Lunch

Lunch in the Sun

Well, bikram was great—as usual. It just feels soo good when you are done…knowing for the past 90 minutes all you did was sweat all the nasty crap out of your body! I always feel like a new person after!

For lunch, Ryan got a Quiznos sub and I got a wrap from the health food store next door that had kale salad, tabouli and roasted red pepper hummus in it. Yuuuum!!! They included some veggie chips as well that were super addicting and delicious! Ryan and I ate our lunches out at the picnic table by the pool and have spent the last couple hours lounging about, soaking up the sun. I’m getting ready to head back to Orlando soon and go to the grocery store!

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  • Annie
    February 17, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    Im always so jealous of your restaurants you have around you. I live north of Boston in a tiny town, and we dont have any healthy places like that that make good wraps, or any vegetarian restaurants or anything. I dont mind cooking for myself, but its nice to go out every once and a while and get something quick, easy, and fresh like that.
    Have fun tanning (its like 40 degrees here-if that)!

  • Patricia
    February 17, 2008 at 7:15 pm

    lunch looks delicious!

  • Kath
    February 17, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    It’s cold and overcast here πŸ™ I need to move to FL!!!

  • VeggieGirl
    February 17, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Ahh yes, while you’re having a delicious lunch in the sun, I will be having a delicious lunch indoors, avoiding the thunderstorms and frigid temperatures – you better enjoy that good weather for me!! oh and the photograph of you sitting by the pool, reading Veganomicon, is CLASSIC. love it. :0D

  • Nicole
    February 17, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Annie–I hear you on Boston. You’d think in a city full of bike messengers and hipsters, they’d get a little more diverse than Finagle-a-Bagel and Bertuccis. Both of which are painfully repulsive. Being from around New York City spoiled me πŸ™

  • Lynn
    February 17, 2008 at 8:25 pm

    Jenna or anyone,
    the chickpea cutlet recipe calls for a cup of cooked chickpeas, this may sound silly but does anyone no how long and how to cook chickpeas?
    Also, Jenna do you feel the nectar sauce you made was what made the cutlets so delicious?
    Thanks! Have a great sunshiny day!

  • Emma
    February 17, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    Hey Jenna,
    Just wondering …do you like Indian food? I adore it, and there are also tons of vegetarian recipes to make with it. I asked Kath on her blog once, but I realized I had never asked you!

  • Jenna
    February 17, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    Hi girls! i’m on my dad’s laptop right now but saw the chickpea cutlet question and couldnt help but chime in because its too good not to be made!!! First of all—I used arrowhead farms (i think?) vital wheat gluten. find it with the flours in the organic section of your grocery store. You NEED this to give the cutlets their consistancy. It cannot be replaced! As for the chickpeas—just use a can of ’em. I bought a can of garbanzo beans for 69 cents and used a cup of them. EASY!! no need to wait 8 hours for them to cook. The sauce was sooo good and actually an invention of mine. i just used a tbsp of agave nectar (the light one!) and a tbsp of whole grain dijon mustard. The sauce “makes” the cutlet! NExt time I’m going to try a mushroom gravy and see how it compares! happy cooking!

  • Alison
    February 17, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Heyyy i’m from Boston and there are some OK healthy restaurants… HAve you tired Veggie Planet? It’s in Harvard square and it’s a vegan pizza place. Pretty tastey and fun! They also have rice dishes. http://www.veggieplanet.net/veggieplanet.htm

    I also like going to Know Fat, which is a different kind of health food, but it’s really yummy. They have ‘fast food’ made healthy. There is a similar place called B.Good which has multiple locations although i’ve never been. They have a really limited menu of healthy burgers and milk shakes made w/frozen yogurt and skim milk.

    Another good place is on Newburry street, way at the end, across from Urban Outfitters and i’m drawing a blank on the name, but i’ve only been once and it was great. I think it’s a vegetarian place. If it’s not, they def had mostly all vegetarian iteams on the menu. I got some kind of hummus sandwhich and split a fruit plate with this honey yogurt dip- yummmm. Oh, i wish i could remember the name… this is going to drive me crazy!! Oh, thanks to google, i just looked it up. it’s called The Other Side Cafe!!

