What's up, wonderful pals?
It's that busy season again! I'm spending loooots of time working at our first Alchemy location these days along with overseeing some different catering events. The business ebbs and flows month to month and it can be tough to juggle it all; but these crazy times always make me grateful for slower, more quiet mornings and weeks where I have a little more time. No rain, no flowers!
Life update: Yesterday I went to get a can of beans where I keep extra food in our coat closet and found a MOUSE that had eaten its way (and pooped its way) through all the dry food I'd stored in there. It was horrifying!! And the worst part is we didn't even catch it. Anyone else dealing with crazy bugs and mice lately? Holler at me.
Before we get into the food, don't forget about $50 off your first two weeks of Blue Apron! It's a rad deal, especially for when you're in a cooking rut.
Breakfast
Breakfast lately has been toast. It's quick and easy. We ran out of oats for Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal so Van's multigrain waffles or Trader Joe's sprouted wheat berry bread have been my best friend (I keep several loaves of that and sourdough in the freezer at all times). I ate at Alchemy so I had all the yummy toppings at my fingertips. One slice was piled high with avocado, beet kraut, za'atar, and micro greens. The other had almond butter, banana, coconut bacon, smoked sea salt, and raw local honey. With coffee, of course. Divine!
Lunch
Lunch was leftovers from a big catering event we had for TRISM. I took home a ton of our maple tamari tofu, sauteed greens, herbed rice (there's actually very little nutritional difference between brown and white rice), chipotle sweet potato hummus, and cabbage slaw. I've been eating it for days!
Snacks
Afterward lunch I was craving something sweet. Brownie bites to the rescue! I whipped up a batch of these over the weekend by first blending ½ cup almonds and 1 cup walnuts in the food processor. Then I added a cup of pitted Medjool dates, 5 tbsp cacao powder, 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract, ¼ tsp fine sea salt, and a splash of almond milk until a dough ball formed. I rolled them in cacao and froze them and they taste like amazing little brownies!
A couple hours later I noshed on my favorite crackers with Hope Foods' spicy avocado hummus.
Dinner
Dinner was bean balls with fusili noodles and Kirkland's organic marinara plus roasted zucchini and summer squash from our CSA box. I doubled the recipe, used one can of chickpeas and one can of black beans, used a heaping cup oats instead of breadcrumbs, and added Worcestershire sauce and some marinara. Recipes are meant to be messed with!
I'm really into this ancient grains pasta we found at Costco (notice the hole which I now realize is from the mouse, OMG). Sometimes people think it's weird I shop there because it's just the two of us, but I can't tell you how fast we fly through giant bags of pasta, marinara sauce, nut butter, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and coffee.
For dessert, we enjoyed these Pumpkin Muffins because I'm craving all things fall! I used one cup unbleached all purpose flour and ¾ cup white whole wheat flour. I also doubled the cinnamon, cut the sugar down to ¾ cup, used avocado oil, swapped soy milk for almond milk, and used blackstrap molasses. Soooo yummy! Also, if you're craving chili like I've been, Isa's Chipotle Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels is hands down my favorite along with her simple cornbread.
Oh and then Jeff and I split one of these amazing ice cream sammies because they were on sale at Kroger and I couldn't not try one!
Workout
This was a nice and sweaty one but didn't feel too mentally exhausting. I love making up random circuits like this when I don't make it in time for a group class like yesterday. If you're not a stair stepper fan, you can also do a mix of treadmill, rower, elliptical, or bike. I write them down in the notes section of my phone. You can find other ideas in the workout highlights of my instagram page!
Style Inspiration
Still obsessing over these jeans that I told you about last week. I love that I can dress them up at night with a floral lace trim cami (on sale for $16.99, this one has more sizes) and cute earrings! Also very into these pointed toe nude flats and these Franco Sarto ones (most comfy ever) for a heeled version.
As fall slowly approaches, I'm having a moment with jackets. How cute is this lush drapey open trench and this camo shirt jacket? I just ordered this faux fur hooded bomber in green because it's a whopping 80% off. If you're looking for winter stuff early, there's a couple sizes of these black Uggs for under $100. I ordered these tan ones with a bow because, look at them. Lastly, here's a cute black rain boot for under $30? I've never had rain boots so excited to see how these fit!
Have a fab day! And remember, enjoy where you are now.
Ann says
Thank you for doing these posts. I know some people are critical of bloggers doing WIAWs, but they were so helpful for me when I was in recovery and they are still helpful to me now as a competent intuitive eater. Anytime I feel a glimmer of a doubt around a food choice posts like this help me remember that this bod needs to eat and I shouldn’t fear nourishment!
Ann says
Thank you for doing these posts. I know some people are critical of bloggers doing WIAWs, but they were so helpful for me when I was in recovery and they are still helpful to me now as a competent intuitive eater. Anytime I feel a glimmer of a doubt around a food choice posts like this help me remember that this bod needs to eat and I shouldn’t fear nourishment!