Spinning class – check.
Healthy breakfast – check.
Off to a good start!
I woke up dreaming this morning – it was one of those “what is that beeping oh it’s my alarm and it’s time to get up” moments.
Had the other half of last night’s pita with PB and J for breakfast – it was fun for a change!
Workout
Hour-long spinning class. We had a substitute instructor today. Calorie burn = 400. I missed my regular instructor 🙁
Oat Bran
We had oat bran today (see this post’s comments for more info!) with a tiny banana, cinnamon, a touch of brown sugar, flax PB and trail mix.
I ordered these really cute bowls and platter from CB2 and just love them!! We had button mums at our wedding in my bouquets, on the cake and in the centerpieces, so when I saw them I knew I had to get them for romantic purposes 🙂 Plus I just LOVE green!
Hot tea with skim milk – I broke down and had splenda. Egg nog is just not the same plain!
Breakfast calories = 467 (+ 142 for pita) = 600. Kind of high, but I need to last until 1pm today!
Today
On the agenda:
- 2 classes
- Lunch Uptown with a friend at Crisp (see here for the last time I had the best salad there!)
- Get student ID from the community college so I can take my Stats tests
- 3:00 deep tissue massage (!!) – I have a gift certificate!
- Study, catch up on all the great questions from last night
- Tilapia, roasted potatoes + mustard greens!
Off to Winthrop!
VeggieGirl says
sounds like you’re off to a great start this morning, and have another busy day ahead of you – horray for Friday!! get ready for a much-deserved weekend, Kath! :0)
Sarah says
Love the plate and bowl, Kath! 🙂 Don’t you love eating out of new dishes? For some reason, it just makes breakfast all the more enjoyable. 🙂
Sounds like you have a busy (but fun!!) day planned…hope you have a great Friday! 🙂
Kat says
Does Charlotte have a crate and barrel? I wish I did!
How did you learn so much about hfcs, bmr, how many calories you should eat, what foods to eat, etc. Books, internet, another source? Did it take a long time?
Enjoy the massage!!!
Jill says
Do you eat cream of wheat, if not, why? Is that not whole grain?
Susan says
For your latest and plumpest version of steel cuts you said you increased the water proportion. What proportions did you use? Did you simmer them 70 minutes total between the milk and water?
Taryn says
Where did you get your white square plates and bowls? I’ve seen them on previous posts and just love them!
Mariposa says
I made my “Kath inspired breakfast” this morning… Bob’s Red Mill GF Hot Cereal… i put almonds, raisins, and a teaspoon brown sugar, teaspoon organic maple syrup, on the side i had (finally) fresh strawberries!!!
it was amazing! thanks for the ideas on breakfasts!
in waking up early news, i have successfully gone to bed between 10 and 10:30 every night this week, and gotten up at 6:30 for a half an hour of yoga. My back feels great, and I don’t feel tired yet.. of course, it is only 9:30 am.. 🙂
the husband says
Kath learned most of her stuff from reading books and slightly from the internet… you gotta take the internet’s information with caution.
Our square plates were presents from my mom over the years. I’m not sure where they’re from but they’re discontinued now. Crate and Barrel has very similar ones. Our bowls, both deep and shallow, are from Pottery Barn (i think). And we have a lot of miscellaneous platters we sometimes eat off of. In fact, pretty much all our ceramics are from either C&B or Pottery Barn (and yes, we have both stores in Charlotte)
Brianne says
Cream of wheat is not a whole grain… too bad cause its pretty yummy! If you can also bulk up the fiber by adding fruit, flax, wheat germ or bran, or doing half with oat bran or other whole grain cereal (oat bran has the most similar constancy).
Cara says
You always make me want PB and Jelly 🙂
Ruthie says
Kath, husband, blog readers:
Does anyone know if dietz and watson deli turkey is safe to eat daily? I couldn’t tell if they were nitrate, msg free, b/c in their explanation they kinda give a run-around which makes me question it. Thanks all!
katherine says
A new find for those who love oatmeal, but can’t have it because of gluten sensitivities OR would like to try something different from oats – BROWN RICE FLAKES – you can get them at any health food stores (I live in Canada – but I am sure we probably get them from the US) You bring water and milk or soy to a boil and add about 1/4 cup (100 calories – or if you want a bigger serving 1/3 cup is 125 calories – 1/4 is pretty filling though) it takes about 10 minutes covered to cook – then add a small banana or some apple sauce – or heat some blueberries in a pot on the side and you have a delicious tasting amazing breakfast that you can pretty much experiment with using any ingredients that KATH does with her oatmeal!
