Sorry for the delayed breakfast – I had a busy morning!!
I have 3 tests and 2 quizzes this week, so I knew I had to get my act together and get the bulk of my studying done early this morning. Like I say, always do your most important task first! 6-10 a.m. are good hours for me to focus. I’m much more distracted in the afternoon and evenings. So I got a ton done.
Started the day at 6:00 with the Good Earth tea I found at TJ’s yesterday. I liked it and it definitely did NOT need any sweetener, but it was too sweet by the end!! I think I need to steep for 3 minutes and take the tea bag out rather than let it sit in there. But so cool I got to have sweet tea with nothing artificial. I tried to buy the Yogi Vanilla that someone else recommended at EarthFare, but the husband literally took it out of my hands and said NO you have ENOUGH TEA! 🙁 Poor me.
Breakfast
Whipped up some oatmeal around 8. I like to let my hunger build on the weekends when I get up early and don’t usually eat right away. It’s almost like the suspense makes me enjoy breakfast more!
Banana, flax, raisins, peanut butter, cinnamon. I actually missed the almond butter today – I think it’s better in oatmeal because it’s slightly sweet. Too bad it’s also slightly expensive!
Plus candy cane tea –
Run
We were going to save exercise for late this afternoon for a change, but around 10:00 when I finished studying Chemistry, I looked out the window and saw a bright blue sky and got a craving to run right then! So it was decided we should go running then, and we were off. Did a quick 4.2 miles. I LOVE running in warmer weather! I feel so much more in control of my body than I do when it’s cold and I’m stiff and robotic.
Grocery Shopping
After our run and showers, we ran to EarthFare for produce. I had to jump on the bandwagon and try these Sunshine burgers (review below) and hemp milk! Here’s the rest of our weekly groceries:
Hemp milk, burgers, graham sticks, spinach, apples, pear, zucchini, asparagus, bananas, an orange, bell pepper, English cucumber, a sweet potato, bulk bulgur, and broccoli.
Big disappointment – the broccoli is all mushy and we have to go back to return it. And another big surprise: as I was reviewing our receipt, I realized that our most expensive item was the asparagus! We didn’t pay attention to the label and though it was $2.50 but it was $2.50/LB – which meant we got $4. Ugggg. We better enjoy it tonight!!
And I had to put in a shot of our reusable B.Happy bags – love them!
Lunch
SO of course I had to try the Sunshine burgers for lunch. One problem I have with veggie burgers, as you all might guess, is that almost all brands are made with onions. Yuck!! So when I saw these weren’t, I was SOOO excited! Well, I think there is something oniony in them because as soon as I opened the oven to take it out I could smell them. The ingredients say it’s just sunflower seeds, brown rice, carrots, and “herbs” so I’m wondering if herbs means onion flakes or powder (which is WRONG to say and if I had a real allergy they could be in huge trouble!)
Overall, I liked the burger. It was quite strange though. Although there were no mushrooms in it, I thought it had an overwhelming mushroom flavor. But thankfully I like mushrooms! I stuffed half of it into a small pita with cuc, red pepper, spinach, zucchini and a laughing cow cheese. It was a lot better in the pita with these flavors than it was plain.
The other half with leftover veggies –
TJ’s greek yogurt with flax and jam. I LOVED this. It’s a little less tangy than Fage and maybe not quite as thick? Too bad I don’t go to TJ’s every week or I’d get this more.
And a delicious ruby red!
From above (I can finally drink water again!! 2 months of trying to keep my body temp. up are coming to a close)
This lunch was 500 kcal.
This Afternoon
We’ve definitely got a walk planned in this beautiful weather. I also might need to return the broccoli. And I have cleaning around the house to do. And Stats. And I need to get these FAQs done! Better get moving. What would I do without ToDoist!?
Kristy says
Looks like a great start to the day! I’m glad it’s warm were you are, because it’s snowy and 5* without the wind chill in Michigan! I can’t wait for vacation! Looks like I’ll be on the treadmill again today…
Kelly T says
Matt- way to regulate. My boyfriend is obsessed with tea, i should start saying no too because my cupboards are getting too full, (so imagine what his cupboards look like!)\
Kath- i cant believe you dont like onions, that blows my mind! They are my fave!
I might have missed this, but why couldnt you drink water? i mean, you drink a ton of tea?
Rebecca says
Kath and everyone: I drink a lot of water, but it can get boring when everyone else is drinking diet drinks. I drink hot tea in the winter, but does any one have suggestions for what to drink when you want a cool drink, preferably not artificially flavored.
A second question I have is its very frustrating making recipes and seeing that I need 1/2 tsp of 3 different spices that I don’t have. I am on a student budget, so its not practical for me to pay $4 for a whole spice jar for something I will use a few times only. What do you all do?
Jen says
HI Kath! I just have to say that I just loved your B.Happy bags so much, I had to buy some of my own! I ended up with the Doty bags, although I would have gotten the same as you if they hadn’t been out of stock at the time I ordered. I didn’t think of going to their website, but hit up reusablebags.com. All is well, though, and I have gotten so many compliments on my bags!
