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!
I am craving that yummy dinner u made! Looks soooo good!
I never realized so many readers live in or around Phoenix! I live in Scottsdale and yes, like others have said, you should definitely try True Food Kitchen. D’lish is also great, although more for vegetarian options, although you could always ask for no cheese. I haven’t been to Green but I’ve heard it’s good, just lots of fake meat products. Have a great time here and I hope it warms up some more for you…looks like it should by tomorrow or Wednesday. :)
Angela welcome to AZ and i bet your enjoying our amazing weather!!!! im in Gilbert :) I also reccomend Green and true foods. AHHHMAZING places to eat! Love your blog and my kids LOVEEEEEEEEE you recipes!!! especially the baked good ;) thanks again!!!
Thanks Carla, I hope we get there this week! Sounds like a great place.
I always love the food that you photograph & eat, I’m actually sat at my computer drooling! I love asparagus! Yum!
My husband and I lived in Phoenix for seven years before moving to Florida (huge change, by the way) and if you can make it to Sedona, you should try to drive through Jerome before Sedona or after. It’s a really old mining town with some really cool art shops, plus the drive to get there is amazing and and terrifying, and by that I mean no guardrails on the road and an insane drop down. So worth it, though! Thanks for sharing your beautiful blog with the world.
I’m going to be in Phoenix in October for a conference, so I’m enjoying everyone’s recommendations! Will spend a couple of days in Sedona!
Wow — do you know how to eat well when you are on vacation!!
You have to try Nourish Restaurant in Scottsdale. It’s got tons of Vegan, Gluten Free food and the owner actually has a gluten allergy and its seriously amazing. I go there once a week it’s soooo good!
Welcome to AZ! Wish you were doing some sort of seminar or something ;) That’s just me being selfish, sorry! Enjoy your stay and your family time…I’m sure it will be wonderful!
ps. I’m in Chandler. All your Arizona folks should shout out where they are…I’ll bet you’ll be amazed at your reach here…all the way from Canada!
In North Scottsdale, AZ here!
Welcome to AZ! Every Saturday morning starting at 8 am until about 1 pm there is a lovely Farmers Market in Old Town Scottsdale! I would definitely recommend checking it out while you are here http://www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com/pageScottsdaleOldtown/ScottsdaleOTsat.htm
What’s the blender you’re using there and how did you like it’s performance? I’m in the market for a heavy duty one but can’t bring myself to shell out the money for the coveted Vitamix. Would love your blender recommendations for making Green Monsters!
Hey Angela, I live in Sedona, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Let me know if you are passing through. I would to tell you about our amazing city.
My hubby and I went to Phoenix last winter and did a lot of hiking. I recognize some of the trails you guys are on! So neat! We stayed at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass resort. We loved our time in Arizona! Have a good time and enjoy the sun!
Are you staying in a time share or something or did you pack the blender?!
everything you eat is just beautiful.
enjoy arizona!
Hope your trip to Arizona is going well! :) My family went to Sedona a couple Christmas’s ago and did so much hiking! Your pics actually look exactly like ours (as I’m sure everywhere in Arizona looks similar). :)
Enjoy arizona. I’m from here and its a great place. Ive been up camelback, but from the gentle side. You should try the wind cave trail in mesa its great. Or sabino canyon in tucson, my favorite place.
Hey that’s awesome you’re in Phoenix! We Canadians are staging an invasion down there I think… I’m from Saskatchewan and my family has a hideway down there :)
we love it! Going for February break after midterms and I can’t wait! ~Enjoy~
Hi Angela! I’ve read your blog forever but I don’t think I’ve commented enough on how wonderful your recipes are! The 15 Minute Avocado Pasta is my favorite! I hope you enjoy your stay in AZ, I live in Tucson, not too far away, there is lots of great hiking all over this state!
Thanks for your comment Katie!
you MUST MUST MUST go to True Food Kitchen either at the Biltmore on 24th St and Camelback or the one at Scottsdale Quarter (Scottsdale and Greenway). I worked there for 3 years and my boyfriend manages at the Biltmore one. they have the most amazing food!!! Absolutely must get the Kale Salad with something ontop…Quinoa, Tempeh, Tofu all good choices!
we loved it!!