Peas in a Blog

Flying Across the Globe.

May 23, 2013 by Carolina

It’s go time: today I head to beautiful Southeast Asia! I’ve got my passport in hand, camera charged, destinations researched & am ready to make the trek across the pond all the way to the other side of the globe. I’ll be honest, I’ve done flights as long as these before (I have two flights before I touch down in Singapore) but no matter how many times I’ve traveled it always helps to have a check list, items to refer to as I get ready for the trip. Lucky for me (& I like to think for you too) both Katie & I have traveled extensively & have several posts that are great resources for travel. Check these out:

Vegetarian Travel Tips

Traveling with your Smartphone

International Flights as a Vegetarian

Traveling with a Baby

Traveling as a Vegetarian

We hope you enjoy traveling as much as we do. Pack your bags, it’s time to see the world!

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Harvest Rice.

May 15, 2013 by Carolina

The best things in life are fresh, at least when it comes to vegetables. This weekend I picked up some gorgeous vegetables at my local produce shop & immediately went home to cook with them; the result was nothing short of delicious. The vegetables were super fresh, buying local always reminds me how much better vegetables taste when they have little to no preservatives. This Harvest Rice has some of my favorite vegetables: asparagus, butternut squash & mushrooms. Make this tonight for dinner, you won’t regret it!

Ingredients (Makes 2 servings)

1 cup Texmati Royal Blend

1 /2 cups water

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 cup butternut squash, peeled & cubed

6 – 8 asparagus

1 cup portabello mushrooms, chopped

1/2 cup water

1 sprig fresh thyme

1 sprig fresh basil

Salt & pepper, to taste

Crumbled feta cheese, to taste (optional)

In a small pot, combine the texmati rice blend, 1/2 cup water & 1/2 tablespoon olive oil & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover & cook for about 15 minutes until rice is tender.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil & add the minced garlic over high heat, cook for about a minute until garlic is fragrant. Add the butternut squash, asparagus & portabello mushrooms & sear for 5 minutes. Add the water, thyme, basil, salt & pepper & stir. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot & cook for about 5 – 7 minutes until butternut squash is tender.

Turn off heat & add cooked rice blend to the pot, combine & serve hot. Top with a sprinkle of feta cheese (or keep it vegan & forgo the cheese) & enjoy. Buen provecho!

What’s your favorite vegetable?

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Time for a Personal Trainer.

May 13, 2013 by Carolina

It’s no secret, I love working out. From yoga to running, sweating at least three times a week is part of my routine…weights on the other hand? Non existent. Last year, in an effort to get rid of my fear of free weights (let’s face it, weights can be so intimidating at the gym) I did Chalean Extreme & that seemed to work, for a while. But as time went by I did free weights at home less & less, that is until recently. While talking about my fitness goals I realized there’s no way I can get the level of definition & toning I want without become reacquainted to free weights…

And a personal trainer. Because sometimes a girl needs help! Last week I started seeing a personal trainer who knows my goals & is creating routines for me, twice a week for 30 minutes each. Having a personal trainer is new to me, I’ve never had individualized attention while working out — I am the sole focus at our sessions. The routines we’re doing have my body type & ability in mind, they’re challenging but not miserable (one of my fears was that I would hate it), & I’m excited to see what results they will get me.

I’m not sure how long it’ll take to get where I’d like to be, but I feel having someone keep me accountable to keep good form & push when I don’t want to keep going is a great place to start. Have you ever trained with a personal trainer? If so, what were your thoughts? Would love to hear them as I embark on this new fitness adventure. No worries, you’re coming with me! The time for personal training is here.

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Hearty Vegetable Soup.

May 8, 2013 by Carolina

Last week it rained all day, every day here in Florida. Though it’s not summer yet us Floridians have been getting lots of rainy days, the perfect days to stay home sitting on the couch, watching movies & having a bowl of soup. This past weekend as it rained & rained outside I made this delicious hearty vegetable soup. I finally finished the semester which means I have time to cook a lot again; I’ve missed cooking daily. Hello kitchen, it’s lovely to meet you again!

