The Rest of the Story
When I left you, we had a garbage disposal full of gloppy vegetarian stroganoff, bellies full of peanut butter and banana sandwiches (and kale salads), and a slightly different outlook on feeding my family in the New Year. I hadn’t yet got to that, had I? Can you hear Pea Daddy gulping from there?
I don’t have many lightbulb moments but as my girls pushed their highly processed, highly artificially-flavored, highly disgusting, yet vegetarian food around their plates, I had one. Or maybe it was just a light halo coming off of the dining room light fixture. Pass the eye drops.
But still, it dawned on me that Pea Daddy and the girls have been vegetarian for over two years now. When they first made the switch from meat to a plant-based diet, it was a transition period. I didn’t feel badly about sometimes popping some Chick’n Nuggets in the oven or a Gardenburger in the toaster, because though these transition foods weren’t much healthier than the foods they were standing in for, at least no one died making them. Although I no longer stick knives in the toaster to try to pry a wedged patty loose.
But guess what? After two years, the transition period is over.
The changes we’ve made have been fantastic. I’m all for appreciating the past, but I also am excited to move forward. If my family is going to push any food around their plates, it’s going to be something I feel good about giving them. It’s going to be real food.
I turned to the girls for inspiration, but they were busy, presumably with Baby All-Gone, their remote control cars, Bellyanna, puzzles or games that are overtaking our house since Christmas. Or maybe they were just entertaining themselves with a huge pack of foam sticker letters.
While they exfoliated and cleaned their pores by peeling very sticky letters from their skin, I tried to come up with a solution for dinner.
I had a couple of ripe avocados on my counter and I knew that anyone who has working tastebuds will eat just about anything if you put a big dollop of homemade guacamole on top of it. Except stroganoff. That was beyond salvaging.
My problem with guacamole is that I never work off of a recipe and I always complicate it. I add too much to it in an attempt to jazz it up: tomatoes, garlic, cumin, chili powder, even sugar has worked it’s way in. It’s like a closetful of toys when all you want are some stickers. All you want is Chipotle’s guacamole. It’s simple, it’s addictive and it makes clean food irresistible.
I’m all over that.
Almost Chipotle Guacamole
Serves 4
- 2 ripe Haas avocados
- 2 T. finely chopped red onion
- 1 1/2 T. lemon juice
- 1/2 t. salt
- 2 T. chopped cilantro
- sriracha to taste (optional)
Mash avocados in a large bowl.
Add remaining ingredients and combine.
Give your guacamole a taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.
Spot on.
If not using right away, store guacamole with an avocado pit in the bowl and covered tightly with plastic wrap, with the wrap touching the guacamole so no air can oxidize and discolor the dip.
The way I see it, guacamole shouldn’t be a condiment. It should be the centerpiece of the meal. As it was ours.
We had some simple, clean burrito bowls made from brown rice, black beans, roasted squash, sautéed broccoli, carrots and zucchini, fresh salsa, and of course, guacamole.
Because sometimes something simple can be turned into something beautiful.
Stay tuned, we’ve got lots in store for the coming year. We hope 2011 is beautiful for you, too.
happy new year! i love you <3
Love you too, baby girl!
Ahh, I love guac and I haven’t had it in forever! I was pretty sure it was one of those things that I probably wouldn’t eat again after moving away from San Diego, but I’m glad to hear that the PNW has the good taste to eat it too
And now they are charging extra for it at Chipotle. Say what?!
Those burrito bowls sound delicious! I definitely don’t eat enough guacamole, even though it’s amazing.
Yes, it is!
I’m with you on the real food train. If my kids are going to not eat what I make, at least I can eat their leftovers with a good conscious. However, our stand-by dinner on nights they don’t want what I’m making is Cheerios, and since I’m 99% sure oats don’t grow in an 0-shape and package themselves into a yellow box, I suppose they are processed. Darn you convenient store-bought cereal when I am all cooked out!
My husband would forever thank you for a real-food version of veggie stroganoff.
See. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Thank you!
Love this post. I always seem to over-complicate things in the kitchen. I’m inspired to just be simple, which is usually best.
I think we all tend to think convenience foods are so much more convenient AND tasty…turns out neither is true.
