Hey, hey! Happy Hump Day, friends!
This week started off sort of blah for me. After the weekend, I developed some sort of (painful) stomach bug, so, by Monday afternoon, I felt awful. Thankfully, Quinn was into cuddling with me on the couch because there was no way I could have chased him around the house. I was literally counting down the minutes until Mal got home from school. I woke up feeling quite a bit better on Tuesday morning, but still not a 100%, so I made myself comfortable on the couch and worked the day away. It was one of those times I was especially thankful for my work-from-anywhere job.
Anyway, the reason I am telling you all this is because I haven’t done much this week, but there are some new fun things in my life that I’m pretty excited about and thought you guys might be into too, so here’s what’s new this week in my world!
Tofu scramble. My first one was a success! Here’s what I did: Drained and pressed a block of extra firm tofu and then sautéed it with veggies (broccoli, green bell pepper, onion, spinach, edamame), nutritional yeast, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Easy as that!
Nutritional yeast. I used to use nutritional yeast all the time (remember Mama Pea’s Mmm Sauce?), but I haven’t had it in quite awhile. I needed it to make a tofu scramble, so I Amazon Primed it right to my house. I actually purchased it from my phone in the Trader Joe’s parking lot after I learned that they didn’t sell it. Amazon Prime is trouble, isn’t it?
Murphy’s dog bed. The long-time readers probably remember Murphy’s, uh, “relationship” with dog beds, so he’s never really had one… until recently. He basically took Quinn’s bean bag chair for himself. He sleeps in it ALL THE TIME, so now it smells like pug (even after Frebreze-ing the heck out of it), so we moved it from the playroom into the living room for him. Boom. New dog bed for Murphy.
A living room rug. We finally bought a rug for our living room! Hooray! It only took us 3 months. Haha! We didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a rug because we have a toddler and a dog, but we didn’t want to buy any old rug either, ya know? Basically, we did a lot of window shopping before we finally bit the bullet, and I think we made a great decision!
New light fixtures for our house. Pottery Barn is having a lighting sale right now, so we bought a new chandelier for our dining room as well as a pedant for our hallway. I can’t wait to get them. They’ll be an instant upgrade to our home!
Maple Nut Crunch Granola from Blissful Eats. Nicole offered to send me some of her granola to try, and I can’t say enough great things about it. The Maple Nut Crunch, in particular, is heavenly. The huge granola chunks are my favorite, but I also love it because it’s made from wholesome ingredients (nuts, seeds, coconut oil, ground flax, and maple syrup) and just about everyone can enjoy it (gluten-free, paleo, vegan). Nicole also sells three other delicious flavors that I can’t wait to try!
Wood grain tiles. Blog friends! I bought these wood grain tiles from Home Depot for like $6, and they’re perfect for food photography. Just wanted to pass this idea along!
Coconut cream mixed into my oatmeal. I love coconut cream (i.e. Chicken Bacon Alfredo, Coconut Almond Butter Smoothie), but I never thought to add it to my oatmeal until recently. It makes it soooooo creamy, and I love the extra fat for added satiety. OMG, it’s so good. You’ve gotta try it!
Paying an arm and a leg for a smoothie. When did smoothies get so expensive? I bought a “Peanut Butter Monkey” smoothie the other day and, holy cow, it cost almost $8. I should have just waited until I got home to make The Best Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie and saved the money! Oh, well. It was a fun treat.
Question of the Day
What’s new in your world this week?
I love adding coconut cream to my oats as well! 🙂 love my some fat New this week… Tried a new trx & KB workout, love it!
I know what you mean about smoothies getting expensive!
Prior to moving to London, I lived in San Francisco, where I once ordered a really yummy sounding one which turned out to be $14. Really, that much?!
Since then, I’ve been sticking to making my smoothies at home!
Dying that Murphy has a new bed. This week is all about my new running shoes and sweet potatoes in my salad. Yum!
Growing up my friends mom used to add nutritional yeast to popcorn (with butter of course). It was a pretty good snack!!
Glad you are feeling a bit better! Stomach bugs are no fun.
That wood panelling seems like an excellent idea! Your photos look great.
What’s new with me? I just started reading a new book and it has sucked me : The Rumor. Takes place on Nantucket.
Oh, I definitely know what you mean about the dog bed! My dog, Oliver has had two different dog beds for years and also only recently starting sleeping in them! It’s funny how he finally discovered it, but I’m glad he’s comfortable in them now.
Yes, Amazon Prime is trouble for sure…but it also comes in super handy when I need it so I figure it all evens out:-). Love the wood grain tile for your pictures – that is such a great find!
Agreed! It totally saved me a trip to WFs!
I love these type of posts! I need to try that granola- looks delish! I started making cinnamon roll oats this week for breakfast instead of eggs- amazing. Perfect for this chilly fall weather. I also have dug into The Happiness Project and am LOVING it so far. Definitely going to do my own version of a “happiness project” when I am done reading.
