I spent some time with this, which left me jumpy at every movement in our yard!
SCARY!!!!!!!!!! I am loving reading this book though. It’s one I can’t put down, and that’s what I love.
I made some tea with some of my coveted Kericho tea. This is from the estate I visited in March and I save it for special occasions!
I also added a little of this Stevia in the Raw to it that the company sent me to sample. I don’t normally sweeten my tea, but sometimes I do for fun. If I had to choose a sweetener of choice, it would be Stevia. I don’t think it tastes the best (hello Splenda!) but I do think it’s the most natural of the calorie-free sweeteners. However I few years ago I was torn between artificial sweeteners and sugar and it suddenly hit me: Oh, just don’t sweeten it. [Whatever it might be]. I just forced myself to get used to unsweetened tea, coffee, oatmeal (banana!) etc. That said, I do like things sweet at times and today was one of them. I also added a splash of egg nog to my tea!
I’m excited to try out some kind of baking project with this stuff. Later on this week perhaps?
Matt came home from work around 1PM and was hungry for lunch, so we did a canned soup tasting together. Both were samples sent from Amy’s.
We heated them and up tasted each to see who claimed what.
The Fire-Roasted Southwest Vegetable smelled better in the can, and the Spanish Rice & Red Bean smelled like tin can onion smell. But once heated, the Spanish Rice was really good!! No onion taste at all. It was slightly sweet and thick. The Southwest Vegetable was just OK. Brothy without much substance. Matt really wanted the Spanish Rice so I gave it to him and ate the veggie. He did give me an extra bite though!
Both of these soups were 280 calories for a can. I was very surprised by that because the Spanish Rice was SO much heartier and the Southwest Veggie was mostly broth. For 280 calories I want fill!
I spruced it up with a little Parmesan and ate a bowl of toast cubes on the side
Dessert // Palate cleanser = 2 Biscoff!
Going to snuggle by my space heater with my book and start thinking about when to eat dinner to time my stomach for a 7:15 hot 90-minute vinyasa yoga class.
Still no sign of sunshine!
NeverSayDiet says
my husband LOVES those biscuits – they serve em on airplanes and I always give him mine 🙂
KefirGirl says
Loved “The Road”! Creepy but so good.
Naomi(onefitfoodie) says
My brother was telling me about the movie!! his GF was bawling the whole time, I want to read the book first!
mmm amy;s sounds perfect right now esp with the crusty, chewy bread cubes on the side!
oatmeal says
I’m excited to see what your baking project with the stevia! You always have exciting ideas 😀
Have fun at yoga tonight!
Bronwyn says
Soup sounds so good right now.
Too bad about the sun. 🙁 We had a peek of it yesterday, but it was the first bit in a while, and probably the last for awhile!
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I like NuNaturals stevia the best, but in a pinch I go for stevia in the raw.
Btw, I got my Nuttzo from your open sky promotion a few weeks back in the mail today and I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for hosting that 🙂
Mastering Public Health says
I am so utterly in love with everything Amy’s Kitchen and they are a fantastic, responsive company. But I was disappointed to discover yesterday that their cans aren’t BPA-free (http://organicgrace.com/node/316). Eden Foods seems to be the only (organic) brand that makes their cans without BPA — at a cost ~$300,000/year(!), from what I read. More is here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nena-baker/how-eden-foods-pioneered_b_232135.html. Anyone have thoughts on this?
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
I had the SAME EXACT thing for lunch (spanish rice) LOVED IT!
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life says
I need to get my hands on that book. It looks really good!
Pat says
Try your local library or used book store. It’s a few years old.
Estela @ weekly bite says
Love Biscoff!!!!! I saw some at Harris Teeter got some 🙂
Now I need to make sure I “mindfully” eat them 😉
megan says
i love books that you can’t put down. a good book makes for a very fun day/evening!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Ooooh that looks like a book I want to read!
Michelle says
I use Stevia as well but would love to stop sweetening my tea/coffee altogether. How long did it take to ween yourself off? Kath or anyone else who has managed to accomplish this?
rhodeygirl says
Michelle: I have weaned myself off of added sugar in drinks etc… See my post here: http://rhodeygirltests.com/2009/11/15/ridding-yourself-of-unnecessary-sugar-forever/
Pat says
I’ve actually never sweetened my coffee or tea, but I have cut sweetner out of other things. I just started by cutting back how much I used, using less every couple of days. Really it doesn’t take long. You might however, find that you don’t like the flavor of black coffee, or plain tea, and then you might have to search out another drink, or make peace with sweetening just one or two things. I drink my coffee black (and my lattes unsweetened/unflavored). I don’t, however, like plain tea, so that gets a splash of milk. In the afternoons I often drink flavored herbal teas (apple cinnamon by Stash is my current choice) since caffeine keeps me awake.
Kath says
You have to want to do it!! I tried several times not really wanting to and then the third time was a charm. It’s just a decision to make! There’s no physiological reason why you couldn’t just stop using them tomorrow 🙂
Michelle says
Thanks, everyone!
I had my iced tea with lunch the other day without sweetner and it wasn’t too bad. An extra squirt of lemon helped.
Pat – I definitely think coffee will be tough, but will give it a try. I may just have to stop drinking it. *gasp*
Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama says
I have that same mug but only with Seattle featured – I love how large it is!
Kristen says
Such a good novel. I really want to read some of McCarthy’s other stuff.
I agree that the Southwestern is a bit thin, but I love the fire-roasted spicy flavor!
