Soggy Salad Eater

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Itz Linz

Me oh my I was on the phone with Apple support for an hour and a half last night after visiting the Apple store (which was no help). Jeff from Apple support was so kind, patient, and helpful while he walked me through a million steps. My iPhone said it was almost out of space, and I knew that was an error considering I have nothing but pictures on my phone and only 600 at that. Long story short, we deleted everything off my phone, restored it back to the factory settings, and then brought my pictures back. Now I just have to put Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook back on. You know, the really important apps.

Anyway, we leave town tomorrow for Arizona, so I planned on getting a lot done last night, but that obviously didn’t happen. So today’s WIAW post will be short and sweet and there’s an awesome giveaway comin’ at ya tomorrow! Stay tuned, folks!

Breakfast: Super thick coconut flour pancake topped with Designer Whey white chocolate protein powder sauce. (Mix protein with water until a “saucy” consistency is reached.)

Lunch: Since we’re leaving town tomorrow, our kitchen is a bit bare. So bare that I’ve been taking cereal to work for lunch this week. I’m not a huge cereal fan because there’s just not a ton of nutritional benefits with it, but I do like Special K’s protein plus cereal. It packs 10 grams of protein in one serving (and I eat two servings… at least).

Fresh berries make anything taste better and look prettier, agree?

Attune Foods sponsors Wellness Wednesday today at school. They graciously provided staff members with Erewhon Raising Bran Cereal and Erewhon Organic Honey Grahams. Their philosphy is, “If what you eat is good, and pure, and true to its source, all else will follow.” All cereals are organic and made with non-GMO ingredients.

We certainly will enjoy these tasty, healthy snacks – thanks, Attune Foods!

Dinner: Leftovers from my parents’ house. Leftovers are seriously the best. Jonny and I both love and eat any and all leftovers. (Just ask either of our parents. We never decline leftovers!) Last night was leftover barbecue chicken (thanks, Dad!), leftover salad (thanks, Mom!), and a few bites of leftover unpictured pasta. Yes, I am a soggy salad eater. I do spruce up soggy salads by adding fresh spinach, kale, cabbage, or any kind of green, really. Last night was shredded cabbage that I needed to use up.

Are you a soggy salad eater?

Snow Day

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Itz Linz

We had our first snow day in St. Louis yesterday! And we have another one today! Itz awesome because they called us off the night before, so we got to sleep in. Or at least in theory we would have gotten to sleep in, but at 5:00 in the morning (usual wake up time) I heard Zoey… throwing up in our bed. Not a fun way to wake up, especially on my day off! Luckily she was feeling better later and made up for it with several rounds of fetch and tug-of-war and looking adorable as ever.

Around 9:00 or so, I met my friend Diana at the gym where we completed this workout. Itz always fun meeting friends at the gym and even better when there are no time constraints!

After the gym we came back to my house where I prepared breakfast for us both. I made Diana a pancake and topped it with Designer Whey White Chocolate protein frosting (1 scoop protein powder + a little water), fresh raspberries, and sprinkles. I enjoyed a Three Cheese Quiche, Sausage Links, Peppers, & Onions from Diet-to-Go.

After that is when the snow and ice came, so I was bound to my house for the rest of the day. Well, I visited my grandparents before it got too nasty out. I got a lot done at home which always feels good. I finished my students’ report cards, did laundry, read lots of awesome blogs, threw dinner in the crockpot, and made a fresh batch of my Pulp Bread. Per my grandmother’s suggestion, I increased the cinnamon and honey to make it a tad sweeter, and [like always] she was right! The extra sweetness was delicious and Jonny even noticed a difference, too.

When there was about seven inches of snow on the ground, Jonny decided to go out and start shoveling the driveway. I was feeling a bit stir crazy myself, so we bundled up and headed out. While he shoveled, I took a walk around our neighborhood (I’m such a big help!). It was less than a mile, but holy cow it was tough! Nothing was plowed or shoveled and trekking through thick snow is hard work! It was nice little extra bout of cardio. Good thing I was bundled up!

And that’s how I spent my snow day. Let’s see what today brings!

How’s the weather where you live? Plans this weekend?

Designer Whey Awesomeness

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Itz Linz

Y’all already know about my protein powder lovin’ and thanks to FitFluential and Designer Whey my love was fueled even more! I literally squealed in excitement as I opened up this amazing package:

Designer Whey AWESOMENESS! Protein powders, protein shakes, protein bars, protein drink mixes, protein galore! Can you sense my excitement? And you better believe when I saw that White Chocolate protein powder I jumped with joy! White Chocolate protein powder?! Unbelievable.

