Ahhhhh – look what is stalking my house!! 
UGH! UGH!!!! I went out to enjoy the sunshine last night and ran smack into this disgusting creature as I walked out the door – a Praying Mantis. I put the zoom lens on my camera to snap pictures because I was that creeped out!!
I’m usually not so bug phobic, but these things are seriously. freaky. Normal bugs hop or fly away when you come close, but praying manti stay stiff as a board, eerily making you feel as though they’ll strike your face at any moment.
The WORST part is that he’s been hanging out at our house for a week! It’s “end” looks like a strange, 5 inch leaf (yes, it is THAT big) and I’ve seen it everyday on our plants out front. And everyday I’ve been like “Seriously, where did that exotic leaf come from, and why hasn’t it blown away yet?” Now I come to find out it was a praying mantis all along. Horrifying.
Ew, ick, yuck. I didn’t even know there were praying manti in Iowa. Sickening!!!!
ANYWAYS! Happy hump day. 
We’re supposed to get up to 80 degrees today! I celebrated the mild morning with a cool, Fruit & Yogurt Parfait!
In the mix:
- Raspberry Chobani Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 scoop chia seeds
- Banana
- Sliced Almonds
Layered in a glass, cause it’s more fun that way.
In a WINE glass, no less! 
Even if it’s just for you, breakfast can still be special.
I’m very excited for lunch because I packed some tasty, leftover Sautéed Asian Broccoli Tofu and a Honeycrisp Apple!
You could use spaghetti for this dish, or rice noodles for that matter, but I encourage you to try rice sticks. I got mine at an Asian Grocery Store (locals: New Oriental Food Store in the East Village) for like $.99. They’re the same kind of noodles you’ll find in fresh spring rolls and have a wonderful texture.
And my baby!
I paid, cough $5.65 cough, for THREE of these puppies, which makes Honeycrisp apples an expensive habit. But since they’re only around for a short time each year, this budget diva makes an exception for them. 
My Mom’s coming to eat lunch with me today and we’re going to try and eat outside. Sounds like it’s going to be a great day for it!
Giveaway
In other news, I’m glad you guys were receptive to Tofu 101! Tofu’s great hot or cold, cooked or raw, and hopefully some of you who were skeptical before, will give it a try. Still not convinced? Maybe this FREE TOFU PRESS will help!
Whee!! I have a TofuXpress Tofu Press to giveaway to one, tofu-loving winner. You can enter up to three different ways by 5:00pm Central tonight. Here’s how:
1. Leave a comment telling me if you’re a current or future tofu lover.
2. Tweet: “@IowaGirlEats is giving away a free @TofuXpress, today only! http://ow.ly/2LCN6” and leave another comment telling me you’ve done so.
3. Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page and leave another comment telling me you’ve done so.
Hopefully pressed tofu is in your immediate future – good luck!
ps, you can buy a tofu press here for $39.95. A little steep, perhaps, but the Holidays ARE coming up!
Have a great day!
I am working on my love/like of tofu. My husband loves it but I still get kind of grossed out by its texture. I haven’t been able to get to get it at all crispy yet and I am hoping this tofu press would help.
I’m a current tofu lover! A press would make the process so much easier
I tweeted about it, too!
Current tofu lover that would die for a tofu press!
also tweeted!
I love tofu, but haven’t yet ventured to cook with it at home, just stirred up soft tofu with my peanutbutter in the morning with my gala apple.
I wanted to let you know that from Tuesday-next Monday at our local Fareway, Honeycrisp apples are on sale for $1.80 a pound! I live in eastern Iowa, but you should check to see if your local Fareway store has them on sale too.
I have only had tofu once or twice my whole life, but I am interested in trying it in more recipes!
future lover for sure!
I’d eat more tofu if I had a tofu press.
I really like tofu, but I haven’t found the courage to do anything with it at home yet.
I love tofu! I have wanted one of these presses so badly but they’re too expensive for me to really justify buying… this is perfect!
I’ve never tried Tofu but it looks delish!! Would love to try to tofu-press with one of your recipes!!
I have tried tofu and thought it was okay but haven’t experimented with it much. Your post inspired me to start cooking with it more – so hopefully I’m a future tofu lover!
Current tofu lover! My husband, on the other hand, is future (he just doesn’t know it yet)
Current tofu lover!
I tweeted also!
and I just tweeted!
I like tofu, but I’m scared to make it!
I recently tried tofu – I love it!
Yum! I love tofu but hate to press it…I always have it under a stack of cans or dishes or something that is annoying.
This little gadget would make me love it even more!
I recently started eating tofu after seeing it on you website. My son who is four loves it as well. Have been just using some plates to press it so this would be great!
current tofu lover, and DYING of a tofu press obsession!
I think the tofu press might help me be a tofu lover. I tried it and I don’t think I pressed it enough because it was kinda wet and definitely didn’t crisp up in the oven like yours does.
tweeted! (and if i dont win, i guesssss that’s what boyfriends are for!!)
Your giveaway came at a great time for me! I just discovered the deliciousness of bake bbq tofu! I don’t have a tofu press so I put my large spaghetti squash on top of it to squeeze the water out! haha.
Have a great day!
I am a current tofu lover and eeks! The tofu press went up a little in price.
I think praying mantis are a little creepy too but at the same time fascinating to look at and watch. I wouldn’t want one to land on me but I find it interesting to sit and watch the thing. Give it a try, at a safe distance.
I’m a current lover.
I tweeted it.
I’m a current tofu lover. Extra-firm tofu all the way!
Converted Tofu lover! Tried it for the first time when I made your recipe for BBQ Tofu….been hooked ever since!
I LOVE LOVE tofu! I always press it under books and heavy jars so this would make life MUCH easier!
Ok, so right after you posted about a tofu press, I’m like “What?!”.. I didn’t know I could press my tofu! I immediately went to Amazon to order one, but dang, $39.95?! I’ll be saving up for that one, and then TODAY you’re GIVING ONE AWAY! I love tofu… all kinds.. the blocks, the processed kinds (Smart Dogs are our favorite), and the flavored kind they sell at Wang’s. We put it in Cambodian hot pot.
I have tweeted, I have Facebooked… all of my people know about you now!
Haven’t found the love yet…perhaps this little thingamajig will help??
I LOVE tofu! Extra firm too!
I love preparing tofu, but never seem to be able to press it without it falling apart. That sometimes puts a dent in my plans to cut into rectangles and grill/roast. Anyways, have seen you use this gadget before and I believe it would work wonders!!
Definitely a current tofu lover. I have a firm block in my fridge just waiting to be squished!
i agree w/ elliott! i am a converted tofu lover.
i’d love a free press 
tweet @ http://twitter.com/thepajamachef/status/25881893864
Yum, I love tofu. I’m experimenting with recipes in the hopes that my husband will like it too. We have such different tastes in food that sometimes we have to make two different meals.
I’m a current tofu lover and need a press in my life!
Yay tofu! I actually started getting into tofu earlier this year when I began following your blog. I wasn’t very big on it before, but experimenting with different recipes has changed that. I think the press would be of great help to me.
I tweeted too! @tiph127
I am a current tofu lover…..but in desperate need of a squisher!
I prefer it less ‘wet’ if you will but I am lacking a press. One would be greatly appreciated!!!
Also…I am also a HUGE honeycrisp fan. I nearly have a heart attack I have to pay for them. But the attack wasn’t as severe last night because I went to Fareway. They’re only $1.88/pound at Fareway in WDM!!! And they’re really nice ones too!
i am a current tofu lover and would absolutely LOVE a press!!
Hey Kristen- I have a tofu lover and would LOVE a press!! I have to say, I didn’t cook much tofu before I started reading your blog about a year ago bc I didn’t know how, now I eat it once a week! Thanks for all the great recipes
I would love a press!
I like tofu but hate the mess it makes when pressing, this would really help!
I also tweeted about it.
I am a current tofu lover and would love the press!!
I am a current tofu lover but still dread my ghetto pressing technique! I would love this tofu press!