Daiya… and gone to heaven

Hi guys! How’s your Friday going??

Mine started off with the MOST difficult power yoga class I have ever taken. I did my first side crow everrrrr (!), lots of headstands and inversions, a bajillion utkatasanas (chair pose) and chatarungas. I was trembling at the end. Wow.

Green juice to the rescue:

juice

-Green apple

-Spinach

-Parsley

-Lemon

I came back to the casa and made the usual for bfast (I can’t get enough!)

cereal

Cleaned a little, did the laundry thang, and for snack, I busted out some of THIS:

daiya

Daiya!

I’ve been wanting to try it forever, but couldn’t find it at Whole Paycheck. When Ryan and Lindsey told me how life-changing it is (and where exactly it was—it’s in with the regular cheese), I made sure to grab some today 🙂

Topped some kamut bread with the Daiya and put it in the microwave to melt.

toast

Mother of pearl.

Daiya doesn’t want to be cheese… it IS cheese.

daiya (2)

My only complaint is that it’s a tad greasy… but so is real cheese, so it’s all good 😉

Expect lots of Daiya-covered creations in the near future.

This afternoon, I hit up the grocery store –the Publix here is LEGENDARY- and got supplies for tonight’s dinner.

The menu:

-Greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette

-Roasted veggies

-Homemade spelt ravioli with goat cheese and pumpkin sage sauce

ravioli

-Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting

cake

Off to finish dinner and then it’s feast time!!

Have a lovely night <3

Gina

Zumba song of the day: “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” Celia Cruz

Thank you SO much to the Foodbuzz Project Food Blog voters! I’m in round 2- wahoo!!

Post Navigation:

52 Comments

  1. Laura J. on September 24, 2010 at 5:58 pm

    Oh my word your dinner menu looks epic good! I hope you post the recipes 🙂

    • Laura J. on September 24, 2010 at 5:59 pm

      P.S. Yay! for making it to round 2! You deserve it girl 🙂

  2. RhodeyGirl on September 24, 2010 at 5:58 pm

    Dude you are totally smoking me with your dinner party. HOMEMADE ravioli? DAMNNNN!

    Have fun!

  3. Ange on September 24, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    I’m dying to get my hands on daiya but can’t find it anywhere! Glad to know what the bag actually looks like 🙂

  4. Allie (Live Laugh Eat) on September 24, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    I NEED to try Daiya!! Cheese makes my tummy hurt. Have you tried almond cheese? I love it! It’s not as greasy.

  5. Kristina @ spabettie on September 24, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    Daiya is amazecheese! 😀 I finally found it about a month ago, and the love affair has been STRONG.

    Dinner looks fab, what time should I show up… ? 😉

  6. Lauren @ BIOCHEMISTA on September 24, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    I can’t wait to pick up some Daiya! Sadly I’ve been becoming increasingly sensitive to cheese. I’m very allergic to the strong cheeses (feta, goat, parm, etc) – it has something to do with the bacteria in them rather than the lactose. I used to be fine with laughing cow cheese but lately…not so much. I’ll give Daiya a try and hope for the best! 🙂

    PS. Congrats on the round #2 voting! No surprises there though 😉

  7. Krystina on September 24, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    Pumpkin sage sauce?!?! I’m drooling.

  8. Katie on September 24, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    Daiya is the BOMB!!!!!!!!!!! SO glad you tried it!!!

    Have a wonderful dinner love! Looks good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Donna Porter on September 24, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    My daughter is lactose intolerant…I can’t find dairy free cheese anywhere! I’m going to check out this company’s website NOW! Thanks for the great find 🙂

  10. Jordana on September 24, 2010 at 6:36 pm

    I Love Daiya!! I’m Vegan “most of the time” and it is spectacular to have a fake cheese that tastes so much like the real deal. Try a quesadilla with Daiya, an ezekial wrap and hot sauce. To.Die.For

  11. KimLivesHealthy on September 24, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    Where do you get juice in Orlando? At Whole Foods or another place? I’ve always been interested in trying some good stuff but never knew where to find it.

