I have really been on a bulgar wheat kick lately! I love the hearty texture and versatility of it. It can be savory or sweet, which makes it great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

This salad is one of my favorite combinations of flavors and it is a healthy source of protein, iron, and fiber.

Bulgar Taco Salad w/ Cilantro Lime Dressing

Salad:
1/2 cup dry bulgar wheat
1 15oz. can black or pinto beans, rinsed well
1/2 cup corn
2 green onions, chopped
1 med tomato, chopped
1 avocado. chopped
4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

Dressing:
Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup cilantro, packed
1 tsp agave nectar or honey
1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder (adjust to desired level of spice)
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp coriander
1 clove of garlic
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
3 tbsp hemp seeds

I finally got a chance to try Baagan, a new vegan and mostly raw restaurant in Roseville, Ca. I am SO EXCITED to have a choice other than the meat-laden chain restaurants with ridiculously long waits for tables that are on every corner here. Don't get me wrong, we do have a nice selection of places and I can usually find one or two things on their menus to eat, so I do give them credit for that. But, I am a huge fan of "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants and it is so exciting to have so many healthy and yummy vegetarian choices all in one place!

From Baagan's website:

"Baagan (pronounced "BAW-gawn") is a variation of the Hindi word for Garden and represents being natural. It's from the word "Bagh" common to many languages meaning Garden or Orchard."


The place is small and cheerful inside. In addition to healthy food, they offer a selection of teas, tea accessories, spices, and a few yoga items as well.

I had planned on ordering only a smoothie but, when I walked through the door, I was greeted with the smell of something that I couldn't resist! It was the soup of the day (lentil, seasoned with Indian spices) and it was delicious! I also ordered the "peanut" butter cup smoothie made with almonds, cacao powder, agave nectar, pure maple syrup, and sea salt. Both items were vegan and delicious!

I can't wait to go back and try some more things from their menu- I'm thinking a kale salad might be next unless I'm swept away by the smell of something else in the kitchen!

Baagan
912 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Suite 160
Roseville, Ca

(Legal stuff: I did not receive monetary or other compensation for this review.)

I have been doing a lot of running lately! I am running about four times a week and gradually ramping up the milage because I am training for a half marathon (13.1 miles) that I will run in October. Along with more miles, I am also increasing the amount of protein that I am eating to support the extra work that my muscles are doing.

Today I ran six miles then had a smoothie made with dates, raw cacao, bananas, raw protein powder, spinach, chia seeds, ice, and water to recover and refuel. By lunchtime, though, I was super hungry again and I was craving a savory and hearty sandwich. I came up with this tofu salad and it met this craving perfectly!

These sandwiches are simple and oh so good! I don't use a lot of tofu and I actually hesitate to call these "tofu salad" sandwiches because tofu is such a stereotypical vegetarian food and it sometimes scares people away. Don't be scared- these are yummy! 

Tofu Salad Sandwiches
Serves about 2

1/2 block firm tofu (not silken), cut into very small squares
Olive oil
Seasoning of choice*
1-2 tsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
2-3 tbsp vegan mayonnaise (I love grapeseed oil Vegenaise)
1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
1 green onion, finely chopped

*Seasoning of choice: I used Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute. You could also use Spike, Herbamare, Mrs. Dash, or your own combo of seasonings. (The Trader Joe's mix contains: onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne pepper, parsley, basil, marjoram, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, cumin, mustard, coriander, garlic, carrot, orange peel, tomato granules, lemon juice powder, oil of lemon, citric acid).

For more of my thoughts on fueling for exercise, see my post on My Layered Approach to Fueling for Exercise!

I am a contributing author for Yogamint. My most recent article is about inspiring healthy habits in others. From my article: 

Inspiring your loved ones to eat healthy foods can be challenging. Children can be resistant to trying new things, particularly veggies or multi-ingredient recipes. Adults tend to respond to their favorite foods based on past experiences associated with a special memory. Eating warm cookies is about more than just the pleasure of gooey chocolate chips. Certain foods form a sensory experience that have a direct link to memories and feelings of comfort that nurture you emotionally. So how do you influence those around you to try new and healthful foods? 

Read the full article, here.