Finally I Can Eat My Power Breakfast Again after Oral Surgery

 

Barb's Power Breakfast, author photo

Back to My Normal Power Breakfast

I had an infected tooth extracted 13 days ago, and it wrecked my usual diet. Liquids and soft foods can get boring fast. For the past few days my breakfast consisted of mashed bananas mixed with smooth peanut butter and an Orgain Clean Protein Shake, my favorite. 

I like the Orgain chocolate protein shake because it tastes better than other brands I've tried. The milk comes from New Zealand cows that feast on grass. If I decide to have scrambled eggs for breakfast for variety, I save the protein shakes for later in the day when I want a quick nutritional boost. 

I usually buy the shakes at Costco, but I see that Amazon also has them on the subscribe and save plan for those who enjoy them as much as I do. The price is almost as good getting them at Costco and I won't need to worry about running out. Costco is thirty miles away. 

My power breakfast is super easy to fix. Just combine about 1/2 to 3/4 cups of your favorite brand of uncooked oats (I use Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats), with about 1/4 cup chopped raw walnuts, half a small apple chopped, and about 1/3 cup fresh blueberries. Today I used bananas to sweeten because I'm not allowed to eat apples yet. The goat milk I add at the end also adds a bit of sweetness. 

Up until yesterday I wasn't cleared to eat oats or blueberries, either. Normally I sweeten with chopped dates or a combination of cinnamon and Xylitol. (See my review of Xylitol here.) I'm not too fussy about the amounts of each ingredient I use. 

You can also substitute other fruits or nuts, unless you are still on a soft diet like I am. I'm just gradually working back to normal food. I still have to be careful. I can have Brussels Sprouts, but not broccoli. I'm also allowed to add seedless grapes to my diet, but not anything citrus.

I still crave crunch and usually live on nuts for snacking. Now I may now eat cashews and walnuts, but not almonds or peanuts, unless in butters. 

Other Soft Foods I Enjoyed Eating

Staples of my diet have been eggs, cheese, yogurt, pudding, applesauce, avocados, and  yellow cling diced peaches in 100% fruit juice with no added sugar. This made a delicious lunch about three days after my tooth was pulled.

Eggs scrambled with plain yogurt, feta and cheddar cheeses; diced peaches; and salted mashed avocado sprinkled with lemon juice. Author photo.

 I usually eat my evening meal while watching TV, which is why this isn't on a plate at the table. I used a lap desk on my reclining chair. This lap desk was also a lifesaver after I had foot surgery and needed to do all my computer work with my feet up. Not only will a laptop fit securely here, but I can also write letters and pay bills the old-fashioned way in comfort.

Looking Forward to Eating Crunchy Foods Again

I'm glad I can eat mashed avocado from the shell with lemon juice and salt, but I like it better on toasted sourdough or a tortilla chip than on a spoon. I crave almonds in my dark  dark chocolate. I crave trail mix. 

Favorite crunchy snacks from Costco. Author photo.

What are your favorite soft food diet foods? What crunchy foods would you miss most?

Let's Eat: A Review of Touch of Paso Restaurant In Paso Robles

We Love to Eat

We enjoy eating out, but our budget doesn't allow it very often. When we do eat out, we are most likely to choose Touch of Paso Restaurant in our hometown of Paso Robles. We enjoy the food, we can afford to eat there, and it's where the locals hang out. I chose this photo for this month's City Daily Photo Bloggers theme: Let's Eat. 

Hubby Enjoying His Dinner at Touch of Paso Restaurant in Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

The Food at Touch of Paso

My husband, pictured above, loves Touch of Paso because he can eat the liver I won't cook. He likes the way they cook it. He also is glad he can still get sweet potato fries there, since so many other restaurants no longer have them. 

My Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich at Touch of Paso, © B. Radisavljevic

I normally order the Philly Cheese Steak on a French Roll. I get to choose two of these three options to go with it: soup, salad, or fries. See the complete lunch menu here.  We normally go for lunch, but we have to get in before the restaurant closes at 2 PM. Those who want breakfast can get in as early as 6 AM. 

Hubby's Salad with Italian Dressing, © B. Radisavljevic

Touch of Paso also makes great cinnamon rolls and pies. Unfortunately our diet no longer permits us to eat them, but after a hearty lunch we really don't have room for anything sweet anyway. I usually take half my sandwich home for lunch the next day. 

Why Do We Choose Touch of Paso?

Touch of Paso offers a variety of choices for breakfast and lunch.  Lunch options include early dinners for those who like to have their main meal at midday, as we do. Those main meal selections include "down-home"  beef, steaks, chicken, and fish choices. For a lighter meal one can order soup, one of the delicious main dish salads, chili, or one of several choices on the hot and cold sandwich menu. For lighter appetites, one can order a half sandwich with a cup of soup. Many people order this so that they have room left over for a delicious slice of pie. 

Boards Announcing Daily Specials and Pie Offerings, © B. Radisavljevic

While you wait to be seated, you can browse the daily specials and the current pie selection from the boards near the entrance. Local artist works decorate the walls both in the waiting area and in the dining rooms. This is a popular restaurant in Paso Robles and you might have to wait for a seat -- especially on Sunday afternoons. 

Seating Options

Outdoor Seating and Exit from Sun Room Dining Area, © B. Radisavljevic

At Touch of Paso you have three choices. You can eat outside if there's room. You can eat in the sun room that looks out on the parking lot and the surrounding oaks. You can see its door above the steps that lead to the outdoor area pictured above. Outdoor eating space is very limited. The sun room is the next best thing. 

Of course, you can also choose to eat indoors, as we normally do. Indoors you can sit at a booth or a table -- whichever suits you or is available when you come. 

Wherever you choose to enjoy your meal, it will be a great value for what you pay for it. It's easy to take home anything you can't eat in one sitting, and we usually do that. Touch of Paso used to be a home, and the friendly staff will make you feel at home while you are there. There's a reason the locals keep coming back. 

To see how bloggers around the world have treated this theme, see the theme gallery. 

All text and photos are © B. Radisavljevic, all rights reserved. Please do not use without written permission. 

January 24 is National Peanut Butter Day

Toast and Peanut Butter, © B. Radisavljevic

Here's a holiday  I can show some enthusiasm for. Although I'm having a bit of  trouble finding out the origin of National Peanut Butter Day, I won't let that keep me from celebrating.

I shall have my usual slice of raisin toast with peanut butter for breakfast and enjoy every bite. I usually have part of an apple with it, too, and a cup of tea. Can you think of a quicker, tastier way to get your protein in the morning?

What is your favorite way   to eat peanut butter?

Best Deal on Pumpkin Pie Around

You Can't Beat This Price for Pumpkin Pie

On Thursday I made the monthly trek to San Luis Obispo for a medical appointment. Since I was already there, I went to Costco. I spent more than I planned because they finally had everything in stock they've been out of on my last three monthly visits -- broiled chicken strips, Kirkland salted almonds, and all my favorite kinds of chocolate. Well, almost all of them. It's probably good they didn't have them all because I overspent as it was. After all, the one thing about shopping at Costco is that you never know when  they will stop stocking your favorite products. That's why when they have them I buy a two-month supply.

Costco's Pumpkin Pie

I had to buy the pumpkin pie. My husband loves it and refers to it as "vegetables" to justify eating it. The pie is delicious, huge  (11" around and an inch deep), and only $5.99 at the San Luis Obispo store. I don't think I could make two pies myself for that price, and the Costco pie is about as big as two of my 9-inch pies would be. I have a very good recipe, but my pies aren't really any better than  this one. It's equal to about three Trader Joe pies, which are also delicious, but last time I looked their small pies were as expensive apiece as Costco's huge one.

As I update this in 2017, I just picked up another pie at Costco yesterday. Guess what? It was still only $5.99.

 Pumpkins Laminated Place Mat Pumpkin Pie Connoisseur Tshirts and Gifts Classic White Coffee Mug Thanksgiving Pie Dinner Party Inviations 5.25x5.25 Square Paper Invitation Card

Do you still make your own pumpkin pies? If not, which pies do you think are good values?