Here comes the rooster.
Bonus points if you can name that song..
Many of us have fallen in love with the spicy sauce, but did you know it has an interesting back story? Β Yesterday I came across this article explaining Β the history of “the world’s coolest hot sauce.”
It’s inventor and CEO, David Tran, came to the US from Vietnam in 1980 homeless. Β Unable to find a hot sauce to satisfy him in the States, he simply made his own withΒ hybrid red jalapeΓ±o peppers, vinegar, sugar, salt, and garlic. Β He only hoped to make a sauce worthy of a traditional Vietnamese pho. Β He just discovered that sushi chefs have been using it for years to make spicy rolls! Β His use of a specific fresh chili is what sets him apart – and manufacturing is dictated by their 10 week, 100 million pound harvest.
Even more mind-blowing is that he has never hired a single salesman, spent any money on advertising, or used social media. Β βItβs all been word of mouth,” Tran says. Β As a marketing professional, this blows my mind!
I don’t know where my brain was last week when I said 3 weeks. Β THISΒ WIAW I amΒ 3 weeksΒ from my next competition! Β Just a couple of diet tweaks so far, and we added 15 mins of HIIT cardio. Β Anticipation of asparagus is high…
Read on for my eats, and then check outΒ Jenn’s blogΒ for everyone else delicious creations!
Breakfast:
As usual, I started the day I with myΒ AminosΒ and ACVΒ morning cocktail. Β I swear it’s more energizing than coffee.
My breakfast was warm and comforting one on a chilly, rainy morning. Β PumpkinΒ pie-esque oatmeal, with a serious protein punch. Β I really like adding eggs and TVP for texture as well as protein; it makes this into a custard-like bowl of oatmeal.
Pumpkin Pie Spiced Oatmeal
- 1/4 C TVP
- 1/4 C rolled oats
- 1/2 C water
- 1/2 C egg whites
- 1/4 c pumpkin purΓ©e
- 1.2 tsp cinnamon,
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Stevia or other sweetener, to taste
In a small pot prepare oatmeal and TVP as normal. Β
When just done, add remaining Β ingredients, stirring rapidly to incorporate eggs before they scramble.
Pour into a bowl (or coffee mug) and enjoy!
Mid-Morning Snack:
Leftovers fromΒ this Sheepshead fishΒ I prepared over the weekend, along with some roasted veggies. Β And a few unpictured rice cakes.
Lunch:
Cod, hummus, red pepper slices, cucumber, and sweet potato doused in cinnamon. Β Standard fare for Gantt chart reviewing.
Mid-Afternoon Snack:
I love that I can getΒ salmon sashimiΒ from the massive international market here. Β It’s fresh and it’s cheap. Β Often I eat it plain, but I saw Jenn’s cucumber rolls and had to give it a go.
I only had 4 survivorsΒ (I need more practice), but they are so much fun to eat! Β I rolled them up with red peppers and asparagus, and dipped it all (including thatΒ sweet potato) in wasabi.
As delicious as it was, the best part was that my pancake-on-stick-eating coworker said it was so “pretty” that he wanted one. Β I handed it over and he loved it! Β Our food comparisons have become a running office joke… I love these guys.
Dinner:
Dinner was a super-quick saute of bok choy, green onions, sugar peas, and garlic in lime juice, coconut oil, and an Indian spice blend. Β It turned out so well that the rest was just details – chicken (made during Sunday food prep) and injera (Ethiopian teff bread).
Dessert:
I’ve been on a giant Greek yogurt bowl kick lately. Β That has to stop. Β 3 weeks out from my competition my trainer sad no more. Β The idea is to eliminate foods that could bloat. Β Dairy is one of them. Β No worries. Β I’ll just have Red Velvet Cake.
The deliciousness below is basically my 150 Calorie Chocolate Protein Cake, but I used Cocoa Cardio* instead of cocoa powder. Β Topped with popcorn, cacao nibs, and Nuttzo.
Β *Cocoa Cardio fromΒ iHerb.Β UseΒ discount codeΒ USO924Β for $5-10 off your order!
Red Velvet Protein Mugcake
- 22g chocolate protein powder (I used 2/3 scoop Growing Naturals)
- 1 scoop (7.5 g) Cocoa Cardio*
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp no sodium baking powder
- 3 T unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 egg white (or flax egg)
- 2 T pumpkin puree (can also use applesauce)
- ~8 drops NuNaturals orange pure liquid stevia
- Optional toppings: popcorn, cacao nibs, nut butter
Place dryΒ ingredientsΒ in a small bowl and stir to combine. Β Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until smooth.
