Time for Dinner

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We got off work early (that means before 8 PM), so I had time to really focus on making a delicious dinner.  Cooking is so relaxing… especially when you’re not running around like a headless chicken tofurky.

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You know I had time to put into dinner when I make brown rice (cooking time: at least 30 minutes) instead of millet (15 minutes) or quinoa (7 minutes).  You also know I have time to cook when I bake tofu instead of just opening up a can of beans!

 

I thinly sliced a block of extra firm tofu and laid then out flat on a glass casserole dish.   No seasonings or anything because I was planning on making a version of Mmmm Sauce.  Then, I baked the tofu for 40 minutes at 400 degrees.

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I also steamed some kale and carrots.

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The sauce, as mentioned, was a play on Mmmm Sauce.  In the food processor, I combined:

 

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon curry

Salt and pepper

 

It was pretty good!  The pumpkin seeds definitely added a little something-something.

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Panda Balls Bites for dessert!

 

So – I’m off to the HEALTHY LIVING SUMMIT in Philadelphia tomorrow.  Very excited.  I cannot wait to see all the other bloggers and readers who are attending.  I also cannot believe that the Summit is in it’s third year.  I was on the founding committee, and it really doesn’t seem that long ago that we planned the first Summit.   Time flies!  But it’s so cool to see blog relationships translate to IRL (in real life) friendships. 

 

Good night!

{ 55 comments }

 

  • emily August 18, 2011, 8:47 pm

    I’m going to HLS! It’s my first year and I’m so excited. I hope I get to meet you this weekend.

    • CaitlinHTP August 18, 2011, 8:48 pm

      Yay! Emily I cannot wait to meet you. I feel like I’ve been reading your blog forever and a day.

      • CaitlinHTP August 18, 2011, 8:50 pm

        Also, can you bring your puppy to HLS so I can steal him? Mmm kay? Thanks.

        • emily August 18, 2011, 9:15 pm

          Haha, I wish! If you were bringing Maggie I think I could have talked my husband into coming with me!

  • Evan Thomas August 18, 2011, 8:51 pm

    I can’t wait to see everyone again either!

  • Allison @ Happy Tales August 18, 2011, 8:52 pm

    Yayyyy for HLS starting tomorrow — I’m so excited! See ya bright and early at the airport 🙂

  • sarah August 18, 2011, 8:54 pm

    Hey! I really wanted to go this year, because I live really close to philly, but the tickets sold out about 10 minutes before I got there!

  • Hillary August 18, 2011, 8:54 pm

    Jealous of all the HLS attendees! Have a great time.

  • Chloe (In Fine Feather) August 18, 2011, 9:02 pm

    Love the Mmmm sauce, I can’t wait to make it again when I finally move into my new place!

  • Carin August 18, 2011, 9:03 pm

    Gosh, that looks yummy!

    Have you thought about getting a rice coker? I thought it was an unnecessary gadget but then was told by all the Asian people here (Auckland) that it’s the way to go, so I got one. They are very cheap and fantastic – the rice doesn’t get overcooked, there’s a steaming basket on the top and I can cook double to use leftovers in Santa Fe casserole a couple of days later!It means that you can get on with other stuff too, which is always good.

    I’m going to try this version of mmmm sauce tonight – all storecupboard stuff.

    WISH I was going to HLS to meet everyone IRL! Maybe next year… have oodles of fun and at least I get to read about it afterwards. Happy Summiting!

    • CaitlinHTP August 18, 2011, 9:04 pm

      I really want a rice cooker!!! That’s going to be my end-of-book-writing present to myself.

      • Carin August 18, 2011, 9:11 pm

        Flippin’ heck – I just went out and bought one… I didn’t earn it by writing a whole book!

        • Baking N Books August 18, 2011, 9:20 pm

          lol Carin 🙂

          Have a great trip Caitlin.

          Question – weren’t there 6 “founding” bloggers? I seen on Kath’s site that she said there were 5? Who were the 5 – or 6 – anyways? Thank you.

        • CaitlinHTP August 19, 2011, 12:16 pm

          Eatliverun.com
          katheats.com
          carrotsncake.com
          mealsandmiles.com
          hangrypants.com
          and me!

  • Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats August 18, 2011, 9:16 pm

    Your rice looks so much better than the rice I have been cooking. Mine gets all mushy. lol. What is your secret?

    • CaitlinHTP August 19, 2011, 12:15 pm

      My secret is to cook the rice is a lot of water until its soft, drain away the water (as opposed to waiting until it is absorbed), and then putting it back on the stove for a few minutes.

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats August 18, 2011, 9:17 pm

    That’s one of the hardest parts of cooking for me, once I get home, I’m ready to eat! Taking an hour to make dinner just doesn’t work for me! haha. That’s why I usually make things ahead of time, or fix fun meals on the weekend.

    • Baking N Books August 18, 2011, 9:21 pm

      Ditto. I throw things in a pan to saute or on the George Foreman; heat up some sauce and cheese – and I’m good to go 🙂

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ August 18, 2011, 9:20 pm

    Travel safely!! I can’t wait to meet you!
    Ps My favorite place ive left an operation beautiful note in an airplane bathroom. I always hoped people would leave it up so people from all over could have a brighter day 🙂

  • Katherina @ Zephyr Runs August 18, 2011, 9:29 pm

    So wish I were going to HLS!

  • Luv What You Do August 18, 2011, 9:38 pm

    How exciting to be apart of such an up and coming event. I bet the attendence has really grown in size since your first year. I’m looking forward to hearing about the summit as it is not something I am familiar with.

