I knew I couldn’t get away with it for long. I was grabbing a Dunkin Donuts bagel with cream cheese for breakfast to eat on the T, stealing treats from the office break room as snacks, buying lunch out downtown. Nope. My poor stomach, which happens to be sensitive anyway, finally revolted and here I am writing a post about my trip back to basics this week. It’s not only my stomach that has me feeling crummy but with the majority of my meals being eaten out for the past couple of weeks, I’m fatigued too. I truly see a marked difference in the way I feel. I can blame this fast-food stretch on a whole host of things such as finals for grad school, an especially busy work schedule, going out after work with friends, and generally being too tired to cook or shop, but that really doesn’t help. After all, there is always something that makes grabbing food on the go “easier” isn’t there? So, yesterday, I headed to the store and as sad as the produce section is looking lately, I managed to find some great organic russet potatoes and bright green leeks. With them, I made an incredibly easy (I’m not kidding!) potato-leek soup. This recipe makes enough for dinner for 2 and then 2 more lunches. It was delicious though a little bland so I think it could have benefited from a little garlic. Note: If you add garlic to leek soup you may want to rethink bringing this into the office for lunch! I also purchased whole wheat berries to throw into my Vitamix (the greatest kitchen appliance of all time), and make whole wheat flour. You may ask why on earth would I bother to make flour when it is conveniently packaged and cheap to buy? Well, when the wheat berries are freshly ground, you preserve the natural oils which make for a much moister bread without the addition of more oil (and calories). Dipping the fresh warm bread in the soup was delicious. Way better then the soup I get around the corner from work. And, I know exactly what the ingredients are! So simple 
More to come on recipes I try this week including my favorite breads and breakfast ideas.
One additional note for all of you out there with sensitive digestive systems like myself (or even those who get the occasional tummy ache!) try this delicious stomach soother, Ginger Limeade, from one of my favorite food bloggers.
Please share your favorite, simple recipe in the comments section below!
Great! I’ll give this a try…I’m excited for your breakfast ideas though because thats when I stray the most and buy out…
I hear ya! It’s so easy to to just grab something from Dunks. But, there are so many delicious and quick things you can do for breakfast that will be cheaper, less calories, and give you more energy for the day.
I can totally identify you. I recently snapped a photo of a tray of cookies in the kitchenette at 8:30am and shared with my friends asking them for support to NOT eat the cookies. Needless to say, I was eating my cookie soon after.
I am very excited to try the Ginger Lime Tea. This is going on the shopping list next week and with such few ingredients, it’s appealing to make.
I was recently given a tabouli recipe that both Jon and I are hooked on. It has fallen into our weekly food prep schedule and lasts all week as a side dish to lunch for 2 people!! Here she is:
1 c. water
1 c. bulgar wheat (comes in the goya food section)
1/4 c. +/- olive oil
1 tbs lemon juice
2 cloves of chopped garlic
1/2 tsp all spice
1 tsp dried mint (I’ve never used)
1/2 c chopped scallions (or red onion)
1 c chopped parsley
2-3 tomatoes chopped
1/2 cucumber chopped
As soon as the water boils, add bulgar, cover and remove from heat (10 min. until absorbed). Add oil, lemon juice and all spice. Let marinate in fridge until all other ingredients are chopped. Mix remaining vegetables, spices, salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
I felt the same way after Sunday’s parade, back to basics this week!
And you’re an amazing cook Sean! I would love for you post some of your healthier recipes on here (not the cornflake, cheese, egg and tons of butter breakfast one- delicious but, well…) Maybe you have some healthy ideas up your sleeve?
Ayla…i love this! You are amazing
I feel like the beginning signs of spring have really pushed me to get back to healthy eating/living. Really trying to cut back on letting the stress of the work week keep me from doing what I love-cooking! Also, it’s soo tough not to give in and get drinks with the girls after work, but this week I’ve stayed away and hit the gym instead and I really do feel a huge difference overall. Thanks for the soup recipe, I have been looking for different ways to cook with leeks and I can’t wait to try it!
This blog is fantastic Ayla! Gives me motivation to get going on the one I’ve been playing around with…we should combine forces someday and have the ultimate blog..
Ayla! congrats on such an amazing site! I’ve been checking it everyday for all your great tips. I can’t wait to try all your recipes, and I think I’m gonna try this potato leek soup this weekend! Keep up the good work, and keep the tips recipes coming! xoxo
Alright, just wondering if I’m reading this correctly. I can make flour from berries? =) This VitaMix you are talking about, which one did you buy?
Hey Kam! Well not quite. Wheat berries are what they call a type of intact, wheat seeds. I have the Vitamix 5200
I actually got this package deal: https://secure.vitamix.com/acb/stores/4/Vita-Mix-Super-5200-P730C108.aspx so it includes dry container with specialized blades for making flour. These things are absurdly expensive but virtually indestructible. I mean you can literally throw an entire pineapple in (skin, stem and all) and it will make juice. Albeit, very high fiber juice. I did get a steep discount on it though at a conference I went to as a Registered Dietitian.
Ayla,
I’m happy, but not surprised to see that you’re still putting your Vitamix to good use. I remember how excited you were when you bought it!