Daily Archives: July 28, 2011

Keen-Wah Anyone?

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Quinoa.

Ahhh the beloved whole grain of the moment.

Me? I’ve been a brown rice fan for quite a while.

Then I heard about Quinoa (say keeen-wah) – a whole grain with 5g of protein and 3 f of fiber a serving?

 

 

I’m sold. :-)

Truth be told, I really like quinoa. I like it along side chicken, fish, and steak. I like it mixed with herbs, veggies, chicken broth, and lemon juice. I like it baked, I like it cooked over a stove-top like oatmeal.

But I’ve never attempted to make it myself.

Why? I’m not actually sure. I envisioned this terribly complicated cooking technique (maybe because of the name alone?) and always chose to instead microwave instant brown rice, or  order it at restaurants, at the Whole Foods hot bar, or just eat quinoa when my mom would make it and I was at my parents house for dinner.

Tonight my friends, that all changed.

Boyfriend had a late basketball game. We had a Rotisserie Chicken, but nothing to eat as a side.

There it was, that lone box of quinoa staring at me from the pantry.

Go ahead, make my day.

Honestly, what is wrong with me?

It was probably the easiest side I’ve ever made.

  • 2 parts water
  • 1 part quinoa
(Next time I’m definitely subbing water for chicken broth and more flavor!)
I doubled the serving (4 cups of water, 2 cups of quinoa) so that we’d have some leftover (and I’m really curious to try an “overnight quinoa” esque recipe for breakfast!), brought it to a boil, then covered and simmered for about 15 minutes, until all of the water was absorbed and the quinoa turned soft, translucent and a ring was visible around the grain.
Voila.
Boyfriend added some Tuna to his quinoa while I chopped up some rotisserie chicken and mixed that together in a bowl with goat cheese.
Dee-lish.
Such an easy dinner! And chock full of protein and whole grains. There’s seriously endless recipes you can make with this bad boy!
Off to relax.. have a great night!
Do you make quinoa regularly? Ever?
What’s your favorite way to cook it?

Lunch Date!

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Today, I had a special visitor for lunch!

My mom! :)

Mother's Day 2011

We decided to have a lunch date at a delicious restaurant right on the Embarcadero, Perrys.

Perrys has been in SF for over 40 years and is known for its delicious American food, friendly service, and great bar.

In 1969, Perry Butler, a 26-year-old Dartmouth College graduate, was working as an advertising executive, when he set out to follow his dream of opening his own restaurant. Freshly relocated to San Francisco, and compelled to recreate the hustle and bustle of the New York neighborhood saloons that he missed, Butler opened Perry’s on Union Street.Source

Who doesn’t love a good back story to a great restaurant? ;-)

I scanned the menu before settling on one of my favorite entrees… which just so happens to be one of my mom’s favorites as well!

Decisions, decisions

Pulled Pork Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries!

I looooove Pulled Pork, and the only thing I think I love more than that are perfectly made (read: CRISPY!) Sweet Potato Fries!

Would you believe this portion is a 1/2 order? My mom and I split the sandwich thinking it would be more than enough for each of our lunches… and we were definitely right.

I was as stuffed from our food as Renee Zellweger probably was from the 8 Green Teas she consumed the other day.

I reluctantly came back to the office where I obviously “needed” dessert… in the form of TJs Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds. Not only do I deem them “healthy” because dark chocolate has health benefits, but I’m also obsessed with them.

And just can’t stay away.

Off to give into my food coma get some work done before it’s (almost!) officially Friday! :)

Are you a go-out-to-lunch or a bring-your-own?

I’m typically (I try!) to be a bring-your-own.. but I do love going out every now and again!

The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent…

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…was a Summer in San Francisco…

Apparently it’s supposed to get warmer this weekend, but I’m just not seeing how that’s possible with what we’re dealing with outside!

Woo Hoo! It’s officially Thursday and we are officially 1 day closer to the weekend!

Today I decided to switch up my smoothie a bit.

To the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie!

Into the mix:

  • 1 c 1% Milk
  • 1 (heaping) scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 2 handfuls frozen strawberries
  • Handful of spinach
  • Heaping teaspoon cocoa powder
  • Agave Nectar to sweeten

The end result? It was GOOD! Chocolate, strawberry and delicious! (And as always, the spinach went completely untasted! Just how I like my greens!) ;-)

For some reason however, I’m seriously hungry this morning (stomach is already growling!), so I’m thinking a snack of Greek Yogurt and Granola is in order to hold me over until my lunch date (my mom!) arrives.

In other news this is what July 28 looks like in San Francisco… in other words summer!

Sike! (Yes, I just went there).

We get it SF- you’re edgy and urban and want to be an individual by being freezing in the summertime. But seriously, I’ve had enough. Stop messing with my summers.

This foggy, misty, cloudy, cold (there was a girl wearing boots and a peacoat on the bus this morning) is getting old.

Real quick.

And is making me wish my upcoming vacations to sand, sun, and surf come that much faster!

Apparently it’s supposed to get warmer this weekend, but I’m just not seeing how that’s possible with what we’re dealing with outside!

 

To be 72 degrees would mean the sun would actually have to appear.

 

How’s the weather where you live?

Do you find yourself wishing for more heat or cooler weather in the summer?

Do you have any vacations planned for the rest of the summer?