Raising The Bar, Vegan Protein Packed Snacks, & 9 to 5

Yesterday I blogged a bit about some of the vegan treats I was introduced to recently when my parents came home from a Candy Show in Chicago.  Today I thought I would share a few more!  First up is the one you see above!  Orchard Bar...Fruit and Nuts!  It was pretty good but the fruit was very gooey!  Take that for what it is - if you like that or if you don't.  For me - it's all about flavor - and it packed a powerful punch that is for sure!

Speaking of packing a punch...these flavored, roasted Fava Beans are pretty amazing snacks!  It was a very small bag yet they have 10 grams of protein in them.  I'm not one who counts protein often but I know some people have asked me about good vegan protein sources in the past...FAVA BEANS (among other beans) is one of the many suggestions of plant based proteins.  I always like to remind people about the Protein Myths, too!  Remember TOO MUCH Protein often causes gout and other health issues and complications.

Yesterday I also showed a few of the flavors from Bobo's Oat Bars and here is another one!  I think it's their NEWEST offering...Lemon Poppyseed and I have to say I think it my favorite one so far!
Another Part B to yesterday's post is a bit more about the vocal band HOME FREE.  Below you will see one of their many videos!  Between now and August I will be posting more and more of their songs so be sure to keep an eye out!  These guys are a VOCAL Band.  Everything they do is with their VOICES.  Most times you will hear instrument-like sounds but it's their 'beat box guru' that is providing the 'band'.  They are truly amazing, entertaining, and I can't wait to see them LIVE in August!

MidWeek Munchies ~ Kaniwa

Hello everyone!  Thanks so much for the kind notes the last few weeks while my blog has been quiet and inconsistent.  I've been in a 'funk' lately that I really need to snap out of!  I have been trying and will continue to.  

One of the things I wanted to share with you today is one of the deals I found yesterday that I couldn't pass up!  The Kaniwa you see above!  It was the last box of its kind in the discount section of our local grocery store.  If memory serves - it was $2.52 - most Kaniwa I've seen over the last year has been between almost $5 and $9.  

I will go ahead and say this will be the post that will start back up the MidWeek Munchies Weekly linky, however, there will not be an actual linky this week, but, I would love for you to participate so PLEASE be sure to link in comments!

The difference between Kaniwa and Quinoa?

Kaniwa (pronounced ka-nyi-wa) is about half the size of quinoa but otherwise quite similar. It's high in protein, fiber, iron, and calcium; has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor; and comes from South America (primarily from the Andes Mountain region of Southern Peru and Bolivia). It's also gluten-free like quinoa and just as versatile; use it in salads, soups, and stir-fries, or eat it for breakfast.

One way that kaniwa is different from quinoa is that it doesn't contain the saponins that give quinoa that soapy, bitter flavor (the saponins get washed away when you rinse quinoa, which is why you really shouldn't skip that step). This makes kaniwa slightly less fussy and perhaps just a touch faster to prepare than quinoa. Otherwise the cooking process is pretty much the same, though it's common to toast kaniwa in a dry pan to bring out its flavor before cooking.

The reason this was on sale was because our former Bi Lo has officially turned into a Tops Market.  The redesign is under way and it's quite the switch-a-roo!  I LOVE it but a lot of people around here are complaining.  Sigh.

SeedsNow Picks - Can't Wait!

I randomly found a packet of unopened seeds from SeedsNow.com from the purpose I made last  year.  They sent them as a free gift/sample.  At first I thought they were Carrots but they are actually Rio Grande Tomatoes!  YAY!  We are going to put them to the test on the Rooftop Garden we are planning on doing at work.

Tomato Rio Grande.  The tomatoes form in clusters and seem to do well in weather extremes, both hot and cold. Good disease resistance. It is a determinate plant and can be grown in a cage, allowed to sprawl, or trellised. Mid-early paste-type tomato. Space 24" apart.

We hope to order online at SeedsNow.com soon!  A few things I am interested in are the Tongue of Fire Beans!  I mean LOOK at the color of these!  Aren't they wonderful!?

They are an old Italian Heirloom.  They are known not only for their color but for absorbing the flavor of spices while cooking.  It says on their website that they are best grown April thru June so we better get a move on - especially if we are going to TRY it from seed!  They also noted they like a LOT of water so we must keep an eye on this!

I figured we should try a beet as well.  Mostly because I really must UP my intake of them!  I bought some regular beets from our Farmers Market last year and they were pretty good.  I would like to try different things with them but I also want to try and juice some.  I don't know if the white ones are good for juicing but they made me think about them plus they're only 99 cents on the site so I figured 'why not'.  The company says this variety is easy to grow and that is what we are looking for especially because we will be doing this on a roof top for the first time.

Speaking of supposedly being easy to grow...Amarillo Yellow Carrots!

These are sweet and tender.  They also note that they grow well in containers and raised beds.  Since we will be doing most - if not all - of our growing in containers on the rooftop I assume this will do well!

Fingers Crossed!  I LOVE the color and LOVE that they are a sweet carrot!

When I first looked at these I thought they were tomatoes.  They are Turkish Eggplants!  Of course I was drawn to them because of the vibrant color!  But the product listing on the website says they are easy to grow and are extremely flavorful. 

The size of these are that of a tennis ball and they are orange in color.  I'm super excited to see if we are able to produce these from seed!  These are also listed as 99 cents on their website!

My co-worker Sam and I both LOVE peas and I think we are going to try and get these from SeedsNow as well!  This specific pea is supposed to be the best for warmer temperatures.  Eventho we are not in tropical Florida - for example - this will be on a rooftop and my co-worker/Office Manager/Mother-In-Law is concerned the rooftop may be too hot for a lot of what we want to do.  We are looking into a few things to help with that.  But...these peas might thrive for that's the case!  PLUS it's said that these peas are also tolerate extremely cold temperatures for early sowing.

