The bakery is busy busy busy, so Matt was gone before sunrise this morning. That meant I spent the whole day just my little man and me!
Starting with breakfast. Baby in his seat, mom at the stove making oats!
Whipped banana oatmeal in a Wild Squirrel Jar! I reallyyyy enjoyed this vanilla espresso the gals sent me when M was born. The coffeeness was just the right amount – not too bitter – and the vanilla was strong. 1/2 cup portion of oats topped with spiced pecans!
Our workout of the day was a baby boot camp stroller class at the gym!! The class was great. I would never have thought to have a stroller class indoors, but it totally worked. Think of the strollers as seats for the babies rather than moving vehicles.
The class was filled with about 10 moms and babies (Maze was the youngest) up to little kiddos. We moms did cardio, weights, stations, and intervals all around the parked strollers. And a few silly games too! The boot camp is actually 5 days a week, but this is the only day it’s at my gym (=free). I will be back! Maze slept most of the time, but he woke up near the end for some smiles during our “tickle and run” drill : )
I walked to and from the gym too, so that was 2 more miles of exercise. We had to speed walk back as we approached nursing time. Luckily we made it with a few minutes to spare. After that, and a shower, I made this quick autumn salad for lunch.
No Bull Burger atop of spinach, spiced pecans, raisins, butternut squash and some Applegate Farms ham that Karen gave us because she didn’t want it.
Cinnamon Swirl on the side for dessert!
This afternoon we went out to run some errands. I planned to be out during a feeding, and I was SO impressed by the accommodations our new back seat has for nursing on the go: an arm rest for holding baby up, a water bottle holder and plenty of leg room.
Also it was nice to be up higher with slightly tinted windows so your average gentleman parking beside us couldn’t see right in. I didn’t even use a cover.
One of our stops was back to Trader Joe’s for a few things. Cookie butter + pinot noir samples – don’t mind if I do!
Funny Karen and I picked up and put back this box yesterday twice. But today I just had to have these chocolate covered stars. I think it was the sprinkles! They are good, but I might give the box away to a bakery friend. I really don’t need an entire box of cookies in my house right now!
Afternoon yogurt + cereal snack (plus 3 cookies!)
This evening Maze and I had a candlelit dinner together.
I let him chill while I did all the cooking. He said he would cook for me tomorrow.
BBQ Brussels Sprouts + Beans with Apple, Bacon and Wheatberries
This dish just came together minute by minute. I didn’t know where it was gone until I added another ingredient! I started with 3 slices of bacon and when they were crispy, added a package of Trader Joe’s shredded Brussels sprouts (so convenient that they were already shaved!) When they were tender, I added a drained can of pintos, a chopped apple and about 1/4 cup Bone Suckin’ BBQ sauce.
Served atop some cooked wheatberries I did in the rice cooker and some spiced pecans!!
After dinner, we slow danced together.
And now we’re going to go cuddle : )
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
I love wheatberries – looks like a very filling dinner!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Yer killin’ me with the cinnamon swirl bread! I must find a way to get the GH PRONTO!! That dinner looks awesome! I was going to grab some of those shaved brussels to make an Asian slaw. Yum! Happy Thanksgiving if I don’t make it over here tomorrow.
Karey @ Nutty About Health says
Your food pics look beautiful, as usual. The lunch salad looks really tasty! 🙂
Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot says
I just realized today that they are called BrusselS sprouts…never knew that “s” was on the end… Kinda feel like I’ve been living in a cave or something 🙂 Your use of them looks very tasty too! Happy Early Thanksgiving!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I get unnaturally excited when I go to WF or TJs and it’s a wine sample day. You can make some great discoveries that way though!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
He is just too cute!! I love that they have all these mommy classes now. My friends do stroller classes, which sound like awesome workouts.
Mom says
Those chocolate stars look heavenly!
Eating 4 Balance says
I saw that you linked up to a rice cooker. What all do you cook in yours? My mom has been thinking of buying one, and I was telling her how you also make oatmeal, right? I think it is a great alternative to a crock-pot because I always hear how rice doesn’t turn out as good and fluffy when cooked in those.
KathEats says
Rice and any kind of grain …even beans and oatmeal. I like it a lot.
Dorothy says
Excellent idea. How do you know how much water to use with the beans and oats?
Valerie says
I’m 3 months pregnant and we are in the market for a new car (Highlander or Pilot, most likely) but I was looking at a few others (Acadia) that had bucket seats in the back. I thought it wasn’t safe to put car seats in bucket seats, but it looks like your new car has bucket seats…am I right? How is that working out? Does it feel secure? Can’t wait to read your review on BERF.
KathEats says
I’m not exactly sure what a bucket seat is, but don’t most minivans have them? Since they are vehicles for families I can’t imagine they would be un safe.
Lynn says
My Honda Element has bucket seats too and the manual says it’s okay. I don’t think think they would make and SUV that wasn’t combatable with car seats…that would be an epic fail.
Sarah says
My GH recently started carrying Wild Squirrel and even though I don’t like coffee/espresso I LOVE the vanilla espresso variety. Sooooo vanillay!
It’s kind of interesting to me that your cinnamon swirl is 100% whole wheat ours is half & half. Is it a heavy sweet bread?
KathEats says
Only the swirl part is sweet
Keeley says
Hi Sarah!
So glad to hear you like our Vanilla Espresso — which one is your local Great Harvest?
— Keeley + Erika
Sarah says
My GH is in Woodbury,MN.
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Sounds like a very romantic dinner! Shredded brussel sprouts…yum! Oh the possibilities! 🙂
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
That stroller class sounds like a very interesting concept–never heard of anything like it!
