EAT REPEAT

Mandy's Meals: 11.9.09 Cook Day

2009-11-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

Click here, get hungry.

Camera Practice. Time To Read The Manual.

2009-11-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

My weekly pepperoni pizza fix. I like my pizza "well done", so when it gets delivered I pop that baby into a 400 degree oven until the pepps and cheese is blistering.

Usually use parchment paper. On Sunday I used foil. It stuck. Trying to peel crispy cheese off foil=foil in mouth. Not cute.

Husband's chicken ravioli with steamed veggies. Looks kinda romantical.

And his "chocolate suicide cake". He's kinda obsessed with this cake from Earth, Wind and Flour. I've never tried it cuz that's how uninterested in chocolate I am...

Oh boy I need to learn about this camera. Here is husband's salmon pasta, horribly lit.

Whew. At least it tasted good. I sauteed onion, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and garlic in a bit of olive oil. After they were golden brown, I added lemon juice and hummus to make it creamy. Added the salmon and let it steam for 6 minutes, tossed in linguini and topped with soy parm.

Mine (in the dark): broccoli, cheese, nuts and a Honey Peanut Promax bar.

Monday workout: A VERY distracted weight workout a la Squeeze Stronger with Tracy Effinger. I've seriously never been so not into a workout and completed said workout. I woke up yesterday feeling defeated and depleted. For no good reason. I've worked so hard to arrive at this place; where I'm happy doing what I love to do. Since arriving at this lovely place, I feel simultaneously guilty (don't deserve it) and terrified (it will go away/I will f**k it up).

Mercy me.

Food Blogger Photography Weekend. Denise Is My Fairy Cameramother And I Wear Lots Of Stripes.

2009-11-08T18:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some Guilty Vegan cookies after a camera lesson from Matt Armendariz. He is a food photog GOD and I also have a crush on his husband. Matt, Adam, Denise and Cindie rocked this workshop and I felt honored to be a participant.

I got a little camera happy. Denise lent me her Nikon monstrosity and let me tell you, having a serious camera AND husband's tripod= renewed food blogger inspiration (we hope). Denise, I love you and I thank you for this time with your beautiful camera. I will be very, very nice to it.

Cindie and Ruben getting his pizza's camera ready. Clearly, I have some learning ahead of me...

In other news, I like stripes.

And eating protein bars like they are complete meals.

Yep.

Sunday workout: 3 mile quick run before heading to the LBC.

A Couple Of Husband Meals

2009-11-06T15:34:00.000-08:00

Lovelies, I am so bored of the food I am eating and feeding poor husband, it's like my camera weighs 500 pounds. I think because I spend my time coming up with interesting dishes for clients, we're like the cobblers with no...cobbler (apple cobbler sounds GOOD...).

All I eat is cereal, Luna bars and nuts. Husband got some sausage and peppers over polenta and...

...crispy chicken, steamed veggies and roasted potatoes.

I'm going to a Food Blogger Photography workshop in Long Beach this weekend. Hope to be inspired (rather than intimidated, which is what I am anticipating) because at the moment...I am not (as I'm sure you can tell). I'm in a food rut and a blogger rut.

Workouts this week:

Today (God willing): 45 minutes elliptical at Gold's (I really doubt it, will probably do a toning DVD instead. Don't really feel like driving to Venice at 3:30pm on a Friday)

Thursday: Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred-Level 1 and 2

Wednesday: YogaGlo with Jo Tatsula

Tuesday: Run?

Monday: YogaGlo with Jo Tatsula

What I Cooked Today

2009-11-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

This was dessert. To see what else my lovely client's will find in their fridge when they get home tonight (and my new bangs), click here.

Monday workout: 60 minute YogaGlo session with Jo.

Lamb Stew And A Link To Mandy's Meals

2009-10-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Mmm. Lucky husband. It was a cold, blustery day and I was inspired to warm the house with the oven. Lamb stew with green beans, fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, onions, little bit of wine...I let it simmer in the oven for 2 hours. Delish.

Cinnamon apple/mango sauce. Super chunky.

I am now personal cheffing for reals. I'm going to start documenting my cook days for y'all on my other blog. Click here and get hungry!