This soup is not only delicious but vegan, gluten free & pack full of nutrients. I will definitely be making this again on another rainy day. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Ingredients (makes 4 servings)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup quinoa

1/2 bunch of celery (about 6 sticks), chopped

6 medium carrots, chopped

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can green beans

4 cups vegetable stock

1 vegetable bouillon cube

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon cumin

In a large pot, heat olive oil over high heat & saute the quinoa & green onions for a couple of minutes. Add the celery, carrots & pepper & continue to saute for another couple of minutes. Add the tomatoes, green beans, vegetable stock, bouillon cube & seasonings & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pot & continue to cook for 20 – 25 minutes until quinoa is fully cooked.

Easy to make & oh so delicious. Buen provecho!

What’s your favorite soup to enjoy on a rainy day?

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Celebration of Pies.

April 29, 2013 by Carolina

We like to celebrate good things so the Great American Pie Festival in Celebration makes more than sense to me! After attending to last year’s festival I knew I wanted to go back again this year & I’m so glad I did. This year’s pie selection was big & just as delicious as years past. Walking into the Never Ending Pie Buffet is truly an overwhelming experience, you have so many choices you just don’t know what to do with yourself. For a sweets lover like me it’s like going to utopia where creamy, decadent pies are available at my beck & call. Needless to say this girl was happy to be there!

Apple pie. Blueberry pie. Lemon custard pie. German chocolate pie. Pumpkin pie. Dutch apple pie. Coconut creme pie — yea, I had them all & they were all amazing. My favorites were the coconut creme pie (creamy, cold, & incredibly fluffy) & the dutch apple pie, which featured an oatmeal crust that was to die for. I also really loved the Publix ice cream bar cause well, you all know I’m obsessed with ice cream. The Smuckers toppings bar was right next to the Publix tent so I topped off my delicious vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate sauce, so good!

The Great American Pie Festival is such a great afternoon, perfect to go with your family or the pie lovers in your life. Right in the middle of Celebration, there’s not only plenty to do at the Festival itself (food vendors, demonstrations, contests) but you can take a walk around the beautiful town, take in the only community on the happiest place on earth.

I will definitely be back next year & if you’re looking for a delicious good time you should go too, you won’t regret it. Pie lovers unite!

What’s your favorite pie?

Full Disclosure: I was provided media access to the Great American Pie Festival. I was not required to provide a positive or negative review; all opinions are my own.

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Fresh24.

April 25, 2013 by Carolina

Fresh local produce in the store within 24 hours of being picked – too good to be true? Not the case friends! If you’re in Orlando you now have a store to go to that has fresh local farm produce, picked & delivered daily. How awesome is that? Fresh24 in the Audobon Park district is just what produce lovers ordered. This brand new produce market has organic, hydroponic and conventional produce, all clearly marked, all fresh & delicious. Knowing how much I love local produce a few friends recommended this place & I’m so glad I went, it was awesome.

The produce was reasonably priced, the market was clean, the staff was helpful & welcoming. As I walked around the store I discovered a few new things to try too like sunflower greens (chalk full of protein, perfect for salads or sandwiches). I’ve gone back a few times since I first discovered Fresh24 & have been cooking up a storm with their vegetables — I think you should too. It’s important to know where your food comes from & at places like Fresh24 they not only let you know that but they pick it fresh, right from our own backyward. It doesn’t get much better than that!

If you’re in Orlando, check out Fresh24 & enjoy local, fresh produce from the farm to the table.

Do you have a great local produce shop in your city?

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Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash.

April 23, 2013 by Carolina

First things first: Melissa Reyes, you are the winner of our Great American Pie Festival Giveaway! We will be emailing you with information to claim your tickets.

There are a few staple items I always keep in my kitchen, among them there’s always olive oil, artichokes & sundried tomatoes. I know these may not be staples in most houses but what can I say, I love mediterranean flavors. This past Sunday, in the midst of frantically writings a paper for school, I wanted to have a healthy & delicious meal but didn’t want to run out to the store, here’s what I came up with. This Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash was easy to make, has minimal ingredients & tastes great. Make it vegan by using parmesan-free pesto, either way, it’s delicious!

