Whenever people ask “I want to lose weight/get healthier/cook more, but where do I begin?” my answer is always: the grocery store. You need healthy food in your fridge or you won’t get to eat it!
My afternoon first took me to the bakery. Normally I am immune to the smell of freshly baked bread, but after 5 days away I sure could smell it again! I also met Lisa there, who is visiting Cville from NYC to see if she wants to move here!
And then I was off to the UPS store to ship Traci her Great Harvest goodies for the Great Fundraising Act! She paid $185 for a bag of Cville Cluster and Pancake Mix – hope they are delicious!
Next stop: Whole Foods – I am now fully stock!! I got tons of vegetables, some cheeses, fruits and a chicken sausage for dinner.
Back at home – Manchego cheese and cherries for a snack! I recently tasted some manchego and proclaimed I needed to have it on hand more often. Delish!
I got some work done at home (having a few blog bugs since upgrading my server) and then started on dinner with a mocktail –
Lisa brought me a growler of Kombucha Brooklyn from her farmer’s market!! It was delicious, as all kombucha is, although much milder than the Synergy I usually buy. It was almost like white wine! Apparently they are expanding too – so keep your eyes out at Whole Foods.
I promised Matt I’d have dinner ready when he walked in the door. I LOVE doing that and I love it when people do it to me!
It took me a while to decide what to make, but I knew okra fries were most appealing. I ended up cutting the chicken sausage in half (I only got one for us because he was pretty big) and making burgers with it!
Can we please all take a moment to stop and snicker at my sausages cooking!?!
On top of the burgers I added this Juusto Baked Cheese – straight from Wisconsin from Gina and Megan who visited the bakery today! I was sorry to miss them, but happy to taste this new flavor. It’s been baked to a golden brown and you just need to heat it up a bit. I was also tickled to see the Wisconsin Cheese logo on the package!
Homph gomph gomph gomph! On a High 5 bun!
The okra fries and mushrooms were coated in canola misto spray, Liquid Smoke, salt and pepper and roasted at 400* for about 20 minutes
Crossing my fingers this post goes up OK! My Windows Live Writer no longer has the theme detected, so it’s kind of like blogging in the dark. And it gives me an error when I post but it still appears on KERF. So odd, but it’s working, so I’ll keep humming along.
Goodnight!
Stef @ Living HI says
The post looks good to me!
Laura says
hahaha laughing at those sausages just made my night 🙂
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
I really need to try orka, and make these fries! they looks so good 🙂
Sylvia @ My Attempt at Balanced Living says
The post looks great to me too and very delicious I might add. Oh and I totally snickered at your sausage! TWSS!!! 😀
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i went to whole foods today too…but unfortunately it was to stock my freezer and pantry, not for fresh produce. it’s gonna be a while before i can really make something at home again!
Kori says
Kase & I just snickered a lot at your sausage photo!! Great post, Kath!!!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Those sausages are hilarious.
Baking N Books says
Where do you get your inspiration to decide what to make? Just on what you feel like – or do you just look in the fridge and pull stuff together? Do you use many blog recipes or sites? (other than your own! 😉 ).
staceyhealthylife says
It must be fun having so many people drop off such yummy gifts at the bakery.
Sweet and Savvy says
Never thought about adding liquid smoke to something like that ! Looks great!
Kim says
Those sausages are hysterical! Definitely made me snicker. The rest of your dinner looks very good too.
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
The post worked– woot
And I agree. I tend not to function without a sufficiently stocked fridge haha
[email protected] says
those sausages look weeiiiuhhhhhhd!! 😛 Great and simple tip Kath!! Like the cliche goes, “abs (or any health/fitness) starts in the kitchen!”
Maren says
I tried to make okra fries and they turned out but I can’t get used to how slimy they are in the middle! Maybe I need to make them again…
Chetney (Czesia's Adventures) says
Those sausages, HAHAHAHA!
Cait's Plate says
Okay I’m so glad you said we could snicker at those sausages because I definitely was – makes me feel better I’m not alone on that 🙂
And BAKED CHEESE?! THAT IS AMAZING! I want that!
Okra fries are definitely next on my list – I can’t get past the “saliva” but making them into fries might just do the trick.
Also? Couldn’t agree more with you on steering people towards the grocery store when they want to lose weight. That’s ALWAYS what I tell them too!