Transfer to a large, greased (I use coconut oil) coffee mug and microwave for 1:30 mins.
Tip the cake out onto a plate and top as desired. Β My cake wasΒ topped with nut butter, cacao nibs, and popcorn.
Makes 1 cake.
Β *Cocoa Cardio fromΒ iHerb.Β UseΒ discount codeΒ USO924Β for $5-10 off your order! Β You can also leave it out or use cocoa powder and 1/8 C beet puree to keep it red.Β
***
Thank you all of all of the kind comment on yesterday’s post. Β It’s sometimes hard for me to tap into the more emotional side – I use humor more often than not. So thank you for being empathetic and kind.
Are you a sriracha fan? Β What’s your favorite thing to add it to?
Have you ever attempted a homemade Asian roll? Β Oddly, I found the cucumber easier than dealing with rice paper or seaweed.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
YUM! Those asian rolls look delicious and I bet that the cukes were easier to work with than seaweed! And such a great story behind Sriracha. That awesome.
Laura says
Much easier! They also kept well overnight – I prepped them for work and they don’t get soggy like seaweed.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
THOSE CUCUMBER ROLLS> I order them whenever I am at my favorite sushi joint. But now I should just really make them at home. I saw them on Jenn’s site the other day, tried to pin, failed miserably and walked away from my computer is dismay. And now you just reminded me of my FAIL! lol!!
However, you made me feel MUCH MUCH better with that Sriracha picture π however, I already KNEW! lol!!
Sue says
Alice in chains? Gosh, I love 90s grunge!
My husband is Sriracha fan, too, but I prefer that sweet chili sauces that is often served with mini springrolls. So sugary, but so so good!
Those cucumber rolls look so cute! We sometimes make regular sushi (we call it kimbap) at home. It’s actually a great finger food, ideal for long road trips. I fill my rolls with avocado, cucumber, pickled radish, and omlett stripes, and my husband adds surimi to his.
Laura says
Same here – makes me want to dig out my flannel. π
PavementRunner says
ROOSTER SAUCE!
All of your dishes are so colorful, which is great… now the big question is, what is that plate with the ears?
Laura says
I wasn’t sure what it was! It looked like a cute baby cub of some sort.
lucie@swissfitchick says
Oh my Gosh, I was the freakiest Grunge Chic back in the 90’s. Bring back those memories!
I do my tvp/oatmeal EXACTLY like you, love it! I sometimes leave it overnight and it turns into a bake. SO good. I love that the pancake-guy wanted your sushi roll! My coworkers ate my organic/healthy chocolate-apple muffins yesterday, score!
Oooh, 3 weeks!! So exciting!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
No advertising at all? Wow. That is very impressive. Your cuke rolls look awesome. I need to try that!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I never tried sriracha until I visited the states- here its all about Tabasco- silly us, not knowing what we’re missing!
Cant wait to see how some asparagus twerking- its in season here now so lets see some unique ways to use it….and some… nice scents π
Red velvet mug cake…. you proteinius!
Laura says
Sriracha > Tabasco. Big time. Like Vegemite > Marmite. π
Miz says
I LOVE LOVE YOUR EMOTIONAL SIDE.
it makes me wanna do some kinda somethingsomething project TOGETHER.
Laura says
I’d LOVE that!!! You are a constant inspiration.
Linz @ Itz Linz says
super impressed with your homemade sushi! i love sushi but have never and probably will never attempt to make it at home! my older brother makes his own and itz AMAZING! (& super time consuming lol)
Laura says
These were actually faster than rolls… but it’s one of those things you have to do 1-2x to get the hang of it!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
We add sriracha to lots of things! Vishnu is a spicy food fanatic so it’s perfect for when I make something the perfect amount of spicy for me and not enough for him. Luckily it blends well with Indian food. π
Laura says
I don’t understand people that don’t want spicy Indian. I ask them to turn it up for me when I go out!
Pamela Hernandez says
Love all the mug recipes I’ve been seeing lately. I am definitely going to try this one and share with my clients. Thanks!
Fran@BCDC says
Now that I have TVP (!!!) I think I’ll try the pumpkin oats. Yum…Have a great day, Laura!!
