Whistler Final Eats

I have to get this out of the way before I continue with my at home creations! There will be some good ones coming as I am getting deeper into The Paleo Diet Fort Athletes! But first some more splurging from my travels:

Mmmm! I had to try the Banana Toffee Pecan Chocolate Chip edition from Mogul's. The banana goes with pecan and toffee and oats so well! Toffee chips add the sugary touch that berries do so well in the usual cookies, just in a more decadent desserty less tart kind of way. This version ranks high on the mogul cookies list!

The Fuji Market is my savior. I got an epic bag of mixed Japanese boiled root vegetables (refridgerated, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and much more!) and supplemented with Kale. Plus my experimental/always thinking about what to make/eat nature. Still didn't buy any oil/dedicated ingredients for cooking.

I used a soy sauce packet and left over kim chee juice and pickled ginger juice with some lime to make the best flavor/cooking agent! It was a little salty-little spicy-not really a little tangy but sort of. I love the super good kale and root veggies/mushrooms/shoots. The 'cheap' fish ($5 for sushi grade salmon!) tasted good raw and especially yummy with the pickled ginger. So crunchy and delicious all around with the nuts and seeds. Cashews definitely rule butt. Stoked to satisfy my craving for expensive fancy fish and stir fry without the cost!

The perfect 'final' cookie. I was hoping for the rare banana-toffee-pecan, but ended up with the never before seen Raspberry Toffee Pecan Chocolate Chip!A perfect suprise/end of my trip after my last big ride 4 hour xc ride (the most challenging of the trip for sure). I decided to hit up all the post ride routines in one. Coconut water, Gu recovery drink and cookie sesh.

  Combine the classic go-to raspberry with the sweet nuttiness of the toffee/pecan!   The extra crunch and flavor from the toffee chips and pecans brings the raspberry cookie to a whole new level.  Nuttier/sweeter/crunchier yet STILL tart and chewy.

 

This was actually the last cookie, I had to try the Apple Cinnamon since before I had Apple Pecan and thought how good it would be with some cinnamon. It really was just like a slightly denser chewier muffin top and made for the perfect oaty doughy breakfast cookie (half with dinner half in the morning).

And i'll end with some brief randoms

The Last Splitz Grill Wrap

Buffalo Burger with almost every topping

• Sprouts, Lettuce Tomato, Cucumber, Pickles
• Baba Ghanoush, Hummus (lots of it), Dijon

 Daifuku

A Japanese Mochi Red Bean Paste Cake from the Fuji Market! Sweet, gluten free, and delicious.

Fuji Market/My own Combo Salad

• Fuji Market: Seaweed Salad (Arame), Spinach Goma Ae (Sesame Sauteed), Pickled and Sweetened Pickled Ginger
• Turkey, Romaine Lettuce, Cashews, Almonds, Blueberries
• Lemon Juice

Mogul's Mega Muffin (Blueberry Oat Bran)

Plenty of deliciousness to choose from!

Whistler II Home-Mades and More of the Best Ice Cream/Cookies/Burgers

It's so easy to make an awesome creation at Splitz Grill.  I was bummed at first at the no longer avialable gluten free bread, but the wheat wrap slightly toasted actually ended up being delicious.

I got:

• Spicy Lentil Burger
• Baba Ghanoush
• Hummus
• Sprouts
• Cucumber
• Tomato
• Peppers 
• Onion
• Relish

A total Med theme.  Just a bit spicy, it definitely tastes like a burger with just a hint of garden that matches the sprouts. The best additions are the sweet and creamy ones to tame the spice, and the banana peppers were surely too spicy for me, at least on top of the burger.

 The Fuji Market is the best Japanese market ever! Inexpensive freshly made sushi/other foods and more Japanese groceries/items than any other market I've been to. Even than Japan town. I go on the regular.

Another Massive Cookie

There was one Apple Pecan Oatmeal Cookie left so I had to give it a try.  Pecan goes with the roastedness of the oats so well! And there were plenty of them (places often hold back). No chocolate chips and not as sweet as the other cookies.  Combine that with the dense mushiness added by the apple (less airy) and it reminded me of a delicious muffin. It would be even better with a kick of cinnamon! 