Aguccion says
Hi Everyone,
I’m relatively new to this blog – it is GREAT. It is really helping me to stay motivated with my fitness for my wedding in May.
Question for Kath, or anyone, what heart rate monitors do you suggest? Does the chest strap bother you?
Thanks!
Natalie says
Kath and everyone:
I def. am the type of person who if I don’t exercise first thing it just doesn’t get done. My problem is that I wake up hungry. A piece of toast would almost make me more hungry. But i find that aerobics makes me more hungry, yet I don’t want to eat two breakfasts (breaking it up too much would leave me unsatisfied twice). Its almost as if not exercising I eat less. For example, if I walk for 30 minutes I will end up eating more calories than I burn. Any suggestions. How do you morning exercisers schedule your workouts. Thanks!
Natalie says
Kath, one more question, did you hire a trainer to learn how to do the machines?
Justy2003 says
Natalie,
I’m also a morning exerciser and have been for a few years now. I know a lot of people swear by only eating a little before they work out, but not me! I’m also hungry as soon as I wake up, so I have my oatmeal before I work out, then I do an hour workout (cardio, weights, yoga…it varies), then afterwards I have a banana with peanut butter which usually holds me through til lunch. The pre-workout oatmeal has never bothered my stomach or made me too full to work out…it works just right for me! Everyone’s body is different, so it may not work for you, but you should definitely get some fuel before your workout! Make sure you’re getting a good balance of carbs, fats, and proteins in with your breakfast also…it will keep your hunger at bay longer. Hopefully this will help!
arimcg says
Natalie – Keep in mind that exercise has other benefits aside from counteracting some of the calories you eat. So even if you eat back the calories you burn, you’re still toning up and getting a cardio workout.
Sarah says
Natalie, I haven’t quite gotten to the 5-6am workouts yet, but for my 9am spin class, I usually break my breakfast up in mostly carbs before and protein after. I usually have an “alternative bagel” which is about 110 calories with either some pb or cream cheese so that equals about 150-200 calories which I find is enough to hold me with out weighing me down. Then afterwards I have the protein that I would have had with my regular breakfast, usually plain yogurt with a banana mashed in topped with 1tsp honey, some chopped almonds and flax. This equals about 200 kcal. Sometimes I’ll add about 50 calories of bran cereal for some extra fiber. I have found that this holds me for a few hours (including about 30 minutes of walking to and from class. Hope this helps!
https://westernbagel.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=ALTB&keywords=all&template=products/TheAlternativeBagel.html
Courtney says
Hey Kath!
I’m new to your blog and I absolutely love it! I was looking at your video posts and saw your one for sweet potato fries. I’ve never tried the foil, but I’m going to b/c I’ve always wondered how to get them crispy. I just wanted to give you an idea. I love to add fresh rosemary to my fries when I bake them sometimes. It don’t know if you’ve ever tried it but its sooo good!
Good luck with your studying to be an RD! I’m almost at the end of my undergrad for Dietetics at LSU, so I know all of the work that goes into the studying, making it all the more impressive that you put as much time and effort into this blog as you do. So thanks-its really great!
mandy says
Hey Kath –
How long will you be in school before becoming an RD? 🙂
Anonymous says
For someone on a tight budget you sure do buy a lot of stuff! First shoes, then a new bag, then dishes. Plus you eat expensive foods and go to expensive restaurants. I am your age. My husband and I both work full time and we just bought our first house (a starter home, not a large house like yours). You are in school and your husband isn’t working….I just really find it hard to use your blog as an example when you live extravagantly for someone your age. You must get income from somewhere?!?!
Anonymous says
uh…random! why care?
Anonymous says
I’m sure a lot of people care….or at least wonder.
goalie30 says
Aggucion: I have a heart rate monitor that has a strap that goes around the chest and I just throw my sports bra on over it, and it has never bothered me; not even friction marks after a long 1hr+ run on a hot summer day! I’d recommend it if you are interested in monitoring heart rate. Polar makes several different brands/styles, and this is the brand I have used successfully in the past.
Kath,
I’m still new to the blog, but have visited a lot of the archives as well…one bit of positive criticism…wouldn’t it be better to get a variety of nutrients/vitamins in your diet by mixing up the moring breakfast sometimes? I know you love oatmeal, but by eating the samething every day I had been taught by several dieticians it was better to vary all meals to help round everything out. The rest of your meals are always varied though, so I am sure you get plenty of good nutrition, do you like other things for breakfast though? Like regular cereals, or mini bagels, eggs, etc?
