Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness

Oh Whole Foods, How I Love Thee

MMMmmm…I LOVE TOFU! I love it so much that I question how ANYONE could dislike it…if they can get past the fact that, yes, it IS tofu! They need to have it prepared properly as well. One bad tofu experience could alter someone’s life. Tonight, while grocery shopping (!!!), I got dinner at W.F. I saw the spicy chili tofu and had to get it! All the tofu I have ever gotten from the W.F.’s deli has always been good. Buffalo tofu being my second favorite to the spicy chili tofu I had tonight. With it I got a side of lime-cilantro basmati rice, steamed veggies, and my favorite splurge: those sickly sweet plantains. Oh, how I love plantains. I could live for the rest of my life only eating plantains and black beans and rice. Yum.

So back to the grocery store. I wish I didn’t feel like such a walking zombie–sort of took the joy away from roaming aimlessly down the aisles of W.F. Regardless, I managed to walk out the store with waaay over my budget’s worth of groceries. Granted, I did invest in a multi-vitamin and that was a cost I usually don’t factor in. But, it was still expensive. Why do I love food SO much?!!! Grr! I remembered to take some photos of my groceries for you all and I also did a little “spotlite” on new products I am trying this week.

I was going to go to yoga tonight but, seriously, I am too freakin tired. It was basically torture to put myself on the elliptical machine for 20 minutes but I did it anyways. Sometimes exercising when I’m tired makes me feel better and sometimes it just doesn’t do jack. Tonight was the latter. I’m hoping to lay down for a little bit now before Ryan gets here (he won’t be here til like 10:00) so at least I don’t look comatose for him! Before going to the gym today I had what was left in the bag of the kashi crackers…It seemed like about 10 crackers, all broken up. I had them with pb & j for one of my favorite snacks.

I’m sure I’ll have a sweet later…I’m thinking Olive Oil Cake since it just looks so tempting sitting in my fridge right now. I need to keep myself awake so sugar might just be the thing!

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NEW PRODUCTS!

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This hempmilk seems to be the new rage…I’ve heard about it from a couple people now (thanks Brianne and VeggieGirl!) and the nutritional values seem to be pretty outstanding. Just ONE glass of this apparently gives you 46% of your daily calcium need…as well as heart healthy omega 3 and 6’s! Can’t wait to try it!

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New viti’s! I talked to the person in the wellness aisle of W.F. and she recommended these—she said they are very mild and won’t upset sensitive tummies. Only $9.95 for 60 caplets! Can’t beat that!

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I’m excited about these. Awhile ago, when I lived in Charleston, one of my vegetarian friends SWORE by these. She said she literally ate them everyday. They don’t contain any soy, so you don’t have to worry about “overdosing” on soy if you already drink soymilk and have tofu in your diet. Instead, the protein comes from a strange mushroom source….yes, it does sound strange, but I just have to try since they are incredibly high in protein yet low in fat and calories with only all natural ingredients (just the mushroom protein). I’ll let you guys know how it turns out—could be interesting! This brand also makes crumbles and a variety of meatless main dishes. They are the number one meat alternative brand in Europe.

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Thanks, VeggieGirl for the recommendation! These look awesome with totally natural ingredients—too bad they only come in packs of three!

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  • Allen Taylor
    February 9, 2008 at 12:00 am

    I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.

    Allen Taylor

  • Kel Lee Leee
    February 9, 2008 at 12:08 am

    i LOVE Quorn products! ohhh my god so good, you’ll love it. BUT I hear people with sensitive stomachs have problems with them. So just be careful 🙂

  • Sara
    February 9, 2008 at 12:08 am

    Jenna-

    Was the Hempmilk really expensive? I just checked my local natural food store to see if they carried it and it was more than $3. I was just wondering if perhaps, for some reason, it was cheaper at Whole Foods. Thanks!

    -Sara

  • jenna
    February 9, 2008 at 12:21 am

    After undergoing “meat class” at school, I have determined I have the stomach of steel! haha! I’m excited to try these!!!

    Sara,

    I believe (but don’t quote me on this) that it was like 3.50….which is about the same for a gallon of organic milk. The soy milk I buy is only 2.99, but if hempmilk is as good as everyone says it is then I suppose it’s worth the extra dollar!!!!

  • ibex hk
    February 9, 2008 at 12:27 am

    yum! i just got the quorn chik’n breasts myself…yummy, I think I already know what’s for lunch!!
    have fun tonight with ryan!

  • Sara2
    February 9, 2008 at 12:28 am

    Whole foods is dangerous when you are on a budget! But referring to sensitive stomachs, is it common to experience stomach issues when eating tofu? I am scared to try it because I have heard that it doesn’t settle well with some. Thanks.