And FINALLY...the sacred heirloom tomato!  Oh how I LOVE them but they aren't easy to purchase where I live!  Perhaps it's because people around here like the go-to's found in grocery stores and don't understand that heirlooms come in all different shapes and sizes and colors.  I don't know - but I absolutely LOVE them and REALLY REALLY want to try and grow them! Flavors range from mild to sweet and tangy.  I have high hopes and dreams for these!   All of the seeds that I mentioned in this post I found thru SeedsNow.com and we hope to order soon!  All of the ones we are interested in are featured in their 99 cent section!  I have to admit I'm getting kind of addicted to picking out seeds.  Now I just have to start looking for other starter plants from local shops to filling some blanks.  I will be posting more - soon - about other people's picks and I think Sam has some more that we are looking at soon, too, we just recently committed to trying Kale so I will keep you posted on that, too!  Have you tried any of these specific types of fruits/veggies?  If so - which ones and what did you think of them - not only for taste - but for trying to grow?

Mealplan & Mailbox Monday

Hello Traveling Vegan Food Box!  Hello Mealplan Monday!

I was just going to post my Meal Plan for this week but I got 3 packages in the Mail and couldn't wait until tomorrow to share so I thought I would do a double purpose post, here!  First I wanted to say that over at Steepster a few of us have started a few Traveling Vegan Food Boxes!  Stacy from Butiki Teas started this one and it already got to me! 

As you can see this box had some Israeli Couscous which I do have some left in my stash at home and I do like it so I am passing it along for someone else to enjoy!  The Wasabi Edamame I have also tried and passed along!  Another great product!  She included two snack bars in there and I grabbed one!  I will blog about that down the road I am sure!  Then I noticed some Eggplant and Sundried Tomato Tapande and I GRABBED IT and giggled because I have been wanting to try it!  She also included a Snack mix but the bag was HUGE and I didn't want to take it all so others could enjoy so I took about half.  I had some for a quick breakfast (see below).  It sure is unique!  LOTS of goodies in there!  WOW!  So I grabbed a few things out and added a few things to the box for future recipients!

I added some Bob's Red Mill's Pancake & Waffle Mix as well as a Gluten Free Simple Organic Pizza Dough.  In addition, I added some Vegan Fruit Leathers, and a Panda Brand Black Licorice Stick AND some Vegan Chreese Sauce packets!

 Here's another shot of some of the stuff I got last week for the Traveling Vegan Food Boxes!  What I didn't add to the box above I will be adding to another box!  You can see more Fruit Leathers, and Chreese Sauces, a few other snacks, etc.  I have some more stuff I haven't taken pics of yet and that will go in that other box, too!

What else did I get in the Mail?
Well, LOTS of fun stuff, really!

Carolynn sent me a box of Tea goodies including some of her own blend!

I've had this blend before and it's a good one!  I've reviewed it on Steepster!  This time around she did an ornament but I think I might use as a Center Piece!  It think it's wonderful what she did with this tea tin in the center and the sparkly snowflake underneath!  WOW!

She threw in other teas as well!  She's a cool cat!  I'll be sending her a Tea Package down the road as well!  I LOVE swapping tea!

Last week I placed a small order with SeedsNow.com mainly because I wanted to get some sprouting seeds that I didn't have and from a company that accepted PayPal.  This company did both.  YAY!

Mind you...I spent UNDER $11 with the shipping included!

And I received it within DAYS and inside they sent me a $5 coupon for my next order over $30 AND a FREE Sample of the mini Carrot Kit!

They really made me feel like I spent hundreds of dollars!  Their wonderful gesture did NOT go unnoticed!  I will surely buy from them AGAIN...and probably within the next month or so!  I can't wait to jump in with at least one of the sprouting seeds I bought from them.  I'm thinking the Broccoli ones, first!

So...Now...on to my Meal Planning HOPE for this week!

Monday:

Breakfast - Coconut, Almond, Quinoa, Amaranth Crunch

Lunch - Bowtie Pasta with Walnut Sauce

Dinner - Mixed Veggies with Sauce, small leftovers as a side (tofurky/veggie saute - see previous post)

Snack - Maple Peanut Butter and Celery Sticks

Tuesday:

Breakfast - Maple Spice Oatmeal 

Lunch - TBA Rice Dish

Dinner - Vegan Italian Sausage in Bun with side of beans and potatoes
Snack - Dark Chocolate/Strawberry Granola

Wednesday:
Breakfast - Grapenuts with Coconut Milk
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner - TBA Salad, Leftovers
Snack - Mango Chia Smoothie

Thursday:
Breakfast - Mango Chia Smoothie
Lunch - Rice or Quinoa Dish (TBA)
Dinner - Artichoke/Cashew Burger
 Snack - Nachos

Friday:
Breakfast - TBA Oatmeal with Sugar & Spice (Wildtree)
Lunch - Rice or Quinoa Leftovers
Dinner - HUGE Salad
Snack - TBA

Weekend - TBA

Participating Post:
Meal Plan Monday
Menu Time Mondays
Hello Monday
Miscellany Monday

Random Protein Percentages

Protein Content of Fruits
Banana: Papaya: Peach: Avocado: Orange: Watermelon:	4% 7% 7% 5% 9% 7%
Average protein content of fruit: 5%
Protein Content of Vegetables
Tomatoes: Cucumber: Lettuce: Celery:	17% 21% 59% 25%
Average protein content of vegetables: 20%
Protein Content of Nuts & Seeds
Almonds: Sesame Paste (tahini): Sunflower seeds: Pumpkin seeds:	15% 12% 15% 17%
Average protein content of nuts and seeds: 15%