I’m here, I’m here! I ended up staying at work, working, until 4pm and when I got home I was busy and just saved it all for one long post of two FABULOUS meals!!!
After two back-to-back meetings this morning (an infant with an egg/peanut allergy and a meeting with a counselor at a local college) I went back to the office solo to work on the computer. Working in an office is FUN when you’re on your own time + terms! I didn’t bring my lunch, so I debated having a LaraBar and then having lunch at 2-3pm when I got home, but I ended up walking to a deli about 15 minutes away. I used to go to Laurel Market when I worked in PR nearby and hadn’t been in a long time.
It’s kind of a grimy looking place and you’d never know there were gourmet sandwiches and salads inside!
I went in for a sandwich and came out with a salad when I saw this: Turkey Waldorf Salad with Hummus.
It was everything I dreamed it would be. Lettuce, grapes + apples, celery, gorgonzola, Boar’s Head turkey and a huuuuge blob of hummus. When I saw the hummus portion I decided I’d put half to the side given the portion size, but I ended up eating this whole salad!! The rest of it was pretty light. But this salad kept me full all afternoon and well until the 7pm hour.
I ordered a slice of 9-grain bread too, which comes from a local bakery. It’s so easy to add a slice of bread to a salad, and I do it often for a little more heft to a meal. But this wasn’t that great and I only ate half.
I had to walk 15 minutes back and luckily found a picnic table. It was nice to get some noontime exercise. Along with some PCOS reading. (I didn’t touch the dressing or breadsticks)
I felt so wasteful today because I forgot my water bottle and had to buy that one. Too much plastic!
At 4pm I went over to a local small farmer’s market that I’d been wanting to try for a while. It was nice, but GOSH the veggies were expensive. I firmly believe in buying local whenever possible, but I just couldn’t do it (and didn’t really have enough cash). Local/organic food is something that I have a lot of internal trouble with. I know I am paying more to support the industries because our society needs more holistic and back-to-basics farming, not necessarily because the food is better or healthier (although it may sometimes be), but it’s just so hard for me to spend 2-3X as much money when I had just checked the sales at Harris Teeter (esp. when some of their stuff is local too). I can’t stand that I have to go to 3-4 grocery stores to find the best prices and quality of different foods and brands. Harris Teeter for everyday stuff and good deals, Costco for certain things (spinach, soy milk, various veggies), EarthFare for meat/fish, TJ’s for certain items. I almost wish there was a monopoly of local, organic products so I didn’t have to choose!
I ended up going to EarthFare on the way home to pick up some fish for dinner, nd these tortillas, which were only $1.59!
And we turned the fish into Mediterranean Burritos!
Fish + sauteed kale in lemon, oil, salt and oregano + olives
Rolled up with capers, avocado and plain yogurt
Leftovers!
The fish was perrrrrrfect sunburst trout
That’s 2 great meals for the post of one
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Operation Beautiful
Have you seen Operation Beautiful yet? Caitlin’s new project blog is celebrating positive body image in the form of random notes posted around cities all over. The mission is inspiring to women everywhere because you really are ALL BEAUTIFUL!!
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Virginia Bound
Karen, Matt and I are taking a “bizness” trip up to Virginia for 4th of July weekend. Charlottesville on the 4th and Norfolk on the 5th (and a sh!tload of driving in between). If you live in these areas and would be free for lunch either day (and want to tell us about your city!), please email me! I’ll set up an email to coordinate details in a few days.
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SUMMIT NEWS: Registration
Tickets are going to go on sale this Thursday at 8:00 PM EST!!!!!! Registration will take place via the Healthy Living Summit website’s registration page. At 8:00 PM we will open registration via PayPal. After 125 registrants, it shuts down automatically. We tried to be as accommodating as possible to both coasts and jobs, but if you can’t make it I’d recommend having a friend stand in for you.
In the meantime, check into KERF with tomorrow’s breakfast to WIN a ticket!! Each of us are giving away one, so that’s 6X the chance to win. Please note transportation and hotel are not included – this is a freebie registration only. And you must already know you can attend the conference to enter!!
See ya then!!
