The Final Stretch: Sun Valley Nationals Celebration!

Post XC RACE AT NATIONALS! I've been talking about overeating post race, but this topped it all. With the biggest race of the season out of the way, I felt no need to hold back. That's saying something since I already hold back very little after races.

 I haven't had ice cream in almost a few years (froyo doesn't count), and only recently realized how many awesome alternatives there are.  Coconut, Almond, Rice...  The markets in Ketchum had a ton to choose from, including some REAL Froyo as well (ingredients: Greek Yogurt, Honey), which was quite impressive but unfortunately I didn't get to try.  I went with the coconut option, and ginger caramel cookie sounded to good. I planned on eating 1/3 or 1/2 of the carton as a foreseeable amount, but ended up eating the entire thing! thats nearly 1000 calories of deliciousness. I see more coconut bliss in my future...

 I've become obsessed with coconut water recently. It hits the spot perfectly when I need some rehydration, and the health benefits are insane.  Just google it. The gluten free selection in town was also pretty epic, and these muffins did not let down. Cinnamony, Coconutty, sweet crunchy Carrot-Currant for the win. This was after the ice cream! After all that and a real lunch I felt full for about the rest of the day!

 One of the better leftovers lunches!

A Ginger Seared Ahi Tuna Steak along with some salad/avocado/carrot and a Sweet Potato, topped with some Cheesy Kale Chips I finally decided to buy, and Tahini/Almond Butter on the sweet potato. I am officially a fan of kale chips, although would prefer some basic non-'cheezy' ones.

Toppings for sweet potatoes even though they are delicious alone are all too good, so I usually do half and half. Greek Yogurt and Hummus this time!

Probably my favorite meal, we had numerous times during the trip. Tender chicken breasts baked with Chile Flakes, TJ's Gyoza Sauce, Basil, and Lemon Pepper, accompanied by Baked Sweet Potato and Vegetables sauteed with the same spices.  The veggies are soft and sweet but occasionally spicy, and supply the perfect combo of flavor with broccoli, different bell peppers, and cauliflower. Also a balsamic salad with avocado! 

  Next up, ALL THE BEST WHISTLER EATS. This is what I wait all year for. Seriously. I've tried to remake the Whistler cookies 50+ times and have to force myself not to think about all my favorite eats their to avoid the pain of not having it! Coming Soon.

Whole Athlete-Specialized Tahoe Training Camp Part I

If you remember my posts from living with the team before, these may be similar, but i'll try to include what's new and exciting! Also check out the girls team's blog/log from the camp!

 A non-oatmeal breakfast for once. The best TJ's Gluten Free Blueberry Raspberry Oatbran Muffin toasted and topped with Artisana Coconut Butter (frosting!), Almond Butter, and Sea Salt. Accompanied by Hard boiled egg whites for some protein and fresh cherries for some sweetener / antioxidants!

Sorry for the bad photos, the lighting wasn't so good but the taste was superb! Slightly spicy yet sweet all around.

One of the more epic dinners: a massive baked sweet potato along with the best baked chicken and summer salad! Inspired by the salads from Wisconsin.

• Romaine Lettuce, Raddichio, Tomato, Carrot, Avocado, Peaches, Olive Oil/Balsamic, S&P
• Chicken Breast, Artichoke Hearts, TJ's Ponzu Sauce, Basil, S&P, Chile Powder

The accompanying salad was sweet and delicious from the plenty of olive oil/balsamic and a hint of peach, the chicken sweet yet spicy from the sauce and chile powder/basil, and well, sweet potatoes are obvious.

 A quick throw together salad for lunch! Super easy salad fixings, canned tuna, and toasted gluten free bread. A bit of salsa, hummus, and spice brings it all together!

• Lettuce, Carrot, Tomato, Olives
• Olive Oil / Balsamic
• Brown Rice Bread toasted
• Canned Light Tuna
• Salsa and Garlic Hummus
• Sea Salt, Lemon Pepper, TJ's Every Day Seasoning

I am loving toasted brown rice bread and the tuna goes great with olive oil, spices, hummus, and salsa.