  • jenna
    February 9, 2008 at 12:36 am

    No! I have never heard of tofu causing an upset stomach before..I wouldn’t worry. Please try it—its so good!!!!!! and good for you! You should make the caramelized tofu I made the other night for your first time. It was amazing 🙂

  • Amy
    February 9, 2008 at 12:55 am

    What are the products next to the sunshine burgers? One looks like a red sauce? the other is dark brown?

  • Amy
    February 9, 2008 at 12:56 am

    Sorry one more thing, what brand cracker did you eat before kashi made crackers?

  • jenna
    February 9, 2008 at 1:00 am

    Hmm…I think i’ve been eating kashi crackers for years and I don’t really remember! Probably something not so good for you…Late July makes a good organic cracker as well.

    The dark one is a BBQ sauce and the red one is a roasted red pepper pesto pasta sauce! 🙂

  • BethT
    February 9, 2008 at 1:01 am

    If you like the Quorn cutlets. try their chik’n nuggets and – OMG – the GRUYERE cutlets. HEAVEN. A little more processed than the naked cutlets. but SO DARN GOOD.

  • kay
    February 9, 2008 at 1:09 am

    I love tofu too! I like it in a lot of different dishes like miso soup or even just plain with some shoyu sauce and salmon on top. I even like it in chilli! I know the sodium is kind of high with miso and shoyu but once in a while! 🙂 Your dinner looks so good; the rice with cilantro especially.

    Sometimes I add whole peanuts to my oatmeal and it is yummy! A little weird but I like it!

  • Amy
    February 9, 2008 at 1:17 am

    Haha, I would never have guessed either of those sauces!

  • Kelly
    February 9, 2008 at 1:21 am

    let me know how that milk is…its hard for me to hit my calcium everyday.

    I think whole foods steals half of every paycheck for me.

  • jenna
    February 9, 2008 at 1:23 am

    Sigh…..I should really just work there and get a grocery discount.

  • jenna
    February 9, 2008 at 1:24 am

    ps- if you have a cup of this milk + a multi vitamin with some calcium in it, you have already hit your calcium quota for the day! Easy!

  • Katie H
    February 9, 2008 at 1:29 am

    Just wanted to tell you that I made your Half Whole Wheat Rolls tonight and they are delicious! I’m an avid cook but a novice baker, so I was a little nervous about how they would turn out. They were perfect! My husband raved over them. Thanks so much for the recipe! I’m going to try your focaccia tomorrow.

    Also, I take the same multi-vitamins from Whole Foods. I like them, but just a warning…they may turn your pee bright orange. I freaked out at first, but then I found out it’s from the beta carotene. So don’t worry, it’s normal!

  • Kristin
    February 9, 2008 at 1:55 am

    I LOVE quorn cutlets! They have such an interesting taste, I eat them plain, or with homemade mushroom gravy! Yum! Sometimes I’ll make sandwiches with them, chop ’em up over a nice big salad, and I’ve even used them in pasta dishes! So versatile!

  • Lisa
    February 9, 2008 at 2:43 am

    AHHH!!! I WANT a WHOLE FOODS near me!! I LOVE your grocery list! So much fun! I really want to try out some tofu! I know there are different kinds of textures(?) to buy like frim or soft…what would you suggest for each type of tofu??

  • jenna
    February 9, 2008 at 2:48 am

    Lisa,

    I always buy extra-firm tofu (see “how to prepare tofu” in the FAQ section!) I dont really like the texture of soft tofu, as it is a bit too wiggly and jiggly for me. Tofu is CHEAP too! (this huge block that will give me 4 dinners cost only $1.99) It does take some getting used to..but then you will be hooked! I’ve converted many a die-hard carnivore in my day…I even tricked Ryan into eating soy burritos one night…he NEVER knew!

  • Kath
    February 9, 2008 at 3:14 am

    WAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I wish we had a WF 🙁 I’ve got hemp milk and Sunshine burgers on my list too!! As you know, I HATE onions so the Sunshines are really appealing since the label didn’t indicate they had them. And the store locater says you can get them at EarthFare! I’m in luck!

  • Mel H
    February 9, 2008 at 3:34 am

    Oh Jenna! I have the same problem with spending too much everytime I go to the store! I went yesterday and forgot coffee filters and toilet paper, so i had to stop by today- and I can out with veggie burgers, bagels, nectarines, honey, ww tortillas, turkey, and vanilla frozen yogurt. I need a leash at the store bc now I’m broke ! haha! Have a great night! My bf and I just saw Fools Gold and it was really cute! I thnk Matthew Mchaughney (sp?) and Kate Hudson would have made such a cute couple! haha

  • Ruby Red Vegan
    February 9, 2008 at 4:59 am

    I think you’ll really enjoy the hempmilk – I love it too!

  • Andrenna
    February 9, 2008 at 8:51 am

    When you are feeling especially indulgent, try the quorn gryere cutlets. They are sooo tasty!