Hi guys! Sorry for the delay – Target called 🙂
After breakfast and cleaning, I hit the gym and realized I was running quite late to be able to eat before class! I got in 40 minutes on the ET and some abs and rushed home for one of my 15 minute shower-get-dressed routines. Rush, rush!
I decided to eat my lunch apple during my commute. I usually prefer eat fruit cut up with a fork (orange sections, sliced banana, apple slices) but every now and then I really enjoy eating an apple or pear straight down to the core. This one was nice and crunchy – just how I like ’em!
I ate lunch outside, which was a mistake when my spinach started blowing away!!! I had to relocate mid-lunch, but I got some nicer natural light photos for you all.
I had another tofu sandwich – this time on a TJ’s Whole Wheat Bun with cheese, a bit more pesto (I thought it was gone but turns out it wasn’t!), and bibb lettuce. I tried to heat it in the microwave, but it was so cold and windy it cooled off quickly 🙁 I LOVE the texture of tofu on a sandwich! It’s so fun and fluffy to eat!
I also had a spinach salad with bell peppers, carrot and celery along with a small amount of Annie’s Goddess. A little does NOT go a long way with this dressing! I wish I had had more. I really enjoyed the big chunks of veggies though.
Plus a few flax chips. These “replace” my usual yogurt and I missed it 🙁 While they were the same amount of calories and did contribute some protein and fiber, they were definitely not as filling as wet, heavy dairy.
From above, with Natural Health for reading material. Plus visualize my big apple!
This lunch (including the apple, which was huge) was about 560 kcal, 18 grams fiber and 29 grams protein.
Strangely, I was starving during Cultural Foods 1.5 hours later. But when I was wandering around Target, I realized my hunger was completely gone. I guess it comes in waves? This lunch was a little different than usual – mostly because I ate the apple first (I usually end with fruit and yogurt) and had the chips. I wonder if that had something to do with it?
New Find!
I read about Luna + Clif Minis in one of my magazines, but I couldn’t find anything online to indicate they were out yet – but then I literally stumbled upon these at Target!! They are just under half the size of a regular Luna bar at 80 kcal and 4 grams of protein. Perfect when you just want a little dose of energy. And if you want a full dose, you can have 2 flavors! While I don’t eat Luna bars often because I don’t find them very filling compared to other bars, I do like the taste and these are 3 of my favorite flavors (of course they’re the “dessert” flavors 🙂 ) I plan to use them as a healthy dessert, when I’m craving something sweet or for a pre-workout snack. Target had the Clif bar ones too – I was tempted to try them, but I figured I need to like a full size one before I buy a whole box of minis.
They are quite small though.
Of course I don’t eat anything like a normal person, so I broke mine into pieces and ate him over cottage cheese as a topping 🙂
With hot tea –
See you shortly for dinner!
BethT says
SO weird, I too just stumbled on those at Target yesterday! So little and cute! I wish my fave flavor (Choc Peppermint Stick) came in a mini size…
Yaz says
Hey Kath,
Awesome find, I am going to have to run and buy some. I nearly spilled my drink while laughing about your comment on not eating anything like a “normal” person. I get that a lot form my friends. Super funny…
melisa says
Got a question for those of you with HRMs. I bought an Acumen HRM in Feb. I loved it and had a blast keeping up with my calorie burn. I used it to run, bike and swim– well last week it stopped working. The watch works, but it does not register my heart rate. I replaced the battery but it still doesn’t work. And my husband spent a while tinkering with it trying to fix it. NOTHING.
Has anyone had problems with their HRMs? I’m thinking Acumen might be defective….
alo says
Ha, they must have just gotten those in at Targets everywhere. I got some of the Clif minis on Sunday, and had one as my pre-workout snack this morning– perfect!
Tina O. says
I saw those, too, but I need to finish the many I have in my pantry!
That Goddess dressing just makes me angry. I liked it ok, but I went thru a ton for one salad. And that was dipping my fixings in it, not even pouring it on. And I must say, its quite fattening. I definately won’t be buying it again!
VeggieGirl says
Target is always worth a late post! ;0)
Yikes, what a rushed early-afternoon! I too prefer to eat sliced fruit; but when you’re on-the-go, eating the whole fruit “as is” works just as well :0)
I LOVE Natural Health magazine!
Clif makes mini-bars now?? How fun!! Perfect snack-size, indeed.