Your inspiration for the morning workouts has really rubbed off on me, and I got up early 4 out of 5 days this week and made it to the gym for an hour! Thanks so much 😉 and I wasn’t starving this morning after my hard cardio workout since I had a pria bar before the gym, and a large bown of soy vanilla milk with about a serving of special k protein flakes, a cup of low sugar cinnamon toast crunch, and half a serving of the new post grape nuts granola…it helped me stay full almost until lunch!
Jenn says
Hi Kath!
I have a question about the Polar heart rate monitor. I’ve been using it since December and while it’s pretty reliable most of the time, there are occasions where it just won’t give me a reading! I look silly on the elliptical trying to “adjust” myself, but nothing I do seems to change it from “00”. Then I get OFF the machine to do free weights, and it’s working again! Has this ever happened to you? Thanks!
Donna. says
i’m quite interested in oat bran now. i was wondering how much you make (dry)? and also how much it yields? if the volume of the cooked oat bran is more or less than oatmeal?
Thanks a lot!
Molly says
Just out of curiosity. Do you rinse the bowl after you use it & put it in the dishwasher, or do you do your dishes at one certain time each day?
Another Anon says
Portion of income = mom & dad. That would be my guess.
Fig says
Hi Kath-
Ok I have a few guestions for ya..well observations. First, I want to thank you. I eat a lot like you and have the same stats.
I want to applude you because I you made me feel better about myself. I am a meal/snacker. Meaning I love to snack and love a big dinner at night. I also eat lot of carbs, and love meat including red meat.
Some of my healthy eating friends try to loose weight by “watching carbs” and no meat.
Sometimes it makes me feel like I do not know what works, yet it works for me.
So thank you for opening my eyes to the fact that there is no “cookie cutter” diet that works for everyone.
Cheers!
Fig says
btw this is a free blog…so until it is not then income and money should not be a topic for discussion. Not only is it an invasion of privacy but plain rude. If you have not noticed these comments are handled with complete couth and have and will only continued to be ignored out of pure dignity and class
Nuff said already. Drop it! This is said in my most stern teacher voice. Enough is enough!
Aguccion says
Anon. and Another Anon.:
Pay more attention to your own life and less to Kath’s please. It is less than NONE of your business how she and her husband support themselves and/or spend their money. Many people enjoy this very informative blog about FOOD and NUTRITION, not PERSONAL FINANCE.
Mean People Suck.
AliKat says
I think it’s okay to ask questions out of curiosity. This blog is public and therefore, I don’t think it is in “invasion of privacy” or “rude” to ask a simple question. This blog seems to be published as an example of how to live a healthy life. In fact, she advertises that she lost weight the best way possible.
As Another Anon said, portion of income = mom & dad. It appears they do not earn their own income. Sorry, but it’s hard to relate to Kath….I don’t live in a world where I get to shop whenever I want and never work, then come home to a husband that has spent 18 hours baking bread! If he needed the money, he could be working at McDonald’s!
And please spare me the comments saying “don’t read the blog.” It is just an observation and a little constructive criticism.
bev says
Fig ….AMEN !!!! 🙂
Aguccion says
I don’t, in general, even comment on blogs…but seriously, people.
For all you know, one of their parents may have died and left them a big beautiful house and lots of money, but I’d guess they’d rather have their parent back.
Maybe a grandparent set up a trust fund. Maybe one of them did extremely well in their first few years of working and saved a lot of money. Maybe one got a full ride to college and their parents gave them the tuition money to start a nice life. Maybe their parents ARE just, simply, helping them; but the thing is, this blog is supposed to be informative and useful for people trying to learn how to live healthy lives. Why use it as a forum to dissect and judge the very people that are trying to be helpful?
Just think before you speak, and treat other people as you would like to be treated, please.
Another Anon says
Fig, give me a break – “This is said in my most stern teacher voice….”
goalie30 says
Jenn,
I have a polar heart rate monitor too…I find that if I get the chest strap wet with some water before I put it on to help make it more sticky so it can adhere to the skin somewhat, that does seem to help cut down on the “malfunctions”!
Obvious says
The point of the comments was that the blog is not easy to relate to. When you get on here to get some practical advice, Kath is rubbing in the fact that she has gone shopping….again! Or that her husband has been at home all day….again! Sorry, but we can’t all afford $20-$30 lunches and wine every night at dinner!