When you add just a tiny bit of water to protein powder (& maybe some sprinkles) and call it “fudge,” you know itz good!

It was like eating dessert for breakfast! Designer Whey Protein Powders pack 100 calories, 18 grams of protein, and just 2 grams of sugar per scoop. Those are some great stats. And the flavors? I’ve already said this, but white chocolate protein powder? I can’t get over how delicious it is. The French Vanilla is also awesome, and I’d love to try the Vanilla Almond and Vanilla Praline (huge vanilla lover over here!). They have several chocolate flavors, plain, and strawberry, too!

My Sunflower Seed Vanilla Almond Oatmeal worked beautifully with the French Vanilla protein; it mixed perfectly (not clumpy at all!) and the sunflower seed butter was a great compliment to the flavor.

Designer Whey Protein Powders also offer an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B! Itz made for the perfect post-workout smoothie, and I even throw spinach in for more nutrients and vitamins. This awesome mix consisted of Designer Whey French Vanilla, ground flaxseeds, ice, Silk vanilla almond milk, and loads of fresh spinach. Gotta love the bright green color!

I haven’t tasted the Designer Whey High-Protein Shakes yet, but I suspect they’ll taste as good as the rest of their products. Each shake consists of just 100 calories and are lactose and gluten-free. These will be perfect when I’m in a rush or need a portable snack. Just yesterday morning I had a piece of my Pulp Bread for breakfast. While it was delicious, it was definitely lacking in protein, so about an hour later I was hungry.

I decided it was time for me to try the Designer Whey Protein 2Go! I was on my way out the door, didn’t need a full meal, and wanted something quick. Honestly, I was a little hesitant about these – I’m not one for just mixing protein powder with water. (Unless itz fudge or pudding.) I find that itz usually chalky and clumpy and just not that good. I was very much surprised with these 2Go packets! I gave it a quick shake and, almost instantly, it dissolved.

I think they call it a “drink mix” instead of a “shake” because itz not a shake by any measure (which I liked). It was much thinner than a shake, and tasted good, too. It reminded me of those Crystal Light packets, but it was better since it was packed with protein. I really don’t think you can beat the stats on it either: 50 calories, 10 grams of protein. I’ve only tried the Lemonade flavor, but there’s also Mixed Berry and Tropical Orange, both of which sound tasty.

The last thing in the box was the Designer Whey Protein Bars. These are awesome (like everything else!), and not only have they satisfied my hunger, but they’ve been great for my sweet tooth, too. They remind me of Kudo’s bars actually, but obviously better since they’re loaded with protein!

So glad I snuck that bar in at the Billiken’s game to tide me over until dinner. Way better and way healthier than stadium snacks! This post is becoming a bit long-winded; there’s just so much Designer Whey Awesomeness! I’ll leave you with one last drool worthy picture – itz my coconut flour pancakes topped with Designer Whey White Chocolate protein frosting (simply mix the protein powder with water until desired consistency is reached).

Mmm, mmm, mmm! Designer Whey has stolen my heart!

Which Designer Whey flavor or product sounds best to you? Have you tried Designer Whey before?

*FitFluential & Designer Whey provided me with the products for review purposes only. All opinions are my own.

Itz WIAW

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Itz Linz

Itz Wednesday which means itz a WIAW party over at Peas and Crayons! My eats yesterday were very random, mostly healthy, and totally delicious. I love food, so pretty much everything I eat is delicious. Breakfast is obviously first and that was my most put together meal of the day. I went with my Coconut Flour Pancake - itz always a good one! (I used two whole eggs instead of 1/4 cup egg whites.)

I topped it with coconut oil and fresh blueberries and strawberries. So good I didn’t even need syrup! I highly recommend spreading a thin layer of coconut oil on your pancakes; it makes the world of difference!

Lunch was… interesting. I grabbed a bunch of stuff from my fridge and decided I’d assemble it all at school. My intentions were to have a whole wheat tortilla filled with avocado, spinach, and raw peppers. However, when I cut into my avocado, I saw it was not good at all. #fail But then I noticed in the teacher’s lounge was a tray of taco dip that a co-worker made. I spread a couple scoops of that in my tortilla then added the spinach and pepper slices. It worked and was actually tasty!

