My Whole Foods Is Thiiiis Big
G’morning. Yesterday my savory breakfast threw my body way off. I was totally not hungry for a mid-morning snack but I figured I could use one anyway:
Homemade Lemon Cashew Larabar
The homemade larabars were definitely a worth while time investment. Too bad dates haven’t been on sale and so cheap since back in July. I ate half and stuck the other half back in the freezer. I always heard that a high protein source for breakfast makes you less hungry over the course of the day; I definitely think it’s true. Another way the savory oats threw me off: I was craving sweet for lunch. I never want something sweet for lunch, but all I could think about was a PB&J, or just the J! I also really wanted to finish off the box of salmon burgers, and that won out.
Salmon Burger And FSTG Potato And Chive Nachos
I had to have more of the potato and chive Food Should Taste Good chips. They’ve really grown on me, and with a healthy dose of salt and pepper they were remarkable. For a time when I was craving something sweet, this salmon burger hit the spot nonetheless. I wish I checked the ingredients to see how they’re seasoned, because adding anything on top of these would be a sin; they’re so flavorful on their own.
I actually ended up eating lunch in the car, as it were. We planned a special trip for today. The largest Whole Foods in all of New England opened in Dedham.
Dedham Whole Foods
How could I not visit this before going off to Brown? It was a 45-55 minute drive, and we passed one of our regular Whole Foods on the way, but it was soooo worth it. Check out the bulk section:
Bulk Section
They had EVERYTHING in bulk bins. They even had bulk containers for agave nectar, honey, and maple syrup. Not to mention bulk gojis for $20/lb(Fritz would have gone bulk bin nuts). From this section I got Grade A maple syrup and vanilla sugar. I should have gotten a lot more vanilla sugar; I didn’t realize it would smell so amazing with all the bean pieces in there. To give you a better idea of how big this place was, know that it had a coffee bean roaster, a walk in cheese cellar, homemade pasta, a butchery, about 5 different salad bars, a nut and trail mix section seperate from the bulk bins, a full wine section, several dessert bars, sushi, a gelateria, and full bakery. Classy, very classy. Oh yeah, and there were some groceries, too 😛 I wouldn’t say it had more variety than other Whole Foods, just a lot more. Imagine how high our bill would have been if I didn’t have to think about moving! Argh, I did, however, pick up an organic chocolate hazelnut butter I’d been eyeing at other Whole Foods as a sort of souvenir.
Whole Foods Loot
We were in there for over an hour–no lie. It was no wonder I needed a snack when we got in the car:
Peach And Morning Maple Cookie
The peach wasn’t organic, but it was cheap and from a farm that’s closer to my house than the Whole Foods(irony) so I figured it must be very fresh. The cookie is one of my Morning Maple Cookies I resurrected from the freezer; at first I didn’t really care for these but the sweetness of apple and maple has really grown on me and they’re incredibly pillowy considering they have flax, wheat germ, oats, and whole wheat flour.
When we got home, I had this conversation with myself:
Gut: Hey, can we get some of those healthy probiotics?
Tongue: Sure, do you mind if they come in frozen form?
Gut: Not at all. They’re dormant in the freezer but become active again at higher temperatures.
Tongue: That’s interesting, I never knew that.
Brain: I did. Now eat some Frozen Yogurt.
Vanilla, Coffee, And Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
I could’ve finished the vanilla container but I was feeling a little more fun than that. Chocolate, vanilla, and coffee in one bowl, does it get any better? I also got an amazing package in the mail that contained this:
NuNuNatural Products
The kind folks at NuNuNaturals sent me a wide variety of their products to try. In the line-up they included their Stevia powder used as a sugar substitute, cocoa and vanilla stevia drops, and their Better Baking formula. This powder can be substituted into any recipe at a 1:1 ratio for sugar, and instead brings fiber, not sugar, to your baked good. That’s perfect, thanks NuNunaturals! I planned on making myself Banana Goodness Bread on Friday as a housewarming gift for myself(is that weird? that’s weird. I’m weird, yeah I already knew that) and this sounds like it will fit into my recipe perfectly! New things always get me so excited so I had some toast and milk:
Toast With Chocolate Hazelnut Butter
Vanilla Almond Milk
On the toast I spread my new chocolate hazelnut butter. This stuff is absolutely amazing and melted into a rich, velvety coat the second I put it on. It tasted exactly like Nutella and brought back fond memories of that. I don’t eat Nutella anymore because it’s artificially flavored, so having this as an alternative is wonderful. What I like even better than Nutella is that this has a nutrition label more like a nut butter than a dessert sauce. Sure, hazelnut is the 3rd ingredient, but it has almost half the sugar as Nutella and more healthy fats. In the vanilla almond milk I added Nuvia’s vanilla drops. It’s hard to tell whether the vanilla came from the milk or the drops, but this drink was very good. it was cool, creamy, and hit the spot; and better yet, there was no funky stevia taste I’ve experienced in the past.