“See” you for dinner!
Clara says
Hey Kath,
That sandwich looks so yummy! Isn’t tofu great 🙂 Totally agree about the weird hunger signals… that’s why, for me, I find it useful to keep an eye on calories. Then I have the knowledge that I already ate a perfectly adequate meal, and my “hunger” is *usually* dehydration, boredom, digestion etc. Otherwise I’d always be guessing, “did I eat enough?” etc.
oooh, I love the idea of mini Clif/Luna bars! that’d be just perfect pre-workout in the AM. I’ll keep an eye for them when I am in Target next (or as my mom says it, “Tar-jzshayyy”, haha)
one more thing – I think I almost admire your study ethic more than your commitment to healthy eating. you seem to never have problems with procrastinating, etc. right now I am procrastinating an important assignment by surfing blogs! Argh… lol. any tips to get in to a habit of “getting it done”??
Thanks for all you do on this blog Kath!!!
Jill says
Mini-bars, those are AWESOME! I need those, as well as the new Natural Health mag as I haven’t gotten it yet!
I love to eat the apple to the core – I actually eat the core as well!
Chelsea says
I add balsamic to my Goddess dressing and it really stretches it and adds to the flavor. You should try it!
babycakes says
Gorgeous apple picture! I absolutely love huge crisp apples – so much so that I eat 2-3 everyday! I think I love apples a little too much!
I am also seriously craving tofu after these past couple days of you posting your delicious-looking tofu sandwiches. They look so good! Tofu is definitely another of my favorites. I usually eat it plain/uncooked but perhaps I should try it baked. Haven’t had it that way in quite a while.
I am also a fellow target lover. I always spend too much $ (and time!) whenever I go there! Glad you had such a successful trip 🙂
babycakes says
ps – I too had to laugh at your comment about not eating anything like a “normal” person (whatever that is! 😉 I get that all the time too – oh well! I quite like how (and what) I eat 🙂
hk says
I’m the exact same way, always coming up with a new way to eat something haha! I, too, saw these mini’s ~ cute 🙂
Betsy says
i’m definately not a normal person either. i eat my food in crazy combos. the best way, of course!
Ashley H says
Oh I will have to find those mini clif bars I love to eat half of one for a prerun snack!
I was wondering how you cook the tofu for your sandwichs if at all. Also do you compress them like jenna does?
kim says
Hey Kath. How do you determine the gender of your snack bars. Are they generally male? 🙂 I wondered if in your nutrition studies, they mentioned goitrogens. I adore tofu but try not to have it more than a couple times per week for it and peanuts, cruciferous veggies (so sad!!!) inhibit thyroid function. I don’t think it’s an issue for people who don’t have an imbalance. I was reading info on WholeFoods site. Have a great night.
Nick says
Nice, quick, easy on-the-go lunch. I’ve never had those Luna bars, perhaps because they say “for women”. I wonder if that helps or hurts their overall sales. If they didn’t specify gender at all, would they sell more? The great wonders of the universe.
What’s on the menu for dinner tonight, a big juicy steak perhaps? =)
– The Peanut Butter Boy
Kate says
Melisa-did you try taking your HRM back to the store where you bought it? Lots of stores are really nice with that sort of thing.
Kim-I am hypothyroid (normal now on medication) and, though I flipped out about goitrogens when I first learned of them (tofu, broccoli, and peanut butter are some of my favorite foods!), they’re usually not a problem unless you’re not getting enough iodine. I eat peanut butter every day and go through periods when I’ll have tofu every day, too, and it’s never been a problem for me. I even checked in with my endocrinologist and she okay’ed it. Just want to pass that along since the though of limiting tofu devastates me!
Danielle says
Could you possibly post the fat & fiber for the bar? Thanks!
Kath says
Clara ,
You are SO right about how knowing the nutritional summary from a meal can help realize what’s being felt is not really hunger – that has helped me connect mid-morning “hunger” with real thirst in the past. Thanks for the reminder!
Chelsea ,
Great idea to mix in balsamic!!
Ashley H,
This tofu was grilled. We pressed it under a heavy cutting board for about 10 minutes and then the husband grilled it to taste.
kim ,
Haha – most things are “guys” and therefore male 🙂 Some things are “shes” though – I’ll have to think of one soon that’s a girl.
