Someone needs to get What I Ate Wednesday a multi-pack of depends and some prune juice because it's getting OLD! Ooh! and while we're at it, we can also get it a shiny chrome walker with tennis balls on the bottom. Though I really just wanted an excuse to bring balls into the conversation. Clearly WIAW is old, but not very mature =) Or maybe I'm the one lacking in maturity? Nah!
Well now that I've gotten that out of the way with, let's talk about food!
Here's what I ate... on Sunday!
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| [breakfast] two eggs and ezekiel sprouted grain cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter |
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| [snack] a cup or so of fresh + perfectly ripe heart-shaped cherries |
Speaking of cherries, OXO just made my love affair with cherries 1001x more intense with their latest gadget. It's certified brilliant!
Nearly every gadget in my kitchen is OXO -- and for good reason! They last forever and are designed to be easy to use, clean, and just overall rock my world. When they sent me their new cherry + olive pitter to test drive I pretty much fell over in hysterics. It's amazing. Ah. Maze. Ing. My ridiculously adorable niece had a blast showing off just how easy it is to use. It's like a snazzy hole punch! Also, not one drop of cherry juice spilled on her in the process. That blows my mind considering if I simply look at a cherry the wrong way I get covered in juice. Like I said, brilliant. When you see cherries pop up in every single one of my posts you'll know why. I cant keep my hands off them now that I can ditch the pits so effortlessly! Thanks OXO!
On to lunch! <3
[lunch] mixed greens salad with cucumber, tomato, chia, falafel balls and my beyond baller homemade zucchini-ziki sauce as a dressing. I thinned it out with some white vinegar to make it more salad-friendly since it's a little too thick for salads and juuuuuust right for dipping!
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| [snack] edamame with sea salt and cayenne pepper -- 17 grams of protein? yes please! |
[ACV shot!] Laura, Amanda, Calee, and Lindsay dragged me into their apple cider vinegar shenanigans on twitter so I decided to make a "cocktail" out of mine. This ACV Mocktail has one shot of Bragg's apple cider vinegar and semi-equal parts ice water and gingerberry or trilogy kombucha. It's tart and tasty! Kind of like a ginger-y apple cider with a jolt. I've been drinking this every morning [on an empty stomach] for the past week and it may a coincidence, but my skin has been positively radiant latley! The only new changes to my diet/routine are this bevvy and lots and lots of fresh cherries. Whatever is the cause, I'm hoping to keep this streak alive!
I'm not one to deny myself a small mountain of macaroni and cheese when the craving strikes so finding a way to turn it into a balanced meal is a must!
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| [dinner] a colorful pile of confetti mac and cheese with peas, carrots, and broccoli If i'm going to go cheesy, you bet your butt there will be veggies involved! Go veg or go home. |
Confetti Mac & Cheese
I make my Mac and Cheese confetti-style with a boatload of veggies.
[click here] for the from-scratch version of this recipe!
[click here] for the from-scratch version of this recipe!
This batch had a cup of peas, a cup of carrots, and a few handfuls of broccoli thrown in the mix. To give the macaroni and cheese a flavor boost, I add a sprinkle of garlic powder, parsley, freshly ground black pepper and red pepper flakes. It's shiny happy comfort food and makes enough for leftovers. Sold!
Now the typical 1 cup serving of macaroni and cheese is bulked up with an extra cup [or more!] of veggies, so instead of a small sad scoop, I can have a PILE of the stuff! I round out the meal with a big green salad and indulge without even the slightest inkling of guilt. Its balanced, beautiful, and freaking delicious!
update: I added spinach to it tonight and oh. my. gosh!!! perfection!
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| [dessert] no little debbie's snack cakes here... just good old fashioned fun in a wrapper |
This month our theme is Summer Staples [click here for details!]. However, I have rambled on like a freaking madman in this post, and would much rather get to the good stuff [YOUR posts!] so I'm simply going to add a link to my Summer Salad Round-Up this time around. Next week I want to share a few summer recipes along with some beach reads and maybe even my summer skincare routine too! It'll be a big mishmash of summer fun. Sound good? Now show me what you've been scarfing lately!