Laura says
I’m so excited to hear your thoughts on TVP!!!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
Eric and I got a sushi-making kit last Christmas but we’ve been too afraid to test it out yet – it’s intimidating! Looks like you managed to make yours work though!
Laura says
You should try it! The good part is that even if you mess it up, it still tastes good. π
Lee says
I’ve made sushi at a friends house a couple of times. We weren’t half bad at it!
When are we going out for Ethiopian food again? The injera made me want some.
Laura says
We do need to! 3 more weeks? π
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says
I love Sriracha! It is my go-to hot sauce. Love the story behind it . I always thought the it was an Asian hot sauce that was imported to this country.
Eating 4 Balance says
Word of mouth is the best for advertisements! I know I’m ten times more likely to buy a product recommended by a friend or family member than just off a tv ad. That story about the sriracha man is so interesting!
I thought Jenn’s sushi rolls sounded fabulous. And that red velvet mug cake beats greek yogurt any day in my opinion π
Nicole @ FruitnFitness says
Everything looks good, especially the pumpkin pie breakfast! How fun to have pumpkin pie for breakfast and red velvet for dessert!
Laura says
I didn’t even think of that, but I guess i had my fall desserts covered! π
Court Star @ StarSystemz says
That is insane, I wish I could do that word of mouth I mean I do travel all over I guess I just need to be a bit more VOCAL. I just started eating greek yogurt and its been so addicting! I do notice my abs are not poking out so much anymore but thats ok for now..maybe one day I will be competing like you!! I can not wait to see all of your posts on the competition! Lots of Love! C
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Gotta love Alice in Chains. We go through a ton of sriracha in our household. Pretty much goes with everything right? And I finally started using the tvp for oatmeal – but good golly the first time I tried 1/4 cup and like 1 tbsp oats, I couldn’t finish it. Thought my tummy was going to blow up. I can only do about 1/8 cup and about 2 – 2 1/2 tbsp oats. I don’t know how you add egg to that. OH, I will say that I soak the oats and tvp overnight and then just add more water and nuke in the morning. Timesaver tip.
Laura says
I dipped coconut soft serv in sriracha once… so, yeah… agreed it goes with anything. π
This is why I run late every day: I make oats fresh in a pot the old school way. One day I’ll learn…
Jody - Fit at 55 says
LOVE your easy recipes!!!! That mug cake sounds amazing – now to find out what that cocoa cardio is & if I can replaces with cocoa powder.. π
I keep seeing sriracha at TJs & have not bought in case I don’t like – of course I could take back but what does it taste like? π
3 weeks – YIKES!!!!!
Laura says
Jody, i want you to know that I actually thought of you a simplified this. xo
And YES you must try sriracha.
Jody - Fit at 55 says
You are so sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! π
RavieNomNoms says
AIC!!! Love me some Alice and Chains, I saw them in concert. Totally awesome.
I love Sriracha. It is terrible, but I put it on all sorts of things. Soups, eggs, sammies…love it!
I need to try those cuke rolls! YUM
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Cool story! And how did I not know you were a marketing professional? Maybe I need to hire you as I try to grow my health coaching business locally… π
Laura says
I’ll gladly help you! π
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist says
I adore sriracha and always ask for a container of it when I order sushi!
His story is so cool. Did you know that Krispie Kreme is the same way? All word of mouth! Crazy!
Laura says
I did! KK is based here… that hot sign is ALWAYS on. π
Kierston @candyfit says
I’ve been having that hot sauce since I was a kid. It’s always been in our fridge π It’s amazing how much it has grown in popularity!
Lovin’ the eats today! I also like how you added popcorn to your cake!
Lauren @ LaurenPhelpsCoaching says
Cucumber sushi looks amazing!! Looks like a great day of food! Have a fabulous day!
Laura says
Thank you! Food is my favorite training component. π
Hannah says
I’m eating my black sesame tvp “oats” for lunch right now π x
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
How are we being so similar recently yet living so far apart? You know I was a week off of the competition date too, right? Kirk corrected me this weekend (which I was both happy & sad about). And both posting TVP Oatmeal today? Craziness. And yes…I love sriracha. It’s amazing!
Laura says
That IS weird! Strange competition minds think alike?! No more TVP for me now though. Boo!!!!
