Avocado and Sprout Sandwiches with Tempeh “Buns”

Tempeh buns, huns.

Sorry I just sort of quoted Nicki Manaj. It’s just too damn catchy and it’s been stuck in my head all day after I heard it while trying to fill up my car at the gas station. (Don’t you hate it when that happens?) Gas station music though. I mean, you go in for gas and leave singing Nick Minaj. My life.

Tempeh is a staple in my weekly grocery trips. For those of you unfamiliar with it, it’s a fermented soy based food (similar to tofu) made by naturally curing soybeans into a vegetarian patty-like block. I know that was probably the most unattractive way to describe tempeh, but the hearty texture is the reason why I love it more than tofu. When you sear it in a pan, it gets all crispy on the outside but stays dense on the inside. And, for every one serving (based off Trader Joe’s Organic 3 Grain Tempeh – my go-to tempeh brand!) it has 20 grams of protein – a great way for both meat eaters and non meat eaters alike to incorporate plant-based protein into their diet.

February 23, 2015 TAGS: avocado, nutrition, nutrition happens, recipes, tempeh, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian BY: May

Nutrition + Food Recipes

Citrus, Pistachio, and Roasted Vegetable Salad

Aka all I’ve been craving lately.

I love to eat seasonally. And currently, I’m all about the citrus and winter vegetables (i.e. butternut squash and kale sprouts!). I always associate winter with oranges because when I was younger, my mom would give my brother and I both an orange after dinner for “dessert” – and I would only accept during the winter months because that’s when citrus is the sweetest. I’ve always had a selective palate – once a foodie, always a foodie!

February 15, 2015 TAGS: blood oranges, citrus, dinner, entrees, grapefruit, healthy, healthy eating, kale, kale sprouts, nutrition happens, pistachio, recipes, salad BY: May

Uncategorized

What I Ate Wednesday (2/11/15)

It’s Wednesday and I’m here to show you my eats!

This is actually more like what I’ve been eating recently. Aka a compilation of all the food that did (and didn’t) make it on Instagram, Twitter, or every other social media platform there ever was. Onto the food!

Breakfast

Breakfast sandwiches (on spelt english muffins) are back. Mainly because Rudi’s Organic Spelt English muffins are back in stock at my Whole Foods. They’ve really done some sweet renovations to the Whole Foods in Mt. Pleasant – I mean, a glass of wine while I shop? Oh, okay. I guess it’s fair a trade off for the lack of spelt english muffins these past few weeks. I love these spelt muffins because they are the perfect size for my mornings – not too big or small. They toast up nicely and double duty as either toast or sandwiches – super versatile!

So, avocados were on sale other week and I always feel the need to stock up – not an issue except for the fact that avocados don’t store that well when you’re grocery shopping for one. Like, you know when you slice open an avocado and hold your breathe because you’re praying that it’s the perfect non-blemished surface? That’s been me for the past two weeks. But seriously avocados are my favorite food, so avocado toasts have been pretty common around here! (what’s new?)

Oh, and smoked salmon. Because smoked salmon + avocado…is seriously a hell of a combo. Currently buying the smoked salmon from Trader Joe’s.

An au lait with almond milk via Caviar and Bananas. Double agendas at work..which means I’m productive Patty.

You know how I feel about local coffee shops, but I couldn’t resist the Valentine’s Day cups from Starbucks. Those hearts! I usually for for a soy misto with a dark roast.

Lunch

Verde. Verde. Verde. I’ve talk about this combination before but I’ll talk about it again because sometimes I catch myself dreaming of this salad combination. It’s romaine + chickpeas + roasted red peppers + feta cheese + lemon tahini dressing + squeeze of lemon juice – sometimes I’ll add chicken to it. It’s a dreamboat – I had this 3 times last week for lunch!

Stopped by Black Bean Company the other day – got a “beach burrito” with guacamole, mixed greens, mango salsa, sprouts, tofu, and black beans/rice – love how fresh everything is there!

Dinner

Basically, my dinners look a lot like this all the time.

Salmon/ tempeh/ or eggs + greens + quality carb time a la squashes and sweet potatoes. Oh, and this sesame ginger dressing is still on rotation. Pretty much still put it on everything.

