Every once in a while, a girl has one of those nights when all she wants is wine and dessert. And I’m pretty sure that’s okay. Last night was one of those nights.
It wasn’t so warm out yesterday, but I wanted a cold breakfast anyway: big bowl of kamut puffs, Kaia granola, banana and skim.
I brought half the fruit drawer with me to work: grapes, an orange, and a Fuji apple. These apples are too sweet for me! I guess I got hooked on those Granny Smiths.
There was a book club meeting during lunch, so, being the messy and loud eater that I am, I made an effort to prepare something that would be quiet and wouldn’t end up all over my lap. Enter the sandwich! I’ve gotten into the habit of eating a big salad during lunch, which I love (and it helps me get in my daily veggie quotient) but sometimes a sandwich just hits the spot. Spicy chik’n burger with dijon, mesclun, and sharp cheddar on a sandwich thin.
I saved my yogurt until later, so I could add a scoop of Maranatha almond butter to it. Mmm. Second flavor of this yogurt (vanilla) and it still isn’t my favorite. It’s just not very thick! I miss you, Fage, Chobani and Oikos 
When I got home from work, I calmly put on my comfy clothes, unpacked my bag, and headed straight for the wine. I wanted it cold, so I put it in the freezer for a few minutes first.
I must have been a little too excited about the Pinot… Hard to believe I used to open wine bottles for a living, right?
Aha! Crisis averted.
I started making one thing for dinner, and a few minutes in decided I wanted something else. So I made it. Because that’s how I roll.
When we were at the grocery store the other day, Ari and I decided to buy a yuca. I had no idea they looked like this! They have a rough, waxy skin.
Also known as cassava or manioc, yuca is a starchy carbohydrate high in calcium and phosphorous, and Vitamin C. I’ve eaten it in traditional island dishes in Guadeloupe, in a soup at Sacred Chow (which I will be making soon)… 
…and now, as fries! I coated them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roasted at 400 for about 25 minutes. I also roasted some broccoli in olive oil and sugar.
For the main event, I made a batch of cheesy polenta (polenta mixed with Laughing Cow) which I topped with marinara, an egg, and pepper flakes.
Even though dinner took a little longer than usual when I started over, I made just what I wanted. And sometimes, that’s what life should be about.
Later, while watching The Good Wife (just started, have only seen the first couple episodes) I had a dessert plate with assorted dried fruit, chocolate hazelnut spread, and an Easter egg. But as I said, there were other eggs.
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Happy Earth Day! Are you helping the planet in a new way today?
Every time I see people referencing Kaia granola, I laugh – I just found the company a little bit ago, but that’s also the name of my dog! And it’s awful, but I can’t remember what it means, haha. It’s alaskan/inuit/something like that for something (she’s a husky mix) but I just can’t remember why we named her that, haha. So, now I can say that since I’m such a healthy food junkie, i even named my dog after food.
I find Fuji apples really sweet, too – and hear ya’ on the brown cow. I looove Oikos, but usually buy Brown Cow because it’s SO much cheaper. Gotta save somewhere
Dinner looks great!! It’s been too long since I’ve had polenta.
Ooh, I’ve never tried to make yucca on my own, but when I’ve had it in restaurants, it’s been delicious! Looks good as fries!
I used to eat two or three Granny Smith apples a day when I was in high school… and now I don’t even like them anymore.
Happy Earth Day!
<3 <3
Fage, Chobani, and Oikos are my faves too! Yay for Earth Day. I’ve been walking to school that past week…though it was friggin’ cold this morning! At least it didn’t rain
Yucca is one of those veggies that I’m kind of scared of, but it looks like you had some success with it. I’ll have to man up and try one myself!
I polished off half a bag of Kaia granola last night (with a side of grapefruit..?). sometimes those nights just have to happen too.
happy earth day! I live everyday like its earth day, yo – meaning I don’t have a car so I walk to work
I just bought yucca at the store too! I plan on using it tonight for some sort of mexican style dinner.
i think putting a fried egg on top of anything is THE most delectable thing. that cheesy polenta looks amazing!
i wish i could say i rode my bike to work today in honor of earth day, but i’m wearing a dress. that would not be a pretty sight.
We had roasted broccoli last night as well. I will need to try the sugar trick. I usually use just a hint of balsamic and oil, salt and pepper. YUM.
happy earth day!
and i LOVE the looks of that cheesy polenta egg thing – how did you make that?
there is nothing better than making exactly what you want and having it hit the spot. this weekend, i am finally going to do a full grocery shop after weeks of poverty, and am SO EXCITED to have so much food on hand. yeeeeee!
happy thursday
any updates on that thang we talked about?
I never would have thought to cut yucca up and make it into fries—-very unorthodox in my life. Growing up we always peeled it, cut the ends off, and then boiled it in water until soft. It really brings out the flavor of it. Try eating yucca with a little chopped green cabbage/tomato with lime juice and salt–it’s a great treat in Central America! Although it comes with pork rinds there….
I used to work in a grocery store whose customers were mostly Hispanic and a lot of people would purchase yuccas just like the one you pictured. Of course I had no idea what it was – not that that says much at the time because I probably couldn’t tell spinach from lettuce either
– but it was definitely intriguing looking. Those yucca fries look tasty. What do they taste like? Squash? Sweet Potato? White Potato?
Have a good Earth day – its beautiful in NY today!
Nicole G
Granny Smith apples are way too tart for me- the sweeter the better!
That dinner looks great- I need to experiment with my polenta more
Is the yukka hard to chop?
way to save the booze girl! that’s your contribution to earth day i declare it
the only time i’ve ever had yuca fries was at wf! and i LOVED them
i also love that you coated your brox in shoogs! definitely on my list of ways to consume broccoli 
have an awesome day girl! p.s. we need a date soon!
i truly believe wine and dessert are life essentials. we have to treat ourselves well, right?
and on that dessert topic: you know, i’ve never been to the lite choice. i should really get on that.
omg girl i just posted about wine and chocolate @ ladies night haha GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE! xoxox
happy earth day love <3
i had yuca fries at gobo in the west village…they were the best part about the meal.
I need to cook eggs more often. Seriously. That looks incredible.
I’ve never had yucca, but that looks frightening! I love the tone of having just what you wanted throughout this post. Preach on, girl!
Great job getting in all the fresh fruit!
i love kamut puffs, too! what brand of chick’n patties do you use? i love giants salads but agree with you that sandos are sometimes where it’s at (not to mention yours look quite nice). i think it’s important to eat what you really want, especially because it’s usually our bodies way of telling us what it needs. even though your din took longer, i’m happy you fully enjoyed it.
have a lovely day!
xox
I had no idea Ari had so many tattoos! What are they of? I couldn’t really tell from the picture.
Did you like the yucca fries? I made them once and wasn’t too impressed. I’d much rather have regular potato or sweet potato fries.
I love Kaia granola, but it’s not sold here in VA! :/
Intriguing program. I’m suprised I did not notice this on a large news sites primary. Nicely played!