Cooking with organics.

I debated doing another Vegas post but I am too excited about our organic produce.

Signing up for a weekly delivery of organic produce was such a lifesaver. Now, our house always have fresh, delicious produce. Plus, we don't get to choose what comes in the box so it's always a surprise!



For example, I got some purple basil. I could have made pesto with it but I decided to try hummus instead. First, get a can of chickpeas (garbanzos) and some olive oil. I suggest using fresh beans if you have the time. I do not.



Add in a cup of sun-dried tomatoes. I bought mine at a farmer's market. They aren't packed in oil but you can use the oil-packed kind. Just cut back on the amount of olive oil.



Chop 1/4 cups worth of basil. I used the purple basil from the CSA. It's dreamy but really any basil will work. Add more if you feel necessary.



Add the entire can of garbanzos to the food processor. Water and all. Process until smooth and add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped basil and process again. It should come together fairly quickly. Add more olive oil if you find necessary.

Eat it with fresh crudites or pita chips!



The organic grapes from the CSA were delicious. I wish I knew what to do with them besides eat them straight up.



Next up was the elusive spaghetti squash. I always read about other food bloggers using the innards as a pasta substitute but I hadn't tried it myself. I had no idea what this was when it came in the box.

I roasted it cut sides up for 30 minutes at 350.



While it roasted, I took this baby eggplant and sliced it.



And sauteed.



I used pancetta and olive oil from my misto to take out any bitterness.



Buy a misto. It's so much better than regular cooking spray.



Chicken meatballs were added to the mix.



And the spaghetti squash innards. They were so easy to scoop out. It was kind of freaky.



I topped my pasta with some buffalo mozzarella and chowed down. I loved it! I definitely wouldn't substitute spaghetti squash for pasta all the time (I love carbs) but it's a nice change of pace.

Andy's bandage is off. Do you want to see pictures? It's semi-disgusting.

PS! I am getting custom orthotics! Maybe I'll run again?

There's no place like home

After a few days of indulging and dining out in Vegas, we were ready for a nice home cooked meal. I always get that way after road trips. I have another trip planned for this Tuesday but luckily this time I'll be with family. Meaning more food from a home will be consumed!



This hummus is addicting. I went to Trader Joe's to buy another container and it was GONE! Sold out!



In a pinch, this will suffice.



Both hummus and salsa accompanied by addictive corn chips of course. Organic means they are healthy right? I have a
hard time portioning these out.



Do you have a Great Harvest in your area? We don't--really. I drove 15 miles in the morning to grab one of these strawberry and cream scones. It's delicious but huge. I shared with Andy. I love that it's made with whole wheat flour and isn't super dry like most scones. (I realize they are supposed to be this way.)



Finally after all my snacking, it was time for a home cooked meal. Foodbuzz sent me 3 varieties of buns to try out (FOR FREE as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program) and we went with the whole wheat first.



Dinner was bbq pulled pork, baked beans and watermelon. The most delicious watermelon I have EVER tasted.



Droolworthy. After this blog post, I have a date with this watermelon. So luscious.



Andy had some Full Sail Pale Ale with his. I stole a few sips. This is my favorite pale ale.



And while the baked beans are from a can, I wouldn't discount them. They are delicious and smoky. Trader Joe's can do no wrong in my eyes. I do intend on trying my hand at some homemade baked beans though.



We went out looking for running shoes after dinner and ended up with Pinkberry. Typical. I ordered a mini mango with strawberries, dark chocolate crunch balls and captain crunch.



Andy always gets original with strawberries and kiwi. Always. He is a loyal man. I'm a flirt when it comes to frozen yogurt. Always trying new things.

Kauai in 12 days! I have a ton planned before then so Kauai will feel like a vacation from my vacation. I'm going to Arizona with my mom and brother to visit family. It's over 100 degrees there too. I still intend on running and strength training and I'm slightly nervous about the heat. I think getting up before the sun will be key.

Do you workout in high temperatures? Any advice for me?

Thanks to everyone who commented and gave me their blog addresses. I am slowly building my reader back up. Blog reader update

"I'm hungry for more"

How cool would it be to have Anthony Bourdain's job? Andy and I are settled in for the night watching his show and wishing we could be him for awhile. Imagine eating and travelling for a living? FANTASTIC?



Alas, I lead a normal life. Today I planned on going to the gym after working (!!!) but my knees were killing me so I made today a rest day. After filling out tons of paperwork and watching gag-inducing bloodborne pathogen videos, I made myself lunch. Raw veg and hummus.



Veggie loaded spinach pasta with a dab of pesto and some turkey sausage. This pasta was killer. I added tomatoes, zucchini and crookneck squash to a 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and mixed it in with the pasta.