Margo @ Peanut Butter Trees says
Hmm I’ve never had Okra that way, looks good! And giggle giggle about the sausages…
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I ate my weight in Manchego when I studied abroad in Mexico! Mmmmmm. And Mmmm to those sausages 🙂
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Aahahahah DON’T WORRY sista friend, I am definitely snickering over those sausages.
April says
the sausages made me giggle uncontrollably!!
Stella says
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction….the grocery store. Do you plan your menus before you go to the store or do you just pick up what looks good?
KathEats says
I just pick up what I’m in the mood for and will often have a few things in mind like “a vegetable pasta” or “mexican night”
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Manchego is my all time favorite cheese. After living in Spain for 4 months and having it available every day in my host family’s fridge I was completely spoiled. Now, it’s a special treat considering it’s price! Try it on a cracker with a jam. AMAZING.
Chloe (In Fine Feather) says
haha, those sausages are awesome. and i agree – if I don’t buy junk I have to actively seek it out, which means my lazy bum eats a lot less!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
I didn’t snicker at your sausage picture (that’s a lie, I laughed out loud!) ….Yum to the new Brooklyn drink! 🙂
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
After trying okra fries for the first time last week, I’m obsessed! Now I understand why so many bloggers love them — a new favorite!
Kim @ Spoonful of Sass says
Your sausages made my night!
Molly @ RDexposed says
Oh the irony.
And the next step is actually eating the food once it’s in the fridge. I have that discussion with pt’s quite often.
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
1) definitely laughed out loud at the picture of the sausages cooking…
2) I NEED to try those okra fries! No one here in Chicago appreciates okra like southerners do!
3) I see that cheese all the time here at farmers markets and every time I pass the stand I try a piece! The stand that I see has all different flavors; even bacon flavor and pizza flavor!
rumfunandsun says
I hate when my meat does that! LMAO! Sounds like you got a bunch of goodies! Here is hoping your meat starts behaving! 😉
Seamane says
We had grilled portobello cap “burgers” tonight on our whole wheat GH buns. They were SO yummy!
J3nn(Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
It amazes me how many cheeses I have never heard of much less had!
I just bought a kombucha Brooklyn the other day. But I’m in NY, so not a huge surprise, lol.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Hahahaha!
I am the happiest with a fully stocked fridge, ie. fresh produce from Whole Foods. Now I wish we had Trader Joes in Orlando. Keeping fingers crossed 😀
Kristen, Sweetly says
Hilarious “burgers.” I hope the husband got a kick out of them. I am forever the 12-year-old boy among grown-ups. :p
Cherries from Whole Foods! So good for me this week and keeping me away from junk food. (The bananas were delightful, too.)
Eileen says
I looooooove Manchego. My favorite salad is that, arugula, grapes and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
hahaha I double took at that sausage and thought “does she know what those looks like?!” haha!!
CM says
The sausage looks the way all food should be- delicious and funny!
I haven’t been to whole foods lately, and have been missing my little dose of supermarket heaven.
Meg says
Oh my goodness, Kath. You got me with the sausages LOL!!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Oh my gosh- those sausages! Hahaha!
Amy says
Mmmm… manchego cheese. I’ve been dying to get some recently so I can make this:
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/08/roasted-corn-with-manchego-and-lime
Roasted corn salad with manchego and lime! Something to look into if you like those flavor combinations… perfect for summer. 😀
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Speaking of kombucha… I nearly spewed mine ALL OVER the computer screen looking at you sausages cooking. Well played, my friend. 😉
KathEats says
LOL
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Post is up, no worries for the end user..but how worrisome for YOU! As I was just emailing with you the other day, there is never a dull moment with blogs, blogging, technology. Always something.
And stocking your fridge at the groc store, yes, key! Eating out rather than at home is more expensive, less healthy, and overall, just not a real wise choice, in my opinion. Stock up and cook from home is my advice too.
Manchego cheese…my next door neighbor LOVES that cheese and always has it at parties.
Donna says
what are high 5 buns and where can I get them? They look yummy yummy!!
KathEats says
They are from our bakery, Great Harvest
Namaste Gurl says
You must be super happy to be back to your freshly- baked and whole grain bread. I bet your biased over all other ones now that you have your own bakery. 🙂
Dinner looks wonderful- so glad you enjoyed.
[email protected] says
Mmmmm baked cheese. That seriously sounds delicious.
Alyson says
This is probably a dumb question, but I made okra fries the other night and wasn’t sure what to do with the ends (where they connect to the plant). Do you eat those?
KathEats says
That’s a good question! It depends. Some are tough and some are tender. I just kind of feel them to see. Tonight I ate about ¾ of them!
