Mex-Tex

Another travel filled day (Mexico to Texas to New York).  Sadly, I had to leave the warm, beautiful weather in Mexico (the fun had to end sometime).  Even though I’m definitely NOT looking forward to returning to the icy New York climate, I AM ready for the rest of what Manhattan offers (namely the food).  Sure, vacation was great, but 4 days was long enough.  I never thought I’d say this, but I’m so sick of chips and salsa…That’s the thing about Mexico, there’s not much variety when dining.  It’s weird how spoiled you can get living in a city like NYC with endless food options.  Being vegan is practically effortless in Manhattan, whereas in Mexico, vegan means chips (hopefully not made with any animal grease/contaminated oil), salsa, guacamole, rice and beans (provided these are all prepared with safe water and not contaminated with other animal products).  That’s not too many options for multiple days.  Needless to say, I already have my next few days of meals lined up! 

I’m also pretty excited to go back to work.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE vacation.  But I also love my job and I haven’t worked since the 2nd!!!  I guess that’s a good sign, right?  (I’ll probably get home after work tomorrow and write a completely contradictory blog, haha)

Anyways, today was completely uninteresting in terms of food.  I was unable to pack myself anything for the flight from Cabo to Dallas Fort Worth (customs food regulations and all…) which was so early anyways I didn’t really mind.  I totally scored and had an entire row of 3 seats to myself so I managed to curl up on the bench and sleep for most of the flight.  We arrived in Texas early, so I raced through customs and got to the terminal early enough to jump on the flight leaving before mine.  This was a blessing and a curse since I had NO time to get real food.  I had about 20 minutes and only a handful of options (Chili’s, magazine stand snacks, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Grove, and Starbucks) – for such a MASSIVE airport, I kinda got the crap corner food-wise!?  So, I think it’s pretty obvious where I chose.  Clearly I needed caffeine, so I got a tall SOY latte from the bucks, then an apple from Chili’s and $10 (!!!!) worth of dried fruit from the Grove.  

SO much dried fruit!!!!  Melons, pineapples, apples, prunes, papaya, mango, and apricots.

Not balanced in the least, but I was running just to make it before the gate closed, so I’m just lucky I got anything at all.  The soy milk latte held me over for a while at least…but I was definitely ready to chew my arm off upon arrival in NYC.  I’ve never been to the LaGuardia airport before, but I knew there was no public transportation to get me home, so I got into my second INSANELY overpriced cab for the day and home I went.

Here’s a mid-flight pic out the window, it was sunny over Texas, not so much once we got closer to New York.

BRRRR…

I had a headache I was so hungry when I got home.  I hate when hunger strikes and I’m not prepared.  So I literally started making food the second I walked in the door.  What was I craving?  Veggies!! Vegan protein!!! 

Frozen MorningStar “chik’n” strips

Broc slaw piled high

Scrambled egg beaters

Toss in some cherry tomatoes…and ta-da!!!  This plate was massive, but I was SOO hungry!!  I polished it off, no prob.  Still hungry, though, so I popped one of these babies in the microwave.

I really like Healthy Delites’ veggie soufflés, because they are only 120 kcals for the entire thing and the only ingreds are: broccoli, potatoes, egg whites, onions, soy milk, sugar, and salt. 

So simple, you know it can’t be bad.  Mixed veggies is my fave flavor, but this one (broccoli) is great. 

 

Bowl of carrots (raw)…

Followed by another bowl of carrots (cooked)

Oh, it feels so great to get in my veggies :)  Totally full and lovin’ it.