I love your blog, by the way, so thank you for all of the time and effort you put into this! 🙂
Jen says
Rebecca, most grocery stores offer small containers of spices for about $1.oo, in little green bottles. They sometimes even have a store brand that’s cheaper. Or else check in the natural section of your grocery store. They usually have a bunch of spices that you can buy in bulk, where a little bit shouldn’t set you back a lot of money.
Lynn says
Kath, your food always looks so pretty!
My spaghetti squash is always so watery, how do you prevent that? Thanks 🙂
Also, what is your opinion of chicken sausages that have casings, etc. Are those casings not healthy?
evangeline says
kath–how many minutes do your runs usually last? do you try to go any certain speed? have you ever run a 1/2 marathon or marathon?
jessica says
just wanted to say thanks for posting your grocery pics and list!!!! also wanted to let you know i tried a variation on your mushroom soup and it was absolutely incredible-something i will definately make many times again… hope you are enjoying your sunday. it is 8degrees out here and super windy and snowing and you can’t see anything… i’m staying in and cooking all day…
Lynn says
Sorry full of questions today!! For food calorie counts do you mostly use calorie king or caloriecounter? or something else? I remember you once saying to another reader caloriekings sweet potatos were off.
Lol about the z’s comment!
Karen Downing says
Again, I am amazed at how much good fun you can get for 500 calories! Bummer about the broccoli. I’ll check out the TJ’s greek yogurt later today. Thanks for the tip!
Natalie says
Jen, thanks for the tip about the spices. I was also wondering about that as I am in the same situation as Rebecca.
Kath and the husband: I “loled” when I read about Matt regulating your tea supply. I am typically the “regulator” with family and friends.
FYI, I love that most of your readers also read Jenna’s blog. (Especially when it comes to you both reviewing new products -Hemp milk and Sunshine burgers- after reading one another’s blog!)
About the Aveeno skin product: Has Aveeno been making that specific product for the face for a while? I have an aversion to new facial products…
Thanks!!!!!
Kath says
KellyT,
I could only drink HOT water and tea – I was just too cold ALL the time. So I guess I should have said “I can finally drink water from the tap again” 🙂
Rebecca,
I love True Lemon and Lime to spice things up without any artificial sweetener. The packets contain only crystallized lemon/lime – basically its just dried. Adding it to water tastes JUST like you’re drinking a freshly squeezed one. Ironically, you can find them in the sugar aisle (but there’s no sugar!)
http://truelemon.com/index.html
As for spices, you can find a spice rack at stores like Bed Bath and Beyond for $15-20 and they come with a wide variety of spices to start with. It’s much cheaper than buying them individually at the store.
Lynn,
I think spaghetti squash is a little watery by nature, but I would put it in a colander and press it to remove as much as you can. I don’t really know about the chicken sausages, but we like a few of the all-natural brands. I don’t think you can remove the casings on them though because they are pre-cooked.
Evangeline,
Run time depends on the mileage, but today’s was about 40 minutes. I run about 9-10 minute miles outside – I’m not fast! And due to my history of food problems, I’ve decided it’s probably best not to train for a marathon, although I want to. The most I feel comfortable running on a regular basis is 5-7 miles. I hope to do a 10K one day though. I try to run no more than 3x a week to avoid putting too much stress on my joints.
Jessica,
SO glad you liked the mushroom soup!! it’s one of my favorites too 🙂
Lynn,
I use CK 99% of the time. I only refer to Calorie Count.com if I have a new or strange food – to double check things out.
Karen,
That’s exactly why I want to continue to post calorie counts – it’s so eye-opening to see how much food it is.
Kath
Lynn says
Thanks follow up and excuse my lack of cooking knowledge (there is way to much to learn!) how do you squeeze spaghetti squash?
Kath says
Lynn,
Just push on it! Put it in a mesh colander and just press it until most of the water comes out.
K
Susan says
I find it a pain in the butt to always have to microwave water to make a cup of hot tea and it gets so cold soon anyway, do you have a kettle? What did you do at work?
Also, I bought the natural pb and find it getting kinda hard in the middle, do you restir throughout or just once at the beginning? Thanks!
Brianne says
Yay for hempmilk!
Amber says
Rebecca,
I just bought Tazo tea bags in PASSION flavor and they are amazing. i drink this as hot tea and as iced tea with either splenda or raw natural cane surgar. worth a try!
VeggieGirl says
Kath, I’m completely elated that you bought hempmilk AND sunshine burgers!! two of my ultimate favorite food-finds :0D
Oh and I had oatmeal this morning too, but with MY favorite type of nut-butter: hazelnut :0)
Looks like all your meals so far today have been stellar – good luck with all of your studying this afternoon!!
Kelly T says
Ah, gotcha, Kath, thanks. i was thinking something medical, that you weren’t allowed to drink water. I guess i read a little too much into it. i gotta get me some of those bags, too!
As a suggestion for water, I put real lemon in my water and i also looove tonic water with some fruit in it, (i know Kath does too!) the bubbles keep my mouth busy! 🙂
Katschi says
Be still my heart….grocery pictures!
