a plastic robe
April 25, 2011 I’m out of eggs.
What do I do???
Luckily, the other day I spotted local + organic eggs our food co-op. Looks like I’ll be heading there tomorrow! The winter farmers market ended, and now I’m anxiously awaiting the summer market. I don’t think it starts until June!!
Despite an egg-less fridge, the buckwheat bake lived on. I’ve made many bakes with a flax “egg” instead of a real egg and they’ve worked really well. The texture is a bit different, as is the taste, but still filling + delicious. I made the pumpkin bake with a flax-egg sub. The “egg” didn’t gel like usual, and my bake turned out really flat. The best way to make a flax egg is by grinding your own flax seeds!! I failed to do this, because I’m trying to eat down my stash of pre-ground flax meal [always store in the fridge!]. I can’t even tell you how big of a difference it makes. It becomes much more egg-like/gelled when you grind your own flax seeds. Just pop the seeds in the blender and let ‘er rip!
Despite the flatness, it was still delish. I drizzled it with mango butter, coconut almond butter, walnuts + raisins.
Then it was tile time!
This is where I left off yesterday. Going around the window trim is the hardest part!
If you’re wondering about the little white things, sticking out from the tiles, they are spaces. You stick them in to keep the 1/16” space throughout, so the spacing looks nice + even. It would be next to impossible to hold an even line, without using spacers. Once I’m done tiling, the spaces will be filled with grout.
To protect myself from the wet-saw water shower, I wore a nice plastic robe today. Instead of having wet pants, I had really wet feet. The water just ran right down the plastic. Duh.
My stomach grumbled for lunch + 5min later I sat down to chomp away on this.
- Udi’s GF cinnamon raisin bagel, toasted
- pumpkin puree
- thinly sliced apple
- 1/4 block tempeh [toasted in the toaster!]
- peanut butter
Ridiculous, I know.
This was everything I was hoping for and more. What else do you do while tiling, but think about the next meal you’re going to eat! I shed a tear with the last bite. You would have too!
If you compare with previous tile photo, you can tell that I finished the third row.
It took forever!!! The thin pieces below the window trim were really hard. They were all slightly different sizes. I kept having to cut one, then it wouldn’t fit, so I had to shave off a hair more and try again. Believe it or not, I’m enjoying this more than painting. At least for now.
The hardest part was this piece!! It took three tries to get right! You can’t just turn the saw or the tile to make a straight cut in both directions, to get this “U” shape. You have to keep making thin cuts, until the inside of the “U” is empty. There was another complicated aspect to making this cut, but it’s not worth me explaining. It took a good 20min just for this one piece!
It goes around the end piece of the cabinet. Dang cabinet!
And this is where I stopped for the day. I got another 2 rows up on the left side. Making the “L” shape cuts around the light switch were also difficult. This is taking way longer than I imagined!! I worked on it for about 5.5hrs today, while the rest of the day was spent with my to-do list. Tomorrow I will finish this wall and hope to get a a good jump on the sink wall.
Despite the craziness, we’re still eating almost all of our meals at home. Tonight, I somehow made it to the gym, then Whole Foods, and then made tortilla pizzas and giant salads. 100% quick, 100% delicious + super cheap!
We moved in April 2nd, just over 3 weeks ago. Here’s a breakdown of our meals, eating in or out.
Breakfast
Ashley – 23/23 at home
Chris – 22/23 at home
Lunch
Ashley – 22/23 at home
Chris – 15/23 taken to work or eaten at home on the w/e
Dinner
Ashley – 16/23 at home
Chris – 15/23 at home
Not too shabby for being kitchen-less for 2 weeks + with our general super busy schedules!
Tea time + TV time + Bed time
Night!
Ashley
Reader Comments (68)
WAY TO GO ASHLEY! Looking looooovely.
You are a rock. star. Holla!
I have never used pumpkin puree as a spread but I love love love the idea!
You are highly awesome! New job as a renovator maybe?
I have to ask - that sandwich looks INCREDIBLE, but how the heck did you eat it without the contents splatting all over everywhere!!?? THAT takes skill!
Oh you should - it's lovely!
The work required for tiling really makes me appreciate the renovators that fixed up our kitchen a year ago. This is so much harder than it seems!
And that bagel-wich?? Amazing, but I never would've been able to fit it in my mouth!
Most of my favorite foods in one sandwich! That looks great!
Your tile looks beautiful - keep up the great work!
Quick question - is your tempeh GF, and if so, what brand do you use?
Thanks!
Those are pretty impressive eating at home numbers - since you had a makeshift kitchen!
Your sandwich looks delicious - and I am DIGGING the plastic robe! :)
THAT bagel sandwich ROCKS MY SOCKS.
You guys could could be on TLC for all the renovation you've done on your house! It looks great!! The tile has a very clean look to it. It is going to be beautiful.
Your robe is sek-si :) Hey at least your clothes are protected, right!
We are out of eggs too!! Ah, the horror! :) I've been trying to get over to our farmers market to restock but I haven't had time. That sandwich looks heavenly!! I love the idea of raw tempeh and canned pumpkin. All of the flavors look incredible together.
It's looking so good!! Love it! And that sandwich looks incredible!
Haha could you actually fit that into your mouth?
maybe the easter bunny has been stealing back some eggs ;)
I love flax as a substitute...I never thought it would work until I tried it...and it works beautifully.
That udi's bagel looks amazing.
The tile looks beautiful! I don't grind my own flax seeds for flax gell, I didn't know it would make a difference. I need to try that some time. Thanks for the heads up. Great job on the eating in. I hope today is a great day for you!
You are doing a fantastic job on the backsplash. I can't believe you're doing it abll by yourself! I would never try to do that. No wait, my husband would never LET me try to do taht! haha!
girl, the tile looks amazing! i have never done it before, and now you're kind of inspiring me to completely makeover our house!
You are a ROCK STAR! HGTV needs to give you your own show ;)
That sandwich looks EPIC. And so do you! Look at you go on those tiles! You're amazing for doing them yourselves!
Good luck finishing the tiles!
xo
you go girl! those tiles are looking awesome! :)
I love the big block of tempeh in your sandwich, mmmm mmm! :)
Good luck with all of your projects! :)
I love the tiles -- so pretty and you are doing such a good job!
That sandwich makes me think of Kath's pumpkin butter and tempeh sandwiches. Looks pretty amazing to me! I may have to break into my pumpkin stash!
Love the glass tile. It will make for a beautiful surrounding for your inspired meals. I have only recently started eating tempeh - mostly cubed with veggies. I will try it as a "burger"!
You amaze me, with all your handy work :) Awesome.
Mhm, tempeh. Now I'm craving some!
You are a very patient lady... 3 tries on one tile would have pushed me over the edge. But, the tile color is lovely! I always use a flax egg in my buckwheat bake and look lustily upon the more raised appearance of yours. They do still taste wonderful though! That sandwich does look ridiculous in the best possible way :)
Love your functional/highly fashionable attire! ;)
The tiling is looking great! I've always wanted a tile backsplash but I've been to scared to "dive in" sine there's so much work involved...and the fact that my perfectionism would make it take twice the amount of time I'm sure!
Interesting combo on the tempeh sandwich...definitely curious about how it tastes!
very very nice! You are a tile master.
Mmm that sandwich looks AMAZING. I would never think to put apple or pumpkin puree on a sandwich, but I'm definitely doing that for lunch today!
Maybe it will be done by the time you get here...
My perfectionism is definitely making things take longer! But people gather in the kitchen the most, so it has to look good! :)
Glad you have buckwheat bake success w/the flax egg! Agreed...still delicious! :)
Hahaa..thanks Nienke!! I'm sure you would do the same! I never even watch HGTV...maybe I should tune in!
You will be amazed at the difference!!! It seriously turns into a full-on gelled glob [very technical terminology], that is much more "eggy."
I actually could! Just required a little smashing.
I had no idea that pre ground flax didnt work as good as freshly ground!!! I always grind it myself so I never thought to try it the other way. Very interesting...I'll have to try it out with pre-ground stuff sometime to compare.
That sandwich is INSANE!!
Thanks Heather!!
Thanks Caitlyn...maybe I should contact them. :)
The tempeh is not certified GF, but there are no gluten ingredients mixed in. The brand is West Soy.
I just gave it a good smashing. :)
Hahaa...it was actually not a problem. I smashed it down and managed to fit it in my mouth! There was a little pumpkin spillage, but I just scooped it up with the sandwich. :)
hahaha, thanks ;)
I must say, I am really enjoying the bits on the DIY around the house. For some strange reason, I am getting a lot of satisfaction seeing your house pull together. Funny how that works! I personally love to work with my hands, and that includes DIY around the house, gardening, and cooking. I just installed a bathroom sink by myself two weekends ago YAY! and now I am like "Ok what's next." I do find, however, that every project always takes waaaaay longer than I think it will. You have given me some hope that I can tile our kitchen floor. I guess I will need to rent a wet saw...but I think I can do it. Anyway, that's my rant for the week. :-)
Hhaha! Your robe is hawt! hey at least it did it's job, thus making you do an awesome job with those tiles! Holy patience! You rock girl!
Um and that bagel looks kinda weird, I guess you have to try it to see if you like it sort of dishes.
Love, love the backsplash!!!
Awesome!! It's so rewarding! Way to go! :) My uncle did the floor for us...I think that's a bit trickier making sure it's all exactly level. I'm sure you can do it though!
I just always used to buy bob's red mill ground flax meal. It started when I was making the ota.bars! :) A few months back I ground my own and could not believe the difference. It was SO gelled and goopy!! The sandwich was insane!
I am actually BEYOND jealous of that sandwich, itlooks amazing! I had thise weird tempeh maple bacon stuff teh other week that would prob taste good in there too ;)
SO jealous :)
<3
n
I just opened a 32 oz. can of pumpkin, so I've been on the pumpkin craze. Tomorrow I'm going to try your newest pumpkin buckwheat bake, although I'm out of eggs too! I'm going to try to get to my local egg ranch asap, as it's hard to sustain from eggs :)
That sandwich looks amazing- everything I love! I can only imagine how delicious it must've been :)