Saving Grace

Food: I think about it constantly. I absolutely love to eat. Sometimes the act of eating alone is enough. My weeks are always hectic and I do not really have time or the means to eat out, especially if it is going to be unhealthy or expensive. Therefore, I prepare most of my meals for transport and since the bulk of a vegan diet relies most heavily on low caloric foods it also means I have to eat often.

It is important to prep for your week and think about how long you will be away from home, what kinds of activities you are getting into, when are your breaks. On average, I am away anywhere from 8-16 hours a day, which is a pretty big range and can encompass an entire day of meals. Today I will be gone ~13 hours, which includes breakfast (partially on the go), fuel for/after the gym, snacks, lunch, more snacks. Did I mention snacks? Generally, on the weekends I will cook dishes for the week, but if I do not I will eat mostly raw foods that are easy to transport, consume, and efficient. For example, today will go something like:

Breakfast
handful of dried fruit and nuts, or these (fondly nicknamed "seedy balls" by my boss)
Cuban espresso (cafecito/colada) with dark chocolate almond milk
water

Snack
apple
carrots
water

Lunch
couscous salad (see below)
piece of fruit
water

Snack
snapped green beans
grapes
apple
dried fruit

Dinner
salad, wrap, or warm dish w/tofu, seitan, legumes or sweet potato
water

Snack (any of the following)
nuts and dried figs
prunes
rice snacks/wasabi peas
pretzels
homemade hummus
70-90% cacao
coconut date bar
coconut water
tea

It is always important to think about what foods your body needs at different times of the day and before/after various activities. Everyone is different. If you want to eat a big breakfast, then eat a big breakfast. If you care about your nutrition you will make conscious choices that are both efficient for your body and delicious. Our individual needs are different; so are our days. Some days I crave nothing but raw fruits and veggies, so that is what I will eat. Other days it may be umami foods, like nuts, avocados, dark chocolate, tahini (good fats). And, yeah... some days I want to eat a huge f*cking cookie.

My biggest saving grace are salads, either made from home or in combination with the Whole Foods salad bar. I may get enough of something particular to add quickly to greens each day without having to prepare if I am on time restraints. I may also take advantage of their already prepared tofu and grain burgers. If anything, they are healthy treats savored throughout a tough workweek. Here are a few ideas:

Salad #1 Whole Food's whole wheat couscous, wheatberries, pablano peppers, green chilies, roasted red peppers, Thompson raisons, dried cranberries, and ginger powder.  Served with alfalfa sprouts and a drizzle of honey on a bed of mixed greens.	Salad #2 Whole Foods's wheatberries, slivered almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries, Thompson raisons.  Served on a bed of mixed greens.
Salad #3 Mediterranean rosemary tabouli with tomatoes, sweet corn nuts, dusting of turmeric and a drizzle of honey	Salad #4 Romaine lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, prunes and oil-free citrus dressing w/grapes on the side
Salad #5 Turmeric and Curry Powder Couscous with roasted pumpkin seeds served with a drizzle of agave on mixed greens	Salad #6 Dried cranberries, prunes, soy nuts, sunflower seeds, and alfalfa sprouts, served with a drizzle of honey on a bed of spring greens
Salad #7 Steamed curried kale and red onion	Salad #8 Spinach, cucumbers, jalapeños, pickles, red onion, shredded carrots, tomato, banana peppers, black pepper, vinegar, served on a bed of romaine and topped with spicy salsa
Salad #9 Curry and turmeric couscous with chopped sweet mesquite almonds	Salad #10 Spring mix, and WF's wild spring mix with cherry tomatoes, broccoli, avocado, raw broccoli and carrot salad, mushrooms, quinoa, and garlicky kale, and oil-free balsamic vinaigrette
Salad #11 Spring mix, curried couscous, alfalfa sprouts, and WF's honey sesame tofu, with oil-free garlicky dressing	Salad #12 Seitan crumbled into pieces and sautéed with garlic, Bragg's Aminos, raw sugar, and small amount of tamarindo paste; added on top a bed of mixed greens