    • Fitnessista on September 24, 2010 at 6:41 pm

      whole foods 🙂

  12. rachael on September 24, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    I have a daiya covered pizza in the oven right now! Diaya seriously makes being vegan easy. Your dinner sounds delicious! Do you make the raviolis by hand?

    • Fitnessista on September 24, 2010 at 7:09 pm

      i can’t wait to make daiya pizza!
      yes 🙂 it was my first time and it was a BEAST

      • Amy on September 24, 2010 at 8:48 pm

        Tofurkey now makes pizza with daiya on it. Not that I’d recommend it though, I just tried it out of curiosity.. it’s pretty cardboard like. There’s also now a vegan Amy’s Mac ‘n Cheese with daiya as well!

  13. melissa on September 24, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    Yummooooo. I have a severe dairy intolerance; I can’t wait to try this cheese. The menu looks awesome. I love making a sage sauce. Next on my list is trying spelt flour, does it work like bread flour ?

    • Fitnessista on September 24, 2010 at 7:14 pm

      pretty much, yup- it’s great in cookies, too

  14. Madeleine on September 24, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    omygah- that ravioli looks amazing! and good for you about the power yoga, making your goals happen. i just started my blog and have linked to your page a couple times already since it’s been such an inspiration to me. i hope that’s cool witchu 🙂 enjoy your weekend!!
    xo maddie

  15. holly @ couchpotatoathlete on September 24, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    I haven’t tried Daiya yet, but I’ve seen HEAB use it and it looks amazing. I’ve been avoiding Whole Foods for months for fear or spending too much money 🙂

    Chocolate cake with PB frosting? Sounds delicious!

    Congrats on making it to round 2!

  16. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on September 24, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    Ravioli?! Amazing!!!

  17. Lisa on September 24, 2010 at 8:19 pm

    Your cooking is so creative! I love it! It gives me so many ideas! =)

  18. Allison @ Food For Healing on September 24, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    that daiya looks awesome! i doubt id be able to find it in Canada tho

  19. MoniMeals on September 24, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    Wow, nice dinner spread for the night! You go Gina! I never had heard of Daiya, hmm I thought i was on point too. 😉 thanks for sharing!

  20. Amy on September 24, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Yay, daiya! I’ve only had the mozzarella daiya so far. Does the cheddar daiya have much of a cheddary flavor? It all seems to disappear quickly around here with all the vegans in Portland, OR!

  21. Nola @ The Zetetic Gamin on September 24, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    OMG – that ravioli looks FAB-U-LOS!!! Can’t wait to hear how it turned out.

    Any tips for those of us that have trouble with arm-balance poses in yoga? I’m in awe that you can do a two-armed crow, let alone a single!

  22. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) on September 24, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    Glad you made it to Round 2. AS IF there would have been any doubt 🙂

    Ok the yoga class, so glad you found some killer yoga that really tapped you and pushed you wayyy outta your usual zone. Side crow, parsva bakasana, great for the core, great for the arms, and it just looks hella impressive. Congrats!

    Inversions, too, sooo good for you. They help balance energy and are generally calming to the chi, in case you care about any of that jazz. They are wonderful, all in all!

    Have a super weekend Gina!!

    🙂

  23. Rhoni on September 24, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    I’m intrigued to hear that Daiya is good since I don’t eat much dairy at all. I saw some the other day and thought about buying it…but then I read the nutritional label. It’s got little protein and little fat…it’s mostly carbs, I believe 6 grams per serving. I don’t know, but that doesn’t sound like a cheese replacement to me. 🙁 But if it’s sooooo delicious…you might twist my arm.

  24. Megan @ Healthy Hoggin' on September 24, 2010 at 9:03 pm

    Goodness! That seems like quite a menu to tackle!! I’m intimidated by making any homemade pasta! And chocolate cake to boot? I’m jealous of your dinner companions! 😉

    What kind of ingredients are in Daiya cheese?

  25. christina cadden on September 24, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    mm, looks so good!

  26. The Pilot on September 24, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Congrats on making it to round 2, baby. I knew you could do it. The ravioli puts you in genius status as a little cheffer. I’ll send you my foodie pics tomorrow. Love you! ~me

  27. Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) on September 24, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    I know, right?! Daiya is just too yummy!

  28. Chelsea on September 24, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    Yayy round 2! I definitely voted for you. Congrats 🙂

  29. Janessa on September 24, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    Oh man, daiya is so good!

    The cheddar is definitely better, but even the mozzarella melts like a champ.

    There’s a Brewpub/Pizza Place (all organic, holla!) here in Portland that offers daiya pizza… and OMG it’s AMAZING.

  30. Paige @Running Around Normal on September 24, 2010 at 9:55 pm

    Mmm that ravioli sounds delicious! And the frosting, oh my 🙂
    I’ve never tried Daiya, but I’ve heard it’s great!

  31. hippierunner on September 24, 2010 at 10:03 pm

    Congrats on getting to round 2! I wish I were going to the feast lol. I expected to like Daiya but it tastes exactly like butter to me.

  32. Caitlin (EatFeats) on September 24, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    Aw homemade ravioli reminds me so much of my grandmother and our family dinners. Dinner is such a wonderful time to spend with those you love!

  33. Melissa on September 24, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    Daiya is great!

    Hey, Gina — I saw that people are selling home made edibles on Etsy. It doesn’t seem like the products need to be produced in a commercial kitchen and I think Etsy.com’s listing/selling fees are pretty reasonable. Have you looked into this? I even saw raw macaroons for sale! Check it out, girl! Look under the category called Plants and Edibles. They even have a vegan sub-category.

  34. Little Bookworm on September 25, 2010 at 5:05 am

    Congrats on getting in to round 2! 🙂

  35. Tina on September 25, 2010 at 6:22 am

    That does sound like a feast!!! Hope you had a great night. 🙂

  36. Food & Other Things on September 25, 2010 at 8:16 am

    I’ve always been a little scared of green juice (don’t know why) but I just might have to try some soon! Your dinner menu sounds awesome!

  37. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on September 25, 2010 at 8:44 am

    I hope you post that recipe for the ravioli! You had me drooling at the mention of goat cheese and pumpkin. 😉

  38. CaSaundra on September 25, 2010 at 8:55 am

    Ooh that ravioli sounds heavenly!!

  39. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on September 25, 2010 at 8:58 am

    OMG i’m making ravioli this weekend too! it’s the first time i’ve ever tried making pasta but i was reading all about it yesterday (at work.. lol) and at first it sounded a bit scary but now i’m SO determined to do it!! i hope yours turns out well! 🙂

  40. Jessica@tastyandtrim on September 25, 2010 at 9:46 am

    OMG, chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and homemade ravioli with goat cheese and pumpkin sage sauce?! Whoever gets to eat that lovely feast is incredibly lucky – yum 🙂

  41. kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com on September 25, 2010 at 10:00 am

    ITS SOO OOZY AND CHEEZY!!! love that!!

    xoxo

  42. Mi-An Dela Cruz on September 25, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    now i’m in daiya state of mind! have to search for it!

  43. Dee on September 25, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    ohh, now I’m curious. I must try Daiya!

    ps. Love the Zumba song!

    pps. LOVED the pilot post and the Zumba vid too!

  44. Julie (A Case of the Runs) on September 25, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    I have been blogging about Daiya since I tried it a couple of weeks ago. It’s BOMB.

  45. Natalie on September 25, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    I’m so glad you posted about Daiya! I’ve seen it but it’s so pricey here that I didn’t want to give it a try in case it was horrible! Now I think I will:)

  46. Brandy on September 26, 2010 at 7:34 am

    Can we have the pumpkin sauce recipe for those ravioli?! 🙂 I bought organic ricotta/goat cheese ravioli this week to make with a pumpkin sauce (which I’ve never made). I bet yours is to die for! Thanks!

    • Fitnessista on September 26, 2010 at 8:34 am

      i winged the sauce and didn’t follow a recipe, but it was something like:
      pan on med heat
      add 1 T ish olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, soften
      add 1/2 C ish of pumpkin, 5 sprigs of thyme (stems removed), 1/2 t dried sage, sprinkle of stevia, season with salt and pepper, reduce heat to low
      add 1 1/2 C milk of choice and 1 heaping T of earth balance
      simmer 15 minutes and adjust seasonings as necessary

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.