We do oatmeal a lot and I've got a couple goodies on hand to mix it up. This one was Chocolate Cherry Almond. The breakfast prep crew went with Cinnamon, Apple, and Banana cooked in (the standard) and I topped with:

• 100% Cacao Baker's Chocolate
• Almond Butter
• Honey
• Cherries

With no added sugar in the chocolate, a bit of honey adds just the right touch! You can either wait for the oatmeal to cool and enjoy crunchy choco bits of melt it in right away for a more pudding mix in theme. I enjoyed the warm melty delicious version! AB and Honey go so well together as do Dark Chocolate, Almond, and Cherries!

Speaking of Oatmeal, I used the leftovers with some other on hand ingredients to make into muffins! TJ's muffins ain't got nothing on my resourceful Bread Pudding Oatmeal Muffins!

I didn't really measure anything out, just added a bit of each thing as needed and it worked out pretty well.  No egg/flour/oat bran required! They are pretty much gluten free too except for the tiny bit of crunchy cereal added. I've been keeping gluten/wheat free quite well!

• Leftover oatmeal with Banana/Apple cooked in (maybe 2-2.5 cups)
• Vanilla Whey protein powder (2 scoops)
• Baking powder (~1.5T)
• Greek yogurt ~2.5T
• Organic Cane Sugar ~1/4c
• Pumpkin/sunflower seeds 1/4c
• 2 Dates
• Raisins/Cherries (small handful)
• Cinnamon/Sea salt (couple shakes ea.)
• a bit of Ezekiel Flax Sprouted Grain Cereal (for the crunch factor)
• 20-30min at 400º F

 The tops become muffin texture, slightly crispy and nice while the bottoms maintain an oatmeal bread pudding state (especially with the cooked banana/date/apple!).  They are delicious vanilla/oaty/cinnamony baked deliciousness! Especially good with some Almond Butter and a bit more Sea Salt/Cinnamon sprinkled on top. Off to do some more shredding.

Sweet Miso Fish, XL Tuna Salad, Love Grown Granola Review

I'm loving more Miso in my cooking. This Tilapia with Sweet Miso Glaze was perfect. Accompanied by a Miso-Dressing salad and some sweet Baked Sweet Potato and Purple carrots (also sweeter than normal carrots!). 

Sweet Miso Tilapia

    The caramelized onions compliment all the sweetness while the pepper and parsley balance things out a bit.  The chicken broth and Mirin (Sweet Rice Cooking Wine) taste were ever present and delicious as well. 

     Let the onions caramelize in olive oil first, and then add the tilapia filet with Parsley and Lemon Pepper, cook a minute or two on each side and then simmer with the Miso Sauce for another minute or two. #1 I then took the extra Miso Sauce and mixed it into a dressing for the salad! It complimented the bitter Radicchio also balanced out by some crunchy sweet sugar snap peas!

• Tilapia Filet, plenty of Dried Parsley, Lemon Pepper, Sea Salt, Miso Sauce
• Miso, Mirin, Chicken Broth
• Baked Sweet Potato and Purple Carrot
• Radiccho, Tomato, Sugar Snap Pea, and Avocado Miso Salad
• Miso, Chicken Broth, Rice Vinegar, Olive Oil, Mirin

The XL tuna salad I made gave me a delicious belly full of beans and vegetables and served 1.5 people at dinner and then a meal for me again the next day.  I pretty much just referenced this occasion, except adjusted for what was on hand and actually used White Beans like the original Italian idea calls for, making it the significantly large quantity of salad.

XL White Bean-Tuna Salad

The new sun dried tomatoes I got from T-Joe's are delicious, and no garlic = hit the garlic powder.  White beans are a wonderful addition but the 1 can tuna to 1 can beans ratio is not enough tuna. #2 My favorite aspect of this meal besides the taste is that you add whatever you want and taste until your liking. Like making soup.

Differences:

• Garlic Powder for Garlic
• Radicchio, White Onion
• White Beans

My wrap for the next day's dinner was remixed with Zahatar, more Hummus, a little rice and a Brown Rice Tortilla for the simplest, quickest, but most delicious meal experience.

Now for the Love Grown Foods Granola review! I am becoming a granola connoisseur!

