Hangry Pants

This was yesterday’s lunch made with love by the sandwich artist at QuikCheck on Broad St. It is the stock Veggie Wrap with black olives added. I think the olives upset the carefully orchestrated taste of the wrap. I felt like I had betrayed the genius who concocted it and chose to put it on the menu. The blend of “fresh” mozzarella and “grated” parmesan tastes pretty good (even if I can sense Cellulose Powder in the dry cheese very easily). Can’t be too picky when you’re slumming it.

Veggie Wrap ala Doris

There is nothing intense about getting a sandwich made at QC. Here is the screen I used to order and customize. I did not wash my hands before eating the sandwich on my way to work on the Garden State Parkway. I don’t have a picture of that though, cus… that would be dangerous.

Build Your Own Sandwich of the Future

You could put that fire roasted pepper sauce on old shoe leather and it would still be good. More gourmet meals to come.

There are three things I want to talk about today: 

(1) Chobani is On Sale! Chobani is On Sale! 

If you live near Stop & Shop you should definitely pick up some Chobani Greek Yogurt, where it is currently only $1!!!!!   V. cheap for Greek yogurt. Also, it’s really fantastic stuff. I’ve tried the non-fat plain and vanilla and am in love. Chobani is simultaneously creamier and less thick than other Greek yogurts.  I know some people are turned off by Greek yogurt’s consistency, so I recommend Chobani as a good gateway Greek yogurt.

I was so excited that I took this blurry picture right there in the market.

Friendly’s ice-cream is also on sale at Stop & Shop.  It is delicious and, like me, native to New England. 

(2) Tina is One Smart Cookie 

Inspired by Tina @ carrotsncake I made Grilled Naan Blog Pizza tonight.  

I topped my naan with spinach, tomatoes, cannellini beans, carmelized onions, romano cheese and prunes. It was really good.  First, it should be noted that the Internatioanal Flats Whole-Grain Tandori Naan was great on its own.  Second, Tina is not only one smart cookie for making pizza out of naan, but also because she added dates to it, which inspired me to add nature’s candy, prunes, to mine. The sweet prunes were delicious when combined with the onions, spinach, tomatoes and beans.  The perfect balance of sweet, savory, whole-grain goodness.  Delicious if I do say so myself. 

(3) My Niece Could Be Part of The Next Generation of Food Bloggers

My seven-year old niece was over for dinner and it was her idea to do make your own pizzas.  When we went to the market to shop for ingredients she announced, “Ahhhh.  I just love the market.  It smells so good.  I think I could live here.” 

She insisted I post a picture of the pizza she made and asked me to please explain that it is “just a simple pizza.”  She wanted me to point out the smiley face consisting of fresh mozz and turkey pepperoni eyes, a turkey pepperoni nose, turkey pepperoni rosy cheeks and a chicken sausage smile. Obviously she is not participating in the Meatless Month. 

She also wanted me to post a picture of her glass of Tropicana pulp-free orange juice and gave the following review: “It’s fruity and really good and cheaper than the other brands.”  

Finally, she is also ego boosting because today after I ran she said to me (the asthmatic who has never run more than 8 consecutive miles), “Auntie, you should be in the olympics for running.”  

I guess you can take her orange juice review with a grain of salt.

Yesterday was Day 3 of the Meatless Month.  So far, I am really enjoying it!  Like I said before, I haven’t really eaten or cooked anything that is out of the ordinary for me (I am still building up the courage to make tofu), but I feel more connected in a way with my food choices, which in turn, leaves me very satisfied with my food. 

Last night I went out to dinner with some friends to a local Mexican place.  It was my first restaurant meal of Meatless Month and my first time taking pictures of my food in public!  

My experience choosing a meal was easy because it was noted in the menu that fresh veggies could be substituted for almost any meat item listed.

I chose this: 

Mexican rice, a grilled whole wheat tortilla stuffed with roasted seasonal vegetables and black beans.  The burrito was the star of the plate.  There were so many good vegetables in there: corn, zucchini, squash, peppers and, I think, carrots.  There was also lots of cilantro.  All around delicious! The rice was good, too (but had a Rice-A-Roni feel). The black beans, sadly, were covered in a weird oily substance. 

I also enjoyed that sangria to the left of my water.  Well, actually, 1/2 of that sangria because I am an extreme light weight.  It was quite festive and refreshing. 

Picture taking was interesting.  As I’ve said, I use my phone to take pictures, so I don’t think anyone noticed me doing it.  If anyone asked, I was prepared to stretch the truth by explaining that I was text messaging.  I am not sure why I am uncomfortable telling people about the blog or my picture taking.  Maybe I would be less shy if I was with my besties, but these are new friends.  I can’t be sure, though.  Hopefully, in time, I will get over this weird feeling.  Text messaging during meals is rude.  Also, I am a terrible, terrible liar and hate doing it.

P.S.  I added the Oatmeal (Chocolate Chip) Flaxseed Cookie recipe here. Secret ingredient was squash.

This morning I was motivated to get out of bed and run specifically because I wanted to listen to India Arie’s remake of Heart of the Matter from the Sex and the City movie repeatedly while singing aloud. What is wrong with me? Actually, no, that song has a dope beat. 

Are other people inspired by weird things, too?

Mark, what inspires you to live the McConaughey-esque Intense Lifestyle that you lead?

P.S. Mark, When one of us posts more than three times in a row, the fourth consecutive post gets a “blog hog” tag.  This post is an example.

What’s your favorite yoga pose?  It’s very important because your according to this, your favorite yoga pose can say a lot about your personality. 

I am a pigeon pose lover. I like how it stretches my hips and how I get to lay forward. This means I am comfortable with a little discomfort, but need to remember not to take it too far.  Me all the way. 

Mark and I watched a documentary about how things like horoscopes are just vague enough that they can apply to everyone.  This is sort of like that, but in my opinion, it’s silly (harmless) fun.