Nothin’ like some PUMPKIN to start off a fall morning right!!
This is my hoarded can of Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin. Stocked on the shelves since last winter just in case the world ends in the mean time. The craving always comes before I can get to the store for more!
I made whipped banana oatmeal with about 1/3 cup pumpkin stirred in at end along with classic pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, cloves, all spice) and some Autumn Spice granola on top! I have finished my sample bag and they are making an official batch at the bakery this afternoon. They are also making PUMPKIN OH’S!!!! My bowl was finished off with some apple butter and sunflower butter. And a cup of decaf!
M and I had a fun morning. We went for a walk with Rosie and did lots of milk drinking together. Breastfeeding has gotten a LOT better in the past 2-3 days. Thank goodness!! I think Downton Abbey is to thank : ) Season 1 is done, and I bought Season 2 for $20 from Amazon because it’s that good and I need to watch it NOW!
Lunch! Starving-mom-with-her-hands-full situation today. I couldn’t have eaten this more enthusiastically when I finally was able to sit down!
Meredith + Garrick’s Fiesta Chili recipe –> PUBLISHED! [Thanks for sharing guys!]
On the side – an awesome salad.
Leftover butternut squash and apples with pecans, olive oil and a drizzle of honey.
Afternoon snack – granola in milk x2! Plus some almonds.
Tonight’s dinner is brought to you by Pumpkin’s family, our neighbors, and the new-and-improved KERF household garden.
Thanks Bob and Ginger for the delicious lasagna! Matt and I spent the meal discussing what it was about your lasagna that was so unique – the extra fine, thin noodles? The type of meat? The cheese? There wasn’t brie in there, was there? We loved it!
Our garden has graduated from summer and gone to fall college. So long tomatoes and okra, hello beans, peas, braising greens and more!
Matt found a seed pack called “Braising Greens” – I think it’s a mix of kale, spinach, mustard greens and more. We ate the baby sprouts as a salad tonight – with sliced apple and cheddar cheese and more pecans on top. [Pekanz are the nut of the week!] Tossed in a simple lemon juice + olive oil dressing.
Have a happy week!
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
Ahhh lasagna is totally happening tonight. Pumpkin is one great cook 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
All of that looks wonderful and it reminds me I’m out of chili beans and need to boil up a batch today because I know the chili bug is going to strike again soon! So jealous of your garden. Ours did NOT care for the heat this year…um or not being tended to because of the heat but we won’t go there. 😉
Sara says
That lasagna looks sooooo good right now.
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
Lasagna is such an awesome comfort food. I love trying out other people’s recipes!
Alison says
Yummy eats! That lasagna does look super thin and so delicious! Glad things are going well with Maze 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I got hulu plus just so I could watch season 2 of Downton Abbey… and I proceeded to stay up until 1am Sunday night finishing it. IT WAS SO GOOD!
laurie says
I was considering doing the very same thing! I’m sad that hulu has down graded to the point where I really need to decide if I want to add hulu plus. I don’t have regular TV and I’m surviving on netflix and hulu! I can’t WAIT to see season 2 of Downton Abbey so I may do what Kath did and get it from Amazon. Decisions, decisions!!
bizzyb says
It’s also free with an Amazon Prime membership, which is so useful to have for so many other things.
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Pumpkins are definitely calling my name! I so want to make some muffins! The lasagna looks sooo good! You have so many lovely friends! Looks like you are enjoying beautiful fall weather too! Isn’t it great! Due to a back and neck injury, I have to forego my running for now…however, I am loving my walks!
Andrea says
That lasagna looks amazing!!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Wow how lucky to be able to still be able to grow crops in your garden! We’ve had two nights of frost so any remaining crops are in trouble. Gardening is officially over in WI until the Spring. But boy would it be nice to grow peas this time of year. Lasagna looks delicious!!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
Thanks for sharing the chili recipe – need to start stockpiling them for winter!
Silvia @ skinny jeans food says
A whole post without a baby photo! Noooooooooo !
Have Mazen and Pumpkin met already?
KathEats says
They have, but pumpkin was a little scared of him!
jen says
Missed hearing more about Mazen today:)
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Oh boy, that lasagna looks amazing!!!!
Helen says
What day is this?
KathEats says
Two days ago… But just pretend it’s live!
