Before I get into the latest and greatest from the hippie kitchen, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to offer their thoughts on yesterday’s post. The discussion certainly got more heated than I anticipated (and some comments were a bit harsh), but it was great to read how others felt about sharing your views with your family/friends. Being brave enough to stand up for your beliefs while not pressuring others to feel guilty about having differing opinions is definitely a fine line…and it seems that many feel there’s a time and place for being outspoken (as well as a time and place for simply shutting your lid). I’m very grateful for everyone who commented in a thoughtful and respectful way. I tried to respond to as many of the comments as I could.
In the meantime, however, I was at the hospital doing my thang. As a result, I have compiled quite a collection of work eats on my computer…
Breakfast #1 – granola by Big Sky Bread (an Alabama based company with cute home-made wholesome products). It’s actually a granola plank not granola since it’s one big crispy crunchy granola block. They also make bread products (as you’d guess from the company name), all of which feature their stone ground whole wheat flour that they make in the bakery every morning.
So how did I discover this adorable company? Well, Big Sky Bread was at Expo West and they were kind enough to hook me up with this sample. For some reason I have been saving it and saving it, waiting for the perfect time to try it. Well, I’m not sure when I thought that time would be, but the other day I spotted it in the pantry and it was exactly what I wanted at that exact moment. So I guess that makes it the perfect time.
You can (kinda) see the nutritional stats above. At two servings a package it rounds out to 400 kcals a pop. The granola planks are basically a lightly sweetened oatmeal base with whole almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. It was crispy and crunchy like granola, not chewy like a granola bar so I had to break it into bite sized pieces in the bag so the crumbs wouldn’t get all over me (thus enabling me to sprinkle them atop yogurt later). The flavor reminded me EXACTLY of these bars I used to get at the Union Square WF in NYC. I haven’t seen them since moving to CA and now I realize how much I miss them. I think it’s the sesame and pumpkin seeds that makes the taste so unique.
Breakfast #2 – oats with cinnamon, dried cherries, and Tropical Traditions coconut peanut butter
Dried cherries are a really good way to bring a new twist to an old simple morning routine.
Lunch part I – Boca vegan burger (lazy much?) and apple x2, orange x1, Bakery on Main Cinnamon Apple Granola Bar
Bakery on Main is another Expo West discovery. They make both granola and granola bars and I got a big ‘ol shipment of their goodies to try out. 🙂 The granola bar kinda reminded me of those Nutri-Grain bars (by Kellogg’s). The texture and flavor seem nearly identical (I think?), but the ingredients are way better in terms of being whole foods without preservatives or additives.
[NO GMOs • NO Dairy • NO Casein • NO Wheat • NO Trans Fat • NO Cholesterol]
I liked the flavor, but the bar was really small and therefore didn’t have as much staying power as I typically like in my on-the-go options. It did taste just like a bite of the top of an apple pie, though. So there’s definitely a yummy factor going on. As an FYI, the soft & chewy bars are gluten free (made with certified gluten free oats, amaranth and quinoa). They also have flax and chia seeds (hello healthy omegas!).
Lunch II – leftover purple potato salad with peas for extra green
All together now!
Night shift doesn’t require quite as large of a line up.
I’ve been craving lots and lots of fruit at night. Apples and cuties and mangoes, oh my!
I know for a fact I looked like a primitive cave(wo)man as I ate this. I had juice dripping from my chin to my elbows. Not attractive. Maybe I’ll cut it up first next time, huh? 😉
This salad was a twist on one of my favorite recipes of my mom’s. Growing up she made a bomb a$$ poppyseed salad with avocado, butter lettuce and cantaloupe. It is seriously fantastic. Unfortunately, my dairy-free life now makes the dressing she used a no-go.
Enter Follow Your Heart! They make oil-free salad dressings that are vegan and this Citrus Poppy Seed flavor is a new one! However, unlike the other oil-free salad dressing on the market, this one doesn’t compensate for the fat with excessive amounts of sugar. Have you ever noticed that? So many fat-free dressings are jam packed with other sh!t to make your taste buds forget that you are missing out on the oil. Not this one. It’s got the same pure and wholesome ingredients that you’d find in any home-made dressing, minus the oil.
Vegan. Gluten free. Dairy free.