I made and ate a second one after the first. The tortillas I use are La Tortilla Factory Smart & Delicious. They pack 7 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein! And they only have 50 calories on top of it all. Great stats for a tortilla.

Mediterranean Snacks sponsored my school’s Wellness Wednesday and provided us with Baked Lentil Chips & Baked Lentil Crackers. Lentils are among the world’s healthiest foods and are high in protein, iron, vitamin B1 and essential minerals for a healthy diet.

I had a bag of the Baked Lentil Chips for a snack. I think the Rosemary flavored chips have the most flavor. They all pack a great crunch though!

I had a meeting after school yesterday and was pretty hungry after school. I munched on a couple of things (like the Tropical Rice Pudding I have leftover in my fridge), made Jonny a peanut butter sandwich for his lunch tomorrow (and snuck a couple spoonfuls of pb), and then decided I should probably prepare food for dinner instead of munching my way through the kitchen. Our fridge is a bit bare, and I didn’t feel like waiting for any meat from our freezer to defrost.

I had a butternut squash in the pantry that needed to be used, so I roasted it on 400 for about 30 minutes and sprinkled cinnamon on top. Then I steamed some [frozen] broccoli and topped it with nooch sauce (nutritional yeast + Silk almond milk).

Since there wasn’t much protein in this, I knew I’d be hungry later. I had a bag of Bob’s Red Mill Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in my pantry and decided to last night was the night they would get made! I enjoyed a couple of cookies with milk for a bedtime snack.

The rest of the batch will be taken to school to share my with team. These cookies aren’t healthy, but itz all about moderation! I love my indulgences!

What’s the best thrown together meal you’ve made lately?

Coconut Flour Pancakes

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Itz Linz

To the ordinary eye, this may look like any old pancake.

But take a closer (or read this post), and you’ll soon learn that this is not just an ordinary pancake. Instead, itz a coconut flour pancake that is delicious, nutritious, and wildly easy to make!

Coconut Flour Pancake

~makes 1 large pancake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup each coconut flour, milk, egg whites
a few drops vanilla NuNaturals
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

Combine all ingredients.
Cook over medium-low heat, being careful not to burn.
Flip pancake to cook the back side.
Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

I added a little maca powder and wheat germ to mine, too, but you don’t have to. I like to bulk up my pancakes, oatmeal, and smoothies by sneaking in other ingredients. Chia seeds and flax seeds often make an appearance, as well.

What’s different about these coconut flour pancakes is that they are thicker and more moist than the traditional pancake. They’re not light and fluffy; no, no, they are dense and filling and wonderful. I find that fresh strawberries, unsweetened shredded coconut, and a drizzle of maple syrup are my favorite toppings, though a smear of coconut oil adds a whole other level of richness! Just look at the beauty:

What are your favorite pancake toppings?

Itz WIAW!

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Itz Linz

Happy Wednesday, folks! Itz a splendid week, wouldn’t you say? The weather here in St. Louis has been unbelievable lately. Cool mornings, warm afternoons, sun shining, blue skies, a hint of fall in the air, but itz not quite here yet.

Many j’adore la vie moments happening outdoors. Let’s add to the loveliness by celebrating WIAW with Jenn at Peas and Crayons, shall we?

Fall into good habits by always eating breakfast. Your momma told you, you’ve read it before, you know itz true – so just do it already! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! I always eat a rather large breakfast packed with protein and nutrients. Like this peanut flour pancake.

Topped with fresh strawberries, bananas, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Mmm! Lunch has been more of the same: rainbow salad.

Not quite as pretty packed in tupperware, but still a satisfying lunch. Just can’t go wrong with tons of veggies, pinto beans, and tuna with a homemade avocado, plain greek yogurt, and lime juice dressing.

Yesterday was a jam-packed day: morning workout, meeting before school, school, coach soccer practice directly after school, get home at 6:30 hungry and wanting dinner stat. Lucky for me, my hubby took care of dinner last night and had it waiting on the patio table when I got home. We started with a salad.

Then ate a big-oh-bowl of whole wheat pasta mixed with ground turkey, peas, broccoli, and red sauce. Easy, tasty dinner, for sure.

Funny story: I took pictures of my bowls when Jonny was still inside preparing his own bowls. Later at night, he asked me if I liked dinner. I told him of course, and he replied, “Oh, well you didn’t take pictures, so I figured my meal wasn’t good enough.” Silly boy, don’t you know your wifey always takes pictures of yummy food? Shortly after this conversation, he pulled out a carton from the freezer for dessert.

