I am ready to take on the week!
Today was such a nice catch-up day.
- My errands are all complete
- Costco trip was successful
- The pantry is now restocked with things like maple syrup and olive oil, which we have been out of for weeks thanks to the two weekend trips
- We have toilet paper again (we were down to 1 roll!)
- Shampoo stock has been replenished
- I have new sports socks from Target
- I have new hangers for my closet
- The house is sparkling clean
- Laundry is done
- My closet is clean and extra clothes were dropped off to Goodwill
- My car’s fuel gauge is on FULL
- My hair is cut
- Google Reader is EMPTY!!!
- And most importantly, my TODO list is empty!!! (of personal things, at least!)
WHEW!!!
I had a fabulous yoga flow this morning after breakfast. I did YogaDownload’s Dave Farmar Baptiste Beginner 60 minute class. WOW was I sweating and shaking after about 20 minutes. The class was hard and the simplicity of a beginner class was just what I needed. I really love Dave’s style (which got on my nerves at first but has really grown on me). He’s down to bizness!
It’s kinda hard to concentrate when bowls are breaking in the kitchen. RIP Mr. Green bowl 🙁
After yoga I cleaned the house while I was sweaty. I did a speed clean of the essentials – vacuumed, dusted, and wiped down the bathrooms. Just the minimum to make it look nice again.
Then it was showa time followed by lunch.
Since I had the time today, I decided to try something new: Gena’s Pizza Cheese! I realized I had cashews from the Healthy Living Summit, basil from the farmer’s market and sun-dried tomatoes in the pantry –
The recipe was super simple and easy.
And turned out great!!
I’m not sure this really tasted like cheese, but it was tasty no doubt. Matt‘s words: "That’s not cheese, but it’s a delicious food!"
So for lunch I tossed the rest of my farmer’s market arugula (sniff) with my homemade dressing from yesterday and added some Grateful Growers bacon and gorgonzola to try to replicate this awesome salad I had in Boston. It was not nearly as good, but that’s OK 😉
Plus half a Great Harvest Jalapeno Corn Bread bun with the pizza cheese!
And some peach
And a pickle
Super yum! On a new plate I picked up at Target for super cheap.
After lunch I took a break from blogging, cleaned the kitchen yet again and headed to the mall to exchange a bra I got and wasn’t 100% satisfied with. And I came home with two!!! But when you’re my size and you find a bra that fits, you MUST buy it. The lady at Nordstrom said they both fit perfectly.
Afternoon snack was the perfect pair: chocolate + strawberries. A big handful of berries with 2 Amazing No-Cook Hazelnut Bites, which were even better after chilling in the fridge!
A couple hours later, Matt and I enjoyed a little cocktail hour Riesling from Ledson.
And then put dinner in the oven: Baked Tofu + Okra Fries!
For the tofu I drained and patted dry a block of firm and cut into cubes. Tossed with a drizzle each of maple, olive oil, kosher salt, pepper and Big Papi sauce! Into the oven at 400* for 30 minutes.
The okra were added 10 minutes in and cooked for 15 minutes. Okra fries are AWESOME! Just like french fries to me. Slight crispy on the outside, soft and gelled on the inside like a soft french fry. And perfect with ketchup!
A side of Whole Grain Goodness. We always think about making other starch sides like rice or millet or wheatberries, but we have so much good whole wheat bread that can be toasted in 30 seconds that we never take the time to branch out!
I said to Matt "boy my bread slice is rather small" and he replied: "That’s because we’re also having liquid bread!!" Little did I know he’d prepared a lager tasting to go with dinner! (It’s his "Saturday night")
I had two sips of each, but I am just not a lager girl!
He is!!
Wine —-> Water
Thinking about watching another Gossip Girl, also thinking about reading more Time Traveler’s Wife, which I love so far. Also need to write an article on beauty products that I love! Which one will win!?