Helen says
I got confused because you were listing the day at the top on your previous entries. Would make much more sense to just jump ahead to at least posting yesterday’s blog each morning.
KathEats says
Right, but that would overwhelm me right now with no reliable nap schedule so we’re doing the best we can
Helen says
I wasn’t suggesting you blog more often, just that you forget about catching up! Just skip ahead 🙂
When will you review your Moby Wrap? You keep mentioning “soon”
KathEats says
But catching up would mean live blogging and I’m not sure we could manage that. I’d probably end up skipping days if I ran out of time and just get behind again.
Soon means hopefully this week or next!
SueP says
Seems like Kath is writing the post in the evening covering the previous day, and posting 1st thing a.m.
Amazing that you are able to post daily!
(See what I did there?) 🙂
emily says
i thought it only took 30 mins to post a blog? just curious.
KathEats says
It depends on the post and content – I can do one in 2 minutes or many hours
Susan says
I think she’s suggesting that tomorrow morning you post about today (skipping Tuesday) so you’ll only be one day behind, not two.
Either way … kudos on blogging every day. I know it’s a struggle to even get little things done sometimes when you have a newborn. You’re doing a fabulous job.
Lisa says
Come on gals, she just had a baby! If any of you are mothers, I am sure you got to chill on your couch for 6 weeks or longer postpartum without giving a thought to your job. I think Kath is doing a fantastic job–hats off to you for sure!
Laura says
I don’t mean this in a condescending way, just curious… do you anticipate going back to 3x a day blogging? i miss your frequent updates! {but completely understand why you are only blogging once a day! kudos to that!}
KathEats says
Probably not in the near future – at least until I have some kind of [somewhat] reliable nap schedule. Right now life is just so unpredictable and I’d rather do it all in one post.
Sara says
Really? 6 weeks or longer without giving a thought to your job? I think most mothers probably didn’t spend six weeks “chilling” on couches whilst completely forgetting their jobs in all entirety.
I don’t think anyone is being unreasonable here in asking that Kath just skip one of the catch up posts. No one is trying to give her a hard time, it just makes more sense. 🙂
Penny says
The usual maternity leave from a job is 6 weeks. And most women use that time to bond, rest, get their routine started without the pressures of a job. Most doctors recommend 6 weeks off and even FMLA covers you for 12 weeks. This is Kath’s blog and I don’t think any of us have the right to even suggest she do it any other way than how she wants or needs to. Also a lot of bloggers blog to document/journal their lives so why would we tell someone how to journal their lives? Most bloggers I know spend hours and hours on just one post, so it can be very time consuming.We are guests. She chooses to share and we need to just enjoy the posts as they come and not make her feel pressured!
Sara says
@Penny – Well, which is it? Is Kath’s blog a job from which she should take a six – twelve week maternity leave – if so making us consumers of her product? Or are we “guests” who should enjoy “what she chooses to share?” Because if it’s the latter, then I don’t see where rules about maternity leave come into play at all. Not trying to be rude at all, just don’t understand this logic at all!
KathEats says
I would lean towards the latter – guests. But that said, it is also a business for me, so that is also a factor. I also WANT to share! I just need to be as flexible as possible right now. Kind of like if you had a real job and your boss asked you to come in a few hours a week when you could to keep the business going without taking too much time away from your newborn.
Sara says
I understand what you are saying (and completely about spending time with your newborn!) but at the same time, I don’t think it’s fair to consider us “guests” when you do make income off the blog right? I feel like sometimes the attitude is that we should just be grateful for “anything you choose” to share with us, but the fact is that it’s a monetized blog that you consider your job. I feel like maybe we would be more accurately considered as “guests” on an ad-free blog, if that makes more sense. Thanks for your reply.
KathEats says
If you had to pay to visit, I’d completely agree, but since it’s free to read, I think guests is more appropriate than customers.
j3nn says
That lasagna looks AWESOME! Extra thin noodles? Oh wherever would one find those?!
That’s so cool that you are still growing stuff outside! Here in NY, garden season is pretty much done with besides the winter squash and pumpkins. Sniffle. 🙁
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I did the same thing when we finished the 1st season of Downton Abbey! We simply could not wait for Netflix to put it up for streaming! I’m so glad breastfeeding is going better now! I know it’s tough in the beginning, but definitely gets easier!
