5 weeks later…..I picked up where I left off:
Karen and I started read this at the same time. She didn’t like it at first but said she LOVED it by the end. I’m very intrigued, but I’m not really enjoying the reading process. If I’m going to spend hours in another world, I prefer more cheerful settings. But hopefully it’ll have a very cool twist.
I got a good start on a few of my projects this morning, and I went to the gym around 11. After 45 minutes of Better Homes & Gardens on the ET, I did a set of upper body weights and headed home for lunch.
I bought a new bread yesterday. I used to avoid the breads that were 100 calories+ per slice because I thought 200 kcal for just bread was kind of waste (I’d rather have more side items). But what I never realized is that the higher calorie slices are HUGE! You get one big sandwich with them compared to the 80 kcal styles. I’m all about big sandwiches 🙂 I liked this bread, but it’s kind of dry. I’ve been having trouble with dry bread lately, but that might be because we’ve been keeping it in the fridge. Do you all have any recs for reallllllly moist bread?
On my bread? Smoked salmon, laughing cow, capers and spinach –
Plus carrots –
And a fruit + yogurt cocktail
Delicious and filling. (With seltzer)
BethT says
I have been buying Sara Lee 100% whole wheat breads (they have a few different varieties) – it’s pretty moist. And Orowheat is moist, too, but that may be a west coast brand?
Suzanne says
hey Kath,
That is so funny. I used to eat that same exact bread. But, I actually thought 100 calores per slice was really low! I saw a lot of 150-180 calorie/slice breads! And I thought the 80 calorie/slice were so skimpy. I was always hungry for more after I ate it.
I also tried the other flavors of Pepperidge Farm All Natural. I think they have seven grain, honey wheat, etc.
But, I switched to Trader Joe’s Fiber bread a few months ago – following the advice from my friend who loved it. The whole wheat is so moist and delicious. The multigrain is a close second. 🙂 That’s all I use now. My turkey sandwiches and PBJ are the best they’ve ever been! Even my husband eats it for lunch everyday (he hates everything low fat, sugar free, low cal!).
Melissa says
Hands down the best bread (and softest) I have ever enjoyed is the Vermont Bread Company Soft Whole Wheat Bread…divine
http://www.vermontbread.com/products/breads
I hope they have it available near you!
Kelly L. says
Hands down best bread: Natures Own All Natural 100% Whole Wheat or All Natural Double Fiber. SOOOOOO good, doughy, big slices. MMMMM!
runeatrepeat says
Kath,
I hear you on the bread. I always look for breads with about 80 cals a slice, but my mom has this super soft and delicious bread that I sometimes indulge in when I’m over. Then, when I go back to my bread it seems so sad.
I don’t have and tips for keeping the bread moist. That’s how I like it too, but we have to keep it in the fridge or freezer over here in the summer.
SweetsandSweats says
Loving the martini glass for the fruit!!! So chic!
Justy2003 says
I love Pepperidge Farms breads! I actually just bought the Honey Flax this week. I used to get it all the time, then couldn’t find it so switched to Pepperidge Farm Whole Wheat or something, but I loooove the Honey Flax! I like the heartier texture of it 🙂
However, if I had a husband to make homemade breads for me, I would probably prefer those! 😉
Katy says
I like Jodi Picoult’s books – I read 2 on our vacation last week – Nineteen Minutes and The Tenth Circle – both were good, but I understand what you mean about not wanting to spend time in a depressing “other” world.
SarahF says
Great book that everyone should read: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. It is a book about vampires so there is the supernatural behind it-but it’s really interesting! I haven’t been able to put it down since I started reading it-I’m hoping to finish it today (and I started it on Monday and have been away on a business trip the entire week that has kept me mega busy). Plus, the movie will be released later this year!
Gale says
So I was FINALLY about to get myself to the gym before work for a nice long workout this morning! I now have the extra hour after work for reading when I’d normally be on the treadmill 🙂
Let me know how the book goes… I need some Summer reading suggestions!
melissa says
I agree about not wanting to eat high calorie bread. I love Ezekiel’s bread, which has great chew and flavor. To maximize the amount, I cut the bread in half (making two whole slices, not two half slices) with a bread knife. I actually like it thinner and it toasts up better. I refrigerate my bread and toast it in the Cuisinart at “4”, cut in half, then toast again at “2”. Makes perfect toast. It’s too thin for sandwiches though. I go with flax wraps instead. 🙂
Melanie says
My new favorite bread is Arnold’s Natural Flax & Fiber! I love this bread! If I remember correctly it’s 80 calories per slice and 4 grams of fiber. Very tasty. I keep my bread in the fridge too but usually toast it for sandwhich. Except for peanut butter & jelly. I definitely recommend it!
