My very own day spa right here in my home. The menu only serves fresh, nutritious food and the pampering never ends!!
This afternoon the menu featured an organic apple and some Beemster lite cheese that was sent to the spa for sampling
Such a delicious snack!! (I shared the apple with Matt
) Loved the stinky soft cheese!
There was an activity period late in the afternoon where spa guests were encouraged to frolic in the spa’s indoor playground, a.k.a. the fitness center.
I joined the guests for 30 minutes on the Stairmaster with a good ole Real Simple followed by 10 on the ET. I opted out of weight lifting because I hear there is a fantastic HOT YOGA class scheduled for the sunrise!!
Once I returned from the gym, I straightened up my room for a bit and then joined guest Matt for meal preparations.
The kitchen featured three superfoods this evening: kale, sweet potatoes and beans.
The sweet potatoes were roasted with some leftover mushrooms at 400* for about 30 minutes. They were AWESOME!! I did not prepare them, but I imagine they were doused in a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper.
The kale and 2/3 of a can of drained garbanzo beans were steamed and sprinkled with the following ingredients: maple syrup, seasoning from hell [cayenne], garlic powder, crushed red pepper, cinnamon and Krazy Salt.
LOVE my greens!! Kale is by far the best green vegetable there is.
And sweet potato is king of orange
We determined that the kale + beans needed a bit more sauce so I added a little raspberry-jalapeno BBQ sauce [from EarthFare] on the side. Perfect addition!
After dinner we participated in the group evening entertainment: watching Monday’s Conan. I CANNOT BELIEVE the show is leaving. Matt is one of his biggest fans!! He watches the show everyday after work. Poor Conan!
I wound down the evening with a divine bubble bath complete with EO Products Rose Bubble Bath and a podcast on my phone. Podcasts are the new thing in 2010! Any chore of activity you have to do hands-free is now 1,000 more fun. They come in every topic imaginable. Just search on your phone [or iTunes] for a topic and you’ll find plenty. I like the Dishing up Nutrition series (although they have their quirks that drive me nuts!) and I’m listening to a few of Dr. Weil’s and found a Budgeting Diva. [There’s also a whole line of “brewcasts” if you’re interested in homebrewing that Matt is obsessed with.] Please share your favorites!!
I’m off to pamper some more and rest for my early yoga class and tomorrow’s afternoon massage!
The Paris Food Blague says
i love beemster! yay for the fromage shout out!
a bientot!
the paris food blague
Heather says
Apple and cheese is one of my favorite combos – sweet apple and tangy cheese – nothing is better!
I have never tried steamed kale – how long do you steam it for? I have only made kale chips.
Enjoy your yoga and massage tomorrow – sounds like a great Saturday!
Kath says
Until it turned bright green with a quarter cup of water in the bottom. About 5-8 mins?
Jill says
I always forget about podcasts! I’m listening to one right now 🙂
Kori says
Sounds like you had a great day. You deserve it! Have a relaxing weekend, Kath!!
Jayce says
I really like “This American Life.”
I have never loved the texture of kale when it is in soups, etc, but now you are making me want to try it this way. Maybe I will like it better…
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
Your dinner looks so good. I still don’t think I’ve had kale, but I would love to make some chips
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
What a nice time…I need to sign up for that spa! Love the dinner. Seriously, all my favorite foods! Great color combo too on the meal! I hate that Conan is gone. Really, he deserved better than that! Hope you enjoy the rest of your evening!
Lindsay Y. says
I listen to podcasts all the time at work…they’re great! I’ve really been enjoying RadioLab recently. It has really good production value, and the stories are always fascinating. It sort of feels like This American LIfe, but with a science-y twist.
Angela (Oh She Glows) says
First, love this post.
Second, You aren’t supposed to clean your room during SPA WEEKEND!!! lol
Third, I died laughing when I saw the bear by the spoons.
