Burger Cravings

So I usually roughly plan out my meals a few days ahead, to make sure I have enough ingredients, and to figure out how I can use up what I have. I have a whole container of hummus I have been wanting to use up, because it expires in about a week, so I had planned on a nice big hummus wrap for lunch today. However, when I was running this morning I got the BIGGEST craving for a sunshine burger. Hummus didn't sound the least bit appetizing anymore- I wanted a big, juicy, green burger for my lunch today... so thats what I had!

My delicious lunch: A Garden Herb sunshine burger topped with FYH vegan cheddar, organic ketchup and mustard on an Ezekiel english muffin, with some sliced cucumber and a pear. Perfect lunch, totally satisfied my intense craving!!

As I mentioned before, I went for a run today- 4 miles, up and down hills. It was a LOT easier than yesterday, it's definately not as scorching as it was the day before. I had a chocolate chip mini clif bar before I left the house, ran, came home, and did about 20 minutes of various strength exercises (arms with weights, abs, lunges and squats, pushups) before deciding I couldn't wait for my burger any longer!


I'm so excited about later today... I'll be eating dinner before our appointment, so it won't be until late that you find out my crazy plan!!

A little cooler

Today is slightly cooler than yesterday, which should make my run much more bearable! I did cool down last night, I ended up having the last 2 supercharge me cookies for a snack, and then nibbled on some dried fruit later in the night. I finished my book, which was sad, but a nice ending nonetheless!


This morning I woke up early, but I still feel pretty rested. I have some super exciting plans with my mom later on today... you'll find out in time! I started my day with one of my favorite breakfasts, Vegan swiss oats- made the usual way (1/2 c oats, 1/2 c vanilla soy, dried cherries, walnuts, cinnamon overnight, banana, soy yogurt and agave in the a.m.) This bowl filled me up as usual, but I was craving something juicy so I also had a small bowl of grapes as well. Unfortunately, I feel pretty stuffed after all of this. But I guess there are worse things I could be stuffed of!

Today I'm trying to decide on a good baking recipe to make for some of the dads in my family for fathers day... any suggestions?

Out early!

Tonight I had an unexpected surprise when I glanced at the schedule in the office at work and realized I was on until 8, not 9!! I got so excited, you can betcha I was out the door at eight o'clock!

Before I headed into work, I grabbed a grande soy latte from Starbucks, and snacked on a baggie of grapes to hold me until dinner.


Boy, was I glad I had my snack because I didn't get to eat dinner until 7! I was starving, but I packed a big hearty dinner of leftovers, so it was good. I had some leftover chili, cornbread, and salad from last night- I only ate half the salad because the rest filled me up sooo well- I'm still stuffed after almost 2 hours! I may or may not have a snack tonight, we'll see!


In any case, I'm happy to be home and relaxing with my book near my cool fan. A calming summer's night for sure. =)

Wholly yummy!

As hot as it is, I decided to take a run outside, because I was craving fresh air. The run was definately a tough one in the heat, but better than being holed up inside!

I was hungry afterwards, so for lunch I put together a tasty sammie with a couple new items I picked up from the store recently. I found these little 100-calorie Guacamole packs from Wholly Guacamole, and loved the little convienent portion-controlled packs!

I spread one pack on two slices of Ezekiel sprouted bread, and topped this with some tempeh bacon I pan-fried in a bit of cooking spray, some spinach and tomato slices for a vegan "BLAT"!
It was very good, I love the tempeh with the guac! I still prefer fresh guacamole, but these are nice for sandwiches and to dip!
On the side I had some carrots and a nectarine for a very satisfying lunch!



It is so hot out there, I'll be sitting inside by the fan for a while before getting ready for work!
I'll be back to post again once my night is finished! I hope it goes by fast, I need to sleep tonight!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

VEGAN ICE CREAM CAKE!

My "masterpiece". My "pride and joy". Hands down, the coolest (literally and figuratively) dessert I have ever made.
All inspired by the amazing Dreena Burton...