Good tip on the Home Depot tiles. I’ll be sure to check those out. For that price, who wouldn’t? Hope you’re feeling better soon!
I LOVE Blissful Eats granola!! The no nutty chocolate chip granola is heavenly. Nicole is the best!
I just tried that one this morning. It’s awesome!!
I just restocked my nutritional yeast too – it’s my favorite with eggs!
I love the idea of adding coconut cream to oatmeal! I usually refrigerate it so it gets thick, then mix it with some cocoa for a little treat. Tastes like frosting! I also love your suggestion for a backdrop for food photography. My parents just got done installing flooring in their house and have tons of extra so I’ll have to steal some 🙂 Feel better soon!
That wood tile idea is genius!! So, so smart, thanks for sharing!
This TJ’s coconut milk is the best I’ve found. Perfectly creamy! I’ve poured it over tilapia filets and added some sweet potatos and green beans in the mix. So good.
I LOVE the photo idea!!! I might have to stop at Home Depot very soon!
New this week – my mom just left after being with us for the past week. Getting back in the groove of things around here again!
XxOo Tasha
Cute picture of Murphy!!!!!!!!
I bought a cedar & pine candle last night and my house smells like winter forest this morning. Perfect for a rainy day 🙂
That photo of Murphy in the bean bag… omg! What a cute little nugget! Our dog isn’t allowed to have a traditional dog bed because he just humps or eats it (he’s very well trained, obviously). We got him a flat coolaroo bed and he goes crazy for it. I swear it’s like a puppy sedative.
I’m not really on the PSL bandwagon, but at the grocery store the other day, I saw that Coffeemates Naturals has a pumpkin spice flavor creamer. It is delicious!
I bet that is delicious!!
new this week…… lots of emergen-c! I played two soccer games last night and whenever i work out hard I always feel a little run down and sick…. sooo im just trying to make sure i get enough vitamin c! also sleep would help, but i dont really have time for that… hahah
I had to laugh when I saw the picture of Murphy on the bean bag chair. Our 11 year old pug has claim not one, but two bean bag chairs as her own bed. We keep one in the laundry room (where she sleeps at night) and one in the living room. Good thing my daughter was getting to big for her bean bag chairs anyway.
Awww! It must be a pug thing!
I love nutritional yeast on avocado toast! It’s such a good combo. Also on eggs
That sounds so good!!
Hi Tina! I hope you feel better soon — it’s great you were able to stay at home when not feeling well and still get work done. As far as your other updates — Murph is too funny. I love that he is in the bean bag. My little puppy loves to sleep on any blanket folded or bunched up. And as far as the wood for food photography — looks perfect. Thanks for sharing! Happy Wednesday! 🙂
We had some new light fixtures and hung out new curtains in the dining room. It looks so much better now.
I love the wood-grain tiles!
I’m glad you’re feeling better. Those wood tiles are a great idea.
I have never tried a tofu scramble, but it sounds delicious! I made a chocolate pudding last year that used silken tofu and it was really good!
New this week is me feeling under the weather as well. It is no fun being sick and having a toddler. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Hope you are feeling better! We need to buy a few more thing for our house too but just haven’t made the leap of purchasing anything.
Big breakfast salads with egg and avocado! Plus salsa of course!
That smoothie sounds so good! I’m sure it was worth the $8!!
Ha! It was quite delicious!!
Just FYI, you can buy nutritional yeast in the bulk section at whole foods and some other higher end grocery stores that may have a natural foods oriented bulk section. It can really save you some $$.
That’s where I usually buy it, but Amazon Prime makes it so easy!
I’ve been having a blah week too, and I’m praying that both of us start to feel better soon. You’re in my thoughts sweet Tina.
Do they make that dog bed in adult sizes? It looks comfy!
They do! It’s just a regular bean bag! 🙂
Need to try that coconut cream! Buying smoothies (and hand pressed juices) are SO expensive. Better to just make it from home, and may be tastier too 🙂
Smoothie prices have gone through the roof it’s ridiculous.
I need a Trader Joe’s trip asap…
Ahh Tina I LOVE the idea of wood grain tiles!! I have been looking for something like this or a while. It’s amazing how expensive the distressed wood panels are when you buy them specially made.. Eek! Definitely heading out to the Depot this weekend. Thanks for the great tip, girl!
you just fueled the Amazon fire! I’m laughing because before I got through this post I had switched over to Amazon to order Nutritional yeast to try the tofu scramble….trouble indeed!
Trrouuuubbllllleee! 🙂
Hey Tina – question for you
What camera do you use now? I remember you always posted your camera when you purchased a new one but I cant seem to remember what kind/brand you use now. Thanks much!!!
XxOo Tasa
I use my iPhone most of the time. I also have a Samsung point-and-shoot that I use on occasion.
LOVE Amazon Prime! Also newly obsessed with Instacart! You can get your groceries delivered to you by a third party in as little as two hours, and the price isn’t that bad. Our local WF has it, among other grocery, pet and liquor stores.