That is all. Enjoy your spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Brittany says
I’m now craving apples and cheese! You always get me craving the most random things, lol! 😉
My husband and I are going to miss Conon too 🙁
Jayce says
Oh! And I love Alistair Begg’s podcast Truth For Life!
eggie says
it’s conan…:o) and I’d hardly call him poor. Fox here he comes….or he should’ve run for the Mass Senate seat.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Sounds like a great spa weekend! I agree with you– I feel so bad for Conan, and like him SO MUCH more than Leno 🙁
Anais says
Sounds like a perfect night! My whole day (up until this very hour) was spent writing a paper 🙁
I have a question: how do you cut your sweet potatoes in such tiny cubes?? I have trouble cutting them in two… Could it be because my knife is terrible? :S
Kath says
Matt cut them! But yes, you probably need a new knife.
ella says
kath! i’ve NEVER had kale before, but all your raving about it has got me curious. what should i expect? is it mostly tasetless like lettuce? tangy like spinach?
Megan says
I’m going to piggy back off of this reply as well. I too have NEVER tried kale and want to know what it’s like. How do you prepare it? What does it taste like???’
Megan
Mae @ OhhMay says
Kale is really good, its like a more bitter, substancial version of spinach. The leaves are a little tough raw and chewy when they’re steamed or braised.
Many people do raw salads with kale by “massageing” the greens (which wilts them so they’re more tender)
Kale chips (Kale squares roasted at a high temp. for a short time) are delicious and I love it braised in white wine with hot crushed red pepper flakes.
It’s really high in Vitamin A, C, and K… (I think B6 too? Correct me if I’m wrong…)
It may take some getting used to because it has a strong flavor, but try it out!
(And I’m sure Kath could tell you much better herself! haha)
ella says
would “kale chips” actually be crispy? i am so intrigued by the idea of kale!
Kath says
Kale chips are crispy! they don’t have a strong flavor either. Kale sauteed is chewy and I think pretty taste neutral. I love it with maple syrupy flavors.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m planning a spa weekend for myself too sometime soon – well, except it’s more of a staycation. i don’t think it’s going to involve much in the way of “health” stuff.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
I love your at-home spa experience — what a fun and budget-friendly way to relax. Enjoy!
Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle says
Apples + cheese is one of the best snacks out there, though I haven’t enjoyed it in too long! Dinner looks great as usual, and like some of the other commenters- I must try kale soon, I see it all over the blog world.
Lindsay says
I am obsessed with that EO Rose Chamomile Bubble Bath! I am still using the one from Foodbuzz but I also bought a big one from Whole Foods and it’s a fabulous excuse to bubble bath every night!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
Sweet potato is definitely king of orange veggies
Nicole, RD, LD says
The sweet potato is king of orange!
Mae @ OhhMay says
Hey Kath! Everything looks delicious, as usual. I love kale too and I was wondering if you knew how much of an impact it made on the thyroid? I have hypothyroidism so I’ve been avoiding it lately, but I’m not sure if that’s necessary!
Kath says
I’m not sure which nutrient that kale has that you’re referring to that would impact the thyroid? I haven’t heard/read anything specific.
Sara says
Wow – I just listed to 5 minutes of a Dishing Up Nutrition podcast and I just learned that 1) Margarine is bad because it “puts holes in your cells” (LOL…how scientific) and 2) Butter is good because it LOWERS LDL cholesterol (really? a SAFA that lowers LDL?!?) and raises HDL (the only piece of factual information that I heard in 5 the minutes!). As a future dietitian, do you honestly find these hosts credible?? They are laughable.
Laura says
Actually, this information is nothing new! I was surprised to hear this many years ago, but have been researching it ever since. To quote http://preventionisbest.com/site/saturatedfat.html : “Our ancestors lived on a diet rich in grease, lard, and butter. Those were the only oils they ever used. It wasn’t until the 20th century that vegetable oils became widely available. Use of oils rich in saturated fat have declined over time while vegetable oils have skyrocketed. Along with the greater use of vegetable oil and the decreased use of saturated fat has come a plague of degenerative diseases that the world has never known before. To blame cholesterol and saturated fat for the heart disease, cancer, and other degenerative diseases does not fit the facts and is inconsistent with the historical record.”
Check out www.westonaprice.org for more information. (There are so many other websites/blogs/book/articles out there, too, supporting the notion that saturated fat is better for you than the polyunsaturates found in margarine!)
