I view food as a source of entertainment.
What do you expect from a person who goes to Whole Foods when she’s bored?
Sometimes food prep gets a bit mundane. When you’re packing up 3-4 meals a day to take to work, there are only so many options. I wonder if we could get an oven in the office…
This past Sunday marked 6 years since my dad died. As per tradition, my sister and I spent the day with mom at the house we grew up in. We grilled out and had a great time eating (my mom has a similar Whole Foods problem – soooo much delicious food!). It was fun to reminisce and enjoy the gorgeous pool day. And I got to cook with my mom, which I love!
It was also a good opportunity to food prep in a different way. I stopped by the farmer’s market on the way to the house and loaded up on chicken, fish, and veggies. I live in a condo, which means we can’t have grills. Mom, on the other hand, has a gas grill AND a Big Green Egg. It’s been the perfect way to add more variety to my prep!
This week I’ve been especially loving the BBQ chicken I made. It was a really quick marinade, and it packed a punch! I used smoked paprika and my healthy homemade BBQ sauce (I keep a batch on hand all summer) to heat it up. They were a great compliment to the tangy mustard.
You could use your favorite store brought BBQ sauce if you don’t have any homemade. If you’re grill-less like I usually am, this would be fine on a grill pan or baked in the oven.
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This WIAW I wanted to eat each meal consecutively. Between leg day and the excitement of grilled food I was entertained alllll day!
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!
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Breakfast:
My morning cocktail, as always.
I’v been trying out gelatin in the morning and evenings lately. According to these ladies, it’s great for digestion and the skin. This morning I added it to my TVP oats with almond milk, cinnamon, and Stevia, then topped it with strawberries and round 2 of a protein muffin experiment. It made for a voluminous breakfast!
Mid-Morning Snack:
After seeing the paleo sushi Rebecca link up on last week’s #strangebutgood post, I had it in my head to make salmon roll with my coconut paleo wraps. There was no way in hell that can happen due to over-stuffing, so I settled for a regular wrap with local cabbage and carnival cauliflower “rice.” Mustard and some seriously strong wasabi paste on the side.
Typical work day meal…
Lunch:
Grilled Swordfish with the best heirloom tomato of the season and a rogue strawberry. I love how sweet produce is right now! It’s like candy. Ok, not exactly… but it’s good!
Mid-Afternoon Snack:
BBQ Chicken with a TON of grilled veggies. The “sprinkles” on top are some leftover cauliflower rice from my over-stuffed sushi wrap.
If you guys had seen the amount of veggies we had on the grill… whoa. We even grilled half a calabeza squash. It took 3 rounds to cook it all!
Dinner:
I don’t know if you would really call this dinner, but I got back from the gym late and all I could think of was an ice cold smoothie. It was HOT today! I made a version of my Mocha Beet Protein Smoothie Bowl, but minus the coffee and plus some kale. I added a crumbled muffin from the freezer to the top for my post-workout carbs. It’s not pretty, but it hit the spot!
Dessert:
After my cold smoothie I prepped a cold dessert – fro yo! It was peanut butter–chocolate–marshmallow swirl deliciousness.
I mixed goat milk yogurt, peanut flour, gelatin, stevia, and almond milk in a bowl, then swirled in carob powder and trashy Walden Farms sugar-free marshmallow fluff (don’t judge). Then I froze it for about an hour. THEN I topped that with a 1/3 a baked peanut butter Quest bar and 1/3 a baked brownie Quest bar. Good. Night.
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BBQ Mustard Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, lightly beaten (~4 oz each)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 T stone ground mustard
- 2 T BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp avocado oil (or olive)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 drops lemon liquid stevia (or other sweetener)
Lightly beat your chicken breasts to tenderize. Place in a baggie.
In a small bowl combine the marinade ingredients. Add to baggie and smoosh (technical term) around so the chicken is well-coated. Seal baggies and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (the longer the marinate time, the fuller the flavor).
Heat a grill or a grill pan to medium-high and grill chicken, turning regularly. They are done when they’re a light brown, or have reached 170 degrees.*
Transfer to a plate and allow to cool slightly before slicing.
*Note: I ever-so-slightly undercook my chicken when prepping for the week. This way it doesn’t dry out; reheating it in the microwave will cook it that last bit.
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Don’t forget to check in with the #MoveHappy week 2 challenge! I’m hobbling happy after leg day.
Do you ever get in a food rut?
What is your favorite thing to grill? I love grilled fruit!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time- I was planning chicken for dinner but wasn’t sure how I wanted to make it…looks like we have a winner! I’m out of BBQ sauce- do you teriyaki glaze would be a decent replacement? More than a food rut, I definitely get into food grooves where I’m eating the same handful of dishes until I need a change- if it ain’t broke, don’t fix right ;)!
Awesome! Did you do it? I’d love to hear what you thought! Teriyaki sounds like an awesome sub. 🙂
That pool and that grill!! I wanna be there!! So beautiful and I love that you were all together having a good time. I know your Dad was watching you ladies happily!
