FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

Intention

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There are roughly three scatter brained thoughts I have going on about dinner tonight.  I’ll start with simple first.  I had a feeling as I drove by Jackson 20 that it was a place I’d like to eat even though it had a “Pig-A-Palooza” sign out front.  Just a feeling.

Partial thought:  When I turned to Google to scope out the best restaurants in Old Town Alexandria, Jackson 20 was near the top.  Convenient.

Relevant thought:  I immediately went to their website to look at the menu and saw mac and cheese, ribs, yada yada, Pig-A-Palooza stuff, then… Vegetable? Tempeh?  I assumed they were smothered in cheese, as most restaurant vegetarian dishes are, and then stumbled upon this:

In order to accommodate every appetite, we are more than happy to offer vegan and vegetarian dishes in addition to our daily menus.

Which brings me to another point: intentional vegetarian.  I read something about intentionally vegetarian dishes at restaurants some time ago, most likely Tal Ronnen related.  It was at that point I could put my finger on why I loved certain dishes so much (Restaurant BT, whaaaaat!).  I have a huge appreciation for dishes that are vegetarian on purpose and not make-shift, dairy covered, thrown together side dish veggies.  Besides, I’d have to order them without cheese and then they’d be make-shift squared.  A bummer.

So all that scattered-ness brings me to the Roasted Vegetable Napoleon.  Wow. It had simple layers filled with flavorful bulgur wheat and complimentary pureed sauces.  It filled the fancy void that foodie vegetarians have, the void that was most likely responsible for me returning to the pescatarian world.  It was a version of something I wish could be on every menu at restaurants that are reservation and eyeliner worthy.  It was…  exactly what I wanted.

Day Done Right

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I baked apple buckwheat muffins last night in preparation for an early morning flight.  I’m really beginning to get the hang of this airport life. Whether that’s good or bad has yet to be determined, but such is life.

As I sat in the early morning, sun-blazed terminal, I was re-reminded how much I love Tampa’s airport.  If it hasn’t won awards for best XYZ airport, it should.  The best.

By the time I landed at DCA and metro’d to Alexandria, it was lunch time.  A co-worker and I headed to Whole Foods for some highly addictive salad bar. Garlicky kale, boiled egg, dill white beans, beets, and broccoli – I wish every lunch could be this green.

I checked into a hotel in Alexandria (rather than my usual Arlington spot), put on some sneaks, and headed to…. Trader Joe’s!

As many times as Ariel’s taken me to TJ’s in LA, you’d think I’d be less surprised at how low the prices are.  Not the case.  Sandwich, veggie, dessert, and tomorrow’s breakfast, all for $14?  It’s both confusing and amazing.

P.S. Gone Bananas! are so darn good.

How often are you able to shop at Trader Joe’s?

Recreating An Obsession

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If you haven’t tried Whole Foods’ garlicky kale, you’re soooo missing out!  It’s the only raw kale recipe that I’ve tried that leaves me sad when my bowl is empty – it’s that good.

Unfortunately, the Whole Foods salad bar in Tampa is seriously lacking and is missing garlicky kale, among many other things.

Fortunately, the food blogging community is amazeballs and I’m not alone in this garlicky kale obsession.  I used Brittany @ Eating Bird Food’s recipe to the tee and it was spot on.

Have you ever turned to the blogging community to find a recipe recreating a restaurant/grocery store obsession?

Delayed Motivation

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It’s a pretty accurate statement to say that if I haven’t been blogging, I haven’t been working out either.  After days of being a busy bee, I woke up with plans for both today.  But when I woke up to stormy weather, my motivation was as distant as the sunshine.

I felt stereotypically, stormy weather lazy until around 5 PM when I came to terms with how disappointed I’d be tomorrow if I spent the entire day lounging. I ate an apple with peanut butter while my headphones charged and then headed to Bayshore Blvd.

I was nervous about picking up where I had left off in my running app since it had been almost two weeks since my last run, but it ended up being one of the best runs yet.  Low 70’s, overcast, and breezy might just be my favorite running weather!

I stopped at Whole Foods on the way home to pick up kale and lemons to make Brittany’s version of Whole Foods’ garlicky kale.  Even though I’ll be in DC this week eating an abundance of garlicky kale, I wanted some QT with my kitchen and this recipe was the only thing on my mind.

I’ll be staying in Alexandria, VA until Wednesday if you have any restaurant suggestions!