Mary :: A Merry Life says
Those Mediterranean Burritos look yummy. I am going to try to make them sometime soon. I’ve been meaning to give kale a try and this is the perfect excuse. 🙂
larabel says
Hi Kath! I just wanted to tell you about GoodGuide.com, in case you haven’t already heard about it. A friend of mine told me about it and it has seriously shed some light on a lot of questions I had about certain products. It rates just about any type of product you could think of (food, cosmetics, etc.) based on how healthy they are for our bodies, and how healthy they are for the environment. A lot of “organic” brands that we think are so healthy and eco-friendly (like Horizon organic!!) are actually NOT good for the environment! Check it out and let me know what you think!!
Jen says
Hey Kath!
That salald looks amazing . . . I am OBSESSED with hummus!
But i also wanted to ask you about the possibility of adding a “Restaurant” category on the right side Tags section of the website.
Tina from Carrots ‘n’ Cake has a tag like this and i find it really helpful b/c sometimes i travel to boston and love going back to read about her restaurant experiences/reviews. I would love if u did this in the future (if it’s not too much trouble, of course!) b/c i expect to be in ur area soon and would love to read thru ur restaurant reviews!
thnx
-jenny
Elizabeth says
I bet you’ll find a way to keep the business trip (& ton of driving) fun!
That’s really nice of you ladies to give free registration to 6 lucky people… I hope I can sneak away from work to enter! 😉
Nicole says
Both meals look amazing! Yum 🙂 I am so excited for the summit!!
Jenny says
I’m excited to hear about your VA trip! I live in VA Beach, but I won’t be around over the weekend because of the holiday! If you have any questions about the area, feel free to email me at jnylyn78 at yahoo dot com.
Meghan@traveleatlove says
Those fish burritos look incredible! I am soooo crossing my fingers that I will be able to register for the summit!
ErinMac says
Not only are you providing me with an excellent potential fish dinner/lunch idea, Kath, you are also providing me with SUNLIGHT!
Up here in Rhode Island, we have had 20 straight days of rain and it is awful! I’ve forgotten what the sun looks like and it’s so nice to see it in your pictures. Ok, that’s a tad dramatic but it sure feels like I haven’t seen it in ages.
Rhody also has an excellent, excellent local food scene (www.farmfreshri.org.) that’s getting more and more popular due to supply and demand. If more people demand local, fresh, cheaper! foods, it can happen!
april says
lunch and dinner look amazing!!
Vanessa (Last Night's Leftovers) says
Food looks awesome, of course! I haven’t made it to the farmer’s market yet this year, but I’m looking forward to it.
Erin says
Beautiful trout, holy smokes. I feel ya on the local organic farmer issue. I eternally struggle with it.
valerie says
I know how you feel about the going to multiple stores for groceries! I go to the farmer’s market, Whole Foods, Down to Earth, and Safeway! I also live in Honolulu which means produce is crazy expensive if you don’t eat seasonally and locally, and sometimes the choice is between eating healthy or saving money. I can’t wait until the islands get a Trader Joe’s!
Kelly V. says
I love the Laurel Market! I was suspect the first time I went with a friend, but now it’s a favorite of mine when I visit Charlotte! A friend of mine provided me your blog when I requested recipes, so I look forward to trying some of yours and reading your blog 🙂 Have a great day!
Sarah says
Yummy lunch and dinner! I feel you on the local farmer’s market produce. I usually do about half and half depending on what is reasonably priced at either place.
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) says
mmm, i love all things mediterranean! i consumed SO much olive oil when i lived in italy and i never felt better 🙂
leslie says
i have the same feelings about buying local. i too go to 3-4 grocery stores for the best prices – i want to buy local, and i firmly believe in supporting local farms, but it’s really difficult when the prices at the grocery stores are less. a local farming monopoly is one i’d actually support!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
That salad you got for lunch looks fantastic! What an amazing combination of food!!
I agree it is so important to support local industry (best produce!) but I agree it’s so hard to do when it cost 3 times the amount! It’s rough! I always look for sales.
Have a great evening!
Rosalie says
Wow that website is awesome 🙂 You guys have been working so hard on this.
I love hearing about your internship stories.
Whitney says
My opinion is that I would rather spend twice as much on great farmers market produce and go out to eat maybe twice a month than once a week.