Oh, boy! I love this! AND, your pit tip?! I have a chef-brother, Pillsbury bake-off finalist mom, & I had NO idea! Thank you!
Rice bowls look delish…they will be on our dinner table in the New Year.
Chef brother? Bake-off finalist mom? I kind of want to come to YOUR house for dinner…
Happy New Year to you and the rest of the Pea Family! I’m so excited to see what this year brings for you guys. xoxo
PS – LOVE the post!
It’s going to be an exciting year…and for you too. Imagine how much you will experience with Chloe! Can’t wait!
What a gorgeous and colourful looking bowl of yum! Happy new year to all the Peas!
Thanks, you too!
Happy new year, Peas family! Guacamole is always a good choice, definitely good enough to eat with a spoon.
Happy New Year to you too, Evan.
Happy new year, Peas!
Your guac looks wonderful… and those girls, they always make me laugh!
Thanks, Liz. Happy New Year to you too!
Great post! Happy new year, to you and your family
Thank you. Happy New Year to you too!
I could also eat anything with guac on it! Great recovery meal fom your veggie stroganoff!
Thanks. That was a close one.
This post is wonderful for so many reasons. You are such a great mother to your girls, and you are definitely an inspiration to me! I never knew that trick about the avocado pit… genius!
Thanks, Laura. We can always do better!
What is the purpose of leaving the pit in the guac? I’m curious…thanks!
I like to trick the avocado into thinking I didn’t cut it open.
I ate guacamole yesterday and today, made with my hubby’s salsa and an avocado. Yum! Simple is best, isn’t it?
Absolutely! Homemade salsa is the best!
Happy New Year Mama Pea! 2010 was great because I got to meet you – is that too sappy?
Nope, not sappy at all! It was my pleasure.
I put Sriracha on lots of things, but have never thought to put it in guac. You’re a genius, as usual. Happy new year, Mama Pea!!
It just adds that little KICK!
Mmmmm looks great! Have a wonderful NYE!
Thanks, Katy. You too!!!
This is how I make guac too. I love it- so simple, filling, delicious but totally healthy. The perfect food. I love to use a whole avocado worth atop a salad, then shake it up in a tupperware so that every piece of veggie is coated on avocado amazingness!! Happy New Year to you and the peas!!
Mmmmm! Loved meeting you this year, Gabriela!
I love this post! I love that you boldly stated, The Transition Period is Over. That is so awesome that you guys have moved down this road and have continued down the plant-based spectrum and that everyone is on board, happily so!, for the ride
And guac…I have also found the simpler, the better. And if you don’t want to chop up ANY seasonings or have onion, garlic, lemon, etc, here’s my total cheater’s method: 1 ripe avo mashed in a bowl with 1 Tbsp Mrs Dash Chipotle seasoning (and sprinkle of salt if you want). Stir. Done. I’ve posted my cheater’s method before b/c seriously it works in a bind and makes no extra dishes which i am always a fan of
Happy 2011 to you all!!!!!!!!
You cheater
Happy New Year!
One of the best things about 2010 for me was finding YOU and other blogs to teach me how to cook and live life HAPPILY. I have never been happier with myself and my life since finding healthy living blogs, so thank you
and Happy New Year! ….gotta go make some guac now.
Best comment ever!!!
I hope 2011 is even happier for you!
Thanks!
I completely agree that guacamole could be the centre piece of a meal. Yours looks simple and delicious.
I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year’s! Looking forward to the Peas in 2011
Thanks, Marianne! Happy New Year!!!
Great post! And congratulations on two years of vegetarian eating. Quite an accomplishment!
It’s been about 2.5 years vegan for me. Never felt better!
One of my biggest goals this year is to work on eating less processed food. It’s amazing how delicious real food is. Especially guacamole like that. Delicious! Those burrito bowls look great. I think the more colorful a meal, the better.
Happy New Year to you and the family!
Well, the Baby Peas will be joining you. Happy New Year to you and Andy!!!