I still need to change over my garden, but I’m still getting tomatoes, eggplant and peppers! I hope it’s not too late to start some greens. I’m really wanting to have a fall garden!
Have a great day Kath!
Ann says
Does that lasagna ever look lovely – kind of like a thin-crust pizza, but in lasagna form. Speaking of pumpkins…where is our favourite furry one these days?
Ann says
No? 🙁
Tabatha says
Thanks for the chili recipe! I’ve been craving chili for weeks! Also, that dinner looks AMAZING!
Tonya says
yummm that lasagna looks like a pizza! i haven’t made lasagna in about a decade. For some reason I equate it with expensive ingredients. This has inspired me to give it a go.
Leslie says
Good morning! I just bought my first can of pumpkin for the season and I have a question. Storage? I usually end of throwing lots away because I don’t use it up and when I freeze it, it seems to totally change the texture. Just curious what you do with yours, how long it lasts in the fridge, etc. I might just need more recipes so when I open a can I am sure to not waste any-it’s way too expensive to throw away!
KathEats says
I put mine in a glass tupperware and use it for up to a week. In the fall, this is pretty easy to do : )
Katie says
PBS has both seasons of Downtown Abbey available online for free! Also if you like it you might like the Forsyte Saga, another BBC show from about 10 years ago, available on Netflix streaming.
KathEats says
oh bummer wish I had known!
Karen says
After you view your purchased copy of Downton Abbey (season 2)…donate it to your locate library for a tax deduction. I do this all the time.
Karen says
meant “local” library
laurie says
I must be daft but I can’t figure out how to actually watch the full episodes from PBS. I can only get previews and shorts for Downton Abbey. What is your secret?
Elaine says
You can watch it on Hulu Plus. It’s free if you get the 1 week trial subscription and cancel afterwards. It’s so good, I think I watched the whole season in 2-3 days! I think it was available for free on PBS a while back, but just for a limited time. Now I’m in Downton Abbey withdrawal, so I think I might watch Upstairs Downstairs, which is re-airing starting Sept 30 on PBS. Seems similar enough!
Rachel says
Your bowl of oats looks amazing!
heidi says
Do you have Amazon Prime? DA season 2 is free for streaming!
heidi
KathEats says
I do but only as a secondary to my mom’s account so I don’t get all the streaming
Becca says
Oh my, your oats sound like the PERFECT combo of Fall foods: apple butter, spices, pumpkin, Autumn granola… mmm!
Becca says
Oh, and I forgot to comment…
Pumpkin’s Mom is named Ginger! How sweet is that Fall family? : )
KathEats says
Haha – I didn’t think of that – cute!!
Cher @ Weddicted says
Wow – that lasagna looks SO good. And all the pumpkin talk is making me want to make a lasagna with pumpkin. Is that weird?
Either way – it sounds good to me right now! Mmm!
Chelsea@Ahintofhealthy says
Your garden is so cute-I love it! And that bowl of oats looks delicious.
Morgan says
Haven’t busted out the pumpkin for oatmeal yet. But I suppose you have made it official, so I can! Seriously too excited for breakfast tomorrow.
Annette @FitnessPerks says
Nice garden! I wish we had a lawn so we could do that. One day for sure 😉
Michele says
Love reading your blog daily. Lots of inspiration and now a new chili recipe to try.
You’re so lucky to have a garden to enjoy with all the fresh greens. Happy fall!
Chantal says
I had my first bowl of pumpkin oats for the season today! It was awesome.
My roommate and I always make lasagna when our friends have babies (which is often these days). We have a great recipe that makes two huge lasagnas, so we give one away and keep the other! It works out really well, and so we call it Baby Lasagna.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Perfect lasagna – love the cheesy top! Great chili, and the butternut squash and apples with pecans – that sounds like a perfect fall dish.
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) says
Cute garden! Mine yielded a sad crop of a few veggies this year, but *BRIGHT NOTE* I learned a lot for next year’s garden.
And I hear kale is a cool weather plant? Maybe I’ll try planted some of that soon.
