Fruit Leather? Tuna Salad for Real, Dosa, Chocolate Cherry Almond Crunch

Best Tuna Salad For Real

I really wanted to make a Filet of Salmon after not getting enough last night but was just too lazy to go down the street after my ride to buy one, so I made this epic tuna salad instead. I think my fourth time, with more variations due to what's available of course.  I can't say anything to do justice for how good it was.  I didn't have the traditional ingredients of celery/cucumber, but it did not matter at all.  Basil was an excellent addition; I've been loving fresh basil so much recently (could eat it plain for days). #2 Olives that I pitted myself were extra bomb as well, they are a little stronger than pitted olives, which are a little stronger (better) than canned-pitted.  Actually seemed like a while getting all these ingredients together, and you could totally skip half of them, but the more the better.  I would get into all the flavors and delicious combos and phenomenons of this meal experience, but it would take too long and still not be worthy. Also, if you haven't ever had Spinach Bolani from the farmer's market (I think some markets have them also) you haven't lived. With hummus. And or epic tuna salad. I also enjoyed it outside in the sun with a nice tall glass of 'Strawberry Lemonade' Iced Tea sweetened with Stevia. Amazing.

-Spring Mix, Tomato

-1 Can Tuna

-Olives, Sun Dried Tomato

-A Purple Carrot

-Cilantro, Basil, Green Onion

-Garlic, Lemon, Olive Oil, Cider Vinegar, Dill, Dried Parsley, Salt and Pepper

-SooFoo Brown Rice and Spinach Bolani

Table Cafe and Some More

I had a craving for Salmon so grabbed a quick Dosa (gluten free buckwheat crepe) from Table Cafe in Larkspur.  Everything they make is delicious, especially dosas! I only wish it had more Salmon and less egg, and because I got it right before closing they couldn't whip one up with just egg whites, but it was pretty good anyway. There Apple Ginger Side goes very well with it.  I supplemented with a salad, hummus, and Spinach Bolani.

-Scrambled Egg, Smoked Salmon, and Green Onion Dosa w/ Apple Ginger Side

-Spinach Bolani and Hummus

-Spring Mix, Basil, Cilantro, Tomato, Cucumber, Olives, Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil

Kaia Support

I don't normally eat fruit leather, just never really got into it, but this could change things! There's actually substantially more fruit leather in this little package than you would expect, especially for a measily 30 calories.  The texture is thinner and almost crunchy rather than the chewy version most brands offer, more like hard candy.  Basically an epic yummy semi-chewy lime ginger treat! Definitely a solid thing to snack on when your just a little bit hungry, trying to hold over until a meal, or just want something sweet but not sinful. It reminded me a lot of a tasty ginger-spiced cookie.

Chocolate Cherry Almond Parfait in Disguise

Couldn't choose between these two shots of what looks like Blueberry-Blueberry Almond Granola Parfait but really isn't! I just happened to use fresh blueberries and my blueberry yogurt, but actually focused on cherry chocolate almond flavor and it worked great.  Blueberry was just a nice undertone. #3 Cacao Nibs are essential!
-Vanilla Almond Galaxy Granola
-Homemade Blueberry YOgurt
-Sliced Raw Almonds
-Dried Bing Cherries
-Cacao Nibs

Sweet Basil Balsamic Chicken 2x and More Kaia Foods!

Sweet Basil Balsamic Chicken

I used to just eat balsamic vinegar and olive oil all over everything to make it good, but it's been so long! I wanted to step up my Chicken Balsamico, so this time did things slightly differently, and am glad I did. Wanted my chicken breast grilled, so first browned both sides of the chicken in a grill pan with olive oil on med-high, salt, pepper, and dried basil, then added garlic, onions, beets, and finally once cooked enough I added a Balsamic mixture to sizzle for a minute. #1 The addition of a little Agave sweetens it up nicely. Goes perfectly with brown rice, toasted Pine Nuts, and a Balsamic and Olive Oil Salad complete with fresh Basil and Heirloom Tomatoes. Balsamic is back!

-Grilled Chicken Breast (Basil. Balsamic, Olive Oil, Salt/Pepper, Chicken Broth, Agave Nectar), Garlic, Beets, Onion

-Spring Mix, Fresh Basil, Heirloom Tomato

-Toasted Pine Nuts and Brown Rice

Basil Balsamic Revisited

If only you knew how many meals I go into thinking, i'll just get some stuff together, I don't feel like making anything blog worthy, but end up with something pretty sweet. Like this! I just wanted to get fed with plenty of nutritious foods from the fridge but it ended up so tasty and colorful I had to post. Simply the same Chicken, but then combined with a salad, sweet potato, and awesome Romanesco Broccoli. #2 Romanesco Broccoli is epic! Steamed and enjoyed perfectly fine plain but also with Creamy Woodlands Deli Hummus, truly the best kind! Also on the chicken!

