Well girlies, I am so close to being completely done with my first two years of college! I’ve just got one final bright and early tomorrow night and then I am done done DONE! I’ve already been home since Friday afternoon, but getting this over with means that summer can officially begin.
Being home has been awesome so far! Of course, I went on a huge grocery haul my first full day back–does anyone else love grocery shopping? I could literally do it every day and not get bored, especially at Whole Foods. There’s always some new product and I’ve always gotta try it! So this week’s WIAW will be featuring a few of those new finds, and a couple of recipes.
The 6-packs of Zevia were on sale at my WF, so I had to try out a new-to-me flavor. It was really good, but I was expecting a little more ginger flavor. I love ginger anything so it was a little disappointing, but I’m sure it’ll make the perfect healthy root beer float! I’ve been on the lookout for Zevia’s newer flavors (lime cola and strawberry) but no luck yet. I think I’ll be hitting up all the Whole Foods in CO… ๐

Whole Foods guacamole (aka the best guac ever) and amazing locally-made mango salsa, in honor of Cinco de Mayo.
Cinco de Mayo wasn’t too exciting for me or my family (my dad was more excited about the Kentucky Derby) but we did ‘celebrate’ with salsa and guacamole. WF has theย ย bestย guac, but unfortunately it’s super expensive. We got a tiny container of it for $4.99, a total rip-off but so worth it. The mango salsa was a much better buy, and also delicioso (had to get some Spanish in there somewhere!). I am in love with fruity salsas and really want to make my own this summer. I made a strawberry jalapeno pico de gallo last summer but the recipe never made it to the blog–I’ll be making it again soon and sharing the recipe this time!
So Monday morning, I woke up to snow. Yes, snow in May. Crazy Colorado! We’ve had warm, dry weather for 2 months straight and now this. At least it was only a dusting, and didn’t stick around for long.

A Cinco de Mayo snack plate: crushed sweet potato and blue corn Late July chips, kettle corn, stuffed Medjool date, chili and jalapeno olives, guacamole and mango salsa.
I don’t think I will ever get sick of snack plates. They are perfect for indecisive people like me who don’t like to commit to one huge thing. I’d rather sample a bunch of small things and please all my cravings. Plus each snack plate is completely different, so I never get bored.
You know you’re a foodie when you practically pee your pants upon seeing brand new Larabar flavors. Especially ones that you haven’t even heard about, and that sound as amazingly delicious as these. I am so glad I am no longer a Larabar snob because I will be hoarding these seasonal flavors like nobody’s business. I love anything and everything limited edition, especially summery things. I’ve only tried the pineapple upside down cake one and it’s so pineapple-y! I can’t believe it’s only made of almonds, dates and pineapple. If you see these near you, buy the whole box some! You won’t regret it.

[Pancake] breakfast of champions: peanut flour pancakes topped with homemade strawberry vanilla stevia jam and drizzle sunflower seed butter.
Peanut Flour Pancakes (vegan, gluten-free, high protein)
3 T peanut flour (or PB2)
1 T ground flax seed (I used golden flax) or mashed banana/unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 T water
1/2 t baking powder
2 packets Truvia or stevia (can use liquid stevia drops)
4 T unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I used Almond Breeze)+ water, to thin
Stir together ground flax and water to make a flax “egg”. Set aside for a few minutes. In a bowl, mix together peanut flour, baking powder and Truvia. Add in flax egg, almond milk and any additional water needed to thin the batter. On a skillet or small pan heated to medium, scoop batter in small spoonfuls (I used a melon baller) or form into a larger pancake, cooking two at a time. Flip pancakes once the batter bubbles up. Serve pancakes topped with nut butter (I used sunflower seed butter), caramelized bananas, real maple syrup or homemade jam (see recipe below). Makes 5 small or 2 large pancakes.
Homemade Microwave Strawberry Vanilla Jam (vegan, gluten-free)
strawberries, sliced (I used 3 large berries)
4-8 drops liquid vanilla stevia, to taste (you can use any flavor)
Stir berries and stevia together until combined. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 min. Can serve warm or chilled. Spoon over pancakes, on toast or on top of nondairy ice cream. Makes 1 serving.
Continuing with my love for all things hot, I picked up this gem at WF this past weekend. Like a lot of new-t0-me products, I hoped that it would live up to the hype that I put on it. Well, this definitely delivered! Spicy with just a hint of ginger, it’s perfect as a marinade, sauce and dip.