The only time i've eaten dairy ice cream in over two years! It's that good.  Cow's only.  At first I wasn't used to it (too sweet/creamy) and didn't care for the taste, but then harniced the flavors. 1 split single scoop in a waffle bowl.

• 1/2 Messie Bessie 
• Chocolate Ice Cream, Moo Crunch, Oreo Cookie, English Toffee
• 1/2 Half Gooey Mooey
• Burnt Sugar Ice Cream (Vanilla+Toffee), English Toffee Marble, Caramel Cups, Chocolate Flakes

    The burnt sugar ice cream tasted like yummy brown sugar or roasted maple syrup, caramelized and delicious. Which of course went with all the carmel and toffee elements.  The on the spot made waffle cones definitely taste like almond oil is a key ingredient and I love it. I could easily go in and buy just the cones. They use all real high quality ingredients and you can tell. The vanilla was epic. I was wishing for more cookies though (my true weakness).

   Unfortunately I found that I still can't digest milk or straight dairy well, only yogurt. I felt this ice cream in my stomach for almos 3 hours!  I also hate the taste of butter since I'm not used to it anymore, and could also taste it/cream on my lips for the rest of the night. Not my favorite feeling, but the ice cream was damn good.

 I went for a turkey burger this time, which is different from the buffalo burger but just as good if your in the mood for it. Also non-corn-fed from B.C.!  I did a sort of sweet spicy Mexi theme. 

• Turkey Burger
• Grilled Pineapple
• Baba Ghanoush
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Tomato
• Onion
• Pickle
• Dijon Mustard
• Cracked pepper 
• Wheat Wrap

The pineapple, pickles and salsa (little spicy) go so well together along with a bit of onion and then some vegginess from sprouts (my favorite sort of rare burger/sandwich topping).  Gotta have the delicious garlic and roastiness from their epic baba ghanoush as well.

I of course need to get my veggies in and threw lots of salads like this together in the room.  Nothing with real prep or complex ingredients. I dress with lemon mostly because it's not worth buying a whole container of olive oil I know I won't finish!

• Sugar Snap Peas
• Tomato
• Mixed Romaine Lettuce
• Sunflower/Pumpkin Seeds
• Kimchee from the Fuji Market 
• Lemon

Another similar salad, except with these additions:

• Avocado
• Corn
• Spring Mix instead of Romaine
• Cucumber
• Hummus

And the main items were Baked Sweet Potato w/ Greek Yogurt of course and some deli turkey breast. Simple and delicious. Hotel room dining at it's finest.

This is where I could almost say I got tricky. No cooked chicken breast at the market = how to cook chicken without buying oil? I used some kimchee and the liquid from the container it comes in with a bit of extra water and sort of sautéed/broiled the breasts in it. Flavor and spice in one simple ingredient (sort of)! Enjoyed with a sweet potato/hummus and another basic lemon salad. The kimchee tasted even better (more sweet/less spicy) after it got cooked with the chicken.

The usual Bungalow Munch Breakfasts! Easy on the go fosho.

The additions I had were generally:

• Blueberries
• Almonds/Sunflower Seeds/Extra Cashews/Pumpkin Seeds
• Dried Cranberries
• Dates
• Crystalized Ginger/Pineapple
• Dark Chocolate!

With Almond Milk every time! This last one was pre race!

Super Herb Chicken and WannaBe Peanut Sauce, then the 'Usuals'

A couple things worth mentioning, and others worth neglecting in this meal. I'll start with the don'ts. 

Herb Baked Chicken and Super Sauce

     Steaming Brussel Sprouts = Dont. They just don't taste good! Somehow they get really bitter compared to when you grill them, even with my usual mustard seed and sea salt/pepper. I drowned them in my new wanna-be peanut sauce making them palatable, which is a YES. #1 I don't know why i've limited myself to tahini for making dressings/sauces, when almond butter and sunflower seed butter are perfect options! It was like a delicious Asian Sesame or Peanut Sauce that tastes good on anything, but primarily a salad dressing for the tasty Japanese Hijiki Seaweed Salad (I first used the dressing sans-sunflower seed butter to soak the dried seaweed, then mixed it into the sunflower seed butter as dressing). Inspired by our cooking on the team trips, I finally baked a chicken breast. Tons of herbs/spices and delicious leeks, artichoke hearts, and pine nuts! So much flavor yet so clean tasting at the same time. Trader Joe's Marinated Artichoke Hearts (jar) are so delicious especially when baked with chicken. They totally gave me the sensation of eating pizza, but just the good parts of eating pizza!

