Vegetable Fruit Salad

I have an on and off love affair with cucumbers. I either want them ALL the time or want NOTHING to do with them. Not sure if there is a rhyme or reason to my cravings, perhaps it is seasonal. 

My cravings have been cucumberly and tomato-happy lately. Recently I was craving salsa and I was craving cucumbers and I thought “Why not do both?”

So, with trepidation, I did.

 

Two great tastes that… taste… like two great tastes put together?
It hit the spot fantastic for me that day, but I’m not sure this combo will be making regular appearances.

I think that’s how cravings work… even the oddest combos taste perfect when you crave them (not that this is so strange but in my mind it just doesn’t sound that appealing).
What I’m saying is: Kids? You may not want to try this at home.

Anyways.
Continuing my cucumber and tomato dalliance, I made this quick little number and wanted to share.

I call it Vegetable Fruit Salad.

Get it? Cucumbers are technically a fruit. Tomatoes are a fruit (unless they are in pizza sauce in which case the Government declares them as technically a vegetable serving).

But really? I know we all think of them as veggies.

Anyhow this salad? This I can recommend.

I chopped some onions, tomatoes and cucumbers and added a few dashes of red wine vinegar and about a tbsp of Greek yogurt. A sprinkle of sweetener and a hefty helping of S&P and shook it like a Polaroid.

Speaking of pictures (forced segue), come play with me on The Instagram. Please?

  

  

• What are you craving lately?
• What is your favorite way to eat cucumbers?

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National PBJ Day

Many things in our lives leave no room for words.
No verbal expression could ever encapsulate what we want to express.

Some things are just too beautiful; beautiful beyond description or comparison.

 

All words pale in comparison to the actual sentiment.

For instance, “I love PB&J.”

Just. Doesn’t. Cut It.

That being said….I love PB&J.
For so many reasons and on so many levels. 
It goes well beyond the taste… for me,

PB&J is an icon. A way of life. An elixir.
It’s cultural, spiritual, sentimental…and cute.
I could go on and on and on…

but ain’t nobody got time for that when there’s celebrating to do.

How will you be celebrating today?

Need inspiration? Check out my Pinteresting Board, “PBJ LOVE”

I most likely will be spooning it up two-step style (“dip, dip, mouth” being my post collegiate version of “puff puff pass”).

*Confession Alert*

There is plenty of PBJ in my life, PLENTY.

I mean… PLENTY of PBJ happening.
I put PBJ on my brussels sprouts for the sake of all goodness (the key is either apricot preserves or cranberry preserves).

However, there is one key area in which I am remiss: 
LEGIT PB&Js

I’m talking sandwich, b-ich. 

(NeNe Leakes’s infectious spirit is infiltrating my soul)

That means bread.

No, not a wrap. Bread. (It’s complicated.)

(I need to start drawing my own memes).

Today, I am declaring that a LEGIT style PBJ will be enjoyed by me again.

Soon.  Very soon.

And then again. I promise.

For all the days of my life.

 
 

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WTF Wednesday: I Found the Coon Butter

It had been a while and I had one thing on my mind:

Sunflower Seed Butter.

Yes, that was my mission as I entered my happy place Whole Foods. I intended to make my own, but I remain undecided as to whether that is actually cheaper in the end.
I headed over to pick up my favorite –MaraNatha Sunflower Seed Butter.

But to my displeasure they were out of stock.
Then, to what my wondering eyes should appear but this little beauty. On sale, no less. $4.99.

I got super excited because I had found the coon!

Say whaaaa?

A certain friendly awesome* of mine had sent me this photo. There is an inexorable mind link for some of my friends between me and PBJ. I love it.

(*Two adjectives can make one noun in my Missyese.)

She asked if I had tried that nut butter brand before but I’d never seen it – but I got a kick out of that raccoon on the label. So when I saw it in the store I thought “Stacy!” 

Stacy is inexorably linked in my mind with supreme awesomeness. So the Sunflower Butter was purchased.

Well. 
In the middle of a serious spoonage sesh on the couch I remembered the reason I only buy Maranatha Brand.

It is the only one with no sugar. (If you missed it, I don’t like sugar.)

I flipped the jar over and yup.

Not just sugar, but evaporated Cane juice. Evaporated cane juice as the second ingredient!

WTF.
Whatever. Totally FINE.

This week I really mean it. For real ‘do.