I make big batches of vegetables to eat throughout the week – saves me so much time for those days I get home later.

Just a big batch of cauliflower + broccoli..simple and quick to cook! I toss it in coconut oil spray, garlic, and black pepper. 425F for 25 minutes and you’ve got an easy snack/side for the week.

Veggie mix + seared tempeh.

Leftover veggies + kimchi salmon a la Earthfare.

The usual + this awesome red beet and red cabbage sauerkraut.

Crispy sweet potato wedges. My Vitamin A intake is on point.

Snacks.

Mama Nutrition Happens passed through town the other week and brought kiwis! Lady knows the way to my stomach. Snacks have been lots of berries, kiwis, pears, apples….aka all the fruits.

Oh, and Siggi’s, all the Siggis.

Whole Foods had a Siggis sale this weekend – Siggis were a dollar. A dolla. Holla. I stocked up!

The new mango jalapeño flavor is perfect – there are little chunks of mango in it with just the right amount of spice. Wish they would keep this as a year round flavor!

Anddd this KIND Snacks banana nut clusters granola —

Got special something coming on the blog for ya next week with this bag of love. It’s bananas!

Oh, and CITRUS.

Grapefruit, oranges, and blood oranges. Oh em gee. Citrus is the best around this time of year – you literally cannnot get a bad (aka tart) batch of oranges currently. Very refreshing!

Random.

Gotta get in my smoothie fix at my favorite juice bar in town – Blend Juice Bar! This is a green sweetie (bananas + apple + dates + almonds + kale/spinach + coconut/almond milk).

Obsessed with these cut beets from Trader Joe’s. I’ve got through numerous jars of these in the past month. I love to snack on them plain – nature’s candy at its finest! It’s also great roasted, tossed into salads, and juiced.

Going through a big sauerkraut kick. Trader Joe’s never disappoints me!

But this one has to take the spot for me. Red Beet and Cabbage via Wild Brines. Pretty much in love with their entire line.

Favorites.

Allaffia Good Soap.

This soap from Whole Foods smells DEVINE. Oh and it’s only $2.50 a bar. You know I love my LUSH butttt this one is super creamy and smells like I just got back from my tropical vacation, still holding pineapples and sippin’ out of coconuts. Love!

Produce Candles.

AKA candles that smell like vegetables because you know I am a veggie lovin’ hippie. These are made based out of a local company here in Charleston, SC – but you can order them online! (you reallly should.)

And that’s a wrap! Photo spam for the week. Come back tomorrow for a knock your socks off new recipe!

February 11, 2015 TAGS: food, health, healthy meal ideas, nutrition, nutritionhappens, recipes, wellness, whatiatewednesday BY: May

Nutrition + Food Recipes

Balsamic Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Goat Cheese

A mouthful, I tell ya. Like, you’re literally going to be shoving this into your mouth by the shovels cause it’s so delicious.

I headed into Whole Foods for a grocery run (what’s new) the other day and obviously couldn’t leave without hitting up the hot bar (what is cash or money or savings) because browsing Whole Foods even on a full stomach can leave you famished. Truth.

January 11, 2015 TAGS: carrots, parsnips, recipes, roasted vegetables BY: May

Nutrition + Food

Summertime Favorites

Okay, how is it July already? I thought I just graduated like last week. And yet here I am, looking at the calendar saying it’s the week after July 4th! Speaking of July 4th, did you check out the sale at J.Crew this weekend? Ridiculous. Seriously though, with an extra 60% off, how could I say no? I think I almost bought the entire store. Summer sales, in general are the best. I did a bit (a lot) of damage this weekend, but it’s all for a good cause (just nourishing my closet, I’m kind like that). Words of a J.Crew addict. But c’mon, these shorts.

Anywho, no complaints as I am fully enjoying summer before I start a new job – and soaking in it’s good vibes and vitamin D in the process!

Strawberry shaped firework – do you see that or is it just me?

Here a few things I’ve been loving lately this summer:

1. Monogrammed Clear Camelbak from White Elephant Designs

I hoard Camelbaks. I never think I have enough bottles, mugs, or anything that vehicles liquids – but hey, hydration is important! I switched up the look this time and ordered this one from White Elephant Designs on Etsy. Love the mint monogram with a clear base!

