Finally! A bit of a break from the hospital. The past few days have been busy busy because I’m out of town this weekend which means all my shifts got crammed into the beginning of the week. What that means for you all is this post will be full of several pre-packed work meals.
L to R: Bread, Salad, Dried Fruit & Nut Bar
The bread was a fresh french roll from WF bakery. It had a ménage à trois with hummus and carrots later in the day. Sexy.
The salad was a mix of everything I had in the fridge, from greens, sprouts, bell peppers, carrots, and cukes, to BBQ tofu and seitan.
The bar was a gift from my husband, brought back from his lunch at Tender Greens the other day (I was working). Although the name of the bar is pineapple brazil nut, I don’t think that accurately captures it’s flavor. I don’t like brazil nuts, so I wasn’t expecting much from this bar. Given my apprehension, I was especially blown away when I bit into it and LOVED it. Literally, loved it. I wasn’t going to eat the entire thing, but I couldn’t stop! Whenever I intend to take a small sample of something and it turns into a can’t-stop-won’t-stop-don’t-stop situation, it’s clear I’m into the food. There was a lot going on in this bar…it reminded me of my favorite home-made Whole Foods fruit and nut bar with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts, dried fruit, oats…you name it!
Side note: when Kyle gave it to me, he informed me that brazil nuts are the best source of selenium for vegans. He was really proud of this gem of information, too. He followed up with “so now you’ll be good in that area for a while?” Because who knows off the top of their head what selenium does?
According to research, deaths related to various cancers (colon, lung, etc.) are lower in those who maintain higher blood levels of selenium. There’s also a decreased risk of heart disease associated with selenium because it is an antioxidant, taking the free radicals from bad cholesterol (LDL) and inhibiting their oxidation, thereby preventing plaque build up.
So, back to work meals. Yogi apparently makes more than tea! I was curious about their cross over into breakfast fare, so I gave the granola crisps a shot. The fresh strawberry crunch reminded me of a sweet cereal cracker. It’s hard to describe. They are small circle chips, with brown sugar flavor and a hint of strawberry, almost like Special K with red berries but with a more crunchy and cracker-like texture (and without the dehydrated berries). I feel bad comparing them to Special K, since the ingredient profile is exponentially better than the HFCS cereal. I mean sure they are still a processed, packaged product, but spelt, amaranth, and quinoa are definitely in a different league from corn syrup and “flavoring.”
They were crisp enough that they didn’t get stuck in my teeth and the flavor was nice. Addicting for sure – good thing the bag was a sample size. I can’t wait to try some of the other flavors.
Moving on to oats. I had a few of the same concoction, so I will only break it down once.
A long time ago, Bakery on Main sent me granola to review. The first time I tried the Triple Berry Fiber Power Granola (whoa, mouth full), I didn’t like it. I actually hated it. The aftertaste of it was bitter and weird, so I benched all the granolas…until the other day. I needed a pinch hitter to give something extra to my boring oats, which is when I decided to give the Cinnamon Raisin Fiber Power granola a go.
- non GMO
- gluten and wheat free
- cholesterol free
- dairy and casein free
- low sodium
I added the clusters on top of whole rolled oats with a dollop of peanut butter and let them soak over night.
The next day I was delighted as I ate my oats and discovered the flavors of Bakery on Main’s granola were fantastic when added as an oat topping. The way the granola softened a bit but maintained it’s distinct flavor resembled the top layer of a coffee cake.
I repeated the same oat mix the next morning and then tried it atop a tropical fruit/greek yogurt mix too.
I love letting frozen fruit thaw overnight in the fridge because it gets juicy and becomes a deconstructed smoothie of sorts. Unfortunately, I’m now out of the cinnamon raisins flavor…but I do have a few more to try still.
Looking back on the past few days, much of my food has come from a package. Not good. Definitely doesn’t help my sensitive GI system any. My body has a very noticeable reaction with processed eats. Since I’ve been having more IBS flare-ups over the past several days, this issue may require more attention in the coming week. We’ll see…
In the meantime, I have to focus my attention on my neck and back. Each day I wake up more stiff than the previous.
Do you avoid eating packaged/processed things? Ever noticed a difference in how you feel when you eat a more clean diet with home-made meals vs. pantry prepared eats?