Dinner was junk food, made a bit healthier. For the burger, I used lean beef. Each burger was 190 calories, 8 grams of fat and 23 grams of protein. I used a whole wheat bun and a slice of pepper jack cheese to make it tastier.



With chipotle sweet potato fries. I use the frozen Alexia brand. Each bag hhas 7 servings but I split it into 4 servings. So I probably ate about 1.75 servings. (ok I'm a nerd!)



And a pickle.



For dessert, I'm having a mini margarita. I used one shot of tequila, one part Trader Joe's Margarita mix (it's lower in sugar than most! loooooove it!) and one part Simply Orange juice. I love making margaritas on nights like these. And the low-sugar mix doesn't spike my blood sugar like most mixes do.

As for the job, it went great because all I did today was watch that horrible video. I am completely freaked out by needles and this video was chockful of them. GAG GAG GAG!!!!

Are you freaked out by needles?

Sabra!

I got a delivery from Sabra today! 6 full size packages of Hummus! I gasped when I saw the huge package on our doorstep! For those of you who don't know. Sabra makes the creamiest, tastiest hummus on earth. I LOVE IT! I eat it all of the time! They sent several flavors that I've never even seen in stores. Woohoo!



all six packages together.



Hummus Chipotle. Andy and I are sampling some of it now. Smoky, spicy and delicious! I can imagine putting this hummus on a chicken sandwich for a little bit of a kick. With melted pepper jack cheese and roasted bell peppers? ooh baby!



Supremely spicy hummus? I've never seen this flavor! Can't wait to try it out.



Classic hummus. It usually bores me but Sabra's version is great. It's especially good in a pita with some tomatoes, cucumbers and gyro.



Roasted red pepper. My favorite. I eat this at work all the time with pretzels. It's the best.



Sun-dried tomato!!!!! I am particularily stoked about this flavor. But as you can tell EVERY flavor excites me.



Hummus with roasted pine nuts. pine nuts are great nuts!



All six flavors stacked together!

Thanks Sabra! I will be updating as I sample each flavor!

over the hump

I was semi-productive today. I cleaned our apartment a bit and worked on some stuff for our wedding. I made a wedding website for my out of town guests to peruse and booked the DJ. I have plans to attend another bridal show this Sunday with my mom so I’m considering myself done for a bit.
Hopefully I’ll find a florist, officiant and a cake by the end of this month. Hopefully. My best friend is taking me to go look at dresses tonight. I’ve been avoiding it due to my recent weight gain but I probably should go. It’s not like I am going to buy anything anytime soon!
Not working today gave me so much more free time to catch up on my to-do list. It’s been overwhelming me lately.

Breakfast was blueberry yogurt with blackberries and bananas

I loved the granola addition yesterday so I added some to the mix. I love Bear Naked Fit Vanilla Almond so I tried some of that. I’d estimate this bowl at about 250-300 calories. I used half a banana, 10 blackberries and 1/8 cup of granola.

Lunch was a grilled cheese with light wheat bread (45 cals a slice) and extra sharp white cheddar cheese. Plus a scoop of homemade hummus with carrots and grape tomatoes. I finished off a bag of sea salt pita chips just because I needed something salty. Dessert was 4 white fudge covered pretzels.

Something is up with my camera…it just sucks lately. Maybe I’ll ask for a new camera in the wedding registry. LOL.
Anyway I’m off to be more productive! I have a lot to do to prepare for school starting on January 20th. Yikes.

/blackberries

Today was a better eating day for me.

I didn’t eat breakfast (bad I know) so I planned on having a bigger lunch. I found these blackberries at the store for 1.50 per pint so I knew I had to buy some.

I mixed the blackberries in with this yogurt. I have to admit I like blueberry greek yogurt so much more. Yoplait tastes so watery to me now. Plus greek yogurt is better for you.

I also mixed in some of this granola. I got a free sample off their website and I’m glad I did. It is so good!

I also ate this entire box of veggies. I was hungry!
Dinner was quick, easy and delicious.
I tried Brussel sprouts for the first time

I’m not sure what I think. I like them…but I don’t love them. I just steamed them and put lemon juice and Mrs. Dash on them. Next time I will roast them in the oven. Andy tried one too and felt pretty much the same way. They aren’t amazing like zucchini or asparagus but they are okay. Way better than I expected.

Then I made some of Trader Joe’s spinach artichoke ravioli and a basil pesto sausage link. Topped the pasta with some jarred pesto and BAM! I was done.

Lastly I made some sun-dried tomato hummus using a recipe I saw on Tina’s blog. www.carrotsncake.com
It was like heaven, I may never buy hummus again. You can see Andy’s book…ask him about it sometime. He is obsessed.