![IMG_9978 IMG_9978](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_9978_thumb.jpg)
Last Victoria Day long weekend, Eric and I were busy working on our house. He was trying to figure out how the heck to build his first deck and I was trying to figure out how the heck to plant my first vegetable garden and weed an acre of land.
![IMG_6073 IMG_6073](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6073_thumb.jpg)
![IMG_6149 IMG_6149](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6149_thumb.jpg)
One year later, we are at a completely different place in our lives, living in a new city that we adore. We have a fraction of the space, no yard for a garden, and are unable to renovate because it’s a rental. While this life change has taken time to get used to, we couldn’t be happier with our decision to move. Instead of spending all of our weekends (and money) on the house, we are now able to relax a bit more without feeling guilty for spending a couple days away on the weekend. We will buy another house at some point in the near future, but for now, we are content to be carefree renters for a little while. Eric wants to buy a fixer upper, so I might be in for it!
![20120518_144524 20120518_144524](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20120518_144524_thumb.jpg)
After a 3.5 hour drive in stop-and-go traffic on Friday, we finally arrived at my in laws eager to enjoy this beautiful weather. The forecast was calling for picture perfect long weekend weather, which I mentioned, is quite rare for Ontario in May!
![IMG_0056 IMG_0056](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0056_thumb.jpg)
Lake Ontario:
![IMG_0034 IMG_0034](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0034_thumb.jpg)
As always, I came with food in tote.
I made a spin-off of my Lightened Up Protein Power Goddess bowl. This has to be one of my all-time favourite recipes on the blog and I don’t think I’m alone – it’s one of the most popular salad recipes of 2011. I always forget how much I love it. Ok, not really, but I don’t make it enough!
Note: All this salad talk lately is foreshadowing a challenge coming up!
Here it is before the tahini lemon dressing is mixed in:
![mail.google.com mail.google.com](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mail.google.com_thumb.jpg)
This time I subbed the green lentils for black beluga lentils and added sundried tomatoes and kale into the mix. I also omitted the tomato and cut the garlic in half. All finished off with a sprinkle of Herbamare and lots of pepper. The olive oil was reduced from 2 tbsp to 1.5 tbsp because I deemed it perfect as it was. The salad turned out incredible. You can eat it on its own, as a high-protein side, served over a bed of lettuce, or stuffed into a pita or wrap for lunch. It’s really versatile and makes perfect leftovers!
![IMG_0109 IMG_0109](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0109_thumb.jpg)
Let’s see, what else did I bring?
I had bananas to use up before we left on Friday so I decided to make mini banana blueberry muffins. I just winged this recipe and it turned out pretty good, but I still want to make a couple tweaks on the recipe before sharing.
![20120517_191606 20120517_191606](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20120517_191606_thumb.jpg)
Other foods I packed:
Lunch foods:
- Raw flax wraps
- hummus (do I even need to tell you this?)
- 1 large avocado
- Crackers
Breakfast:
- Vegan overnight oats: Before leaving, I added two servings of vegan overnight oats into a large mason jar. Then I shook it all up and threw it into the cooler. It’s a super easy “travel” breakfast that you can pump up with fruit, granola, crumbled muffins, etc.
- Mini muffins (above)
- Berries and apples
![IMG_0071 IMG_0071](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0071_thumb.jpg)
Ok, so these technically weren’t vegan overnight “oats” as we know it. For a change, I used quinoa flakes instead of rolled oats, and I must say, I really, really didn’t like it. The quinoa flakes virtually disappeared in the mixture, save for the tiny quinoa “tails” giving a gritty texture on the tongue. Next time, I will certainly stick to rolled oats! How should I use up my quinoa flakes? Cookies? Granola bars?
Other highlights of the weekend included lots of red wine, dairy-free strawberry basil gelato, walks and lounging instead of “workouts”, catching up with family, three cats brawling on our bed at 3am, and my skin feeling sun for the first time in months. And there is still a day to go. What more could a girl ask for?
![20120518_220602 20120518_220602](/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20120518_220602_thumb.jpg)
For the rest of the pictures, see the photo gallery below.
