Trying Not To Binge

Lunch was Toffuti Cream Cheese with Olives on a Wegman's Everything Bagel.

Dinner was the Simple Seitan from Veganomicon with BBQ sauce and Roasted Cauliflower.

I couldn't stop thinking about how delicious that Tofutti Cream Cheese was at lunch, so I had a bunch more on crackers.

Then there was more Almond Butter and Chocolate Chips...

A bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz...

Risotto & Ravioli

Lunch was at Market Table Bistro. There was nothing vegan on the menu today so I just asked for whatever vegetables they had available. Very unlike me, but they weren't busy at the moment and I knew they had vegetables in the kitchen based on the menu. It worked out great, the chef threw together a gorgeous Mushroom Risotto with local Chard and assorted vegetables.

Fresh baked bread was also enjoyed...

Dinner was Rising Moon Spinach Ravioli and Tomato Sauce. (Sorry, no innards pics, Michelle)...

Dessert was Almond Butter and Chocolate Chips...

A bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz capped it all off.

A Super Short But Pretty Post

Lunch was the open-faced Avocado, Chickpea and Alfalfa Sprout Sandwich from Le Pain Quotidien.

Dinner was Sloppy Joes and Tater Tots...

Dessert was more of one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten in my life.

A bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz...

100% Delicious Day

Lunch was a Spinach Salad with Tofu & Avocado (and a piece of bread) from Sweetgreen.

Dinner was Boca Burgers and Oven Fries with Elise's Fry Sauce. I already know I'm having Veggie Burgers and Fries for lunch tomorrow as well, but I've yet to get sick of them.

Dessert was the vegan (gluten free) cupcake I picked up at lunch from Red Velvet Cupcakery. A pretty delicious treat for those who for whatever reason are unable to bake their own vegan cuppers.

Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon...

WTF Wednesday

Lunch was the rest of the TJ's Chickenless Chicken Salad with Route 11 BBQ Chips...

Dinner was another meal inspired by Jessica -- Veggie Chili Mac -- using the seasoning mix from local chain Hard Times Cafe.

The pleasure of spicy Chili on big fat Spaghetti noodles is not restricted to denizens of Cincinnati. It is for all.

Dessert was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten in my life. It might not look it based on the pic below, but this was deceptively mind-blowing.

A bottle of Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon....

Of Wraps and Loaves

Lunch was the Veggie Wrap at Isis Cafe- Hummus wrapped with Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, & Kalamata Olives w/homemade Chips.

Dinner was a Magical Loaf made using these ingredients...

1/2 cup Peanuts
2 TB olive oil
One onion, diced
One large garlic clove, minced
One large carrot, peeled and grated
Two celery ribs, diced
One cup mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
2 cups mashed firm tofu
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/4 to 1/2 cup vegetable broth, as needed
2 TB soy flour
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried sage
1 tsp. dried basil
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. celery salt

which collided on my plate with Elise's Chive & Cream Cheese Smashed Reds...

The last of the Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream for dessert.

A bottle of Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon...

A Big Burrito and Other Stuff

Lunch was the No-Meato Burrito at California Tortilla. Sautéed Veggies, Black Beans, Spicy Sunset Sauce, Leaf Spinach, Mexican Rice, handmade Guac and fresh Salsa. It must've weighed about a pound. Pretty good. Very messy.

Dinner was Deb's Chicken Salad with Grapes. Super delicious. I subbed Green Grapes for Red Grapes and TJ's Chickenless Chicken for Gardein but still most excellent.

Coconut Drops for dessert...

A bottle of Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon...

An Economically Sound Day

Lunch today cost half as much as yesterday, probably because a classically trained chef was not in the kitchen. We both started with a cup of the Veggie Chili $2.95 at the always reliable Makenzie's in Berryville,,,

We also both got the 'Vegan In The Valley' $7.50 for Boca Burgers & Fries. My big head blocked the light.

The plebeian theme continued at dinner with Yves Salami on Ezekiel w/Vegenaisse & Route 11 BBQ Chips.

Pumpkin Pie for dessert. Mr. SV has backed away from the pie temporarily. Yum!

Speaking of Mr. SV, he pointed out this big mushroom on a piece of recently purchased firewood. I've been searching the interwebs, but I'm not sure if it is a Hen of the Woods or not. Anyone know if it is safe to eat?

A bottle of Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon was also enjoyed $3.19/bottle. Good sh*t once you get past the first couple sips.

Pasta & CousCous

Lunch was at Market Table Bistro in Lovettsville. The cuisine is very refined here. We both started with a bowl of the Organic Fall Vegetable Soup with Basil Oil $6 A little spicy with tons of different diced vegetables including local Black Eyed Peas.

Mr. SV's Rigatoni with Fresh Tomatoes and "Greens" $16. He said he loved it.

My Pappardelle Pasta with Mushrooms and Truffle Oil $16 Tons of very meat-like mushrooms throughout.

Tonight I used my home-grown Saffron to make Alicia Silverstone's Moroccan CousCous. The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of Saffron. I only had five little strands, which hardly = 1/2 teaspoon, so I couldn't taste it. Oh well. Maybe next year...

Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream for dessert.

A bottle of Lost Vineyards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon...

So Much Food

Lunch was the Mediterranean Penne at Brio. This was more than enough food for a full day...

but that didn't stop me. Dinner was Collard Greens with Tofurky Italian Sausage and last month's Corn Bread which was still good...

"Dessert" was the last of the WF's Chicken/Tuna Salad on crackers....

A bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz...

Two New Salads

Lunch was a Spinach Salad with Tofu & Avocado from Sweetgreen. I'd bought a Groupon for this place, and I'm looking forward to future carry-out from there. Salads taste better when they're made by someone else and this one also comes with a nice chewy slab of bread.

Dinner was the Quinoa Black-Bean Salad recipe from NYTime's Readers Favorites -- made with Garbanzo Beans and without Cilantro...

Cherry Amaretto Ice Cream for dessert. Highly recommend.

A bottle of Charles Shaw Shiraz...

WTF Wednesday

This is a very dull post but life is like that sometimes. I used up the rest of the Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus with Olives on a New York Everything Bagel...

Finished the Field Roast Meat Loaf and the last of TJ's Teeny Taters for dinner....

The last piece of the Luscious Lemon Bar for dessert. If intense Lemon/Coconut desserts are your thing, you must get these Lemon Bars.

I harvested my Saffron and am zeroing in on a recipe...

Frontera Carmenere in excess...

I'm So Full

Lunch was lots of Taboulleh, Quinoa, Artichokes, Mushrooms and Tofu off WF's salad bar.

Dinner was Curry Supreme from Sunflower...This was the first part of three. The portion was massive.

I didn't expect my Saffron flower to still be around when I came home from work today, but au contraire! not only was it around, there was another blossom! It is a miracle.

Lots of Frontera Carmenere was enjoyed.

Tofu Two Ways -- Ma Po & Faux

Lunch was Ma Po Tofu and a Spring Roll from PF Changs...

Dinner was another faux tuna/chicken? salad sandwich, just like last night.

Almond Dream Praline Crunch for dessert...

Quick story: When we moved into our current home ten years ago, one of the first things I planted was Saffron. Like most of the seeds and bulbs I've planted, it never came up and I forgot about it.

This afternoon, I noticed a pretty purple color in the back yard and assumed it was just a fallen leaf reflecting the sun. Well, upon further investigation, lo and behold:

A single little flower had blossomed right where I had planted the bulbs so many years ago. Quelle surprise!

A bottle of Matthew Fox Shiraz was also enjoyed...