Workouts this week:

Monday, Tuesday: Can't remember. I think weight lifting one day and...run the other?
Wednesday: YogaGlo with Jo
Thursday: 4 mile walk
Friday: 3 mile run

What My Sunday Is Looking Like

2009-10-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Yep. Still working on the good ole ServSafe Online Food Handler's Course. I feel trapped at my laptop so I thought I would take some pics of my view of the world. First, we have the laptop shot with the lady talking to me about machine dishwashing techniques.

I am also doing laundry. And drinking diet coke. Nice sunny day out there.

My view from the couch. I have the TV on like I can really watch it. Cannot.

I love our mantle.

Husband has promised he will put his bike in the garage once his project is over. So get used to the bike!

Our little flower is happy and blooming.

Sunday workout: Hardcore at Gold's Gym with a VERY inferior sub for Ms. Eva Barrington. Oh well, still a good workout.

It's Been Forevah evah...

2009-10-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

...since I've posted and I've had palpable pangs of guilt every time I read another food blog (which is every night before bed-my little treat). Poor neglected Eat Repeat.

I thought I would attempt to catch up by bearing my very naughty Saturday eats (it's what Saturdays are for, right?). Above is my lunch: a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie the size of my head. Did not disappoint.

And this was my dinner: mini coconut cake, an orange "cloud", and part of a Mexican wedding cookie. The good news? I only ate part of the cookie. Whole Foods rocks out there pastries.

That was my Saturday. Pure sugar. Oh my. For many years there was no sugar in my life, which is certainly not a bad thing for health reasons, but I was also afraid of sugar and what it would DO to me (make me binge, make me fat, make me miserable). I'm currently working on eating what I crave without judgment, and paying attention to portions and listening to my hunger and to when I'm full.

I am simultaneously giddy and guilty about this and am trying to trust the journey. On the intuitive eating tip, it is believed that once we give ourselves what we want without judgment, we will balance out and crave what our bodies need. Okey doke!

What else? I just completed my first week with two new personal chef clients. I'm still so bloody nervous whilst in the kitchen that I'm not taking photos. This must change! It's been super fun because these ladies didn't want diet food (although I got an email today asking if my food was going to make them fat). Of course not, chickies. Time for me to work in more soups and salads!

I also assisted a food styling job, which is hush hush. It was all about kids and was very fun and involved copious amounts of blue frosting. Thank you, Cindie and Denise. You continue to be amazing mentors and friends. So grateful!

You can also see the back of my head, as well as my profile twice on the finale episode of Flipping Out. I helped cater Chloe's third birthday party. You must watch if only to see Chloe covet her birthday cupcakes. Am I a mom yet?

Lastly, I may be cooking for a very, very famous person. Very, very soon. That's hush hush, too, but hopefully not for long.

Workouts:
Monday:     Spin class!
Tuesday:      YogaGlo with Jo Tatsula
Wednesday: 45 minutes on the elliptical at Gold's Gym
Thursday:     2 mile run at 5:30am (food styling in Valencia)
Friday:         Squeeze Stronger with Tracy Effinger
Saturday:     3 mile run
Sunday:       Will be 9am Hardcore with Eva Barrington!

Bread Pudding and Some News

2009-10-19T22:43:00.000-07:00

Today is Monday, but it feels like Sunday. The work I thought I had today disappeared, and husband is away teaching in Burbank, so I had a quiet house and an open schedule all at once.

After 10am spin class, I went to Whole Foods to stock up on a few items (eggs, cucumbers, cinnamon raisin bread, broccoli...) and then made my favorite Sunday (on a Monday) lunch: Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding.

Tomorrow is my first day cooking for a twice weekly personal chef client! Two clients, actually. I am so excited and so grateful and with all this work comes...Guilty Vegan Cookie halt.

Don't when the halt will be unhalted, but rest assured I will continue baking and if you have a craving, you know where to find me...

Monday workout: Spin class!

Monday workout:

Ladies Ojai Weekend: Business Is A Game And It's Fun!

2009-10-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

After a traumatic personal and business meeting, I got to escape to Ojai for a retreat with the girls. We wanted to take a weekend out to relax, take stock and make some vision boards. It was amazing.