Kelsey says
My favorite food to eat doused in sriracha is avocado…something about the creamy-ness + spicy= perfection. Also, I now have “Rooster” from Alice in Chains in my head. Oh yeah, gotta love 90s grunge metal! Do I get the points?? π
Laura says
Sriracha is perfect for avocado – I love the heat against the cool avocado!
And yes – you get the points. π
Brittany @ Little b's healthy habits says
Oh my I need to look in to where I can get sashimi grade salmon near me– cucumber rolls are my absolute favorite!
Laura says
Check the Asian markets – they usually have the best prices too!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I love me some mugcakes!! I am intrigued by this cardio cocoa… I need to look that up!
Alex @ therunwithin says
so delicious per usual, I still have yet to have pumpkin anything. fail for the fall season
She Rocks Fitness says
LOVE me some Sriracha on just about everything! I would have to say my favorite is PIZZA! I have never attempted making sushi…I leave that up to the professionals. π Happy Hump Day!
Jennifer F says
Well, yeah, I’ve been using Sriracha for probably 20 years. I’m hot like that π
Laura says
That’s hot. π
Khushboo says
I looove Sriracha! I was so pleasantly surprised to see it as the Thai restaurant I lunched in earlier this week- it defo added a necessary kick to the meal :D!
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
THREE WEEKS?! Woo hoo…it’s getting close!! So excited for you sweetie! And ok, I have to say I’m getting a bit of a chuckle out of the fact that I just noticed those plates have names on them! Hahaha! I know I already said this on Insta, but gah, I’m so dang jealous of your sashimi!! The closest thing I can get around here is smoked salmon which is good, but yeah, you can only eat so much of that stuff before your tongue starts getting raw! π I’ve only attempted sushi-making once (remember my avocado cabbage rolls for MMAZ?) and yeah, that was a biotch! I much rather prefer making summer rolls…even if I do sometimes curse the rice paper for sticking to every damn thing! Lol
I like sriracha but only in smaaaaaaaaaaaaall doses…because I’m a pansy…and it gives me heartburn! I think I’ll just stick to my chili garlic Cholula which I used to dose a plate of eggs, veggies, and butternut squash the other day! So good!
Laura says
Kristina tried to teach me how to do rice rolls, but I’m still hopeless. At least with sushi it still tasted good when you ruin it (unlike all the stuff I burn… LOL!).
I’m just glad we got you hooked on the Cholula. It’s the gateway drug – mark my words! π
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate says
I still can’t get over the name sheepshead haha…so funny. I really need to try to make those rolls, although I have a feeling my survivor count will be even less than yours…
Allison @ Life's a Bowl says
I love hot sauces but I’m not a huge fan of sriracha… Whomp, whomp π TJ’s has a great jalapeno hot sauce that I love!
Wendy says
I am a huge fan of anything hot and spicy! I love sriracha and also some of the hot sauces from TJ’s. I would love to try the cuke rolls- but am afraid to use my mandolin- LOL! For now, I’ll continue to pick them up from my local Asian restaurant. I cannot wait to try the Red Velvet Mugcake- YUM!!!!
Laura says
Everyone has said TJs hot sauces. I’m going to have to try them out – I rarely shop there!
Let m know if you try the mugcake. It’s my new favorite. π
Annette@FitnessPerks says
Mmmmm that mug cake sounds deeeelish!
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution says
I love cucumber roll sushi! It’s hard to find here but when I do I’m all over it! Glad you’re like the sheepshead!
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
That’s really crazy. My fiancΓ© puts sriracha on EVERYTHING. Eggs, pizza, sandwiches, soup, chicken… Haha I don’t do spicy so I don’t get it.
janet @ the taste space says
Neat idea for the cucumber rolls.. I will share some cucumber sandwiches next week (I think) but the rolls look like a real challenge. Good luck with your last 3 weeks. π
Laura says
Thanks! They would be great veggie rolls too. With some avocado? Mmmmm!
Megan (The Lyons' Share) says
Wow, I work a lot in Marketing & Sales, too, and had no idea about the sriracha guy – makes me want to support it even more! Great story. I said to Heather after her TVP oatmeal post this week that I would try it, but yesterday I ran out of time and today I’m trying to eat only familiar things because I have a race tomorrow. After that … no excuses!!! Gotta try this.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
Your coworker was right. Those cucumber rolls are pretty. Great picture.