Having Mexican food a few days after Cinco de Mayo still counts, right? Black beans with mango salsa, crispy kale tempeh taco on sprouted Ezekiel tortilla topped with guacamole.
I am usually a fan of tacos. Just because I don’t eat meat doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a taco every once in awhile. In the past, I’ve used beans as a filler but this time I went for ground tempeh and it was a winner. In fact, it was probably the best taco I’ve ever had.
Crispy Kale Tempeh Tacos (vegan)
1 oz crumbled tempeh (I used Lightlife organic flax tempeh)
marinade of choice (I used the Ginger People Hot Ginger Jalapeno sauce above)
handful kale
salt and pepper, to taste
nooch, to taste
tortilla (I used a small Ezekiel sprouted grain tortilla)
taco toppings (guacamole, vegan sour cream, Daiya cheese or cashew cheese, salsa)
Marinade tempeh in sauce for 5-10 minutes. Place tempeh in a pan on the stove over medium high heat and let cook until browned and somewhat crunchy. Add in kale, salt, pepper and nooch and cook until crispy. Spoon kale and tempeh onto tortilla and top with more sauce and whatever toppings you love. Makes 1 taco.

PB&J smoothie in a bowl (unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze, peanut flour, Truvia) topped with fresh strawberries and crushed PB Puffins.
Apparently I’m on a PB&J for breakfast kick right now! I’m just loving the combo of peanut flour and fresh strawberries right now–I may have to make a wrap or open-faced sandwich with these two ingredients soon.
Did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Have you spotted the new Larabar flavors yet?
as i don’t have peanut flour, i found coconut flour is also a good choice for pancake
Coconut flour works too! I’m not a huge fan of coconut stuff, but it’s definitely a versatile flour substitute.
I love Larabars! I haven’t seen the new flavors yet. I’ll look for them this weekend. We didn’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Not sure why because mexican food is my favorite.
Good luck on your last exam!
[Fitness, Health and Happiness]
Thanks! Definitely keep an eye out for them, I loved the pineapple one and I think the orange one will be good too.
Orange float larabar?! AHH I gotta find that!
Good luck on your last test! We’ve made it to summer finally WOOOOO! ๐
Thanks! And yay for summer ๐
I NEED to find the pineapple upside down cake Larabar! I didn’t really need to know that existed, however!! ๐
Hahaha I know, now I’m gonna be buying all of them since they’re so good and only around for summer!
Yup – I actually do enjoy grocery shopping, so long as the store isn’t too crowded, that is.
Hate how expensive guac is, but man is it good!
It’s almost a crime how expensive guac is, especially since it’s so simple!
Okay soo I don’t like Lara bars that much, but that flavor does intrigue me, need to find it! Good luck on the last exam!!
Thank you! I think you’d enjoy it, it’s probably my new favorite flavor.
I want those larabars. Good luck on your final!
They’re so good, hopefully you can find them near you!
OMG,that pineapple upside down Larabar sounds AWESOME! I looove pineapple so much!
If you like orange,I can recommend the Gnu Orange Cranberry bar. It’s SUPER orange-y (almost TOO much for my taste,but I am a little orange-sensitive sometimes ๐ ),really,I bet you’d love it! (I’ve won a whole case of Gnu bars recently,so I happen to still have one Ornage-flavored one… Would you like me to send it to you maybe? ๐ )
Anyhow,SNOW IN MAY?! The weather’s crazy,seriosuly… And I thought Germany had a bipolar weather,haha! ๐
The pineapple one is amazing, I know you’d love it if you love pineapple!
The weather is so insane here, the next two days are supposed to feel like summer!
ooooh I need to find me those seasonal larbars. orange float sounds amazing!
I know, I’m excited to try it!
I haven’t seen those Larabar flavors! Intriguing…
And I agree with you on the Zevia needing a little more of a ginger kick, but I guess that’s what ginger ale (or ginger beer) is for? Have you ever made a ‘ginger beer float’? Delicious with banana ‘soft serve’!
Oooh, that ginger beer float sounds awesome, especially with banana soft serve! I’ll have to try that out!
Those larabars sound awesome! Especially the pineapple. I’ve been loving pineapple lately, it’s just so summery! I need a Whole Foods JUST to get that spicy ginger stuff too. I love all things spicy and gingery! Also the pbj smoothie sounds delish ๐
I’m loving pineapple too! I bet grilled pineapple would be amazing with the ginger sauce!
new larabar flavors?!? Yes, I’m thinking a trip to Whole Foods is required…
Oh definitely! You don’t wanna miss these flavors!
I love making things with peanut flour, its my number one choice of flour! Although I don’t make pancakes very often because I always burn them! Those lara bar flavours sound so amazing!
Peanut flour is really versatile–I love using it as a flour too or even in place of protein powder!