I just made some peas that I shelled and blanched quickly and yea, they cost me $5 for the two of us but they tasted like nothing you could find at the store. Some things are just worth it.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
That salad looks insanely delicious Kath! What a nice way to take a break from work. 🙂
Farmer’s markets are so fun to walk around and explore, but I agree that some of the prices can be outrageous. It’s a good experience and worth it to splurge on a few goodies, but it’s not something that most people can do on a regular basis.
Yummy dinner!!! You have such a way with making such gourmet, yet simple and healthy, dinners!
Emily L. says
DE-lickmylips-cious looking fish wraps!
Emily says
Lunch looks like something I would definitely want to recreate at home! YUM!! And your dinner looks like something out of a magazine!! Great presentation!!!
Marianne says
I highly recommend Yorgos on Colonial Ave for breakfast or lunch in Norfolk!! It is local bagel shop that has wonderful sandwiches (more than just bagels!!) and some darn good cookies!
Sarah says
Great dinner! Will Karen move with you guys when the time comes?
Meg says
Love both meals!
Isn’t Operation Beautiful great!?
Have a wonderful evening!
ashley says
score with the torts! Burritos looked tasty. some of my favorite places to eat are the restaurants no one’s ever heard of.
Recipes for Creativity says
I ate the exact same wraps from earth fare with my dinner tonight! Well, I made them into pepper/chard/tomato/cheddar quesadillas for me and a chicken veggie cheese quesadilla for my guest, but I love them!
Adi (oatonomy.com) says
That market place is definitely one I would pass by without giving a second look. Your lunch looks surprisingly delish! And your dinner… um… now I’m hungry.
Kristin says
I definitely feel your pain with the expensive farmer’s market situation. Living in San Francisco, there are an abundance of farmer’s markets but some are just down right unaffordable. I recently saw a movie called Fresh and took away a great point that I try to remember now when staring at expensive organic local products- you end up paying for it somewhere. Whether it’s in your health, in your weight, or in contributing to the corporate shenanigans that run amok in the food industry, saving in some areas in the long run doesn’t pay off. Of course there are price points that are clearly out of my means, but thinking of it that way really helps curb the frustration when I feel like good ingredients are out of my price range! Anyway, your dinner looks amazing and I will re-create soon!
Samantha says
All of the food looks delish as always. I was actaully just diagnosed with PCOS, so I have been reading up on it alot, and hoping to get my diet to where I can get my weight under control! I’m sure Tri-care wont cover a RD so I’m trying to figure it out on my own, your blog is helping me with new food ideas though!
MarathonVal says
Hi Kath, I have the same qualms about buying expensive, local, organic fare. I want to do it so badly – but my wallet disagrees, as does my husband! He’s the best but he doesnt think it’s worth it to shell out 3x the price… especially because the local stuff often doesnt keep as long, since it is hormone-free! I wish it was more affordable!!
Mrs. Myers @ Eat Move Write says
Your burrito looks fabulous. I might have to copycat you.
Kaolee says
The wrap looks delicious!
Tammy says
Fish tacos are one of our new favorites, and those look divine!
Bec says
the wrap looks fantastic!
Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum says
The summit sounds so exciting!!! You are all wonderful for giving away tickets thank you SO much. Those wraps and the hummus on your salad look incredibleeee!
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now says
Those meals really do look amazing. It’s funny how that little store has gourmet food!
Caroline says
Beautiful wrap! So professional!
Tiffany! Van says
I have never tried salad with hummus before. Looks like a good idea!
Man, I need to practice on making wraps. I can never get them to close! I guess I just pack in too much food. Haha.
Sarah (LovIN My Tummy) says
You have AMAZING taste in tortillas 😉
Molly says
Aw man I’m a VA native and I just moved out of the Williamsburg area, which is pretty close to Norforlk. I haven’t heard great things about the Norfolk area but I think you’ll really like Charlottesvile!
ss says
You will LOVE charlottesville! I lived there during grad school and want to eventually settle there again. Its a college town but is full of charm and history.
syl says
It is great to see you reading about PCOS! I was diagnosed during my junior year in college and I felt like the world suddenly came crashing down on me (when in reality, looking back on it, that was on of the most enlightening moments). I’ve been reading about it ever since and it’s certainly clear that 90% of ameliorating the symptoms comes in the form of weight loss and nutrition. It’s crazy to think that 10% of all women have “it” yet I’m sure most of those women have no idea.
