Bringing tofu back?

Heyyyyyy 😀 HAPPY SUNDAY! How are you? I am bueno- we’re having a blasty in Tucson 😀

I promised shenanigans…

pilot

There ya go 😉

We had a pretty busy day yesterday, so here’s a boatload of pics from the extravaganza 😀

We slept in (glorious!) and the madre made a meaty egg feast for everyone else, and some sauteed veggies for me.

veg

The veggies were perfect, but I kept staring at the Funfetti Bundt that nana made- it was making googly eyes at me 😉bundt

So the pilot and I split a piece with our bfast 😀

cake

Funfetti, how I love thee.

We hit up the gym for back, biceps and abs (a little cardio), and then I munched a little fruit when we got back to the casa.

berries

Next, the pilot and I met his friend Robbie at another one of our Tucson favorites: OREGANO’S!!! (Home of the pizookie! Pizookie! Pizooooookie!)

The portions, much like the menu, are GIGANTIC.

oregnao

I was a pleasantly difficult customer –as I always try to make up my own meal as politely as possible with a smile on my face- and ordered what became the best salad I’ve ever had at a restaurant.

The Oreganos’ favorite (with roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, goat cheese instead of feta, no raisins, no pinenuts, and grilled shrimp instead of chicken, no dressing).

This was the JUNIOR size!

beast

They even put the goat cheese on the side for me 😀
goat cheese

I killed it while the boys devoured their stuffed mushrooms and pan pizza.

It was a foodgasmic glory 🙂

After our feast, we came back to my mom’s, took showers, got ready, chilled for a little while and then went to my dad’s house to see my nana, dad, stepmom, little bros and their two dogs (we brought Bella with us to see her friends).

My stepmom, who is a fabulous hostess, set out a beautiful spread of snackies.

Veggies and hummus:

vegg

Fruit and dip:

fruit

Olive tapenade, crackers and cheese

cheese

And the best whole grain, freshly made cookies I’ve ever had. Ever.

cookie

I had two along with my veggies, hummus and fruit. They were still warm… amazing 😀

We sat on the patio where my dad had built a fire, snacked and chatted for a few hours. It was wonderful!

After my dadoo’s, we met up with everyone to go shopping at Foothills Mall.

I got a few things 😉

Since there’s a Sushi Garden attached to the mall, we all ate there since the pilot and my brothers wanted sushi.

After last week’s sushi disaster, I wasn’t really feeling like sushi.

So I had some seaweed salad:

seewwweed

Squid salad:

squid

Miso soup:

miso

And edamame:

mame

As you guys know, I don’t usually choose to eat soy since most soy products are highly-processed. Lately, I’ve been craving it like you wouldn’t believe. The tofu in the miso soup was so buttery and fabulous, so I’m thinking about adding tofu back into my like in moderation, because I really do love it. I’ll talk a little more about this next week when I get back from vacay 😀

Well the pilot and I are getting ready to hit up Sabino Canyon for a 9 miler, and then going to see my great-grandparents. For lunch, we’re going to check out an awesome vegetarian restaurant 🙂

See you tonight!
xoxo,

Gina

Congrats to all of the lovely ladies who ran the Disney Marathon this morning!!! <3 Especially my twinnie friends, Caitlin, Meghann and The FBGs!

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50 Comments

  1. Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty on January 10, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I just wrote about soy too… wondering what everyone’s thoughts were about it. I’m on the fence whether it is good or bad!

  2. Nicci@NiftyEats on January 10, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    Looks like ya’ll are having a blast!

  3. Susan on January 10, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    Enjoy the Sabina Canyon. Wow I want the bundt cake, tasty!!

  4. The Hot and Fit on January 10, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    The Nana’s cake looks so cute!!!

  5. Mara @ What's For Dinner? on January 10, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    …and im hungry. That salad looks AMAZING!

  6. Ashley @ Good Taste. Healthy Me on January 10, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    What great eats!!

  7. Run Sarah on January 10, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    I am a huge tofu fan so can’t wait to see what you come up with adding it back into your diet! Soy in moderation has excellent health benefits IMO and according to my readings. All your meals this weekend look SO good…the salads, roasted veggies, edamame & miso…yum!

  8. Marissa on January 10, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    i think soy is perfectly fine to eat. i’ll be looking forward to your post next week about it!

  9. Danielle (Coffee Run) on January 10, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    I love when a restaurant serves a big salad with tons of variety 😀 Very hard to find…
    And I <3 tofu. I agree that it's highly processed but I think if you buy non-GMO then it's certainly not bad for you!

