What a day!!! It was exciting, exhausting, busy, freezing cold, hungry, crazy and fun!!
Physio lab went well. It’s all computerized, which is a little bit of a disappointment, but it means I won’t have to wash a single beaker or clean up a spilled chemical all year! I’ve got a major test almost every week between now and May, but I just have to remember that tests are more fun than what I’ve been doing the past 2 years with my life (working in a field I didn’t love). Despite being my hardest class by far, physio is going to be really, really cool. Today’s lab was about the enzymes that break down carbs, fat and protein and the different factors that affect them (pH, temperature, etc.) I’ve loved the human body since I was very young, so this is sort of my dream course!
After Physio I decided I should stay on campus and FINALLY do that stats homework I’ve been putting off (I can see how people do fail online courses!). It took me much longer than planned (I had to teach myself probability, then apply it to problems for practice and then take the 30-question quiz!) so I didn’t leave campus until 6 p.m. When lab ended I was pretty starving and had a KIND bar that I picked up this weekend. Jenna was right, these bars are GREAT!! I have a new favorite! Although I don’t think any bar really holds me more than an hour or so because I was starving again at 6pm. This one was banana bran – sorry the photo isn’t that great.
Dinner
I came home to a hot sweet potato in the oven (but if you’re time pressed and live alone you could just nuke one!) and we had baked potatoes topped with black beans, hot sauce, Fage and cinnamon. Sounds strange, but it was delicious – and quite filling! Plus, all SuperFoods!
On the side I had some Italian blend lettuce with pomegranate seeds, balsamic and HONEY! Honey is my new favorite salad dressing. I just barely drizzle it on and it goes perfectly with the balsamic and adds just the right amount of sweet flavor (Honey + Pom = two more SuperFoods!)
Since I’ve been freezing all day, I had hot tea with dinner. All together for about 420 kcal:
Dessert
For the record, I had 5 graham sticks (nibbling!) and a tbsp of granola right out of the box. My hands got into them when I was making my lunch for tomorrow and wanted something crunchy! Unfortunately they dissapeared before my camera got over there so I thought the boxes would be good visuals 🙂
Off to read in bed with my guy!
Natalie says
I've been eyeing this cereal at Trader's. Can you really taste the ginger? Also, do you ever eat cereal as it is, or simply as a granola topping?
Cocoa says
Hey – I just discovered a new brand of graham crackers —- Annie's bunny grahams! I had cinnamon grahams, and they were so good! I found that their first ingredient was organic wheat flour….impressive!
Before I bought this brand, I always purchase the same brand you have – "Back to Nature." It's still good, but… I thought I'd let you know about Annie's bunny grahams!
By the way, your dinner looks delicious…. I am already thinking of having that dinner tomorrow night! 🙂
Glad you had a good 1st day of school! I'm sure you'll have a great semester!
Kath says
Natalie,
You can really taste the ginger. Actually I don't like it that much, but the husband LOVES it. It's just not one of my favorite flavors, but if you like ginger, you'll love it.
Cocoa,
Thanks for the tip! I've seen the bunnies but haven't bought them. I'll try to remember to get them next time I'm at EarthFare!
K
mel says
Hey Kath! what seasonings, toppings, etc do you put on your spaghetti squash? I made one tonight for the first time and just put a little salt and pepper on some. although it was good, it was a little bland! any ideas would be appreciated!! thanks
Melissa
Kath says
Melissa,
It's best with tomato sauce – just like spaghetti. I also like cinnamon. It is on the bland size, but that means you could do anything sweet or savory that you like!
K
hk says
Mel-
Salsa and some black beans are also two great toppings for spaghetti squash!Yum 🙂
Soi says
hi,
i luv ur blog! i read back until about october 🙂
question – do u buy pom seeds separately or scoop out a big container of them from the whole fruits?
Kate says
Hey Kath – LOVE your blog. I've been lurking around the food blogs for about a month or so – going back between you and EatLikeMe. I wondered what your take was on the recent controversy at EatLikeMe (Cristen had a hamburger and fries and everyone and their dog freaked out about it). Personally, I like both your blogs; they both inspire me, but in different ways. It's like chicken or fish – both are good, just depends on what your mood is. It makes me really upset that people are bashing her, because she seems so sweet. It's a really personal thing to post your food (and basically your life) every day, and then to be judged and criticized for it? Uncool. I was thinking about starting mine own blog – for the accountability of it. But this whole drama leaves a really bad taste in my mouth about it. Whew – sorry such a long post! Basically I just wanted your take on people's comparisons of you vs. her, and keeping a food blog in general. Again, LOVE your blog. 🙂
Sarah says
LOVE sweet potatoes with black beans. I had that mixed with salsa a few days ago on my blog as well. 🙂 Its one of my faves…
Glad to hear classes are going good! Physio sounds really interesting…you'll do great! 🙂
Karen L. says
Kate – Why are you dragging that conversation into this drama-free zone?
Kath – I'm guessing/hoping you won't answer this post–there is no winning here. Thanks!
ashley says
Glad to hear that your first day in school went well. (= Nutrition classes are probably so interesting!