I agree about guacamole being a meal centerpiece! This looks delicious. Happy New Year to the Peas
What would we do without guacamole, the vegetarian convenience food that you can make so quickly. Actually, I’m from San Antonio, where we have our own arguments about what should and should not go into guac. My mom made it from several large avocados plus half a small (3 oz.?) package of cream cheese, plus salt and a little picante sauce. It tasted good back in the day, but nowadays that cream cheese seems like an unnecessary sour-ish flavor addition. I make it with salt and lime juice, period. I’ve noticed that in Mexico they make it HOT with jalapeno so finely minced you can hardly see it. Nowadays it’s the trend in restaurants here to put in chopped cilantro, but some kids won’t eat that. Any way you make it, it’s hard to ruin it, and so delicious.
Cream cheese?! Crazy! Although I bet a little nooch would be tasty…
Happy New Year!
Ha-PEA New Year!!!
You too, Tiff!
The best guac is always when you add the fewest extras. I learned that when I lived in Malibu where my cousins have an avocado tree. Often there would just be a couple slices of avocado on the plate with dinner or guac that consisted of avocado and a little lemon juice or garlic. Here’s to keeping it simple yet incredible in 2011!!
Love you Peas!!
Oh yum, Sus! Happy New Year, sweetie!
An avocado tree? Oh I’m so jealous!
In my book, the more simple the guac, the better. Congratulations on the end of your transition period. You are inspiring!
Happy New Year to the Peas…!
OK… forgive me MP – but WHY the pit in the guac? I’ll happily do this but – what am I missing??
(oh yeah, and Happy New Year!)
It’s my way of tricking the avocado into thinking I never opened it.
Love guacamole! It looks so good!
Congratulations and good luck with the rest of the transition!
Happy New Year!!
this is the first time i’ve heard about leaving the pit in — gotta give it a try! i always overcomplicate my guac by adding tomato, then i wonder why it tastes watered down. i think i need to institute a tomato ban on my 2011 guacamole making.
happy new year!
Let’s make a no tomato pact!
That looks BETTER than Chipotle. And I love Chipotle.
I swear Chipotle guac has crack in it. It’s just TOO good!
That’s what I forgot!
What a great post! There are other areas in my life in which I could apply “the transition period is over” mentality. And when better to be motivated than on NYE? Thank you and Happy New Year!
Jill
There’s no better time to challenge ourselves, right? Happy New Year!
I’ve never commented before, but I just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year, and let you know that I appreciate reading your wonderful recipes and your terrific wit! Can’t wait to see what 2011 brings around here
Thank you, Hannah…and thanks too for reading!
I’m really wanting to clean up my meals this year, too. Your rice and guacamole dish looks delish!
Let’s do it!
Mama Pea,
I just want to say Happy New Year, and thank you for the smiles you brought to my 2010. They were plentiful and are appreciated. You are the best.
I hope to do the same for you in 2011. Actually, I’d like more spit takes. That’s my goal.
Funny I was reading your post as you probably were mine. That has happened to me twice today. Weird NYE magic.
I never knew the trick about the pit in the guac. Good idea.
Love the sticker faces and curls on the picture. I hope God gets the picture.
Hope you can make it to Seattle. Drop the little peas and pea Daddy off at Safeco and head to Theo.
It’s a plan!
I haven’t figured out how to get the letter to God. But I think he’s read it already.
Mmm, I always create my own burrito bowls. SO much better than Chipoltle’s vegetarian bowl!
My favorite “mediterranean bowl” currently is greens, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, roasted bquash, balsamic and a generous dollop of hummus.
That sounds delicious…and a lot like my lunch
Yay for real food! That’s my big goal for the new year as well – clean up my diet and stick to real food instead of the processed junk. Can’t wait to get back to the NW where real food doesn’t require a 2-hr round trip.
We eat well most of the time, but I think sometimes I fail to give my kids (and husband) credit for what they WILL eat, instead of trying to appease them with convenience foods. We can do it!
You have the most adorable little girls. I also think it is amazing that you have so much time and energy to make all of your families food. My parents work more than I could ever believe and I work and go to school. Do you think you could give recommendations for those of us who cannot make all of their families foods!! I mean that is unless you want to cook all of my food for me!!
Thanks, Lindsay. I think you’d be surprised at how quickly you can throw a healthy meal together. I’ll try to focus and do a post on quick, easy, healthy meals that can be thrown together in a pinch!