Thank you!
sarah says
to rebecca — also whole foods has bulk spices so you can buy TINY amounts of a spice if you want to, ie just enough for whatever recipe. i often do this if it’s an exotic spice and i don’t want a whole container of it (my spice rack overflows as it is).
and kath — yes the TJs is right by the loop (where i ate pizza for dinner last night!). southern season is a little farther down 15-501. whole foods is just one block down from TJs on franklin street. i am about to head to both places right now 🙂
Tina says
We almost registered for your placemats at C&B this morning. Very cute! 🙂
jrf says
Kath, I don’t like onions either…I have found the Morningstar Farms Vegan Grillers to be a good faux burger option. I get them at Trader Joe’s.
tvk says
about being cold all the time, I have experienced this myself. I have circulation issues (Reynaud’s disease), but when I was underweight, it was particularly bad. I’m not trying to imply anything about your bodyweight, Kath, but it’s something to keep in mind when we’re all trying to think about balanced, healthy living, and doing what’s best for us.
K says
tvk – I can relate. When I was really underweight, I was always cold as well. Now that I’ve put on a few healthy pounds, my internal furnace seems to have turned up quite a few degrees. Now I rarely feel too cold. (And I live in an area that was many degrees BELOW zero the past couple days!)
Susan says
Kath I am an early morning person too (minus the exercising). Sometimes I would like to wait to have breakfast because if I eat it right away I will be hungry for lunch way too soon! This morning you said you waited out your hunger. How do you concentrate when you are hungry?
Kim says
is 50 minutes daily on elliptical most days of week and 2 days per week aqua aerobics (which includes strength training/weightwork using water resistance) enough for gradual weightloss?
Katherine says
What is opinion about flavored yogurts such as stonyfield? They have sugar but are not artificial. Is there a difference b/w eating plain and adding honey versus eating stonyfield?
BethT says
Kath or anyone: If you do pushups in your daily routine, do you do them full-on or “girly style”?
I made it a goal to be able to do 2 sets of 10 “real” pushups by the end of the year. I cranked out 5 today and about cried from joy! I’ve never been able to do real ones until now…just curious what other ladies are able to do. It takes SO much upper body strength!
Kelly T says
kim- yes that is enough for gradual weightloss, if you eat a balanced diet. 30 minutes most days is recommended for health benefits and anything higher is considered moderately active…so good job! keep up the good work!
bev says
Cute bags. I finally found Reisenthel a @ Container store today. Great price $ 7.59 . I was excited. Doesn’t that made you mad when you by produce that’s bad 🙁 Good luck on your test this week.
Kath says
Susan,
I always just use a microwave – 2.5 minutes on high. I drink my tea fast!
Sounds like you need to stir your PB better to start. I have to confess that I make the husband do it because he has stronger arms than I do. When you think it’s mixed, mix it for 2-3 more minutes. Scrape the bottom! That should help, but ours is always still a little dry on the bottom 10% or so.
JRF,
Yay for hating onions! Glad to know i’m not the only one. I’ve only met a few people who hate them as much as I do. So you think the MorningStars are OK? I think I have the Original Grillers right now and like them OK. I can’t do Boca at all anymore (although I used to eat them).
TVK,
I do think I am cold more often now than when I was 30 pounds heavier, but I’d rather add a sweater and drink some tea than put those pounds back on. I am sorry to hear you have difficulties with circulation. I have asked my doctor about it, but she says I’m probably just cold natured.
Susan,
If I wake up starving, I have to eat right away. But today i was just mildly hungry, so it wasn’t hard to concentrate for an hour or so until my stomach started to rumble. I know what you mean about eating lunch too soon!
Kim,
I agree with Kelly T – keep up the good work!
BethT,
I’ve always had good upper body strength and do traditional pushups. Congrats on doing 5 – that’s more than lots of women could probably do! Keep adding a few on each week and you’ll be up to 20 in no time! Then you can work on pull-ups like I am – they are 10x as hard!!
Kath
ppp says
Hey kath (or anyone) – is there an added health benefit in greek yogurt as opposed to the regular yogurt? I tried the greek kind today and loved it! i notice both you and cristin from ‘eat like me’ often eat the greek yogurt so i assume there must be a health-oriented reason?
Casey says
So let me make sure I’m understanding this correctly –
the tea tastes sweet? Naturally?
This sounds too good to be true!
beachbum_ says
Hey Kath, I’ve just started reading your blog recently and I really love it! Thanks for being such a great role model. I was just wondering though, why are you just being able to drink water now? Why couldn’t you the last couple months? Sorry if you’ve already answered this before..
Kath says
PPP,
I don’t think the Greek has any additional health benefits – it is just processed differently for a thicker texture. I have read that Fage has less calcium than regular yogurt. We eat it because it’s SO good!!
Casey,
Yup! Naturally sweet. That and the liquorice kind I drink. And apparently Yogi Tahitian Vanilla is too.
Kath
Kim says
Thanks Kelly T. They opened a yoga wellness center around the corner so I might try that too! Did you have a blog of your own, I’d love to check it out! Kath, I’m def. going to try hemp milk. We had chicken burgers yesterday as well with sweet potato “fries” well baked that is. I also made a little dipping sause by mixing yogurt with some mango.