Hey, pals! Today was one of those super cah-raaaazy long days at Alchemy so it was total fate that I had already asked long time reader Dylan to take over What I Ate Wednesday this week. He’s the sweetest and I’m so happy to have him on this space. Take it away, Dylan!
Hello hello helloooooo!
My name is Dylan and I’m from Newfoundland, a beautifully unique little island in Canada. I live with my partner, Alex and our little pug, Boots. We are all foodies! I’m currently studying business and working at a local coffee shop. I hope to start my own food blog soon…stay tuned for that.
For the most part, I follow a plant-based lifestyle but I listen to what my body wants. If I want eggs, I’ll eat eggs. If I want pasta, I’ll eat pasta. If I want cake, I’ll eat cake. Life is all about balance, folks! I love kale as much as the next person, but there’s more to life so I say live a little. Food is meant to nourish the body and to be enjoyed. Let the food on your plate bring you joy!
I first found Hummusapien way back in 2011 when I was first transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle. Alexis and her recipes made it so easy and delish! I still look to Alexis for inspiration. I literally make her recipes daily. She has been a huge part of my journey and I’m so happy now to call her a friend. Since switching to a plant-based lifestyle, I definitely feel my best. I love fueling my body with lots of veggies and fruits but I never deprive myself of dessert. It’s all about finding what works for you and your body! Everyone is different.
Now, onto the eats!
Breakfast was a HUGE smoothie made with a smoothie pack (thanks for the tip, Alexis!) made with ½ cup frozen wild blueberries, ½ cup frozen raspberries, a few frozen cherries, ¾ cup frozen spinach, ¼ cup green peas, a scoop of Vega protein, 1 tbsp cacao, 1 tbsp hemp seeds, 1 tsp spirulina, a dash of cinnamon and turmeric, and blended with almond milk! Deeeeeelish!
I also had a cup of Jumping Bean coffee with steamed almond milk.
Side note: Newfoundland wild blueberries are said to be the best blueberries in the world! During blueberry season, I often pick my own wild blueberries. These are some I picked this past August in the beautiful town of Brigus. It’s cool to pick your own berries with your very own hands! I usually pick enough to freeze for smoothies throughout the year.
Mid-morning I snacked on an orange and downed a bottle of water. I try to drink as much water as I can throughout the day.
Lunch is always leftovers from the night before. Today I packed leftover lentil chilli from Every Day Detox. I also had a banana bread muffin (recipe from Oh She Glows) and a cherry vanilla protein bite.
Throughout the afternoon I sipped on a bottle of GT Kombucha. I’m addicted. I really want to start making my own!
When I got home from work, I played with Boots for a bit and then started to whip up supper! Tonight I decided on Alexis’ lasagna. It never gets old. Soooooo good!
On the side I had a salad made with lettuce, carrots, red pepper, tomatoes, cucumber mixed with balsamic and olive oil. I also steamed a sweet potato.
I ALWAYS crave something sweet after supper so I keep a stash of baked goods in my freezer. Tonight I chose a blueberry anytime bar and a raw brownie bite. It hit the spot!
Before bed, I always drink turmeric milk. I find it helps me relax and sleep better! I heated 1 cup of almond milk, ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp organic honey, a sprinkle of ginger and black pepper! Turmeric has SO many benefits. I even give some to Boots every day with his supper. He loves it.
Then I crawled into bed, turned on my essential oil diffuser (Alexis and I LOVE this oil at bedtime–so mint and fresh) and read for a while! I’m currently reading The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp. I love her!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!
Interested in taking over What I Ate Wednesday? Send me your journey, your story and your inspiration to hummusapien@hotmail.com!
Loved your post, Dylan! I’m going to try the turmeric milk tonight!
Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Lisa :).
Awesome post, Dylan! I am plant-based as well and love reading Alexis’ blog for inspiration too 🙂
Your day of food looks so good and I love your trick of having ready-to-eat frozen treats in the freezer. I might have to snag that idea from you…
Thanks, Rachael! It’s a great idea! I always have a stash of muffins and no-bake bites in the freezer!
Thanks for sharing Dylan!! So nice to meet you. Love your pug too!!
Thanks, Sam!
yum to those blueberries! i love that Alexis inspires so many people, even across borders 🙂
hello from a fellow canadian (SSM, ON now living in Edmonton, AB)
Hello, Alexa! I’m so happy you enjoyed the post 🙂
Loving all these eats!!! Need to try that smoothie combo. And the lasagna is the best recipe EVERRRRR. Love these features. <3
Thanks Emilie! I literally make the lasagna once a week!
Hi Dylan, I’m a fellow Canadian from Montreal with 2 Newfoundland parents. My father was from Harbour Breton and my mother from Kelligrews. Visited both and their environs – Newfoundland is the most beautiful place with the friendliest people!
Please tell me if you mix a large batch of your turmeric milk or fix it 1 cup at a time. It sounds delicious & I plane to try it. Anne
Thanks! That’s so cool! One of my best friends is actually teaching in Harbour Brenton now actually! Newfoundland really is a special place! I make my turmeric milk one cup at a time! However, I make turmeric paste in large batches for my dog, Boots! To make the paste I just combine 1/2 cup turmeric, 1/3 cup coconut oil, 1-2 cups of water and 2 tsp black pepper! Heat on the stove until it thickens! Then I just Store it in the fridge! Sometimes I will add a bit of the paste to my smoothies! You can also make turmeric milk using the paste! Hope this helps!!
Dylan! Loved your post!!! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Tina!
Great post, Dylan! Thanks for sharing. I visited Newfoundland for the first time this past June. It was so stunning…from St. John’s, Pouch Cove, Brigus, to Gros Morne, I fell in love with that province. Much love from Toronto!!
Thanks, Jacqueline! It sure is an amazing place! I’m glad you enjoyed your visit!
Awesome eats, Dylan! Loved this!❤
Thanks, Vicki! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I end my day with turmeric milk as well,..i need to look into essential oil diffuser
Isn’t turmeric milk great?!
Yay! Fellow Canadian (Montreal native now living in T.O). Love the feature and the awesome eats.
Thanks, Jasmine! I want to visit Montreal so bad!
Loved the blog today. So nice to hear from a fellow Canadian! I’m in Saskatchewan and have never been to the Maritimes…..but it’s on my bucket lists!!! And an extra YASSSSS to the wild blueberries…..love them!!
Thanks, Darla! You should definitely visit here! Especially in the summer! Maybe for the annual Blueberry festival? 😉
From one Gingerade Kombucha fan to another, your eats look delicious Dylan! I’ve been brewing my own for a couple of years now (definitely a $$$-saver!) and have had a lot of fun experimenting with different flavours. Ginger orange is by far my fave, but I’ve made a few batches that are flavoured with just frozen berries and those have been great too. (Tasty probiotics for the win!)
PS Alexis, I’ve got a date with iTunes after work and can’t wait to listen to your That’s So Maven podcast episode!
Thanks, Angela! Ginger orange sounds amazing! I really want to start brewing my own! Any advice/tips you could offer would be greatly appreciated! Let’s connect!
It’s super easy – you’ll wish you started sooner! Here’s my post where I did a tutorial on it: http://eat-spin-run-repeat.com/2015/02/23/diy-kombucha-101-with-recipes/. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I’d love to hear how your first batch goes!
LOVing your breakfast and dinner Dylan! Oh and your pug… my god what a cutie!
Thanks, Carrie! He is a sweetie!
Hi Dylan! This is awesome!!! I love your approach! Thanks for the read, Alexis. 🙂
Thanks, Caitlyn!