Sara says
Laura – nothing you have posted means that what the hosts said is correct. I have no issue with butter or with saturated fat, nor do I believe that margarine is superior to butter. That is not the point. The point is that saturated fat DOES raise LDL cholesterol, wheras they claimed it lowered it. This is simply wrong. It also increases HDL (good) cholesterol. There is much debate as to whether saturated fat has anything to do with heart disease and frankly, I think you are correct, in that there is good evidence that it does not. But again, that is not the point. The point is that the hosts of this show were simply clueless. It is also fear-mongering and unscientific to say that margarine “puts holes in your cells”. They remind me of “holistic nutritionists” who basically are taught nutrition as religion with no scientific basis for anything they learn.
Kath says
I never said I take everything they say as the truth. ALL podcasts should be taken with a grain of salt. I don’t necessarily agree with everything they have said, but they do seem to be abreast with all of the research and I agree with them that I’d take butter over buttery spread anyday (trans-fats or not). I think the holes in the cells refers to oxidative damage from free radicals from the ultra-processing.
Cara says
I need help Kath! I just recently purchased a iPhone, so I’m still learning. I have download a few free Podcasts, but I don’t know how to listen to them…. Where did they go??? Help in any way would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Kath says
You download from iTunes and they will be in your iPod app – under More and then Podcasts
Pat Kilmain says
My very favorite podcast is weekly – “wait, wait, don’t tell me” about the past week’s news. It’s very funny. ALso like “This American Life”
Jen says
“I’m off to pamper some more and rest for my early yoga class and tomorrow’s afternoon massage!”
Sounds fabulous! But, I’m wondering, what has KERF done for the kids in Haiti? Have you donated to the Red Cross or any of the other charities that need so much help down there? Enjoy your massage.
Kath says
KERF is donating all Open Sky profits this week. Otherwise, it’s absolutely none of your business where and how I donate my money.
Katie says
Oh, please, Jen. Your “compassion” really shines through in your comment. I’m sure if Kath would have said that she did donate to Haiti relief, someone (you, perhaps?) would have torn into her about trying to come off as “holier than though”. Which, coincidentally, is exactly how you sound in your comment.
Christy says
Sweet potato IS the king of orange 😀 no doubt!!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Your spa is very chic! 😉 The stinky cheese looks heavenly.
Jenn
Jen says
@Katie…was just was curious to see if KERF had helped the cause in Haiti, as I’ve seen her mention other causes in the past, but have not seen anything mentioned on her blog yet about the disaster in Haiti. As for you questioning my compassion…I have visited Haiti many times and have friends there, who are grateful for the funds being raised from all parts of the world. My husband and I have donated as much as we can afford financially, and have encouraged countless others to give what they can…what have you done to make the world a better place today? Have a nice day.
Kate says
UGH get off this blog, people like you are rude and annoying. FIRST of all this is a food blog. SECOND yes what happened in Haiti is tragic, but why don’t you go do something yourself instead of harassing others. You don’t know what KERF, or Kath herself has done for charity. Frankly, if you follow this blog at all you will see that Kath works her a$* off with what she has been doing lately.
Congrats to your self-promotion of you and your husbands donations. If you truely were a compassionate person you would email Kath privately, not leave impolite and inappropriate comments.
You have a nice day now.
Chelsea says
You are so silly and cute. This morning I woke up at 5:26-4 minutes before my alarm and I thought of you!
kate says
i definitely need to eat more kale! enjoy your spa evening & early morning yoga!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I haven’t had a bubble bath in FOREVER!
Ameena says
Cute post! What a great night you had!
Elizabeth (The Dallas Celiac) says
LOVE kale – I need to make it far more often.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i need to eat more kale…i’ve only had it in soups thus far! what an awesome, relaxing evening 🙂
Alison says
What quirks of Dishing Up Nutrition bother you? I’m interested if they’re the same ones that bother me. I’ve listened to them off and on for years, since I live in the Twin Cities. You’re the one that alerted me to their podcast. Thanks! I’m enjoying listening to them again.
But I really don’t like that they spend so much of their time promoting themselves and their classes. It makes me distrust them…are they telling the truth or just trying to get you to buy something? I also don’t like that they focus so much on meat protein. While I’m not a vegetarian, I think you can be one and still live a full, nutritionally-balanced life.
What do you think of them?
Kath says
Yeah, I’m not into their supplements either. They seem a bit pushed.
