Since the puppy’s were away this weekend I had lots of time to myself….something that normally NEVER happens. So, I got busy in the kitchen making some things that have been on my list.
For lunch I made myself a yummy tempeh sandwich with lettuce and a fresh tomato from our garden. It was so good! This was the first time I tried tempeh and loved it. With it I had some green gazpacho from Whole Foods and a Vita Coco coconut water.
The Green Gazpacho was….different. I couldn’t eat a lot of it. It has avocado, onions, cilantro, lime and lots of peppers in it. I liked the spiciness of it. I’m just not sure I’m into cold soup. This was also the first time I had coconut water and I have to say that this was NASTY. Maybe it was the flavor (peach mango) or maybe the brand (Vita Coco). Does anyone else think this stuff tastes horrible? I love the health benefits (major hydration restoring electrolytes and a good potassium serving), but I can’t get past the taste.
Anyway, I decided to make some home-made granola. Yum. It turned out wonderfully!
Vanilla Almond Granola
- 2 1/4 c. old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 c. almonds, roughly chopped
- 1/2 c. craisins
- 1/2 t. salt
- 3 T. brown sugar
- 3 T. maple syrup
- 2 T. olive oil
- 1/2 t. vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix together oats, craisins, almonds and salt. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, and olive oil. Coat dry ingredients with wet ingredients and mix well. Spread out on a cookie tray lightly coated with cooking spray. Bake for an hour in the oven. I stirred about every 15 minutes or so to prevent burning.
It turned out so well….
I tried some later on top of some banana soft serve. Yum!
After church and sunday school, the puppy’s returned home from the eastern shore. I missed them so much. Puppy Daddy caught lots of crabs and we ate some for dinner while the puppy dogs played outside
There’s nothing like crabs fresh from the Chesapeake Bay! The boys came to the table for bites here and there, but they were too preoccupied with their “water slide” 
and water table (thanks Mam-aw and Pappy)
to enjoy the wonderful bounty.
Food and Scales....and Puppy Dog Tales 
I’ve never liked cold soup either – my Mom and I once ordered cream of asparagus soup at a restaurant and were suprised when it came to the table cold. We both took a couple spoonfuls, and asked if they could warm it up – and they did and it was delicious!
Jealous of your crab!!
Maybe I should try heating up the green gazpacho…I never even considered it, but it might be good. Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, the crab is excellent. We have crabs all summer thanks to my husband and his love of the high seas. Ha!
I’m so not a fan of cold soup. I had to have some on my 3-day cleanse and despised it. I think it’s an acquired taste.
Yeah Robyn, I hear you. There’s just something very wrong about cold soup!
not a fan any more of packaged/processed beverages… even those “healthy” one’s. for me it’s water, coffee, tea… smoothies! simple, natural, delicious… that’s what I like.
I think I’m with you on that! I just couldn’t even get past the smell of that coconut water. Ha!
That granola looks amazing, and I LOVE tempeh too – the chewy nutty texture is just so much better than tofu in my opinion!
Sounds like a weekend full of wonderful eats – totally jealous of your fresh crab meat. You’re right, there is nothing like it. Oh, and regarding the Vita-Coco, I prefer the plain, but their flavored coconut waters make great popsicles in my opinion. Perhaps the pups would enjoy them? Low sugar too!
Great idea about making the coconut water into popsicles. The pups love anything frozen. 🙂 OH yes, the granola is droolable….i’m eating some now on my oats. Yum!
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