Just stopping by to say hi 🙂
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
I love your garden, so adorable!!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
That lasagna looks like comfort food x10!!!
ds says
I love, love Downton Abbey too! Just wanted to mention something now that Mazen is getting your milk. Have you ever checked your backyard garden for lead? There were articles in the NY Times and Boston Globe about the surprising levels of lead in (some) backyard gardens: http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2008/08/11/lead_may_lurk_in_backyard_gardens. I’m SO jealous that you guys are able to have a garden! Not an option for us quite yet because we live in an apartment building.
KathEats says
I haven’t, no
Casi DeSarro says
Your photos never cease to amaze me. You make me jealous and also make me want to start photographing more.
Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut says
Love all of your Fall eats…Mmm. You can never have too much pumpkin. 🙂
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
The cheese on the lasagna is divine. Perfectly broiled and gooey. I haven’t seen Downton Abbey but I’m sure I’d love it! I’ll have to find it online somewhere : ).
Iris Lee says
I love the title of this post – so clever! 🙂
I recently went to Charlottesville to interview at UVA medical school, and I LOVED it there! I had seen lots of pictures and read about the town on your blog, and it was so neat to see everything in person. I didn’t get a chance to try any of the restaurants you’ve written about, but hopefully one day! Thank you for blogging, Kath! You’re truly an inspiration – I actually started my own blog a couple days ago. It would make me so happy if you have a chance to stop by and say hello, though I know you have your hands full with adorable Mazen (belated congratulations to your family!!). 🙂
KathEats says
Glad you liked Charlottesville, and congrats on the blog !
Jordan @ Eat for Health, Eat for Fun says
Oh how I wish that our local Great Harvest had Pumpkin Ohs! They always look so delicious and I am pretty sure my husband would think they were created specifically with him in mind!
Shannon ~ My Place In The Race says
I’ve been seeing lots of chili lately…I must make a pot myself! 🙂
JoJo says
Your garden is growing, looks awesome!!
All the foods look healthful and delish as always! 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
For season 2 of Downton Abbey, I did the Hulu Plus 1 week trial for free – I knew I could finish it in a week! Then I cancelled my trial. 🙂
KathEats says
Haha smart idea !
Andrea (@FrSeed2Stomach) says
I haven’t done pumpkin in my oatmeal yet, but I snapped up some pumpkin ice cream at TJs. So yummy. PS: have you ever tried TJs pumpkin butter? it’s awesome on whole grain toast with marscapone (or cream cheese). mmmm mmmmm.
Meredith says
Hey, we had the same thing for lunch yesterday! Although mine didn’t look nearly as pretty in the paper bowls at work, haha 🙂
Jessica says
Did Matt ever end up posting a blog about how he built the garden beds? I tried searching for it, but this was the best I could find: https://www.katheats.com/homemakers
I’m looking to do something nearly identical in our yard, and any help you/he could provide would be wonderful! Thank you!
KathEats says
I apologize we never did…he had a very busy summer at the bakery. I’ll put in a request for him though, as we really do need a garden recap page!
Cathy P says
Hi Kath! I have been a fan of yours from day one! I wanted to congratulate you- Mazen is simply put…..aMAZEing! What a gorgeous little baby! I quickly read through your latest posts and coments and some people have some very good information for you but ultimately NO ONE knows you and how you live better than you. Just be yourself as usual. Long time readers know for a fact that you are incredibly well read and more importantly, incredibly responsible. I have a 17 month old and things change day to day! You look fantastic by the way- did you lose weight from BFing and walking? I know it’s possible and you are a true testament to living healthfully and happily! Thanks for all you share with us every single day! -Cat
KathEats says
Thanks for your comment Cat! I think I’ve just lost weight as my body readjusts, but I do have some more to lose
Kati Mora, MS, RD, Kellogg's FiberPlus(R) Wellness Advocate says
Look at all the fun fall ingredients you’ve got sprinkled through your day! They all look so great. I’m really digging that salad though – what a great use of leftovers and a fun way to boost your fiber intake.
Cindy says
I was like you, hording away cans of Trader Joe’s pumpkin until I realized Target carries Libby’s year-round. It’s in the baking aisle. 😉
Laura @ She Eats Well says
I have major garden-jealousy as a city girl over here in SF. Also, that lasagna does look amazing…fresh and simple.
Kel says
Aw man, no aMAZing pictures :(.