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)

1 medium spaghetti squash

1 jar marinated artichokes, drained & quartered

3/4 cup sundried tomatoes

1/4 cup pesto

Salt & pepper, to taste

Follow these instructions to cook the spaghetti squash, scoop out squash & place it in a bowl. Combine the artichokes, sundried tomatoes, pesto, salt & pepper with the squash & toss. Serve hot & enjoy.

Easy as pie right? I’ve been having leftovers for lunch & enjoy this dish more each time. Buen provecho!

Do you have a great spaghetti squash recipe to share? Please send it our way!

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Frittata Fresca.

April 19, 2013 by Carolina

I love breakfast for dinner (brinner), it reminds me of my college days (my sorority house had breakfast for dinner all the time). Breakfast ingredients are always on-hand at my house so whenever I want a quick but delicious dinner I have the option of resorting to brinner. Though french toasts are by far my favorite breakfast item frittatas come in a close second, mostly because they’re easy to make & very filling. As many of you know I’m somewhat addicted to cilantro, so last week when I craved a frittata I knew I wanted it to be all about the cilantro. I’m calling this one Frittata Fresca because all the ingredients are fresh & light. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Ingredients (Makes 2 Servings)

4 large eggs

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup manchego cheese, grated

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 avocado, chopped

Cherry tomatoes, chopped, to taste

Salt & pepper, to taste

In a bowl, mix the eggs, milk, manchego cheese & cilantro & fully combine.

Heat small pan over medium hit & add the olive oil. Once the olive oil is hot, add the egg mixture. The key to a good frittata is not stirring it, so leave the egg mixture as is, cover the pan & turn heat to medium low. Cook frittata for about 12 minutes until it’s firm & remove from heat.

Cut frittata down the middle & top each serving with avocado, cherry tomatoes, salt & pepper & enjoy. Buen provecho!

What’s your favorite frittata?

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The World Upside Down.

April 18, 2013 by Carolina

In days as tragic as Monday was with the Boston Marathon bombings I’m so glad I have a great yoga studio to go to breathe & be thankful for another day of life. My studio offers a lot of workshops to help you grow your practice, this past weekend I attended an arm balancing workshop (first of two that I will attend this month). I’ve been practicing yoga for about a year now & am finally feeling gutsy enough to try more advanced variations of arm balances & inversions.

This workshop focused on crow, handstand, headstand, fire fly, paper clip, forearm balance into scorpion (also known as feathered peacock) & transitions. First things first, it must be said: the names & poses aren’t what’s important, what’s important is to try. Often times we get so caught up in “I can’t” that we miss the opportunity to surprise ourselves. I say this because it happened to me at this workshop. Kristen, our awesome instructor, asked who didn’t feel really comfortable with a headstand & I raised my hand. Though I’m comfortable with forearm balancing for some reason balancing on my head freaks me out, I think it has to do with visions of me hurting my neck. As soon as I raised my hand she came over to demonstrate how to get into headstand (that’s me on the upper right corner of the image above getting into the pose) & believe it or not, for the first time without a wall behind me, I got into a headstand. I’m no where near expert level so this was a small victory for me; I felt empowered, accomplished & proud of my body & all it does for me.

I walked out of the workshop excited to continue to try these poses, they’re not as scary as I thought they once were. Sometimes, when the world is upside down (literally), your perspective shifts & you see things, the world, in a whole new light. Here’s to trying new things & not being afraid to be upside down!

Have you tried inversions or arm balances before? Which one is your favorite & why?

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Cape Town Highlights.

April 17, 2013 by Katie

We had a great trip to Cape Town. We discovered that while traveling with a baby is not for the faint at heart, it is definitely doable!

It was so wonderful seeing our friends and a bit surreal being back in a country we called home for so long (with a baby in tow!). The flight back to Boston was bittersweet for sure.

We discovered some great new things in Cape Town and visited some old favorites – I’m excited to share them with you!

For now, here are some of our favorite instagram photos from the trip.