Your mac and cheese looks AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteACV shot sounds awesome! So it's one shot of apple cider vinegar and anything else you'd like to add? Oh I need to make me some falafel balls..it's been too long since I last had it...
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad you got in on the ACV!!! I am still partial to my Fitmixer combo, but I'll have to check out your idea - especially since I brew my own kombucha now!
ReplyDeleteIt's glorious! Come start my first batch of bucha so I don't have to do this alone! Kthx
ReplyDeleteYup! It's very tart so I like to add the flavored kombuchas to it! I've heard it's amazing in juice and smoothies as well! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea of summer staples Jenn! And that's a really cute button you made ;)
ReplyDeleteI love a good salad... going to read your recipe roundup now. And I'll take on the challenge of getting in some good salads this week so that I can share. My favorite salad recipe at the moment is watercress, feta and strawberries with a lemon dressing. AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteLinking up for the first time. Thanks for hosting :) That mac and cheese looks INSANE! I need to give it a try. Looking forward to checking out some of the other party goers. Happy 80th WIAW. The Depends are in the mail ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I'm turning into a cherry! I've had soooooo many in the past month. I can't get enough. I even froze a ton for the winter when I get my cravings for fresh cherries.
ReplyDeleteYummm! That mac 'n' cheese (and that omelette!) look so gooood.
ReplyDeleteLove the ACV cocktail...I always say I like my 'bucha extra vinegary as it is... :)
ReplyDeleteMy OXO Cherry Pitter is my favorite kitchen gadget. At my cooking class on Monday I was singing its praises and telling everyone how at the time I thought I was crazy for spending money on it, but I get tons of use out of it when cherries are in season (AND I feel they are a splurge-worthy investment...which they usually are ;))
That cider vinegar concoction sounds...beneficial?? Haha, can't say drinking vinegar sounds appealing, but I've heard of the health benefits, and even used to put some on my hair (when it was super long) as a rinse in the shower. It was stinky, but when it dried there was no smell and my hair was sleek and shiny. The low pH closed the cuticles nicely and it felt like silk!
ReplyDeleteHoly salads girl! I swear there is just so much fresh, local produce right now my head is spinning because I want to buy one of everything ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have a bag of cherries in my fridge right now that would love that little Oxo gadget. I think I'm going to have to get me one of those! Happy WIAW!
i LOVE the new theme. i was just talking about how summer feels like it's slipping away, but there's still a whole month of wonderful to have. the theme is just perfect.
ReplyDeletei'm crushing on your veggied-up insta mac and cheese. i just so happen to have two boxes of annie's in the pantry. ;-)
I had cherries yesterday, loooove them. Now I need to get one of those fancy OXO tools to take my relationship with Cherries to the next level....
ReplyDeleteWhere can I find one?
ReplyDeleteI am in dire need for the recipe of your homemade zucchini-ziki sauce!!! I have a batch of zucchini from my co-op goodies yesterday (you'll see on the blog!) and that would be the perfect way to use one or two! I hope it's on your blog cause I'm totally searching for it later today!
ReplyDeleteahh yea! ACV all the way baby!
ReplyDeleteWelp, now I need a cherry pitter.
ReplyDeletecherries that look like hearts are the best. and I'm obsessed with your salad bowls!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to a new kitchen gadget I now must have - the cherry pitter! All your meals look delicious - especially the salad and mac and cheese. I love Annie's shells and cheese and am always so happy to stock up when they're on sale. Ahhh, the little things...
ReplyDeleteLove your recap! That cherry gadget is so cool! I would love one of those.
ReplyDeleteAhh yes OXO love. There's an OXO for everytthing!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have that cherry pitter! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I found out about this ACV thing! Who wouldn't want better skin and regular digestion?? ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou ladies are so smart! <3
You do. It's like a foodie hole punch. Now if only they made a foodie stapler...