The food looks good, of course 😉
Meg says
I just want to say that you are supermom. I can’t believe your posts show up in my Reader every single day! Here I am, 9 and 27 months postpartum, and I struggle to find time to blog. I hope you’re making time for yourself, if you need it. Walks/runs (sans baby) are a new mom’s best friend!
Lisa says
Your garden looks amazing. When you are growing your greens what do you do about the bugs? I had some amazing lettuce this summer but when I brought it inside there were tons of earwhigs coming out of it and freaked me out.
KathEats says
We’ve been really lucky no bugs yet… Just your normal garden beetle type
vidya says
Where is Maze?? How can you do this to us?? LOL just kidding! Missed the lil guys pics today. Kudos on the garden work. You guys are amazing. How do you get time to do all these? You HAVE to take some time management lessons or atleast give tips on TM for sure.
Mom says
I agree. Maze needs to be in each post!
Margaret says
You are doing a great job with being a new Mum and posting daily, don’t know how you keep up, maybe you could have some pics of the beautiful Mazen ready and when you have a CRAZY day you could just post pics and say this was a time out with Baby day.
Breastfeeding and fussy baby days are sooooo time consuming you can end up starving hungry so keep a few ziplock bags of berries in the freezer,ready to add to a banana smoothie,minus the ice for cold weather and you have a quick meal that you can manage, one handed (most important sometimes).
When it gets really cold you could have healthy home made soups in serving sizes ready frozen or refrigerated and you have another one handed meal, in a mug .
Kelsey says
EVERY bowl of oatmeal you make looks absolutely gorgeous!
Annie B says
I dont get the use of nut butters in the oatmeal. I have only ever spread them on bread or toast.
KathEats says
Try it! They melt in and add a layer of delicious!
Hilary (Four Little Forks) says
The lighting in that first photo is absolutely divine! You take the most delicious photos. Such an inspiration for this wannabe food photographer 😉
Cait's Plate says
That lasagna looks incredible!!
ES says
Where do you get the Libby’s Pumpkin? Those oats look pretty incredible.
KathEats says
I buy it at Harris Teeter
Alaina says
So what was the secret to the lasagna?? It honestly does look like amazing comfort food, right now.
KathEats says
Homemade noodles! Nutmeg! And a bechamel sauce.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Mmmmm… pumpkin oats is soo delish! And so is that salad 🙂
Meagan says
MHmm. Chili. I just moved to Seattle and with the fall weather coming, all things SOUP look so appealing to me!
Alyssa says
Kath, I think you need to try and create a savory pumpkin lasagna! That would go well in your pumpkin repertoire for recipes 🙂 Happy fall weather to you and the M&Ms!
Aja says
Everything looks so good. It’s kind of making me sad cause I’m living dorm life right now. I love me some pumpkin.
Seth Waite @ DrVita Vitamins says
Wow! I love the chili and the salad with pecans looks amazing. What an appetizing post with some awesome photographs. Not only do you eat, but you eat well!
Ellie@Fit for the Soul says
Whoaaa that lasagna looks so good right now! And I’m so glad breast feeding is getting better! 😀 Sounds like it’s harder than I used to think.
Ella says
That lasagna looks freaking delicious 🙂 Do you use skim milk in the granola? And what brand do you usually go for? I’ve heard good things about that Kashi brand but open to others 🙂
KathEats says
I use 2% milk by Trickling Springs Creamery, and I like Nature’s Path granola or the ones from our bakery. I’m not familiar with Kashi’s but definitely read the ingredient list. I wouldn’t buy it if it has fillers like isolated proteins.
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
Just found a can of pumpkin I had squirelled away from last year! Need to open up that critter!
Penny says
Any chance we can get the lasagna recipes? When you have time!!
Sara says
I don’t think we are “customers” either but I do think that the fact you wouldn’t be able to make income off the blog unless we were reading and clicking pages (paid for by us personally or not) probably means we have a little more right to offer an opinion (content-related or otherwise – and in a respectful manner!!) than guests. It would certainly be nice not to constantly see others being chided (by commenters, not you) for having a dissenting opinion as though we were looking a gift horse in the mouth, if that makes sense. Thanks again!
KathEats says
Of course your opinions matter! (Respectful ones : ) ) That’s not what I mean. I think it’s just that some people have “the customer is always right” attitude and demand things, and I don’t think that really applies here. But feedback is always appreciated.