Behold- my Dad's completeley vegan surprise birthday treat-

Creamy Mint and Vanilla Chocolate Swirl Cookie Sandwich Ice Cream Cake! (That was a mouthful... and boy was it a good mouthful!)


I literally had a photoshoot with this baby, right before it began to melt...

Everyone LOVED it. My dad LOVES oreo ice cream, so he said it was perfect. My mom, sister and I all devoured our pieces, and it was the perfect treat on such a hot hot night.
Even my very non-vegan friend Eric who came to pick me up after tried a piece, and although he thought the ice cream tasted a little "off" (ommis...) he had to admit it was tasty.


Later in the night, I hung out at the beach with friends and we packed a big bag of grapes to all share- I'm pretty sure I ate about half!


This morning, I woke up earlier than I wanted to, being so tired from staying out late, but I was still very hungry! I tried a new granola plank, Bluberry Vanilla Crackle, along with some plain soy yogurt and a big bowl of fresh strawberries on the side. Yum!

A nice cool way to start a warm morning!
It has been SO hot here, I might be working out inside again, we'll see! I have work later on today as well- at least it's AC'ed in there!

Dinner for Dad

WHEW! That was a lot of cookin'. And I'm stuffed again! I did manage to get it all done in an hour and a half, though, I was very efficient!

I snacked on a giant apricot and a few almonds to hold me until dinner was done:

I made a deeelicious dinner for my Dad's birthday tonight, if I do say so myself. I am stuffed to the brim yet again today, luckily it's all been healthy! Today's a special occasion anyway =)

The menu:
Sweet Potato Lentil Chili (from ED&BV)

Salad with spring greens, bell pepper, zucchini and black olives
tossed with ED&BV's Cumin Cinnamon Viniagrette

Cornbread from the Happy Herbivore!

Finally, my chili topped with a dollop of Guacamole con Alga Marina (ED&BV as well) and a slice of lime... YUM!


This is my new fave chili. It was AWESOME, my sister took one bite and asked me to make it again!
My dad (Yes, I do call him Faja!) seemed to love everything as well, so I guess it was a success! I can't wait to show him his dessert treat... which I have been calling "my masterpiece" all day because I'm so proud of how it came out!

To "where are we??" and back!

Today was quite the rushed day! I finished up the second layer of my dad's special ice "cream" cake, and only had time for a quick 1/2 hour of strength and cardio before jumping in the shower, just in time for my friend to pick me up. We had to drive an hour and a half in SCORCHING heat to bring her friend home, to a random place in the middle of nowhere I've never been. It was a fun ride even though we were dripping with sweat! Eventually, we got to providence where we picked up my Dad and went to lunch on my favorite street, full of awesome restaurants and great shopping, Thayer Street. We ate lunch at Nice Slice, which I had heard was the best pizza in Prov- and it has vegan pizza! Ohmigosh, it did NOT disappoint! I ate the best pizza I have EVER eaten in my entire life. And it was vegan!!! My Dad, Danielle and I split a HUGE whole wheat crust "Earth Crisis" pizza, which was covered in fresh spinach, artichokes, tomatoes, and vegan cheeze- and had them put some vegan chick'n on it too! Delish!

I have to admit, I stuffed myself silly- it was a thin crust and filled with veggies, so I ate 3 (yes, three!) huge pieces! I probably should have stopped at two, but it was sooo good... third piece was worth it, as full as I felt. The awesome thing was, I'm still full- but satisfied, and I don't feel gross at all, the way I used to feel when I ate regular pizza.
More and more, I'm realizing how much veganism is the right choice for me!

After a hot and sweaty (but very fun!) day in the car, I'm back at home, cooling off in the nice air conditioning before I start preparing my Dad his birthday dinner! He did choose a hot one- chili, cornbread and salad- but I think it will still be yummy, despite this scorcher we're having!

Oh, and I forgot to add this morning: HAPPY "21"st FAJA!!!!