Thursday, November 19, 2009

A Mediterranean(ish) Dish, A Winner & A Declaration

How are you doing? I hope your day is treating you well. My day is plugging along nicely so far. Work went by quickly today- I was really busy, but in a good way. I came home and gave Franky a bath/did a little cleaning and I just finished preparing my dinner for later, a Tabouleh (taboulli?) of sorts:

Ingredients:
Cooked grain (bulgar, cous cous, quinoa, whatever you’ve got- I used cous cous)
Chopped and steamed (if desired) veggies (I steamed zucchini and used raw tomatoes and pepper)
Olive Oil
Lemon Juice
S&P
Oregano
Parsley
Nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc)

Let cooked veggies and grain cool. Mix all ingredients together (I didn’t put quantities in the above because I think its really a personal choice on flavor combinations). Top with a little hummus for extra fun.
I will be having my mix with hummus, peppers, carrots and an apple:
Couple quick notes before I take off to teach my new combo class (45 minute Body Step followed by 45 minute Body Pump):

First: The winner of the V8 Package is….LEAH! From Leftovers for Lunch. Congratulations Leah- please email me your address (itzyskitchen at gmail dot com) and your package will be on its way.

Second: Since Caitlin did such a great post today about the BIG Vegetarian/Vegan question, and since I frequently get emails asking me just what kind of diet I follow- I figured I would just “officially” declare that I am a vegetarian (and have been so now for about 2-3 months). Most of my meals are vegan, but don’t think I’d ever been able to give up milk in my coffee or the occasional cheese/egg completely.

Last, but not least: I’d like to thank Sarah from one of my favorite blogs (Suite Apple Pie) for giving me this awesome Beautiful Blog Award. Thank you Sarah!

Off to teach! Are you guys getting the Thanksgiving itch yet (i.e. the I can’t concentrate at work/school/etc)?


43 comments:

Jessica said...

That meal is gorgeous and so colorful, girl! I appreciate your honesty. :)

Jhonny walker said...

oohh..I love mediterranean..I make these salads all the time and this one loooks authentic! bravo :)

Allie (Live Laugh Eat) said...

What a colorful plate!!! I am getting the Thanksgiving itch like you can't even imagine :)

vanillasugarblog said...

now I would love to try all that (minus the apple) in a whole wheat wrap with a little extra hummus. Mmm. Now I'm hungry.
I am not getting any kind of thanksgiving itch, thank goodness because I do not have to bake. Yeah! I can focus on packing boxes for our move.

homecookedem said...

What a beautiful meal!! It looks so delicious and seems to have lots of fun textures involved. I am a first grade teacher so you better believe my Thanksgiving itch is itching like crrrrrazy!! :) 3 more school days left until the break!! Woohooo!! ;)

I was wondering if you were vegetarian or not. I have soooo much respect and adoration for vegetarian/vegan diets.

Molly said...

That meal looks so gorgeous and colorful!

K from ksgoodeats said...

Honestly, that dish is a work of art! It's so colorful and sounds absolutely fantastic.

Welcome to the lovely world of vegetarianism :) I would be vegan (and my stomach would be much happier) if it weren't for my occasional CC/Greek yogurt/slice of cheese. Congrats on your award! You deserve it!!

Ugh, I'm getting the 'are we done with the semester yet?!' itch. I have zero motivation!!

bhealthier said...

I'm in class right now-so YES definitely getting that itch!

fab tab girlie!!!! :)

laura dishes said...

I so want to take one of your classes!

I'm excited for Thanksgiving b/c that means that hopefully I will have passed my securities exam and can finally relax! I don't even care about the fact that I have to work next Friday. :)

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

love cous cous and also love colorful healthy dishes like this one! its a keeper FOR SUREEEE

you rock galfriend :)

Stephanie @ cookinfanatic said...

Yummy, tabbouli is one of my faves! Looks deelish :) Hope you have a good workout class!

~M~ said...

Your dinner looks delish! That is so great you're a vegetarian :)

Dawn Dishes It Out said...

I love that you add apple to almost everything!! It sounded yummy! I was vegetarian for 7 years ... only eating meat again for 5 months. I feel as though I will always be a vegetarian at heart. I love cooking that way!

Sarah said...

That looks YUMMY! I love couscous and quinoa.

You must post your 7 random things girl!! :-)

Pam said...

Congrats on the award Erica..it's beautiful! Congrats to Leah also!