So far it’s SO nice not to have class until 2PM. I don’t have to think about my day ahead of time like I would if I had an 8 or 9AM class. I can plan in the AM. Tomorrow’s going to be busy though, because I have an invite to Girl’s Night at Ashley‘s!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Wow, I’ve never had okra and now I’m REALLY intrigued! I hafta try it! You make it look irresistible; I love “finger foods.”
I have to make those granola bites, too. I watched the video and it made me want to eat the ‘batter’ before it’s refrigerated haha.
Jenn
Marisa (Trim The Fat) says
That was one productive day!
Pizza cheese looked very interesting as did the okra, which you ALMOST have me sold on trying!
stacy says
how did you make the okra? thanks!
kay (eating machine) says
seeing your meals lately makes me want to find some whole okra!
Kristie says
Boooo for dropping the green bowl. I hate when dishes break, it’s pretty tragic!
LOVE the Pizza Cheese! Yeah, not quite cheese but most definitely an incredibly delicious spread. I just finished up my batch yesterday. Gotta make some more soon!
I HAVE to try the okra fries too. I think I have some okra in my fridge right now, woo!
angieinatlanta says
I LOVE productive Sundays; it always makes the beginning of the week a bit easier to handle!
That okra looks awesome…and I’m intrigued by the “cheese!”
Amelia says
Love okra! I just stocked up on it recently so I’m going to have to make these fries soon. 🙂
VeggieGirl says
Major congratulations on your productivity today – best types of days, by far.
Hooray for Gena’s pizza cheese!! Great spread.
I vote for writing the article this evening; oh and I don’t have classes tomorrow until 3:30pm – one class only, as well 😉
katey says
good job for getting everything done!
Evan Thomas says
It feels great to get so much off a to do list. No maple syrup or olive oil? That’s never good to see in the pantry
Rebecca says
Wow! You got so much done today!! I love productive days!
haya says
your napkins match the chairs!!!
love productive days + restocking. i always feel much more calm when i am restocked (not sure why i am so phobic about running out of stuff. it’s not like i’m not a 5 minute walk away from the grocery store that has everything…)
MelissaNibbles says
I can’t find okra anywhere in Boston. I’m dying to try okra fries! I’ll keep looking though.
I love your black and white chairs. Very stylish.
Valerie (College Girl Eats) says
Yay for productive days! Also, I just bought some of those orange plates at Target! Love them!
Jenna says
Tofu must be the thing to have tonight, I’ve seen it on a few blogs this evening!
Enjoy your Sunday night, Kath!
Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum says
Target runs are the best! I just bought a new camera from their today yay 🙂 That cornbread pizza spread looks SO good. Great eats and yummy okra!
stacey says
I also made Gena’s pizza cheese for the first time today. It was so good! I actually used it on my pizza for dinner- YUM!
Lizzy says
mmmm yummy meal for 2 that looks so delish
Jessica says
too funny! I made gena’s pizza cheese yesterday .. it was good! I put mine on a tortilla with some pepperoni .. YUM. Must think of other uses …
Lee says
I made the pizza cheese a few weeks ago. I thought it tasted more like hummus than cheese. Quite good, though.
Megan @ Megzz Wins At Life says
I have been meaning to tell you for a while.. that you and Matt are just the cutest two people ever!! Seems like you two are just perfect for each other 🙂
Whitney says
I have Mr. Orange Plate’s twin, Mr. Blue Plate.
We are quite close, I dine off him at least 3x a week.
Angela (Run Study Eat) says
Try pickled okra! It’s great!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
I just can’t do okra… something about the fuzz and the goo. I keep trying, and keep tossing it!
Pam says
Sorry about your dish Kath!
Food looks great!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Way to be productive today! But I mourn the loss of the green bowl… it was so pretty! I always hate when I break any of my dishes, especially ones that have a certain meaning or are unique.
LOVE that dinner!!! I have to try that recipe for the tofu. Sounds perfect!
Mandy A says
I have had some okra sitting in my fridge… never had it before and NO clue what to do with it… now I know! 🙂 Thank you!!!
