Best Broccoli, DIY Almond Milk and Butter

I should have waited one more meal before my last post because this version of my Sushi Salmon salad blows all others out of the water!

Sashimi Super Salad

• Wild Sockeye Salmon for Sushi
• Steamed Crookneck Squash w/ Sesame Oil (Leftover)
• Herb Salad Mix
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Seaweed
• Quinoa
• Cashews
• Shredded Coconut and Sesame Seeds
• Minced Ginger, Flax, Lemon, Temari

This time the salmon was off the hook. Combine that with the other quality ingredients, mainly farmer's market crookneck squash, and some amazing flavor from the best add ins and dressing.  I bought a small jar of minced ginger and could not be more pleased, and the nuts/seeds/coconut were all time.

 This meal was also the debut of a bunch of turkey breast I grilled in the oven w/ Coconut Oil, herbs and spices (different on each portion), AND my first time homemade Almond Butter!

•  Turkey w/ Dried Basil
• Turkey w/ TJ's Everyday
• Sweet Potato Homemade AB/Coconut Butter
• Steamed Squash and Romanesco Broccoli w/ Coconut Butter/Hummus
• Sugar Snap Peas and Seaweed

I have so many almonds thanks to Julia Violich, my coach (co-director of Violich Farms), so I decided to not buy Almond Milk and Almond Butter this time.  Both so easy! I even successfully used a blender.  I went untoasted nuts on the butter and added a tad of the almond milk after for a bit more liquidy/creamy texture, and a bit of stevia in the milk. So easy, cheap, and can't wait to try flavoring as well as use my abundances of nuts (cashews, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans etc) with vanilla/cinnamon/dates and more! I highly recommend trying both out.

Post workout protein breakfast pudding cereal. All the best textures and flavors:

• Quinoa Leftover
• Homemade Almond Milk!
• Hazelnuts
• Dried Cranberries
• Vanilla Plant Protein
• Cacao Powder
• Blueberries
• Coconut Butter
• Cinnamon

Romanesco Broccoli is the bomb. It doesn't taste much different but it looks rad! Definitely one of my farmer's markets highlights.

• Romanesco Broccoli, Carrot, Cucumber (steamed)
• Hummus, Sunflower Seeds
• Kale Saute (Olive Oil, Garlic Gold, Pepper, Rainbow Gomasio, Macadamia Nuts)
• Quinoa w/ Bragg's 24 Herbs
• Chicken w/ Everyday Seasoning

I loved the macadamia nuts toasted with the kale sauté and delicious herbs and hummus with the chicken, quinoa, and veggies goes quite well.

• First of the Chicken w/ TJ's Everyday Seasoning
• Brazil Nuts
• Mixed Greens (w/ raw chard again)
• Carrot
• Squash Leftovers
• Flax Oil, Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, Pepper

Just a Hhalthy clean grilled chicken breast salad with some leftover steamed veggies and more of the best heirloom green tomato, and some yummy Brazil Nuts!

Only in Whistler! Part I

My favorite time of year! Racing in Whistler, B.C. I try not to dream or think about it because it's so good all around that it's painful for me to not always be here. I'll start with Mogul's Coffee/The Gone Eatery.

 Begin: favorite cookies in the world!

 Holy Wow! (salt shaker for size ref)

I thought about these cookies for one year. I was almost a little worried my taste would have changed  and I wouldn't appreciate them as much. But they are just as good! Even bigger than I remember. I've pretty much had one per day. That's impressive considering they are 1400 calories for a whole one (word on the street is). At least there's oil instead of butter and they do have fruit/oats/wheat flour in them!

Raspberry Blueberry Oat Chocolate Chip

I never want it to end when im eating it and it almost never does! it has all the best aspects of a raspberry, oatmeal, chocolate chip, and sugar cookie somehow. The raspberry is strong and sweet yet fresh and moist. The texture is perfect. Not overly airy or dense. The baking time is perfect creating ease to break apart sans crumbling and with delightful chewiness. Damn. I'd pay a lot of money for the recipe!

The outside gets more cooked so the middle is like fruity tart chocolate chip cookie dough while the outside remains more crunchy less sweet oatmeal choco chip. Stoked on both blueberries and raspberries together although solo raspberry is just as good. Bite into what ever section your in the mood for!

The popular banana version is quite delicious as well.  The doughyness comes out more and the banana pairs nicely with the slightly salty oaty goodness!