We started out with a cozy dinner at Azu. What you see above is my french onion soup. Nummy.

Apparantly, real women confiscate brown rice cakes to enjoy with said soup. When you're not doing the flour thing, rice cakes are your friend.

My goat cheese and dried cranberry salad. Pretty good, not amazing. The dressing was overly oily. I added more vinegar to balance it out.

Tessa's Syrian chicken salad. Not pictured: Arden's beet salad with sausage. Because they forgot the sausage the first time around.

One of our lovely rooms at The Emerald Iguana. I cannot wait to go back with husband. This inn is romantic, immaculate and completely comfortable. You feel like you've come to your favorite aunt's house. The aunt who has a pool, jacuzzi and wine and cheese parties every afternoon.

Tessa wanted to make dinner for everyone on Saturday. What you see in the background is the oven that got very smoky, and very hot, but produced a delicious meal. I was the sous chef.

Roasted harvest veggies: garlic, onion, zucchini, yellow squash, yams, red onions, carrots and parsnips tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper and a few splashes of balsamic.

This rice was delicious. A wild and brown rice blend, which was cooked in chicken broth and finished with a small jar of pesto.

A mix of chicken and pork sausages. We eat like men.

Sidewalk judge. Yeah, inside joke, and Cris is losing it in this picture as Arden describes the many, many desires Sidewalk Judge enjoys.

We will reconvene in the Spring to see what our vision boards (or boxes) have gleaned. Can't wait!

I did not take nearly enough pictures. As I said, I'm in a bit of a fragile state these days. It's all good and I'm so grateful for my big, juicy life. Just need to pace myself, be nice to myself and take some breaks.

Weekend workouts: Saturday morning jog around town, Saturday morning yoga with Tessa and several Saturday afternoon walks in the Indian Summer heat.

Yummy Salmon Pasta

2009-10-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

I had some leftover salmon, which I decided to flake into hot quinoa pasta. I put some fresh baby spinach in the bottom of this pasta bowl. I boiled some water, added the pasta and threw in some broccoli and cauliflower florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drained the water and dumped the pasta and veggies over the spinach, which wilted with the heat. Flaked in the salmon, added a generous dollop of butter, parmesan, salt and pepper. Amazing.

Husband inhaled this. I'm allergic to fish...

Healing With Carbs

2009-10-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Miriam is going through a heinous round of chemo, and often is not willing or able to eat much. So when girlfriend has an appetite, we FEED her! Whatever sounds good to her.

In my world of clientele wanting fat free, no sugar, no salt, no flour...going to the store to buy organic WHOLE milk, FULL FAT cheese and good old fashioned pasta was a JOY.

Miriam's mac & cheese. What it is:

2 cups shell pasta

8 oz cottage cheese

8 oz sour cream

8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

20 Club crackers, crushed

1/3 cup grated Romano cheese

Cook pasta al dente. Drain. Put pasta back in pot. Over very low heat, dump all the cheeses (except Romano) into pasta pot and stir in with pasta until its melty.

Crush crackers and Romano cheese in plastic baggie.

Pour pasta mixture into buttered casserole dish. Pour crushed cracker mixture over pasta and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Just your basic sweet cornbread. Came out looking kinda funny, but I love it just the same. Husband was laughing at it and I said he still had to love it. That's just how it came out of the oven, it can't help it, and if our child comes out of my oven looking a little worse for wear, he has too love it the same, too. No, I'm not pregnant. I just like to plan ahead.

Cinnamon butter for cornbread (Miriam has already lost 10 lbs since she started treatment. We will feed her lots of butter). Organic butter, pinch of sugar, cinnamon. Whip it up. Done.

GV truffles. A girl's gotta have her chocolate.

Miriam is beyond lovely and is fighting a brave fight right now, at the ripe age of 33. She is on disability and to say getting the bills paid is a challenge would be an understatement. Click here to make a fully tax deductible donation towards her overwhelming medical bills.

Our New Hobby: Bean Poker

2009-10-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

Husband requested this photo. Husband vs. Wife bean poker. This is how we relieve stress before bed now. I think you can read my poker face.