I’m okay with it and glad it happened. I will be consuming the rest of this butter and I don’t give a coon’s azz. Yes, I am still leery of it but I am swallowing all those thoughts because it’s JUST FOOD.

There was a time when there is no way this would have made it in my cart because I obsessed over food labels (ingredients) determined to stick to my meal plan. I never forgot to check.
There was a time when I would have pawned the open container off on my family – never to be consumed by me again.

But not now.
I am glad that I have a little wiggle room, it makes me feel sane.

PLUS I now know the story behind the coon.

Sorry to bore you, this was kind-of sort of a big deal that turned into the most inconsequential thing ever.
In summary: I bought sunflower seed butter and ate it.

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Flat Out Eggz

I’ve been eating lots of eggs lately – or eggz, rather. Since my “eggs” come from a carton most of the time,  I refer to them as eggz. Because.

I’ve been hooked on eating them a way I call flat-out. I think I may have invented it but probably not.

I received questions about it when I showed then told about my pickle and PeaBee “Pizza” thing. Thing. *giggle*

I eat “things.”

Here’s the deal behind the egg part of that thing.

I fill a Pam sprayed 9” cake pan (or two) with 1 cup of eggz. Preset oven to 450…bake for 20 minutes…flip for a few more and boom. 

You can continue to bake to get a firmer, crispier, chewier* flat. You can also play around with the amount of eggs and cooking times.

*Rubberier? I make no claims for my peculiar taste preferences so if you try this and hate it …*shrug* then I don’t know what. lol.

I put them on a rack to cool. I do not know why I do this. It’s optional.  Sometimes I cut them into quarters and halves.

Sometimes I cut them in small squares or strips…

Sometimes I leave them full and make pizzas or fold some beans and stuff things inside and eat like a soft taco…

And sometimes…

Don’t tell me you didn’t see that coming.

 

It’s like a PBJ sandwich except one thing…it’s totally NOT like a PBJ sandwich. Nor a tortilla wrap, nor a pizza crust.

It just is what it is.

Flat Out Eggz.

I like them things.

I eat things.

****Aside:

I just thought to google this before I hit publish (because this still hasn’t gotten old for me) and look what I found…

This blog writes itself.

• So let’s “talk” … what are your HONEST thoughts about my flat out eggz.
• How do you like your eggs or do you eschew them?

 

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~News~

It’s healthy to try new things, treat yourself a little, and switch things up to make life a little more…more.

Let me tell you my “news.”

I bought a new microwave Sunday. I go through microwaves like athletes go through running shoes. This one has a five year over-the-top warrantee to defend against my Midas touch of doom.

Microwaves are healthy. Because.

I finally broke down and started buying the big-boy jars of peanut butter.
Good for my economic health and the health of my soul.

I started taking some new health supplements. (It’s too soon to tell a difference.)

I bought some new clothes to accommodate my healthy body and give me that boost of “feel-good” we get when we look nice.

 

Our busy season is coming up and my current uniform of flowy tops and stretchy pants won’t do in the office with clients.

 

Self care, personal hygiene, taking the time to care for our appearance – Healthy!

I tried a new make-up. Love it. It’s super light, like a tint. I’ve always been a tinted moisturizer gal (if anything at all) even before the new BB creams. I can’t wait to try an actual BB though. 

 

Some new sparkle — feels like looking life straight in the eye and saying “I LOVE YOU!” 

I recently tried Raw Coconut Aminos instead of my beloved Braggs. (Sorry for the pic. Ow! My eyes!)

I’ve grown weary of vegetable protein so it’s nice to cut back a little and switch it up. The Coconut Aminos tastes great and have less sodium.

 

Another new – frozen vegetables. These Asian inspired mixes are great because I rarely have veggies like baby corn or water chestnuts in the house and this is waiting whenever the “Asian” mood strikes. (Is that PC? lol).

I’ll never be an “all frozen- all the time” girl but on occasion, why not? They’re just as healthy.

New Vitamin water flavor – it’s got caffeine (!) and lots of other weird things that probably aren’t healthy but the vitamins balance it out *wink*. I really just don’t care that much. lol :9

I tried a new salad dressing. It’s …meh. I’ve been trying to do the dressing thing more to see what I am missing.  Really? I just prefer a simple extra-light tasting olive oil spritz — but variety is healthy as are fats – especially on greens.