I just wanted to thank you for all the WONDERFUL posts you have given us! You are an amazing woman, mother and wife. You push me to be a better person all around all the while making me laugh! You are amazing! Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us so we can push ourselves to be better servants of God! May God bless you this next year beyond measure!!!
Thank you so much. I feel so blessed to have such amazing people in my life, like you. Happy New Year!
Happy (belated) New Year!
Thanks for the tip with the avocado pit! Now I don’t have to eat it all up in one sitting any more, except if I want to
I wish you all the best for a wonderful new year!
I’d still recommend eating it all in one sitting. Happy New Year!
Happy new year to you and your family! Guacamole makes everything taste better, and I totally know what you mean about complicating the recipe. I try to keep mine simple but sometimes weird things sneak in, like nooch or seaweed. But it’s still always delish
Seaweed?! You beat me.
Happy New Year!
I love your gaucamole recipe, because you’re totally right. Sometimes you just want the basic, real deal. Perfect.
Happy 2011 to you and your family and thank you for all your amazing recipes & posts! I’m looking forward to following your blog in 2011! I’ve had a similar “light bulb moment” in regards to my boys. They aren’t vegans or vegetarians (although they love all your vegan baked eats I make) but I want to ensure that 99% of their food sources are clean and unprocessed. No more “quick meals” for the sake of time that sacrifice clean, quality foods. I also have a goal to get them to eat 1-2 vegan meals a week that they love! I know your blog will help with finding delicious meals they love!
Thank you. Looks like you and I will be serving dinner a little later than usual
I’m actually hoping you will come up with a solution to that situation – quick & easy kids friendly whole food recipes
Not too much pressure 
Sure, in my free time…
Happy New Year Mama Pea!
I am so glad I found your blog in 2010, can’t wait to keep reading it daily and getting your book in 20011!!
Ana
Thanks, Ana and thanks for reading.
Happy New Year! Once I find some ripe avocados this side of the country, I’m in. Guac goes with everything! I love the tablecloth too.
I am with Ana! I really enjoy your blog and looking forward to reading about your adventures in 2011. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Tracy. Happy New Year to you too!
Guacamole is one of my favorites, and these look great!
I never knew you could put Gardenburgers in the toaster!
I microwave it for one minute and then stick it in the toaster to get it crispy!
If you or Pea Daddy ever get a hankering for stroganoff again, there’s a great recipe on the ppk for Seitan Portobello Stroganoff. And no innocent tubs of sour cream or onion soup packets are harmed.
So I’ve heard! Thank you!
check the clothes before they go into the laundry! there is nothing worse than a sticker-stain on a shirt
you are totally going to find one of those somewhere random in like six months. happy new year!
Thanks for the warning–will do!
What a perfect looking avocado! I have been having the worst luck with my avocados lately. I agree that when it comes to guac, simple is better. I absolutely love that Gigi made a picture for God. What a sweetheart.
It’s usually hit or miss for avocados for me too. And I’m terrible at picking them…then end up being rotten inside (kind of like my college dating days). These beauties had been sitting on my counter for a week. I just picked ‘em green and stuck them in a paper bag. I may have done the same thing with Pea Daddy.
I love the artwork. Ashlee and I have twins and we are starting to get artwork hanging on our walls and we love it. My wife loves your blog and gets to laughing almost every time she reads it, so I thought I better start seeing what you have to say. I realized today that I will be 30 years old in 280 days. Ashlee let me write a post today about my thoughts http://ashandlewplus2.com/2011/01/01/280-days-to-a-new-me-lew-that-is/ I think you will like it. Have a great day
Lew
Thanks Lew! I remember Meghann talking about you guys at Foodbuzz. I’m so glad Ashlee likes the blog. I’ll have to come check yours out…it’s been awhile.
You aren’t 30 yet? You’re a baby! Can you make me some artwork?
What a wonderful guac recipe with beautiful pics, thanks! And the burrito bowls look fabulous. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Christine. I saw that you made the eggnog soft serve. So glad you liked it!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I’m in a ball coma thanks to you and I love it. I am planning on making them one of these days myself (tomorrow, maybe?)