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
Love those winging it one dish meals — happens quite a lot around here, usually with good results. Now to see what Maze will whip up today . . . 😉
Susan says
Love your blog Kath. And that mommy and baby class sounds like so much fun with the stroller! I wonder if any of my local gyms have something like that?!
Your comment about the box of cookies in the house really struck a chord with me. Obviously as a new mother you are trying to get back to your pre-baby physique, but more importantly are focused on spending time with Maze. Are you making a physical effort to lose weight, or is it more just happening naturally? I started reading KathEats when it was a weight loss blog, and I’d love for you to do a post on what has changed now, and what you are doing as far as nutrition goes. Thanks! 🙂
KathEats says
I’d say I’m making halfway effort to lose. I’m not trying to cut back on the volume of healthy foods i”m eating (because I don’t want to hurt my nursing supply) but I’m trying to be mindful of sweets + treats, which this time of year (ok, ANY time of year!) are hard for me to resist. I normally don’t buy them to keep in my house, but sometimes they make their way in. And it seems like every other night is a ‘special occasion’ around here. But definitely trying to be mindful of eating habits – I’m going to have to cut back sooner or later.
HeatherC says
Thanks for answering this– I too have been around since your weight loss days and its interesting to see your approach after baby. I had my third in February and I found that this time I have had to work much harder to lose…. It’s wonderful to see your healthy lifestuyle is going strong! 🙂
Jun says
As a fond reader of your blog for several years, I must say I’m profusely impressed by your positive attitude in life. I don’t suppose you ever summon the pressure to be skinny, as it seems to me that your goals in life are focused on being fit and healthy, and most definitely happy.
I admire that you don’t support any extreme sort of diet even when you happen to overeat during holidays/ celebrations, the way you pull yourself back up so immediately after slipping off track once in a while gives me hope that if I can do it, too, as long as my mind believes I can.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I love the idea of the stoller bootcamp, how fun! And you get to workout with other moms who are in the same position that you are, a great way to make some more friends!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
that last pic makes me wish i was maze. so cozy.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
That Baby Boot Camp class is such a cute idea!
Jenny @ For Your Consideration says
That stir-fry looks delish. I would have to make it when my husband is not home though. He can’t stand the smell of Brussel sprouts. Speaking of Brussel Sprouts and Trader Joe’s/TJ’s cookies, I just wanted to share two things with you. (1) If your TJ’s sells the seasoned Brussel sprouts, a really easy recipe is to bake them (the whole 3 servings in the package) for 40 minutes with 4 slices of cut-up bacon. It’s been one of my go-to lunches. And (2) I know you probably don’t want any more cookies in the house, but if you haven’t tried them, you must sample the Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe-Joe’s. Maybe buy some to bring to the next social thing you go to, and leave them there. (I personally find putting them behind a bunch of stuff in my cupboard helps me.) 🙂
KathEats says
almost bought them!
Jamie @ StudioEats says
Wow your dinner looks awesome!! Impromptu dinners are often the best 🙂
Leslie says
Here is an idea for those extra cookies if you don’t end up giving them away. I made a cake for Christmas Eve one year (mine happened to be an ice cream cake with chocolate ganache) and used the star cookies to decorate the cake. It was simple and really cute!
KathEats says
🙂
deva at deva by definition says
those cookies look and sound amazing. Cinnamon swirl bread is my favorite kind!
Kristen@Change of Pace says
I ordered a couple flavors of the wild squirrel pb. All of them are delicious! I love the idea of a stroller class inside.
Kavi says
Cookies AND sprinkles?! Two of my favorite things!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
The vanilla espresso AB sounds so good! And love the idea of the shredded brussles for a quick stir fry. I haven’t seen those sprinkles stars at TJs but they catch my eye, too!
And woot for nice tinted windows and a little bit of elevation when nursing. I remember those parking lot sessions 🙂
Sloane @ Life Food and Beer says
I miss Trader Joes 🙁 Mostly I just miss the cheap wine!
Michele says
I’m a dedicated 2x a week Trader Joes gal and we’ve never have wine samples. Lucky you!
You will be amazed at the continuing array of delicious and affordable foods they have!
Those chocolate stars are dangerous, but the peppermint JoJos dipped in milk are a seasonal favorite. Enjoy your first Thanksgiving as a family of 3!
Carrie @ The Cook's Palette says
Looks like a great dinner recipe! Love the bedspread Mazen is chillin’ on in that last picture.
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
That dinner sounds amazing! Sans bacon I’d be all over it!!! Last photo of Maze is SO cute!!!
sara P (www.fitcupcaker.blogspot.com says
Whats your recipe for the spiced pecans? I want to eat them on everything!!! I love the pictures of all your food!
KathEats says
It’s on my Recipage… You can search for it or it’s probably in the recently added cycle
Lisa says
HA! Wine at Trader Joe’s? Unheard of here in PA (no alcohol in grocery stores)!
the 3volution of j3nn says
Maze is quite the companion!
Verenique B says
awww sounds like you had a good day together! 🙂
where do you find all these neat diff nut butters???
i am stuck in a rut of just pb but wanna switch it up and explore the world of nut butters. never had anything except pb before. any sugesstions???
hope you have a wonderful & blessed thanksgiving!
Vere’nique
KathEats says
Wild squirrel is from our bakery and online… Specialty nut butters are all around… Stores, online, etc
Silvia says
The ending made me miss my cuddling days with my firstborn son -he is now 16- enjoy these moments Kath, they fly by so quickly!! M is soooo sweet and It is fun to watch his personality develop day by day.
Fran@BCDC says
The shredded brussel sprouts sound delicious. Wish I could find the No Bull burgers in my area.