Let’s race through the work stuff so we can get to the real story…
The lunch stack!
Side note: I need eco-friendly, reusable utensils. I’ve been using the same plastic ones day in and day out [actually they are made from corn or some other hippie ingredient, but still, they are most definitely not meant for reuse]. And while I am a fan of this form of recycling, it’s kinda gross. I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t even wash them. I just put them back in my lunchbox once I’m done eating. I’m saving water, right? Or building up a strong gut? Hmmm…
Overnight breakfast oats with strawberries, blueberries and cinnamon. Cauliflower and Sabra hummus snack pack.
Side note: I packed apples and candied ginger aplenty as well.
Seitan, quinoa, carrots, and spaghetti squash noodles.
Side note: I officially have back problems. If you’re a long time reader, you’ll remember that back in NYC I went through physical therapy for this same issue. Now, it appears I’ve reinjured myself because my pain has gone from an annoying soreness to an chronic and debilitating problem. By the end of my 12 hours I was in excruciating pain – alternating heat and ice packs just to be able to tolerate any activity. Standing up straight is fine, but trying to bend over in any way…yikes. Hopefully these next few days off will be enough rest.
Dinner was majorly random. Our fridge is a desert. Barren and dry.
Thank goodness the freezer pulled through. I had four Quorn meatless meatballs left…along with some falafel (individually frozen after I made them here).
At least I had a bit of quinoa left and the heel piece of the Field Roast (review coming soon)…supplemented with carrots and (questionably edible) cauliflower.
Flavor-wise, it’s very similar to my log seitan.
Smorg. A$$. Friends, it’s not a pretty picture, but it’s what I came up with.
Side note: Brown and beige are officially the reject hues on the food color wheel. Blah.
While leftoverville’s entire population found it’s way to my plate, their former homes left quite the pileup…
Tupperware bubble bath!
Side note: My random plate of leftovers didn’t fill me up. 🙁
Enter Tropical Traditions Coconut Peanut Butter. Ta-da!
Oh my word. If there were ever two butters to combine and create a master nutbutter, this would be it. So I guess dreams do come true!
Side note: I chopped up two gala apples because I initially set out to dip them in the coconut peanut butter, but as soon as my spoon hit the jar, I knew it was game over.
Yeah…
This is crazy good. It tastes like coconut infused peanut butter. The texture varies based on it’s temperature because coconut butter is solid at cooler temps, but melts when it gets warm. So depending on where you store the jar, you could have a creamy drippy sauce or a thick spreadable butter. As you can see above, I quite enjoyed it plain.
Side note: I went to town on the stuff.
It almost tastes like the inside of a Reese’s peanut butter cup (but way healthier obviously).
I did end up melting some to dip the apples in as well 🙂
Mmmm…
And for breakfast the next day? What do you think I had?
Well, duh.
After making a huge stack of pancakes, I didn’t even think twice about what topping I wanted.
Side note: Spreading nut butter between each pancake layer makes the stack more like a PB sammie and makes every bite flavor packed with coconutty goodness. Try it!
There’s a pretty good chance all 94 servings will be gone by next weekend.
This is love.
Side note: In addition to being organic, Tropical Traditions gets bonus points because there are only TWO ingredients in their nutbutter – organic dried coconut and organic roasted peanuts.
And now, I have to go pack for this weekend because I’m heading to EXPO WEST!!!!!!
I can’t even put into words how excited I am for this event. Like a kid in a candy store, I am already giddy. And like a kid on Christmas Eve, I can hardly sleep thinking about all the fun to come!!
Side note: I plan on meeting each and every one of my favorite foodie companies, and it would probably take a dozen horse tranquilizers to slow me down. Anaheim here I come!!!
Andrea uses a bamboo set of utensils she bought. Includes chopsticks, knife, fork and spoon. Totally washable and reusable over and over again. Another good thing to do is buy some cheapy set of flatware and use that exclusively for taking out of the house. That’s what I did for her — because she didn’t always take the bamboo, and I was afraid of losing my good stuff. So I bout a set of 4 place settings for like $6.00 at Sur Le Table clearance, and I don’t care if it gets lost or never comes home! Just some ideas.
Oh, and coconut and peanuts together — how could that possibly be anything but good?
I may be missing something here, but can’t you just bring metal utensils and wash them when you get home?
yeah, id need to get some crappy ones probably…but I was also hoping for a more light weight option. the last thing i need is more weight to carry…
thats probably what I’ll do. do you remember the brand of bamboo utensils?
It’s stamped with “To-Go Ware.” Hope that helps!
off to investigate! thanks 🙂
your side notes make me laugh! i NEEED to try that peanut butter!