Strawberry and Avocado Poppy Seed salad
- spinach
- clover sprouts
- carrots
- strawberries
- avocado
- dried cherries
- Follow Your Heart Citrus Poppy Seed salad dressing
I have to be honest, normally I don’t use salad dressings, aside from basics like extra virgin olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar (or Bragg’s liquid aminos). But ever since I received Follow Your Heart’s line of vegan dressings, I’ve been experimenting more and more. And loving them more and more.
This salad is a winner.
And when I got home from a loooong 12 hours, I had overnight oats waiting for me in the fridge.
Oats, frozen blueberries and strawberries, dried cherries, coconut peanut butter.
Maybe it’s the change in the weather, or maybe it’s just a random phase, but I’m really into chilled oats lately. After I cook them, I put them in the freezer and then eat them so they are thick like cookie dough. Thick thickity thick.
Night shift numero dos was less fruity, more hummus-y. There was still a big bad salad (because me and fiber are more of a dynamic duo than Gary and Ace).
Seitan Spinach salad
- spinach
- clover sprouts
- carrots
- bell peppers
- log seitan (this version with bell peppers)
- Bragg’s liquid aminos
This salad was great, but the seitan was definitely the star of the show.
Lots of people have been making my log seitan – a true testament to how simple and delicious it really is. I swear, you’ll be blown away by it, and then you’ll make it again and again and again (just like me!). C’mon, what are you waiting for? Give it a shot!
Pita pieces and Haig’s roasted red pepper hummus rounded out the meal, along with the (lone) apple and a lot lot lot of candied ginger.
Once again I had chilled oats waiting for me when I got home…with blueberries dried cherries and TJ’s peanut flour all mixed in.
Oh, did I forget to mention my latest stock pile? Yeahhhhhh. Once I found out peanut flour was getting the axe from Trader Joe’s I quickly jumped into action (aka called my mom and begged her to hit up the local TJ’s before we came upon hard times). Hoarding mode much? She did me proud. 🙂 I better make these last!
And as if things weren’t good enough already, I received another package in the mail. My pantry is officially stocked!
Are you a packrat? Hoarder? Pantry supply collector?
Let me tell you, your overnight oats look like one of the best I have ever seen! Teach me your wayssss 🙂
I’m still kind of afraid of the seitan log, but I’m hopeful that it’s going to be like kale chips: a delicious recipe that I waited far too long to try! I’ll let you how it goes when I make it 🙂
Is the Follow Your Heart dressing in stores yet? At lunch today, hub just happened to mention today that he wanted a “low fat vegan poppyseed dressing”. I’ve been googling some recipes, but I bet he would love the FYH one!
I get mad anxiety when I’m running low on things. I wouldn’t say I hoard- unless I find a really great deal on something- but I can’t stand to let my cupboards get bare.
I would totally stock up on that peanut flour for sure!!
definitely a hoarder and packrat!! though im working on it… i tried to simplify my life earlier this year and ended up donating a lot of stuff – that didnt really work in terms of my food supply though haha
part of the reason i’ve never picked up a pack of peanut flour from TJ’s is b/c i’m afraid i’ll get attached!
I didn’t know they were getting rid of trader joe’s peanut flour????!! Must stock up now.
That big sky granola bar looks AMAZING!
Eee! So cool that you tried Big Sky Granola! Their shop is just down the street, and my best friend from middle school works there:)
Their bread and cookies are just as fantastic as their granola–let me know if you ever want more Big Sky goodies.
I’m OBSESSED with whole foods’ granola bars in NYC. Have you ever come across a recipe that’s similar?
I actually tried the seitan log recipe last night and blogged about it (I linked back here). It was so easy and came out so well!
I’m with Lynn! I’ve been afraid to get hooked on the PB flour. I hate when my favorite items get the axe! I’m totally a food hoarder also. If I found out something I loved was being taken off the shelves, I would stock up!
Holy cow that is a lot of peanut flour, lol! I just went to TJs to get some last week and saw it was gone…I was SO bummed 🙁
Courtney
:O Talk about a plethora of peanut flour! I’ve never tried it before but I’ve been meaning to get my hands on it. I love your overnight oats, they look delicious! I love making them too. I had today for breakfast, so yummy 😀 And I’m glad you made that post yesterday even though the responses were less than friendly. This is your blog and you are allowed to speak your mind. I only wish I could change the eating habits of all my friends 🙁 Speak it loud girl!
i’m a hoarder. of betsey johnson dresses. my collection has grown to over 100. sick, sick, sick. and i’m getting another new one tomorrow… and your furry little nephew, rusty, is a hoarder, too. of chew sticks. and loofah dog toys.
who was mean to you on your other blog? i’m going to go back and reread the comments and then i’m going to kick some serious ass.
miss you tons and love you lots and lots and lots. xoxo
arent those the BEST!!! sadly, i have never seen a recipe 🙁
thanks for the support jenny!