Congrats on finishing school!
Trina says
Unfortunately I think you might have the dry bread problem with any that you put in the refrigerator. That would be my guess from experience. Maybe try a breadbox?
Jen says
I think Trina has it right– I don’t remember the science behind it, but keeping bread in the fridge actually dries it out much quicker than normal. I keep mine in the freezer, then just leave the slices I need on the counter under a moist paper towel to defrost– it doesn’t take very long in the Georgia heat and humidity. If I’m packing a sandwich to take somewhere, I just use the frozen bread which thaws out perfectly in a pretty short time (less than an hour, I think). Good luck!
bread says
i like the brownberry bread, 7-grain or whole wheat, and i keep it in the fridge and it’s never dry on me!
Betsy says
oooo-lacroix. i LOVE those, but only drink them when I’m in Cleveland cause my mom loves them too and I’m too cheap to buy anything. Lime is by far my fav.
Lauren says
Hi Kath,
Have you ever tried yoga bread? It’s delicious for toast and more ‘exciting’ sandwiches, and has a good nutritional profile. I don’t have any trouble finding it in NYC at neighborhood grocery stores, and I’m sure it’s sold at many other locations outside the city. Hope this helps!
Amanda says
Kath do you find the 100 calorie slices more filling? or about the same since its only a 40 calorie difference total.
Also, what are the mainstream abroad books? Did you use any websites? Did you travel places on weekends…london is near so many other countries. Thanks again.
chandra says
I’ve wanted to try smoked salmon for so long now… I always stare at it in the store, but I’ve been too scared to buy it. Not sure why I’m scared of it since I LOVE sushi… you make it look so darn good, I need to just buy it already!!
Sarah says
Kath,
Not to be a downer, but I also read that book and hated the reading process but was urged to “keep reading for the twist” by my coworker who had loaned it to me. At the end, I still disliked the book.
Also, I find that all of the Pepperidge Farm breads I’ve tried have been dry. Right now we have a 7 grain loaf and a Whole Wheat Pepp Farm loaf at home and I am eating wraps until we get rid of them. My favorite “healthier” bread is Nature’s Own which, as another poster said, has 80 cals/slice. My favorite “splurge” (it’s a bit more expensive) bread is Great Harvest Honey Wheat, which is 100 cals a slice at one Great Harvest I go to and 110 at another. That bread is AWESOME plain and toasted–you don’t even need a topping. However, it doesn’t taste good on all sandwiches because of its sweeter taste.
sarah says
i am SO putting smoked salmon on my shopping list.
as for bread, i freeze all of it. i find that if i buy it fresh, when i make sandwiches and let them thaw to room temp, it seems fresh then too! toasting works as well, of course.
i love the local durham 9th street bakery bread (whole wheat sunflower especially). i doubt they would carry it as far as charlotte but it’s great!
Amy from Michigan says
Sarah,
How did you figure out how many calories are in the Great Harvest bread slices? I adore all of their breads, esp. honey whole wheat. Do they provide nutrition info? And why would it be different at one than another?
Thanks!
Amy
Nicole says
Just wanted to comment on the irony of the book you are reading… maybe it was named Change of Heart because during the reading of it people have one?!? I know it sounds stupid but when you said your friend hated it then loved it, I was like, she had a change of heart. Anyways, that was my nerd moment of the day- love your blog keep it up!!
yaz says
Kath, I absolutly love the presentation of your fruit and yogurt cocktail!
RSAgirl says
I feel the same way about Jodi Picoult’s books. I read 19 minutes the other day and it was so sad too. I hope sometime soon she comes out with a cheerful book.
Julieh says
Beth, Orowheat is what the brand is called on the West Coast, in the Midwest it’s called Brownberry…same brand. It’s kind of like how Dreyer’s and Edy’s are the same brand.
BethT says
thanks Julieh! I love that bread and wondered why I’d never seen it before.
JessieP says
2 book suggestions for you Kath + readers, they are oldies but goodies.
Pride and prejudice
and Wuthering Heights.
maybe the best books of all time?
Fitnessista says
where did you get those plates??? they’re beautiful, as is your lunch 🙂
kinda weird question but i noticed the skin is still on the kiwi…. do you eat that part??
Sidi says
I keep the bread frozen and it’s always moisty when thawing it.
Chelsea says
I hate dry bread too. Lately I just leave it on the calendar so it won’t dry up but it does go bad faster 🙁
The reasoning behind not eating refined carbs=I’m trying to eat whole foods and no “white” foods per the doctor’s suggestion. I was putting weight on a little too quickly and this has thankfully slowed that down.
