A Salad, Sandwich, and Guacamole

The Chef: Anna and Valencia Whole Foods

The Menu: A random smattering from the salad bar (lettuce! hummus! rice!) and half of VWF's beloved veggie sausage sandwich, filled with hummus and avocado. Bonus: homemade guacamole!

The Dish: I was super jazzed to go to VWF today for some spring rolls, but after the last package was stolen from me (ahem, Jennifer Chen), I had to improvise. And you know, I think improvising with one of our office favorites is a good way to go. The office feels a little empty today, with Office Manager Lyndsay Orwig off to Virginia for Charlottesville VegFest and Publishers Joseph Connelly and Colleen Holland in Thailand with VegNews Vacations, but we're coping the best way we can (with guacamole and delicious sandwiches). Want to travel the world with VegNews? Our trips for Bali and India are sold out, but there are a few spots left on this November's Vegan Yoga Retreat in Mexico. Sign up today!

Hello, homemade guacamole. Won't you get in my belly?

Spring Rolls and Vegan Pesto

 The Chefs: Elizabeth and Valencia Whole Foods

The Menu: Two ready-made dishes, fresh from the cold case. Spring rolls with carrots, romaine, cucumbers, avocado, and a ridiculously delicious dipping sauce, plus a side of Savvy Savories pesto pasta, topped with some of the company's Italian sausage.

The Goods: Sometimes you want to eat delicious things but a) don't have the time to whip something up yourself, b) need to also sneak in a quick run at lunch, in addition to procuring and devouring said delicious thing, and c) happen to have a really great grocery store right around the corner from your office. All three of these qualifications were true for me today, and thankfully Valencia Whole Foods totally came through. Do pesto and spring rolls usually go together? Maybe not, but I tell you what—they should! You know what else should go together? You and me! I'm thrilled to be going on VegNews Vegan Yoga Retreat to Mexico, and you could be too! Check out our VegNews Vacation lineup for 2012 here.