Disclaimer: the datestamp on my pictures is NOT showing up on my camera, so I’m not sure why it shows up when I load my pics to the computer!! I swear it’s turned off!!! I promise it will be GONE by the next round of photos!
Okay. First thing’s first: I’m sitting on a new chair!
This is an isometric exercise ball seat (the manufacturer’s words, not mine). Sonny and I saw one for the first time while recording an album in Chapel Hill, NC, with a band we used to play with. The engineer (an amazing guy named Brian Paulsen) used one of these chairs to get through all-night recording sessions. He swears it helps his back. And I agree! Check it out:
It’s literally impossible to slouch in this chair. You’d fall on your face! It’s comfy, keeps your back straight, and forces you to keep your abs engaged. I dig it.
Okay, on to the food. My second-favorite kitchen appliance (the monkey vegetable peeler being the first):
Is my vegetable spiralizer, which I purchased online for $30 nearly 5 years ago:
This thing is the shiat. I was introduced to it for the first time while working in the cafe section of the Boulder co-op market with a raw vegan chef. You can make angel-hair pasta like strands of veggies, terra-chip thin pieces of sweet potato, carrot garnishes . . . things that somehow make vegetables more exciting. I swear, zucchini tastes different when you spiralize it in this thing and eat it raw.
Sunflower Tofu with Zucchini Pasta
Ingredients
1 medium zucchini, 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds, 1/2 block extra firm tofu, cut into small cubes
One of my favorite Chinese restaurant picks is tofu with peanuts and broccoli, so I decided to create a lighter version that only takes 10 minutes to make.
Step 1: spiralize zucchini into thin strands (as pictured above). Set aside.
Step 2: sautee tofu in the sesame oil and rice wine vinegar over medium heat
Step 3: wait 5 minutes or so, then toss in the sunflower seeds.
Step 4: after a few more minutes, when the tofu starts to brown, remove heat and add zucchini.
Step 6: stir so the zucchini soaks up the sesame flavor. Serve!
Step 7: wake the monkey peeler from his nap under the kitchen towel:
Step 7: clean kitchen! (Most of this mess is from the cookies I baked earlier and the lunch I made for my friend, which involved roasted eggplant and mushrooms, black beans and rice, and vegan chicken patties . . .) Ah, how easily my cleaning efforts are thwarted. Look how clean it was earlier!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday!
January 25, 2009 at 3:49 am
wow, that spiralizer is an amazing tool!! (but you’re right — not quite as cool as the monkey peeler
) recipe looks YUMMY.
January 25, 2009 at 4:28 am
I think I need to go get a spiralizer!! That looks like a huge help in the kitchen! Delicious recipe!
January 25, 2009 at 4:47 am
oooh! this looks amazing! you must tell me where I can get a vegetable spiraler-thingy!
January 25, 2009 at 4:56 pm
That chair sounds awesome! I am such a sloucher, I need one of those!
The monkey peeler is too cute, and the vegetable spiralizer is so handy. I should get me one, it might help me eat more raw foods.
Your pepper shaped pot/casserole is so fun! You have the coolest kitchen stuff!
January 26, 2009 at 1:13 am
I got the spiralizer by googling “vegetable spiralizer” and then ordering it . . . sorry I can’t be more specific! I’ve had it for awhile. It’s definitely a favorite in the summertime for simple vegetable dishes!
January 26, 2009 at 3:34 pm
yum
I love that monkey peeler!
January 26, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I’m visiting from the BSI link — looks delicious! I love, love, love a few ingredients paired together beautifully like you’ve done here. And don’t worry about the kitchen, it happens to all of us. I sometimes chuckle as I take a picture of my “finished” product b/c little does everybody know, just out of the picture is mayhem.
January 26, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Christina: thanks! haha. My kitchen is usually mayhem. Someday I’ll have a dishwasher and then the dishwasher will be mayhem
January 26, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I’m sooo jealous of your exercise ball seat. I’ve heard they’re really great. Your monkey veggie peeler is adorable, too.
January 26, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Katie: up close that monkey looks pretty evil!
January 26, 2009 at 11:44 pm
[...] Vani with Sunflower Tofu with Zucchini Pasta [...]
January 27, 2009 at 2:42 am
Uh, that chair is totally awesome. As is that veggie slicer. I. am. so. jealous.
January 27, 2009 at 1:35 pm
that monkey peeler is amazing
January 27, 2009 at 3:13 pm
[...] Activity BSI: zucchini (with a few sidenotes . . .) [...]
January 28, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I want the Monkey! And I love your chair. Where did you find yours?
January 29, 2009 at 4:47 am
You also have a love for kitchen goods! I can’t get enough of them! Love the vegetable peeler. I also have the zucchini spiraler, but left it in storage in Utah! I’ll keep your recipe in mind for when we move back!
Abbie
FoodsThatFit.wordpress.com
January 29, 2009 at 11:58 am
What a cool looking chair!!
I want one!
February 1, 2009 at 7:36 am
[...] at an odd angle so I can put up my feet while sitting on the isometric exercise ball seat . . [...]
February 2, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Ashley: my boyfriend found the chair online — you can get them on Amazon! Check here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007VB4NE
February 5, 2009 at 5:10 pm
[...] be back later tomorrow to post about a new fun kitchen gadget! (I love my kitchen gadgets . . [...]
February 7, 2009 at 7:55 pm
[...] to spend less money on fitness. However, I try to buy things that will save $ in the long run. My vegetable spiralizer, for example, helps me create yummy raw-vegan food at home, so when I’m in the mood for it, I [...]