94 servings?! That is just unrealistic.
I’m really worried about your back 🙁
I love the tiny sabra cups – I just saw them at costco today… Perfect size that ensures I won’t over-indulge 🙂
two ingredients = the way it should be.
my coconut pb is now solidified. hoping it will melt again for the summer! i use it all the time in savory dishes like PB noodles – it tastes like thai food!
To be perfectly honest – I am too. I am making another MD appt soon. It’s a real problem and given your experience, I know it’s something I can’t take lightly. My job is hard enough without physical limitations.
YES! brilliant idea.
Is there a place at the hospital that you could wash silverware? I bring silverware from home and just rinse it in the sink.
hmmmm… roasted peanuts and coconut?! sounds like two ingredients my magic bullet could handle. totally gonna try and make some of that. 🙂
I hope your back feel better soon! 🙁
omgi need that coconut pb! 94 servings? is that a joke?
thats looking like the winning idea.
i hope so.
You NEED to get Togo ware.. made from bamboo and come with a carry case.. AMAZE-BALLZ
Thank you!!!
WOW, that coconut peanut butter looks INCREDIBLE. I need to get my hands on some soon!
i cant believe you get to go to expo west. fun! and i have that same bubble bath once a week. i am the tupperware queen!
the fork/spoon is perfect!
http://www.simplysmartliving.com/Bambu-Utensils-Bamboo-Reusable-ForkSpoon-Combo-Spork–6_p_1303.html
That is the most brilliant nut butter ever!!! Wow. I use To-Go Ware bamboo utensils (as someone mentioned earlier) and love them.
Hope your back feels better!
can you buy tropical traditions at a store or do you have to order it? that coco/peanut butter seriously looks like heaven!
ive never seen it in stores, so id say yeah, you have to order it online.
omg going to expo west sounds like SOO MUCH FUNN! I’ve wanted to try their coconut pb for ever and you’re making it sound soooo good! love the pancake idea:)
OMG! That looks so good! I’m full from dinner and I’m still dying to get some of that coconut peanut butter. YUM!
you’re going to expo west??! omg have fun!!!! if i didnt have to work i would go! I just cant swing it 🙁
that coconut PB rocks, i love that stuff!
and so sorry to hear about your back problems. I have some things I dont blog about, but I can relate to your issues. So sorry, Elise.
I’ve always dreamed of a coconut PB–I didn’t know it already existed!
oh my lord coconut peanut butter? is that a dream come true or what? if you need help with the 94 servings you know where to reach me
Packing meals and lunches… I love it and I hate it. Sometimes it’s so stressful and irritating! Haha.
Yes, that pb is amazing!! I love it. I had it a long time ago, and now I’m wishing I had it again.
that PB sounds insane. i will hafta find it!!
That Tropical coconut peanut butter would go great in curried soups or curried stir fries. I normally end up melting pb, and adding coconut milk in my curries. That jar…I must get my hands on some… I wonder if they have a coconut almond butter version…?
I was thinking the same, but then I couldn’t decide if they’d go together as well…Hmmm
I love love love field roast!!! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I have a jar of that stuff in my pantry that I’d completely forgotten about. Though it totally cracks me up that a serving is 1 teaspoon. Um, yeah right, not happening.
I know. That cracked me up. Like that’s even possible.
Ahh.. you get to go to Expo West!?! I’m sure it’s going to be amazing and I’m excited to read your recap! Are you going with your job or just for fun?
coconut peanut butter?! I definitely need to try that!!!
is there a recipe for those pancakes?! Mm that peanut butter looks great.
Coconut peanut butter…good gracious. That certainly wouldn’t last me 94 servings either!
Your poor back!! I hope you can rest up properly during your days off!
I’m sorry but WHO has 4.8g of nut butter at a time?
Boo, sorry to hear about your back! I injured mine last year, and it was pretty much unbearable. Hope you get it cleared up soon!
Also, I really want that coconut peanut butter. I’m officially on the lookout for it.
where can i get this coconut pb! it looks amazinggggg
agreed. crazy talk.
on line from tropical traditions
I love your “questionably edible cauliflower”…I do the same thing! Hey, I consider it homemade PCN! Haha!
Holy mother effer! I want to dive into that coconut pb! Where do they get off with a one TEASPOON serving size?! That’s pure crazy talk!
Side note: pb sammie style pancakes are the BEST!
Oh, and crazy…I’m having the same back issues! Standing is fine, but once I get about halfway to touching my toes….holy crap! Not sure if it happened with a patient or what, but I’ve spent nearly every night cuddled up with my heating pad! Hope yours gets better soon!
im thinking acupuncture may be my next move…
hahaha…homemade PCN. love it.
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