Alison says
Oh no! I loved this blog because it lacked the nasty comments of another blog I was reading. Who cares how Kath supports herself? It’s not like the new shoes she bought were designer, she got them at Target, and last weekend they went to Costco to shop!
goalie30 says
I don’t read this blog or Kirsten’s blog EatLikeMe to see how other people live their life or how they spend their money…I just like a glimpse into other people’s diets to see how I can tweak and change my own. The blogs aren’t meant to copy food for food or diet for diet, because every person is different and has different caloric needs and different taste buds and yes even different budgets! So, I’d ignore the negative comments, because the people leaving them are looking for a REACTION, they WANT attention! and enjoy the blog for what it is, a tool to possibly learn a few things from and a possibility to help give you some new food/recipe tip and ideas…
Kath says
Kat,
We do have a C&B – it just opened last year. Love it! And I read, read, read. And research and try to learn as much as I can. Probably why I wanted to go all the way and go back to school to learn all the hard facts and science as well.
Jill,
I’ve never had it for no particular reason. Probably because as the other poster said it’s not a whole grain. I’d like to try it some day though, but I probably won’t buy it so it will be on vacation or visiting someone.
Susan,
I believe it was 3 cups water to 1 cup oats, plus 1 cup milk added when water was absorbed. Cooking time was about an hour I think on medium to low heat.
Katherine,
Brown rice flakes-hmm! I’ll look for them!
Aguccion ,
Glad you like the blog!! Happy wedding too! See FAQs for HRM info. The chest strap is no more bothersome than a sports bra!
Natalie,
Eating more calories than you burn is fine – I do almost every day. Remember you need fuel for your body + fuel for your workout, so think about your whole day’s balance and not just one meal/hour of the day. And I learned the machines by experimenting and reading the instructions and by watching. I have asked trainers for info in the past though so if you’re confused or need help don’t hesitate to ask!
Courtney,
Thanks so much for the great feedback!! Congrats on almost being done with your program – I have a long ways yet!
Mandy,
2 years of schoolwork (including 1 full summer) plus 6 months internship before I can take the R.D. exam, plus another year after that for my masters but only 1 course per semester and thesis. It’s a long road!
Goalie,
I tend to eat a more varied breakfast in the summer, but in the winter I just get hooked on oatmeal. I will work on changing up my mixins (I was doing pear/apple/almonds all fall, then banana/walnuts/PB this winter and the trail mix is new this week. Plus I have frozen berries on my list!). I think if you find a healthy foundation of a breakfast (like oatmeal or yogurt or cereal) it’s fine to eat the same thing if the rest of your day is well balanced. And try to change up the mixins when you can with the seasons. SO glad you’re joining us early birds with your workouts!!
Jenn,
You need to wet it with a little water or saliva (gross, I know, but in a pinch it’s all there is!) The instructions say it needs to be “moist” for an accurate reading and especially in this cold weather we’re not all sweating before we get to the gym!
Donna,
1/3 cup dry, about the same volume!
Molly,
We put them right in the dishwasher and run that only every few days. Although sometimes we do the “fun” bowls by hand to get to use them again the next day.
Fig,
Thanks for the great feedback!
As for my financial situation,
This is a personal topic that I am not going to address….
Off to make dinner!
Kath
Caitlin says
I just want to comment that this IS a public blog. Anyone can read it, and anyone can comment. Furthermore, Kath shares A LOT of her daily life with us, strictly by choice. So I don’t think it’s entirely innappropriate to bring up issues such as the financial one in this post. Of course, everyone has different levels of tact, etc. but that’s just a hazard we’ll have to deal with because of the numbers of (different!) people who now read this blog. In regards to the financial issue itself, I’ll leave my own opinion out but I will say that it absolutely pertains to this blog, because money is just one stumbling block that some people face when trying to eat healthfully or change their lives/bodies for the better. That’s often hard for people who HAVE money to wrap their minds around, but for those who DON’T, it’s a reality!
Obvious says
Caitlin, you said that well (much better than I did). Yes, it is different for those of us who don’t have money lol!
Sarah says
Oh, no. I love this blog so much because of Kath herself, but also for the positive outlook/questions/comments of all of the readers. I agree with Fig, let’s keep this friendly and pleasant! I think everyone would agree that Kath’s dedication is very helpful, otherwise you wouldn’t read or take the time to comment. Maybe the question would have been more appropriate if it was worded differently (for ex: How would one manage to eat more healthfully on a tight budget?) But the way that question was worded, whether intentional or not, was flat out rude. It was an attack on Kath and her husband, and personally I think it was very offensive, so I can’t even imagine how it must have made Kath feel.
