Still in love with French toast – one bite at a time! Actually, mom requested it a second day. Otherwise I was going to have yogurt. But I will not turn it down. There has to be something chemical about my new French toast addiction though — I’m not sure I’ve had this big of a food swing since I fell in love with oatmeal circa 2007!?
I made it pretty much the same as yesterday – an Apple Scrapple slice cooked in egg with seared banana and melty peanut butter. Plus some of dad’s coffee.
M has replaced Lillian’s perch on Peepaw’s lap during morning paper reading time! He learned how to spell “earth” today.
I packed up the whole car and got on the road around 11 today. We didn’t have the best drive – a few stops were required. But M slept the whole second half of the trip, and it went by quickly thanks to the comedy station on XM radio!
This was my lunch on the road: a carrot, two clems, pretzels and a yogurt. I snacked on these items one bite at a time for probably 1.5 hours. The contrast of pretzels to clementine was amazing! I also swiped a mini pack of M&Ms from mom and dad and ate those one at a time too. I love to crunch off the “candy shell” and then suck on the chocolate. I certainly enjoyed all of these bites!
M was happy to see his dad this afternoon – the longest they’ve been apart in 3 months! I got stuck in a bit of a tornado when I got home – laundry was flying, groceries were scattered about, suitcases and unopened mail whirled by. I hate coming home on a Sunday because I have weekly housework and unpacking at the same time!
I somehow fit in some obsessive vacuuming of my new car (I’m determined to keep it clean!)
And a quick trip to the grocery store
For afternoon snack I had a spinach (2 cups), banana (1) and milk (1 cup) smoothie. Made up for not having a salad at lunch!
Plus a spoonful of Justin’s chocolate almond butter:
I’ve had Justin’s Hazelnut, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had the chocolate almond. It was just like ganache, I tell you! Justin sent me this jar along with some maple AB as a fun surprise in the mail – much appreciated!
I had plans to go to Faith’s for a party tonight but unfortunately something was off with Mazen. He has been extra fragile and crying for unknown reasons on and off all afternoon, so we decided to stay home. I hope he’s OK!
For dinner we shared a large macadamia nut encrusted tilapia filet I bought at Whole Foods. I love their seasoned fish. They’re not that cheap, but when you factor in the ingredients (nuts are pricey) and labor (saving time every now and then is great) and the cost of restaurant entrees (eating at home is always less) then I think they are a really awesome dinner treat.
This fish was DELICIOIUS!
Served with brown rice leftovers reheated with some coconut butter
And a huge pile of smoked paprika-scented kale chips!
Would you like some kale to go with that ketchup?
Enjoyed, one bite at a time.
I’m off to go snuggle with the cutie pie.
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Leaving my parents house is always hard for me, and I haven’t really lived with them for 5+ years. I can imagine it’s harder when you have kids. It’s nice that y’all live close to family. Glad you had a good time!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
That tilapia looks like heaven!! YUM! The pic of Peepaw and Mazen is so sweet! Love it!
Molly @ RDexposed says
Nut-crusted fish is so good! I haven’t used macadamia nuts though on fish.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I love caramelized bananas! I made an appetizer last week that used them. Natures candy!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I hope M’s okay, maybe it’s the start of little cold or something?
KathEats says
Report this AM: He’s back to normal!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Yay! Good news! 🙂
Allison k says
Mine has evenings like that occasionally, I usually assume its a developmental leap or teething. Or just being a baby. Can you imagine how tough the first year of life is for their little brains and bodies? I think I’d be cranky too on occasion!
Dynamics says
He was sad and missing his grandparents!
Mom says
Yep!
Lucy says
He was likely just over stimulated form the trip. I would suggest that planning an outing after such a huge adventure (for a 3 mth old the trip was huge) is not a great idea during the best of times.
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
I love slowly savoring meals! Its makes them so much more special and enjoyable!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
I’ve been enjoying French toast a lot more than I ever used to, and I think I should owe that to you and all of your yummy French toast breakfasts lately! 😉
Dawn says
After reading and reading about Barney Butter on your blog. I finally found some in a store near me, not easy when you live in a very rural area. Well, OMG, I could have eaten the entire jar with a spoon,in one sitting, I didn’t but I could have. Holy cow that is great stuff! It does contain some sugar if anyone is reading this that can’t have sugar but beyong that everyone should run oput and buy Barney Butter it’s the greatest Almond Butter out there! I swear 🙂 !
KathEats says
It is incredible. Definitely not the purest nut butter out there, but I get a jar (or in this fall’s case, a trio of 3 tiny jars) about once a year for a fun bit
Lisa says
I adore that picture of your Dad and Mazen. You should frame it! It’s incredibly sweet.
I picked up some of that chocolate hazelnut Justin’s spread last week and have been eating it by the spoonful. So delicious! I put it on my oatmeal this morning (along with some dark chocolate and coconut). Yum.
