It’s so gross outside! Cold and rainy. April thinks her showers need to start a day early. I’m ready for May!
Pumpkin bread got me out of bed this morning 🙂 I had a slice pre-workout with some almond butter:
I had a great workout at the gym – 45 minutes on the ET followed by abs, pushups and stretching. Some days on the elliptical I struggle to keep my heart rate up and a good pace without upping the resistance so much my legs get tired but I’m not breathing hard, but today it was the perfect balance of cardio and challenge. I think it just depends on my mood and energy level.
I’m having banana for lunch today (!!) so I decided on pear this morning, which made me think I should do something other than oatmeal, which made me think oatmeal pancake! Good thing because we have egg whites to use up. I mixed the oats, egg whites, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and 1/4 cup pumpkin before I left for the gym. When I returned, I added 1/2 a tsp of baking powder (for puff) and made a huge pancake!
Topped with almond butter, a drizzle of maple and flax:
Here’s the pear with a diced kiwi and the end of a Fage container my family put on the chili last night, plus a bit more flax –
From above, with tea. The green spoon has a new brother!
This breakfast was about 450 kcal, 13 grams fiber and 26 grams protein.
Golden Beer Bread
The husband baked Golden Beer Bread yesterday and finished the post last night. It’s got a nice bitter beer background to it, but it is NOT doughy like his last one! He wanted sandwich bread, I wanted doughy “pull off a hunk” bread. He’s the baker, so he won 🙁
Icebergs Ahead!
I’ve got a rough week ahead – two exams that I need to take very seriously: Stats tomorrow morning and Physio on Friday. I hate test weeks because you have that “I should be studying” attitude all the time, verses assignments/papers where you get it done and then push it from your mind! But after this week it’s all downhill until exams 🙂
caitlin (in FL) says
happy monday kath! good luck on your exams. funnily enough, I had oatmeal pancakes this AM and I thought “hmm i haven’t seen kath eat pancakes in a while!”
🙂 Sorry again about Davidson. Who are you cheering for now?
have a nice day, everyone!
Kath says
Caitlin,
Since Kansas beat Davidson I’m pulling for them so it appears they were unstoppable 🙂
Since I’m a big Duke fan, I’ve always been an “ABC” girl – Anyone But Carolina! Not even being a native North Carolinian would make me ever pull for them
K
Cathy says
Kath,
I made your pumpkin loaf this weekend and loved it! My dad had some, not knowing what it was, and he loved it! I told him what was in it, and he was shocked! Just proves that you can sneak some good foods into people.
Thanks!
Cathy
Kelly L. says
Topic: Vitamins…
Morning everyone! Does anyone know of a website or organization that has done research on the best vitamins for women to take? I currently take One-A-Day for Women but I recently ran across an article that said Centrum A to Zinc was the best for women. I know there is bound to be a company (non-biased obviously) that has tested different vitamins and such. Anyone know? What vitamins do you take?
Kelly L. says
Hello again- this is off topic but this blog is filled with women so I have to ask… Is anyone familiar with Arbonne? My friend sells it and I’m thinking about getting some products. Specifically the Re9 skincare line and the Essential Fatty Acid Dietary Supplement (contains flaxseed oil, Vitamins A, C & E, Coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid.
Just looking for any input . Thanks.
http://www.arbonne.com/products/anti-aging/nutriminc/
claire says
good luck with your tests!
a silly question–why do you leave the skin on your kiwi? Doesn’t that make them hard to eat with a little blue spoon?
hk says
good luck with the tests, I’ve got a big one in just a few hours 🙁 Once it’s over I’m free for a while, good luck studying! I’m excited to see banana for lunch, great at every meal 🙂
Angelcubbie says
So I have a question. Last night I couldn’t sleep and kept waking up so in the middle of the night I had a big slice of bread as a snack (about 160 cal how bad is this? Is it just about total calories eaten in a day or does this go directly to fat because I ate it in the middle of the night? Should I just add it to today’s calories in calorieking as early morning snack?