  10. Jocelyn on January 10, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    Looks/sounds like you are having a fab time! And delicious eats too 😉

  11. Lily @ Lily's Health Pad on January 10, 2010 at 1:35 pm

    Funfetti…so not nutritious…so good…so worth the splurge!

  12. Lexi on January 10, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    So many good eats! I love goat cheese, and really any kind of cheese 🙂

  13. amanda @ fake ginger on January 10, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    Funfetti bundt cake?! I had no idea that you could do that!

  14. BRENDA on January 10, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I think you’re pregnant!! ‘Cause u look pretty extrict w/ur diet and ur cravin it like crazy, could it b? Well, all the food u have eaten looks delicious and i never order salads we go out to eat and when i do the produce is just disgusting-tasting. Well have fun and b safe!!!

  15. BRENDA on January 10, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    i meant to say ‘strict’…

  16. rachael on January 10, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    Tofu is pretty minimally processed. I used to get it at the farmer’s market when I lived on the west coast. If you’re craving it go for it. Good for you with the funfetti, you gotta splurge sometimes, especially on vacation!

  17. Lauren @ eater not a runner on January 10, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    funfetti is the best! Glad you are having so much fun 🙂

  18. Paige @ Running Around Normal on January 10, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    That funfetti cake looks amazing!! Sounds like you’re having such a good time, yay 😀

  19. Jenna on January 10, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    Oreganos looks delishhh!
    Your stepmom looks like a great hostess!
    Have fun today! Can’t wait to hear about the vegetarian restaurant!!
    Jenn

  20. maris on January 10, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    hey gina, traveled to Tucson this summer, loved it! enjoy sabino canyon, had a great time there. what a great way to get in a good workout -with amazing scenery!

  21. Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place on January 10, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    looks like you are havingn a fab time on your trip!

    I’ve never been a fan of tofu. I honestly can say that I hate it. if it’s cooked in anything I order in a restaurant I pick every morsel of it out!

  22. eatmovelove on January 10, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Wow everything looks so good – the veggies, the cookies, that cake!! reminds me of a kind my Grandma used to make – yum :). Fun times – I’ve never had edamame before – are they like sugar snap peas?? I’m guessing that they wouldn’t be like processed soy …so better for you?? 😉

  23. Sara on January 10, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    That salad looks GLORIOUS.

  24. Jamie on January 10, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    Seaweed salad is my FAVORITE! I order it whenever we go to an asian restaurant and I make everyone try a bit when they make a funny face at the food. Usually, I don’t have any left to eat myself! 😉 Sounds like a great day!

  25. Laura J. on January 10, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    oh my gooosh that salad from Oregano’s looks AH-mazing!! And so do those whole grain choc chip cookies. Any chance you could post the recipe? 🙂

  26. Jenna on January 10, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Gahh, Oregano’s! That brings back so many memories for me. My brother went to school at ASU, and that is by far my favorite restaurant in Tempe. We would always go there at least once or twice every time I visited!

  27. lindsey on January 10, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    if you can believe it, i just bought goat cheese today and made my first salad with it! FOOOOOOOOOOOOODGASMSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS all around…i thought i had died and gone to heaven! it’s so creamy and delicious, it took my salad to a whole new level!

    ♥ lindsey

  28. katie on January 10, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    I’ve wondered before why you don’t eat soy. I’m interested to read what you have to say about it!

  29. Chantal on January 10, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    No sure what kind of options you have where you live Gina, but a whole bunch of natural food co-ops around here have tofu that is as least processed as possible, so I can still make it for my man all the time 🙂 You can find some (like the Wildwood brand) that uses only filtered water, Nigari (the firming agent) and soy beans! That’s it! My grocery store has it in bulk and it’s freshly made somewhere close by which is great… it makes me happy that if I don’t use it right away it actually goes bad within 5 or 6 days… that’s the way it should be!

    I think the big hype/scare about too much tofu right now actually stems more from the problem that all tofu that’s non-organic (unless labeled otherwise) is made from Genetically modified soy beans and we don’t know what kind of issues they cause (and are usually also hyper-processed like you said)… Good luck!

  30. Geetha on January 10, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    Hi Gina,
    Looks like you are having a great time visiting family…awww, i miss seeing my family (maybe this summer, that is if i decide to go to india). Have loadsaa fun…u deserve it. 🙂

  31. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on January 10, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    LOVE funfetti cake. It has always been a fave. 🙂

  32. Sara on January 10, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Funfetti! I love that! I haven’t had it in forever.. Looks like you are having a great time at home! enjoy!!! I LOVE your blog!