-Balsamic Sweet Basil Chicken

-Steamed Romanesco Broccoli and Baked Sweet Potato

-Spring Mix, Tomato, Fresh Basil, Green Onion, and Balsamic Garlic Lemon Dressing

   -Lemon, Olive Oil, Balsamic, Crushed Garlic

-Plenty o' Woodlands Hummus

Kaia Foods Supports!

Received a sample pack to test out the other day after loving the Date Spice Buckwheat Granola. Today brings the Cherry Pie version. Holy Wow! When I popped open the bag I got an explosion of cherry pie flavor.  I was stoked to look inside and see tons of high quality delicious dried cherries forming epic clumps of granola just like the dates in the date-spice.  Did I mention it tastes just like cherry pie? It must be the lemon, ginger, and vanilla.  Here it was delicious with my yogurt and fresh fruit added, but of course I dove into the bag and ate some plain initially. So good by itself I would definitely consider it dangerous. Nutritionally this one is the least caloric for the same serving but also has less protein, so I paired it with ~6oz of my homemade blueberry yogurt.  A good option if you like cherries and are trying to eat less calories, or enjoy eating a larger quantity for the same calories! #3 But still a nutritious much better for you granola because it's raw sprouted buckwheat and not oil baked oats!

-70g Cherry Pie Buckwheat Granola

-6 oz Blueberry Yogurt (Homemade)

-Kiwi and Blueberries

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

Sprout Quest, Mexi Salad, Pro Japanese Sesame Ginger Salmon

Japanese Sesame Ginger Salmon and Vegetables!

So pro! Proud of this one for sure. Still enjoying delicious Japanese cuisine even on my 'clean cycle' (most of it tends to have higher sugar/sodium content-soy sauce, mirin etc). Went to the super cheap 'farmers' market across from Genki Ramen for a look when I was there and ended up buying Bok Choy and Gai Lan Broccoli, so that's how this meal got it's legs.  #1 I was also making Kombucha today, and juiced a bunch of ginger since I just ran out of ginger juice (now have a refilled bottle in my fridge, so convenient!). This meal was an epic combo of Sesame and Ginger (hint of Lemon) with crunchy vegetables and tender Salmon and Mushrooms.  So much flavor.

-Sesame Ginger Salmon Sauté (browned both sides in Sesame Oil, Almonds, Lemon Ginger Sauce)

   -Sesame Oil, Lemon, Ginger Juice, Sake (Tahini added when used on top, but not when cooking)

-Steamed Bok Choy and Gai Lan Broccoli

-Brown Rice

-Toasted Sesame Seeds to top

     Almost worth doing a write up, but basically I'll just say: Brown Salmon in Sesame Oil/Garlic/Almonds medium/high heat, then add Ginger Sauce and Mushrooms to simmer covered (just turn off the heat) for a few more minutes/until the rest of the food is ready. Cook brown rice in rice maker, steam broccoli and bok choy-10min medium heat (choy on upper layer since it cooks faster), mix some Tahini into additional Ginger Sauce and drizzle on top of everything with Toasted Sesame Seeds! Total cooking time: <20min if you work efficiently (my life).

I meant to top with Green Onion as well but forgot. Could go well, maybe not depending on your taste.

Mexi Veggie Patty Salad

 There is no Mexican food that is a light and healthy eat. Well I just proved that wrong. All of these vegetables needed to go, so I came up with this healthy Latin American influenced salad. #2 Was going to open a can of black beans for protein, but didn't have to since I just toasted another Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Patty (which i've now decided is worth buying again) in a nonstick pan, and threw together a bunch of appropriate vegetables/dressing/fruit (plantains are sort of a vegetable?).  I love the saltiness of olives, combined well with sweet plantains (raw, just super ripe) and avocado. Enough Salsa to feed a small village as well. I actually also had tomato in there but added it after the photo. 

-Spring Mix, Olives, Red Onion, Plantain, Tomato, Avocado

-Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Patty

-Salsa, Lemon, Olive Oil, Granulated Garlic, Pepper

Sprouts Quest Begin

After learning about sprouted grains by investing in Lydia's Raw Cereals, I am now on a quest to find and or make the best sprouted grain cereal. #3 Benefits: conveniency of no prep night before/morning of, higher protein, raw, and often wheat/gluten free. I've already tested the two best (nutritionally, and my-allergy friendly) Lydia's, Vanilla Crunch (5g protein, sweetened) and Sprouted Cinnamon (11g protein, unsweetened), but now moving on to new brands. Today is Date Spice Buckwheat Granola from Kala Foods, local from Oakland, and so far they are winning! There's dates and spices which combine into delicious crunchy clusters of sweet and spicy chewy (mostly cinnamon?) goodness! And it falls right in between nutritionally with 7g of protein and sweetened. My favorite part of granola is the clusters, and this cereal is absolutely chock full of 'em. Well done.
-70g Kaia Date Spice Buckwheat Granola (not really granola b/c no oats/not cooked!)
-Soymilk
-Blueberries and Strawberries

Blueberry Vanilla Cereal, Burger Bento, Aroma Cafe

 Aroma Cafe

Med Plate every time, trade Feta Cheese for extra Falafel! #1 Tea from home is cheaper and taste better. It's a new Digestive Blend from Gathering Thyme.