Jessie says
GGGRRR
I have to share my irritation with you all, I was up at 6:30, drove 30 minutes to class in the POURING RAIN just to find out class was cancelled….darn it! Why can’t they find a way to tell you that BEFORE you leave????
Ok rant over. Have a wonderful Monday everyone!
Sara B. says
I bought the same blue spoon!! I ordered mine about a week ago so it should be coming soon. I’m excited to eat slowly with it. =)
Sara B. says
Question for everyone:
I’m recovering from an eating disorder and I have been really struggling at night. Specifically after dinner…it’s when I would binge and purge in the past. Even when I eat enough calories through out the day and have a large dinner I still get really bad urges. Does anyone have any advice to keep myself busy or how they distract themselves?
I live with my boyfriend but he has class at night so I’m normally alone after dinner. I would really appreciate some advice. I want to live a healthy life like all of you!!!!
Elle says
Good luck on your exams Kath! As I’ve said many times before, your healthy example is always inspiring, but it’s especially so when you stick to it so well in times of stress and pressure (i.e. a week of TESTS). I know you’ll do great and show us all how gorgeous, healthy eating can mesh with even the busiest schedule!
Romina says
The return of the oatmeal pancake! Yum!! =) Good luck with studying for your exams!
Gretchen says
Sarah B:
I’ve struggled with eating disorders in the past just as you. The best advice I can give you is to KEEP BUSY! The more you’re home alone or by yourself, the stronger the temptations. When our minds are allowed to dwell on our urges with nothing stopping them, it can sometimes seem impossible to overcome the problem.
Some suggestions: take a walk, go to the gym to get a workout in, take a book to a coffee shop or the library, visit friends. When you’re doing something that makes you feel good about yourself, you’ll have less time to dwell on food and its “control” over you. There can be light at the end of the tunnel, believe me I know! Best wishes!
Katie says
Alright, that’s it. i’m making pumpkin bread tonight. You keep torturing me with it’s deliciousness so I give up. lol.
Anon. says
kath, do you happen to know the calorie count per ounce on your pumpkin loaf??
Katers says
Three thoughts for you all on this Monday morning:
1) My pants are now so loose that I can pass off formerly normal pants into wide-legged trousers. Ha! That should save me a couple more weeks before I have to bite the bullet and buy some more pairs.
2) I’ve decided to switch up my exercise strategy and add 2 days of Pilates reformer to my usual 6 days of cardio per week. Very excited. NYCers: I’m going to hit up NYSC for this – $239 for 8 lessons (twice a week for a month). Anybody had any experience with them? My thought is if I’m paying that much, I want to make sure it’s good.
3) This one is just for NYCers (sorry ladies): semi-off topic, I’m moving in with my bf in September. We’re in the looking stage right now and looking for management companies that don’t charge a fee or non-fee brokers. Anybody have any recs?
Betsy says
Katers
ugh-I wish I had a good broker. I don’t know anyone who found an apartment in the city without paying a fee!!! Let me know if you find someone!!!
Love the new blue spoon!! I ate my oatmeal yesterday with a teeny tiny spoon and I thought of you and your spoons! haha.
Amanda M says
Sara B,
You sound a lot like me at this point. Nighttime is definitely the hardest for me as I am at class/working out/keeping busy all day, and the nighttime is my time to relax, but I find myself facing temptations like you. If you want to email because I know that people don’t really like this kind of talk on this blog, let me know!!
Amanda
arimcg says
Katers –
It is very hard to find an apartment in the city without paying a broker’s fee – you might just have to suck it up – sorry! Other than that, you might try using craigslist if you haven’t already and sorting by the no fee options. Some owners do post their own places…but be careful, a lot of fee-based brokers post under there too and then try to charge you later. That’s happened to a few friends of mine.
NC (need to change my name) says
Katers, congrats on the pants!!
Katers says
Hehe, thanks NC!