I discovered they make the cookies from a mix and just add fruit. I bought some but think it might be a Canadian Quaker product re-labeled. More on how that goes soon!  I also need to try the apple pecan and strawberry editions (they are more rare)! Checking for availability every day... But onto the muffins!

They do epic XL Muffins.  Massive Blueberry Oat Bran are delicious, and many more.  Of course I got my idea for pumpkin oat bran pecan muffins from these last year! They pair so well together. So big and mostly muffin top, the way it should be! Also such a delicious spice combo of nutmeg and cinnamon and cloves with raisins too! I think some hints of roasted maple too? I enjoyed with a little extra nuttiness from Almond Butter and some blueberries for my daily fresh fruit/antioxidant fix.

The Morning Glory Muffins are pretty sweet as well. Literally. A carrot muffin gone occasionally tart with apple, currants or golden raisins, and pineapple. So moist and delicious with just the right amount of chewy crunchy morsels!

 Bring on The Splitz Burger.

 With the best burgers to choose from such as Spicy Lentil, Buffalo, Lamb, Turkey, or regular, Splitz is the coolest burger place ever.  You can also get chicken breast, or teriyaki salmon.  With or without Yam Fries! Served on white or multi grain bun, or a wheat wrap, OR GLUTEN FREE BREAD! You choose your burger and then move down the line with all sorts of toppings.

 My first was the local B.C. Buffalo (grass fed). It tastes more earthy/gamey which pairs perfectly with the semi earthy gluten free bread by Food For Life.

• Baba Ghanoush
• Grilled Pineapple
• Guacamole
• Carrot
• Sprouts
• Pickles
• Cucumber
• BBQ Sauce

The baba ghanoush was amazing, exploding with garlic and roasted eeggplant. The bbq sauce from the burger with the pineapple paired a perfect sweetness.  I will be going back for the lentil and turkey burgers (so be ready for some more epic combos!). 

 

The 2 dollar meal! Local trail/race organization, WORCA, puts on 'Loonie Races' every Thursday night. They cost a loonie (Canadian $2 coin) and include apres meal and beer. And the winner gets $50! 150-300 people usually attend. I only made it 1/4 of the way through the race due to a flat tire, but was in around 6th with 300 people behind me! Sponsored by the Lift Coffee Company this time, the meal after was delicious. Pretty gourmet for $2! I want to make all 3 of these items! They also had wraps and cookies which I skipped.

• Quinoa Salad (Black Beans, Corn, Parsley, Tomato) 
• Roasted Cauliflower (Lemon, Red Pepper, Fennel)
• Kale Salad (Garbanzos, Barley, Tomato, Onion)

Another well known: The Mongolie Grill

 Get your bowl and put in your ingredients!

 Choose your sauces/flavorings!

What I got:

•  Broccoli
• Cashews (for the crunch and source of fat)
• Water Sprout Shoot (white things?)
• Water Chestnuts (I love them and they are so rare!)
• Carrot
• Lemon 
• Coconut Milk
• Onion
• Olives (had to give it a shot for stir fry b/c I could)
• Shrooms
• Garlic 
• Ginger (such bomb flavor)
• Chicken
• Zucchini
• Asparagus

 And it gets stir fried and mixed up right in front of you!

 Most people go with various noodles/meats and sugary sauces but I opted for the more veggie-base flavor options.

 My veggie combo stands out among the rest...

All done! Topped with Sesame Seeds, a tid bit of soy sauce, and accompanied by your choice of jasmine/brown rice, and miso/hot 'n sour soup.  I love that you can get it exactly the way you want. So customizable in every way!  My garlic-ginger-coconut-lemon flavoring was bomb and I got my veggie fix for sure.

 Next up will be everything I actually made (didn't eat out all the time, gotta save some $$$) and the remaining foods I have to try!

Downieville

Downieville Pre XC Race Dinner

 Keeping on the gluten free train, I recruited my Seaweed snacks to partake in Burrito night.  We had delicious chicken sauteed with herbs and spices, accompanied by brown rice, avocado, arugula, and carrot.  Salsa, Hummus, and Lemon all around to kick up the fun!

 This bowl of oatmeal before my downhill race just looked too good to not photo.

• Oatmeal
• Almond Milk
• Strawberries and Blackberries
• Coconut Butter and Shredded Coconut
• Almond Butter
• Bottom of the Bag Rice Cake Crisps!

