Toto, we’re not in Ontario anymore.
We’re visiting the Phoenix area with my mom and John this week. It’s our first time in Arizona and we’re pumped to be here!
and a bit scared…
We booked an evening flight, since it was our only option. It’s really strange waiting until almost 5pm to leave the house on the day of a flight! I actually started to go stir crazy waiting to leave.
The flight was only 4.5 hours, but felt incredibly long due to some nasty turbulence. The plane kept dropping and dipping like crazy and I actually started to feel nauseous which never happens to me. At one point, I just closed my eyes, gripped Eric’s arm, and prayed I didn’t lose my dinner. The last 30 minutes ticked by in slow motion.
We arrived around 12:30am…sleepy, dazed, and hungry! Mom brought us some homemade vegan blueberry muffins and walnuts to save the day. I got my appetite back, miraculously.
When we finally got to bed around 2:30am Toronto time I was so tired I couldn’t sleep for the life of me! Does that ever happen to you? If I get too tired, it’s actually harder for me to sleep. I passed the point of no return, so my body did the logical thing and stared at the ceiling for most of the night. Awesome.
A sunny, green breakfast helped with the 4 hour power nap.
I opened the fridge, saw some gorgeous raspberries and dark chocolate almond butter, and knew I had to make a chocolate raspberry Green Monster to save the day.
With fresh raspberries, banana, dark chocolate almond butter, almond milk, ice, and wait for it….Dinosaur kale! Yes, come to me my little kale.
Note: I just found out this dark chocolate almond butter is NOT vegan. I blame the sleep deprivation for that error! For a vegan version, try my homemade Dark Chocolate Almond Butter recipe!
Cover your ears, my mom said, this thing is small but loud!
As I sipped my Green Monster, I could feel my tired, lifeless body revive itself almost instantly as kale pumped through my veins. I swear a GM is worth at least an extra hour of sleep!
I also had a whole wheat blueberry muffin with Earth Balance.
and a herbal tea…because breakfast wouldn’t be the same without a hot drink.
Ok, make that two!
My mom and I had a lovely chat over tea while the boys waited for the rental car.
Later on in the day, Eric and I stopped into Whole Foods to pick up some groceries. I picked up some brussels sprouts, red pepper, spaghetti, kale, blueberries, corn chips, salsa, asparagus, and some nori sheets, kombu and kelp granules that I’ve been looking for forever!
and a fun salad!
Layered up for lunch.
This will be the first thing I make when I’m on Canadian soil, mark my words.
Poured into a bowl.
and topped with orange ginger dressing and hummus. Blew. my. taste. buds. off.
I said I wouldn’t be able to eat the entire thing, but I was wrong.
Plump blueberries for dessert in this fun strainer/bowl duo.
For dinner, we all pitched in and whipped up a yummy spread.
…featuring 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta!
and a tomato-basil salad, sautéed asparagus, and roasted fingerling potatoes.
Oh, it was lovely.
I had seconds of pasta and potatoes! My body just yearns for carbs when I’m tired.
Now we’re watching American Idol, eating chocolate, and I’m trying to stay awake while typing this. I hope I’ve kept you up!
Enjoy Arizona! Glad you made it safely! I love the white coat you wore!
Yum!!! I want to try that pasta! By the way u have good taste in wine…one of my faves !!;-)
Ugh – I leave AZ and then you come visit!! No fair.
Make sure to try this place!!! –> http://www.truefoodkitchen.com/
I want that WF salad in my belleh! Reading the ingredients list, there’s no ginger listed in the dressing ingredients. Otherwise, it looks pretty straightforward for a dressing. Can’t wait to see your spin on it!
Have fun in the warm(er) weather!!
What do you do with the kelp granules? I always wonder what other people do with them! I use them for the Iodine and stick them in where I can. I can even say that I made your avocado pasta and used them in there ;) Enjoy AZ!
I hear they are great in salads, such as the chickpea salad I just made as it gives a bit of a sea or fish-like taste. I cant wait to try it!
I’m curious about the kelp granules because I saw a smoothie recipe in a magazine that contained blue-green algae flakes, and I’ve been wanting to try it. Maybe these are similar? How do you use the kelp granules, and what are the health benefits? Do you recommend them? Thanks so much, and I hope you have an awesome time in AZ!
Hi Mae, it’s my first time buying them and I’m excited to try them in some salad recipes. I hear they are good for giving things a sea/fish-like taste, such as in the mock tuna or chicken salads (Im going to try it in my chickpea salad recipe from last week, for example) It’s also called for in the detox salad.
Loving the Whole Foods Salad. I always think I won’t be able to finish my full box at the WF bar, but, I believe, I have yet to prove myself right. Every bite, gone!
I am looking forward to hearing about your trip. I have always dreamed of visiting AZ. What is the weather like?
The weather is quite mild and pleasant! around 18–20C for the high. It’s been cloudy, which is apparently very rare, but I hear that it will be back to sunshine tomorrow.
I am totally stealing that salad from whole foods too! It sounds delicious! I love fruity salad dressings like that…they add so much healthy flavor!
Have a great time xx
I’ve seen those salads in Whole Foods and wanted to try them so I’m glad they got rave reviews! What a late flight, I know what you mean about it feeling odd to wait until evening to fly – that’s what it’s always like when I go to Europe because it’s an overnight flight. Have a great time in AZ!
Oh my goodness! You’re in Phoenix? I live here. If you have time I’d love to give you a good heads up on all the wonderful vegan yum yums here.
Hi Elizabeth, Thank you…are there a couple vegan restaurants you highly recommend? I’d love to check out a couple.
Welcome to AZ :) I live in Tempe and definately recommed GREEN in Scottsdale!! Awesome all vegan restaurant and definately try Bombay Spice Grill & Wine in Phoenix (they have a great vegan menu). Hope you have fun in our desert lol
you go Ang! Way to stay on track and you are such an inspiration. Traveling is hard to eat right but if you have priorities… than you have priorities, right! Meals look amazing as usual. :)
HA! So it’s not “all in my head” when I instantly feel better with a GM!
oh my gosh – first of all your dinner pics made me hungry!! Also, I LOVE your coat – where did you find that? It’s very sophisticated!
Thank you Jennifer, it’s from Mango (purchased in 2010)
So exciting! Come on up to Utah and visit, eh? By the way, every time I see your sunglasses I just want them, where did you get them? Have fun and safe traveling!
heh that would be fun! The glasses are from Guess :)
Love the food… and the wine peeking through the back!!! :) I’m guessing that didn’t go into your green monster!
simply devine. all of it.
How fun! Have a great time in Phoenix. I’m sure it’s nice to get away from the cold and snow of Canada. Wish I could get away from this horrible nasty rain we’ve been getting here in Oregon. Got any room at your house for me? I can’t wait to see your re-creation of that salad from Whole Foods. It looks absolutely delicious.
Wow all of that food looks amazing! What a great dinner. Hope you have a great time in Arizona.
My in-laws live in Tucson! I hope it is nice and warm for you on your visit. Enjoy your time in AZ. Eat some great Mexican food while you are so close to the border! :)