She Says: Don’t Hate, Appreciate.
I promise to never write anything that long again. Thanks to our vast amount of readers around the world 8 readers for taking the time to read and respond to my last post. Seriously, it meant a lot to me to be able write it. I was sort of scared and it felt great to have it so well received. Your comments were kind and I thank you. Honestly, I just wanted to give my background on food and body image: I don’t have to perfect to be happy and healthy. Recent posts by MizFit, Kelly at Grounded Fitness and Jenn at Eating Bender reinforced my feelings! Respect. Ok, moving on.
Calling All Whole Foods Fans
I know you’re out there. My little brother works at Whole Foods (In the prepared food section. Yes he loves it). Because of this I get a 20% off coupon for one day of shopping. Yes, 20% off everything I buy at Whole Foods. Don’t hate me for this, instead offer your must buys. What should I get? I’ll be making a gigantic list so let me know!
The Good Stuff
Before a morning workout I usually just have 1/2 a cup of coffee, but today I was a little hungry so I had 1/2 of this Gen Soy Organic Mixed Berry Flavor Bar.
My official review: It has a strong berry flavor because it had little berry bits! It tasted sort of like the Odwalla Berries GoMega bar, but it was more solid and dense, less lose and crumbly than the Odwalla bar. The only downside was the icky fake icing on top. I hate when bars do that.
See the berry bit?
The 1/2 bar did the trick and got me through 45 minutes of running and about 15 of abs and arms and did not sit in my belly or give me side cramps! Then I was running late so I ate the other 1/2 bar and Stonyfield Farms Fat Free Organic Key Lime yogurt in the car. This yogurt is great. It’s so refreshing and isn’t Ecto Cooler green like other “lime flavored” yogurts I’ve eaten. Sadly, it doesn’t have the protein to fill me like Greek Yogurt does.
Mark, I took this while at a red light. Swear.
Spicy Kidney Bean Dip/Spread
The reason I was running late this morning was because it was an absolute necessity I make this dip/spread for my sandwich and use up the chives from last night’s dinner. Before Meatless Month I ate turkey. Now I must be more creative. In here is:
- Red Kidney Beans
- Cilantro
- Chives
- 1 garlic clove
- Chili Powder
- Ground Pepper
Lunch and (Some) Snacks
For lunch, I put it on an English muffin. The spread is good! I could taste all the different spices and herbs, but it came together well. I think it would be fantastic as a dip with pita or corn chips or on a wrap with tomatoes, lettuce, etc.
The cantaloupe from the Farmer’s Market on Saturday is sooooo good. It’s sweet and juicy. None of those gross dry whitish spots you sometimes find.
I also had two of these Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food Fudge Chocolate Bite-lettes.
I am telling you these are delicious. I don’t know how I stop at two. They are the consistency of a brownie bite, but with more texture and much more tasty. I think it’s the coconut and date paste.
And some of these Annie’s Wheat Bunnies
Boredom Bunnies
I also had a dixie cup of dry cheerios and a few baby carrots. I am never going to try to post all my food again. It’s very difficult and made me nervous.
Dinner
Leftover Sesame Chicken Noodles and Cucumber, Tomato, Basil Salad hidden in the corner.
These noodles are even better the next day because the peanuty sauce gets to soak into all the ingredients. FYI I had a couple more forkfuls directly from the gladware.
I might do some yoga or baking or olympics watching. We’ll see.
P.S. Happy Birthday Stinky Cheese.
Tags: bar, beans, body image, bunnies, cantaloupe, dip, english muffin, Meatless Month, noodles, review, snacks, Sweet Treats, tofu, yogurt
August 11th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I am jealous of your 20% off!!! I love Whole Foods. I think I would probably buy tons and tons of food from the salad bar and hot bar. I am obsessed with it. It’s always SO GOOD. Sigh, I dream of the day that I’ll have a Whole Foods closer to me.
I would probably buy Sweet and Sara’s vegan marshmallows, which I can only buy at Whole Foods in Connecticut! Hmm..what else? Cinnamon puffins cereal! They are so addictive.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Heather – When I saw your post about failure I literally said out loud, “WOW! We are writing about the same topic!” So then I got even more excited, but didn’t want to say anything until I had posted
I definitely think you and I see eye-to-eye on a lot of things food and health-related! And of course you can link to my post on your blog – I’m going to do the same with your post if that’s ok!
I’m just gonna say it – I am so jealous of your coupon to Whole Foods! I do hate you now, but only a little bit
Just kidding, of course. I would suggest taking advantage of all the organic produce, as well as some of the frozen meals, like Amy’s, which I usually avoid buying because they are expensive at full price! AND if your Whole Foods has a hot bar, you must eat there!!
And where on Earth did you get that pig bowl?! I must have it!
August 11th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
As I’ve mentioned on my blog, Whole Foods is my second home – they know me there by name, and always expect me to show up at least twice per week
No joke!!
Love that bean dip!!
I suggest purchasing Larabars, Whole Foods vegan baked goods, fresh guacamole, goodies from the hot food bar… the possibilities are endless!!
