I cannot believe I made it TWO days without a coffee headache!!! It must be because I use half (or really, 2/3) decaf most of the time so the transition was a short step down. Plus I doubled up on tea!
Two days of tea were fun, but it was dark and cold when I woke up today, and I wanted a cup of aromatic coffee! My whole deal with coffee addition is that I want to be able to be flexible and have a mug when I want one and have tea (or nothing!) when I don’t or can’t. Hopefully it’s working now…
Raar!
Today was also all about oatmeal!!
Ever had Mexican Vanilla? Matt’s grandmother gave us a jar from her giant bottle. I have NO IDEA where she bought it, but it’s my favorite vanilla!!! More vanilla bean-y than your typical pure vanilla extract?
My bowl was a blast –
The Mix
- 1/4 cup quick oats
- 2 tbsp 10 Grain Hot Cereal
- 1/2 banana
- 1 tbsp chia
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk
- Pinch salt, splash Mex vanilla, sprinkle cinnamon
- Barney Butter (oh how I have missed nut butters that melt into a puddle! BB and Maranatha AB are the best at this)
- Cacao Bliss (I’m ALL OUT! Must buy more. I think I’ll wait a bit and continue to work on my nut butter sample collection, but I will be buying more!)
- Galaxy Granola
There’s something extra terrestrial about the face looking back at me…
Gah – I’m so full right now I feel sick! I think bringin’ coffee back and a big bowl of oats on the same day + a nervous tummy was a bad idea 🙁
I’m off to that place where I go for 40 hours a week!
Emily Eats and Exercises says
I’m one of those rare people who don’t like coffee. While occasionally I wish I liked it, I figured it’s not something I need to develop the taste for. I hope your sometimes on/sometimes off approach can work for you. Oats look fabulous as usual. I’m glad you won’t get into trouble at “that place” anymore. 🙂
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
I’m with Emily above..I hate coffee! I wish wish wish I liked it (for socially reasons, ie at the end of a meal!) but it’s so bitter 🙁 Even lattes don’t cut it! BUT I want your mug SO BAD! Where’s it from!?
Have a good day 🙂
Wendy says
I agree with Emily above about coffee! But I think it smells really good. 🙂
Did you know you can make your own vanilla extract?
http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2009/06/how-to-make-vanilla-extract/
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
That mexican vanilla sounds amazing!!
Diana says
I like coffee but I very very rarely drink it. I live with a bunch of coffee addicts ahah So I don’t wanna become addicted too. I do have it when I need the extra energy. 🙂
Have a good day!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I LOVE Mexican vanilla!!! My parents have a big jug of it at their house, and I always go crazy for it.
Have a good day at that place you go. 🙂
Samantha says
k,
I’m wondering if you were ever a junk food junkie? Was there a time in your life where you were eating crappy food? Do you ever long to eat anything horrible?
I’m thinking we’ll hear that today was a better day : )
Kath says
I used to eat a lot more junk food when I was little. Things from boxes and packages all the time. I started to care more about food quality in college but it wasn’t until later years that I’ve moved into mostly a real food diet. I don’t ever long to eat fast food or little debbies, but I do long to eat cakes, and pies, and cookies, and ice cream along with pizza and fries and burgers, but those I don’t consider JUNK food if they’re made well – they’re delicious real food!
Shannon says
I love the oatmeal recipes on your website. I have always been an oatmeal eater and never thought of adding toppings like suggested throughout your site. I am curious as to the recipe in this post. Is that for one serving or two? Thanks for all you do to inspire folks to eat healthy.
Kath says
One serving! It’s a hearty bowl, but I need a hearty breakfast to make it to lunch.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Hope you have a great day at work — positive thoughts! 😀 I’ve never tried Mexican vanilla but do like Bourbon Vanilla, which Trader Joe’s sells.
Becs in Britain says
helloooo! did you know you can make your own cacao bliss-style coconut butter? (If you google this there are a few recipes to choose from!) I haven’t tried this yet but will have a go this weekend, as we don’t have coconut butter in the UK! (you guys get all the good stuff!) Hope you manage to have a fun day! x
Amy @ The adventures of a ginger grad student says
I have a blog post about this, I used a recipe from another blogger. It turned out totally like the real deal, and it keeps really well also. If your interested I posted the link below.
http://chocolateginger.blogspot.com/2010/03/curry-cravings.html
Becs in Britain says
Thanks for the link Amy! It looks awesome with chocolate added in! Good job you mentioned how long it takes too – I’d probably give up after 10mins! x
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
We make our own vanilla too! It really is the best way to go and it is so easy! Much cheaper too! Have a great day! Keep your chin up!