I would love it if you could spend some time on this issue if you have any desire. Also, let me know how that book is and whether you would recommend it.
BTW, I love the food today! (as always)
Jo says
Both the salad and the wrap look yummy. I wish I could make the summit but its a long way to travel from the UK! Maybe next year I could tie it in with a holiday?? 🙂
Ashley says
that’s disappointing that local-organic is so expensive in charlotte (actually grew up there). i live in santa barbara california now and i can get every thing i need in produce for a week for about $20, all local, all organic.(this usually means a bag of about 30 whole carrots, huge bag of kale, 3 cucumbers, bag of peeled garlic, a few yellow and red onions, tons of fresh parsley, ginger root, bag of celery stalks,3-4 beets, a couple of bananas, fresh strawberries.) my boyfriend actually stopped at a local-organic produce stand in buellton last week that was by donation, so we had a whole bunch of kale, parsley, zucchini for his $3 donation (as it was all the cash he had on him). the generic grocery stores typically end up having produce of lesser quality, and it’s too expensive at natural food stores. i realize it’s more difficult in nc, but charlotte needs to step it up…they also need a bikram yoga studio….alright, i’m done. almost… i just found your blog a couple of days ago, and i have to say i like it. it’s awesome that you bike around charlotte, because i know that can’t be too easy, AND i can’t believe you didn’t fall in love with juicing after trying your friends. i think juicing mighta been a life-changer for me…:)
Jenn (www.j3nn.net) says
Living in upstate, NY, I totally feel your pain with the wanting the buy local and having to shop at a zillion different stores to get what you’re looking for. It’s really frustrating, especially because our fresh and local season is sooo short. Most of the year we’re paying $4.99/lb for yellow, red or orange bell peppers. It’s ridiculous how expensive fresh produce is. I guess that’s why we’re only supposed to eat what’s in season. 😕 I can’t wait to have a greenhouse once again like we had growing up!! 🙂
Ouch, only 125 slots available for the summit? 🙁 Hope I can be one of the lucky ones!
Jenn
caitlin says
thank you for mentioning operation beautiful!
Alison says
My dilemma is wondering whether local produce is organic or not. I really want pesticide/chemical free produce, and I know sometimes local farmers grow their fruits and veggies organically but can’t afford to be certified organic. I always wonder which is the lesser of two evils. Organic or local. At least I know the veggies that come from my own garden are organic and VERY local! 😉
Christie @ Find My Weigh says
Sorry about the $$$$ produce, we don’t have much selection of local AND organic so I just stick to buying local when I can.
I live in Richmond and love day tripping to Charlottesville. My favorite place to eat lunch is called Hot Cakes. It is a gourmet to go shop but it has plenty of tables and chairs if you want to eat there. There selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, pastas and veggies is awesome and there desserts are to die for. You can check it out online at hotcakes dot biz.
Ada says
That Meditteranean wrap looks fantastic! I know what you mean about buying local and organic foods, sometimes the cost simply makes it impossible. Hopefully within the next few years the cost will decrease.
Susan says
That is one giant glob of hummus!!! I would have been all over that 😛
Local food is more expensive around here too. I’d love to support local farmers, but the way I see it, I gotta support myself first. And that sometimes means spending what little money I have on affordable foods.
Christina says
What great meals! That wrap looks amazing. I can’t resist anything including avocado these days.
JENNA says
I feel the exact same way about farmers markets! It’s so hard to pay those prices when you barely have the $ to pay for the cheaper ones at the grocery store! I try to take my daughter to the farmers market when we can afford but I get v. frustrated with the whole system. It shouldn’t be like that! We are growing some of our own veggies at home so I hope that is influencing her a bit more and helping save $.
Yum those fish burritos look fabulous.
Can’t wait to see ya all in C’ville!
Stacy (Eating To Live Love Laugh Tri) says
I live in VA and would love to meet up and talk about the area but I already have plans for the holiday weekend. I am so disappointed that I won’t have the chance to meet you guys. Maybe next time.
Stacey says
I would love to know the location of that place so I could try it out one day!!