I wish my body wasn’t so sensitive. I am envious of those who have a normal digestive system that doesn’t react so strongly to various items. The reality is, I don’t have time to make things from scratch every day. What can you do?
I hope you feel better, Elise!
Although I don’t have an ‘official condition’, my GI tract likes to act up every now and then. I bloat, get cramps…really painful. It usually happens because of my beloved yogurt (I’m lactose sensitive but I always ignored it because I love yogurt!!) among other things.. I feel the best on a strict plant-based diet.
I know how you feel, I’m jealous too of those who can eat whatever they want and not have any problems with it!!! Like my brother! Sometimes I get really irritated and annoyed by that fact but I just need to accept it. It’s my body and for all the wonderful things it does for me, I need to respect how it wants to be treated! 😀
Have a nice weekend!
I’m with you, utterly. Sometimes I like to delude myself into thinking I can eat whatever I want so I do. Obviously I just end up getting sick.
This week I’ve been eating less fresh foods and more prepackaged foods and my IBS has been rubbish. It was particularly bad on Friday and this morning (it even woke me up at 6:30am). I think I’ve had a little too much soy this week as well and not enough fruit. I’m sipping on peppermint tea right now and trying to eat the most benign of foods. So far I’ve just had a GF bread roll and peanut butter with apple – not sure if that’s the best but after all these years I still find it difficult to decide what to eat after particularly bad flare ups. The additionally annoying thing is that I have a fridge full of beautiful fresh fruit and veg but my stomach churcns when I look at it. On the plus side, since I’ve returned to eating a vegan diet my IBS has been substantially better! My family and friends are going to get so tired of my toing and froing but hey-ho.
I guess in terms of not having enough time to make stuff from scratch, there’s only so much you can do. It’s a balancing act isn’t it. Sorry that’s not much help! Sometimes I just feel the need to choose the path of least resistance (if that makes sense).
Hope you feel better soon! Lots of love xxx
I try to stay away from prepackaged stuff, but I also think that the right brands aren’t bad for convenience sake. And let’s not forget my tofu pitas- they’re packaged but I’d never, ever give them up!!
There are some foods that I know will make me sick – anything carbonated and fake sugars are two biggies. But sometimes I feel sick for no reason and I wonder if I have been eating more processed food when that happens. I’ll have to pay more attention next time.
Also, as a newbie to your blog, I’m sort of curious. Do you not eat meat because of your IBS too or were you vegetarian before you were diagnosed?
Wow! I used to go to the Tender Greens in Hollywood all the time when I worked nearby… I tried a few of the Go Bars and couldn’t stand them! I think I tried a different flavor though… Their salads are AMAZING though!
I love your blog, read it all the time but this is the first time I’ve commented! Love hearing about all the restaurants since I used to live in SM.
I absolutely notice a difference. I notice a difference from when I cook for myself and eat at my apartment to when I eat at home at my parent’s place. I easily get full or an upset stomach whenever I eat somewhere else. I apparently have gotten to use to the way I normally eat now.
I have a very sensitive GI system as well, and I avoid most packaged food. My diet is already gluten free, sugar free, all-natural and (mostly) vegan, and my body feels terrible if I am eating too much packaged food. Because I have no many limitations, I get really excited when I see a food that I can actually eat. ie) Gluten free dairy free pizza with tofu and vegan cheese!? Must try. Even if the ingredient list is miles long.
I react badly to salt and whatever’s in packaged foods. I notice that on weekends when I’m eating out more or not eating at my house, or cooking with my boyfriend I feel way more sluggish and puffy. When I’m on my own I really don’t eat packaged food at all and I always feel great. Oh well, gotta make sacrifices sometimes!
Hi, I’m an italian girl and I discovered your blog maybe 2-3 weeks ago. I’m interested in healthy food like you, I’m also 94.6 % vegan ( 😛 )…indeed I eat every day vegan and I eat some fish when I ( rarely ) go out for dinner. Unfortunately I’m not so good with english/american language.. because I’m not so trained to write/speak it 🙂
I’m a bit envious of you because here ( in italy ) we haven’t chia seeds, kale and really a lot of other ingredients 🙁
I want just to tell you that I read your blog 😀
Dude, you do absolutely amazingly under your circumstances, you eat SO well, and I didn’t realise lots of those eats were from a package! They looked so wholesome and nourishing! 🙂
I’m with you on lamenting a sensitive body – my eczema flares up at the smallest trace of dairy (including whey) and soy, which can be challenging. But at the same time it has introduced me to so many new foods, and forces me to be creative (Umm…ish, lol! I do get stuck in food ruts :-P) and eat fresh un-packaged food as much as possible. But I understand what you are saying about it being hard to deal with that extreme sensitivity, and sometimes it’s just not possible to avoid things that can be irritating. I definitely find this when travelling or working lots. Convenience and restricted diets don’t go hand in hand.