Sweet Cranberry Pecan

   Love Grown Foods makes some nice granola varieties and I got to try 3! Breakfast today saw the Cranberry Pecan.  Primarily aided by delicious cinnamon, I want to say it's a standard yummy roasted granola, a little bit high in the sugar department nutritionally compared to super granolas like Bungalow munch, but is still made with all good organic ingredients, and is very fair in price. I never knew cranberry went so well with pecans, and furthermore pecans with coconut! Well done.

• 75g Cranberry Pecan Granola, just enough Almond Milk
• Blueberries and Pomegranate Seeds

I also tried Cocoa Goodness and Raisin Almond Crunch!  The Raisin Almond has the same cinnamon theme but a nice additional spice like in a yummy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, and the coconut flakes stand out more since paired with almonds.  Cocoa lovers beware! This chocolatey granola is so delicious it's taste like a decadent chocolate dessert but nutritionally is like a nice breakfast granola? Kind of a dream right? A nice combo and ratio of granola, chocolate chips, and cocoa, and yet out of the three it's actually got a hair less fat and sugar. The wonders of cocoa...

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

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

Matcha Salt Egg Whites, Latino Lunch, Mediterranean Race Prep

Race Prep Dinner: Mediterranean Lemon Garlic Chicken

Since my success at the last race after this dinner, I decided to basically repeat it in hopes of the same result! I did everything the same except had Heirloom Tomato instead of Cherry, and no Avocado so just went with extra Hummus and Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce. #1 Definitely a cleaner meal, yet still flavorful! I also had Leeks cooked with the Chicken, which are always delicious.  My flavor highlights were the Olives and Tahini Sauce, so much Lemon! A partial Burrito as usual.

-Grilled Chicken Breast, Almonds,and Leeks with Lemon, Garlic, Dill Weed, Parsley, Lemon Pepper, 

-Brown Rice, Tortilla Wrap

-Steamed Broccoli and Rosemary Carrots 

-Cucumber, Tomato, Olives

-Hummus and Garlic Lemon Tahini (just like it sounds)

Latino Turkey-Tuna Salad Combo

No major cooking for lunch, just a solid array of ingredients!  Quasi-Latin American feel with Plantain, Salsa, Garlic and Avocado.  It was sweet, savory, and creamy all in one. A mix of two salads with yummy toppings and some Euro Pumpernickel to go with. Easy and delicious. #2 Sweet Ripe Plantains go surprisingly well in salad with Garlic and Rice Wine Vinegar.

-Tuna Salad (below) supplemented with Pastrami Turkey

-Spring Mix Greens, Rice Wine Vinegar

-Avocado, Sweet Ripe Plantain, Sabra Spinach-Artichoke Hummus, Salsa

-Euro-Pumpernickel Rye

Matcha Salt on Egg's Benedict Whites

Change is good! Sometimes we get caught up in our routines, which is efficient, relaxing, and easy, but if you don't slow down once in a while and take a step back to mix it up, you might miss it (Ferris Bueller anyone?). That's what today's breakfast is all about!  The original reason I invested in Matcha Powder. Matcha Salt.  I finally made it due to my inkling for something other than oatmeal this morning. Waffles would take too long, so Matcha Salt on Egg Whites took the win. My own variation, partially an experiment, enjoyed on Euro-Style Pumpernickel Rye Bread partially with Nori and partially with super ripe sweet Plantain! And avocado.  The first half w/ Nori was Salty and Flavorful (Seaweed+Green Tea=Harmony) and the second half was a nice combo of Sweet and Salty! Avocado went well on both. A new winner for sure. Kind of like savory half first course to sweet and savory second half for dessert/second course. Love it when that happens.
-3 Egg Whites split between 2 Egg's Benedict Rings cooked in Olive Oil
-Euro Pumpernickel Bread, Nori, Plantain, Avocado
-Matcha Salt (1 Part Matcha 3.5 Parts Sea Salt) and Olive Oil to top

Tuna Salad Deluxe

Made another Tuna Salad for dinner, enjoyed with some Spinach Pita from the Farmer's Market that I toasted until crispy in a pan.  The main differences this time were 3 different colors of top notch carrots form the Farmer's Market, sauteed Fennel, and #3 Dill Pickles as a substitute for Olives (it worked!).  Extra good all together when mixed on a yummy pita with hummus! And the Avocado is in the salad.