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
Wow I would love to try that vanilla…yum!
Christina says
I used to love coffee but lately my body has been not wanting it. I think I did a coffee overload at one point. I haven’t drank it in a few weeks. Hopefully soon I’ll be craving it again! I just enjoy having it every morning.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I love Mexican vanilla! Its so good! I love using it when I make rice pudding 🙂
Have a great day!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
mmmmmm coffee…sounds amazing!!! just made me realize i don’t have any…oops! hope you have a great day at that place!
JENNA says
i hope you have a great day Kath! I’m sorry to hear about your internship…I was really enjoying learning about your new career!! Seems silly for them not to let you talk about it. It’s not like you were giving out patient details or any specific information about the hospital.
oh well one day soon you will be working for your self and you will beable to say and do what you want 🙂
i’m sure the rest of your time at the hospital will go smoothly.
Kacie@Nonexistent Colors says
Vanilla from Mexico is the absolute best!!!!
Jenny says
I had such a coffee headache yesterday! I’m trying to switch to tea:)
Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind says
Ha love that last line.
I really need to try adding vanilla extract to my oats. I always think about doing it…AFTER I’ve eaten it all.
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
Some of my favorite vanilla extract is homemade (and in a huge bottle)! it’s just vodka and vanilla beans that are allowed to steep for a looonnnnggg time, then used and replenished as needed. You should try it!
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I’m all about the vanilla bean; that sounds magnificent!
RhodeyGirl says
Kath, when PB and I went on our honeymoon to Bora Bora we had the most INSANE vanilla I have ever had. Tahitian vanilla is arguably the best in the world, and after the tastes I had there I will seriously agree. We had a cooking lesson the last day of our trip and our very, very kind chefs gave me some vacuum sealed vanilla beans to bring home. It is so amazing and intense!
Kathleen says
Gotta have my coffee. Morning just isn’t right until I have it!(oh btw the size of my cup scares people lol)
Marisa (Loser for Life) says
LOL @ your last sentence! Have a great day at “that place” !
Karen says
Hope you have a great day!
I miss drinking coffee – I still have decaf once in a while, but I’ve been trying to avoid the caffeine. I like your idea of doing 2/3 decaf and a little caf. Maybe I’ll try that next time!
Jazz says
For the coffee LOVERS it is free coffee day at Starbucks for earth day, just bring your own mug!
carrie says
Kath
I love love LOVE coffee and I drink it every morning. I have heard that french press coffee is 5 times better than drip brew. Is the taste just more rich? I am thinking of converting. Is it worth it?
Thanks!
Kath says
I think it’s way better!! Richer and thicker
Meg @ Be Fit Be Full says
OK- weird. Again there were 26 comments when I clicked on “comments”. I have never tried or heard of Mexican Vanilla!
Abby says
I’ve ever had Mexican Vanilla. I didn’t realize it existed or even if it did that it would taste differently! Now I want some! 🙂
Hannah says
That face in your coffee is a bit scary… I think he’s upset that you’re out of cacao bliss too.
Jil says
Aww, nervous tummies are never fun. I hope you have a great day..minus the creepy alien face in the coffee. 🙂 hehe I love my coffee..can’t see myself giving it up and I honestly think that half of the reason is that I love how it makes my apartment smell in the morning…it’s just so comforting! 🙂
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
Don’t feel bad or nervous about what happened with your internship / the blog yesterday. We all make mistakes… and yours was totally innocent. You only talked about because you found it so interesting and fun and wanted to share your enthusiasm!
Worry not. After today, you’ll feel all back to normal, I promise!
Lauren says
I just had coffee and oatmeal for the first time this week, and it’s amazing how comforting it is when you’ve gone without it for a few days. Have a good day at “that place!”
Danielle (Coffee Run) says
Wow, that’s a lot of vanilla extract lol. Should last you for a while 😀
Have a good work day!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Mmm that oatmeal looks delicious!!!! BB is the BEST for melting!
Ginna says
I actually just like the taste of coffee but don’t need it! I only drink it a few times a week.
I was curious since ur last post about blogging since now one part of your life is secret, which in my opinion is nice! Do u ever get “tired” of blogging? Do you ever want to just go through a day without having to take pics and share it? It seems so time consuming and that u can miss out on relaxing! But then again I am reading urs! Lol.