It was a creamy nutty coconut berry blast!

After pigging out on Bungalow Munch Granola with blueberries, Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, Almond Milk, and Crystalized Ginger, this clean dinner hit the spot perfectly the night before the dh race.  

• Ginger Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks
• Grilled Salmon
•  Quinoa Salad with Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Garbanzos

 All topped with a bit of Tahini! Sesame Ginger for days.

Once again, I felt the need for a light clean dinner after cramming tons of food post race, so hit up a big salad with some sauteed veggies, cashews, rice cake bits, and garbanzo beans. Dressed in olive oil/balsamic and partially wrapped in seaweed.  The mushroom/butternut squash sauté in coconut oil was quite epic.  Definitely going to start using coconut oil more often!

Pre-Europe: a new MacroBar, Chocolate Pudding and Halibut Stir Fry

I've been quite a bit behind with the blogging thing since coming over to Europe with USA Cycling to race a World Cup and a Swiss Cup, but here's what I had going just before I came (I forget the exact quantities unfortunately). (more awesome racing and food from overseas to come)

Cashew Caramel Macro Bar 

GoMacro makes some bars that are next level compared to their others due to having some extra super ingredients like flax or mesquite.  They are higher in fat but also protein so great for snacking as opposed to riding.  I had two of these while traveling and they rule! It tasted lots of cinnamon and crunchiness. I might dub it cinna-carmel-crunch, just a hint like toffee and not too sweet at all!

Stir Fry Quinoa Leftovers

I took the extra stir fry and quinoa/millet mixed with some extra cucumber and sun dried tomato for an epic lunch at the airport/on the plane.  The fava beans are delicious!

Miso Glazed Halibut and Asian Stir Fry

I went with a Miso Glaze to bake the fish in and another sauce to stir fry the vegetables (steamed the fava beans first then mixed them in).  

• Halibut baked with Miso, Sesame, Olive Oil, Ginger
• Broccoli, Carrot, Fava Beans, Almonds
• Temari, Olive Oil, Ginger Powder, Chile Powder, Agave Nectar, Mirin
• Quinoa and Millet

The stir fry was just a bit sweet from the Agave and Mirin but had a kick from the ginger and savory-ness from the temari and it was perfect.

Chocolate Pudding Bungalow Munch Granola

I am officially down for using protein powder with my granola or muesli breakfasts for the thickening effect.  This turned out like a creamy chocolate pudding with yummy dark chocolate hints from the cacao nibs in the Cacao Nib Edition of Bungalow Munch and was complimented well by raspberries.  Crunchy and creamy bittersweet goodness!

• 1 scoop Vanilla Plant Fusion Protein Powder and 1T Unsweetened Cacao Powder
• 1/3c Cacao Nib Bungalow Munch Granola
• Raspberries

Tricky Power Overnight and Non-Overnight Oatmeals, Garlic Herb Baked Chicken

I stopped supplementing protein to breakfast a while ago based on the unnaturalness/less bioavailability, but recently avoiding processed/unfermented soy and yogurt (mucous forming!) and then adding more seeds / different grains, I think the occasional 1T of whey or plant combo protein is beneficial (upping protein + better quality protein ratios).  Plus it's only 1-2T, not a full scoop like I might do before.  Eating egg whites with breakfast works, but isn't the most convenient or tasty option (and you gotta mix it up).

My sort of go to overnight protein bowl combo recently! This one with a touch of Lemon and Vanilla Bliss! At first it had no strawberries...

Protein Vanilla-Lemon Overnight Oats

The combination of oats, quinoa, and chia seeds makes a thick, doughy, creamy, yet seedy amalgamation!  I opted for the Vanilla Plant Fusion Protein, and then some more vanilla and lemon as well. It went perfectly with the Coconut and Berries. 

• 3-4T Quinoa, 4-5T Oats, 1-2T Chia Seeds, 1-2T Protein Powder
• 160g Nut Milk, and Some Lemon
• Sunflower/Pumpkin Seeds, Coconut Butter, Almond Butter
• Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries

My first time using Artisana Coconut butter! #1 It's basically like eating coconut, probably better on a warm bowl of oats to mix better but it's really yummy anyways. I love it. Especially when there's already coconut flavor from SoDelicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk!