Husband Gets The Jar

2009-10-14T15:42:00.000-07:00

It's raining in LA today, so I figured husband would be wanted something in the grilled cheese and tomato soup ballpark, but he wanted a Green Monster (which have become browner and browner as I add more unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolate loving husband).

Today I finished the almond butter and decided to give husband some of his Green Monster in the jar so he could scoop out the last bits. He likey.

Mine: cucumber, strawberry Yogurt Love and a Luna bar. I also had to capture my adorable little foodie erasers my dear friend Melinda gifted me with. Must find a spot to display...

Wednesday workout: 40 minutes strength training with resistance band and weights. Did this in the living room as I watched the rain pour down on our new welcome mat. Wish I would have remembered to bring it in...

Guilty Vegan Cookies

2009-10-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

The website is coming! I promise. Very soon.  

In the meantime, feel free to peruse my silly food blog, get really hungry and order some vegan cookies.

I deliver orders in Los Angeles for weddings, parties, events and miscellaneous cravings. I also ship anywhere in the US. 

Current Flavors

Lemon Coconutty

Almond Choconutty

Cinnamon Pecanutty

Cashewnutty

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Peanut Butter & Banana

Peanut Butter Sandwich

GV Truffles

Big Chocolate Chip

• All varieties vegan, gluten free, wheat free and soy free

• Most varieties sugar free

$16 per batch (approx. 20 treats)

$10 local delivery charge

Get You Some: orders@guiltyvegan.com

Contact Me: mandy@guiltyvegan.com

I'm always creating new flavors. Let me know what's missing!

Saturday Dinner

2009-10-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

After the cookie extravaganza, I was up for a low effort dinner (aren't I always?). Husband has been very low maintenance with his meal requests of late (smart husband). He ordered leftover chicken ravioli. Done.

Mine: green beans, nuts and 4 cookies: 1 lemon coconutty chew, 1 almond choconutty chew, 1/2 peanut butter sandwich cookie (sugar free peanut butter frosting is killah), and 1 "big" chocolate chip cookie. Nummers.

An Afternoon Of Cookies

2009-10-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

I needed to get my cookies ready for a little photo shoot, so I baked the day away (after a client meeting in Westlake Village, an orthodontist consult for Austin in Thousand Oaks and lunch with the boys and an hour in the car, that is).

Peanut butter and jelly chews.

Lemon coconutty chews.

Almond choconutty chews.

Peanut butter oat for peanut butter sandwich cookies.

The abbodanza (as Denise would say)! They did great on their photo shoot and hope to make their official debut soon.

Woodranch Grill! It's Been Too Long...

2009-10-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Another eventful day in Unruh land. I met a client in Westlake Village, then proceeded to Thousand Oaks to meet husband and Austin for an orthodontic consultation. Time for braces, it is. Poor buddy has to have two teeth pulled and several cavities filled before he can get said braces. He was remarkably calm and collected through the whole thing.

We had a late lunch at Woodranch Grill, which you know I love love love. Above Austin is taking an exaggerated sip of his rootbeer before he tears into his house salad (by tear I mean 2 bites).

I've heard their garlic rolls are the bomb. I have not tried them because I always know that I will eat my entire salad and an entire side of buttery mashed sweet potatoes. Crazy thinking, clearly.

Husband ordered buffalo wings. Random.

Austin dug right in. Evan thought they were too vinegary, almost "bitter". Austin thought he was being a baby.

My salad. It's a chopped salad with black beans, tomatoes (which I always pick off), corn chips, corn, cheese, marinated portobello mushrooms with a light ranch dressing. It's delicious.

One of my favorite dishes in the world. Smashed sweet potatoes. I'm sure these are full of butter, cream and brown sugar and I don't care. Amazing.

Husband's rib "sampler", which just seemed like a small rack of ribs. Nothing sampler about it, but he said they were mighty tasty.

Austin's sirloin steak and smashed sweet potatoes.

This was a very wonderful, cheap $85 dollar lunch. We talked cookies so it's a write off, right?

Saturday workout: 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels-Level 1 and 2

Friday Night Dinner: Well Done Pizza

2009-10-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

After a stressful week, never underestimate the healing powers of pizza. I keep getting an upset tummy from the pepperoni, yet I keep ordering it. Addict.

