Are you ready? I can’t hear you.
I said ARE! YOU! READY!
Ready for another rousing rendition of What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW) sponsored by the fabulously funny Jenn at Peas and Crayons. Head on over to her sight to check out what other bloggers are shoveling in their mouths. It’s bound to be delicious and healthy because the two can go hand in hand. Stop laughing; I’m being serious. Surely by now I’ve planted the see healthy doesn’t have to be bland or boring.
This month’s broadcast is based on Summer Staples and what better time to partake than the month of August. I’ve already had my beach vacation, I’m done with my swimsuit for the season; me thinks a little indulgence is in order. So come with me while I showcase my Monday eats since they were particularly appealing (aren’t you lucky).
Since I was out of town this past weekend, I missed my weekly grocery store trip and didn’t have a chance to buy, much less prep, anything edible for the week. Oh the horror; I can’t head into a work week with no food, no sensible snacks, no plan. I’d end up eating crap which would make me feel lousy. So I did what any sensible planner would do; I scheduled Monday off.
It was lovely; I slept in, until the ripe hour of 7:30 a.m., and worked on blog stuff for a bit before cutting up our newest CSA score: meet Mr. Cantaloupe. He is big, he is orange, he is oh so sweet, succulent, and juicy, and I love him.
Meet Mr. Potato Head. He is big, he is brown, and he is missing parts.
I was eager to get a jump start on my errands for the day (yes very weird, but I like to check things off the list) so I grabbed a handful of walnuts and dried cranberries to give myself a little staying power because nobody likes hangry Meghan, and headed out the door.
Several hours later and completely famished (like starting to gnaw my arm famished), I met the Hubby and the in-laws for lunch at The Root Cafe in Lakewood. This is one of my favorite food hangouts. Everything is organic, locally sourced, and they are 100% vegetarian and very vegan friendly. If you live in Cleveland and don’t know where to take your veggie loving friends, The Root Cafe is your answer. If you’re a carnivore, you’ll still enjoy it; their food is that good.
I order the Chilled Berry Soup and the “Roasted, Baked & Toasted” sandwich, which was roasted veggies, sharp cheddar cheese, hummus, and pesto on whole grain bread. Everything was finger licking good, and I mean it literally. I would have licked my plate clean too if I wasn’t in public. See, I can still maintain a socially acceptable decorum when hanging with the general population. Eating food good, plate licking awkward.
The bread was soft and crunchy at the same time, filled with seeds, nuts and so many good grains. The veggies and pesto hummus packed a one two flavor punch (Bam, Bam), which left me licking my fingers (I wasn’t kidding), and the Chilled Berry Soup. Ohhh, the chilled berry soup…dessert in a bowl. I might as well have been eating a smoother and creamier slice of blueberry pie. It was sweet and cinnamony good.
After lunch, I continued on my errand spree; it was a day of driving and waiting in long lines and honestly, I couldn’t have been happier. Yes I’m still weird, but I was eating well, hanging with the Hubby and knocking things off my list left and right. Watch out now. My last stop of the day was my beloved grocery store, Nature’s Bin, where I stocked up on fresh produce and supplies for the week (read copious amounts of oats). Oats are a girl’s best friend. Oh wait, isn’t it diamonds. No matter, I’d take either.
With food finally in hand (or really neatly lined up and organized in my pantry), I whipped up some Energy Bites, a double batch of granola, and hardboiled some eggs. I also washed and prepped our latest batch of lettuce from the CSA, so we can grab and go. Or toss and take. Or scoop and shovel. Or whatever weird saying fits the bill.
I was a wee bit rundown from said errand running and weekly food prep so dinner was quick and easy (just how I like my men). We threw together a salad (CSA lettuce – check) with the last bit of raspberries from our yard, blackberries from the in-laws yard, and blueberries from the store (two out of three ain’t bad). I also added some creamy (and dreamy) goat cheese because it pairs so well with fresh berries and sliced almonds for just a bit of crunch (I do pairings now because I’m bad @ss and teach spinning).
And you want to know what’s better than a chilled soup for lunch on a hot summer’s day. If you were thinking chilled soup for dinner, then you were right, and also psychic (we should talk). I defrosted our last batch of Gazpacho and topped it with some homemade croutons made from an onion and white cheddar scone picked up at The Roots Cafe earlier in the day. It was sheer bliss and totally indulgent. I love chilled summer soups, and I got to eat them twice in one day. Hmmm, what else could be fun twice in one day? I don’t mean dessert…
Ahhh, life is good. Mojo found.
So now you know what’s good and better, but I saved the absolute best and most adorable (yes more adorable than the cold soup) for last. My favorite (and only) nephew, Max, and I hung out this past weekend, and since he’s getting ready to board a plane for Belgium, it will be our last get together for a while. His daddy emailed me a message from him the other day which read, “Tell her we love her.” Tear, tear. I’ll miss you little buddy. Bon Voyage.
Just to be clear, the last photo depicts Grandpa hanging Max over a chair and his own lap. There is no ledge, no balcony, no abyss below, and no children were harmed in the taking of this photo.
Kristina says
wow, that sandwich looks and sounds AMAZING… as does the rest of the eats.
a formal hello – I found you via Jenn’s WIAW 😀
Meghan says
A formal “Hello” back atcha. Thanls for stopping by and commenting. The sandwich was so good.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Omg, you are FREAKIN’ HILARIOUS!! I was chuckling to myself all the way through this post! And for the record, I too prefer my men like your dinner! 😉
You are SO lucky to have a CSA hookup! My town has a very small farmer’s market, but the hopes of getting a full-fledged CSA program looks pretty dim. Sad day.
I was seriously drooling over myself with the pictures of your lunch…AND THEN you had to go and throw like 15 adjectives at me…toasty, seedy, BAM BAM, warm, cinnamony…gahhhhhh! You’re killing me! I have GOT to try chilled soup…I’ve never had it before, but both of yours look/sound incredible!!
Hope you’re having a great week! Happy WIAW!!
Meghan says
Thanks so much! If you are a warm soup fan, you have to try chilled soup. It is fantastic in the summer and conceptually, yes a little strange, but once you get past it…you won’t be sorry.
P.S. I love, love, love my CSA. This is only my second year doing it, and I can’t imagine summer without it.
rebecca @ blueberry smiles says
That sandwich looks so good! I’ve never had pesto hummus….but now I really, really want some!
Meghan says
It literally put it over the edge for me; so freaking good.