You better believe I snatched that bad boy so fast to take a ~~bite~~ picture! Ben & Jerry’s Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Yogurt – highly recommended. And possibly a fall staple.

What is your fall staple dessert? I have not yet hopped on the pumpkin bandwagon for fall. No worries, next time I head to the grocery store I’ll be sure to pick up a can or four.

Peanut Flour Pancake

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Itz Linz

My good mood has continued, and I totally and completely rocked my morning run yesterday. (My Facebook fans already know this!) I attribute my awesome run to the fact I had been so focused on staying positive and thinking happy thoughts since feeling crummy last weekend. I’m not going to lie: there are tons of fall half-marathons all over the country that I keep reading about. Itz kind of giving me an itch. Last October I ran two half-marathons within three weeks of another and I was totally done with running for awhile.

Six months later I decided it was time to run again. I didn’t do anything serious, but started here and there, completed RWRunStreak and have been going strong (one or more miles a day!) ever since. Anyway, I got the itch bad yesterday, and decided I would go on a long[er] run than I had been doing. I woke up, and threw on a lovely all blue outfit – I felt like one of my third graders who wear the same color from head to toe.

At least it was a pretty blue? It was dark when I started running (so people couldn’t see my blue anyway!), and I literally could not read my Garmin until I heard the first beep indicating I’d reached a mile. I knew I wanted to run at least four miles, and since I do an out and back by my house, I had to decide after two miles if I would go on or turn around. Well, I was feeling really strong, so I went for it. My goal is always ten minute miles or less, so when I approached five miles and saw my time, I was very happy!

9:18 average pace. After only running 1 – 3 miles a day for the past three months, and not running longer than that for an even greater amount of time, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was stoked! This fed my itch to run even more, and I can’t wait to continue. I do need to remind myself to take it easy and not go too far too fast, because I don’t want to experience the knee pain I had last October. After my run, I was starving, so now let’s talk food for Jenn’s WIAW.

It had been awhile since I’d made pancakes, and I really wanted to use the peanut flour I’d recently bought. I threw some ingredients together, and ended up creating the prettiest pancake I’ve ever made! Check out this beauty:

Here is a rough estimate of what I used: 1/3 cup peanut flour, 1/3 cup eggwhites, 1 tsp ground flaxseed, 1/2 scoop vanilla Sunwarrior protein powder, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and a splash of vanilla almond milk. I ended up topping my pancake with a little cashew butter and pure maple syrup, but it covered up the prettiness of the pancake, so itz going unpictured.

On Monday and Tuesday my lunch was a rainbow salad. Last night Jonny and his dad went to a Phish concert and picked up Crazy Bowls & Wraps. Because my father-in-law is so wonderful, he picked me up a dish, too! I ended up going to a friend’s house last night for dinner (pizza!), so I took this powerbowl for lunch today.

Lettuce, grilled chicken, beans, broccoli, cheese, and corn salsa. So tasty! Dinner is currently in the crockpot. Good ol’ trusty crockpot to the rescue during these busy days. I threw in a bag of (uncooked) black beans, chicken, unsalted chicken broth, frozen veggies, and diced tomatoes. Dinner shall be served when I walk through the door.

What’s your go-to crockpot dish? Have any stellar runs/workouts lately?

Better Than Chocolate Marvelous Giveaway

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Itz Linz

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Who doesn’t like chocolate? Not many, probably. However, some may not love the [lack of] health benefits that processed, sugar- and fat- laden chocolate delivers. I’ve got a solution that won’t you won’t feel guilty about (and neither will your pants!). Itz marvelous, indeed, which is perfect for today’s Marvelous Monday with Diva Katie!

Navitas Naturals sent me a bag of Organic Raw Cacao Powder to try. I had so many ideas for what I could use this for, but first let me tell you some stats about this marvelous Mayan superfood!

South American cultures have been enjoying cacao for its healthful and invigorating properties for thousands of years.
100% pure cacao powder – certified organic, kosher, vegan, & raw.
The bean of the cacao plant is the nutritional and flavorful source for all chocolate and cocoa products.
Cacao contains a naturally rich supply of antioxidants and is a good source of dietary fiber.
It is known to be one of the highest dietary sources of magnesium, flavanols, and polyphenols.
The unsweetened cacao powder is cold-pressed and milled at low temperatures to protect the nutrients.
Can be used in baking, desserts, sauces, spreads, smoothies, & beverages. (source)

Pretty impressive, eh? What I love most is that it contains NO sugar, but it does have quite a few grams of fiber and even a few grams of protein. Awesomesauce. Now let me show you just some of the marvelous ways I have been enjoying the cacao.

