Chipotle White Bean Avocado Spread
I am so behind in the blog world. One of these days I'll figure out how to integrate everything into my life!
Work is going well. We are getting busy and I just love the atmosphere of the wine bar. I'm also thrilled that I am incorporating more vegan food into the menu. I am doing the desserts as well as all of the food. (I am the only person doing all the food prep, execution and service for 36 seats.) I introduced a chocolate espresso torte that is vegan (if you leave off the whipped cream) and that makes me happy. The owner of the place made me promise that I would not tell any of the customers it was tofu based. HAHA! I get a cheap thrill every time I see someone take a bite.
I made a Trader Joes trip and stocked up on brown rice pasta. I just love it. $1.99 for a pound of organic brown rice pasta. You can't beat that. I topped the pasta with some of my simple marinara and dry fried tofu and served it over baby spinach.
Bok Choy and Tofu Stir Fry
We are still eating very simply at home. I'm doing what I always do; cooking once to eat twice or three times and freezing leftovers. This bok choy stir fry was delicious and very spicy. Lately, I've been craving carbs big time. I think I need whole grains to sustain my long days. I notice I feel much more alert mentally when I make sure to get enough carbs in my diet.
It's interesting, because I am really listening to what my body needs. Last month it was tons of salads and smoothies, now I'm craving heavier whole grains. I have been eating a pretty big sandwich late at night though when I get off work and I don't think that's good for me. Tonight I think I'll make a green smoothie with chia seeds to drink on the way home instead. It's not good to eat a lot at midnight.
I made a Trader Joes trip and stocked up on brown rice pasta. I just love it. $1.99 for a pound of organic brown rice pasta. You can't beat that. I topped the pasta with some of my simple marinara and dry fried tofu and served it over baby spinach. 
Spicy Noodles!
Another staple in my fridge. My kids love them and they are good hot or cold. I used my low fat goddess dressing mixed with lots or ginger and siracha for this. I made big batches of the dressing and freeze it in 2 cup portions.
Sesame Ginger Glazed Tempeh
More Bok Choy Stir Fry
Watermelon 'Feta' Salad
Old pic (several of these pics are old pics actually).. I made a batch of tofu feta to have around and it was delicious in this salad. I also mixed in some of my low fat balsamic vinaigrette.
Finally, I have decided to start a small photography business. I started a blog to showcase some of my stuff (literally just started it so it's not completely set up..).. I'm really excited about doing this. I am going to offer services to families and food photography for restaurants.
Check out my blog so far!
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23 comments:
You're the one whose food photography (and photography skills in general) has always inspired me - congratulations with the business!!
And hooray for feeling good while eating good :-)
Congrats on your sneaky vegan additions.
Sad that so many people are tofu-phobic.
Add the food looks amazing. I would love to taste those noodles, especially, as well as the glazed tempah. You are an amazing chef and photographer!
Good luck with the photography, your works is beautiful!! :) And it makes me hungry!
I love Trader Joes's brown rice pasta, it's the only one my husband will eat..plus it doesn't get hard or mushy, like some of the other BR pastas!
Great post, hope to hear more from you soon!
The food pics are always very engaging - I hope your business will do well. How do you fit it all in to a 24 hour day?
good luck on the photography! i wish i had such talent!
Congrats on the photog business idea! That was always what I wanted to do when I was in college studying photography.
The spicy noodles look especially good, as does the watermelon salad. I can't wait til we get fresh watermelon in at the farmer's market.
Are the recipes for these posted somewhere?
They look delicious.
Everything looks amazing, as usual :o)
The fact that your customers are eating tofu and your boss refuses to tell them is hilarious...I love it!
Okay--that watermelon feta salad looks better than amazing...I need it! Do you have a recipe for the tofu feta?? Please?!
Courtney
everything looks so great, as always! congrats on starting a photography business and i'm glad work is going well. also, it makes me smile that you're sneaking tofu to unsuspecting customers. good for you!
Oh my, that Chipotle White Bean Avocado Spread sounds *wonderful*... recipe, pretty please?
So good to see you back blogging Melody! Congrats on everything. Good luck with the photography business too.
That chocolate tofu dessert sounds delish.
isn't it so fun to watch someone take a bite and then say "by the way, it's VEGAN!" ha. i love it. all your food is awesome as usual. i'm so glad you found a job you love and are able to do what you're so good at! keep it up.
Congratulations on the new business. You take absolutely stunning photos, both of your food and of people!
I completely hear you on trying to fit blogging into life. I don't currently work and am really struggling with that aspect!
Love all your food as always. It's making my tummy grumble!
Seriously, when are you going to publish a cookbook? I love your blog so much I would, drum roll...PAY TO READ IT! Really, sincerely, you are very talented and the world should compensate you for your contribution to disproving the perception that healthy eating is boring, expensive and too difficult to achieve every day. Somebody needs to publish you.
Love the stealthy vegan additions. Sa-Weet!!!
Have a great day,
Kristen
I love feeding tofu to omnivores! They always love it (until I tell them what it is). Congratulations on the photography business. It sounds like you enjoy what you're doing.
I'm so glad you are loving your new job. And how funny you have to keep the tofu a secret!
Love the bean and avocado spread.
Just came across your blog trying to find some new recipes... ended up drooling for an hour going through page after page! I've been trying to shop and cook more frugally and this will be a great resource. Thank you!
Good job on the new photography business - no doubt you will do well, your photos are always spectacular. The food all looks and sounds amazing as well. I had a little giggle when I read the part about getting a thrill each time someone unknowingly eats tofu - I would be the very same!
Congratulations all around Melody! Haha, you little deceiver you--with the tofu and all. ;-)
Your photography rocks, btw!
Don't worry about catching up on your blog--when your book sells and/or you own your own super successful vegan restaurant someday and become an uber-millionare--you'll have plenty of time to catch up!
Hugs ~ Sandy
Wow! Great blog...I followed you over here from a comment on Cheap Healthy Food. Your food looks delicious. Definitely going to add you to my favorites.
I'm on track this year to feed my family for about $9.89 per day, that's for one adult male, one adult female, and a toddler. This is my kind of blog.
Okay. I haven't even made it through Feb, and I'm addicted to your blog. Now I just have to get back to work and save it for later. I just realized that you are budgeting $3.33 per day for two people, which is amazing. We spend $80/month just on our organic CSA (but I'm not laid off either).
Do you have an e-book? Because with these mouthwatering pics, I'd certainly pay for the recipes...the low fat goddess dressing has me drooling.
I'm de-lurking to say...your food pics are amazing! Congrats on the launch of your new photography buisness, you will do wonderfully!
I am always inspired by how well you eat on your $3.33 a day budget.
Love that you sneak tofu into your desserts at work. Sneaky little dessert chef :)
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