I had to divide this into eight (8!!) portions to grind.
16 ounces of Starbucks Christmas blend later I had grounds from wall to wall in the kitchen and my hands were permeated with the delicious aroma of java. Good thing you can’t absorb caffeine intradermally. Or can you?
I just found out our apartment in Buenos Aires has a coffee maker. I’m SO looking forward to Argentinean roasts. Can you tell my one-track-mind is completely vacation focused? I still have a couple more work shifts, so I’m doing everything I can to keep my head in the game. My job doesn’t really allow for any leeway in mental alertness. It’s hard though.
One sure sign that we are leaving town is how sparse the fridge is starting to look. Meals are getting interesting up in here!
I made this buckwheat without the proper ratio of water to groats and it turned out fine, so for anyone holding out because you don’t know how to cook anything other than oats, give it a shot. It’s nutty and hearty.
I topped it with freshly ground coconut…just before it got to the butter state.
I did vacation research and planning in between breakfast and lunch, but I took a tv pause while I enjoyed this beauty.
Behold the squash-mish-mash sandwich.
- 1/4 block silken tofu
- 1/2 cup roasted and mashed butternut squash
- 1/3 package Lightlife tempeh “bacon”
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- paprika
- salt
I mixed everything together in a bowl and then added as much as possible to the top of two pieces of toast.
There was about 1/3 of the squash mish mash leftover that didn’t fit on the bread, so I just ate it a la mode.
Since I’m on a role with the entire day’s food, I may as well keep going.
I went on a bike ride after my (unpictured) PM snack of corn nuts. My name is Elise and I’m a salt addict.
My dinner may look fancy, but it wasn’t as elaborate as it appears.
I sautéed the wild rice leftovers with some spinach…and since there was sooo much oil in the rice salad, I didn’t even need to add any to the pan.
I even tipped the tupperware on the side to see how much dressing would collect at the bottom…and it looked like the freakin’ Gulf Coast or something. The slick layer of oil was pretty repulsive actually but I was able to easily scoop off a few huge spoonfuls. If only it were that easy on the Coast. 🙁
After a bit of simmering, I removed it from the stove and re-heated my butternut squash bowl.
From there it was easy peasy…just stuff the hole (TWSS?).
The olive oil really made the spinach extra yummy and the combo of dried cranberries, nuts, seeds, and squash was so hearty. It was especially fun to eat, too.
I was so content by the end of this meal.
And yet, in the back of my head, I always knew the rest of my vegan red velvet cupcake was going to be dessert…
And since I’m sharing everything, I will tell you that I had a second dessert as well.
Mini-coconut snowballs with peanut butter between. In other words, a coconut cookie and peanut butter whoopie pie. I can die happy now.
Emptying the fridge is a fun mission to have.
When you go on vacation do you try and finish all your perishables before you go? Or do you just eat normally and toss anything you don’t get around to eating?
i hate wasting food so I either make the weirdest smoothies ever, or stuff it all in the freezer. sometimes I forget about the freezing option until it’s too late for my tummy 🙂
When I travel I try to freeze everything possible and try to make something decent to eat with the rest… Btw, are you going to Buenos Aires? I was there like 5 years ago and I LOVED it! Cheap, beautiful and nice people. What else can you ask? In case you have any doubt please ask! ^^
The wild rice squash bowl looks so professional! I’m a student, so I typically put off going to the grocery store until all my food is completely gone and I try not to waste anything. I get pretty creative with it. Orange, broccoli and quinoa salad? Don’t mind if I do…
I LOVE Starbucks Christmas Blend! I also try to eat all my food before I go on vacation. I don’t like to throw it away!
The squash mash sounds fantastic! Did you eat it hot or cold?
We definitely try to empty the fridge before leaving. Because we menu plan, the Husband has already done the next 3 weeks of menu planning/grocery list making so we should have just enough to get us through!
I do the same thing.
My meals always get so interesting the week before break.
Last year I ended up with an entire bag of coconut left the week before heading home for the summer. A logical person would have just brought the coconut home but I was determined to polish it off–and that I did! Coconut and jam sandwiches all the way baby!
The squash mish mash sounds delish! (So much “sh” right there). Definitely an eater, not a waster!
Sorry to disappoint, but Argentina doesn’t really have great options for making coffee at home. Everyone drinks espresso when out and about, but it seems like families tend to drink instant coffee or tea at home. Have a great trip!
hot – but it would be good cold too i think.
oh well…ill happily go to cafes then 🙂
I totally try to eat up all the leftovers before going on vacation. Wasting food is like throwing away perfectly good shoes just because you haven’t worn them in years. I just can’t do it.
I love the idea of using a butternut squash as a vehicle for your wild rice leftovers. Doesn’t get better than that. Well maybe ending it with a red velvet cupcake and a coconut peanut butter whoopie pie. Now that truly is heaven. Must make one now. Luckily I still have a few coconut snowballs leftover from my batch yesterday. Thanks again for the recipe, by the way 🙂
I always try to eat anything and everything that might go bad. The WORST is coming back to a fridge full of rotten food!
I use up everything before I go on vacation. My fridge is practically empty and I feel pretty good about that, because I hate wasting food. It almost becomes a challenge or me to see what I can whip up with what I have. It’s always the perfect time to get creative. 🙂
I know you can absorb caffeine through your skin? Yum your apartment would have smelt incredible mmmmm think coffee is one of the best smells out there.
Your tofu on toast and salad in squash look awesome…. oh and the PB whoopie pie, genius!
I hate wasting food so I make sure I eat up EVERYTHING before I leave on a holiday, or somehow take it with me!
I am really digging the squash mixture. Looks simple and delicious!
I always try to finish everything before I leave, and anything I can’t I shove into the freezer. I have tried freezing so many things, and most things work out great…though my one big failure was some raw sunflower seed pate. It was not pleasant once thawed.
So i am the crazy person laughing out loud to herself on the public bus. Thanks!! I got to your TWSS above and just lost it! Thanks for making me laugh at the end of a stressful day-
And p.s. I brought a bag of starbucks whole beans i bought at the grocery store into starbz and they grinded it for me no questions asked, might save u some kitchen cleanup next go round
Starbucks Christmas blend is my all time favorite! I hate that its only around for a limited time, and the they only brew it in the morning here!