When this pizza reached me, it looked a little peaked. I like my cheese brown, almost burnt, so I popped this baby in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. The pepperoni was incinerated and the crust was a crouton, but it was freaking delicious! Now I'm gonna have to do this every time I order pizza. Addict.

Husband ordered chicken ravioli, and I added some broccoli.

I also made him a little spinach salad with marinated artichoke hearts. Clearly, I'm a good wife.

Couple Of Husband Meals

2009-10-10T22:55:00.000-07:00

Husband was served turkey hot dogs, organic baked beans, steamed broccoli and sweet potato fries.

He was also served a tuna melt on grilled wheat bread with spinach and tomato. And a cup of tomato soup.

Pumpkin Spice Cookie: First Attempt

2009-10-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

I love pumpkin baked goods. It goes in line with spice cakes, snickerdoodles, carrot cake, zucchini bread, etc. I'm a big fan.

My goal was to create a pumpkin spice cookie that I could add some cinnamon frosting to. Sadly, these cookies were not frosting worthy. We're back to the cakey problem, which happens a lot to me when I'm doing the vegan, gluten free thing. Not to worry, though. I have another recipe in mind for my remaining pumpkin. I cannot give it all away, but I will tell you that it involves homemade pecan butter.

Lunch On Some Weekday

2009-10-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Forgive me, my lovelies. I've been gone and obsessed and doing everything but blogging. One day life will be "normal", or something. Starting a business is something I never thought I'd do, but I'm following my passion, and this is where it's taking me. Trusting. Following. Breathing. Not sleeping.

Lunch on Tuesday (or Wednesday): cucumber, 2 Luna bars and 2 string cheeses.

Husband got a turkey taco salad: seasoned ground turkey with onion, garlic, cumin and chili powder. Added turkey to a big bed of baby spinach, cucumber, salsa, tofu cheese, corn chips, refried beans and guacamole. Not a diet salad.

Workout recap from last week-

Monday: 40 minutes elliptical

Tuesday: 3 mile run

Wednesday: Squeeze Stronger DVD with Tracy Effinger

Thursday: 90 minute Travis Eliot yoga class with Jenny (her first time ever and she rocked it)!

Friday: 4 mile run/walk

Some Foods

2009-10-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

After too many of these meals, which I love, but come on, Mandy...

Greek yogurt, strawberries and organic peanut butter pows. Again.

Sometimes you need to have cake for dinner. I got two mini cakes from Whole Foods: Carrot and Coconut. Tasted good, felt guilty afterwards, which results in more Greek yogurt and cereal meals. Oye.

Cornbread muffin leftover from a birthday party we just came home from. Our super talented friend, Tom, celebrated his 45th birthday at The Gumbo Pot at the LA Farmer's Market. I had jambalaya and collard greens, which tasted awesome! So spicy and it was a beautiful Fall evening. We love you, Tom!

I had my cornbread with husband (he had some strawberry ice cream and a couple of GV double chocolate cookies).

Monday workout: super fast 2 mile run before cake dinner

Tuesday workout: 40 minutes elliptical at Gold's Gym and some ab work

Hello Frosting!

2009-10-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and decided it was time to start playing with frosting. I wanted it to be sugar free and vegan (obvi). I whipped up this peanut butter frosting and it FREAKING ROCKS!

My camera does not rock.

This looks like a drawing of my hand holding a peanut butter sandwich cookie.

These are going on the menu. Now I just need to figure out their shelf life...next up (unless I get any other brainstorms) is lemon cookies with coconut frosting.

Sunday Lunch: Bread Pudding and Lamb Stew (Guess Which Is Mine?)

2009-10-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

My weekend ritual: cinnamon raisin bread pudding. So, so good.

Husband finished his lamb stew.

Sunday workout: late afternoon walk turned into a 4 mile run. Nice! Love when that happens.

Other updates. Husband is still working on the project from Hell and I fear it could end in a lawsuit. He and his artist are trying their best and working themselves sick (literally), but everything that could go wrong has and on and on and on and on. I keep thinking, something has GOT to give, but it hasn't yet.

It's very hard to watch him go through this, which leads me to bury myself in my own work. I know one day this will all make a great story!