Oh my goodness! I felt bad taking 2 of the last 3 bags of peanut flour at my local Trader Joe’s. You have quite a stock pile. That stuff is delicious and the stats are incredible. I need to try your log seitan again.
thats insane. clearly you need to move to CA where theres more space.
really!?! so cool!!
ive heard theres another company that sells it online. cant remember the name though.
it happens with TJs products all the time too!! they need to work on their sourcing!
i saw! im so glad you liked it 🙂
yup. get yours while their still available!
smart girl. i go through phases with it.
i dont think its in stores yet. but im pretty sure it will be online soon. did you know follow your heart has a cafe in LA too?!?
I am such a horder, I have cupboards and boxes full of stuff. Here in the UK a lot of healthier / unusual stuff is really difficult to get hold of so when I find something I tend to buy in bulk! I just bought a few cartons of my favorite hemp milk as I always fear that the supermarket will stop selling it or it will be discontinued!
SUCH a hoarder, though my tiny apartment pantry has forced me to scale back a bit. My parents go to Costco and stockpile huge containers of nuts and hummus, yet I STILL worry that we’ll be out of Sabra when I want to make a sandwich…
I think I am a hoarder but I try not to be. I love these dishes. I am always looking for easy snacks.
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I am not a hoarder but maybe because I have to fight that impulse with 3 kids and my mom (she so belongs on that show!). I was wondering if you had any allergic reaction by eating the mango the way you did. I found out the hard way that I am allergic to the mango oils (much like poison ivy) when my oldest kiddo was a baby. I was up late eating a mango like an apple letting the juice run and only wiped my mouth with a towel before going to bed. A day later my lips started itching and the rash I had looked hideous for almost 2 weeks. I found out later from my brother and mom that this is a trait we share… Luckily I can still enjoy mango but without the skin!
P.S. Because of you, my kiddos get to enjoy overnight oats. They love ’em! Thanks for sharing!
I am so eager to try Seitan (I used to like tempeh but an unfortunate stomach bug has given me a major food aversion for the time being. TMI? Sorry)
Aaaanyway, I am a very mental eater, meaning that if something is too similar to meat, even if I KNOW it’s not meat, I get creeped out and can’t eat it. Do you think I would have this problem with the texture of your seitan?
I’m so jealous of your Big Sky sample. I used to live in Birmingham and I LOVED that bakery. The granola is super-addictive (I always get some every time I go back to visit) and the owners are super nice and friendly. They also make phenomenal healthy cookies. Enjoy!
Let me know if you think of it? I drove waaaaaaaaaay out of my way to hit up TJs *just* for the darn peanut flour, and I swear I almost burst into tears in the aisle when they told me not only did they not have any, but they wouldn’t be getting any more or carrying it any longer. I was SO sad/upset/pissed/shocked!
Courtney
ok here’s the link: http://proteinplusflour.com/
I’m not sure if it’s the same as Trader Joe’s peanut flour, but it looks the same based on the ingredients and the way it’s packaged, etc. Let me know if you get it and what you think!
PS I still have to make steamed seitan!! I’m so behind on my foodie to do list!!!
I found your website a few months ago and bookmarked it, but then forgot about it. Last week I needed some motivation to eat right and checked your website again. I’m totally hooked. I had seen something that you posted about powdered peanut butter at Trader Joe’s and had to go there the next day and tell a few friends about it who said “sounds weird” you try it and let me know!! Sort of like the old Mikey commercials. So I went to TJ’s only to find they stopped carrying it (surprised you were able to get so many since they stopped carrying it in Jan). But then I remembered seeing it on the shelf and not knowing what to do with it. Only to find out too late!!! I checked the internet knowing that TJ’s buys from other companies and I found a website saying Southern Grace Farms sold it. When I saw the package it was exactly like TJ’s even the nutritional label looked extactly like it. I ordered last Thursday and have not rec’d it yet. The shipping is more than the cost of one package, so I ordered 2, since the shipping didn’t double with the second pack only went up about $2.