Mixed in with many different Chobani cups of greek yogurt.

Strawberry being my favorite because I love strawberries (any berries) + chocolate! I made a chocolate pancake and topped it with strawberries and Artisana coconut butter. (Again, strawberries + chocolate = killer combo!)

I made a Cherry Cacao smoothie as a post-workout snack. Did you know that consuming cherries after a workout can speed up your recovery? Yessir.

Since pancakes are a staple for my breakfast routine, I wanted to use the cacao as a topping. I made a blueberry pancake and then topped it with Maple Cacao Almond Butter sauce and more blueberries - AMAZING!

Maple Cacao Almond Butter Sauce

Ingredients:

1 tbsp cacao
1 – 2 tbsp almond butter
2 – 3 tbsp vanilla almond milk
1 tsp chia seeds (for thickening)
few drops of pure maple syrup

Directions:

Heat almond butter in microwave for 1 minute.
Combine all ingredients.
Let sit for a few minutes to thicken.

This was an awesome topper to my pancake, but I imagine it would be equally amazing in oatmeal, or even spread on a sandwich.

Navitas Naturals also sent me two more stellar products – Cacao Goji Power Snack and Cacao Lip Balm!

Goji is a superfood, too, and the snack bites were very tasty. I’d like to try to recreate something like that at home. A girl can never have too many lip balms, and the cacao one smelled good, tasted good, and felt good – Win, win!

Another recipe I made using the cacao was one I had been wanting to try for a long time: Avocado Mousse. Avocados are getting a lot of rave recently – as they should be – for their healthy fats and there are recipes being created out of the wazoo. I love avocados and I knew the avocado – cacao combo would be stellar.

And I was right. Combine 1 avocado, 3 tablespoons cacao, 3 tablespoons agave, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and 1/2 vanilla almond milk in food processor and pulse until smooth. Place in refrigerator until chilled and serve with your favorite berry!

With all these marvelous cacao combinations, you’ve probably got a hankerin’ sweet tooth, eh? Well, drool no longer because the kind folks at Navitas Naturals are giving one lucky Itz Linz reader a bag of their Organic Raw Cacao Powder!

Here’s how to enter:

Tell me how you would use the cacao.
Follow Itz Linz on Twitter and tweet, “What’s better & healthier than chocolate? CACAO! Win a bag of @NavitasNaturals Organic Raw Cacao Powder from @ItzLinz! http://wp.me/p264zq-HH” and leave a comment telling me you did.
Subscribe to Itz Linz (enter your e-mail address in the top right corner of site).
Follow Itz Linz on Pinterest.

Don’t forget to become a fan of Itz Linz on Facebook, too! This giveaway will be open until Friday, July 27th at 9:00 pm CST and a winner will be randomly selected on Saturday, July 28th, 2012. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen. Best of luck!

*Disclaimer: Beyond the ~~chocolatey~~ cacao treats that Navistas Naturals sent me, I was not compensated for this post.

Friday Facts

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Itz Linz

1. Sometimes, when I go to bed after Jonny and Zoey, I find that my spot is taken.

But I’m ok with it (especially when I get a picture) because itz so darn cute.

2. For those of you that follow me on Instagram (follow me at ItzLinz), you probably saw my beautiful looking pancake yesterday morning. More often than not, my pancakes have difficulty flipping (itz the pancake’s fault, not mine – obviously), so when they turn out, I get happy. And yesterday’s was especially pretty!

I topped it with fresh strawberries and Artisana coconut butter. My pancake yesterday was an easy recipe of 2 eggs, 1/3 cup oats, dash of milk, 1 tsp ground flaxseeds, and 1/2 tsp baking powder.

3. I’ve been obsessed with coffee recently. Usually, I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but I do enjoy a cup here and there. Coffee tends to be more of a vacation thing for me; not sure why. I don’t need coffee or caffeine in the morning to get going. However, lately itz been more about the creamer than it has about the coffee.

We first discovered Natural Bliss Sweet Cream when Jonny and I vacationed in Arizona earlier this year. Robbie and Becca had a huge jug of this in their fridge that Jonny and I went through embarrassingly fast. We bought them another, but I’m pretty sure we went through that, too. Obviously, adding cream and sugar to coffee is not a nutritional star, but like I always preach: everything in moderation is fine. Although there hasn’t been much moderation with the creamer over here, so I should probably stop buying it.

