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!
Welcome to Arizona! If you are going back to Whole Foods don’t forget to ask for a sample of their Tufu Curry Chik’n in the deli case. Holy Canoli it’s great. Also, if your in Scottsdale you may want to check out Dr Andrew Weils vegan/vegetarian restaurant True Food. I hear its good and they have vegan ice cream. Have fun on your trip.
I so want to try the Kale smoothie. It looks amazing!
You should visit us in Tucson! Lots of outdoor activities and beautiful mountains. Also, did you know that each arm on the saguaro cactus represents about 100 years? That cactus is over 1,000 years old.
Angela – You have to visit Chakra4 before you leave our lovely town. It is an amazing food and herb shop. The food is made with lots of love!!! A fave place of mine. :)
Hey Jessica, Is it like a natural food store? Sounds interesting!
It’s a food (100% organic and vegetarian – though everything is vegan optional!) and a little herb shop. The walls are lined with all kinds of goodies. They have herbalists on the premises to help answer questions. http://www.chakra4herbs.com/Default.asp.
Thanks!
The restaurant portion was a little hard to navigate so here is the link to the menu. http://chakra4vegetarianrestaurant.com/vegetarian-menu
Gotta love WF! those shaker salad go cups are perfect, they have quite the variety too.
Have a blast in Arizona :)
That salad looks delicious! I wrote down the ingredients and might try to make it myself. Although trying to figure out what makes that dressing “ginger” when I dont see any ginger listed. ??
Sorry that was my sleep deprived brain typing :)
Actually, no it says on the ingredients that it’s Orange Ginger dressing but they didn’t put ginger in the ingredients. I’m going to assume it was a Whole Foods typo and there is probably some minced ginger in there. :) Can’t wait to see your take on the recipe!
Ooh that Green Monster looks wonderful and you’re so right, they compensate beautifully for lack of sleep. They always kick me into gear when I take them in to work for my breakfast, though I often can’t convince my colleagues of how delicious they are, they can’t get passed the colour, their loss I think :-D.
so much deliciousness already!
Ahh, I feel your pain. I’m the same way, if I surpass my tiredness it’s game over and it’s much more difficult to fall asleep.
Have fun and enjoy the sunshine eh!
Welcome to Arizona! I have to also recommend that you visit Green. It’s absolutely delicious vegan comfort food, and their tsoynamis are amazing as well. Hope you have a good time here, too bad it’s so cloudy today!
Phoenix probably is a nice weather change for you! It doesn’t get too cold here. ;)
Enjoy Arizona. :) We moved to Flagstaff a year ago & love it. Hopefully you make it to Sedona; it’s one of my favorite places. I’m not sure how long you are here, but shoot me an email if you want to hike in Sedona this weekend or something. Jerome is also adorable & so neat — Google for images — it’s pretty artsy & built into the side of a hill!
You picked a great time to visit our state (I’m south of you in Tucson). Sunny year round… but hey, where’d those clouds come from? Lots to see and do in Phoenix and I hope you get a taste of the cultural offerings. The Heard Museum is amazing. I’m a huge fan of your blog, but I haven’t ever posted. But, just want you to know that I made your basic oatmeal squares on Sunday (yum), and we had your Over the Rainbow Cabbage Salad as a side for lunch today. You’re so right…The tahini lemon dressing is finger licking good. I always know if you say something is scumptious, then I will love it too. Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with us via your blog. I hope you enjoy your Arizona adventure and your family. Bienvenidos!
Hi Vicki, Thanks for your comment…it’s nice to meet you! No worry about the clouds…we’re used to it! I’m sure that glorious sun will be shining soon. :)
I’m happy you enjoyed the squares and salad too! Enjoy the rest.
Just as you leave Ontario, it starts to warm up! It was 8 degrees here today hehe! ;) I’m sure it must be even nicer in Phoenix though. Enjoy your trip!
hah I heard that! Strange winter we are having eh?
Have a wonderful time in Phoenix! You should soak up the warmer weather before heading back to Canada! :-)
I’ll be waiting for the recipe for the salad. Looks delicious! Enjoy your time in AZ!
I hope you enjoy Arizona! I have to admire you for choosing such healthy options while you travel. It is one of the things I truly struggle with – going into “vacation eating” mode. BRAVO!
Ohhh how cool you’re in AZ! :D My future in-laws have a house there and I visited a few times. Being with my loved ones is fun! But being in AZ’s summer dry heat is no bueno! haha, I bet it’s nice right now though. :) Have fun and stay safe Angela~
You look so gorgeous in your “ready to travel” picture. White looks really nice on you! On a separate note, I’ve been enjoying lots of fresh blueberries the last few weeks. Whole foods is just amazing. Have fun in Phoenix!
Thank you Alex, you are too kind!
I am a Canadian who grew up in Phoenix and highly recommend Pita Jungle to eat at. Not 100% vegan but offers amazing vegan options and yummy yummy yummy hummus. Have fun!!
Thanks, I will check it out!