2. Summer Fruits

I love basically all fruits, but cherries and watermelon are two fruits I can only imagine eating in the summer – it just doesn’t feel right any other time of the year! Peaches and nectarines, too. I find these summertime gems my local Farmer’s Markets for the best price!

3. Smoothies

Hot weather = cold smoothies. Have you checked out my sweet potato smoothies yet?

4. Summer Reads

I love reading anything that deals with nutrition, science or food in general.

And I’ve got two Michaels on my reading list this time – Michael Pollan & Michael Moss. Great reads about the inner workings of the food industry or if you’re looking for some insightful reading to make you rethink a little bit of some of the nation’s popular food choices.

And two fun reads: Sophie Kinsella & John Green. I’ve read the entire Shopholic series (fitting, I know) from Sophie Kinsella….but like back in middle school. For some reason, I was really feeling it again! Fun, easy & entertaining reads..gotta love em’. Oh, and a good John Green novel made the list too, because sometimes you just need a good sappy heart jerker. Justin’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups included.

5. Summer Shows

Big Brother. So freaking addicting. It’s like the CBS version of the Real World, you would think you hate it because the cast can be somewhat annoying but I cannot steer away! So you know where to find me Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings around 8-9ish.

Orange is the New Black. Enough said. Everyone and their mothers talk about it for a reason. The reason I finally am putting my Netflix account to good use – so please, go Netflix it ASAP.

6. Summer Veggie Grillin’

Families who grill together…well, eat grilled foods together.

7. Yogurt Makin’

Coconut milk yogurt, that is! I adapted the instructions loosely from Nom Nom Paleo. Crumble some granola from Purely Elizabeth and fresh fruit, and you’re golden. Oh, a mountain of cinnamon, duh.

And, if you haven’t heard – Purely Elizabeth granolas are now in Target stores! Now I get a wholesome snack as I put the entire store into my shopping basket. Case in point:

Went in for granola. Out with granola and two new bathing suit tops. Hey, they were buy one get one half off!

9. Summertime Packages

Alright, I can’t fool anyone – packages in general. A few favorites from last week though: Everlane Tees, glasses from Warby Parker, and a new Kate Spade agenda for the year. The mailman is like the grown up Santa Clause. Beards not included (sometimes).

10. Recent Trader Joe’s finds

You know how I feel about good ol’ Joe. I frequent Trader Joe’s so much the manager knows me by first name. Story of my life. They really need a frequent buyer program!

My jaw dropped when I saw that Trader Joe’s started carrying coconut flour – for $2.99 a pound! Such an incredible price – I often bake with coconut flour, so I was one happy camper!

I also tried these new fruit bars – literally just apple and mango or apple and banana. Not my favorite from Trader Joe’s – I prefer just eating a fresh apple or banana by itself!

Need I say more? Green tea and coconut. Trader Joe’s ya did it again.

11. Gardening

My parents have a green thumb and I always look forward to the fresh produce from our garden every summer. Currently, we have tomatoes, cucumbers, blueberries, and fresh figs coming in, as well as this —

…it’s beautiful, am I right or really right? Yep, it’s kabocha squash! We planted the old seeds from a kobocha squash we ate back in late April and this baby came in a few weeks ago. It’s cute and all, butttt I’m ready to eat it. Green thumb, orange hands. Oh, yeah.

And quite frankly, nothing is better than fresh salad with produce picked right from your garden. Power green mix with carrots, strawberries, red onions, grape tomatoes & cucumbers (from the backyard) and honey roasted sunflower seeds for some crunch.

Bonus:

Currently fawning over: THIS.

Alex Chacon, holla at ya girl.

What are your summer time favorites?

July 8, 2014 TAGS: coconut flour, cooking, fitness, food, fruit, granola, health, healthyfood, hydration, jcrew, lifestyle, nutrition, purelyelizabeth, recipes, shopping, smoothies, traderjoes, vegetables, wellness BY: May

Recipes

Move over Greek Yogurt, We’re Getting Quarky with (Elli Quark)

Say hello to Elli Quark!

July 3, 2014 TAGS: chocolate, elliquark, fitness, food, foodphotography, greekyogurt, health, healthydesserts, healthyeating, lifestyle, nutrition, recipes, snacks, wellness BY: May

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