Hi Friends!

Today’s daily eats post is all things blog-world related! From breakfast and lunch to an event at night, this is blog living at its best!

 Breakfast: Lindsay’s (Pinch of Yum) Powered Up Pumpkin Oatmeal. Um, yes this was definitely a yum. I was missing a few ingredients (who doesn’t have brown sugar?!) so mine consisted of:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 whole egg
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup pumpkin
• toppings: 1 Tbsp coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg & toasted pecans

I can’t believe it is already mid October! It was a hot, hot day in LA today. Abnormally hot although we still saw people with sweatshirts, coats, etc. I wonder if we will ever wear a sweatshirt when it is 90 degrees out…

Apartment searching is our main focus at this point, but after two straight days, we took the morning off.

The day started out with a walk – we walked around the neighborhood for about 40 minutes, including a stop for coffee.

Then it was time to work for a few hours – I munched on a bag of cashews, almonds and dried cranberries.

I wanted something light as I planned on going to yoga in a few short hours. Planned being the keyword, we left too late and didn’t make it in time. Tomorrow, it is. Since we were already in Santa Monica, we decided to explore a bit and take a walk on the beach. First though, we came across a Whole Foods Market.

One of the only things that could make me feel better about missing yoga (I needed yoga, even the Taster agreed) is a tour of a new Whole Foods and an early lunch. The salad bar was pretty phenomenal and I loaded my box with all lettuces (romaine, spring mix, spinach and kale) then topped with cabbage crunch, lemon tofu, broccoli rabb, roasted cauliflower and hummus. Perfect and the salad bar was $2 off per pound today so it was actually pretty reasonable!

Then we hit the beach for a quick walk, which was just what we needed. I must admit that the apartment hunting has been a little more stressful than I thought it would be. It seems like each place we go is missing one of the aspects we are looking for.

Then it was back to the apartment search and we looked at about 5 different places. Nothing great, but we have narrowed it down to two definite neighborhoods, which will hopefully make the process move a little quicker now.

A few hours after lunch, I was of course hungry, so I munched on an apple,

and then some triscuits.

After we returned to my cousins, it was time for pizza, salad and wine. (x2 on the food) Really good pizza – NYC style!

More work and I’m off to bed!

Cross your fingers that we find an apartment today!!

]]> http://anutritionisteats.com/daily-eats-10-12-11/feed/ 33 http://anutritionisteats.com/daily-eats-91311/ http://anutritionisteats.com/daily-eats-91311/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:00:21 +0000 Emily http://anutritionisteats.com/?p=8204

I’m officially in the midst of wedding-week madness. But besides a minor breakdown on Friday (it was just a very emotional day) I think I’ve been handling everything pretty well. Others may disagree.

Yesterday was filled with last minute errands and I declared it a day for myself!

The day started with some coffee and a gorgeous sunrise. I’m definitely going to miss this view.

Then it was time to drop off the Taster at work (we are a one car family) and start my other errands:

• body work appointment
• drop off dress to be pressed

Breakfast: In between the commute and errands I had a Two Moms in the Raw Bar – Gojiberry Granola – much better than I had expected although the first ingredient was agave and I’m not really a fan of that.

10:30 Yoga Sculpt – I was at a different studio than normal and it was a great class – I felt wonderful and the class flew by. Love those.

Hi Friends!

9/8/11 was a little insane. I really should have started the day with yoga.

6:00am workout downstairs – 30 minute treadmill walk/run

8:00 get to work and get called into some last minute meetings – thankfully I had a few sips of coffee but breakfast was delayed until 11:00am. No bueno.

11:00 Breakfast: 1 egg cooked in ghee (butter) + part of whole grain bagel with cream cheese

11:04 Breakfast Two:  part of everything bagel with cream cheese – exactly why it is not good to wait so long to eat – I couldn’t stop! Although it happens rarely that I would put off a meal, even Nutritionists mess up sometimes!

1:30 Lunch: organic turkey burger + caramelized onions + ketchup + mustard with a side of kale and spicy cucumbers (recipe coming soon!) Incredibly ugly meal. Incredibly delicious meal. (Oh and last packed lunch for a while, which is SO exciting!)

3:00 With all the food that had been eaten in the last 5 hours, its amazing that I was hungry again, but such is life sometimes. Starbucks Double Shot (have you ever had one? love them) on the way to get our…

Marriage License! Whoowhoo!!! I love crossing things off the list!

 I was planning on attending a yoga class, but we got an invite to a new restaurant opening in our neighborhood and I decided it might be a little more fun to go on a date night.

Crooked Pint Ale House is a new restaurant opening this weekend – even though we are leaving in a few weeks, it is so nice to have something so close to home.

It’s located on Washington Avenue and the atmosphere is great – lots of wood, brick, a stage for live musical and they’ll be showing movies and games on a huge screen as well. I kind of want to go back and hang out asap. This weekend?

I started with wine and the Taster had some beer- they have tons of craft beers on tap – his kind of place. Very reasonably priced as well.