-Chicken Breast Baked with Dill Weed, Ground Coriander, Dried Basil, Lemon Pepper, Olive Oil, Lemon

   -Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Leeks, Pine Nuts

-Steamed BSprouts w/ Mustard Seed, Sea Salt, Pepper

-Hijiki Seaweed, Cucumber, Tomato, Sunflower Dressing Sauce

    -Sunflower Seed Butter, Rice Vinegar, Lemon, Olive Oil, Water

-Short Grain Brown Rice

The chicken made a reappearance in my lunch, remixed with some extra spice!

   Wrap Action

    Implementing my new policy also inspired by my team-trips of having baked sweet potatoes on hand (make a batch and fridge), half of one conveniently served as a sweet addition to my lunch. I supplemented the chicken with some tofu since there wasn't quite enough. #2 Also digging the wrap selection from TJoes - it's far superior to any other market (stupid over processed 'low carb' wheat or gluten free wraps are lame!). Brown Rice Tortillas for the win! Keeping it wheat free for days.

-Brown Rice Tortilla (TJoes), Radicchio, Avocado, Tomato, Onion

-Leftover Herb Chicken + Firm Tofu

-Hummus, Zahatar, Ground Coriander

-Sweet Potato

The Good Earth Sweet and Spicy Herbal Tea is so good this massive jar barely lasted 30 min! Accompanied the spicy yet sweet crunchy breakfast bowl perfectly.

Semi Standard Berry Ginger Spice Crunch

This would be a standard overnight oats combo for me but there's a few yummy standouts. #3 First is the simple added crunch from the bottom of the bag rice cake puffs. Then go for some pomegranate thanks to more TJoes pre-prepped genius. Last but definitely not least would be the carrot/ginger juice infused into the oats for a nice bite to compliment the usual spice combo!

-65g oats, 200g soymilk/almond milk/carrot juice/ginger juice (had a bit of each left)

-Blueberries, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Dried Cranberries

-Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cloves

-Hazelnuts, Almonds, 'Bottom of the Bag' Rice Cake Puffs

More Coconut Kefir, Turkey Quinoa- 1st Turkey Nori Wrap!

PreWrap (clockwise from top: Kombu, Carrot, Turkey, Onion, Sunflower/Almonds, Wakame, Rice and Dill center)

Nori Turkey Wrap and Some More

I see many Nori Wraps in my future! #1 Who knew that you could have something better than a tortilla (ok fine, depends on the mood). Right under my nose in sushi all the time, just mini sliced versions of such an epic creation. And to think I was led to make this because now I am truly out of produce in my fridge, leaving just the few dried seaweeds I have along with some carrots and half an onion.  I partially looked at this recipe. On the soaked nuts/seeds, I don't think i'll ever get into the full on soaking methods although it sounds quite beneficial and healthy, these I just did for 45min-hour while the rice maker was at work, and it's apparently long enough for sunflower seeds. Sweet Lemon, Dill, Seaweed, and Soy (Temari) made this dish tasty with compliments of turkey, hummus, and the nut/seed paste really bringing it together. Once again stoked on making something Japanese-esque thats super healthy (not high sodium/sugar)!

-Diestel Pastrami Turkery and Brown Jasmine Rice (cooked with 2 kombu and 2 wakame pieces)

-1 Nori Sheet

-1/4 cup sunflower seeds/almonds 

-Shredded 1/2 Carrot and Grilled 1/2 Onion

-Lemon, Dill Weed, a Dash of Reduced Sodium Temari

-Hummus

Turkey Quinoa Dish

I wasn't planning on finishing all of this, but it's all super healthy so it doesn't matter. I thought I splurged but got hungry not too long after. Nearly the last of all the vegetables in my house for once, I actually had to break into the frozen spinach in the freezer.  Glad I did! The whole Popeye eating lots of spinach thing doesn't come out of no where, it really is incredibly good for you. #2 This bunch has 10g of protein and a bunch of calcium which most people are deficient in. I steamed it to maintain all the nutrients (boiling loses a lot), with a bit of sesame oil and toasted ground sesame seeds. It ended up tasting full of flavor and really sweet from rice wine vinegar! The rest all went together well and was just as delicious.
-Steamed Spinach (sesame oil, sesame seeds, coconut, rice wine vinegar) and Carrots
-Quinoa Leftovers
-Sautéed Onion with Garlic, Ginger, Sesame Oil
-Diestel Farms Pastrami Turkey and Hummus
-Gomasio to top