-Hummus, Falafel, Cucumber, Mixed greens, Onion, Dolmas, Tomato, Balsamic, Tabbouleh, Olive, Jalapeno 

-Pitas

Bento Box 2.0

Eating out of my bento box last time got me all motivated to do it again. I think the presentation/Japanese affiliation and overall experience makes my lunch ~30% better!  This one was little less Japanese, and modeled after this Bento. I finally sacked up and bought some frozen veggie patties, of the black bean variety in hopes that they might suffice. #2 They are definitely better than any boca/soy/solely veggie burger, but definitely not a be-all end-all lentil or black bean delicacy. Good enough for an easy or on the go meal! My lunch ended up being totally satisfying and clean!

-1 Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burger

-Cucumber, Tomato, Nori Seaweed, Avocado

-1/4c Quinoa (measured dry)

-Green Onion and Parsley to garnish, Soy Sauce

Lydia's Blueberry Vanilla Crunch

A worthy breakfast of Lydia's Vanilla Crunch Cereal! I often use Lydia's just with soy/almond milk and blueberries as a quick and healthy but still tasty option, but today wanted to try it out with my Epic Homemade Blueberry Yogurt (just add 1t my favorite Bberry Jam), and more fresh Blueberries! #3 Perfect amount of sweetness and protein, a little from the yogurt and little from the cereal.  It was a sweet crunchy blueberry party for sure.

-4oz Homemade Blueberry Yogurt

-65g Lydia's Vanilla Crunch Cereal

-Blueberries

Lydia's Lovin Cereal, Bento Box Lunch, Bobbilicious, Fish!

 Fish.

Almost a go-to order for me at Fish in Sausalito now. The White Bean and Tuna Salad which i've tried to recreate on numerous occasions. I don't think i'll ever have all the right ingredients or technique to do so! It's too good, especially with a side of delicious braised mixed wild mushrooms. So many ingredients of only the best quality. 

The Last of Bobbilicious!

Man this brownie was good! I would probably need to to do a side by side comparison with the hemp version, but I feel like this one really hones in the delicious dark chocolatey goodness more. maybe there's more of the delicious super high quality chocolate chips. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not too sweet or bitter by any means! The perfect fluff to density ratio as well.  Definitely impressive.

Bento Box Lunch!

    Finally used the Bento my sister got me for Xmas. Just a few months late... I mastered the Onigiri technique with this one, just need to make some epic fillings now! It was perfectly shaped, nori wrapped well, nice and moist/together.  It had a little Ponzu Tempeh filling, but I think I can do better (fish/turkey/chicken combos in the future for sure). Accompanied by a Cucumber Salad, which I also am much more pleased with than before (getting the dressing sweet/salty enough but not overdoing it is tough). I'm very pleased with my first time using the Eden Ponzu Sauce I bought (a citrus soy sauce mirin combo).

-Onigiri with Nori-Wrap and Ponzu Tempeh Filling (Short Grain Brown Rice, Tempeh, Ponzu, Sea Salt, Nori)

-Super thin sliced cucumber (use a peeler), Rice Wine Vinegar, Olive Oil, Ponzu, Toasted Sesame Seeds

Cinnamon Honey Lydia Sprouted Cereal (and new Arte Sempre sticker!)

    The perfect amount of sweetness is something that's hard to achieve in food, but its incredibly satisfying. It changes constantly based on how hungry/low on energy you are, which is why you crave different foods at different times (dessert vs salad).  An awesomely crunchy bunch of Cinnamon and Honey flavored goodness! So many healthy and yummy seeds, nuts and grains in this breakfast! All matched with my own Yogurt, a hint of Bee Pollen, and a bit o' Honey (no, not the candy, although I used to love that stuff!). Quinoa included!

-60g Lydia's Sprouted Cinnamon Cereal

-4-6oz Homemade Plain Nonfat Yogurt

-Some Honey and Bee Pollen

-Some Chia Seeds

   I've been trying out these cereals by Lydia's Organics, and finally decided to include one here.  They are a bit pricey, but I was totally drawn to them after looking at the nutrition and ingredients on a few. So healthy on their own, which is hard to do for most cereals. #3 You don't need to add any extra fat or protein to achieve the right balance like if you were eating granola or any other cereals. I'm mainly talking about the Sprouted Cinnamon and Vanilla Crunch versions (the others either have less protein or a bit too much fat), the Cinnamon not having any sweetener and plenty of protein, and the Vanilla Crunch having less protein but enough sweetener in it already.  I definitely like them both a lot and they are perfect easy breakfasts that are so good for you! They also led me to learn all about sprouted grains.  After some quick googling, basically a super healthy way to eat grains but i'm not about to spend the time making them myself, so will continue to buy these cereals. Totally worth the cost! 

Unmixed