Heifer Zuke, Part II
Check out what I found lurking in the garden today:
cradling my zuke child
Crikey! That is no small child I am cradling–it’s another heifer zucchini, weighing in at over three pounds. While it would make an excellent addition to a stir-fry, or the perfect source for some of Katie‘s zucchini and marinara, I couldn’t help but think it would be useful for a game of softball or perhaps cricket.
No worries, I did not actually waste such a gem of produce on recreational activities. In fact, it appears in my meals below…
Wednesday
Sorry to be such a shake bore, but I am really feeling the chocolate-covered strawberry flavor these days.
choco-berry shake with strawberries, chocolate HempShake, soymilk, & shredded coconut
Thursday
…and I paired the exact same flavors for breakfast too. I had forgotten how delicious the Dark Chocolate Dreams PB is, hence the “love it” size scoop that appears on my oat bran. (For a review of PB & Co. products, click here).
oat bran cooked in almond milk & strawberrries, topped with Dark Chocolate Dreams PB & more strawberries
I used some of those handy Eden Organics rice & beans for lunch. I added my own twist with some turmeric, garlic, dried currants, and fresh tahini. It was so creamy and delicious!
rice & beans with turmeric, garlic, currants, & tahini; grapes; salad
There was a recipe in the most recent issue of Clean Eating for Thai Coconut Shrimp. Considering my coconut obsession, I thought it sounded like a fabulous idea. Truthfully, I didn’t use the recipe at all; my dish and theirs shared only a a few ingredients, namely coconut and garlic. Basically, I coated tofu in almond milk + coconut extract (no coconut milk around) then dredged it in coconut, and sauteed with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. The verdict? Fan-freakin-tastic. Too bad I don’t like my own cooking:)
coconut tofu with steamed broccoli & cashews; orange; whole wheat couscous
In preparation for my weekend trip to Chicago, I have assembled some foodstuffs to tote along. For every trip I take, I bring along what I call an “emergency breakfast kit.” It comes in handy when the hotel breakfast is either grossly overpriced or totally lame. As long as you have access to hot water (e.g., via your hotel room’s coffee maker), you’re good to go.
emergency breakfast kit: Nature's Path/Simple Harvest instant oatmeal; Craisins; Justin's PB; Sunbutter
I’ve also packed a few snacks for the trip. You can never be too prepared, right?
supplemental snacks: seitan jerky; granola; mini Clifs; trail mix (YouBar)
What snacks do you pack when you go on vacation?
The last few pages of Julie & Julia are calling my name. I’ll check in from Chi-town tomorrow. Good night all!
Filed under: Meals
Hello and welcome! I have created this blog for people who love food, especially healthful, vegetarian food.
I have just graduated from Duke University with degrees in English and psychology. I plan to pursue a master's degree in nutrition starting in Fall 2010. Ideally, I would like to combine my love of food and the written word someday as a health writer.
ooh i love those 100cal craisins!! i usually bring larabars, craisins, microwave popcorn, mary’s crackers, and trail mix when traveling. but i end up nevereating as much as i bring! prob because i see a starbucks and can’t not go in
OMG Caroline, this post made me laugh so hard. Yo are just too cute for words! And of course your “baby” is quite lovely too. Do I see a modeling career in his/her future?
P.S. I am completely, 100% with you on the tempeh– I love the sesame ones, but the coconut was a disappointment. I expected a sweet, coconutty flavor but was left with a bitter, dry taste. Oh well, the sesame ones are so good that they make up for it!
Hope you’re having a great night, miss new mommy
LOL, Caroline, those pictures are too cute. That zucchini does look big enough to be a baseball bat, haha! Another laugh at the “love it” scoop size of the chocolate PB!
Wow, those rice and beans look super creamy and delicious! I can tell you like tahini
And the coconut tofu is ingenious! I have never used coconut flakes in cooking (not baking) before, so I must try it out soon!
When I travel I took slices of bread, nuts, dried fruit, and snack bars. Packets of oatmeal and nut butters are a fantastic idea!
I love the zucchini pics! haha
You’re going to Chi-town?! Girl, you should have told me sooner!
hahahaha caroline you crack me up with the batting stance!!! i am sure that bad boy will knock it out of the park. saturday is national zucchini day! i am sure that one will last you through til then. loving the color of those rice and beans. snacks? always apples and PB or AB and baked crackers, hummus, veggies.
hahah that zucchini is enormous! Im loving your pics with it
That rice sounds incredible and looks so sticky and tummy satisfying
Have the best time in Chicago and way to be prepared for the unexpected! I always bring snacks with me…I never know when this girl is gonna need some fueling!