 

I have another new dressing waiting for me to experiment with and let me tell you about ….wait for it….THESE NUTS (heehee).

   

Yeah – I hate to love these almonds (#crack#ingredients) but whatever.

Everything in moderation – INCLUDING MODERATION. <—Write that down.

 

Last month I found out Publix (my grocery store) will steam your seafood for free. I cannot express my pure unadulterated joy. It’s my new favorite “I’m tired” treat for dinner after work. Or..on Saturday. LOL.

It’s important to have go-to meal options that are healthy, easy and fast. Better than the drive-thrus and deliveries or skipping a meal.

 

You can get it seasoned, but when it comes to Cod I don’t mess around. All I need is the …drool….flaky buttery tasting flesh. #sorryvegheads

  

On one Atypical Tuesday I decided to switch things up by eating salmon. Salmon’s not really my favorite.

It’s delicious- but I’d never choose it first. I have to remind myself to get it every once in a while because of all the healthy fats. 

And finally, new albums I’ve picked up. Music is the wallpaper of the mind. Good for the mind and soul, and when you shake that azz it’s good for the body.

 

• What’s new with you?

Today’s Prompt for NHBPM  was “News-Style Post” (??) and the other option was “A time you had to take the high road” (no thanks). So…this is what came out.  Previous posts can be found here.

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Tail Feathers

Raise your hand if you know what this is…except don’t really raise your hand. That would be silly. And ridiculous.

Actually? Raise your hand if you know what this is.

How about now?
And if you already knew from the first picture start saying, “OOoh! Oooh! I know, I know!” like a little kid in elementary school.

 

What you are seeing here is one of my favoritest foods ever.

Lobster.

Lobster tails, more accurately.

Two of them.

Boom.

Thaz what I’m talkin bout. Good eats right there yo.
Thanks Mom!

This was my first time tackling cooking lobster myself – and my first time cooking something so… blatantly animal-y?
Fish fillets, headless shrimp… I’ve dealt with those but never anything with this much exo-skeleton (though I’ve happily ate my fair share for sure).

I wondered if this may bother me – being that I have strong vegan sensibilities that just do not apply in my heart and mind when it comes to fish and other sea animals. *shrug*

Moving parts, people. 

Parts that used to move.

 

Parts that…..

I’m not going to zoom in on that one. Don’t worry.

Are you grossed out?
Because before I cooked them I spend time really checking them out like this.

I’ve wanted to test my meddle for a longtime– get up close and personal with the whole process of my consumption of flesh. This brings me one step closer to the actual killing part.

I have to say….it didn’t bother me one bit. All I kept thinking was “Yum” the whole time and it felt completely natural to me.

Especially this part:

I made those!

I did pretty well for my first time. I chose to steam them and seasoned them with a shake of Old Bay and a toss of parsley.

Then I took pictures to post on the internets and write about that time I cooked lobster tails. Normal.

 
 

Then I ate them like a fat kid eats cake. <—gasp! #dealwithit

Pescatarian for life! For now.

Next up is catching my own fish and once I get a SCUBA license I’ll be down there with a tickle stick and a net. Insert nervous smile –> here <—.

• Did you know it was lobster? 

• On a scale of 1-10 … 10 being “Never coming back to this chick’s blog EVER” and 1 being “ I’m jealous when can I come over *drool” how grossed out are you?

• If you eat the flesh of animals what are your thoughts on killing, hunting, skinning…….etc. for yourself? Could you do it?
  

 

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Three Meals | Three Questions | Three Minutes of Your Time

Surrrrrrveeeeeyyyyyyzzzzzz.

Because you care. I’m half-joking and half serious. I mean – I read them on other blogs and I used to LOVE slam books in elementary school (remember those?). I know I’m not the only quirk who has a passing interest in what shampoo a person uses.

Soooooo here I go with a survey I saw on Amanda’s blessing of a blog. Eating three real-deal meals a day is something I have to work hard on… this is like an extra-credit assignment.

Three Meals, Three Questions

Breakfast

1. Favorite cereal as a child?

Several.

 

General Mills Corn Flakes > Kellogg’s.

I also ate a lot of Rice Krispies (Sog city!). My mom was not a fan of the more sugary cereals…so neither was I. Plus my dad always said if I wanted frosted flakes just add sugar to my corn flakes. It was cheaper that way.

But we had our family’s “special treat” and I – heck I STILL drool over [the idea of eating] this stuff.