Your dinner looks delish by the way 🙂
WendyF says
Its a shame that your farmer’s markets are so expensive. In the Bay Area they seem to be very reasonable. Steve buys almost all his produce from the farmers directly. We started growing our own lettuce and tomatoes and have not bought either this season 🙂 I know that the regulations are very strict for certified organic so in our little towns farmers market I also buy from the local non organic farmers as well.
baggles says
I was wondering earlier if you were talking about Charlottesville, VA. I have friend who just moved there a couple of months ago and just love it!
I’m going to be out there visiting, but about a month after you guys. 🙁
HeatherBakes says
That burrito looks amazing- I have the hardest time coming up with dinner combos that aren’t super boring but yours are always so interesting.
Keeping my fingers crossed about the blog summit. I’ve never been to Boston!
Carole Havrila says
no specific plans for the holiday weekend as we just got back from a week at Topsail….so, let me know your plans!! I can already think of places you and Matt would love.
You can email me at above email or at [email protected]
Happy to give you details on our dietetic internship program here, too…
Alicia says
the fish looks delish 🙂
Just remember that $ isn’t the only measure of the true cost of food.
By running around to five different stores, you’re burning up a lot of fuel, (and your energy and time) and by buying vegetables that are shipped from other places you might spend less cash, but you’re putting more carbon into the air.
I’ve resigned to eating what is good in my area seasonally, and that sometimes means not having what I want and spending a bit more, but i think it’s totally worth it. I don’t mind cutting back on our entertainment budget to have the best food from the best farmers.
You could also see if any of your farmers market vendors will exchange work for produce. Some will give you a box of veggies if you come to the farm once or twice a month.
Also, look into a CSA!
Just remember that when you buy locally, you’re voting with your dollars and making the statement that the upfront $ cost of food isn’t the only part of the equation.
Kat says
Hey! I live in Williamsburg which depending the way you go, you may pass. I will not be in town, but there are some great lunch spots! The Cheese Shop is famous in Colonial Williamsburg, and has amazing sandwiches. Great seafood in Norfolk as well. I have stayed at the Boar’s Head Inn and Charlottesville and it is a beautiful area.
Kath says
larabel ,
Cool site! I wonder who is making all of the decisions though.
Jen ,
That’s a great idea. I don’t think I can go back and change 2 years of restaurants, but I will def. add that moving forward.
Sarah ,
Yes, she’s going to be our bookkeeper.
Susan ,
“Support yourself first” – never thought of it that way 🙂
Stacey ,
It’s right on South Blvd. in South End.
Alicia ,
Very true about the fuel, although I have to drive further to get to the farmer’s market than the grocery store…
Kat ,
There’s already a GH in Williamsburg 🙁
Kath
Jennifer says
Jessica anbd I are in DC if you happen to be up that way…pretty far from Charlottesville though.
brandi says
that’s awesome you guys are heading to VA! I wish I was going to see my parents that weekend so I could meet you guys, but the husband is running a crazy race on july 4th here so it’s a few hours west.
It’ll be a fun trip, though. I LOVE Virginia and have lived here all my life – east coast, and now the western part. All of it is beautiful.
Shannon says
Kath, I second ‘syl’ and would love for you to talk about PCOS from a nutritional standpoint. I do not have PCOS but am becoming insulin resistant – I imagine the nutrition componenent would be same/similar for both.
Thanks,
Shannon
Jess says
Your meals today are a combo of my favorite foods. What a great day!
klm says
I want that burrito in my mouth now. All I have are fish sticks.
Lynn (The Actors Diet) says
I try to do my shopping at 4-5 different places too, to get the most bang for my buck.
Carol says
I’m a UVA grad from way back and Charlottesville is a great town. You’ll love it.
I’m also interested in the PCOS book that you’re reading. I was diagnosed with PCOS years and years ago and I try to control my symptoms with diet and exercise, since I can’t tolerate the medicine that is usually prescribed.
Jess says
What a beautiful dinner, not to mention a mix of my favorite flavors…I’ll have to copy cat you guys sometime soon! 😀
Elizabeth says
Charlottesville is one of my favorite towns in the world (I went to college there), so let me know if you need any tips on things to do and see there!