Lunch combo

I rushed home from class today thinking that I had another clinical off-site in the afternoon. Ha was I wrong! In the process of looking up directions, I double-checked my assignment and found out that I didn't actually have to be anywhere this afternoon. It felt like 4 hours of my day just freed up, even though technically they were free all along! Yay!

And so, I got to slow down and actually relax for lunch, which was wonderful. (1) Rassol'nik (Russian dill pickle soup) from Saturday's Lunch; (2) Pan-roasted brussels sprouts from last night's dinner; and (3) Pepper stuffed with mushrooms and barley (from Saturday's dinner, which I missed because I was babysitting!).

[A note on our Stuffed Peppers: Boil the peppers for about 10 min to soften them up! Then fill with stuffing of your choice, arrange in a dish pan, pour over sauce of choice (we usually use tomato juice, cheese, and extra veggies), and cook in the oven at 350F. Cooking time will depend on the nature of the filling. If it contains meat, it will be about 30 min. Today's pepper with already cooked barley and sauteed mushrooms stayed in the oven for just 15 min!]

And then many small snacks and breaks followed in the afternoon!

... Tea time with Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered almonds with sea salt = wow... Some Popchips and Vegetable Straws with hummus... A coffee break with some cheese and toast... I also foresee having a piece of fruit before dinner time... I  know, I know... it's a snack-attack-kind-of-day.

Grandma and I need suggestions/inspirations for tonight's dinner! We are all out of ideas! :)

You folks have just one day left to enter the Food Should Taste Good Giveaway!!! Don't miss your chance to win 5 free bags of chips of your choice!

♥ V.

I loved words. I love to sing them and speak them and even now, 

I must admit, I have fallen into the joy of writing them.

— Anne Rice

Crazy for coconut (or loco for coco?)

On most school days, my lunch is last night's dinner. Today was no exception!

Salad, salmon, and brussels sprouts. I really think it tastes even better today!

And one of my friends treated me to a piece of dark chocolate covered pretzel! She made it herself, and it just made my day :)

*****

I'm new to coconut oil (used it for the first time last night to make the fish + caramelized carrots) and I already love it! It adds a subtle sweet and nutty flavor.

The benefits of coconut oil also deserve your attention! I recommend you to look into it and to give it a try!

And off to pathology lecture I go!

xoxo. Veronica

Clean & happy

...don't worry, I didn't skip my daily bowl of dinner salad...



Now this is what I call a good clean diet! All natural, organic, wild, unprocessed, full of good fats, protein, and carbs. Hallelujah!

There is nothing better than knowing that your personal dietary choices leave a good mark not only on your health, but also on our planet. Eat local. Eat organic. Reduce animal products. Be conscientious. Be present. You will see tremendous changes in your health and well-being. You have one life to live and one planet to live it on.

I admit that my favorite lifestyle is a vegan one. It truly makes every cell in my body happy. It makes me glow within. It feels right and wholesome. Since I've moved back home, I haven't had the same control over my diet because my grandma cooks for the family. My family isn't all that carnivorous. Though they eat meat and fish nearly every day, they eat very small portions. I'm so grateful for their support and I could never reject the wholesome meals my grandma puts so much work and joy into. Most of the time, she actually goes out of her way to make more filling vegetarian options and she experiments with new dishes just for me. I would never trade that for anything. Today's meal may not have been vegetarian, but it was a healthy and conscientious one, made with love. And I'm grateful.

xoxo. Veronica