    I also really like eating at Legal Seafoods, although i know that’s not exactly the restaurant type you’re looking for. but, you can just get plain grilled fish and fresh steamed vegetables. They don’t add alot of crap to the fish and it’s really fresh and delicous!

  • blueberrybabe
    February 17, 2008 at 9:01 pm

    Happy weekend ladies- sorry i don’t check the blog as much on weekends since i sit in front of a computer all day during the week. anyways couple things…

    Jenna I am SOOOO jealous you live in florida- the could and dreary weather of new york right now is so depressing.

    Nicole- you said new york spoiled you? Do you have any idea in new york where i can find a god bagel place? and by good i mean that they have 100% whole wheat bagels!?! or any general healthy new york restaurants/shop recommendation i would love! thanks.

  • Grace
    February 17, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Love the site, love the fbook group!
    I missed the introductions – so I’ll do so now. I’m 26 and live in Boston with my boyfriend (in sin!). I work full time and go to law school at night, and often end up eating very yummy but bad things. I also love to cook and would love to some day open a law firm/bakery – but I know that wouldn’t fly in Boston πŸ™‚ This site has helped me be more mindful of how my body works, thanks for this! As for exercise – I run sometimes but I’m slow, I LOVE Spin, and I suck it up for strength sessions.
    I’m so glad I’ve found you all – have terrific weekends!

  • shred
    February 17, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    yeah yeah thanks for reminding me of the other side cafe, alison! i haven’t been there since i was an undergrad.
    and thanks for the tip on the vegan pizza in harvard square. i’m newly returned to the area and needed some tips.
    we’re in syn today, looks like

  • shred
    February 17, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    re. cooking chickpeas:

    bring to a boil with 1 tsp. baking soda, then soak overnight
    then cook until tender (climate really determines cooking time with chickpeas — it has taken between 1.5 – 4 hours in my experience).

  • blueberrybabe
    February 17, 2008 at 9:18 pm

    hey guys about this facebook thing… does anyone else kind of hate facebook? just me? lol. i guess my question is mostly for jenna but do you guys think it would be better to have some feature of THIS website where we can all become members and make profiles and stuff? the reason i ask is because this blog for some reason really feels like a new beginning for me- a place where i can be real and be MYSELF. for some reason i feel safe here to talk about my insecurities/struggles… and know that people will still like me and i can be accepted. i dunno i just feel like facebook is kind of phony and there are a lot of creepy random people on there haha i dunno. i’m kind of just babbling but wanted to know if any other bloggers felt this way and maybe see what jenna thought of the idea as well. ok tty guys lata! mwa

  • Annie
    February 17, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    Hey Allyson, thanks for the tips. Ive only been to b.good before and got a salad and my mom got a turkey burger that was really good. I live 40 min north of Boston right now, but will be going to school at Mass Pharmacy & Health Sciences in Boston next year, and I always convince my boyfrend to take me out to eat in Boston all the time so I will definitly be stopping by to check out the other too. Thanks! I appreciate it.

  • Annie
    February 17, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    Oh and also, I saw in Boston Magazine a couple weeks ago, they had a “Best New Places” article, and one of the places was called frozen yogurt place (I think like Pink Berry) that just opened. Its in Cambridge and sounds wicked good. http://theberryline.com/
    They have all natural frozen yogurt with fruit toppings and all the good stuff.
    If any one has gone lemme know how it is cause Im dieing to know.

  • Ashley
    February 17, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    Jenna- LOVE LOVE LOVE the site! I just bought the ingredients for the chocolate chip cookies, the chili, and the skinny chicken salad at Whole Foods! I am so excited about experimenting with new ingredients. I have two questions: I just ground my own pb at Whole Foods for the first time- do I have to refrigerate it? Also, if I tend not to use canola oil could I substitute applesauce for the oilin the cookie recipe?