I’m not wild about the way they talk. And I don’t mean the Minnesota accidents 😉
Mama Pea says
I knew I liked Matt, and not just for the bread and beer…go Team Conan!!!
Jamie says
I love Conan too.. so sad 🙁
Oh and I’ve been meaning to try kale; you always have such creative preparations for the veggie!
BeccaR says
by far my favorite podcasts are This American Life, This I Believe and The Moth. All are amazing and this american life makes going to the gym fun and makes me work out longer to finish the story.
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
Yummy stinky cheese!
Alicia says
Good Food from KCRW is AWESOME. I never let a week go by without listening!
Hillary [The Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
A Saturday including hot yoga & a massage sounds wonderful!
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com says
What a lovely spa you went to :p
I love how you present your afternoon snack, it’s so imaginative and pretty – really glams up an apple and cheese!
Have a great sleep 🙂
Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama says
I’m sad about Conan too =(
Jessie @ thehappinessinhealth says
That’s too bad about the ServSafe test :(. Maybe next year?
Kale IS the best green leafy veg, by far — although I would be amiss if I passed over Swiss chard. 🙂
christie @ honoring health says
KERF spa sounds lovely! Enjoy yoga, it is national yoga day, after all!
amanda says
Cheese and apples are the best snack ever!
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
Sounds like a pretty amazing spa day:)
Stinky cheese and apples are perfect together! I love having that as a snack.
Jay says
You have NO concept of a lazy day in bed with your husband, do you? *Sigh*
And seriously, earlier, a BITE OF A COOKIE? Sweet God that is so depressing. As is deciding not to have a cookie b/c you had a bite the day before. Your dinner is begging to be followed by a chocolate bar.
Kath says
Oh PUH-lease. My husband was at WORK since 3 this morning.
And if you want to see me down some cookies, go back to Christmas + Bald Head.
Jenna says
Great day at the spa 😉
Jess. says
love the spa analogy! Enjoy!
Jenny says
Mmm apples+cheese= great snack!!
And I really like cutting sweet potatoes into little cubes like that, so much fun to eat 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Incredible dinner! Sweet potatoes and dark leafy greens make for a very delicious and nutritious meal 🙂 (that sounded really cheesy haha)
M says
Jay, Kath has been pretty honest about putting on a few pounds (not that we can notice) and trying to get back on track.
And previous posts show that she really does indulge, when she wants to, and she’s said that it’s led to weight gain. I think it’s unfair (but certainly your prerogative) to say that her choices yesterday were depressing. I feel like her meal choices are often healthy and even sometimes decadent and luxurious — maybe to some frustratingly so, when not everyone has the time and money to make each meal an event — but definitely not restrictive. I think she’s the picture of moderation and balance.
M says
Holy over punctuation.
Mary (Food Fit & Fun) says
Looks like you have having a relaxing start to your weekend! Are you going for a massage or is Matt giving you one? Have fun! 🙂
Kalli@fitandfortysomething says
You deserve the pampering-you have been a busy girl!
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
That dinner looks amazing. Enjoy the spa 😉
Casey says
Kale and sweet potatoes = yum!!!!
grammie2maddie says
Kath
I read your post everyday – all day – and these comments are so interesting. I can only imagine what you’ve deleted! Thanks for including the ones here that are ‘a little off”. It’s your blog, and you can say and do as you please. If others don’t like it – go away – as Clark Howard says – vote with your feet (or fingers on the computer). There’s no reason for people to be nasty or refute others’ comments – for goodness sake, just enjoy the blog. As you would say – guf…
Kath says
There must be something in the air this week! So much rudeness in one day!
Jenn@slim-shoppin says
I watched Conan’s last show last night. I think its crazy that Jay Leno won’t step aside.. retire already!!
I think Jay’s ratings are not going to be good if he goes back, and then NBC will realize they made a big mistake!
Laura says
Kath,
Is there a “better” podcast for nutrition or healthy living to listen to?
Kath says
I haven’t found one…
RK says
Kath~ It made me smile to read that you listen to Dishing Up Nutrition. They are from my home town 🙂 I listen to them too and you are right, they have to be taken with a grain of salt. They do have some interesting things to say though. Oh, and I am glad you don’t mind the Minnesotan accents 🙂 Thanks for the blog. I love to keep up and am returning after a bit of a hiatus.