For Me?!

Hey lovers. Nothing but half-assed sunny weather here. What do I mean by that? Its nice and warm...but the sun isn't out long enough or bright enough to tan. I'm in such a pickle <---How did this phrase come to be?!
As most of you know, my birthday is in 24 days! I received my first birthday present in the mail from the amazing VeggieGirl! She is one of the sweetest bloggers I have ever known and one of my dearest friends, thank you Liz for the spectacular gift!

What could be inside? I don't know but as soon as I saw the One Lucky Duck label, I almost cried...not really, but I was pretty excited.

Included was a Honey Bunches Grawnola Bar...

2 sample bars (I think they were the Chewy Almond Crunch Bars).

And a sample pack of raw cookies, flavors are Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and Chocolate Cherry Macadamia. That just sounds like heaven.

I can't wait to finish tasting them all! Yes, I've already started...review later in the post.

Thursday's Breakfast consisted of my version of the classic Black and White Cookies. Seeing as I couldn't have cookies for breakfast, I made a healthier version that was just as, if not more, delicious. I used 2 slices of TJ's Sprouted Grain Bread, spread one with Artisana Cacao Bliss, and the other with Artisana Macadamia Nut butter. Oh my gosh. I need to buy that Macadamia nut butter because it was absolutely phenomenal! I found it to be a lighter tasting nut butter, with a little crunch, and creamy consistency. Perfection.

Green Smoothie on the side of course.

I didn't know what to make for lunch so I just threw together a random Stir-fry.

-brown basmati rice

-leftover Orange Glazed Tempeh

-broccoli

-corn

-curry powder, pepper, more spices

-scoop Hot n' Spicy PB (recipe here)

This was amazing! I love spicy meals and this was just the right amount of heat. It was also the perfect size to leave me comfortably full with a little room for dessert...

Newman's Own Organics Orange Dark Chocolate Bar. I didn't think I would like the citrus in the chocolate but it was really good! Not too overpowering, light, and it complemented the chocolate nicely.

I also had some Newman's Alphabet Cinnamon Graham Crackers. Took a while, but I finally found my initials! I'm such a dork haha.

Thought I would share this yummy afternoon snack. A slice of TJ's Sprouted Grain Bread, 1 sliced Peach, and Almond Clusters. It was so satisfying and tasty.

Seeing as I was at the end of the AB jar, I decided to pull a HEAB...

Oatbran in a jar! I used lots of cinnamon and topped it with 1/2 a sauteed Plantain. Mmm.

I was out of nut butters this morning and while I nearly had a panic attack (this time I'm not exaggerating), I thought yesterday's snack and based my breakfast off of that. I call it the Apple-Almond Crunch. On 2 slices TJ's SGB, 1 sliced apple, and a bunch of Almond Clusters were piled high. This was so fun to eat and filled me up just like nut butter does.

Another Heather-inspired meal...Creamy Zucchini Noodles.

-zucchini noodles (I just used a veggie peeler)

-1/2 an avocado

-1 clove garlic

-pepper, 1/2 pkt stevia

-chopped carrots

I mixed that all together and added some toast and ketchup because I'm classy like that. It was so good...I'll probably make it again this week sometime. Its definitely worth repeating.

As a little after-lunch dessert I had a Raw Oatmeal Raisin Cookie. Wow, this is heaven right here. Natural, healthy ingredients...fabulous flavor than rivals the baked version. Yum!

A little snacky after a yoga session.

-1/4 ish cup oats + 1/2 cup water

-cinnamon

-freshly purchased (this afternoon) Blue Diamond Almond Butter

I really liked the saltiness of the AB, I bought it on a whim because all the other brands were so expensive and I know I'm getting some from TJ's later in the week. It was on sale but I would buy again for sure.

Yet another blogger-inspired meal! Chili Cheese Fries a la Meghann. I used 1/2 a rutabega to make fries, 1 serving of Snobby Joes, baby spinach, and a small bit of Teese Mozzarella. I can't believe how much the Teese tasted like real cheese. The flavor was so good. I won't be using it often because I'm not a big cheese person to begin with, but maybe I can get my family to convert ;)

Before this post gets any longer, I want to wish you all a Happy 4th! Enjoy the food, fireworks, and family time. I'm going to a BBQ at my boss' house...vegan potluck, yum! Full re-cap for sure!