The Marin Double

Since I'm off to live in Whistler soon i've been trying to hit all my favorite Marin spots. Cafe Gratitude is a must!

 I convinced my sister to get the BLT i've been meaning to taste and a milkshake. Coconut Maple Bacon is quite delicious. Definitely equal to some of the best tempeh versions.  I will definitely order this in the future, except on a gluten free bun option.  The Mint Chocolate Shake was even better! Their home-made coconut/hemp/chia/cashew ice cream definitely makes it and the cacao-mint-vanilla bean-vitamineralgreen combo tastes exactly the way mint chocolate chip should.

Of course I got my standard I Am Whole Bowl.

As usual, the slightly sweet Teriyaki Almonds balance the Garlic Tahini Sauce perfectly and I love the Sea Kelp, Kale, and Kim Chee (which I stock in my fridge from Whole Foods!).

After the epic mint chip shake  and wanting to try their cacao smoothie (figs and dates sound too good) I had to make one at home for breakfast. Especially b/c I had figs which I went out of my way to get b/c they are so good!

Raw Cacao Breakfast Smoothie

It turned out like an amazing chocolatey creamy smoothie with a hint of berry and pushing the boundaries of smoothie-milkshake without adding ice cream or any dedicated sweetener! A little like pudding and perfectly accompanied by a Bungalow Muncher (think of it like a breakfast muffin, or a dessert cookie, or a granola snack, so versatile!).  I chose one with less carob chips for a more breakfast like cookie and some Herbal Chai as well.

• 1-2T Chia seeds
• Glass of Almond milk
• 1-2T Cacao cacao powder
• 2 Scoops Tera's Bourbon Vanilla Whey
• 2 Fresh Figs
• Handful of Blueberries
• 1 Date
• 1t Vanilla 

I also added a little extra Bungalow Munch on top of the smoothie for some more yummy crunch factor.

It's a little bit expensive and fancy for lunch but I had to do it before I leave. Another Michelin starred restaurant.

Insalatas

 Mediterranean cuisine wins. The Vegetarian Middle Eastern Platter comes with so many goodies.  There's literally so many different epic flavors and spices in each portion it's unbelievable.  Lemony lentils, pistachio in the roasted tomatoes, curry in the sautéed veggies, and possibly paprika in the couscous? I love it. Enough said.

Syrian Fattoush Salad

This isn't just a normal fattoush. It's the best you can buy. The lemon and cumin in the dressing and the mint/cilantro are insane. I did mine sans-pita croutons/feta cheese, so normally it looks like this:

You can sub salmon for chicken and I bet that could be even better. I haven't attempted to make it because I don't think I can do it justice, but the recipe is online. My family has the cookbook as well so I could potentially make the other dish but have the same apprehensiveness. One day...

Is there a cafe gratitude in your area? If so what's your favorite thing?

Vanilla Power Bites, Super Grain Combos and Awesome Choco Tahini

I am upping my protein intake to 120g per day so these are so convenient!

On the Go Power Vanilla Bean Bites

I haven't made my No Bake Bars in a while and wanted something that was mostly protein with some fat for supplementation/snacking. I was motivated to try this recipe since it seemed even easier than the bars! Plus I got to make changes to my liking! I used the stevia for baking as well but it was too much combined with the stevia that's in my whey powder so I'll leave it out next time.
(Makes 12)

• 1/2c Coconut Flour
• 3 scoops or 1/2c Tera's Vanilla Bourbon Whey
• 1/2c Oat Bran
• 3T Almond Butter (I used creamy but will def go crunchy next time)
• 1/4" Ground Vanilla Bean
• 1T Chia Seeds
• Plenty of Water
• Lemon Poppyseed Option (use 2-4T Lemon Juice for the water)

They are quite mushy if you eat them completely defrosted-not too dry or floury at all! I enjoyed them a lot more nearly frozen so you can really bite into them like a cookie.  The Chia Seeds are key! Sort of a Super Sweet Vanilla flavor with yummy granule-ness to it from the Chia Seeds, like a PoppySeed Muffin! I can't wait for Lemon Poppyseed Muffin edition!

For some reason I really wanted this for breakfast.  A Matcha Salt Egg White Avo Nori Wrap!  Takes 2 seconds to make if you have the ingredients ready from before.  I have a supply of hard boiled eggs in the fridge at all times (super convenient protein source).  Super tasty notes of seaweed and green tea, with creamy avocado and savory sea salt!

Choco Tahini Grain Bowl Beginning

After seeing a Whole Athlete Coach John Hunt munching on a bowl of mixed grains on the way to the race the other weekend, tahini, avocado, chia seeds, and whey protein powder on the way to the race the other weekend, and then seeing this creation, I had to try out this new frontier! I already wanted to try some grain combos in the ricer cooker, and be able to use more leftovers for breakfast too.

The Choco Tahini Beginning

First more experimental try had Avocado, 70% Cacao Chocolate, Carob Chips, Chia Seeds, leftover Brown Rice, Almond Milk, Tahini, Vanilla Plant Protein, and Strawberries/Blueberries. I also tried a bit of ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric sprinkled in.  I love biting into the broken choco chunks.  The Chia Seeds play a key crackily crunch role and the Avo-Tahini-Milk-Protein Powder makes a nice thick creamy mix.

Choco Tahini Bowl Attempt #2

 The real deal. Creamy, mushy, and chocolatey goodness! I got to use my delicious grain combo from dinner (below) and don't have any unsweetened baker's chocolate yet so used some Carob Chips.  They were a bit too sugary so for me the unsweetened chocolate will be good.  The sesame from the Tahini combines with a chocolate flavor perfectly. 1c Quinoa, Buckwheat, Millet

• 1T Tahini
• 1T Carob Chips
• 2T Chia Seeds
• 2T Vanilla Plant Fusion Protein
• 1/4c Blueberries
• Almond Milk
• Ginger/Cinnamon/Turmeric (Optional)

I recommend adding the Tahini, Protein Powder, and Almond Milk in the morning for optimal mixing (less grain absorption/solidifying). The avocado doesn't look the best but is totally worthy if your into it/have it on hand.

Super Grain Combo and Basil Pomegranate Chicken Salad

Pretty much a repeat except in the oven, I didn't have avocado for my pomegranate spinach chicken salad, but it was a sweet flavorful feast anyways! The grain combo takes quinoa and makes it more like brown rice, but much healthier (more protein, fiber and nutrient dense). Red onions baked with the chicken get so sweet, glazed and delicious!

• Chicken Breast, Dressing below as a marinade, Pine Nuts, Cactus, Red Onion, Basil, S & P,
• (1c cooked) Millet, Quinoa, Buckwheat (equal parts)
• Hummus
• Spinach, Radicchio, Tomato, Olives
• Dressing: Olive Oil, Pomegranate Juice, Balsamic Vinegar, Basil

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

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