Arimcg – I know – it’s the worst. My bf’s lived here 8 years and I’ve lived here 2 (in 3 different apts!) and neither of us has ever paid a fee! We definitely don’t want to start now. Although, we’re looking for a more ‘grown up’ apt – we’re looking for the three D’s: doorman, dishwasher, dining space – so we may have to bite the bullet!
Betsy – will keep you posted!
Eva Gonzalez says
Yummo breakfast Kath!
Kath, Sara B., or anyone:
Where did you buy those cute little spoons? I so want one! Hehe..
JennS says
This is my heartfelt plea to any girls on this site with ED’s PLEASE don’t ask questions on this blog. You need to see a MD or RD. Thanks.
kwaze says
Just wondering….why don’t people really like ed talk on this blog? I actually think it would be really helpful to many with an ed. It shows that it IS possible to eat plenty of very healthy delicious food without being huge, while exercising in moderation. I personally find it very motivating.
Also…I think night time is difficult as well. Continue doing what you’re doing though. I’m sure you didn’t develop your bad habits overnight….therefore…it will take a while to turn it around. Hang in there! Another idea is to clean and/or organize. Or….surf the web! Come to this site or some of the other healthy eating sites… Good luck!
NC (need to change my name) says
I need some advice please… this morning, I was not paying attention, and I turned around while holding a ceramic? porcelain? plate with a glass bowl balanced on it. As I was saying, I wasn’t paying attention, and didn’t realize that my arm was no longer over the sink (because I turned around). I let go of the dishes to do something (I don’t remember what), thinking they’d just rest lightly on top of the PILE in the sink, but instead, there was a huge crash– which def woke me up– and I looked down to see pieces of dish and glass all over the floor. On a normal morning, I would have been barefoot in the kitchen, but on this particular morning, I was already wearing my rubber rain boots (altho I was still in the shorts I had slept in…) so no cuts or anything! But, what is the best way to clean this up?? I got most of the big pieces of glass and plate off of the floor, but it seems like there are a billion sparkly shards eeeverywhere and my roomie said that would majorly f-up the vacuum if I just tried to vacuum it up… and I can not f-up this vacuum because it’s like my 3rd one this year, and it was $150!! We just left it all there this morning because we had to get to class, so any advice on how to clean up broken plates/glass would be greatly appreciated– thanks. (This is a perfect example of why I am not allowed to use real dishes or glasses… or appliances in my parent’s house!!)
NC (need to change my name) says
Angelcubbie, the bread would go directly to glycogen before it would go to fat… But in any case, I think the consensus is that it does NOT matter the time of day you eat. So if you were hungry, it is not “bad” and if you are up later, or for example, pulling an all-nighter, it is ok to have another snack and I don’t think you should skip your normal scheduled AM snack just because of the bread! An additional 160kcal on ONE night is NOT going to make you fat.
NC (need to change my name) says
Eva, Crate & Barrel has them.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=752&f=23593&q=condiment+spoon&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1
(If you don’t live near a store location tho, shipping is such a ripoff!)
Elle says
NC–the rule my parents always taught me was to sweep AND vacuum. Sweep first to get the big pieces and most of the little pieces and then vacuum because that’s the only way to get the tiny shards. I’ve done this quite a few times and have never hurt my vacuum, but I’m not an expert on vacuums, so take that with a grain of salt. As long as you pick up most of the pieces by sweeping first, I think your vacuum will be okay with just the shards.
Melissa says
Kath – question about your pumpkin loaf. I want to make it tonight but they don’t sell Hempmilk anywhere near me (small town in central Wisconsin)… Do you think it would work out okay with Light Vanilla Soymilk???? Thanks!
Betsy says
Katers
love the 3 ds!!! I have one-dishwasher. Would love a doorman so I can recieve packages!!
Anne says
Hey Kath,
I’m going to make the pumpkin loaf soon also, and was going to make it with raisins. What amount of raisins should I include? I couldn’t find the original recipe you sited that included them. I was thinking probably 3/4 or a whole cup? Is that too much?
thanks 🙂
Leslie says
How many calories do you eat pre workout? Is that included in today’s 450 breakfast calories?
p.s. you need to find a pink spoon- it needs a sister!