We are JUST now studying goitrogens in Physiology, but unfortunately not on a food context, so I really don’t know anything about them. But I have suspected that I have hypothyroid and do not use iodized salt, so maybe I am getting too many?! I guess I need to do some research. Question for you all: is there a way to ensure you’re getting enough iodine without iodized salt? We usually use Kosher. I know I eat high-salt foods like deli meat and cottage cheese, but I’m usually under 2300-2400 mg per day of sodium. I wonder if that could be related to my thyroid?
Danielle ,
Fat is 2.5 grams (1 gram sat.) and fiber is 1 gram (2 in the Nut Brownie).
Kath
magpie says
I LOVE your blog. I don’t eat things like a normal person either – I’m always mixing up things with yogurt and tofu (I discovered that you can make a yogurty like thing with soft tofu, a dash of salt, and some honey)… And I’m completely addicted to apples.
Jessie says
Hey Kath + readers,
Has anyone every tried any of the products form the fit and fresh line? I just stumbled accross them and i am interested, wondered if any of you could give me some advice before i buy anything!!?!
Clara says
interesting point Nick! Clif bars are not marketed to a particular gender, and yet they are liked by both men and women. Luna bars are really similar, if not better – bit lighter and more rice crispy-ish. I don’t really get what’s so “women-y” about them – surely men can benefit from their nutrients and taste just as much?!
I think you’re right, they would sell more if they did not market them just towards women. But then I guess if they didn’t women might feel less “special” about it, like they don’t have a product “just for them.” LOL i think I am overthinking this. 🙂
Jessie says
oh also, does anyone know of any free online fitness trackers? Im not counting calories or trying to lose weight so i don’t like most of the ones online, actually just one that i could print out and fill in with a pen would be great, one that included weights and cardio?
Thanks!
Brynn says
Yay! I’ve had these at a couple races before but I’ve never been able to find them to buy. I’ll have to take a Target trip soon, too.
Chelsea says
My sister had that question and her dr. said “no way you’re not getting enough salt. Everybody gets too much salt” but my sister is like you, she never goes out to eat and eats everything really fresh. She had bloodwork done and lo and behold her salt intake was too low. So it could be a possibility. Seaweed has iodine 🙂
Ally says
Mini Lunas at our Target?? You just made my day 🙂
Now I have a great excuse to go spend money at Target!
Kath says
Chelsea ,
Thanks for the info! That’s quite a possibility. Is the added sodium to all the processed stuff iodized? My guess is no, that I should sprinkle some salt on my food for a few weeks and see if anything changes. I’m always cold and have been having night sweats, so I have reason to believe I might be low on thyroid. We learned in Physio how iodine affects thyroxine production, which is the body’s main temperature control system, so it would make sense. I also have really low blood pressure. I had my thyroid tested last year and it came back normal, but maybe I’m just a little low so I’m still in the normal range but could use a boost?
Ally,
I went to the South Blvd. one and got the last box!! Try Stonecrest 🙂
K
Suzanne says
oh bummer! I was just at Target on Sunday and didn’t know to look for the Luna minis there! I have been searching everywhere for them. Thanks for the tip!
I have a question about tofu…forgive me if I asked this already, Kath. I am totally blanking out….
I have read that soy is not as good for you as they thought. And it has been linked to causing breast cancer? I drink a cup of soy milk everyday with my cereal for breakfast. I also LOVE tofu – and eat it a few times a week. Do you think this is too much soy for me?
I love tofu/soy – but not enough to put any risks on my health. thanks!
Kath says
Suzanne,
Soy contains isoflavones, which have mixed opinions based on studies. Here’s some more info I found: http://www.isoflavones.info/
I think the danger is mostly if you have an estrogen-fed cancer (as breast is often) or are prone to breast cancer. Or consume a LOT of soy. I doubt your soy milk and tofu are putting you at risk – unless you’re in the high-risk category.
Hope that helps – I gotta get to Chemistry!
Kath
JENNA says
Kath,
I was wondering if you plan out your calorie intake everyday? And if so i’m curious how you came to your final totals. I’ve been trying to play around with my eating some and i’ve also been working out more but it just seems like i’m so tired and have no energy?!
Amandamoo says
Jenna-
Kath uses CalorieKing.com to track calories. You can reference her FAQ page for how she came up with her targets. : )
JENNA says
🙂 THANK YOU~