Obvious says
Sarah,
I think Kath will be okay. This is a public blog. She will have to deal with public criticism (unless she censors the posts).
Obvious says
In addition, I don’t think the question “how would one manage to eat more healthfully on a tight budget” would be answered well here. Kath has already stated that she is on a tight budget, and I still think she spends a lot (by the average person’s standards). I guess the average person will have to get that answered from a different blog.
heather says
i don’t think Kath is showing off everything she buys. The things she showed us pertained to food, and she talks about walking on campus. I hardly think she is bragging.
I have been wanting to buy a heart rate monitor for quite some time. I am inspired by Kath and all of this discussion to actually do it now! I am going to join the early bird exercisers as well. Although it is going to be a challenge, I am excited. Thanks for such a positive blog 🙂
grace says
While I find it highly inappropriate to discuss money (I guess it’s the southern girl in me), I thought I would share some budget tips for eating healthy that I follow (I’m always on a budget!). In the produce, buy the veggies/fruit that are on sale. It also helps get variety in your diet. Stock up on frozen chicken breasts or whatever lean meat you like. Also, beans are cheap as are grains, like brown rice, oats, etc. are cheap. Look for them in a bulk section to make it even cheaper. Cut down on soda and processed food and you’ll be suprised how much money it actually saves you. I like to get one indulgent treat that will last me all week, like a dark chocolate bar. I have a square after dinner with tea.
I also love good wine, but it’s not so cheap. So I always encourage people to gift me bottles of wine for birthday/holidays/etc. I always love when people give me ideas as to what to get them.
I have followed these tricks for years, even in the college dorm! You’d be amazed what you can do with a microwave and some basic and natural food. I think I’ve noticed Kath do some of these same things; it’s just not the focus of the blog. Sorry for the long post…I like to talk!
Monica says
Some people choose to spend more money on healthy food and activities that will improve their health. I for one, will spend more to get fresh ingredients and in season produce. I also workout with a trainer. However, I am CHEAP in other ways. I do not have any cable or internet at home and drive an old car. I purchase all my clothes on sale or second hand. My financial decisions are aligned with my priorities–my health. Just because someone might splurge on an inexpensive bottle of wine or organic foods doesn’t mean that they are livin’ large in other areas. We really have no idea how much they spend on food and it is really none of our business. Besides, if one is diligent they can most likely find deals on most of the foods that Kath eats. Oatmeal is less than 3 dollars a container even if you get the most expensive version. Kath portions her food carefully making every serving stretch.
Katie says
Why do some people expect that these food blogs should fulfill their every desire and need?? If you don’t like how much money they spend or are jealous of their lifestyle, then simply do not read this blog.
Maybe spend the time you currently spend writing negative comments on something more constructive– like coupon clipping or brainstorming ways to save money or cooking in bulk and freezing food/meals.
AliceAnne25 says
Okay people, I don’t think Kath saves on food enough to afford her huge house on no income, so let’s stop sugar coating it. I know how to save money. I already follow the advice that Grace and Monica outline. I too drive an old car and keep my thermostat low in the winter and high in the summer. I too splurge when it comes to my health, but I do not spend on the daily things that Kath does. For example, expensive lunches like today’s, smoked salmon on sandwiches (have you seen the price on that stuff?), Bare Naked granola. This is not the point. The point is that Kath lives a lifestyle that most of us do not. Does anyone know of a blog that is written by someone more down to earth?
Alicia says
I love Kath’s blog and think that she is being extremely helpful and patient by attempting to answer most questions.
Let’s keep this blog friendly and Kath had already mentioned more than once that she is not going to talk about her finances so we should all respect her decision.
I think it’s great that Kath shares her daily life and that includes her shopping and great finds. I do enjoy reading all that and not just about her ingested food for the day.
That is the charm of her blog. She makes it interesting by mentioning her daily routine and not just snapping pictures of her food like a robot.
Kath, you are doing a great job and don’t let those comments affect you. Please continue blogging about everything. 🙂
Kristin Point says
To AliceAnn- I am a “poor” college student and I shop at trader joes, I just recently found VERY affordable smoked salmon there. $3.99 for 4 servings of 2oz each I believe. Yes smoked salmon can be very expensive but you can find it cheaper if you look.