Hanging at Whole Foods

The kids and I spent about two hours at Whole Food this afternoon. Kind of nutty. But the new WF by our house is super nice, with an awesome outdoor play area. So Jackson and Olivia played for a bit, then we went inside to grab lunch.

The kids had mac and cheese and fresh pineapple. I had a salad with mixed greens, kale, olives, and a falafel patty, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. I also tried a little bit of patatas bravas. Guayaki mint yerba mate to drink.

After lunch, we headed back inside to pick up a lavender plant to give to my mom on Mother's Day.

My next batch of homemade kombucha won't be ready for a few more days so I picked up a jug of Buddha's Brew peach mint to tide us over. It's good but very sweet; I prefer the mint julep flavor.

A woman was offering samples of local Love Bean raw fudge spread, and it was too good to pass up bringing home a jar. We also grabbed some So Delicious almond milk ice cream to go along with it.

Friday has become ice cream day in our house.

After our frozen treat, the kids got to work making Mother's Day drawings for my mom.

Olivia wrote her name! First time. Proud mama moment.

Hope you have a nice Mother's Day, however you spend it. I was already treated to a brunch at Jackson's school yesterday. I get a kick out of these questionnaires the kids fill out each year. Apparently Jackson thinks I am the stereotypical vegetarian, always eating salad. Salad is pretty good, but pizza is better, haha!

Cooking Twice in One Day

Today Olivia, looking fierce in her boots and new romper, was my shopping buddy after we dropped Jackson off at school.

We just had to pick up a few staples, and also re-stock our incense drawer. We had run completely out. Noooo!  We got our usual Nag Champa and Triloka, and I also tried some "Tara Healing Incense" that is supposed to relieve stress and anxiety. But I actually got stressed out trying to light them because they were so crumbly! Ha! Won't be buying that brand again.

I tend towards snacky lunches during the week, but Tony said he wanted to come home for lunch and eat something healthy, so I made chimichurri tofu from Viva Vegan!, served over roasted butternut squash.

Then for dinner, I made the bahn mi sandwiches with savory dipping sauce from Veganomicon. I don't usually cook two actual meals in one day but it was worth it for these sandwiches. Love them so much.

To drink, I made a pitcher of Arnold Palmers - half lemonade, half tea, but in this case I used green mint tea. I am obsessed with mint tea lately! So refreshing.

Lunch at Freddie's

Today we met my friend Jacqueline and her little boy for lunch at Freddie's Place in South Austin. Its spacious outdoor seating area, complete with playscape, makes it the perfect place to chill with kids for a leisurely lunch.

I had the grilled veggie pita sandwich, served with pesto mayo and a pickle. Very good; I finished it off and felt satisfied but not stuffed.

I also had to try a side of macaroni and cheese with Hatch green chilis. Super rich and creamy, with a nice amount heat from the chilis. I took most of this home for Tony since he loves spicy things.

After that, a light dinner was in order. I made the Spicy Soba Salad with Edamame and Cucumber from One-Dish Vegan. I doubled the amount of edamame called for, because I knew Jackson and Olivia would like it that way. They love those little green beans.

All Clean

Started off the day with oats, topped with Brazil nuts, peanut butter, and cacao nibs. I also stirred in a teaspoon of maca powder.

While Jackson was at school, Olivia helped me give the house a thorough cleaning. Drying the floors after I mop is her specialty.

Then we made a treat -- cocoa-coconut balls. I followed Laura's recipe, but substituted cocoa powder for half of the maca powder. I ate a couple for lunch along with pita chips, carrot sticks and hummus.

Dinner was Thai Peanut Bowl with Tofu and Asparagus, from Robin Robertson's One-Dish Vegan. So good. I love asparagus; it's one of my fave veggies and this is the season for it. Will definitely make this again.

Pretty straightforward day. Feel like I ate pretty healthy.

Killing Time at Whole Foods

This morning, after we dropped Jackson off at school, Olivia asked if we could go to a playground. It just so happens that the new Whole Foods in our neighborhood has a kids' area, and I needed to buy some ketchup for Tony (he will only use Whole Foods ketchup, haha!) so that is where we ended up.

Olivia the cab driver: "Hop in, I'll take you anywhere you need to go!"

We picked up a few items for our lunch, too. We couldn't pass up fresh grapefruit. The green superfood bar was gross. There is no reason for a bar to taste like cardboard in this day and age.

I opted for Pita Pal red pepper hummus over my usual Sabra because it was fifty cents cheaper and also organic. It's on the bland side, or maybe I am just addicted to Sabra.

For dinner, I made a simple risotto with celery and onions, piled with roasted Brussels sprouts.

Super-Ironman to the rescue! Cause two superheroes are better than one.

A Salad Triptych

Salad #1 with mixed greens, strawberries, goat cheese, falafels, cauliflower tabouli, hempseed dressing, and crumbs from some raw pizza-flavored crackers. I love having a different combination of flavors in each bite!

Salad #2 with mixed greens, falafels, hempseed dressing, green olives, and bee pollen. Changing it up ever so slightly.

Salad #3, a different kind of salad. Rigatoni and Beans with Radicchio and Olives, from One-Dish Vegan. I subbed tofu for the beans. I also subbed red bell pepper for yellow bell pepper, but I'm pretty sure that does not matter. Makes a ton, good for leftovers.

Olivia is tolerant of my hair styling experiments today, but just barely.

Phil's Minus Grackles

Started off the morning with another smoothie in a bowl. This time it was frozen blueberries and cherries, vanilla, and soymilk, topped with Go Raw chocolate granola. I meant to also add protein powder, but I had just woken up and my brain wasn't braining.

While Jackson was at school, Olivia and I met some friends for lunch at the new Phil's Icehouse location. Since we got there a little early, Olivia got the spinning flower all to herself. Spinning flower spins fast, y'all. Olivia apparently does not experience dizziness like the rest of us.

We love Phil's so much, but I do have one small complaint about their Burnet Rd. location...it is overrun by grackles. If you are not from Texas, grackles are evil crow-like birds that hang out in swarms near restaurants with outdoor patios and wait for the opportunity to swoop in and steal your french fries right off your plate. It is crazy how aggressive these birds are. Well, it seems the grackles have not discovered this newest location yet, and I was able to enjoy my veggie burger and mix fries without fear.

Not a grackle in sight!