Today was full of fun surprises!
I was once again pleasantly surprised at how good my homemade almond butter was on pancakes this morning…
…and was also surprised to learn that Vermont has a maple law…which is giving McDonalds some flack about their new oatmeal!
“What we understand, is there is no actual maple in the [McDonald’s] product being advertised. Vermont maple law and regulations are very specific for how the term maple is used in advertisements,” Kelly Loftus, VAA spokesperson told Slashfood. “It is illegal to use the word maple on a product unless the sweetener is 100 percent pure maple. Artificial maple flavoring should be clearly and conspicuously labeled on the principal panel with the term ‘artificial flavor’.”
Read more: http://www.slashfood.com/2011/01/10/a-sticky-mess-for-mcdonalds/#ixzz1BcP2Afr7
Basically, Vermont is requiring them to give option of a tablespoon of real Vermont maple syrup, a teaspoon of Vermont maple sugar, or eliminating the “maple” advertisement since all it is is fake flavoring.
Can I get a hell-yeah for Vermont, please?
I was pleasantly surprised to see that Teddie doesn’t hate me after all…
…even if all I did today was dote on him.
When I got home, I was surprised that the mail hadn’t come yet…but was hungry and went ahead and made lunch anyway.
When it finally came, I’d be lying if I said I was completely surprised that I had two big “presents,” but I was surprised at what they contained!
Package numero uno – from the wonderful Blue Eyed Heart.
Blueberry Muffin Larabar?! I was pleasantly surprised when I heard of this new flavor. Yes, I was the girl eating a Dunkin’ Donuts blueberry muffin every. single. day. all through high school. I cannot. wait. to try this baby. How surprised was I to learn it’s more cashew-based than almond-based? Very – but that’s definitely a good surprised. Eye heart cashoos.
The most perfect-est pumpkin bran muffins ever. I broke into one STAT.
And the primary reason for the package: sprouted wheatberry bread.
My mom always said not to beg, and that it doesn’t get anybody anywhere. Well, I sort of begged for this bread and it got me a sprouted wheatberry bread addiction. That could be seen as a good or a bad thing. I choose to see it as a good thing.
The cutest lil’ mini loaf, too! I can’t wait to have mini PB&Js. If it lasts that long.
I think I’m convinced that I ought to try making my own sprouted bread now. That is, if I can’t convince her to get into business making and selling this bread 😉
I wasn’t just surprised with this month’s Foodzie Tasting Box…
…I was just about awed!
Never, ever heard of Sun Dried Nectarines before. Cannot. Wait. to try them.
I expect at least half of the Foodzie boxes to be something I wouldn’t like, but that’s okay with me. I enjoy the surprise aspect, and don’t mind getting some things (like natural beef jerky) that I can pass on to someone else. That’s why I was so awed when I realized just about everything in this month’s box is a keeper!
While I usually like sweeter teas (Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride and Gingerbread, anyone?) these Runa teas were fun to try!
It certainly surprised me at how fresh the leaves seemed compared to the usual teas I drink!
Enjoyed with a cracker flat that L sent me…
…I got a little hungry while waiting for my tea to heat 😉 I can’t say I’m surprised at how delicious these are, though – spelt and cinnamon raisin are two things that have always had my heart.
Well, maybe not always. I don’t think I was a four-year old running around demanding my mom to make cinnamon-raisin spelt bread…but maybe.
I was surprised to realize I hadn’t had any plans for dinner, but then realized I was craving pasta…
…which didn’t surprise me at how wonderful this simple meal was. Sometimes, good ol’ pasta just hits the spot, don’t you think?! Just a serving of whole wheat pasta, cooked and then tossed with:
- drizzle olive oil
- fire-roasted tomatoes
- roasted red peppers
- garlic
- tempeh
- fresh parsley
served atop collard greens sauteed in a bit of olive oil with red onion and garlic, and all garnished with humnut cheese and more fresh parsley.
I actually really hate fresh parsley, I’ve just been eating it because for some reason I decided I needed fresh parsley for something. At this point, I don’t even remember what I wanted it for. I just know I have a lot more to eat…
What have you been surprised by lately?!