Portable SUNBUTTER?! That’s too adorable for words, I want!
Hi Caroline! I just found your blog (I’m new to the blogging world). You are cute as can be and HILARIOUS! I look so forward to reading more from you!
hahaha that is a HUGE zucchini!
those seitan strips are really good!! i really like the teryiaki ones!
I love the baby!!!
Something funny: you’re staying not 5 minutes from where my camp is! Feel free to stop by The Playdium this afternoon after 4
Have a safe trip!
hahaha love the monster zuke!! and what a creative way to make tofu!! i don’t eat seafood, but i’ve always been intrigued by the idea of coconut shrimp, so that recipe sounds fabulous! have a great time in chicago
Haha I love your emergency breakfast kit. Next time I’m ever going to a hotel, I’ll have to create my own modeled after yours
Aww, a friend of mine is in Chicago right now too! Hope you have a great time, it’s one of my favorite cities
Love the zucchini baby, haha.
Too cool!!! Every time I travel, I pack almost the exact same emergency breakfast kit. Be careful though because the last time I traveled, airport security confiscated my PB!
I didn’t have those small serving packets though so that’s probably why. Enjoy your trip!
mmmmm I can’t get over how creamy and yummy your oat bran always looks! What is your secret????
My fav snacks to pack when traveling are nuts, apples, packets of nut butter, sometimes little baggies of mixed cereals, and some bars. I for some reason never end up eating them because I’m always indulging in better food and never need them. But it’s always good to have healthy snacks on hand.
great breakfast and snack packing! I try to not pack because I like to try local food as much as I can, unless they’re too greasy or too exotic, I usually stick to local customs!
oh… that zucchini baby is sooooo cute!
Haha – I love the caption ‘cradling my zuke child’! You look well prepared for the trip. The more the better in my opinion! My snack stash is similar to yours: bars, oatmeal, fruit (apples), PB.
Have fun!!
i probably go too overboard packing food.. but hey you can never be too prepared! What if you get stranded? Ha that was my excuse for always having food in my car
hahha. what a massive zucch!
i pack about 800 bars when i go away (im so darn indecisive and never know what flave ill be craving). freak much!?!?
Haha. I love how you are cradling that thing
That’s such a great idea to bring emergency breakfast – I always bring tons of bars but that’s about it. And I’ve never heard of seitan jerky. I find so many new great vegan products on your blog, I love it!
hahah! what an adorable baby you have! Except I don’t know if you should be eating your child!
That is a pretty big zucchini!
I just got back from vacation, and I packed a whole lot of luna bars, mixed nuts, and dried fruit.
I adore your zucchini, huge yet adorable, and oh so tasty I’m sure
. When I travel I always bring bars with me but rarely do I get a chance to fit in the other things, your stock looks great!
aw, fun in the sun with a little zuke friend. Eden Foods is great, I love supporting them since reppin’ out of Michigan. I must say I love the turmeric in the rice n’ beans – just the color, flavor, and smell. I once used turmeric to dye hemp fibers with and it came out just a brilliant golden color. & no, you can never be too prepared – I pack everything but the kitchen sink
LOVE THE COCONUT TOFU! and the huge zucchini. speaking of your delicious tofu, read my most recent post!
http://cardiovegsular.wordpress.com
LOL! You are just so cute!
I don’t usually pack snacks for traveling…well, does foot-long subways count as snacks? hee hee.
looks like you are packed and ready to hit the road girl! those rice and beans look SO GOOD!!!
have fuuuuuuuuuuuun
your not kidding about that zucchinni being one HUGE baby!!
lovely bowl of oats
hope you enjoyed Julie and Julia!! Are you going to see the movie?
Love that heifer zuke
And love that you took a picture of yourself using it as a bat even more!
Thai coconut shrimp? In tofu form? I am so there!
Love your emergency breakfast + snack kits. Yay Chi town – hope you have a great Sunday and it was SUCH a blast meeting you!
Zucchini softball? Sign me up!
Emergency snacks are a necessity. I definitely make sure to have some bars, dried fruit, nuts and cereals to snack on.
hahah that zuke looks so amazing! i hope you put it to good use! have fun in chicago.. i can’t wait to hear all about your trip when you get back!
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