Kath says
I always want to share my days, but sometimes I wish blogging took 2 minutes instead of 20.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
hope you find your coffee balance! i gave it up almost a year and half ago and don’t seem to miss it…
Katherine says
Mexican Vanilla sounds awesome – I love vanilla bean taste, so I’ll have to try it!
I just read your post about your internship – I’m so sorry. I can understand the privacy needs to be protected, but I’ll really miss hearing about it, I was thinking how much I’d love to have tried that route.
Carolyn @ lovinlosing says
I’ve never been a coffee fan, but we all have those comfort foods/drinks!
Lisa says
I bought some Mexican Vanilla while in Cozumel this past fall and I absolutely love it! The bad thing is that I am running low and do not know where I can get it locally! Anyone know??
Ashley says
During homemade week I reallllly wanted to make my own vanilla. I am definitely going to because it will end up being cheaper once I have the jars and beans and everything. I go through SO much vanilla…as do you I’m sure 🙂 Why the nervous stomach? Was it b/c of what happened at work yesterday? That is really frustrating…and I would have felt terrible/weird/awkward about it and would definitely be feeling nervous the next day…That is the worst kind of feeling…doing something you didn’t really know was wrong and being confronted on it. Yuck 🙁 Hang in there!! Just remember you meant no harm and now you know. Hope the rest of your week is fabulous!
Erin (thehealthyapron.com) says
I’ve never been a coffee lover. Perhaps that’s a good thing??
sentimentsbydenise says
Did you know you can make your own vanilla? A bottle of vodka and several raw vanilla beans – “brew” it in a dark closet for 6-9 months and TA-DAH! homemade vanilla!
I started my first batch last July and then began using it in my cooking a couple months ago. Fabulous flavor! Give it a try!
Chris says
I have found Mexican vanilla at Wal-Mart in the Hispanic section several years ago, haven’t been able to find it since then though. Would be worth checking out
Lauren says
I will only use Mexican Vanilla! Last year my parents came back from Mexico with a HUGE bottle (its dirt cheap there) and this year, my hubby’s parents did the same this year. The entire bottle lasts me all year. Now I just need to find someone who is planning to go next year!
Brooke says
Hi Kath! Long time reader, first time commenter.
Does the jelly on your sandwiches make the bread soggy when you pack the night before? This always happens to me – it’s such a bummer! You’re definitely using a much heartier bread than I do, which probably helps.
Is there anything special you do when making your sandwich the night before to prevent jelly sogginess?
Kath says
It doesn’t ever get soggy with jam, but it does with pickles sometimes. I don’t use much jam and my bread is pretty hearty, so that’s probably why.
mkg says
I’ve had a nervous stomach all day too….my oats made it worse…I couldn’t even drink my coffee.
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
Mexican vanilla is much more potent and makes great hot chocolate addition 🙂
Kaci & Kori says
This makes me want breakfast right now, & it’s 2:30 in the afternoon! 😀
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
That vanilla sounds amazing, I’ve never had it before. I’ll have to buy some if I ever come across it! 🙂
Jenn
*jocies*mommy* says
I started to cut my caffeine by using Folger’s Half Caff. Now I am all but off caffeine and I have never felt better! Instead, I start my morning with a fruit smoothie full of berries. Occasionally, I do have a cup of coffee only to indulge in the really good creamer flavors that I miss:)
Rachel says
If the vanilla was purchased in Mexico, be careful. I used to buy all my vanilla from Mexico believing it to be superior as well, until several years back i found out that Mexican vanilla often contains harmful ingredients. Some of the “vanilla” from there is not even made from a vanilla bean but from another kind of bean that tastes very much like vanilla but can be toxic for your liver. Because it is not regulated like it is here, there is no guarantee as to what you are getting and often synthetic cheaper ingredients are used.
Here is more info on this: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2328/is-mexican-vanilla-toxic-plus
Kath says
Hmmm. I have no idea where she got hers…I’ll take my chances until it’s gone and will research the next purchase.
Katrina says
“off to that place I go”…LOVE IT!! 😉
I hope you had a great day at…..that place. I won’t ask, so I’ll just assume it was fantastic since tomorrow is FRIDAY!!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I love your brief and inconspicuous comment about work 🙂 I hope you have a better day today. Isn’t that Galaxy granola the best.
Katie says
Mexican vanilla is amazing!