Coconut Kefir Oats 2.0

Slightly less goodies and sweetness than less time, but just as good. Next time i'm going to mix with a little bit of yogurt (hopefully strained/greek) and sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds definitely go with coconut i've decided since having Bungalow Munch. There was a little pomegranate juice in their but evidently barely not enough to make a huge difference. I couldn't decide between my dried fruit and crunch/nut choices so I went with multiple. #3 The sprouted quinoa adds an amazing crunch factor and ups the protein content! Stoked to have it on hand.

-65g Extra thick Oats, 150g Coconut Kefir, 10g Pom Juice

-Blueberries, Shredded Coconut

-Sprouted Quinoa, Chia Seeds

-Hazelnuts, Dried Pineapple and Bing Cherries

Flavor Goes Fast for Many!

I spent this weekend traveling with my team to Fontana (east of LA) for the second national race of the season, so below is a combo of cooking for the masses / travel.  I got to coordinate and create the meal plan and shopping list for the team beforehand and as you can see, it definitely worked!  Everything was chosen mostly from Trader Joe's based on quality primarily but also keeping close focus on our tight budget. Here's my race report.

Lenny and Larry Double Chocolate Complete Cookie

This cookie takes the 'Complete' mantra and combines it with delicious chocolate-choclatey goodness.  More protein, no fake ingredients, no dairy, and not too milky not too bittersweet.  Just a chewy not crumbly well done cookie! Thoroughly enjoyed after a hard race. Now my routine post race fuel! These cookies are the original reason I was attracted to Lenny and Larry, they seriously are the best cookie you don't have to make yourself!

 Pre Race Dinner #2: Herb Lemon Chicken w/ Almonds, Leeks, and Olives

A variation of the race prep dinner i've been doing this season, changed for whats available and made in a mass quantity.  12 whole breasts of chicken with two leeks, a can of olives, and a bunch of almonds, in two baking dishes in the oven. Perfect flavor. So many delicious herbs complimented by crunchy leeks/almonds and topped with creamy hummus. Some more cooked vegetables to accompany, had to sauté instead of steam though due to the mass quantity. This was pre race dinner everyone racing expert (Juniors + Team Director Dario).

-Sauteed Rosemary Carrots

-Baked Herb Chicken (Dill Weed, T Joe's Every Day Seasoning, Basil), Leeks, Olives, Sliced Roasted Almonds

-Sauteed Broccoli

-Cucumber, Tomato, Hummus

-Brown Jasmine Rice, Wheat Tortilla

Mexi Leftovers

I got these leftovers together faster than ever before since the team was waiting to leave the house. Having my tupperware was crucial, and I just grabbed a bit of everything from our Mexi Dinner. There was a taco vendor at the venue so I even got to add fresh lemon, cilantro, and spicy salsa verde for free! I had no utensils so I ended up having to break a shard off of a plastic cup to scoop with. This was a pretty dialed meal for zero cost and no prep at all. On the last day we had similar lunches except with chicken, hummus, more vegetables, and tortillas as well from the 2nd dinner. They tasted so good! I will never get over the surprise of how tasty leftovers can be.

-Brown Rice, Salsa, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Beans, Olives, Ground Turkey

-Cilantro, Lemon, Salsa Verde

 Breakfasts Down: Mass Oatmeal

The team's got experience cooking gargantuan amounts of oatmeal for breakfast. We went with plenty of sweet blueberries and bananas cooked in, and then I went some more delicious toppings.  Clean, simple, and solid. The true breakfast of champions. A little berry jam is the best sweetener! I also normally used raw almonds, but the dry roasted kind is definitely a nice change. Accompanied by the newest issue of Decline. Had the same breakfast on race day, just gobbled down in near darkness since we had to race at 8:00am.