2. Coffee or tea? With milk or without?

I’m not a fan of hot drinks so I’m-a roll with iced tea…

 
Coffee just turns me off but I do go through phases. I like my coffee iced, flavored with lots of sweetener and almond milk … lets just call it a milkshake. And you know…I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.

Although recently I have been a coffee girl. Because of this:

And I can even drink it black.

3. The one food you eat most often at breakfast?

EGGS. Actually, Egg yolks are … complicated. Egg whitez and Beaterz.

What would I do without them? I really hope I don’t lose my appetite for them as I have with dairy. Hard Boiled are already a turn-off.

Eggs. Such a funny word. Such a funny ..food.

 Lunch

1. Sandwiches are generally considered a “lunch food.” If you had to choose between a grilled cheese and a peanut butter and jelly, which would you pick?

This is just the most ridiculous question anyone could ask me.

Enough said.

 

2. You can only put four ingredients in your salad (not including greens); what do you throw in the mix? Additionally, which greens and dressing do you pick?

Only Four? RUDE.  Mine would be Onion, Black Pepper, Salt (substitute style) and blanched asparagus. For greens I LOVE iceberg, arugula and my favorite salad blend:

Dressing? No thanks….but sometimes. Its hard to find sugar free and making my own requires…work. I like these ones:

   
Annie’s Organic Green Garlic, Newman’s Own Lite Italian and Naturally Fresh Ginger.

3. One food you can’t live without at lunch?

To be honest, I can and have lived without “lunch.” But not very well. Whatever it is though it absolutely HAS to have produce. Vegetables especially. At least something green.

   

 

Dinnaz!

1. It’s the end of the day. You’re tired, hungry, and your fridge is empty. If a fast food (from a chain) is your only option, where do you go and what do you order?

Honestly? This would never happen. I hoard food. If I was too tired to cook or whatever I would most likely go to the supermarket for pre-cooked shrimp, salad or sushi. Whole Foods…if I’ve got a dime or 250.

 

BUT…let me think… I guess…. fast-food-chain wise I would head to Panera or Chipotle if there was one nearby (I ate at Panera once) or Subway and get a salad …maybe with a veg burger. I’m difficult (understatement). For now.

2. TV/computer on or off while you’re eating?

I’d love to say differently but TV ON. On the floor. Off a tray. LOL. I live alone. It’s no big deal. I mean – look at how much fun she’s having…

 
When I am with people or family however….TV OFF or I get stone cold ragey.

3. The one food you eat most often at dinner?

This. I eat asparagus about 363 days a year and have done so for YEARS. Really. Yes, really.  I think it’s a bit of a thing if you know what I mean.

Ditto onion.  Always onions. Lots of onions. It reeks (literally. ha.) of disorderly conduct. But for now? Least of my worries. Onions and asparagus and proteins. Sometimes I add other veggies…but only sometimes.

 
You’d think these were the same meal different photos. Oh but no. This is how I live. Asparagus. Every day. Years. No lie. My pee doesn’t even smell anymore.

PS::Those Morning Star Veggie Chik’n things? Yeah. That was (was!!) a big deal HUGE thing. But more on that some other day.
PPS:: I’d apologize for the crassnast pics but that would imply that I’m sorry.
PPPS:: Who the heck am I talking to? lol.
PPPPS::I should take a photograph of my humbling dining alone regime. Because….

• Answer one of the questions. If you want.
• If you do this survey on your own blog let m know..I wanna read it. Please use pictures though. You know how I am…lol.

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Deliveries of Deliverance

I know some pretty heroic people. They gift me with support, kindness, giggles, inspiration and so much more. They’ll even come to my rescue.

These past two months I’ve gotten some unexpected deliveries that have simply touched my heart and soul.

For example, the Nuttzo that Lindsay sent me.

The way to Missy’s heart is through her nut butter.

I spied Nuttzo PF on Lindsay’s blog and became fixated on it. When she found out they didn’t stock it at my local Whole Foods she sent me one!

Deliverance.

Um…wow!!! I have been rationing this baby like the liquid gold it is.  (Or..buttery gold?) I’m proud of my restraint.

There’s a little under 1/2 left. I’ve got plenty of time to get a second mortgage in order to finance my next jar. And there WILL be a next jar. Whole Foods stocks it now. I’m not proud of my lack of restraint. I kind of get attached to things.

Remember this post?