Overnight At Home

This was basically the same overnight creation, except with no Lemon/Protein Powder (I had an egg white a little later), a bit of Pomegranate Juice, some extra water for soaking, and a Date sliced up and mixed in!  I used Coconut Milk both times, which combined with the Coconut Butter and Seediness is phenomenal.  #2 These bowls are so healthy with protein from Seeds, Quinoa, Oats, Protein Powder (if included) and Almond Butter (which even has some egg whites in it).

 

Oatmeal For Real

No quinoa this time, but the usual creamy oats+oat bran combo, with mega toppings/mix ins.  I love the mango, especially with strawberry/blueberry accompaniments. Since I don't eat dairy and hadn't had much meat recently, getting some whey protein is definitely beneficial; it is potentially the highest quality protein. Plus you can't beat the taste of Tera's Vanilla whey powder. It's the highest quality organic protein powder ever. I don't think i'll ever be able to use any other brand. And it made my bowl of oatmeal a tasty Sweet Vanilla Mango Date Party.

• 1/4c Oats, 1/4c Oat Bran, 1c Coconut Milk/Almond Milk
• 1-2T Tera's Vanilla Bourbon Whey Protein Powder
• 2-3T Pumpkin/Chia/Sunflower Seeds
• Dried Mango, Shredded Coconut
• Blueberries and a Strawberry

What about Non-Breakfast?

I do eat other meals too, so I figured I'd include this dinner.  Made the chicken breast in the oven again, with no lemon but plenty of garlic this time. #3 The onions and artichokes turned out melt in your mouth good, and the chicken goes perfect with a bit of Hummus (as do all the other veggies).  My first time trying Millet, it's definitely similar to Quinoa and Couscous but crunchier/less fluffy, not as nutty and more grainy. It's a little bland on it's own so I think it's going to be better mixed with other grains. 

• Oven Baked Chicken Breast w/ Artichoke Hearts, Garlic, Onion
• Ground Coriander, Dill, Basil, 
• Steamed Gai Lan Broccoli w/ Sesame Oil and Sesame Seeds
• Oven Roasted Garlic (powder) Sweet Purple Carrots and Baked Sweet Potato
• Millet
• Hummus and Avocado as needed

Power Pancakes 2.0, Gratitude, Super Dal

     Along with all the baking I did this weekend, I also whipped up and froze my 2nd time batch of protein pancakes, and without protein powder!  I switched them to the fridge the night before I wanted them. 

Coconut Power Pancakes

The nutrition is off the hook with a solid amount of fiber and protein, yet still super tasty (click nutrition-without seeds/fruit added in).  #1 The key is garbanzo, coconut flour, and egg whites.  They were a bit dry so maybe coconut milk, and less garbanzo flour and baking powder. The pancakes alone were actually quite tasty, fluffy and light, flavorful and a little sweet!

• 6T Garbanzo Flour
• 2T Coconut Flour
• 2t Baking Powder
• 2t Cinnamon
• 2 Egg Whites
• 5 Drops Stevia
• Vanilla
• Fair amount of unsweetened almond milk (until good consistency)
• Add in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raspberries, blueberries, dried fruit, cacao nibs...

 Seeds were the best addition to during cooking and although I ate on the go, sauces/toppings would help  the moisture factor. More fresh fruit cooked in would benefit as well! This breakfast kept me full for a while so I would maybe make 2/3 of the recipe for one person (the above changes would probably do the trick). Just mix ingredients and pour 3-5" pancakes on a griddle, flipping after bubbling for a while (if you roll non-greased like me!).

Some more Gratitude:

I Am Whole

 Probably now my go to grain bowl at Cafe Gratitude. I love it.  The Kim Chee is just a bit spicy and not too acidic, and the Teriyaki Almonds sweetness and nice crunch balance out the Garlic Tahini Dressing!

 Sea vegetables and kale, steamed quinoa or local brown rice, house-made kim chee, carrots, and sprouts with tahini-garlic sauce and teriyaki almonds.

 I made Channa Dal pretty well for the 2nd time as well!

 Channa Dal Houtzager 

It ended up perfectly sweet, spicy and creamy oozing with flavors and went with the salad and dressing perfectly. 

