Today is busy! And all I’ve been doing (besides work) was thinking of what I could have for lunch.

While it may not win most creative or most beautiful, it was delicious!

I was working with what I had, so here it is!

I had some local acorn squash that I got at the market a few weeks ago, so I cut one in half and roasted it at 450 for about 40 minutes. When there were 15 minutes left, I added in some broccoli to roast along with it.

For the filling, I cooked up some whole wheat pasta (just flour + water!) and tossed it in some leftover pasta sauce I had (tomatoes and seasonings).

I love tomato sauces with squash – it’s such a great combination!

And, I had to have some sort of dessert ;)

I actually got this yesterday at lunch, but saved it for today!

My favorite local chocolate shop, The Chocolate Spike, has vegan treats! This is a Pomegranate Blueberry Vegan fudge. Yum.

As for my coffee…

The almond milk wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good in hot coffee. I’d like to try those coconut milk creamers, but I haven’t found them here yet.

 

Are you going vegan for today? If not, what do you think would be the biggest change for you or the hardest thing to “replace”? Or what was the hardest switch for you if you are vegan?

I think if I found those creamers, I could totally do without milk in my coffee. I just think I would miss eggs so much! For baking, I know there are substitutes…but if I just wanted eggs for breakfast…there’s not really anything to take their place.

 

* Make sure to check out this awesome Coffee + Chocolate Giveaway!

 

* Football tonight!

7:30 PM ET
Colorado at No. 12 Oklahoma State

 

I am not doing good in the “get out of bed on time” department this week. I don’t know what it is…but I can’t make myself get up!

I was excited, however, to get up and start off my Vegan 4 A Day Challenge!

Make sure to check out Katy and Michelle’s blogs for more info, but a lot of bloggers (and others!) are going Vegan for today.

While I’m not even a vegetarian, I thought it would be an awesome challenge and a great way to really think about what you’re eating.

I was really excited for my vegan breakfast  ;)

I had an almost empty jar of (vegan!) Trader Joe’s Almond Butter, so I made myself some oats-in-a-jar.

• 1/3 cup oatbran, 1 cup water, pinch salt
• 1 small local gala apple, diced
• almond butter!

While the oatbran cooked, I diced up the apple and microwaved it with some cinnamon and ground ginger.

Then I mixed the apples into the oatbran and loaded it into my “bowl”.

 

Great way to start my day!

I think the hardest thing for me today will be figuring out dinner (based on my meal plan) and coffee!

Does almond milk work okay in coffee? I guess we’ll see  – I’ll report back at lunch!

 

Well, I made it through humpday – I guess that’s an accomplishment? Today was another long day. And the gloom didn’t help – it’s gray and rainy here again!

I broke into one of my favorite bars this afternoon –

Yup, they’re green. And they’re good.

I don’t know how Amazing Grass makes these bars taste so good! Especially considering they’re vegan and raw – I don’t understand how the chocolate layer can be so…amazing. I’m trying to ration what I have ;)

I had a fun dinner on the menu for tonight, thanks to Real Simple.

Pot Sticker Pad Thai!

Of course, I made a few changes, but not too many tonight! This recipe was so simple – I loved it.

• I used 2 carrots instead of one
• I squeezed in some fresh lime juice for the cabbage/carrot mixture
• I added chopped scallions + cilantro for garnishes
• Hot chile garlic paste = necessary when having dumplings or potstickers

This recipe isn’t from that new cookbook I received, but once I saw this in the Real Simple email newsletter last week, I couldn’t resist!

Nick had seconds of this meal, too! I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad recipe from Real Simple. And this was no exception.

I’m working from home tomorrow so I don’t need to pack my lunch tonight.

The only thing on my agenda is enjoying my awesome dinner, watching the finale of ANTM, and Top Chef  ;)

Oh, and guess who’s going vegan for tomorrow? Me! I know, right? I’m not even vegetarian!

I think it’s an awesome thing to do, even if just for one day or one week. Check out Katy and Michelle’s blog for more info!

Nite!

I’m so excited for this lunch!!! I’ve been waiting to make this since I cracked open my pomegranate on Sunday.

 

• 12 oz. cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 small apple, diced
• 1 scallion, sliced
• 2 Tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped
• 2 Tbsp Pomegranate Arils
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• salt
• pepper

I love the little sparkle from the arils in this – that bright red color just makes the salad pop.

 

I had mine with celery sticks and some multigrain Food Should Taste Good chips.

This would actually be really good to make with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, too.

I just love the mix of sweet apple, toasty walnut, tart pomegranate, and the tiny bite of the scallion.

Is it weird that I get so excited about food?

I just love good food, good meals, new ideas…maybe it’s because I didn’t really cook until the last couple of years. Now I come up with ideas that even I think are weird sometimes  ;)  But they still taste great!

 

Do you get more excited about food than other people you know?