We decided to try the chorizo corn dogs which were a fun twist on the standard corn dog. We liked them, but I’m not sure we would get them again, our server mentioned that the wings were amazing and they had some other fun appetizers to choose from.

I decided on the Rainbow Chopped Salad which was baby romaine, red cabbage, chopped pears and apples, blue cheese, walnuts and red wine vinaigrette. I loved it and it was just the kind of salad I was in the mood for.

I’m not sure if the Packer game or maybe the lack of a State Fair Trip this year that influenced the Tasters meal decision but he tried the Sconnie Cheese Curder – a burger with cheese curds on top. Totally over indulgent and really delicious. (I happily shared some bites and fries for salad.)

We had a great meal and service and can’t wait to go back before our move.

And just like that, the week was coming to an end. Today  I went to yoga first thing and now it is my last day at work so I’m a bit emotional with everything going on. I’ve got a cooking class with Mercedes tonight to look forward to thankfully and more wedding preparations this weekend! {Happy Birthday Mom!!}

Have an amazing weekend! Fun plans?

After trying Victor’s 1959 Cafe Champagne Mojito, I knew I had to try and re-create it at home. Ok, I admit it, I picked up all of the ingredients the following weekend. I need to try to re-create it and I needed to do it asap.

Mojitos made with champagne are quite delicious. They are bubbly, bright and oh so refreshing. Perfect for these last days of summer but I’ll probably be drinking them year round.

Thankfully I had two tasters that evening (Mercedes was over) because it took a few tries to get the right proportions of simple syrup, lime and champagne. Really hard work I tell you but don’t worry, I’m here to help.

It is really easy to make, in fact it reminded me a lot of the Basil, Cucumber  & Mint Vodka Spritzer I made earlier this summer with a basil and cucumber simple syrup. Simple Syrup is so easy to make and adds such a nice touch to cocktails.

Make it this weekend and enjoy your labor day holiday!

Please tell me that summer isn’t over!

If it must come to an end, I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the long weekend than celebrating with friends; sitting by the pool and sipping cocktails. Oh and of course, eating amazing foods.

Labor Day Weekend Eats

Snacks & Starters: 

• Burrata Cheese
• Veggies and hummus
• Cheese and crackers (duh)
• Smoked Salmon Dip 
• Pimento Cheese 
• Grilled Vegetable Crostini

Main: 

• Grilled Chicken Za’atar
• Bahn Mi Hot Dogs
• Salmon Burgers with Greek Salsa
• Brats (on our menu)
• Crispy Shrimp Sandwiches (How Sweet It Is)
• Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken (The Pioneer Woman)

Sides: 

• Orange & Ale Vinaigrette & Arugula Salad
• Greek Potato Salad
• Spicy Crunchy Asian Slaw (Eat, Live, Run)
• Sweetcorn, Bacon and Tomato Saute (Eating for England)

Cocktails/Desserts: 

• Mango Cucumber Wine Cooler
• Cucumber, Basil & Mint Vodka Spritzer
• Coffee-spiked Chocolate Caramel Bars (Satisfy My Sweet Tooth)
• Grilled Peaches and Pound Cake (Fake Food Free)

Add your favorite links/ideas below!

Monday started like most – with a yoga class. But then the similarities ended.

It was a long day of traveling. I had my last work trip and so I’m currently down south in the land of shrimp and grits. For the record, I’m only allowing myself one meal of grits – do you know what they put in that stuff?! It is soooo good, but not exactly easy on the waistline. Georgia was the place that introduced me to grits, before then I had no idea of their glory. Needless to say, I’m a little obsessed. Hopefully tonight I’ll get some grits!

6:30 am Yoga Class. I needed to go to yoga before I left because I wouldn’t be able to take a class for the next few days – the horror! 

The airport was really quiet so I had plenty of time before my plane took off. I stopped into the French Meadow Cafe for coffee, water and breakfast.

 I was going to get oatmeal for breakfast but decided that eggs, bacon and toast was more what I was after. I should have just skipped the hash browns all together – I didn’t eat any of them.

On the first leg of the flight I was busy preparing for the week and doing some writing and meal planning.

When I landed in Charlotte I was ready for a meal. I always try to walk around the airports so that I’m not sitting the entire day. This way I can also scope out all of the food options at well.

 It may seem rather unlikely that I ate at Sbarro’s but it was actually pretty easy to build a healthy meal full of vegetables! I had a salad (should have gotten the small, the large was huge), side of vegetables and a meatball. It was great.

On the second leg of the flight I snacked on part of a thinkThin bar, read some Elle magazine and took a miniature cat nap (shh!!).

When I landed in my third state of the day, Florida, I jumped into a car to finish my trip to Georgia!

I managed to track down the one natural food store on the island and then it was time for dinner! Being in shrimp country, I was really on the hunt for shrimp. This grilled shrimp and scallops with succotash (SO good) and green beans was just what I was looking for.

Now I’m catching up on things online and heading to bed! Hope you had a great start to your week.

PS. I have two more weeks of work, three more weeks until the wedding and four more weeks until we move!!!