Healthy Exposures 
that bread looks amazing. I might have to try it 🙂
Awww teddie is so cuuuute!!!
xxx
I did not get those surprises today! I was surprised by the awesome stomach bug Jay has given me! That was a lot of treats!
A maple law, huh? That’s kind of awesome.
It makes you wonder how busy people were the day they came up with that… lol
Love the pics with Teddie! My brother purchased a horse for my two nieces (10) and a miniature pony for my nephew (1) for Christmas. This makes me want to “borrow” them for pics with my boys! Love the pasta as well, I am married to an Italian so we do lots of pasta – and bread 🙂
Hell yeah for Vermont. That is awesome! I love that state.
Um, vermont is AWESOME! I love that law – I think it is so cool! I kind of want to visit Vermont just because I don’t think it’s somewhere many people do visit (am I wrong?). I love Blueberry Muffin Larabar. It’s my second favorite!
The whole wheat pasta looks soooooooo good! good call :)… also how do larabars taste I just bought sometoday and am gonna have one tomorrow after my workout, what’s your favorite one?
sounds like you had a great day!!! Loved seeing the pictures of Teddie – I’ve missed him!
Sproutedwheat bread is delicious – one of my avorites for hummus sandwiches!
Hahaha!! That’s awesome abut McDonald’s! Finally we have advocates for REAL products being ingested by the general public.
PS. I HATE fresh parsley as well. It’s so gross.
I’m surprised that the package reached you as quickly as it did!! 😉
And I’m not surprised, but I’m rather amused at this whole “maple” thing. I don’t know why I find it so funny.
(PS — I’m telling you, the sprouted buckwheat crackers I made taste just like the cracker flats. I would have sent you some, but, well, they were all gone. :p More incentive to try sprouting?!)
❤ ❤
Go Vermont! That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while when it comes to McD’s getting bashed in the face 🙂 Ought to happen more often, nah?
So many amazing gifts! I’d love to try n’ re-create those mom’s in the raw bars, they’re so delicious and flavorful. & your pasta looks heavenly, as your eats always tend to look. 🙂
Yeah for Vermont! 🙂
I’m sure Teddie was thrilled to see you! Lookslike it was a beautiful day to spend with himm too. 🙂 And props to Vermont for smacking down McD’s like that!! haha! Although I do like that they’re serving oatmeal now. That’s always good. 🙂
I am surprised by the fact that McDonalds produces anything relatively healthy at all. We definitely don’t have McDonalds oatmeal here. Instead we’ve got chocolate-covered donuts.
Are these “pieces” of Kaia on some of the pictures? 🙂
Hahaha…first I went oooohh over then maple issue, then I went aaaahh over the Teddie pics…then I went completely speechless over your food mail…:-) yum!
Love your pasta-concoction, tempeh is the best. Maybe you where thinking you needed parsley for the iron? If so, I hope you’re warming to beets, full of iron too, I think…:-)
ahh i love your pasta dish with humnut sauce- SO GOODDDDD..! wow so many good food pics in this post gal!!.. the biggest surprise lately was that quinoa, cottage cheese, almond butter, cinnamon and agave tastes SO GOOD TOGETHER!
I’ve been surprised with my cooking skills lately 😀 Specially with yeasted dought.
Gosh girl, I am so jealous at all the goodies you’re getting!I hope you enjoy it all 🙂
Hell yeah for Vermont! That’s awesome about the maple law.
Hahaha I have to say that I love that VT is giving McD’s flack about their oatmeal. I’m glad they’re getting on the healthy bandwagon, but the truth is that that stuff is still gonna be sweetened with some nasty stuff. Real is always better- and oats are so easy to make at home!!
The Vermont maple law is awesome! I miss maple syrup from the east coast. It’s soo expensive here on the left coast.
And Teddy is so gosh darn cute!
I really am quite jealous of your Foodzie loot – reaaally not fair 😛
I’m surprised bbbyy the fact I missed an important deadline at uni today, but they’ve given me til Monday, with no telling-off. amaze!
Your blog always brings a smile to my face and leaves my mouth watering at the sight of all the lovely food haha 🙂 Definitely want to try that blueberry lara bar!