  • pinklilly
    February 17, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Jenna –

    Your lunch looks delicious – where is it from? I live in Tampa and would love to try that yummy looking wrap! Thanks!

  • Allie
    February 17, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    just wanted to say, thanks for your recommendations: just bought and tried hemp limk– LOVE IT!, also tried chickpea cultets which are amazing.

  • Nicole
    February 17, 2008 at 10:21 pm

    Thanks for the Boston suggestions! I’ve been to OtherSide, it’s down the street from my apartment actually. I really like that place but haven’t had much of their food. It’s around the corner from my yoga studio and has a fantastic tea selection, so I stop by on my way home occasionally and it’s a great place to study (though Espresso Royale is by farrr my favorite!!). I’ve heard of KnowFat–but it always kind of struck me as bizarre. Everyone I know who’s been there likes it though, so I’m sure it’s good. I’ve also heard there’s a vegan pizza place in Allston somewhere, but I believe it’s sort of far out there…

  • linds
    February 17, 2008 at 10:22 pm

    For those with a little extra vital wheat gluten after making the chickpea cutlets (I’m trying them tonight, excited!!). This recipe is from Veganomicon and got good reviews!! If you go to Amazon you can “look inside” the book and see the actual recipe, I recopied the cooking directions in my own words so you might want to go check the original if my shorthand isn’t very clear.

    Black Bean Burgers
    2 cups (15 ounce can) black beans, rinsed and drained
    Β½ cup vital wheat gluten
    Β½ cup plain whole wheat bread crumbs
    1 tsp chile powder
    Β½ tsp cumin
    ΒΌ cup water
    1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
    2 cloves garlic
    Β½ small onion
    2 tbsp olive oil

    Mash beans with a fork in a mixing bowl. Leave some half beans, don’t puree them. Add wheat gluten, bread crumbs, chile powder, cumin, water, and ketchup. Don’t mix yet. Grate garlic in. grate in onion. Mix it all together with a fork then use your hands to knead it until uniformly mixed, about a minute. Preheat a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Divide burger mixture into 6 equal pieces. Roll each into a firm ball. Form a 1 Β½ inch thick patty. Cook the patties 3 at a time for 5 minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula. Spray with olive oil before turning over, for uniform browning. Once cooked, they should be very firm when you press down on them.

  • nat
    February 17, 2008 at 10:45 pm

    hellO! i love your blog & i read it religiously every day! I purchased skinny bitch and after reading it, i kind of realized why i dont feel “refreshed” like i should after I eat. Ive decided to stop eating chicken and dairy (this wont be too hard because im lactose intolerant) & (ive never eaten beef.. ewww) i will still probably eat fish because i just love it, maybe someday ill give that up too… but not now! however, Im worried about eating too much soy, and fat and carbs. I know this is just what society has made me think but what kind of things should i watch out for?? I also bought skinny bitch in the kitch and im excited about those meals…. veganomicon is my next purchase…. (paycheck come quick!!!)

    thanks again for all you do!!!

    -nat

  • Ashley H
    February 17, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    hey everyone I just went to Daphne’s Greek Cafe for lunch and got their vegetarian plate and oh my goodness it was so good if any of you have one of these nearby take a look the hummus and other goodies were amazing!! I think this was a very healthy meal and if you asked for the greek salad without feta it would be vegan friendly too! Greek food rocks!!

  • Courtney
    February 17, 2008 at 10:56 pm

    linds- those black bean burgers sound awesome!! can’t wait to try them out!

  • linds
    February 17, 2008 at 11:04 pm

    might make them this week….If I do I’ll let you know how they turn out!! πŸ™‚

  • VeggieGirl
    February 17, 2008 at 11:09 pm

    **Courtney:

    I answered your question in the previous post :0)

  • Bev
    February 17, 2008 at 11:10 pm

    So jealous of the warm weather and lounging around the pool……What kind of sunscreen do you use ? Your lunch wrap looks yummy πŸ™‚

  • kay
    February 17, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    Brownies made from black beans are pretty good too.