Hope you had a lovely New Year’s Eve and are having a great day today!!!
Xxooxxoo,
Erin
Thanks Erin! I’m so glad you liked them!
Okay, your girls are way to adorable! Also, that guacamole looks fantastic! So glad I found your blog, it is great
Thanks, Sarah and welcome!
Thanks so much for responding to my email! This post is perfect and I can say without a doubt that some form of mashed up avocados will be hitting our plates almost daily this month! This recipe will at least ensure that the rest of my fam finds it edible!
You are welcome! I’d love to hear more about your raw food adventures, so email anytime!
Love the renewed commitment to to eating real foods! You really are an inspiration. Looking forward to all your delicious food and stories in the new year!
i lovelovelove your blog! happy new year to you and the fam! you are such an inspiration mama pea!
Happy new year and yum on the clean burrito bowls. Guac does make anything that much better. What an adorable picture the girls made as well!
That is SUCH a prize.
You are just a role model for rasing kids in terms of nutrition — your blog shows that it is possible! (I have none of my own but am very sensitive about the issue).
Your book will probably do this too…but I can see a book ala Tosca’s Clean Eating For Kids in your future.
People think its so hard…they may not have the time during the day but you could show em how easy AND quick it can be.
I love seeing your girls happily devour the healthy nutritious food you provide and I love that you give them such balance…like when you kind of tucked the oreos away…hoping they’d forget about them. And let’s not go into Halloween….the perfect way to handle the holiday = you.
~Missy
Wow, thanks Missy. You are too kind.
Tosca and I share the same publisher. I just love her and hope that I can have an impact on nutrition for Americans and specifically American families the way she has!
Me too! If they read you…you will. You are SUPER impactful. Part of that is your writing skills and personality … you are real. Not that Tosca isn’t ….oh dear. You know what I mean…you will engage with your literary component.
Thanks for your vote of confidence!
I always wondered how to keep my guacamole from browning! Very interesting and helpful!
And now I am craving Chipotle……. so yummy!
*whispers lest she be discovered as not all-knowing* what exactly does putting the pit in the bowl of guac do? and how?
also i <3 avocado in any shape and form
I’m not sure it does anything. Kind of a wive’s tale that it keeps the guac from oxidizing. I also avoid cracks in sidewalks.
if you don’t mind I’m going to start doing this, and when questioned I will say (in my all knowing voice of course) that its the best way to keep the guac from turning ooky brown. and pretend to have always known this.
Turns out you can make stuff up all the time and people will believe you. Go figure.
OMG. Before I made this I didn’t think I was a fan of guacamole. Now I can’t get enough of it.
I didn’t have any sriracha so I added in some cayenne instead. Like I said, OMG. It was amaaazing.
Thank you for providing me with the best recipes ever.
I never would have thought to put sriracha in my guacamole. I might just have to try doing that next time I throw some together. (I never work off a recipe either..)
It just adds the right kick!
WOW is this timely! What a subject…transitioning from where you’ve been, to a whole foods, non adulterated (processed) way of eating. o.m.g. We live in a time where sooo many don’t even know HOW to cook…tht to get to this place, seems a daunting task indeed. WOW Sarah, you’ve REEEALLY got a job now!! YOU , will do GREAT, this is a certainty, but what you’ve done in teaching folks this far, is over the top amazing…IS it possible, to take it…FURTHER YET?? Whew..if anyone CAN do this…it’d be you girl…it’d definately be YOU!!
Your talents are limitless…but GAWD, get some rest too please??
Giant hugs of sincerest appreciation for you!!
D.
Thanks, Donna. This post was over six months ago, and we really have stopped eating processed veggie foods. The only prepared/frozen items I buy anymore and that we only eat occasionally are Gardein chick’n tenders and Field Roast sausages, but the ingredient lists on those are much better than the Morningstar products. No GMO soy or soy protein isolate!
No worries, I assure you I get plenty of rest still
That guac looks amazing! Have you ever tried this sriracha sauce? It is preservative free and really good! Better than the rooster sauce.
http://organicvillefoods.com/products/condiments/sriracha-sauce/
I haven’t tried it! Thanks for the tip!