Meaghan O'Connor (My Spoonful of Inspiration) says
You always make burgers so fun and interesting! 🙂 I am jealous of your ability to be creative in the kitchen!
doniree says
Manchego cheese is the BEST cheese. Well, that one and goat cheese. Also, I love just about every kombucha I’ve ever tried except for Synergy. Too intense. Portland’s Brew Dr. is really good 🙂
Angel7 says
I never had or heard of manchego cheese.
I will have to try okra fries.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
KAILA @ HEALTHYHELPER says
I LOVE OKRA FRIES!! Haven’t had them in a while though! I need to get on that ASAP.
Ashley says
Too funny. I bought okra at the market last week and was going to check your site to see how to roast it. 🙂 Found it!! Can’t wait to give it a go!
Sana says
OMG your sausages! i knew I loved you for a reason 😉
Thanuja @ TheInexperiencedMom says
Looks like a tasty meal I’d like to come home to! Kath, Is there any way you can send over some GH bread to CA? 😉 I am so intrigued with the popeye bread that you introduced here a while ago! Your bread looks delish! BTW I never told you that I discovered your blog through someone (my husband!) who works at OpenSky Thanks for some healthy meal ideas 🙂
KathEats says
We don’t ship yet…but in any event..you might be better off ordering it from a west coast GH! There’s one in Oakland if you’re northern and Temecula if you’re southern. And lots in Washington + Oregon too.
But I AM doing another opensky deal soon with granola!
[email protected] says
Your post looks good on this end!
Hannah says
Bahahaha! I just choked and got tea all over my work keyboard! Best sausages EVER.
Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine says
Sausages with a side of humor.
Love it 😉
Khushboo says
Matt must have been so pleased- I love walking home and dinner being on the table!
bojana says
I looove that first picture! This may be very random, but to me it looks – feels – like … pure summer!
jenna k says
i’m taking a late-night study break to read blogs, and i just have to say that i CERTAINLY took a moment to snicker at your sausages. 🙂 that seriously just lifted my spirits!
Jumanah @ Healthy Living in the Middle East says
Definately need to try okra fries!
Your sausage pic made me laugh out loud! I just had my colleague come over and ask what was so funny!
Colleen says
I’ve never had okra, I guess its mot a cali food, might have to try it!
robin says
sausages…LOL and that smoked cheese looks delish, also I see you use alot of the liquid smoke, I gotta try it:)
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says
lol at the sausage picture. Look at us being such pervs. 😉
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
A very productive day 🙂
[email protected] Flying ONION says
Manchego cheese is one of my newest obsessions. 😀
Alaina says
Haha, what naughty sausages! They look delicious though! 🙂
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
Mmmm I am jealous of your cooking skills!!!!
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
wieners! Do you home brew any kombucha?
KathEats says
Not yet..
Caitlin says
great opening thought!
Nikki says
Hahaha! Consider the snickering complete.
Looks delish as always. Luv ya, Kerf, and your blog.
Kristen says
Hahaha! I’m glad you said something about the sausages because I’m not sure I would’ve been able to let that one slide by!
Mel says
That High 5 bun looks amazing! Also, Whole Foods might be might favorite grocery store ever. I dream about the day when my location and budget will allow me to shop there more often (The closest Whole Foods is in downtown Seattle, about 45 minutes north of where I live. I hadn’t even heard of it until last summer while I was living in Alexandria for the summer with my sister!)
Shayla @ The Good Life says
Ha the sausages!! That is awesome! Let out a lil chuckle here at work – good stuff 🙂
becca @ bellebottoms says
I LOVE manchego! i fell in love with it while visiting Spain…it goes great with jam or chutney!
also, that meat looks hilarious! i couldn’t help but giggle like a little girl 🙂 haha
Kristin says
Your meal looks great. How did you make the okra fries?
Hillary says
Those sausages could’ve been the star of the Bachelorette party I went to this weekend ; )
Marika says
Bahaha, I totally snickered at the sausages. Also wanted to let you know that “juusto” means “cheese” in Finnish. Judging from the Finnish and Swedish flags on the package, it’s clearly a Nordic-inspired product. Very cool! 🙂
Andrea says
OMG – I’d love to get my hands on that cheese! I visited Scandinavia this spring and spent a day with a foreign exchange student that lived with us. He made us a traditional Finnish meal and we ended with this cheese with a cloudberry jam over it – unbelievable stuff! I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for that at the store! FYI – my mouth is watering….