Emily says
I’ve given up on sliced bread…i’ve resorted to english muffins. pathetic but it fills me up.
emily says
Doesn’t that bread have hfcs? anyway, i’ve been eating mrs.bairds sugar free, since i can’t eat sugar. Its pretty tasty, but i wouldn’t call it moist. i use it mostly for french toast.
I live in the midwest and its called oroweat here
And i love jodi picoults my sisters keeper, it was super depressing but good. Haven’t read anything else of hers
Congrats on being done with summer school…i wish i was done…2 weeks left.
Phoebe says
Jessie P — you’re right, Wuthering Heights is sooo compelling but I have to say it is kind of a downer too! I think I actually never read the last third of it because I felt so overwhelmed by the angst of it. Pride and Prejudice is of course fabulous as well. But, Jane Eyre is probably my favorite in the female-oriented classics genre.
Phoebe says
P.S. Kath, congrats on being done with summer school and finally having time to relax/ get around to everything else! I too am taking summer school but only 1 course (a whole year in six weeks though) and I still find myself having to put everything else on hold until I’m done, the fact that you have energy for both relaxing things and lots of new projects is a good omen for me when I’m done with my course, there’s lots I am hoping to do then too.
Jessie says
hello everyone! As a dedicated Kath fan i found myself compelled to begin my own web adventure! Check er out!
http://modbehav.wordpress.com/
Thanks all!
Katie says
Definitely don’t put it in the fridge, it stales much more quickly. The structure of the starch changes at refrigerator temps making it to stale much more quickly. Starch holds water in the bread, so when it stales the water is leaving the starch molecule to get harder, aka stale. I think you will learn about this in your food science class…
PS Just finished my dietetic internship today! I went back to school like you are doing for a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and the dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota. I worked for a while, so I know the feeling of an older student;)
Kate says
When I don’t buy local bread (so yummy and moist with freshly ground grains!) I like Milton’s brand. Here I only find it at Trader Joe’s, but there are several varieties and it’s pretty moist–at least enough to squish your sandwich down a little! Plus, each slice is around 100 cals, large, and they have 5 grams of fiber and 10% of both calcium and iron per slice. Needless to say, the bread is very satisfying.
Kath says
Thanks for all the recs on bread and books! Looks like I should keep the bread out of the fridge for now.
Amanda ,
Yes I do find them slightly more filling (40 kcal worth!?) and there’s a NOTICEABLE difference in sandwich size.
chandra ,
If you like sushi, you’ll LOVE smoked salmon (in fact, you’ve probably had it a lot already).
Fitnessista ,
Crate + Barrel, a while back. And yes, I eat the skin on a kiwi. It’s just like eating the skin of a peach!
Phoebe,
Thanks 🙂
Katie ,
We DID learn about that in Food Comp – d’oh! Retrogradation, right?
CONGRATS on being done with your internship!! You must be thrilled.
Kath
Erika says
Ezekial Breads are awesome. They can usually be found in the freezer section of a natural foods store. By the way, keeping your bread in the fridge causes them to go stale even faster than keeping them at room temperature due to retrogradation. This is a process which causes the starch molecules to crystallize and occurs in temperatures around 35-40 degree (wow I sound like such a nerd. Oh well at least college paid off) So if you live in a humid climate, like I do–Austin, it’s best to freeze your bread.
Caroline says
I am so jealous of you right now–I love being able to read for pleasure, aka NOT a textbook.
I love the idea of serving a fruit and yogurt parfait in a martini glass…I recommend drinking smoothies out of beer mugs!
eatavegan says
This sounds weird, but a family I used to babysit for keeps their bread in the microwave — they say it’s even ten times better than a breadbox. It never failed to surprise me when I opened the microwave and saw three loaves of bread and a bag of hamburger buns!
Sarah says
Amy from Michigan–
Each Great Harvest is independently owned, so the recipes and ingredients that they use are slightly different from store to store (this was the explanation I was given by the owner of one of the stores, at least.) The two stores that I am mentioning are in different states, so they must use different recipes or something. In both cases, I have found the nutritional information on a .pdf file online on that particular store’s webpage. This same sheet with nutritional info was also available in the store upon request. In one of the stores, the bread was even labeled for me last time. One note on that: they give the info for a 1-oz serving, yet some of their slices were heavier than 1 oz. I weighed them on a scale because I was curious. I guess that makes me a bit crazed 🙂 However, some of the other slices were like .75 or .8 of an oz, so I just used the nutritional info that they provided, figuring it evened out.