  33. michelle on January 10, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    “pleasantly difficult customer” ohh i like that!

  34. Charlotte on January 10, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    Great pics, thanks for sharing!

  35. Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen on January 10, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    the funfetti cake looks fabulous 🙂 Nana’s are the best, aren’t they!

  36. Kelly Michelle on January 10, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    wow talk about a lot of good food in one post!!! I think soy can be okay in moderation, plus there is a big difference between eating organic tofu and edamame once in awhile vs eating soy milk yogurt and fake meat product (ew ew ew ew ew ew ew) everyday. There is worse things to eat than organic tofu once or twice a week but of course it is all about how everyone’s own body reacts no “right” answer.

  37. Jessica (Fit and Clean) on January 10, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    I am glad you are having such a great time! The food there looks wonderful, even the classic funfetti, LOL! Even the squid salad looked great, and I haven’t had squid in years and years… Yum!!!

  38. Alison on January 10, 2010 at 6:35 pm

    That salad looks incredibly tasty; it had me drooling and I just ate dinner. Several years ago we were stationed at Ft. Huachuca, AZ and we found ourselves at the Foothills Mall on several occasions. Tucson was much appreciated civilization, compared to our sad little town of Sierra Vista. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

  39. Angela (The Lady Loves to Eat) on January 10, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    I love funfetti!

  40. Jodie on January 10, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    I have never had seaweed salad but have always wanted to try it. Any suggestions?

  41. Kelly Michelle on January 10, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    ahaha, just read the comment above about being pregnant, if it meant I was pregnant every time I craved something I would be like that old women who lived in a shoe….

  42. Laura (On the Threshold of Greatness) on January 10, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    I know what you mean about tofu! I generally avoid soy because I have thyroid issues, but I definitely enjoy a little tofu from time to time. 🙂 But, even better than tofu is seaweed salad! LOVE it!

    Enjoy the rest of your time in Tucson!

  43. Julia on January 10, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    oh my gosh I loveeee how you had to order off menu at Oregano’s and you did it like a champ. I am ALWAYS “that girl”. For some reason I hate doing it. I knowwww I’m supposed to own my decisions and be proud of them, but sometimes I feel like I’m just embarrassing my family/dinnermates and annoying the kitchen. Way to go girl, doing it with alacrity.

  44. Sarah on January 10, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    Yep, I think you are pregnant, too :). I was a little lax on my diet when I was…maybe this trip was to share some news to the family? 🙂

    In any case, I am adding soy into my diet. I dont usually limit my protein intake, but I have been going more pescatarian (sp?) as I try to lose my last few pregnancy pounds. But I looooove me some tofu. Anyway, it all looks SO good. SOO) yummy. Even funfetti.

  45. Laura on January 11, 2010 at 5:38 am

    Gina I love seeing all your ‘exotic’ trips- well exotic for me seeing as its snowy and cold over in England. My Mum went on a school trip to AZ in October and loved it- only 4 days of rain a year?! I think, as long as you keep a balance on the amount of soy in your diet it will be fine, and ‘processed’ doesn’t have to be bad- if tofu is made with calcium carbonate as the firming agents you get so much calcium from eating it. But I’m lucky cos you can get unsweetened soya yogurt over here, and GM hasn’t raised its ugly head here nearly so much 😉

  46. Tiffany on January 11, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Ummm you may have just made my day b/c I LOVE OREGANOS!!! I’m originally from AZ and that maybe the #1 thing I miss is that dang pazookie! Oh and the guacatoni…the list of yuminess there goes on and on! I’m very very jealous at this moment!

    Glad you had fun!

  47. Jessica on January 11, 2010 at 11:59 am

    All of that food looks so delicious! I wish I could eat all of it haha

  48. Emily Eats on January 12, 2010 at 4:20 am

    Oh yum – that salad looks immensely flavourful! Love how you change it up. I am not sure how that would go down in London, but maybe I should give it a try…

  49. Alice on January 12, 2010 at 8:08 pm

    I just did a course in making tofu from scratch. Really interesting and cool – very wholesome, too. And all the amazing tofu byproducts are edible and nutritious as well. I love the Japanese culture that wastes nothing.

  50. Sarabell on July 4, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    I grew up in Flagstaff, AZ and they have (had?) an Oreganos so this post makes me smile. I used to LOVE Oreganos!

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