-Can o' Tuna, Tri Color Carrots, Cucumber, Sauteed Fennel, a Dill Pickle, White Onion

   -Cider Vinegar, Olive Oil, Crushed Garlic Cloves, Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper

-Toasted Spinach Pita and Hummus

California-Thai Fusion, Ramen in SF II, Other Usual Goods

Halu Ramen

   Tried out another Japanese place in SF called Halu. I got my usual Grilled Eggplant and Seaweed Salad, which were average but satisfying of course, but the highlight was this massive bowl of Vegeterian Shoyu Ramen. Tons of delicious vegetables of all kinds mixed a mass of delicious noodles.  I got a nice hint of ginger every now and then which was delightful. The broth and noodles had an eggy taste which I like for ramen, and all the different kinds of mushrooms were the best texture, making up for not having meat. I slurped it all up! No doubt a worthy bowl of ramen. I did miss not having any nori though.

First Time Tuna Salad/Sandwich

I never liked fish growing up, but have been coming around to it way more in the past year.  Tuna Salad has been gross to me since day one, and still usually is due to heavy use of Mayo. When I discovered and fell in love with the White Bean Tuna Salad from Fish, I was stoked to find a new window of cooking. Canned tuna is super convenient and another great protein source to have on hand.  #1 Not only do "White Bean" Tuna Salads taste delicious and nutritious (mine was mostly beanless because I already figured there was enough fiber for my system to deal with in this mix), but you can pretty much mix in whatever you have on hand and it will be good! Just get some vegetables, herbs and spices, cut finely and mix! I went with plenty of Garlic, Apple Cider Vinaigratte, Parsley and Olives. Enjoyed partially on crispy wheat loaf toast with olive oil and roasted garlic hummus, which brings back the creaminess factor that mayo adds. Going to try a Soy Sauce and Nori themed mix in the future. Just like at Fish, Olives were my highlight ingredient.

-1 can Tuna, some leftover Garbanzo Beans

-Purple Cabbage, Tomato, Cucumber, Shredded Carrot, Black Olives

-2 Cloves Garlic pressed, Apple Cider Vinegar, Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper

-Roasted Garlic Hummus, Wheat Toast, Olive Oil

Vanilla Strawberry Oatmeal

Actual time to make breakfast = Egg whites as a protein source for my oatmeal! Complimented well by a whole bunch of Vanilla Ingredients, Strawberry, Nuts, and Crisped Rice. Sweet Vanilla Bean and strawberry all around!

-1/2c thick oats, 1c water, 2" fresh ground vanilla bean, several drops vanilla extract, Strawberries

 -More Fresh Strawberries, pecans, almonds, brown rice crisps,
-Agave Nectar
-1 egg white

My Plate

Separate Thai Deliciousness

Went to Citrus and Spice for dinner, pretty much decided to just go with the tried and true favorites. Sweet Potato Yellow Curry and Basil Eggplant Saute.  With some Long Grain Nutty Brown Rice that's really good.  I love the onions, sweet potato, and carrots in the curry, and basil, fried shitakes, and flavorful eggplant in the saute. We got tofu with the Eggplant and Chicken for the curry. More from my review last time here. I still can't get over the flavor in the sauce from the Eggplant dish. It's amazing and I need to find out how!

Dinner Leftovers with Quinoa

The amazing Garlic Lemon Chicken and Steamed Vegetables from last night with some Hummus and Quinoa. It may seem like I cook a lot but really it's just throwing together some things from the fridge usually! The quinoa I threw in the rice maker served double making it into my breakfast and lunch.  Crunchy Cabbage and Soft Carrots for days! #2 Eating via planned leftovers is the way to go.

-Almond Garlic Lemon Chicken

-Steamed Mustard and Carraway Seed Cabbage, Rosemary Thyme Carrots

-Quinoa

-Hummus

Quinoa Cereal 

Similar to the quinoa parfaits I've done in the past, but with my brown rice crisps i've been putting on everything recently.  Maybe it's my yearning for eating boxed cereal like back in the day? Whatever it is, it's crackily crunchy and tasty.  #3 A quality Vanilla-Almond-Honey theme goes so well together.

-1/4c Quinoa (dry), Almond Milk, Almond Butter, Honey

-Blueberries, Pecans, Almonds

-Rice Crisps, Dried Cranberries, Cinnamon