Actually, I intended on just buying it once – as a treat. So I bought a huge jug (not pictured). But then my sister tried it at our house and was hooked! (Surprise surprise, copy cat again. ) Well, she couldn’t find the creamer at her normal grocery store, so being the kind sister I am, I picked one up for her. Well, I forgot to bring it to her. Again, and again, and again. Then, we ran out of ours, so I opened hers. ~~#coffeeaddict~~ #coffeecreameraddict

4. I recently bought these awesome green Birkenstocks on Rue La La.

My mother-in-law got me hooked on Birkstenstocks, and now itz the only sandal I’ll wear. They are perfect for my high arches, and stylish, too. The green ones make my third pair. And when I find them for half the price, well, itz no question there.

5. I’m working out with my brother Jason this morning. He asked me to kick his butt for a legs workout, so we’ll be doing this one.

We both can expect major DOMS. Itz a killer every time!

6. Speaking of Jason, he gets a High Five for today.

Jason was recently asked to be the VP of Sales for Push Global Proximity Marketing - bringing new bluetooth and smartphone marketing to local businesses. This is quite the honor and a job that he will definitely succeed at (as always). Well-deserving of a high-five!

My mom also gets a high-five for having hand surgery yesterday. She is recovering like the strong woman she always is and I aspire to be.

I chose to use a picture of me and my mom from Barbie’s wedding instead of the picture my dad sent of my mom in the hospital bed (though that was pretty, too!). You’re welcome, Momma! We’ll give my mom a figurative high-five instead of a literal high-five, since… well… her hand and all… #dumbjoke

Thank you, Meg, for another edition of High Five Friday!

And now I’m off to ~~drink my third cup of coffee~~ meet Jason at the gym.

Tell me a Friday Fact about yourself!

Itz WIAW

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Itz Linz

And just like that, itz the last Wednesday in June! Where does the time go? Let’s get right to it and start this WIAW party with the others at Peas and Crayons!

Breakfast: Pancake made with oats, egg, applesauce, cinnamon, peaches, and vanilla almond milk. Topped with more peaches, shredded unsweetened coconut, and Barlean’s Mango-Peach Omega Swirl Fish Oil. Speaking of delicious fish oils, don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a Pina Colada Omega Swirl ($25 value!).

So delicious. The Pina Colada Omega Swirl would taste amazing with bananas and coconut. The Omega Swirls are seriously better than syrup and way healthier!

Snack-time: Tons of healthy banana bread bites! A bite here. A bite there. Lotsa bites everywhere.

So many bites that now it’s gone. Boo.

Lunch: Beast of a salad. I started with a bag of broccoli slaw then diced up a green pepper, red pepper, yellow squash, part of a red onion, and added sunflower seeds, almond slivers, black beans, and corn.

For the dressing, I mashed up an avocado and added some lemon and lime juice, a few drops of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and spicy mustard. Random combo, but it worked! This made a gigantic salad, so I’ve been eating it all week. I had the afterthought to dice up an apple or add raisins for some sweetness. Maybe next time.

Dinner: Grill success! After my latest grill disaster, I was determined to make it work on the grill. I kept it simple with asparagus and tofu. The asparagus was lightly sprayed with olive oil and just a dash of sea salt was used. The tofu was marinated in Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce.

Avocado slices were enjoyed on the side for a nice dose of healthy fats. Dinner was amazing. Even Jonny said that tofu on the grill was “unbelievable.” (His words, not mine – promise!) The only minor mishap was that I forgot to spray the grill as directed by my wise father as well as everyone else on google, so the tofu didn’t flip as nicely as it should have. Lesson learned.

Dessert: Papaya! I love papaya and last weekend my dad bought me a giant one at the Farmer’s Market. I do think the little seed/bally things on the inside look kind of gross, but fortunately they are super easy to scoop out.

The papaya was perfectly ripe, and I scooped it right out with a spoon.

That does it for this week’s WIAW!

Tell me about your favorites: summertime foods and/or grilled foods!

Itz Linz

itz the life of linz

Tag Archives: pancake

Soggy Salad Eater

Snow Day

Designer Whey Awesomeness

Itz WIAW

Coconut Flour Pancakes

Itz WIAW!

Peanut Flour Pancake

Better Than Chocolate Marvelous Giveaway

Friday Facts

Itz WIAW