Whole Foods Market Haul

First of all, let me say how JEALOUS I am of those people who live near a Whole Foods.  I got to visit one for the first time today with my mother-in-law, and was amazed :)  (It was well worth the 2 HOUR DRIVE to Baton Rouge.) We have a tiny 3 aisle "natural section" at our Kroger that has been getting us by, but there are SOOO many things that we can't get there.  

Today I was able to go and pick up a few odds and ends.  We will be making another "big trip" soon, but these were some of the favorite snacks/items.  The judge?  My kids, and in order to please them, it has to be good.  These were the things that they loved best.

Almond milk pudding-tasted amazing!  Just like regular pudding cups!

Vegan Marshmallows (No icky gelatin)  Each kid got 2.  Chase and Taylor could have polished off the whole box, but Addison didn't seem to like the texture.  

These were suggested by the girl bagging our groceries.  The top one is a regular "mock chicken" salad, and the bottom one is a bit spicier, being a buffalo mock chicken salad.  Both were awesome on crackers...I ended up standing at the counter eating them, no plate! LOL

These were high suggested as the best vegan cheeses.  They supposedly stretch and melt like their dairy counterparts...we shall see!

This is an item we can get at Kroger for $4, but found it at WF for just over $2...and in a flavor that we don't carry in Alexandria!  Yay for French Vanilla coffee!

Recipe: Tofu "Chicken" Fingers

Today started our first day of Easter break!  It is so nice to be able to sit and have lunch together with the whole family...yay for no school! LOL

I recently made a veggie lasagna with tofu "ricotta", and had about half of the block left over.  I've seen several friends and websites post about baking or pay frying breaded tofu, so I decided to give it a try.  The result?  The kids ate the WHOLE pan!  I think we have a keeper :)

Ingredients:

1/2 block of extra firm tofu (I used Naysoya organic brand) sliced into blocks or "fingers"

1/2 cup of bread crumbs seasoned with garlic powder, parsley flakes, salt, and nutritional yeast.  

Roll sliced tofu pieces into breadcrumb mixture, and coat thoroughly.  You can also dip the tofu in soy sauce first for a little extra flavor!  I will try this next time...

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, turning once!  Dip in maranara or ketchup!

 Served with organic ketchup, almonds, cucumbers, a juice box, and a frozen mango sorbet!

 3 happy plates for 3 happy kiddos!

Organic Produce: What to Buy Organic/What to Buy Conventional

Organic produce is something we have bought for many years.  I try very, very hard not to gripe about the cost, but it can be frustrating!  Organic apples here are about $1 each, or I can buy a 3lb bag of conventional apples for $4.  Yeah-frustrating!

One thing that has helped is using the "Dirty Dozen/Clean 15" list when we buy produce.  Most of the kids favorite fruits happen to be those that are the most heavily coated with pesticides.  We save money buy using the "Clean 15" to decide what to buy conventional.  If there is something that isn't on either list, I will buy it based on which one looks the best (Sometimes organic broccoli can be buggy...yuck!)


DIRTY DOZEN (BUY ORGANIC):
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines  (Imported)
7. Grapes  (Imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries  (Domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

CLEAN 15

1. Onions
2. Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe  (Domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms