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!
definitely a current tofu lover. and with the onset of fall, i’ve already made my first batch of tofu chili…..SO DELICIOUS
Reading your blog has inspired me to become more creative with tofu, I’ve tried it in the past and only use it in Asian dishes but I’m open to new ideas!!
I’m a new tofu lover in the recent months. The only thing I don’t like is the time required to press and rain it. I’d love to try the tofu press!
I’m a current tofu lover! & I had been eyeing up this press for so long…
tofu lover! i’ve never tried a tofu press before…
i’ve been a vegetarian for almost a year and a half so tofu is a food group to me. using a tofu press would definitely be more efficient than my current paper towel, plate, giant can of soup method for straining…
i am a tofu lover, however, doesn’t get eaten often as I would like since my boyfriend isn’t a big fan.
i enjoy tofu! i put your website in my status on facebook! and told EVERYONE to subscribe cuz your blog is the BEST!!
yay!
I am current tofu lover and I bake a batch each week. I have a 16 month-old, very picky eater, who loves it and can be seen waddling around the house munching on some baked tofu!
I’m a current tofu lover, and when I saw your post yesterday I got some serious gadget envy over this. You need to try Scrambled Tofu sometime, it’s SO good!!
Future tofu eater! Still trying to get it figured out … although i can see how pressing it would help!
Future tofu lover here. (well, hopefully!) I love your recipes with tofu, you make it look so easy and yummy!
I definitely love tofu and am in the process of trying to win my husband over. It would be so great to have a tofu press to replace my usual tower of cookbooks!
If you have a Costco nearby, you might want to check their produce section for Honeycrisps. Last year they carried them in really reasonably priced in 12 packs…
I LOVE tofu, but I am in dire need of a press!
I’ve tried roasting tofu in the oven. It was ok. I think it was still too wet, even though I did try to get as much extra liquid out as I could. I would love to use a press and try it again!
http://twitter.com/#!/kellyflynn/status/25912170445
Tweeted!
I’m still trying to love tofu. However I do love tofutti! Especially in the form of a cutie’s ice cream sandwich.
Hello.
I have never commented on your blog but read it every day, and you’ve inspired me to change some eating habits, for sure!
I respond because I, too, am mantis-phobic and I, too, have had one hanging out on my terrace for two weeks, now. My poor plants are almost dead because I am absolutely freaked out whenever I see that thing’s head turn to look at me!
The one on my porch, whom I have named “Phil,” is brown, about five or six inches long, and creepy as all get out.
Love this blog–
I need a tofu press! I have a package sitting in my fridge and have been waiting for the right time to use it…….I’m a little hesitant but I think I definitely need to try it.
love tofu! my favorite way to make it is marinate it with soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and garlic. yum. then bake it in the oven and top on a spinach salad with a ginger or peanut dressing.
Tweeted! @cbaumgarten
I became a tofu convert over the summer and would love a press so I can try even more recipes!
I LOOOOOOVE tofu!
I still haven’t tried making tofu, but I like it when I eat it at restaurants. I want to try and overcome my fear of doing it at home!
I have never tried tofu… GASP! I know! Your blog is definitely making me interested in trying it. I will have to try it soon!!!!
LOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEE Tofu! Although my husband despises it
I also tweeted! http://www.twitter.com/amberwdm
I love tofu but have never pressed it! I think I would like it even better!
I haven’t had tofu in forever because of a bad experience years ago. I’ve changed the way I eat so drastically that I should definitely try it again!
I have bought tofu a number of times and then thrown it out as I had no idea what to do with it, and it is scary looking.
When you make something with tofu in it and your husband doesn’t eat it, do you make him something else? I am not sure I will be able to talk mine into even trying it. We will see about my 3 year old.
Current tofu lovaaaah!
I like tofu but rarely have cooked with it at home — just get it in dishes at restaurants. Would love to try the press.
I am new to the tofu world of endless possibilities. The press would make my life so much easier. I love the idea of mixing the marinade in the container.
I am obsessed with tofu- that press is an ingenious way to get rid of the excess water [i just squish min really hard between paper towels!] although I admittedly do eat tempeh just as often, tofu rocks my socks
I love tofu!!! I’ve always wanted a tofu press.. I’m sick of using plates and cans of veggies!
I like you love extra-firm textures for a meat substitute in recipes!
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/Natcatty/status/25916142309
Here’s my facebook status! http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/nattycatty?v=wall&story_fbid=156590134362902
I would LOVE to try it someday and convince my kids to love it too!
i think i may just become a tofu convert after your post last night…
Current tofu lover for sure! Raw, grilled, baked, fried.. I am down
I LOVE tofu. Just made garlic tamari tofu with soba for tonight’s dinner
Ahhh!! I’ve made it a couple of times, but it wasn’t very good. I’m not giving up yet though!!
I roasted some tofu last night while the oven was on, simply to have it ready to go whenever I want it. I think I’m a tofu lover.
ever since becoming a vegetarian a couple of years ago, tofu has been a staple in my house!
Just beginning to experiment with tofu. The jury is still out and I’m undecided. I’m hoping to continue trying it!
I really, really want to like it…maybe this would help?
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/jdavissquared
I would love to be a tofu lover!! I always have trouble using it because I can never drain enough of the water out and it falls apart! The tofu press would make me a HUGE tofu lover!!
I’m a future tofu lover. Your post yesterday inspired me to go buy some to make stir fry with and I figured I’d use the rest for smoothies. I also tweeted. http://twitter.com/KelsiesThoughts
I have never tried tofu before, which is crazy because i’m a nutrition coach and am always looking for protein options. I’ve always been too scared to try it. But after your post I’m totally inspired to give it a whirl!!