Check out my progress on What Heat Wave?
While the seasons may change, my menu is rarely affected by the fluctuating temperatures. I drink my nightly smoothies year-round, no matter if it is a scorching ninety-plus degrees outside or a frosty fifteen. Similarly, I crave hot foods even if the sun is blazing outside–nothing can keep me from my piping hot bowl of oatmeal after a long run. Today, for example, the thermometer read 91 degrees, yet I managed to eat mostly hot dishes. What about you? Do you alter your eating patterns according to the temperature outside?
Take a look at my weather inappropriate meals:
Thursday
My sister Lea occasionally reads my blog and has remarked that she thinks my Blueberries N Cream Spirutein shakes look like poop. I challenge her to find blue poop, but no matter–it still tastes like a heavenly blueberry cloud.
blueberry smoothie with soymilk, Blueberries N Cream Spirutein, & bran flakes
Friday
After a pleasant run in unseasonably cool (70*) weather, I came home to prepare a veggie-tastic tofu scramble.
Scrambled Tofu Burrito with mushrooms & broccoli; cherries
the inevitable overflow
As a child, pretty much the only way I would eat salad was if it were doused in ranch dressing. Hard to believe considering my ridiculous salad consumption these days, but ’tis true. Accordingly, I was pretty psyched when I spotted this relatively healthful vegan ranch dressing a few weeks ago. Unlike conventional ranch dressings, the saturated fat content was low, and there were no mystery ingredients on the label. I used it on my taco salad this afternoon but was disappointed by its taste. Boo. At least my wheat germ-smothered yogurt-fruit combo made up for it. I am buzzing through wheat germ these days–this is my second jar in the past month! Based on this post, I guess we all know that I have a healthy appreciation for the stuff:)
vegan ranch dressing (made with soymilk and soybean oil)
Taco Salad with tomatoes, cukes, black beans, spicy salsa, pineapple salsa, & ranch dressing; corn tortillas; plain yogurt with orange segments & wheat germ
We headed over to Katie and Major’s house to hang out with some burgers. I obviously didn’t partake in the burger feast, but it was a great way to spend the evening; I even got to play soccer with my girl Greta! I came home to make another hot dish for dinner. I prepared the polenta with almond milk, and it made them fabulously creamy–I definitely recommend cooking polenta with milk rather than water!
creamy polenta (cooked in almond milk) with okra & tomatoes; nuked apples with honey-cinnamon almonds
Alright, I am off to read more of my book. Have a freakin’ fantastic Fourth.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
hot coffee and hot tea year round for me, no matter how hot it is! I tend to phase out oatmeal in the summer though… and no ice cream/fro yo/etc. in the winter, in general.
I like it when my savory “entree” foods are hot though, no matter what the weather
I’m the same way. I eat cold foods in the winter and hot in the summer. Doesn’t matter to me.
Ah, siblings, they’ve always got to talk poop to ya
. Yeah, I tried that ranch dressing too, and it was just not good. Unfortunately I had to throw it out (as much as I hate wasting, the stuff was making a good salad bad!). Mmm the polenta does look creamy and good.
I usually crave warm things, and like you, adore icy cold smoothies, or froyo. No matter what season/weather, I tend to want the same kinds of food. I have to adjust my produce based on the season though—freshest is best!
yes polenta! I love grits!
I also am not really affected by weather. It’s sweltering hot but I’m still having my daily 3 bowls of oats!
that’s the vegan ranch dressing that i use. i like it! but i think it could use a little bit more flavor. it’s better when it’s mixed with another dressing. i’ve also used it blended with garbanzos before, and mixed with bbq sauce in a raw veggie slaw. come to think of it, i rarely eat it plain on anything. it’s a little too bland to not be combined with other flavors. if i use it in a salad, the salad’s gotta have other flavorful things in it like olives. wow, i’ve managed to ramble on about this dressing for a good few sentences. i can be such a bore sometimes! i’ll go now before i make a fool of myself, haha. one more thing…the polenta looks fantastic!
-JB
http://cardiovegsular.wordpress.com
The smoothie looks delicious!
I sometimes eat soup in hot weather and ice cream in the winter, just going along with what I crave!
the weather never really throws me off in terms of eating…i just kind of make what I want when I want it…even if that means having oatmeal when its ummm 100 degress outside lol
I definitely am choosing hot oatmeal less these days and you won’t catch me making a bowl of cold cereal in the winter so I guess my eating does change with the weather!
91 Degrees?! It was barely 70 here
Send some heat up here!! To answer your Q, yes the heat STRONGLY affects my appetite – in the summer all I want are fresh veggies, nothing cooked!
Now that I’ve kicked eggs out of my life, I have to give your tofu scramble a shot since you’re the queen! I humbly request more Greta pictures – I miss her!
My eating habits don’t change too much; I eat lots of salads and fresh veggies all year. But, then, the weather doesn’t change much here either
I WISH it was 91 here! I love oppressive heat. When it is really hot, my appetite kinda plummets, though.
wow your tofu scramble looks amazing ! I will have to make that soon
Haha seriously! What is up with this weird summer weather!!! Anyways.. I think your tofu scramble looks absolutely delicious and your shakes do NOT LOOK LIKE POOP!! I hope you had a fantastic fourth of july!!