The year is 1986.
My hobbies include playing in the snow, baking with my mom, and trying to be just like my older sister Kristi.
Life is good.
It is the middle of a long winter in Riverview, New Brunswick and we have just been pummelled with a snow storm. I would stay outside all day long, hour after hour, bundled up with layer upon fuzzy layer with just my excited eyes, red nose, and big grin peeking out through my scarves and hat.
Clearly, I was born to be an endurance athlete, don’t you think?
Don’t answer that.
The year is now 1992.
My hobbies include building the world’s most awesome snowmen, baking cakes in my Easy-Bake Oven, and rocking a wardrobe full of neon clothing and snap bracelets. Life is good.
Despite my love for the great outdoors, there was one small catch.
My mom couldn’t get me to come inside to eat!
‘Just a bit longer, pretty please, with a cherry on top?’ fluttering my eyelashes encrusted with icicles.
It is now 2010.
My hobbies are about the same, in addition to taking too many pictures of my food, writing about my day to day baking high jinks, and running.
I am a vegan and unlike my younger self, I now understand the importance of fuelling properly for endurance activities.
This is the tale of a couple who fuelled a day of hiking with all-natural energy foods.
Won’t you join us?
For the recipes, please see attached PDF document.
In tote, was a delicious lunch brimming with healthy energy foods to fuel our 7 mile hike!
Eric observed, ‘Well at least we know if we get lost we can survive on this food for a month.’
He obviously doesn’t know me too well if he thinks I could make this delicious food last a whole month!
It was time to road trip and see some gorgeous Ontario Fall foliage along the way.
I had a plan. If I saw a Rattlesnake I was going to throw it a truffle and run like hell.
We searched for the perfect spot.
The park was packed with hikers and it was not easy to find a picnic table complete with perfect photography lighting (I joke, I joke).
Finally, it was time to feast…something I had been dreaming about all week long.
Our main dish consisted of Protein Power Vegan Chili packed with kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, walnut burger crumbles, and chunky vegetables.
I had a giggle fit after seeing Eric eat his chili with my teeny tiny spoon! What a sport.
The chili was comforting, chunky, with a bit of a spicy kick.
And was perfect for a chilly Fall day outdoors.
Alongside, Herbed Garlic Knots.
The garlic knots were great on their own, but even better when dipped into the chili.
For a side, I made Stacked Caesar Salads with eggplant bacon and homemade croutons. I thought stacking the salad was fun for a packed meal.
Yum!
To wet our whistle, we sipped Pumpkin Spice Lattes made on the stovetop with almond milk, spices, espresso, pumpkin, and vanilla extract.
The lattes were comforting, warm, rich, and fragrant with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
To say I was excited for dessert was a bit of an understatement…
I saw a picture of a Cake in a Jar online and I thought it was a fun idea that would pack well! I put a fun twist on them by making Cake In A Jar Parfaits.
The flavours:
- Butternut Squash Apple Streusel
- Triple Layer Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake
- Decadent S’more with homemade graham cracker crumble
Damn. Good. Comfort. Food.
My favourite was the Butternut Squash Apple Streusel. The cakes were still warm from the oven and incredibly moist unlike any other ‘normal’ cake I have ever tried.
Mmmmm.
After lunch, we were bursting with energy and ready to tackle the trails! We dropped off our cooler in the car and were on our way.
We brought along homemade Raspberry Vanilla & Pumpkin Apple Spice fruit leather.
Can you guess what athlete’s superfood is hiding in them?
Chia seeds!
Chia seeds are great for hydration and contain healthy fats, iron, calcium, protein, and antioxidants.
I also made a ‘box of truffles’-vegan energy truffles, that is– made from dates and nuts.
The flavours:
- Chocolate Kissed Peanut Butter
- Brownie Bliss
- Pecan Pie Delight
I could not pick a favourite!
These would make fun and unique Thanksgiving or Christmas gifts, wouldn’t they?