I saw you recommended a differenet website above so I checked that out and clicked on buy, only to see it takes you to Southern Grace Farms. Did you know that?
how interesting! now im curious to know if it actually IS the same thing?!? probably. let me know if you like it! ive been using it as a dipping sauce for all kinds of things.
Thank you so much for the link–I am definitely going to check it out!
The steamed seitan is SO much faster than the other kinds…you have to try it 🙂
Courtney
I am such a hoarder! Flours, grains, dried fruit, nut butters, you name it! Buuuuuuut I am trying to get a little better! I’ve made a deal with myself that have to at least make a dent in my supply of grains and flours before I’m “allowed” to buy any more! Haha!
I always say the same thing!!! Then I got to WF and find a million and one things I absolutely MUST have (but definitely dont need at all). Ugh. I love food.
I rec’d the peanut flour from Southern Grace Farms, they delivered it when I was home, but never rang the bell so I didn’t know it was there until I was going out…too late of course!! Well just tried it and it is sooo good. I mixed 3 T flour w/ 3 T water and it made a thick mix. mixed up very quickly.
I never bought it at TJ’s but I do remember the package – sort of like a brick – about half the lenght of a brick and a solid package – sort of the way coffee was being sold a few years ago when they first went from cans to paper packaging. it is 110 calories for 1/4 cup and 16 grams of protein. The bag is the mylar type of bag. I do think it is the same thing – just print up the bags with different graffics and put it on the assembly line and you’ve now sold your product under a different brand name. One thing that they put into the delivery box was that once the bag is opened it should be put in the frig. Oh and the bag is a 1 lb bag.
Where else can you go and eat 1/4 cup of PB and only use up 110 calories and get all that protein?
they also have 2 websites listed on the package – proteinplusflour.com they say there are recipes there and they also list nationalpeanutboard.org
It sounds like the same thing! I mean it has to be – all the stats are the exact same. I’m glad you like it. My fave thing to do with t is make it into a thick thick paste (like cookie dough) with carob chips and raisins and a touch of vanilla stevia. Its JUST like cookie dough! Yummmm. Too much makes my tum ache though so just a heads up to *try* and not go overboard. I know that’s a pointless phrase though since we are long lost twins. 🙂
good point on not over doing it. but a bit too late – I had to go out and had some more when I got back. I realized though that I had used a teaspoon earlier, and not the tablespoon – so I didn’t have as much as I thought. So I mixed up some more with coconut milk – not the can stuff, the 1/2 gallon coconut milk. yummy I’m thinking PB ice cream made with coconut milk and frozen!!!
thank you for the great website.
oh – I just wanted to mention one other thing. On another post you showed your WF receipt and I saw that you bought ginger chuncks or something like that. I love them, but have you noticed that the ginger slivers (my term) long strips are so much cheaper. I think they are the same.
I’ve never seen the slivers!?!? I’m utterly obsessed with candied ginger chunks (I buy them weekly if not more), so please elaborate on these long slips you speak of!!
Luckily, I just happen to have some here. They are called Crystallized Ginger Slices. In my WF, they are not in the bulk bins, but in the same aisle. Down from the bins they have stuff in the deli containers. They will have the chuncks – square about 1/2″ each. Look around this area and you’ll see the ginger slices. I believe they are about $1 less. I really don’t see any difference in them, but I don’t eat them all the time and never did a side by side test. But even then, sometimes you get a strong one and then others aren’t that strong – so I don’t think they are always the same.
I hope that helps. would you let me know if you think they are the same.
I actually just bought PF through that site. Such a beautiful thing to come home from work to. Especially after being without for weeks. It took a while to get to me. Apparently the company was overwhelmed with orders because of TJ’s unholy decision.
I haven’t tried it yet. I had to buy 4 pounds though because I’m against paying more for shipping than for the product. Do I want 1 lb for $4 + $10 shipping or 4 lbs for $14.40 +$11 shipping? Hmmm.
Well, I’m pretty sure the candied ginger chunks I buy are the same as the strips you’re talking about – they are in the same place you described, but I have still never seen the strips. So in the meantime, I guess I’ll keep buying the more expensive chunks. 🙁
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