But I do mean it when I say you do incredibly, and inspire me no end.
I absolutely 100% no questions asked feel better eating home-made whole-food meals than eating anything packaged…even the so-called “healthy” energy bars, which I do eat fairly often…I’m still trying to unlearn that habit 🙂 It’s a learning curve, finding what’s best! xyx
I ususally feel a lot better when I eat unprocessed foods. I try to be pretty picky about the stuff that I purchase for the processed things that I do it though. Nursing is such a tricky career for eating in my mind. No day is ever same. Last night I didn’t end up getting a lunch break until 4 AM compared to the usual midnight. I suppose I should be grateful that I got one though! 🙂
I knew I loved Yogi for a reason. I wish they carried that product here!
I feel as fresh and as clean as the food I am eating. Best of luck girl…hope you feel better 🙂
“I wish my body wasn’t so sensitive. I am envious of those who have a normal digestive system that doesn’t react so strongly to various items. The reality is, I don’t have time to make things from scratch every day.” — we can totally relate!!! It is hard sometimes when the stomach doesn’t agree with things that others seem to be just fine with! And having not much time to make homemade is one reason why we started our bakery to help those with healthy wholesome snacks when they don’t have a lot of time. 🙂 xoxo
i am SO excited to get those gorgeous pita pockets when i return to nyc. it was the lunch i had on my last day (moving day) in manhattan, haha. they are worth every processed bite. mmmmm…
but seriously, like you said, there are things that arent home-made that are still pretty legit in terms of nutritional stats. vegan items that have minimal additives to keep them preserved are fine in my book…but once certain things come onto the scene (gums, starches, fortified minerals/vitamins, etc.) i get a little weary.
hey lee…its kinda a mix because i was raised in a very veggie household but it was a post-IBS trial period that lead to my current dietary lifestyle. to get the full story check out the faq tab…i go into detail there about my path to veg*nism.
i completely agree about fake sugars. lately im getting much more vigilant about sneaky added forms of fake sugars.
thats funny because kyle tried one of the non-vegan go bars and he also said he didnt like it. this one was the only vegan one they had, and i was not expecting to like it, but i really did.
btw, thanks for commenting! its nice to “meet” readers 🙂
any fave SM restaurant recs you have for me??
i 100% know what you mean. its so thrilling to see an option that meets all my specifications..and then the ingredients list goes on forever. ugh. thats why kyles waffle company is going to be so great. its pure with nothing shady added in. i just cant wait for it to hit the shelves already!!!!!
hi valina – so glad you found me, and thanks for commenting. its great to meet you. can you order chia seeds and the likes online anywhere??
i cant comment on your blog, but i just wanted to say your recent post was beautiful. thanks for sharing your story.
gosh, i can relate so well with everything you just wrote. perfectly said. its definitely a balance act…being able to live outside my comfort zone while not sacrificing my health.
For the chia seeds…yes I can order them. But I think is more, really more difficult for kale or other fresh ingredients!
( my really name is Valentina..valina is the name I use in my blog 😉 )
Thank you!
If possible, can you try to comment on the entry? I think I may have fixed it!
So many delicious SM restaurants!
One favorite was Hillstone (there was a vegetarian platter that came with delicious sushi rolls and different farmer’s market vegetables)
Interim Cafe was the best for brunch, and not as expensive as most places nearby
Marmalade and Cafe Montana have awesome salads
I also liked Greens Up on Montana, they have huge inexpensive salads that they make to order and they serve them in huge metal bowls… mmm
interim is THE best secret spot in santa monica. seriously. its cheap and excellent. def one of my faves.
ive been meaning to check out all those places on montana, especially marmalade and greens up forever now, so they’ve been bumped up to an even higher spot on the to-dine list. thanks again!