Sounds like a perfect weekend so far. I felt like I should hold my breath when I saw that the weekend was going to be perfect!! I really am shocked that there was absolutely no rain in the forecast whatsoever. Let’s hope this is the first of many times the long weekend turns out perfect. Enjoy the rest of your weekend…and the wine ;)
I know when does that ever happen? Tomorrow looks nice too. You better get yourself some of that gelato! ;)
Those muffins, berries, & salad…simple (summer) foods but they look amazing and I could go for any of them right now.
And congrats on your rental. Nothing wrong with..especially!! when it makes you happy and you have more free time (and money) as a result of that choice. When I saw that opening pic of you, I remember SO Well that post from last year when you were trying to decide what to plant and planting it. Boy how life changes, eh?! :)
I am glad you and Eric are a lot happier!
That’s my favorite salad too! I make it all the time. I ran out of tahini the last time I made it and subbed in pumpkin seed butter. I was a little concerned but I couldn’t tell the difference one it was all mixed together :)
Hey Angela, I too have always wondered what to do with quinoa flakes…i usually slip them in batter (buckwheat pancakes, for instance). Came upon this recipe yesterday: http://www.juliemorris.net/2012/05/17/quinoa-chia-energy-bars/ . It uses substantially more quinoa flakes than i put in my batters, so i look forward to trying it.
Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful recipes…
Thanks Richard, looks great.
I love your photos! especially the adorable kitty, looks just like my own!
Oh Angela, I’ve never seen that salad before. Must make it! Thanks for re-visiting it! I also wanted to tell you how much your blog has helped me since I went vegan in January. Seriously, because the cookbooks I bought at the time weren’t the right ones. Anyway…. Glad you had a lovely weekend!
I’m glad you are enjoying the blog & recipes!
hmm, are quinoa flakes different than plain quinoa?
And congrats on all the changes in life- I can’t wait to be done renovating and feel carefree!
Hey Stefania, Quinoa flakes are made by steaming and rolling quinoa grains. As a result, the flakes cook super quickly, much like rolled oats vs. oat groats.
They are similar in appearance to rolled oats, but much smaller.
Looks like a great weekend so far! Glad you two are enjoying city life and are happy with your choice to move. Enjoy one more day of relaxation!
It was gorgeous here as well! I think they need to change the saying to April showers brings May AWESOMENESS.
Oops, that doesn’t rhyme? Well darn, oh well ;)
I like that saying too!
Quinoa flakes are really gross. I learned that one the hard way too! However, they do have their uses (I always keep a box on hand). I add them to muffins and cookies, but my favourite way is to use them as a binder in granola. They help make good clusters! I also use puffed quinoa instead of oats and it’s delicious!
Great tip, thanks!
Where do you live, Angela? My husband and I are curently in Toronto and looking for a change…we want a slower pace with more ‘greenery’! Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
Hi Jenny, we’re in Oakville
sounds like a great weekend with lots of great pics. I made a really good recipe with quinoa flakes(2 cups worth!),,,they were a miso ball with dipping sauce from Healthful Pursuit.
Sounds great I will check it out.
I love the bee photos!!
Thank you!
What a fun weekend! I’ve never actually made that salad before and I can’t think of a good reason why (lazy? – that’s not a good reason though) but it’s on the to-do list! Looks so good!
Quinoa flakes are great in GF cookies! It sounds like you had a great weekend! And those muffins look super tasty!
Sounds like you’re having a great May long weekend! Ours is pretty relaxed this year, but I like it. Beautiful pictures, Angela!
About the quinoa flakes: Dallas’ mom is gluten-free so I used the quinoa flakes in place of rolled oats in your lentil loaf when we had the family over for Christmas dinner. Everyone loved it! Maybe save them for recipes like that?
Aww that is so good to know. I will try that next time.
Sounds like a perfect weekend, Ange!
I’m glad that you and Eric were able to adjust your living situation to the needs of your current life. Hope utter happiness in the new home continues :)
Thanks Danielle!
I was tempted to try the overnight quinoa flakes thing but I won’t now! I use my in tray bakes and cakes and bars. And also pure flake bakes are great!
Oh my how much have I missed?! You moved?? Seems like only yesterday Eric was cracking on with that deck!! Wish you both all the best with these new changes and surroundings, glad you’re both enjoying them! :)
It’s ok you didn’t miss much. ;) I think it’s been 2 months in our new place or around that. Thanks for your best wishes!
Two months already?! That went fast!
I know, that’s what I was saying! We still have stragglers to unpack hah