-Oatmeal with Blueberries and Bananas cooked in

-Soymilk, Cinnamon

-Fresh Blueberries, Roasted Almonds, a bit of Blackberry Jam

Pre Race #1: Burrito Night

 Cooking for the team brought me three good lessons.  We used Brown Jasmine Rice since it cooks faster, and it was totally delicious. #1 It tasted closed to white rice than other brown rices, which I definitely like sometimes, and I also used a little too much water, but it made the rice keep in the fridge so much better (not drying out). We made such a large batch that we were able to use it again for the next two lunches and one dinner. #2 We also used ground turkey, which I've done before but don't usually use at home.  It was really tasty with plenty of Granulated Garlic, Salt and Pepper, just have to make sure to buy the leanest closest to white meat version you can find. A little more interesting and easier to digest than eating more beans for protein (less fiber in turkey). #3 We also used multiple different kinds of beans (so many cans!) and just mixed them all together in a massive pot, and they turned out really good on their own. It's hard to make a bad meal when you just combine all these delicious foods. This dinner was pre race dinner for everyone racing pro (the U23 Squad) on Saturday.

-Sauteed Ground Turkey w/ Garlic, Salt and Pepper

-Sauteed Onion w/ Salt and Pepper

-Brown Jasmine Rice

-Olives

-Refried Black Beans/Pinto Beans

-Amy's Garlic Salsa

-Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado

Coconut Kefir Crunch, Wrap/Burrito Life

Good Old Burrito Night

Haven't had a plain tried and true Rice and Beans Burrito Night in a while. It was so good. The aromas of Lemon, Garlic, Olive, Onion, Cilantro and Parsley filled the air as I munched on an endless amount of rice, beans, salsa, veggies, and a steamy-toasty tortilla. #1 These beans are becoming a specialty. Just heat with all the accompanying ingredients 'til the onions are soft. I sprinkled some nutritional yeast over everything for the first time which was a worthy addition. Like a salty cheese but so much healthier.

-Black Beans, 1/2 Onion, Garlic Cloves, Olives (halved), Lemon

-Brown Rice and a Tortilla

-Salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrot)

-Avocado, Parsley,

-Olive Oil, Salt 'n Peppa, Nutritional Yeast

Lefty's Wrap

5 minutes while half awake this morning. Definitely tasty though! Not sure what to call it or what culture it comes from, but it was a sweet creamy tender combo of different flavors.

-Tortilla, Brown Rice Onigiri

-Sweet Ginger Chicken and Almonds/Onion

-Some Sweet Potato

-Salad of Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato

-Sabra Spinach Artichoke Hummus

More Than Meets The Eye: Coconut Kefir

The last of the Lydia's Sprouted Cinnamon Cereal, but this was extra special. My first use of my first batch of Coconut Kefir! I finally got some Body Ecology Kefir Starter to use with the Frozen Coconut Water they also sell, although any coconut water should work. It basically turns Coconut Water into a sweet slightly bitter coconuty milk full of healthy yeast cultures! And super easy to make. I couldn't imagine using the water for cereals/oatmeal, but the Kefir form is legit! Made my cereal into a Crunchy Sweet Coconut Cinnamon amalgamation. Next up: Coconut Kefir Infused Overnight Oats (hint hint be ready!)
-65g Lydia's Sprouted Cinnamon Cereal
-1-2t Chia Seeds
-Additional Shredded Coconut
-Coconut Kefir
-Strawberry/Blueberries

Super Swordfish and Pineapple

Lots of good/new things in this dinner.  Spaghetti squash with balsamic vinegar and basil is a new favorite, Seabass baked with balsamic, lemon, portobello mushrooms, and pineapple (going to go for the grill option next time, but still yummy), Rainbow chard sauteed with garlic, and Balsamic Vinaigrette Green Salad.  Definitely will be purchasing more spaghetti squash, pineapple, and rainbow chard in the future!

Double fisting burrito leftovers from last night!

-Whole wheat tortillas

-Black beans with onion cooked in

 -Spiced with turmeric and curry powder
-Cucumber
-Sauteed garlic rainbow chard
-Brown rice
-Hummus!
Turmeric and curry powder are definitely becoming a key tool in my cooking arsenal. So good!

You guessed it. The last of the all spice apple strawberry oatmeal. This time with almonds, yogurt, and dried cherries.  Maybe I won't have oatmeal tomorrow? Who knows. Stay tuned.