I’ve been loving white wine this summer. In the past, I’ve always struggled with drinking red wine in the heat of summer but after learning more about wine this winter and trying different wines, I think I’m definitely a lot more open to varieties other than cabernet.

Finally!

I used a fruity pinot grigio (my favorite white) for this drink. I definitely tasted more of the cucumber than the mango and it gave the wine less of a sweet flavor and more of a mellow cucumber flavor which I LOVED. I had planned on taking it to a girls night, but unfortunately my friends weren’t able to try it because after I poured the wine into a transportable plastic pitcher, it was knocked off the counter, cracked on the floor, and all of the delicious wine leaked out. I stood in the kitchen frozen and screaming. I managed to save a glass and after trying it out? I was a little heartbroken there wasn’t any left and I wouldn’t be able to share it.

So now I owe my friends, and myself, more of this delicious Mango Cucumber Wine Cooler.

Is it really August?! I’m kind of in denial. Last weekend was my Dad’s surprise Birthday Party, so yesterday felt more like a Monday and after a crazy weekend, I’m actually ready to get back into my normal eating and exercising schedule!

6:00 am: treadmill run/walk workout – 45 minutes, 3.82 miles. It has been a looooong time since I last ran, but for some reason was feeling a little motivated so decided to get a nice run/walk workout in. It felt good to push myself in a different way and I may even start running/walking/jogging more often!

Commute: coffee + coconut creamer with The Help – I can’t stop reading it!

Breakfast: 2 eggs + 1 slice sprouted bread

Lunch: 1 serving quinoa + garlic and spinach chicken sausage + sauteed kale (from Dad’s garden!)

I’m still stuck on these quinoa lunch bowls – they are so easy to throw together and I love that they don’t require any last minute chopping/prep work.

Snack 1: home made batch of kombucha – and it actually tastes like kombucha!!

A little over a week ago I made my first batch of kombucha…my habit was growing expensive and I’d heard it was *easy* so Averie sent me the starter and I got a fermenting! I mixed mine with a little grape juice and now I have to start the process again. I have a feeling I’ll be consuming lots of kombucha since the Taster isn’t really that interested in helping me drink it.

Snack 2: another fermented beverage that involves grapes…some wine along with some recipe development for work then cleaning, laundry and getting my life back together after being gone for the weekend.

Then it was time to get going on dinner…

Dinner: bahn mi hotdog and cucumber salad – recipe coming soon – loved it!

Snack 3: popcorn + truffle salt

Estimated Totals via Lose It App (1,700 calories, 56 grams of fat, 29 grams of fiber, 75 grams of protein) 

We finally got to Masu Sushi & Robata. It has been quite the hot spot since it opened a few months ago and I’ve been pretty anxious to get there – mainly because of their Pork Belly Ramen.

The decor is amazing. It’s fun and interesting, hip and each wall has something interesting for your eyes.

I went into Masu with a few things on my mind: Pork Belly Ramen Noodles, Dried Squid (I know) and Miso Eggplant. I had miso eggplant somewhere in LA a few years ago and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Thankfully since Mercedes and Tyler joined us, we could order many, many items.

Their menu is broken down in a few parts: izakaya (small plates), sushi, robata (grilled meat/veggies) and noodles. We decided it would only be right to sample things from each section.

They have a great cocktail menu and while I stuck with wine, the Taster tried a gummi shochu sour, which actually tasted a lot like a gummi bear. I was a little jealous.

Starters included steamed Edamame with Smoked Salt, Shredded Dried Squid and Sautéed Shishito Peppers. The squid was very intruiguing and I’m so glad we tried it - it was essentially squid jerky. The Peppers were amazing - smoky and charred yet soft and not at all too spicy.

For our Sushi Course we ordered an Arctic Char roll and the Firecracker (shrimp tempura, crab, avocado, cucumber with spicy tuna and tempura flakes). The artic char had some really good, fresh herbs that added a very different flavor to it and the firecracker roll? Obviously by reading the ingredients you can tell it was amazing.

The Robata Course was interesting. Robata, much to my delight is all grilled meats and vegetables, not the fried food I was expecting. They are tiny little skewers – zucchini, eggplant, bacon-wrapped shrimp and bacon-wrapped quail egg. The vegetables were both outstanding and perfectly flavored, the shrimp was good, but standard and the Taster says that the bacon wrapped quail egg was “Nothing too special, but good.”

The noodles were a tad disappointing. The Pork Belly Ramen was good, but tasted quite bland to me, until I added a fair amount of sriracha. Maybe I hyped it up too much in my mind and was expecting too much?  The Tonkatsu Curry Ramen had a lot more flavor but I’d probably be more likely to try the yakisoba noodles next time.

We will definitely be back to Masu – it is in our neighborhood and I love the different and exciting options on the menu. And while it isn’t exactly cheap, sushi is never cheap when the Taster is involved.

Masu Sushi and Robata

330 East Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis MN, 55414

phone	612.332.6278
fax	612.331.4705
info@masusushiandrobata.com