• Cardamom, Garam Masala, Basil, Turmeric, Ginger Powder, Ginger Juice, Olive Oil, Agave Nectar
• Garlic, Fennel, Onion, Dal, Butternut Squash
• Almonds, Fennel to Garnish
• Chicken broth and Coconut milk
• Spinach Avo Salad w/ Ginger-Lemon-Olive oil Dressing

 #2 I did the dressing quickly without thinking and it is so good for how simple it is to throw together (when you have home-bottled ginger and lemon juice in the fridge!). Just saute the vegetables and garlic with the spice combo and then add in steamed butternut squash, rice-cooker made Dal, and extra Chicken Broth and Coconut Milk to make it your desired consistency.  Top with the yummy garnishing and enjoy! #3 The agave nectar is key to sweeten it up just a bit.

So Much Bungalow Munch-Cacao Nib Edition! and Super Lentil Soup

At first I thought I couldn't eat granola for breakfast on school days because it's less clean, has less protein, and usually more sugar and fat then oats, but I proved my self wrong and am stoked!

Clean Protein Munch

Since I'm inching away from soy which normally supplies extra protein, I came up with this. Unsweetened Almond Milk goes perfectly due to the nutty nature of the granola and makes the perfect amount of sugar from berries and granola with fat from granola. Just no need to add any extra nuts/seeds/nut butter. #1 Then the other key is protein from sprouted quinoa! Just sprinkle it in simple as that! Plus it makes a more seedy yet still roasted and delicious breakfast.

• 1/3c Bungalow Munch, 3t Sprouted Quinoa
• Pomegranate
• Almond Milk

To continue the stokage on eating granola for breakfast more often, Jeri has been experimenting with a Cacao Nib version of Bungalow Munch, and I got to test!

Cacao Nib Munch Part 1

The cacao nibs are mixed in just enough to give it a nice dark chocolate touch, not a bitter cacao nib sensation like if you try to eating them straight. They also seem mixed into the granola much better than if you just add them yourself, sort of becoming more infused? They turn an already delicious granola into what could be viewed as a chocolatey dessert treat, or a breakfast for chocolate lovers! It also pairs with this awesome coconut yogurt I'm finally trying perfectly for a chocolate coconut crunch fest. Such a creamy and crunchy bowl, not actually too sweet or dessert-y in my opinion. It isn't as sweet as one might expect, although I wouldn't mix it with sweetened milk/yogurt or any additional sweetener, it's just right! I still had to try it with banana rather than blueberries.

• 55g Cacao Nib Bungalow Munch
• Blueberries
• 4oz So Delicious Coconut Yogurt

More soy-freedom for me, again I just don't have to add any extra source of fat since it provides enough. This may answer my dairy free, soy free yogurt dilemma! It tastes just like a coconut pudding dessert (Huapia) super caloric/high in fat but its actually only 7g of fat in an entire container. Just a real creamy coconut-y experience! the only downside to this stuff is its not the cheapest thing on the market but it's easily worth it every once in a while. #2 When I eat breakfasts like these with less protein I just pack a hardboiled egg white to snack on later for when I get hungry. Which I will fairly soon!

Whoa! Almond milk is almost as creamy as coconut but way more nutty and therefore has more pizazz than coconut, requiring less sweetener from the other accompaniments. Of course the banana compliments the cacao nibs (and nut milk) perfectly for banana-chocolatey nut experience. I also noticed that the cacao nib version stayed more crunchy overall despite my early nut milk addition since I had to bring it to school (unlike before when it got more like soggy cereal during transport).

• 55g Cacao Nib Bungalow Munch
• Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 1/2 Banana

Upgrade: Lentil Soup

I used to have this all the time, but now take it to new heights. Before, it was always the soup mix in less water then instructed, and add additional canned lentil mixes along with some fresh vegetables and a bit of spice. I dropped the canned part and added the water, but then upped the vegetables, herbs, and spices. It came out with so many yummy flavors! Basically use whatever vegetables seem good from the fridge/need to go (like always with soup). The fresh herb and spice combo is now dialed. The addition of almond oil is strong but tasty, so I may go a little lighter on that next time. #3 I just boiled the mix as instructed and added vegetables at the right times to cook them evenly, and then mixed in the spice combo and oil. The garnish makes it even tastier and more fancy. Phenomenal!

• Allesi Sicillian Lentil Soup Mix
• Star Anise, Carraway Seed, Fennel Seed Powder, Cumin
• Almond Oil and Olive Oil
• Carrots (Yellow/Orange), Zucchini Squash, Fennel
• Sliced Almonds
• Green Onion, Basil, Fennel Garnish