I once made Paella on the grill. I died and went to heaven.
You would love it at my mom’s. Come visit? 😉
I agree with Luci – I want to be at the pool and grilling! Glad you got to spend the day with your family.
….Sunshine, please enlighten me on the gelatine on the oatmeal shindig- I will go out and get gelatine specifically for it!
Glad you had a good day grilling…that’s alot of G’s in one sentence. Favourite thing to grill? BURGERS!
The purpose was digestion, but you know I dig the added protein and volume!
Thats okay Laura, I love going grocery shopping, and whole foods would definitely be a great place to hang out for boredom…I love looking at all the ingredients and trying to think of things to make. Your eats look wonderful, and grilling in the summer is always welcomed in my life! Haven’t been in a food rut I haven’t liked yet….but I try to make new things every time I cook 🙂
I do the same thing! WF is like a giant Chopped basket. 😉
i get in a food rut during the school year with lunches… which starts all too soon uggggh
I bet you’re so sad to go back!
Grilling . . .. yeeehaw! Got lots of grilling going on this week too — doesn’t get the kitchen hot!
True… it was toasty outside though!
haha my post today is about getting out of a food rut! Great minds think alike and all that jazz 😉 I tend to go for the same things often, so once in a while I have to consciously make a point of changing things up. I want a grill….
PNB marshmellow swirl-how can that not be good?
I’m totally in a food rut right now. I love using mustard in sauces and marinades. Adds great flavor. And I pretty much love to grill anything (except meat). I’ve been grilling peaches for salads lately. Yum
Grilled fruit is the best! I love doing it with watermelon and pineapples too.
Luckily, I have to travel to the big city to go to WF or I would have a problem. It was great your sister and you were able to spend a wonderful day with your mom reminiscing.
I love mustard….is that weird?? I mean I could use it on any meal and be happy!
I have a question about ACV for you….my Naturopath has me taking one teaspoon a morning in water and it tastes horrible? Do you think adding a drop or 2 of stevia would take away any of the results? I do notice it helps with “regularity,” which is great, but good gosh,it tastes horrible!
Thanks my friend! 🙂
Not sure about the ACV. Imix mine with Aminos in my morning cocktail and I feel like it’s working (and it tastes good!). Maybe experiment and see? I’d ask the neuropath, or do a little experimenting and see if you notice a difference. Let me know what you find out!
I too view food a a source of entertainment, something fun to do, a gift even.
Boy do I love food.
A gift is a great one too – I cook for those I care about.
I had TVP oats for breakfast this morning – the first time in ages! Mine was with coffee, almond milk, chocolate stevia, and a little muesli on top (needed more carbs). It was amazing – I forgot how much I like that stuff!!! 🙂
I love making them mocha! I need to go buy more TVP now…
Mmmmm quest bars and mustard chicken! All of your eats look so good!
Oh – this chicken looks awesome!!
I love anything on the grill – partly because it means someone else is cooking!!!
LOL! Seriously… my mom had to do half of it because I’m not a skilled griller!
Is gelatin easy to use? I have wanted to try it but it kinda freaks me out…haha and do you like goat milk yogurt better or is there a different reason you use it?
Really easy! I just toss it in whatever and stir.
I use goat yogurt due to a sensitivity to cow milk. I really do like it though!
YUMMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We cooked soooooo much and had so much fun doing it! And it was without any alcohol!!! Yes food can be intoxicating! Love it when Laura comes to cook!!! Great day….I love my girls and we missed Alli (too bad she lves in Portland Oregpn) 🙁
i want to come to your mom’s house. and grill and celebrate your dad and hug you and make lots of food. ok?
Deal. My mom would adore you.
I’m loving all that grill action, and I think it’s wonderful you all get together as a family and are there for one another on particularly tough days.
AND THIS is why I don’t think we should hang out… Because… I GO TO WHOLE FOODS WHEN I AM BORED TOO – I get food, people watch and trip people because I want to see just how big of a mess they can make. lol.
OMG this one time, my friend and I were in the check out line laughing our asses off at something and my friend sort of fell backwards…. ONTO A BABY IN A STROLLER! It was quite possibly the funniest thing EVER and the kid’s mom started getting pissy and my friend being the DIVA that she is… Started yelling at the mother saying shit like: “LIKE I MEANT TO FALL ON YOUR BABY… Yeah cause I WANTED TO KILL YOUR BABY AND TAKE HIS SEAT” – OMG I CRIED SOOOOO HARD from laughter, I just couldn’t! I am even dying of laughter right now. Okay, that was a tangent! LMFAO!
I am happy you had such a wonderful time spent with your family this past Sunday! 🙂 I am sure there were lots of laughs, regardless of what anniversary it was!
I love your tangents. I would have told that woman to remove the pole from her ass. THAT is why we shouldn’t hang out. LOL!
Great WIAW!
Mmm your dessert is my absolute favourite 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru