Sunday Breakfast
We are always late for church.
Our church offers three services: 8:15, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. You can bet we are always at the 11:15 services…exactly at 11:30. I could blame it on the fact that we refuse to set an alarm on the weekend, but the truth is, we haven’t set an alarm since May 2005.
I’m having a hard time recalling at exactly what age I stopped wanting to get up at 4:30 a.m. to watch cartoons. I’d creep into my parents’ room in my pink Winnie the Pooh footies from which, unfortunately, the little piggie who “went to market” was trying to lodge his escape from. I’d get no more than three centimeters from my peacefully sleeping mother’s face, wait exactly eight seconds to see if she was breathing and then shout, “Are ‘tartoons on yet, Mom?!” Once my father had grabbed the paddles and shocked my mother’s heart back into rhythm, she’d point out that it was still dark outside and that the only thing on TV were the test patterns. Of course, I already knew this because I’d taught myself how to turn on the TV about six months earlier and had been awake for an hour already, staring at “the rainbow” and trying to pick out my favorite color.
The insomniac doesn’t fall far from the tree, and now it’s Gigi who is karmically waking at inappropriate hours. Fortunately, Pea Daddy’s side of the bed is closer to our bedroom door, and the girls have been appropriately conditioned to wake Daddy and Daddy alone. Yogurt covered raisins aren’t just for potty training, my friends.
Our tardiness for church lies not in oversleeping, but in the need to try to cram as many things in before church as possible. Yogurt covered raisins also apply here.
Lawn maintenance? Check.
His and Her Workouts? Check.
Laundry? Check.
Ballet recital/fashion show/tea parties/”pedicures?” Triple check.
Showers? Um…check?
Quick breakfast? Check.
(smoothie made of protein powder, almond milk, spinach and blueberries + 1/2 an Ezekiel muffin with Tofutti, cinnamon and raisins)
Even on days like today, when we were out of the house at 10:45, there’s always something that makes us late, be it an argument about which of the three carseat buckles Lulu is going to fasten BY HERSELF or a near empty gas tank from repeat excursions to the Old Man Store.
So when we roll into church at 11:30 each week, our usual pew is waiting for us, our pew neighbors have programs ready to hand us and the pastor, mid-prayer, throws in a statement about “being diligent in the Lord,” as his eyebrow raises in our direction. We would surely be forgiven if we sat quietly, sang on key or did not shriek, “I WANT GUM!!!” while pushing a gigantic purse that sounds as if it is filled with metal chains, maracas and janitor’s keys off the pew bench and cascading to the floor. Then there are the eleven trips from our pew to the bathroom, the library, the Children’s Message, the nursery and back again to retrieve a clean diaper and the entire contents of the wipes container thanks to the lovely “offering” that Lulu has made to the child care workers. I take solace in the fact that there was mention of “sweet Jesus” as I tended to that beauty.
Actual time spent at church today: 1 hour and 13 minutes.
Actual time spent in prayer, meditation or connecting to God: 47 seconds.
I like to believe that God is a big believer in “better late than never.” When it comes to Sunday breakfast, I know I am…like for Sunday dinner.
Tofu Scrambles
- 1 block organic firm tofu (crumbled, drained and squeezed dry)
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 1/2 t. cumin
- 1/2 t. tumeric
- 1 t. lemon juice
- 2 t. Braggs amino acids
- 1 t. soy sauce
- 1 T. nutritional yeast
- any steamed veggies desired (mushrooms, kale, red pepper, zucchini, etc.)
Drain, crumble, squeeze and pat dry tofu. Add all seasonings.
Stir until evenly coated and set aside for at least ten minutes for flavors to absorb.
Add tofu to a preheated skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook over medium high heat, until tofu is warmed through and golden, about five minutes.
Remove any tofu that certain family members may want without veggies, then add desired veggies and stir through.
We served it up with some tempeh bacon and enjoyed a nice Sunday breakfast…at 6 p.m.
This is virtually indistinguishable from scrambled eggs, I promise. After a year and a half of trying, I finally found a way Pea Daddy likes tofu.
I’ll try to remember to thank God next Sunday.
Mmmmm…I love tofu scrambles!
lol @ “picking out your favorite color” from the tv signal rainbow– I totally did that too.
LOL I loved the opening to this post. Yogurt covered raisins have served you well, my friend.
Whoa, the tofu scramble looks JUST like eggs. I did a double take! I NEED to try to fool my husband! I mean, make this for my husband.
Yeah for church late or not!
I need to try this tofu scramble. I have two packages to use. One is for teriyaki tofu burgers and I haven’t thought of what to do with the other yet. Thanks for the suggestion.
This was awesome! I loved the post- you must have also been quite the kid!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for sharing a vegan scramble recipe that looks delicious, doesn’t sound freaky, and is non-vegan approved. I starred this and really will try it out, as I have been fearing the homemade tofu scramble for a long time!
how do you “squeeze” tofu?? ive tried the press thing and all it does is break apart and doesnt look just right.. also do u just pat dry with a paper towel??
thats funny about you looking at the colors on the tv.. when i was little i would roam around the house at all hours of the night, my mom would just set out crackers on the table so she knew i wouldnt go hungry.. haha
If I’m making a scramble, which I have to crumble the tofu anyway, I just grab a clean tea towel and kind of wring it, squeeze it, crumble it all at the same time until the moisture comes out. It’s kind of fun!
you crack me up as always. I have been meaning to try a tofu scramble for about 3 years now, maybe soon.
Ooh! A new tofu scramble recipe to try! Wish I could come to your house for Sunday breakfast–especially if tempeh bacon is involved.
So funny….love the amount of time you “really” spent with God. Yogurt covered raisins…I need to give those a try for sure. Sometimes M & M’s can only take Maya so far!
Remember a couple of months ago when i asked you if you had any amazing alternatives to eggs? I am honestly going to wake up at 5:30 tomorrow morning so i can make this before i leave. The mix of braggs and nooch sounds so delicious i wish i had the energy to make it before bed! And i hope you know how much respect i have for you and Pea Daddy for even bothering to take part in a weekly church routine with Lulu and Gigi whether you are 10 minutes late or not!
Scott doesn’t prefer tofu either, unless I slather it with sesame oil and maple and season it, etc. But this, ya know, ive seen tofu scrambles done tons and never been inspired til I see this. Great work!
I saw your question re Sun W on Gina’s. I get mine thru Amazon or iherb.com Save $5 with my code AVE630 That makes it really the cheapest. Plus, it tastes fresher from iherb than it does from amazon b/c amazon uses outside vendors and i have gotten cans of it that taste old. and the cans are HUGE, freshness is key. This may be too late but there ya have it
Funny you said that about the early wake-up calls from the girls…my mission this week is to move the bed in our room so his side is closer to the door (all under the guise of “the bed will fit better on that wall.”) My almost 2-yr-old still sleeps in her crib, thank goodness, and rarely makes a peep before 8:00am, but was practicing her wake-up-mama routine this weekend while we were laying in bed watching Olivia. It’s remarkably like your method with your mom. Sigh.
Growing up, we were late for church every weekend, too. And I mean LATE. People still look surprised today when my mom shows up on time.
I miss tofu…how I loved thee! Darn food allergies. I hear ya with church, it just became so overwhelming getting there with the kids! Ugh, it is so hard as a parent because I always miss the younger time, but then again this time is a little easier for me (mine are 9 and almost 12). I guess it is different, not really easier. Your breakfast looks delicious!
oh, I totally need to make a tofu scramble. I was thinking of using it as a main dish for Easter but serving it with a mushroom gravy….your my master of vegan/veghead recipes, any suggestions for one?! <3 you mama!
During quiet prayers while in church yesterday my daughter announced loudly “Mummy I need a poo and a wee!” Nice!
This was then followed by my friend and I having a total fit of giggles – you know the kind when all you can see is your shoulders wobbling from trying to stifle the laughter! Priceless!
letting the tofu marinate before cooking! that never occurred to me for scramble! i’m so doing that next time.
you are too funny, yyour posts crack me up! I love hearing about all the mishaps and funny situations with you and your daughters!!
i LOVE tofu scambles…I sometimes throw it in an ezekial wrap too and make a breakfast wrap! yumm
ok i am going to try this only because i have a block of tofu in my fridge from costco and i dont know what to do with it.
if i dont like it, im coming over and stealing your yogurt covered raisins. sorry kids.
I’ve been wondering how to make a good tofu scramble….thanks!
LOL when I have kids, I am so switching my husband sides of the bed. Good call
That tofu scramble looks amazing!
“The insomniac doesn’t fall far from the tree, and now it’s Gigi who is karmically waking at inappropriate hours.”
Oh no. I used to wake up at 4:30am every morning too. However, I quickly learned this was too early for my parents. Mom taught me how to make my own cereal, then oatmeal by the age of 6. haha. Guess I will do the same with my kids!
story of my family’s church life right there. amen mama.
and amen to the fact that no matter how much i plan, i am always late. i swear its jesus making me late, not me at all.
Your scramble looks great. I’m going to try making that!
I <3 Tofutti cream cheese! When I figured out I was lactose intolerant a while back, one of the foods I missed most was a good ol' cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese. Thankfully, my little Midwestern town isn't /completely/ backwards, and actually stocks this stuff in the grocery store!
Don’t ask me how, but I forgot that tofu scrambles existed. I am tempted to leave work right now (not that I would ever read and comment on a blog from work…) and go buy a package of tofu for just this reason.
those pedicure photos were the BEST EVER.
i definitely thought livy was being potty-trained in that pedicure photo, hahaha…i was like, whoa mama pea has taken this blog to a whole new level!
Just found your blog and have been enjoying reading your posts and recipes. The tofu scramble looks delish
Thanks Traci! That recipe is in the book!
Hi! I’m new to your blog, and I like everything about it! including the fact that it’s greennnnnn….my fave color hehe! I know that this question may sound silly, but you are Christian? errrr a follower of Christ? Your posts are really fun to read, and thank you for sharing your kids with us!
God bless you abundantly in every way~
oh and I asked that Q because these days that term is so broad and misused in many ways, so better to ask and be sure than to assume.
Yes! I am proud to say that I live my life all for the glory of Him!
wowww! that’s amazing I’m so encouraged and thankfkul mamapea~~
I’m wanting to just start blogging a lil here and there and just share STUFF. haha. there’s noooo life as satisfying as the truth in Christ’s love…
I couldn’t agree with you more!
i’ve wanted a good recipe for my first tofu scramble so i came to you! i do have two questions if you would be so kind as to help me out…
1) would it be ok to use 1 tablespoon total of braggs in place of the soy sauce?
2) any reason you steam instead of sauteing veggies?
thank you so much your blog is so wonderful for beginner cooks
I just bought a tofu press and was anxious to try it out. After pressing a block of extra firm tofu in the fridge overnight, I made this dish—delicious! And you’re right, the texture is indistinguishable from scrambled eggs. I can’t wait to try them next wrapped in a tortilla like you suggested. I’ve known about tofu scrambles for years, but have always been afraid to try making it myself. It couldn’t have been easier.
Wonderful! I am so glad you like the scrambles!