August 11th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Heather and I got free Larabars sent to us in the mail. I ate one and thought it tasted like saw dust. When I opened my mouth to ask for some water or milk all that came out was, “tpthptpthhtthhwwwwwahhhh!?”
Now I like them though. They have a sweet, snappy flavor, albeit slightly dry.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Mark shhhhhhh. Our audience loves larabars even though we don’t.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I am jealous of your Whole Foods situation, although mostly that you have one, not just that you get 20% off. I must make do with Meijer (which actually has a decent selection of organic produce) and our wonderful, but small local coop. Buy everything. That’s my advice. Sorry for the total lack of help that provides you.
PS- I only like like half the Larabars. I hate any of the jocalate or chocolate-ish type flavors. Actually the only kind I like are apple pie, cherry pie and gingersnap.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Jealous of your coupon! I always stock up on good whole grain breads and english muffins (Food for Life is my favorite brand). Definitely check out the soup section–there are lots of fantastic boxed and dehydrated soups at Whole Foods. Dr. McDougall’s and Pacific Naturals are both great. They’ve also got lots of great nut butters, whole grain flours and spices that I haven’t found anywhere else. And have fun with the produce section…they have great stuff.
Be warned, even with 20% off, it’s probably worth it to get some things elsewhere…Whole Foods is expensive! I generally don’t think the prepared foods are worth it and I can frequently find nuts, dried fruit, cereal, and organic dairy products for a lot cheaper at places like Trader Joe’s.
Have fun shopping!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Yum, bean dip! That looks really good.
I think I am going to make my very first trip ever to Whole Foods this week. I’m excited!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I love those annies bunnies… i throw them on my salad all the time… ok whole foods for me I usually go to get specialty stuff like I buy the carob chips/carob powder, annies bistro burgers, eden beans, annies salad dressing (buttermilk ranch is the best,) ezekial products and the bulk section is good to try little portions of different things.
By the way tonight I baked, did yoga and watched the olmypics!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
i laughed when i read “half a cup of coffee.” I didn’t know coffee came in anything smaller than pots.
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com
August 11th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Keep the Whole Foods suggestions coming!
Hil – I know! It will still be expensive. I am definitely going to get “special” things only.
Christie – I only watched the olympics.
Jenn – I got the Pig Bowl at a Le Gourmet Chef outlet store in an outlet in Mass. It’s actually a dip bowl for BBQ ribs or something. It’s my go to bowl.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
hey there heather! that bean dip looks amazing. i’ve been wanting to buy a food processor for, well… forever… but i refuse to purchase any thing i can register for. i sure hope someone buys me a food processor!
i will definitely copy your recipe!
August 11th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
i don’t like it when bars have that icky fake icing, either!!!
that bean dip looks amazing– thanks for posting the recipe
the only two things i suggest that you get from whole foods (with your sweet coupon that i would like to have) are peanut butter (the kind you gind yourself… it’s amazing!) and the low-sugar ginger zing granola. both are incredible!! so is everything else in the store, but those are my two necessities
have a great evening!
August 12th, 2008 at 12:19 am
that bar sounds amazing!
and i love the later post you just made with a more detailed description of yourself…to write that takes some serious courage, and you did it well.
i think it’s great that you moved past being a lawyer to something you love even more…i def did something very similar when i up and went away to australia instead of doing something else I was supposed to do…that i didn’t necessarily want to. props to you hun!
August 12th, 2008 at 12:39 am
I’m with Jenn. Love the pigbowl.
I just dropped $113 at WF tonight. Mostly on produce! But also on Carol’s cookies and Laura’s Wholesome Junk Food chocolate chip bite-lettes. Please stock up on those! And KIND bars, which I think are way better than Larabars.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Erin – I imagine my experience at whole foods will be similar to Supermarket Sweep and I will be tossing various bars in left and right. I always see Kind bars, but never get them. Now I will!
fitnessista – you don’t like that frosting because it’s always gross and you’re a smart person.
caitlinbo (see bride run) – yay, the dip is really good, but requires breath mints. I bet you could use a blender or le magic bullet. if i were a bride I wouldn’t buy anything either.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:50 am
20% off at Whole Foods??? That’s awesome. Of course, you must post a picture of your purchases!!
Okay, so I just read your last post. That is so inspiring, Heather! As corny as it sounds, you have to follow your heart (and your gut). I quit my corporate job three months ago and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done- but SO worth it. You should be very proud of yourself.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Not only am I jealous of your coupon, I am jealous that you have a whole foods, at all. The nearest whole foods for me is 1.5 hours away. They are building one 45 mins away that I am super excited about because it will only be about 15 minutes from my work. I have dreams of going by there after work and milling around to by wonderful food. But I digress.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:41 am
That sesame salad looks freaking awesome.
20% off! Sooooo jealous!
August 12th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Since you’re meat-free this month, you ought to try their Quorn cutlets. They are frozen chicken-patty-like things. Sounds bizarre, yes, but they are the closest thing to a Chick-Fil-A sandwich that this vegetarian has been able to find. And therefore are very close to my heart. Delish.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Thanks Sloan. I’ve heard of those, but haven’t tried them yet. I bought some for Mark, though, but I don’t know if he’s eaten any.