BTW, I’m giving away some Le Creuset on my blog! 🙂
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
Soup, a good book and a space heater on a cold day is wonderful. I could go for that right now if I wasn’t so busy.
Chloe (Naturally Frugal) says
I couldn’t read The Road, I freaked myself out too much. However, I am determined to finish it so maybe I will when I’m in Hawaii(!!!) this next week. Nothing too scary out there 🙂
I like some of Amy’s soups, but others I find to be too bland. Hit and miss I guess!
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen says
I love Amy’s soups, my favorite is the Lentil! Gotta say, I wasn’t too impressed with the Southwestern Veggie either. Stay warm!
Chelsea says
This soup is making the rounds today! How’s the salt content?
Kath says
Average.
Devon (RSRR) says
Sorry there’s no sunshine! Can’t wait to see how baking with the stevia in the raw goes!
Liz says
I’m still addicted my Splenda in my oatmeal, but don’t use anything in my tea or coffee. I thought I was doing ok with my consumption but then realized that the yogurt I eat (a lot of) contains Splenda. I’m so torn of the debate. But my oatmeal and yogurt start my day and make me happy. I don’t have a third head-till then I’ll keep eating it.
Is stevia more expensive?? Must go look…
Morgan @ Life After Bagels says
good idea – the taste test!
Jenn says
I don’t really add artificial sweetener to anything. I did used to sweeten my tea, but then one day I just stopped, and it only took a few days to get used to unsweetened tea. Now I appreciate the actual flavor of the tea more.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’ve yet to try stevia in the raw but have been pretty happy with nustevia’s products since they sent me a whole bunch of their stuff to try….no aftertaste. is stevia in the raw bitter at all like other stevia i’ve tried?
Diva says
I loveee Biscoff.
Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run says
I always love your toast cubes. So much cuter than a whole piece of toast : ) If I made them, they would probably end up in my soup.
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
I’m goin’ to 7pm yoga myself…I always eat a small snack, and have dinner after. Tastes better after a good yoga class!
Have fun at night time yoga!!! =)
Katie says
Ummmh biscofff!!!
New SAHALE SNACKS giveaway, music, food + fitness – http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/2009/12/sahale-snacks-giveaway-slim-secrets.html
Happy TUESDAY!
Katie
Paige(Running Around Normal) says
Oooh, I think I have that book! Is it about a boy and his father?
Those soups sound delicious! I just ate some biscoff for the first time last week. They were passing it out on a plane I was on.
Kath says
Yep
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
I used to use splenda in everything… It really does taste like sugar. However, I stopped using all sweeteners. I actually prefer my tea and coffee with no sugar. I’ve got to try some of Amy’s soups. I’ve seen them now on Jenna’s and your blogs…
Sarah (OC2Seattle) says
Hot yoga sounds so good right now – it’s cold here and I am in desperate need of some serious stretch!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I use Stevia now when I need a sweetener– I’ve gotten pretty used to the taste, but I think it does have a hint of bitterness.
Have fun at your hot yoga class!
skinnyrunner says
ive had those biscoff once on a plane and they were delicious!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
The cups of soup look so warm and cozy. 🙂
Jenn
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
How fun that you and Matt got to share a nice lunch together. I’m such an Amy’s fan, but I’ve actually never tried either of those flavors. Both really do sound good though!
Jenna says
mmm love soup in the winter time!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
oooh I love adding parmesan cheese to my soups as well! Always adds a nice ‘punch’ to the flavour 🙂
Karla says
I can’t wait for winter break to start so I can read fun books! I haven’t decided what to read yet but I figured I’d hit up the library in my hometown!
sarah says
I love stevia. I’ve tried to go black with my coffee and bare with my tea, but my taste buds rebel against me. Unfortunately, my intestines rebel against me with splenda, so stevia it is! It’s the only sweetener that my body agrees with… and it keeps me sweet and smiling 🙂
Jill says
Just tried my first Biscoff….good with tea 🙂
Jil says
I go unsweetened with my tea..but I just can’t do it with my coffee. Stevia is a life saver there… Oh, and I looove biscoff!
Cole says
I finally tried the sugar cookie herbal tea that I saw on here a while back. I can’t believe I waited so long to try it!
Lesley Lifting Life says
Hmm, I didn’t know Stevia in the Raw came in a bag now … I’ll have to keep a look out for that. I’m trying to ween myself off of sweetener slowly but my favorite sweeter is Stevia in the Raw ; )
Brynn says
I read The Road last week and couldn’t put it down either. I love books like that and haven’t read one in too long. I saw the movie last night and LOVED it! Almost every scene was exactly how I imagined it and I felt all of the emotions I felt while reading the book.
Kath says
Glad to hear you liked the movie! We’re hoping to see it this weekend 🙂
Katie says
hmm… that looks real good.
Christy says
I wish Central Florida needed space heaters 🙁 It’s reaching mid 80’s here! Not so Christmas-y!
Stacey says
Your lunch is exactly what I had for dinner 🙂 Hmmm maybe I’ll need to give that book a try. Right now I’m reading a book called ‘Stiff’…it’s a little dark but humorous 🙂 ENjoy your yoga class!
KellyB says
I’m going to see The Road with my boyfriend next week. It’s in limited release up here so we have to drive 45 minutes to see it! His favorite movie is No Country for Old Men so I bought him The Road last year for Christmas. He is reading it a second time now. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
Stephani says
http://www.foodservicedirect.com/product.cfm/p/157752/Lipton-Rainforest-Alliance-Kericho-Estate-Tea.htm
Kericho Estate Tea!
Kath says
Oh COOL!!