My happy customer inhaled several. ;)
And finally, Spiced Apple Pie Chips…
Cinnamon is not only great for maintaining steady blood sugar levels, but it also contains Iron and Calcium.
All in all we hiked about 7 miles and had a grand old time, even despite the damp and cool weather!
Thanks to the endurance lunch, Eric still had energy to carry me to the car!
Life is good. ;)
This is my official entry for Project Food Blog Challenge #6. Voting begins at 9am EST on Monday October 25th. If you enjoyed this post I would greatly appreciate your votes in carrying me into the next round! Click here to vote . Thank you!
You’re amazing!!!! what a spread and those truffles stole my heart!
This is just amazing! I love the menu, the location, the photos…well done! Voted.
You are so incredible. Wow. I’m in awe, honestly!!
MUST. MAKE. CAKE. INAJAR.
I die for cake, but it has to be moist. I usually nuke mine for 30 secs to make the icing all melty, and then mix it all together to make a delicious ooey gooey concoction.
Ugh, now I’m drooling.
Anyway, not only are your photos beautiful, your dishes look divine. An inspiration you are! Especially to those just starting out (ahem, me). Love love love your blog–good luck in PFB!!
Again I am stunned by the beautiful food and the overwhelming love that pours out of you. GREG
I love this post. If I could vote more than once I would have. Truly gets you in the Fall spirit :) Can’t wait to try the Decadent S’more with homemade graham cracker crumble. Looks yummy.
This is the first time I’ve commented and it won’t be the last! From the first picture I could tell this was going to be a heartwarming post. Thanks for inspiring us all, Angela! You’ve gone such a long way and bring so much fun, beauty, and joy. I just voted for you on Food Buzz. Good luck! :)
Ok that picnic lunch looks amazing! And that photo of Eric with the little spoon is hilarious!
Angela, you never cease to amaze me! If you don’t win this whole challenge I will be floored. You and Eric are such a cute couple. Your adventures inspire me to get out and do more fun activities with my handsome hubby, too.
Holy mackerel, look at those fall colors!!
Excellent post – I definitely have to try the energy truffles; I always end up eating Larabars on hikes and then I get annoyed because I should just make them myself. :o)
WOW!! This post..Angela, your words, pictures are so moving and beautiful!
The cakes in a jar?? Now that is something I must try. What a perfect travel companion ; )
WOW! I’m so impressed! The food you made looks unbelievably amazing! You certainly have a gift Angela!
ps. I loved seeing the lovely pictures! :)
You are seriously awesome, great job!!! :-)
The contest should end now. You should just win!
That looks amazingly yummy. The cake in a jar thing is really interesting and looks yummy.
I just want to say thank you! Your website is awsome! I really can’t wait to see the recipes for your cake in a jar! They look delicious. Yesterday was the first day I was on your website, and I can’t get off of it! I am going to be having your banana split over night oats. i really can’t wait to try them. I have tried eating raw, and I do like it, but I am loving your recipes, so I maybe switching to vegan! You are an inspiration! Thank you so much for this website. I will let you know how much I loved the banana split tomorrow!
One more thing, I am a runner like you and was wondering if you have tried the five finger toe shoes? i really want to try them.
You are awesome!
Riverview represent ;)
Everything about your picnic looks amazing. Nothing like chili to energize you for a long hike. And chocolates to finish the day? I’m jealous.
Do you have any of the recipes for what you made? I’d love to try some of the things… the parfaits, the apple chips, etc.
Yup I linked to the recipes in PDF format right under the menu. :) The cake recipes will be coming up in a couple weeks.
What a fantastic meal!! I loved the writing too — You have a vote from me!
For my entry, I wanted to create a road trip and picnic for my boyfriend, who had recently given me a “do over” of one of my childhood memories. I decided to give him his own “do over” — a special birthday picnic with a heart-themed meal. Come see if you’d like :)