and we wound up taking a rain check on our date. I still came home with some mighty fine loot, which you can see in the bowl below.
Pears, peaches, greek yogurt, oh my!
Not too much later I made lunch since I had to run out for an afternoon errand. I wasn’t that hungry, but I didn’t know how long I’d be away from the casa.
Round two with the Fakin’ Bakin’ tempeh.
This time I cooked it in a pan with minimal cooking spray so it crisped up.
Let me tell you, the kitchen smelled amazing…even better was the fact that the smoke detector didn’t go off (I don’t miss my NYC kitchen shoebox with a sink and oven at all).
On the one half of the sando I careful caked on spicy dijon mustard, half an avocado, and the crispy tempeh, while on the other half I melted some vegan (Daiya) cheddar “cheese.”
In the words of Joey Tribbiani “put those hands together” (Friends fans?).
Yeah buddy.
I think I can get on board with tempeh if I keep making sammies like this!
Anyways, I’ll post the rest of the day’s eats later, since I’m gonna work on the seitan tutorial you guys asked for. Ciao for now.
Ahhh…I can’t believe I didn’t know it was national coffee day! I may have to order some grawnola online…it looks awesome!
I’ve never even thought to make sweet hummus! I bet it was delish. And I need to try tempeh bacon!
I want to try the fake bacon! I’m not sure why because I have an aversion to regular tempeh but this is just calling my name!
I just have to say that I love the way you eat. I’m sure I’ve said it before but I had to repeat myself. Whole foods, homemade dips, fresh fruit in massive amounts. I LOVE it.
I’ve been inspired by you many times before and whenever I get into a processed food rut I read your blog for inspiration and a swift kick in the ass.
THANK YOU for that!
i feel like national coffee day is everyday in my life haha i love it and my bestie just came back from italy and brought me italian coffee and man it’s like friggn liquid gold. i can’t imagine whaaaat i’m going to do when i run out 🙁
i LOVE dipping carrot sticks into peanut buttery things such a good flavor combo
i had really delicious teriyaki tempeh a couple months ago which is weird for me cuz i usually hate mock meats (minus boca burgers which are probably pretty processed that i should not admit to liking them lol but watevs) anywho, i bought tempeh from Tjs last month in an attempt of creating something amazo with it. Since then it has sat in my fridge like an ugly tormenter that wont go away. My creative juices are going nowhere and everytime i look at it, i take it out for dinner saying ill make it into something phenom but then end up throwing it back in lol!
YES BEANY/BEANEY WEENIE/WEENEY!!! Love me some of that.
Your Daiya creations are getting ridiculous. They all look so friggin good!
What kind of bread is that? It looks perfectly fluffy.
Also, I have never tried tempeh bacon, which is truly a shame. Must hunt down!
I just had to go check…it’s Sarah Lee Hearty somethin’ somethin’ (100% whole wheat). Basically, I buy whatever is on sale at the store that says 100% whole wheat…now that I’m the lone bread winner of the home (although I have yet to get a paycheck). I’ll get back to my beautiful sprouted breads once I have the dough…ya dig?
I made the almond fluff- it is so good! I’ve been putting it on my toast in the mornings with blueberry jam. And on spoons. 🙂
But NYC misses YOU! 🙂
I’m just catching up on all your happenin’s (I’m the worst blogger/reader EVER, I’ve accepted it) and holy moly did I love your wedding pictures. I’m admittedly a sucker for weddings but on top of gorgeous yours just looked plain fun. 😀
Congrats on your new job, new digs, new life!
hhaha is that from the jam episode? love joey 😉
fantastic lookin sandwich btw
Beautiful sammich! The tempeh bacon is SO good with avocado.
#1. That sandwich inspired my lunch today. I just didn’t have the same bread, but it was memorable to say the least.
#2. That is one of my favorite Joey quotes, along with:
Ross: It will be illegal for him to drink at his own bachelor party (talking about Pheobe’s brother).
Joey: Yeah, or to get a hooker!
Chandler: Always illegal, Joe.
I love the fakin bacon. My favorite sandwich with it is Dave’s Killer Bread with tempeh bacon, sauteed and mashed chickpeas and mashed avocado. Absolutely delicious and gives me energy for the rest of the day.
“Remember when your mom used to drop you off at school with a jar of jam and a spoon”
That sweet hummus sounds pretty tasty, I’ve only ever had it savory so I’m excited to give this new and improved hummus a try 🙂
You are the perfect vegan chef you like things to fill your pallet makes my day!!! I’ve been creating masterpieces all day,, 🙂 with a little white merlot! Thanks for all your time and Yummy inspirational recipes
You Rock!! We love your Sh*MMY 🙂
thanks!
you’re hilarious! i love it 🙂
Thanks for stianrtg the ball rolling with this insight.