All these good eats, I might not have been hungry for dinner if it wasn’t my favorite: Salmon!
Salmon, Corn, Broccoli, Laughing Cow Cheese
I must have more omega-3’s in me than the ocean. Thankfully, I’ve done some research on the subject and the main side effects of a high Omega-3:Omega-6 ratio is just diahrrea, slightly thinned blood, and perhaps a slightly elevated mood. I can deal with the first two for salmon. Obviously I wanted to play with my new toys products for dessert.
Yogurt With Peanut Flour And Cocoa Bean Stevia
Coffee With NuNatruals Stevia
First I tried making some PB&C(chocolate) yogurt with the cocoa bean stevia. I like this product because it’s non-alcohol based which makes it more appealing to add to uncooked products. The yogurt definitely tasted sweetened, but I don’t know that I got the cocoa. Maybe the problem was that yogurt typically requires more sweetening than beverages, which the instructions are geared towards. Then I tried their plain stevia powder in my cofffee. Just like the package says, there was no bitter taste. I use stevia in the raw typically and this was a great replacement; it’s much better than other brands I’ve tried like Treader Joe’s which has a very odd aftertaste. I fixed myself some more breads and spreads and watched Top Chef. Is it weird that nothing they made that challenge really appealed to me? Clearly the brothers are dominating and the only two worth keeping an eye on this season.
Today’s running was not how I would have liked it. I should have stayed in the neighborhood today but I went for a road run anyway. My left arch started feeling tight but I was too stubborn headed to stop. Around 2 miles in a soccer mom barreled up to a Stop sign; if I was 1 second behind I very clearly would have been hit. At that point I was thinking of just sitting on the side of the road and waiting for my dad to pass me on his way to work, but I kept going. 4.5 miles in that first side effect of too many Omega-3’s kicked in and I had a new motivation to get back into the neighborhood. Finally I made it back, safe and sound, and was just thankful to sit down to breakfast.
Kashi Strawberry Waffles With Dark Chocolate Almond Spread, Yogurt With Banana Jam, Carrot Juice
This meal finished off the box of waffles and container of yogurt–double score. The almond butter calls itself a “spread” but it has less than 10 grams of sugar and almonds are the first ingredient, making it a butter in my books for what it’s worth. I thought after the picture to add some cocoa stevia into my yogurt. Again, I didn’t get a strong cocoa sense, but it definitely sweetened it well.
Today I might meet up with my new roommate and his mother in Boston. They’re from Montana but flew in to see the city I guess. I also have some last minute “Why didn’t I think to take care of this sooner” things to workout before I move, so it should be a busy busy day.
Food Makes Fun Fuel 
i have to really talk myself into having a savory breakfast. I dont really eat sweet breakfasts either though. but in order to eat eggs or meat or anything, i need to REALLY be in the mood. usually happens every other sunday or something.
im still a little scared of stevia … sure its from nature, but so are poisonous mushrooms .. i dont know, i get freaked out :p
i will probably give in and try it eventually :p
i want to find a whole foods! 😮
dee (the apple hill adventurer)
September 3, 2009
Hi there, lots of good info here. In my country, is pretty hard to find this products. Anyways, keep up the good work.
Keeven
September 3, 2009
A cheese cellar in Whole Foods! I want to go to there….
Good luck with your busy day!
MelissaNibbles
September 3, 2009
my boyfriend’s dad lives in dedham so next time we’re up there i’m going to insist that we check out that whole foods!
also, i hate savory breakfast, haha. i can’t even remember the last time i had one.
emily
September 3, 2009
I hate drivers that aren’t considerate of runners and bikers. It is like they think we are in cars of our own, when in reality their car is going to take us the heck out!
I hope you’re able to get everything done, moving in is always crazy, because who wants to forget anything!
Have a great day!
Julia
September 3, 2009
AHH that whole foods is AMAZING!!! I want it im my backyard… better yet, I bet they wouldn’t even find me if I just moved in!!! 😛
Meagan
September 4, 2009