I loveee the looks of your sandwiches, and was wondering if you had any advice for vegetarian sandwich fillers (aside from veggieburgers &banana +pb/honey).
corey says
Hi Kath – Did you use canned black beans or dry on your sweet potato? Your dinner looks so good I am going to try it. I really enjoy your blog and your dedication. Because of your posts (i.e. pictures!) I have tried the Ezekiel bread (since Natural Ovens stopped supplying in my area), become addicted to smoked salmon (expensive habit, but worth it) and have eaten 3 acorn squash since your first post. Thanks for all your great ideas.
Maggie says
Hi –
Kath, do you have the Calorie King software or website membership or both? I used the free trial of the software and loved it, but wasn’t sure if I should pay for that or if the website membership was better for any reason.
I know Kath talked about this sometime in the past, but I’m having a hard time finding the answer. If anyone else can offer insight that would be great too. Thanks!
Karen Downing says
Your potato looks great. Thanks for noting all of the super foods, it really helps!
KM says
Karen — Why shouldn’t Kath answer that question? She’s not dragging the insults into this that plague Cristin’s site….
Kate says
Karen – I don’t mean to drag anything over here or bring any ‘drama’, I just want to know Kath’s opinion. I respect her and the blog (just like I respect Cristin and her blog), and I would never want to bring on any negativity in any capacity to either blog.
KK says
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. Please keep it up! I just found it and I’m hooked. It’s great to see different ideas for eating healthy. I am really trying to listen to my body and what it wants whether it be healthy food (90% of the time it is) or a big piece of cheesecake or ice cream cone. In my case I lost too much weight by restricting myself and know I’m trying to learn to trust my body because I used to fear I wouldn’t be able to stop eating. My question is this, in your journey to get to where you are did you ever find yourself slippping up? For example, last night I wasn’t hungry yet I chose to have an ice cream cone and a cookie. Yes, no big deal, I know, but I still get mad at myself not because of the actual food I ate but because I didn’t choose to listen to my body. Thanks Kath! Any others advice is welcome too!
Justy2003 says
I was looking at your blog the other day (of course) and my boyfriend was sitting next to me. He was pretty impressed with the blog (layout, picture quality, info, etc.) and couldn’t believe you don’t get paid to do it! He seems to think you could find someone to pay you to do this!
Just wanted to say thanks for all the work you put into this blog…I really enjoy reading it every day…multiples times a day… 🙂
MLT says
Hi Kath!
Just wanted to say I LOve you blog, it is so visually appealing! you have a great eye.
I had a question about your weight loss…I’m curious if you slowly decreased calories or went straight down to a number that you wanted to stay at? ie, did you go from 3,000 calories/day to 1500 and then just stay there or did you go down by increment?
If you did go down suddenly, did that leave you feeling really hungry? If so, how long did the hunger period last before your body got used to it?
Sorry for the long post! Keep up the great work on the blog- it’s one of the best I’ve seen!
MLT
Allison says
ooh! I really need to go grocery shopping, but probably won’t make it to the store till AFTER dinner tonight..and seriously the only healthy “dinner” food we have in the house are black beans and sweet potatoes! I was going to try to create them into some sort of burrito concoction, but this looks just as good…if not easier!
Have fun on day two of school!
Katie says
Hey Kath (or anyone else) – how long would you recommend to cook a sweet potato in the microwave (medium sized)? Are there any tips or tricks? Thanks!
mel says
thanks for all the great ideas about spaghetti squash toppings! I’ll try one tonight!! Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!! stay warm
Mel
the husband says
Other spaghetti squash toppings: brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, honey, etc. That’s how my family always did it.
Microwaving sweet potatoes: I’ve never tried to microwave a straight up normal sweet potato, but we used to get this one kind that came tightly wrapped in plastic that you put straight in for maybe 3-5 minutes. I’m not sure if they were pre-cooked, though. I’d recommend roasting them if you have the means – cooking spray all over, 350* oven, put it right on the middle rack and put a pan on a rack underneath, cook for 1 hour. If you’re gonna try the microwave, I’d start with 3 mins, check with a knife (should easily pass through when done), and add 1 min at a time until done.
Kath says
Kate,
I love Eat Like Me and read it daily – I look up to Cristin as an R.D. role model. It makes me very uncomfortable when people compare our blogs, especially as polar opposites. My wish would be for everyone to read all of the food blogs out there – the newer ones too – because each blog lends a window into the writer’s life and brings out new ideas for recipes, meals, products, and more. The more we see, the more we all learn!
Ashley,
Smashed beans, tuna salad, egg slices, hummus + veggies, grilled cheese, egg salad, eggplant, grilled portabello mushrooms – you can put anything on bread and it will taste good!
Corey,
They were canned – we were short on time!
Maggie,
I use the online software. Because I’m on so many computers I need to be able to access my diary anywhere, so I would never go with the desktop for that reason.
KK,
We all slip up sometimes. My weaknesses are homemade baked goods and big parties (like weddings). I realize this now and work on ways to eat in moderation when these arise. Just be sure you enjoy the cookie or ice cream if you have it. IMO, the only bad eating is mindless eating.
Thanks Justy! I wish I could be paid a million dollars for it 😉
MLT,
When I first started losing I just cut back and started keeping a food journal (which I’ve done from the start). I wasn’t eating 3,000 regularly pre-weight loss, but I certainly ate that maybe a few times a month. So my cut back was maybe realistically from 2,200 on a daily basis to 1,600-1,700. I don’t remember being that hungry because I have NEVER been one to go hungry, but I’m sure it wasn’t the easiest of changes.
Thanks for answering Katie’s question Husband!
Kath