Gena (Choosing Raw) says
I’m totally psyched that you liked, AND that it got Matt’s seal of approval, too! Happy veggie tipping and toast-topping, etc. 🙂
Ashley says
oh MY goodness did you accomplish a lot! How refreshing! =) I bought all the food for tomorrow, including a bunch of shrimp. I got extra for Kelsey, that she wanted to use tonight. She opened the 3lb package of fresh, local NC shrimp, and it was ALL bad. It smelled awful and was slimy [from earthfare]. Booooo!!! Gotta find good shrimp tomorrow!! Come hungry + ready to paint! =)
Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) says
Okra fries look so good, and so healthy! How did you spice them?
Meg says
Thanks for the idea about okra! I’m going to try those this week!
Gab* says
I love those productive days! Have a good week!
Jenna says
that dinner platter looks so good!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
hmmm, wondering if i would like okra fries? i am not a fan of the slime factor…
Greta says
I’ll have to attempt to cook okra your way – whenever I’ve tried working with it, it always turns out kind of slimey and flavorless.
BTW – TJ’s crunchy PB rocks my socks too.
muffy says
Oooo yummy! Okra fries sound great. . . i used to love fried okra lol.
your napkin and sitting area match! I love the patterns!
grats on the bra finds!
-muffy
Julia says
You two are such a cute couple!
I’ve got to try these okra fries! They must be delicious!
And I’m sorry about the green bowl, I hate breaking dishes (knocks on wood!)
Have a great Monday!
AnnQ says
I love Tofu…..it’s SO good when cooked the right way! 🙂
Peabody says
I just served the Pizza Cheese to my husband. He liked it. Though he actually thinks it was some kind of cheese, just not one he has had before (he isn’t exactly a foodie). So that was good. Something we can both have. Me with veggies and him with crackers and chips.
Julia says
Lots of posts to read after my weekend and your blog is a great start of my week! Love these pictures… And really like those black-and-white chairs! xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Meg says
Yeah for having a fun filled and productive day!
Poor Mr. green bowl!
Christie @ Quit Your Diet says
I feel the same way about Dave Farmar. It took a while but now I love his fast flows and long holds. His style really helps me focus and clear my mind.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Sorry about the bowl! I hate when things like that happen in the morning!
You make okra look so…wonderful! I definitely need to give it a second chance. 😀
Kristen @ Simply Savor says
I love productive days!! Your meals all look fabulous, i’m going to have to try okra fries soon! Have a wonderful week 🙂
Susan says
I’ve been meaning to make Gena’s pizza cheese forever! I laughed at Matt’s comment about it too 😛
Hope you’re having a relazing morning before class!
Abby says
I’m with everyone else–what prep went into the okra before sticking it in the oven? I would love to make those fries…
Kath says
Megan,
Aw thanks 🙂
Ashley,
Oh noooooo!! I hope you were able to return them!
Re. OKRA:
Washed, rubbed on some olive oil and creole seasoning, baked for 15 minutes at 400* until soft to the bite.
Kath
Kate says
Mmmm, that voluminous plate of foods to dip looks delish! I can never seem to get my tofu to be quite as crsipy as yours looks. It’s probably because I get impatient when draining it. And I’ve never tried okra, but “fries” sound like the perfect way to test this new ingredient!
Emily says
Hi Kath!
I love the idea of the okra fries – can’t wait to try them. Also, I got really excited that your black & white napkins match your black & white chairs. 🙂
Maria says
“But when you’re my size and you find a bra that fits, you MUST buy it.”
That sounded exactly like me whenever I take on the horrific experience of bra shopping. Being flat-chested would be so much easier. Sigh. 😀
Dinner looked like a happy sun of okra.
Seth @ Boy Meets Food says
Am I the only one that noticed the un-holy miracle that happened here???
Kath turned Wine into Water!!!!
Would that be a power of the Antichrist? J/K Kath, everything looks delicious as always.