Katers says
Betsy – swoooooon, dishwasher! My NYC apt DREAM is to have a dishwasher. Don’t even get me started on an in-apartment washer/dryer – that’s over the edge. My bf talks about it sometimes to ‘set the mood’ – hahah.
Leslie says
Oh and thanks Nicole for the wine primer!
Leslie says
How did you learn so much about wine? For some reason, I don’t really like it- the only alcohol I like are those fruity super high cal drinks!
Robin says
I can’t wait for may, either! That pancake looks great this morning! Good luck on your tests, I’m sure you’ll do great.
angelcubbie says
Melissa- I made the pumpkin Loaf with Blue Diamond Unsweetened Soy and it turned out great. Also I didn’t have maple syrup so I substitured light regular syrup. It’ll turn out fine without the vanilla hemp milk, but I would add an extra splash of vanilla extract to replace the sweetness if you use almond milk. Hope that helped!
Tina says
Good luck on your exams, Kath!
Kat's Veggie Life says
Leslie,
Kath has mentioned before that her pre-workout snacks are typically between 100-125kcal and the 450kcals for breakfast does not include the preworkout snack unless she specifies that it is 🙂
Kat
Ally says
That pancake looks good! I hate rainy days, they really make me want to curl up in bed!
It’s funny you’re an ‘ABC’ girl, that’s EXACTLY how I am! I grew up thinking Carolina was ‘bad’.
Sonia says
My parents were visiting in March for a couple of weeks (they fly 22 hours to get here) and I am absolutely off the tracks as far as healthy eating and gyms go. They will be leaving next week.
As much as I am sad that they will be gone soon, I am ready to get back on track and Kath you are such an inspiration. You really do motivate me to get up and get moving. 🙂
I have lost 30 lbs earlier and kept it off for 3 years now.
I can’t wait to hit the gym. Also this time my focus is toning rather than weight loss. Any ideas on how I should go about it?
Sonia says
Oh and I do not have hemp milk. Could I sub skim milk in the pumpkin bread?
Also anyone got a healthy banana bread recipe?
Courtney S says
Leslie, the best way to learn about wine is to drink it! My boyfriend and I are really into wine (it’s how we met, actually) and we have wine with dinner every night. It’s really important to taste different things and figure out what you like. I don’t like Chardonnays, for example, but that’s just me. (Sorry, Kath!) We drink a lot of French wine and my parents drink a lot of California wine, plus it’s always fun to try different things at tastings. Also, make friends with the people at your wine shop and ask lots of questions. And remember that wine is meant to be enjoyed with food and that really changes how you taste/experience it.
Wine is great for all budgets, too, because with a little searching, you can find some GREAT bottles that are completely reasonable.
Kath says
claire ,
I eat kiwi skin because I’m waaay to lazy to peel it. Not hard to eat at all!
Angelcubbie ,
What’s most important is calories in vs. calories out. I would put it toward yesterday and start fresh today since it sounds like you needed it yesterday!
Sara B,
You know your lifestyle better than we do to know what would work to keep you busy, but I would guess there are probably deeper reasons why you’re binge eating at night. I agree with JennS that you would probably benefit from speaking with a professional so you can discuss your lifestyle specifically. Best of luck : )
Elle ,
Hi Elle! Thanks for the good luck!
Anon,
The loaf is about 24 kcal per oz (based on converting grams to oz).
Melissa ,
Soy milk, rice milk, almond milk, skim – they all would probably work the same since they are the same thickness (whole milk might change the consistency some).
Anne,
VeggieGirl’s original called for 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup pecans, so I would use 1/2 cup raisins.
Leslie ,
I usually have between 100-125 kcal before a workout – because I usually have about an ounce of bread plus a bit of almond/peanut butter – just enough to take away my AM hunger and give me a boost of energy. (Never included in the breakfast counts, which are for the “From above” photo to give you an idea of what a breakfast with those stats looks like).