Welcome home!
Kaleigh says
What happened to Grade A-maple syrup & butter on French toast?
KathEats says
Syrup is too sweet! I like the texture of fruit + creamy nut butters
Maeve says
Too sweet? Girl, you love coconut, sprinkles, pancake batter, cinnamon swirl bread, dates, frosting, maple syrup, barney butter, biscoff, granola, marshmallows, etc. etc. etc. I love ya but you’re killing me with that. Generally people are “sweet” lovers or “savory” lovers. Not a bad thing. Just own it.
KathEats says
I’m not saying I don’t like sweets, I just don’t like maple syrup on my french toast and pancakes!!!! A drizzle on my collard greens? Totally.
Amy says
Try Grade B! The intense maple flavor will blow your mind! Grade A is the most refined- B is way more delicious I swear! (I’m from Vermont)
emily says
I love that you said that about the Justin’s Chocolate AB. When I tried to explain ganache to Adam that is what I used for comparison!
Jenny @ For Your Consideration says
Another delicious looking day! Glad to hear Mazen is back to normal.
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Brown rice with coconut butter is sooooo delicious! I love making it with coconut milk too. Green smoothies are so nutritious but I still can’t get over the color. Green drinks seem ‘wrong’ to me. 🙂 Wimp!
Eating 4 Balance says
I hope Maze is okay!… Just saw one of your previous comments. Glad he’s feeling better! 🙂
And I love surprising sweet and salty combos like those pretzels and clementines. Syrup + Bacon was the most delicious “mistake” to happen during breakfasts when I was younger.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love my condiments and ketchup and sauces, dressings, frostings, dips, spreads and always like to have a little food with my bowl of condiments 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
That fish looks absolutely amazing! And I hope Maze is alright too, maybe he’s just fussy from the car ride?
ChemERunner says
I am surprised by how much pre-made/convenience food you buy (like the tilapia). Have you stopped cooking? Do you just not enjoy it anymore? I find a lot of convenience foods like that, especially Whole Foods, prohibitively expensive.
KathEats says
I think I’ve bought this type of fish twice!? Of course I’m still cooking…
Rachel F. says
You have GOT TO try Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter. It’s exclusive at Whole Foods, and it tastes like frosting. It would be amazing spread on your french toast…
KathEats says
Oooo I love vanilla everything!
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
Eating at home is definitely cheaper!
Silvia @ skinny jeans food says
Lillian will watch from heaven, gently pad M’s head and say “good boy, keep grand peepaw happy in my place”..
Mom says
Ahhh…
Kristen@Change of Pace says
You got me addicted to roasted sweet potatoes and coconut butter. Everything looks delicious!
Ray says
What spices do you soak your French toast in? I always use cinnamon and either vanilla or almond extract. Nutmeg is great too.
KathEats says
Those!
Aimee says
Sorry – so you used cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract and almond extract, altogether? I’ve never combined vanilla and almond extracts. How is that?
KathEats says
I just use vanilla.
Blessing @ WorkingMomJounal says
The green juice looks good. I just started green juicing, bought the Omega J8006 last week! Do you have any green juice recipes you can share? Thanks 🙂
KathEats says
My favorites involve inexpensive cucumber, apple, carrots and lemon. Celery too sometimes or orange.
Sabrina @ Nutritiously Sweet says
The french toast looks awesome! I never tried that flavor of Justin’s but I may have to go try it. My favorite flavor is the Whole Food’s only Justin’s vanilla almond butter. Taste like frosting!
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
Hate it when babies seem upset and you can’t figure out why 🙁 Hope M was back to his happy self soon!
Katie@Real Food Katie's Way says
I am SO with you on the french toast front…A while back I mixed pumpkin pie spice into the beaten egg and MAN it was spicy goodness!
I’ve been on vacation so my homemade bread supply is nonexistent at the moment, otherwise I would be eating it everyday!
Crunchy Barnie Butter might be the best french toast condiment around…It’s so expensive here and I go through it so fast that I don’t buy it often…But I think I’m due!
Annette @FitnessPerks says
Mmmm that fish looks tasty!
K says
“It was just like ganache, I tell you!” Haha! I read that sentence like you were using a “Coffee Talk” voice! 🙂 “Like buttah!”
Elise @ Expeditions of Elise says
Justin’s Nut Butter is so yummy! I’ve had the maple almond which is pretty good, but actually my favorite is the vanilla almond! It’s only at Whole Foods and SO delicious. I like to spread it on apples.
Alicia @ Wanna Be Ina says
I am sure Maze was just a little overstimulated from travelling.
All this talk of Justin’s has visions of nut butters swirling through my head. I may need a 12 step program!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
I loved nut-crusted tilapia! It’s one of my favorite ways to have that fish.