    Jenna,
    That book is pretty and love the hardcover! I have a thing for pretty books πŸ™‚

    VeggieGirl,
    Thank you for the rice milk info! Have you tried “Better than Milk” type products (powder soy milk, etc.) I am kind of sensitive when it comes to canned foods or powdered milks…

  • TimeofButterflies
    February 17, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    Anyone know of any great veggie restaurants in/around Houston?

    BTW, I love Facebook! I’m very anti-MySpace, and I find the interface of Facebook refreshing and much more adult-friendly (as opposed to something off of a teenager’s notebook).

  • VeggieGirl
    February 17, 2008 at 11:26 pm

    **Kay:

    I have not tried powdered soymilk – doesn’t sound too appetizing, haha :0)

  • Courtney
    February 17, 2008 at 11:31 pm

    Jenna! I saw on facebook that you were craving a red velvet cupcake..haha oh facebook.. anyways, I came across this vegan red velvet cupcake recipe on tastespotting.com! here it is: http://tea-etc.blogspot.com/2008/02/tuesday-vegan-red-velvet-cake.html

  • AshleyP
    February 17, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    Is vital wheat gluten the same as gluten flour? The burgers sound really good! I’m definitely on a black bean kick lately, and now that I know I could use the flour for more than one thing I’ll definitely try the chickpea cutlets out! I think my whole tax refund is going to trying out new foods and cook books, haha.

  • VeggieGirl
    February 18, 2008 at 12:03 am

    **AshleyP:

    Yes, vital wheat gluten is the same as gluten flour. Sorry that I keep commenting, haha – just trying to help! :0)

  • AshleyP
    February 18, 2008 at 12:21 am

    Thanks VeggieGirl! I appreciate your help πŸ™‚

  • Natalie
    February 18, 2008 at 12:28 am

    Kay, any specific recipes (brownies + black beans) that you can suggest?

    Thanks!

  • Eliza
    February 18, 2008 at 12:37 am

    that picture is so cute!

  • jenna
    February 18, 2008 at 1:27 am

    Pinklilly,

    Its from Nature’s Harvest Cafe and market on Macdill!

  • arimcg
    February 18, 2008 at 2:02 am

    Blueberrybabe – you might not see this because i’m a little late, sorry, but Murry’s is my absolute favorite bagel place in the city. So good and they have whole wheat, plus a ton of other flavors…spinach is good too!! There are two of them…one is on 8th btw 23rd and 22nd and I think the other one is in the West Village but I’m not positive.
    As far as other healthy restaurants, I love Red Bamboo and Angelica Kitchen in the East Village, and Spring Street Natural in soho is also one of my favorites. I’d love to hear any recommendations you have too! Where do you live?

  • jenna
    February 18, 2008 at 2:33 am

    Ashley,
    No, you don’t have to refrigerate it. I never do. Its fine in the pantry for a couple weeks πŸ™‚ I don’t know how applesauce would make the cookies because I’ve never done that. I’ve heard of subing applesauce for cakes and breads, but not for cookies because it might give it a funny texture. Is there a specific reason you don’t do canola oil? Its actually really healthy for you and a “good” fat that your body wants!

  • kay
    February 18, 2008 at 3:27 am

    Natalie:

    I don’t have a recipe for the brownies, I had it at a friend’s home one time… but they were good!

  • Mel H
    February 18, 2008 at 3:51 am

    ashley h ,
    I had greek food for lunch too!! It was so amazing! theres a new little place here my bf wanted to try! I got the chicken over hummus and rice and a side greek salad…so yummy and I used a pita to eat it all!!

  • Ashley H
    February 18, 2008 at 4:37 am

    Mel- Yeah! I order the vegetarian platter with hummus, pita, greek salad, tabboluh, dammus, and something else I cant pronnouce!! lol It was my first time but i will definitly do it again!

  • Alison
    February 18, 2008 at 7:49 am

    There are several vegetarian places in Allston. I’ve never been but i have friends who have been to Grasshopper and LOVED it. I went to BU and it’s right near there. It’s an asian place. I think there is an asian vegetarian place in chinatown too that is supposed to be good.