    Have fun in Philly. Make sure you check out the Reading market and I suggest Morimoto’s for dinner. AMAZING sushi!

  • Penny August 18, 2011, 9:51 pm

    I have never been to a HLS and me wantsa go.

  • Amanda @ the beauty notebooks August 18, 2011, 9:52 pm

    See you soon, Caitlin! Can’t wait 🙂

  • Christine @ BookishlyB August 18, 2011, 10:13 pm

    Have fun! It seems live everyone from all the blogs I read is going. Can’t wait to see the different perspectives of the events!

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga August 18, 2011, 10:18 pm

    Have a blast at the HLS! I had just gotten into blogging around the time of the 1st one…and now, 3 yrs later, it feels like a lifetime ago!

  • Army Amy* August 18, 2011, 10:23 pm

    Have fun in Philly! I can’t wait to hear about all the good stuff y’all are up to!*

  • Meg August 18, 2011, 10:24 pm

    ok I’m stumped.. where do you buy Nutritional Yeast? I walked up and down the aisles of Whole Foods with no luck.. can anyone point me in the right direction so I can make mmm sauce! thank you!

    • Lyn August 18, 2011, 10:58 pm

      I found it in the bins (where you scoop stuff out and weigh it!)

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife August 18, 2011, 10:34 pm

    YUmm. I need to get on this MMM sauce train. And stat.

    Happy travels and have FUN 🙂

  • Lyn August 18, 2011, 10:58 pm

    I live in Philly, a few blocks from where the HLS will be! Let me know if you need any suggestions for fun places to check out! 🙂

  • Khushboo August 19, 2011, 1:10 am

    Safe travels, Caitlin! Have a blast!

  • mi-an d. August 19, 2011, 1:51 am

    you got me hooked on panda puffs!! have fun at HLS! never heard about it til this year. wish i was going! but i don’t blog. (non)bloggers allowed to go? 🙂

  • Allie August 19, 2011, 2:56 am

    Have an awesome time at HLS. Everyone seems to be going from all the blogs I read!

  • Sophie August 19, 2011, 6:25 am

    Have fun at HLS, really wish I was going! It sounds like so much fun! Why have I still not made Mmm sauce?! Thanks for reminding me 🙂

  • Gracie (complicated day) August 19, 2011, 7:30 am

    Whenever I make brown rice I make a triple recipe and just stick the covered pot in the fridge after dinner. The rice will keep at least a week and I can get two more meals out of the time-consuming prep.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin August 19, 2011, 7:46 am

    Love what you did with that sauce – the pumpkin seeds are a great idea!

    Have fun at HLS! I’m so jealous of everyone who is going. 😛

  • Molly @ RDexposed August 19, 2011, 7:52 am

    Ok…I just tried the Nacho Mmm Sauce. I can’t tell you my exact thought upon tasting it for the first time because it’s not very lady-like. I will say that I now understand your love (obesession?) towards it!

    • CaitlinHTP August 19, 2011, 12:17 pm

      I must try the nacho version!

      • Amber K August 19, 2011, 12:48 pm

        My husband practically drinks the nacho version like it’s going out of style! lol

  • Stephanie August 19, 2011, 8:12 am

    I hope you have a great HLS! I think that the blog world is fantastic, in large part because we can see one another’s accomplishments and share in them. Congratulations!

  • allpointswhole August 19, 2011, 8:40 am

    That looks soooo good!

  • Sara @ OurDogBuffy August 19, 2011, 9:00 am

    Please take a photo of a Philly Parking Authority person if you see one! I love the show “Parking Wars” and Philly intrigues me!

  • Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count August 19, 2011, 9:02 am

    I only recently heard about the Healthy Living Summit. So sad I can’t be there since I’m in NJ only about 20 minutes from Philadelphia. 🙁 Have fun though!!

  • Leanne (Bride to Mrs,) August 19, 2011, 10:34 am

    Have a great time in Philadelphia! It looks like so much fun!

  • Jess August 19, 2011, 10:44 am

    If I got home anywhere close to 8pm I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be cooking dinner. Sounds like cereal time to me!

  • Sweet and Savvy August 19, 2011, 11:06 am

    Have a great time at HLS! Looks like an awesome dinner!

  • Sonia (the Mexigarian) August 19, 2011, 11:11 am

    Hope everyone has fun at HLS! I wanted to go but am short on funds. Flying cross country is not in the cards.

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me August 19, 2011, 12:06 pm

    Have a great time! I wish I could be there!

  • Amber K August 19, 2011, 12:48 pm

    I love using my rice cooker on the weekends to premake the rice for the week. Anything I can do to save myself time during the week is awesome in my book!

    Have a great time at HLS it sounds like fun!

  • Lyndsey Christine @ Polish and Gloss August 19, 2011, 1:09 pm

    I know this is a little off topic, but your blog gives me a reality check to how easy it is to cook quick and healthy meals. I literally just wrote about how I need to stop eating out so much!

    http://polishandgloss.com/?p=92

  • rebecca lustig August 19, 2011, 2:21 pm

    WELCOME TO PHILLY!!!

  • Jen@foodfamilyfitness August 19, 2011, 3:01 pm

    Ahhh, a delicious dinner! Have a great weekend at HLS!

  • Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine August 19, 2011, 3:11 pm

    I’m not going to HLS, but I am SO excited to see all of the recaps 🙂

  • R August 20, 2011, 6:33 pm

    We love Panda puffs at our house. Just so you know Healthy Home Market on South Blvd has them on sale for 2.99 a box AND there is a dollar of coupon near the boxes. If you wanna stock up. We did!! Have fun at the Summit!

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