Have fun....are u getting ready for 'New Moon'?

Enjoy!

Abby (Abbys Vegan Eats) said...

Totally have the Thanksgiving itch already!! AND I LOVE your meal.. something i would def make. I love your choice of grain.. yaa couscous! :)

Jessie (Vegan-minded) said...

That couscous looks awesome! What a healthy and colorful meal.
I definitely have the Thanksgiving itch, I can't stop thinking about food!
Way to go on being vegetarian too :)

Anonymous said...

Is it possible to have the Thanksgiving itch all year round? The grain salad looks awesome!!

Lauren said...

Awesome dinner!

You totally derserve that award too! You are beautiful and you have one beautiful blog, so how fitting. ;)
Have a good class tonight.

The Purple Carrot said...

Yum, dinner sounds delish!

I don't quite have the thanksgiving itch but I'm sure it will arrive soon ; )

lynn said...

i can't believe t'giving is so close!!!

Deva (Voracious Vorilee) said...

I love mediterranean foods, they're sooo yummy!

Anne said...

Your dinner is so colorful and pretty! I love it. Hehe, I can't believe thanksgiving is so close cause I am SO busy with school and everything-- I'm sure come monday after my 2 exams I'll be dying to get home :)

Britt - Runnerbelle said...

Yay! Cannot wait for Thanksgiving, looking forward to the family and food.... but also a couple of days off! I need some days off.

Love your colorful meal!

Erin Helgerson said...

I cannot wait to go home next week! So excited to see my family.
I've been trying to be vegan for the last two months, but I've had fish a few times. Whatever. I can't be perfect! I thought yogurt would be the hardest thing to give up, but it turns out sushi was harder!!!
Love your cous cous dish...that stuff is just sooooo yummy!!
Hope your class went well! You must be an awesome teacher, I wish you lived here!!!

Anonymous said...

THAT meal is so creative! ive never had quinoa!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

Wow the Mediterranean food looks amazing. I love the flavor comobs you used! Way to go!

Esi said...

Yum, your meal sounds good. I think I am one of the few people in America who doesn't get excited about Tgiving...I am just not into the food...weird, I know!

Maria said...

We had friends over for dinner, it was so much fun. I am up way too late though:) I have thought of going vegan but I don't think I could do it all of the time...I love my Greek yogurt too much:)

Anonymous said...

LOVE tabbouleh. I have never made my own, but this recipe sounds great!

Yum Yucky said...

Ack! My Thanksgiving itch is more like the "Thanksgiving? Oh Damn!"

My house is the new "spot" for family holiday get togethers. Geesh.

The Blonde Duck said...

I love Mediterranean dishes!

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

Your meals are always so inspiring to me! I think eventually I will develop the same attitude you have toward vegetarianism/veganism that you have. However, seeing as I've only started the transition a little more than a month ago, I'll slowly make it there:)

Lori said...

This looks great, such tasty flavors. I was out running errands yesterday and with all that holiday music pumping and decorations I am so in the mood for Thanksgiving and Christmas now!

Holly said...

Yes! Maybe THAT is why I cannot get myself to do work today! I just want it to be next week, already. I'm ready to put up my Christmas tree (!!!).

MMmm, that dish looks super yummy. I love everything in it!

Anonymous said...

I love tabbouleh - I make mine with millet. Your plate looks super colorful!

Krista said...

What a fabulous tabouleh! It's so bright and beautiful.

Have a great day, Erica!

teresa said...

what a beautiful dish! i love it. i am so getting the itch, for thanksgiving and christmas!

Leah @ L4L said...

I won something?!?! Wheeeeeeee!

Anonymous said...

Yum, I love tabbouleh! My dad and I used to make it all the time.

Congrats on the award!

Julie said...

awwww look at you beautiful blogger! gettin your award on and all ;)

i KNEW you were a veg! thanks for coming out of the closet haha. i feel like i'm 95% veg but i love shrimpies and tilapia too much. and forget about me ever giving up dairy. haha

btw Josh's parents have excellent taste in name letter choices ;)

i've had the thanksgiving itch since summer!

Angharad said...

YES on the itch! I want the holidays to begin right now please! So excited for baking and cooking and hanging with family. Joyous.
Love the look of your tabbouleh! That stuff is delicious!

Lizzy said...

I've had thanksgivingitis for the past week now! an yes its a real disease! hehehehehe

hope class goes well tonight! :)