Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Out of focus...
I am having one of those unfocused days today.  The kind where you are thinking about so much that you never complete anything.  I hate when that happens.  I have tons of recipe ideas in my head, but between the heat outside and the lack of focus...not much is getting done!  I got started on one idea yesterday, and while it is not perfect, it is a good start.  For me, it started a little like this...
And ended up looking like this...
Oh and yeah, with all the technology in the house, my favorite way to write a recipe is with a pencil and paper.
Like I said, not quite there, but close!  When I get an idea in my head, I just can't let it go, so this will be perfected soon!

Now, rewind...yesterday was kind of a strange day around here.  I woke up early, worked out, ran around to get the kids ready to go swimming and stay the night at a friends place, fed everyone breakfast and dropped the kids off all by 10:15am.  I know, to some, this may not seem like a lot, but getting the boys ready in a timely fashion is a real accomplishment.  My boys have no agenda...drives me crazy! Anyway, the day started with apple cinnamon oats (the perfect way to start the day) and 2 cups of coffee because one is just not enough.  Then, since we had no left overs for lunch or dinner, we threw together odds and ends from the fridge for both.  Mine to use up was romaine lettuce, cabbage slaw, tomatoes, leftover pasta sauce (cold...it is a great dressing, you should try it) and Spicy Falafel Chips.
This combination really hit the spot especially since it is so hot here that you can hardly breathe outside! I happened to have a grilled chicken breast in the freezer so I made an Asian chicken salad for the illustrator.
His ingredients to use were romaine lettuce, cabbage slaw, cucumber and chicken.  He really likes this Annie's Natural Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette.  It safely says it is gluten free on the back! Ya gotta love good labeling! He eats it on the side too so he gets a little taste in each bite without slathering it all over! He is such a good boy!
I then ate a massive bowl of what the illustrator swears smells like trash...sweet, sweet cantaloupe!
Oddly, I hated this stuff as a kid, but I can't get enough of it now.  This and apples are my go to fruits for the everyday.  I throw in whatever else is in season, but these are standard.  I was thinking about it this morning.  I find it so fascinating how people taste different things when eating the same things.  Like the undertones in wine or beer.  For me, when a cantaloupe is firm and ripe in the summer time, I actually think it has a hint of chocolate in it.  After seeing the cantaloupe, I think it may be snack time!

Do you get the different flavors in foods or beverages?  Do you taste things in foods that other people don't get?  I warned you...I am way out of focus today!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 2:08 PM  
11 Comments:
  • At June 22, 2010 at 2:18 PM, Anonymous Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said…

    The heat totally affects my focus and ability to get things done too. :-)

     
  • At June 22, 2010 at 2:54 PM, Anonymous Heather (Where's the Beach) said…

    I keep a journal in the kitchen to write down my recipes and ideas. It was a big ah-ha moment for me. I can get things out of my head and make room for more ideas ;-) I can sometimes taste undertones of fruits or other flavors in wines or beer. You really have to pay attention and savory it though.

     
  • At June 22, 2010 at 3:01 PM, Anonymous Amy B @ Second City Randomness said…

    I agree with the illustrator. Clearly I'm not a fruit person, but I can still tolerate it for the most part. Cantaloupe is an exception- I think it smells just absolutely rancid and used to hate when it was in season because I'd gag every time I'd open the refrigerator at home... ew!!! :p

    Enjoy the out of focus day- I'm a firm believer the random days can sometimes make for the best ones! :)

     
  • At June 22, 2010 at 3:02 PM, Anonymous Kris | iheartwellness.com said…

    What are these chips??? They look divine!

    I can see how the heat can affect you. Lucky we don't have that issue yet here in Vancouver, but give it another few weeks and I will feel deflated!

    xxoo

     
  • At June 22, 2010 at 4:16 PM, Anonymous Jessica (Healthy Exposures) said…

    haha, I think I'm always out of focus! I've become accustomed to it ;) I enjoy perfecting recipes, too - proves difficult when it comes to baked goods, though - because that means you have to wait until the batch you made is all gone. I just want to try again right away! lol.
    I'll have to give pasta sauce as dressing a try. Never thought of that! And I was never a melon fan, either. Cantaloupe, honey dew, watermelon - just sort of "meh," I guess. I do find it interesting how everyone loves different things, though :)

     
  • At June 22, 2010 at 5:53 PM, Blogger Nicole said…

    I am SO unfocused at home lately. I am moving classrooms and it is just making me crazy in the head. I need to try falafel chips, they sound and look so yummy!

     
  • At June 22, 2010 at 7:56 PM, Blogger Elizabeth Jarrard said…

    wow-that granola looks amazing!
    i tried to email you, but the message failed-you were one of the winners of my nunaturals giveaway!
    send me you address to ejarrard@gmail.com and I'll make sure it gets to you!
    can't wait to see some stevia sweetened non-dairy recipes from yoU!

     
  • At June 23, 2010 at 1:24 AM, Blogger lynn said…

    i've never thought of pasta sauce as salad dressing! i bet i'd like it - i love hummus and salsa....

     
  • At June 23, 2010 at 5:35 AM, Anonymous MelissaNibbles said…

    The heat makes me tired so it definitely affects my focus as well.
    That Annie's dressing sounds yummy. I'll have to look for it :)

     
  • At June 23, 2010 at 10:05 AM, Anonymous Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly said…

    I don't feel like i am affected by heat as much as rain. When it rains I am a grumpy gus!

     
  • At June 23, 2010 at 10:47 AM, Blogger Kelsey Ann said…

    yea sometimes i dont get people's mouths/taste buds!!! or maybe its just mine haha. like its crazy cuz some ppl comment on my sweet potatoes and say they look good but they hate the taste of sweet taters. but then again i do understand cuz for some reason last year i went thru a stage of a month where sweet potatoes had such a strange horrible taste to me!! it was weird.

    but i also try not to say i hate something to much cuz i did that with cilantro.. and now i like it :P

    i love the idea of writing down recipe ideas. i always have a pencil and sheet of papers for when i get a brain fart lol

    xoxo <3

     
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Name:
Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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