ReplyDeleteI dont know what I would staple I just want one!
woot woot!
ReplyDeleteOhmygosh Maria! It make such a yummy topping! Here's the recipe - http://www.peasandcrayons.com/2012/07/recipe-quickie-zucchini-ziki-sauce-dip.html
ReplyDeleteAlso, make a giant batch of this: http://www.peasandcrayons.com/2012/07/recipe-quickie-spinach-dip-with-extra.html I've been eating this dip all summer long! So good!
I've seen them everywhere! Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, some larger grocery stores, and anyplace that sells kitchen gadgets! =) Happy Wednesday Courtney!
ReplyDeleteJenn! Your niece is ADORABLE!! I think she should be the spokeswoman for OXO. Or, how about the two of you? Dynamite Duo? I think so!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks deeeelicious! Hugs xoxo
Wow! Your salad looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteAhhh thanks love!!!! I hope my future kids are as freaking adorable as she is!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Yes, your salads look incredible!
ReplyDeleteOooh - I like your version of the ACV cocktail. There is a kombucha brand on draft at the Whole Foods in Atlanta that I really miss and it was more vinegary than the typical ones I have. I love the idea of adding a little to kombucha to give it that extra kick!
ReplyDeleteI need to get that cherry pitter. I always feel a little less classy (like that can happen) when I am forced to spit the pits out in front of people LOL
ReplyDeletePlease tell me that cherry pitter is in stores?! I am dying and also thinking to myself "why didn't I think of that?" LOVE CHERRIES!
ReplyDeleteI want one of those cherry pitters! I always get red juice everywhere :( Anyways, I've seen so much lately about ACV and it's so funny because I just bought a gingeraide kombucha too; I'll have to try this mock-tail you speak of(: So when you say a "shot of ACV" do you mean like a tablespoon? Also where do you get your kombucha? I know it's kind of expensive (at least where I live) So i didn't know if you bought it somewhere special. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHey Carly! I usually just estimate a 1oz shot's worth -- about two tablespoons! You can start out with less if the taste is too strong and work your way up to it. I just kind of go balls to the wall with it because I love the taste! It's even better with gingerberry or the trilogy flavor -- and with gingerade its almost like a ginger ale. Love it so! The cheapest I've found it is on sale at Whole Foods or Fresh Market - and if you buy 12 you get a 10% discount even on top of a sale price! It's glorious! I dont have a WF or FM nearby [2 hours away!] so when I go to the small store near me I have to pay $4 and it kills me. I try to make one bottle into 3-4 servings if I can help it!
ReplyDeleteYes of course! Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and other such stores should have it!
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I think you're super classy.
ReplyDelete80 WIAWS young! But absolutely never mature. That wouldn't be nearly as fun! Happy 80!
ReplyDeleteHehehehhehe. She said balls. This is my first time joining in and I'm excited!
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE a cherry pitter. I need to get cherries first though haha
ReplyDeleteYes. Yes you do =)
ReplyDeleteTamar & I from Ladies Holiday/Aliment have a thing for sighting hearts! Love the cherry heart...and all those salads...oh yum-a-rama!
ReplyDelete~Deirdre
oh my gosh cherries! i am going crazy trying to find cherries around here, but to no avail:) i'll just have to live vicariously:)
ReplyDeleteI spy a Tervis Tumbler! I wish I could replace all my cups with them! They're awesome! Thanks for sharing all the yummy treats!
ReplyDeletemy child is MADE OF edamame and cherries.
ReplyDeleteThis was my first WIAW :) thanks for doing this, lady! Your meals look so good; love that lunch. Until next week!
ReplyDeleteahhh hooray for your first WIAW!!!!
ReplyDeleteand I always say balls =)
I keep a bottle in my shower! LOVE using it on my hair!
ReplyDeletebahahahaha! i'll keep an eye out for the package =) love it!!!! so excited you joined the party!!!!
ReplyDelete