 

Shortly after sharing my depression dilemma over my gottahaveit flavor of Crystal Light…Katie sent these:

  

Deliverance.

I know! So sweet. I’m savoring each and every little drop and not thinking about anything else. One day at a time.

But wait, there’s more!
She also threw in some other things she thought I might like. She was wrong.
I LOVED them.

This sticker for example.

Little did she know it fits perfectly with my collection of bumper

decals/magnets.

 

She also sent Sandwich Petals .

I immediately flipped to the ingredients because I avoid flour. I was super-surprised when I read them.

No flour. And though I avoid sugar -  I happily ate them all because I eat what I want.

There are only two other brands of wraps I buy and one of them was being discontinued so – discovering these?

Deliverance.

Also. This came.

I had been sporting my Kindle around in an ankle sock for months and procrastinating getting a cover. I happen to be surfing the net and spied a cute one so I pinned it on Pinterest and …my friend was like “THAT SHALL BE YOURS.”

And boom.

She delivered me and my Kindle from our naked shame.

Orange inside!!

Just looking at this makes me happy. And my kindle is happy too.

Wow. So …that was me bragging about all my cool stuff and how lucky I am but I most of toast just want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my peanut butter-filled heart.

 

• Tell me something.
• No, really. Just tell me something.

PS- Those wraps?  Them babies be good. SO good you guys. They last forever too. The only place you can get them is through the web. I’m considering ordering some. You can buy them individually here.

PPs- Camera wonky. Pics worse than usual.

PPPS- No mortgage. I rent. I was just being silly me.

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Canoo Canoodle?

I spent last night canoodling in my pajamas.

No, I haven’t “met someone” and relinquished my single girl status.

I canoodled my radish. <— oh dear. that sounds naughty.

*ahem*

 

I made daikon-noodles.

What’s it takes to turn this:

**

into this?

Mad skillz for starters. Or a mandolin.

(I’m mandolin-less but madskillz-full.)

**

And LOTS of canoodling.

 

Thrilling.

Here the deal:

You julienne your daikon, sprinkle it with sea or kosher salt and let it sit. The salt extracts water from the radish and it begins to soften. The daikon gets sort-of noodley. Noodlish?

Every 20 minutes or so canoodle your noodle…..or massage your radish.

(Oh good grief.  I swear I am typing this just shaking my head and wondering where this stuff comes from. )

Give it a juuzsh.

The longer you let it sit, the softer it will get. (Oh dear. This could get ugly but let’s not.)

Um…rinse the salt from the radish, drain and … boom. Delicious daikon “noodles in the raw.” I like it just like that, maintaining some of the crisp-crunch. (I plan on fermenting this batch into kimchi.)

You can also boil julienned radish until it gets super-duper soft and much more noodle-esque. Top with marina sauce and nutritional yeast or peanut sauce. Yum.

Noodelicious.

**

Daikons are good canoodlers.

PS- Add calories and protein and fat and all that….

**not my picture

 

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The Return of Hummus Girl

I used to be hooked on hummus. Not just any hummus. I was hooked on Barry’s hummus. Every weekend I’d scurry to the nearby Farmers Market and throw myself (and my cash) at Barry’s booth.

It became quite the hummundrum, which I resolved by becoming a DIY hummus monster nearly a year and 1/2 ago. I haven’t gone back since (mostly to avoid spending $).

Well, I was at Whole Foods last week and heard the familiar cry of “Hummus Girl! Hey!” It was Barry. He’d been worried about me.

As we talked I knew he had hooked me again. I told him I’d see him this weekend. Just talking about his hummus made my mouth water. I could hardly wait.

There was lots to look at – local grains and honey, homemade yogurt and granola, a pickle stand (!)….

 

But I went straight to Barry. He was expecting me.

I chose the original, red pepper and garden vegetable flavors and promised myself not to eat a whole tub in one sitting.

Barry makes his hummus from dried chickpeas and uses all fresh ingredients he chops himself (he roasts his own peppers!).

My goodness, y’all. I mean….can you see the bits of veg in there?

It should be said that I NEED my hummus to be chunky with a substantial amount of texture – no creamy hummus for me. Barry’s got it down.

Perfect for my favorite hummus vesicle.

Now if you’ll excuse me…I have a tray full of hummus and a Netflix queue full of awesome. We’ll be in bed spooning.

   

Just kidding. But I totally could.

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