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
Love Justins Chocolate Almond! Wins over hazelnut every time! Hope your Monday is off to a stress free start after your tornado!
sara p @ fitcupcaker says
I love ketchup. I want french toast for dinner now!!
Emily @ Emily Eats and Runs says
The photo of Maze with your father is too cute!!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
The fish looks amazing! Macadamias are so delicious but so expensive.
Sarah (The Simple Dietitian) says
Is it the egg in the French Toast that you crave? Or the bread? Or maybe just that yummy combination mixed with filling protein is what your body needs and wants to start the day.
I’ve been on an oat bran kick lately. I love the creamy texture when combined with soymilk and melty banana. I’m sure I could get hooked on the French Toast Bandwagon pretty easily too! 😀
KathEats says
I don’t crave either one by themselves as much – but I think it’s the egg more than the bread or I’d just be on a toast kick. I haven’t had oat bran in ages!
Christine says
This might sounds crazy but when my kids were babies they would always be so sad and crabby for a few days when we got home from a visit to my parents. They would nap perfectly and sleep through the night the whole time we were there then we had a rough time when they got home. I think maybe its all the extra attention they get at the Grandparent’s house 🙂
Grace says
Kath — Recent reader, love this blog (also a mom to 3.5 and 16 month year olds so love the parenthood thoughts as well!). I have tried and tried but cannot get kale chips right. These look perfect. How do you do them? Mine are always overtoasted in some places and undertoasted in others, and way oversalted (maybe I should find a recipe :)).
KathEats says
They are hard to get perfect. Here’s my recipe: https://www.katheats.com/recipage?recipe_id=6000190
They can be salty – do you use sea salt? I would not recommend table salt. And they are often a bit crispier in some places and chewier in others – that’s just the nature of the oven method. Make sure you get them REALLY dry before baking!
Kate says
Grace – I have a dehydrator and put mine in there. They turn out perfectly evenly crispy!
Grace says
Hmmm, a dehydrator, hadn’t thought of that! (It’s on my to-buy list along with a vacuum sealer someday). After reading Kath’s recipe, I think I’ve been baking them too hot. And probably too wet as well. Excited to try it again!
Steph @ Steph Stays Slim says
I love green smoothies! I’m on a bit of an addiction with them myself and have my new go-to recipe I just posted, yum! Tilapia is in the plan for me tomorrow, can’t wait!!
Jun says
I love the picture of your father with Mazen in his lap- warms my heart!
ingrid says
Lovely blog! So inspiring pictures. Going to try your spinach smoothie right now!
donna says
Yummy! You are making me crave French toast!
I got a chuckle at your description of your home (“laundry was flying, groceries were scattered about, suitcase and unopened mail whirled by”).
This is LIFE.
As M gets older and mobile, you understand that your house is not going to stay perfect all the time, don’t you?
Wait until you have 2-3 kids (probably bickering and pulling each other’s hair!), with book bags, homework, field trip paperwork, birthday party invitations, toys, coats,their friends in and out of the house, etc., and you will dream of the days when you only had one immobile baby!
My friend calls a baby “practice for the chaos to come later.” Have to love that.
Oh, and if you want more, add a puppy to that chaos, particularly one that chews and pees on everything in your house/yard.
Get ready for the ride. Parenting is fun, but wild.
KathEats says
These comments were more about the pace at which I was moving… Not the state of the house.
KathEats says
And that’s what the basement playroom is for… Toys (contained) everywhere
Aaryn says
I’ve got to say that I agree with Donna on this one. I have two boys, 4 1/2 and 6, and we have toys in the playroom upstairs, in their rooms, and downstairs in the living room. My boys love to be in the middle of everything and near us, so making them play with toys only in the playroom would definitely not work for our family. However, I do love our built-ins and woven bins in the living room that hide the toys when they’re not in use. The amount of stuff (toys, papers from school, homework folders, soccer balls, etc) just grows and grows as they get bigger. Our household is often busy and messy (and I am organized and neat!) but fun at the same time!
Katie @ SkinnyMinnieMoves says
Justin’s almond is HEAVEN. I feature it on my blog as well. I have to hide the jar sometimes, because before I know it, it’s half gone and I have to have a long gym session the next day to make up for it!
Cait says
That dinner looks beyond amazing!
Ella P says
Children love routine. Disrupting it may be unsettling.
This might expain Cutie Pie’s restlessness….
Andrea (@FrSeed2Stomach) says
kath – have you discovered unjunked candy? they make m&m type stuff without the artificial colors (and for roughly the same price as the m&ms!). i just discovered them and thought they’d be right up your alley!
KathEats says
I have heard of it, but I haven’t seen it anywhere. I don’t think I eat M&Ms enough to warrant seeking out the pure kind, but for someone who is sensitive to artificial colors or eats M&Ms a lot, that’s a great alternative!