I learned about wine by drinking it! We love to go to wine tastings and go whenever we can. I always learn something new. They are the best way to learn too because you don’t have to drink a whole glass that you don’t like – you can just try a sip and write down the kinds/styles you like. A few wine festivals will give you YEARS worth of experience and knowledge.
Sonia,
Congrats on the weight loss and your determination to get back on track. For toning, just add some simple weight routines (if you didn’t before). Sites like SELF.com and Shape.com all have great starting workouts.
Skim milk will work fine in the loaf. I would add a bit more vanilla or sweetener though because the hemp was sweetened.
Kath
Kiala says
We have a washer dryer AND a dishwasher in our apartment. AND air conditioning.
And we live right in the middle of the city.
If I sound like I’m bragging it’s because I am.
Carrie H says
Sonia — I think I remember that Kath said it would work to sub skim milk for hemp or soy milk in the pumpkin bread. I was also planning to try it myself!
Anne — I’d put about 1/3 – 1/2 cup of raisins or so in the bread, but it’s totally up to you …
Betsy says
kiala
i hate you.
mags says
JennS… i have to disagree. as someone who has recovered from an ED i can tell you that there is value to comments and suggestions from “normal” people outside of the “professional” arena. doctors are great, but sometimes they seem so “by the book” and some seemingly real life advice can be helpful
Elina says
Katers,
I moved to Boston last year, but before that I lived in Manhattan. The last apartment my fiance and I lived in was exactly what you’re describing. We knew we wanted to live on the upper west side, so one Saturday we just went to every high rise building and asked if they had vacancies. If there was noone in the mgt office that day, we took business cards from the doormen. A few buildings had vacancies and none of them charged fees. I hope that helps!
Katers says
Hey Elina – Thanks so much – I think we are gonna end up going door to door. I hope it doesn’t take too long!
Kiala – Jealous. But, Oregon isn’t NYC! 🙂
CJ says
Kath
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now but I have never commented but I have to say I love it!
To the people from NYC, My husband and I are moving to the city in July. I’m very nervous b/c I am from a small town. When looking for a place people keep telling me to wait until May to start looking. Do you think this sounds right? Any helpful advice is greatly appreciated!!!!
Katers says
CJ – Definitely wait until end of May/early July to start looking. Apts in Manhattan turn over SUPER quickly, and most go overnight! Which means if you see a place you like, you’ve got to sign that day, or at least within 3 days or it’s gone. I know it’s nerve wracking and seems crazy to wait that long, but it’s the way things are done in NYC. I’ve known people who wait until the week their lease is up to find a new place, and always do! The only reason we’re starting to track the market so far in advance (end of September move) is because we’re looking for a luxury high rise (something with a doorman, etc), which have a slower turnover. Also, my bf is in finance, and because of how the market is right now, he wants to start looking at apts and tracking prices over the next couple months so we can make sure we’re getting the most for the money. However, if you’re looking for a walkup or in one of the bouroughs (Bkyln, Queens, etc), this totally isn’t necessary.
Hope this helps!
CJ says
Katers- Thanks for the info! My husband is also in finance, how random. We know we want to be in Manhattan but we are not sure what neighborhood. Any recommendations? Thanks again
Katers says
Hey CJ –
All the neighborhoods have their charms, and if money was no object, I’d say West Village, or Upper West side in the 70s. Swoon.
Did your husband get a new job in NYC and that’s why you’re moving? Totally shocking because jobs in finance are WOAH hard to get right now!
Feel free to email me if you have any other questions ([email protected]). NYC can be totally new and scary, and after living here for 2 years, I totally feel I have a handle on it – but it took me that long!
Bev says
I made the pumpkin bread. So good. Do you keep it in a zip lock bag in the fridge or what way do you store it ?
Kristin says
Melissa – I’m from Wisconsin, too! Do you have a Woodman’s near you? They usually have a good selection of “milks” like that.
Kath – I’ve read the blog for a few months but I’ve never posted. I just wanted to say thanks for letting us in on what you eat. 🙂