I think the husband and I went a little over the top with breakfast today. See below!
Workout
I decided to skip spinning – I wasn’t in the mood, probably from my double dose Friday/Monday. So I ended up doing 30 minutes Stairmaster, 10 Squirrelliptical followed by pull ups and push ups. I think my upper body has really gotten stronger – I can easily do 3 sets of 10 pull ups on the 70lb assistance now. I used to only be able to do 80 lbs assistance!
Before I left I had a Banana Muffin Top with a bit of PB&J. I was going to have it plain, then added a dollop of jam. Then I thought PB would make it even more delicious!
Breakfast
Oatmeal today! Classic Kath Style with water, hemp milk and milk, banana (1 small for 2 peeps), flax, vanilla, toasty walnuts, a tsp of brown sugar and PB. Extra, extra delicious today!
But the real breakfast event was the husband’s ICE CREAM SUNDAE oatmeal! I have been tempted to put some of our Soy Delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate ice cream in my oatmeal – just as a treat one day – but I was always nervous how it would turn out and didn’t want to “spend” my breakfast so extravagantly if it wouldn’t taste amazing. So I used the husband as a guinea pig and he tried it – about half a cup of the ice cream plus a big handful of walnuts (those of you who want to know how we eat differently – his mix-ins are always heartier than mine!)
Had I made this version, I would have just used 1-2 tbsp of the ice cream – not half a cup!
I had 2-3 tastes. It was amazing at first, but as the ice cream melted, the flavor dissipated and then I’d say it wasn’t worth the extra calories and sugar. So I don’t think I will ever have it myself, but it was a fun experiment 🙂 While the Soy Delicious ice cream has a fine nutrition profile for dessert (made with soy milk, cane sugar, and some other natural ingredients), it really doesn’t offer much nutritionally for breakfast other than a delicious taste. But before it melted all the way, it really did “cream up” the oats and they tasted like they were floating on PB air. Once melted, you could get the same effect with cocoa powder and plain PB.
My breakfast from above. And despite the monogrammed napkin, my last name doesn’t start with an “M” – someone didn’t know I didn’t change my name upon marriage and got us these monogrammed napkins last year. They’re pretty though! I’m rather fond of my Y initial 😉
My breakfast was 470 kcal, 9 grams fiber and 18 grams protein. But add in a few extra bites of Sundae Oats to that!
Two classes and the weekend of relaxation begins!! If only the forecast was a little warmer and sunnier…
Kath says
caitlin (in FL),
Love your comment – so glad you got in a great workout!
Nikki,
Thanks for your sweet comment! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you all as well – I have so many more friends! Glad I can help out on those rough days too 🙂
jenna ,
Those are my kind of spices! I’m going to get some and try the Dal this week – looks so good!
HK,
Yes, I followed the blueberry bun recipe exactly except I reduced the sweetener in half and used SB instead of oil. And added banana instead of blueberry!
Kath
Ally says
Wow, what a fun experiment!
Soy Delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate is an awesome flavor but I agree with you, if I am going to eat ice cream I want to fully enjoy it!
I am really impressed with your pullups, I am currently working on upper body strength. My legs are really strong but push ups and pull ups have always been dificult for me.
caitlin (in FL) says
so kath, kind of funny… around 10 pm i read your post about going to spin class at 5:45 and i was like, you know what, i know there’s a 5:45 spin class at my gym, i’m going to go. so i woke up at 5 (yyyyyyyyyyyyyikes) and went! there was a new teacher and she was SO. FREAKING. GOOD. I got in this insane workout and I had time to go grocery shopping before work. Now I can go to happy hour with my friends knowing my workout is out of the way (cause, we all know, drinking beer is not condusive to going to the gym)! It’s just put me in such a good mood. Thanks for your motivation!
Nikki says
Ally – same here! I have always neglected my upper body as far as strength training, but no more!
Kath- I admire how your blogging has evolved over time. I remember when it was more about calories (and that was definitely appropriate at the time), and it’s been so interesting, enlightening, and inspiring to “get to know” you and discover how much you’ve learned on this journey.
Whenever I’ve had sort of an off day (whether with eating or otherwise), I know I can look to this blog for a reminder that a smile and a healthy attitude makes me strong enough to live my life to the fullest. In short – thanks for everything you do, both intentionally and unintentionally!
VeggieGirl says
Still sounds like you had a great workout this morning!
Oooh, your PBJ-Banana Muffin Top idea is scrumptious – yum!
What a fun, decadent breakfast experiment!! Wow!! I’m in awe – I’d say it was worth it ;0)
Enjoy having just two classes today (I envy you, haha – I have DOUBLE that today!), and get ready for a fantastic weekend!!
jenna says
aww what a fun idea. I need new oatmeal ideas because I’m a little burned out on my “usual”.
I think you would love garam masala. Its not exactly “curry-ish”..more like “warm-spice-ish”. The ingredients are: black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin and coriander. It’s really really yummy!!!
arimcg says
Putting ice cream in oatmeal is so something I would do.
hk says
Glad you were able to get the “worth it” bites of the experiment, good plan 🙂 Your scones have been giving me the “baking itch”…so glad that it’s the weekend soon, and I’ll have some time to get baking 🙂
Did you follow the Vive La Vegan Recipe pretty closely aside from oil and sugar cutbacks?
Romina says
Yoo hoo! Enjoy your relaxed weekend. =) PB & Jam on your muffin top sounds delicious.
bikergurl says
I just wanted to say that I tried the whipped banana oatmeal this morning and it was fabulous. I was skeptical about the difference between stovetop and microwave oatmeal, but stovetop is amazing! Thanks for convincing me to try this!
Nicole (the other one) says
To Lesli – Sorry I missed your post about artichokes from lunch yesterday but I wanted to offer up a recipe that I came across just yesterday. They are tricky little buggers to prepare and I thought this looked really easy.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/242051
Patrizzle says
Kath,
I just started reading your blog and it has reinvigorated my healthy eating! I really needed some imaginative ideas. Thank you. Are the Banana Muffin Tops home made or store bought? If there are homemade, where is the recipe?!?!
Thank you for the inspiration, I will be checking in daily.
Lesli says
Nicole,
Thanks for the link! I am seriously considering trying it out this weekend!
Kath,
Ice cream for breakfast! What a fun, Friday morning experiment!! Enjoy your relaxing weekend! I will be moving this weekend, yuck, but at least I’ll be burning some extra calories, right?
I hope everyone has a great day!!
LisaR says
hey kath or others who have a sigg bottle….what size is you sigg water bottle? I’m finally getting rid of my nalgene and am about to buy a sigg but wasn’t sure what size would be good?!
thanks!
Nick says
Don’t forget Kath, peanut butter makes everything more delicious =). I need to get this peanut butter & chocolate soy ice cream, where can I find it?
– The Peanut Butter Boy
Betsy says
ice cream in oatmeal??? oh kath-you just keep topping yourself!! it’s never gonna stop, is it…
Bridget says
Kath,
Thanks for the constant creative meal ideas! Love the blog 🙂
I have a video request- cutting a mango?? I can never seem to do it right and have even looked up multiple directions on the internet…I always feel like I end up wasting a lot of the fruit. So if you ever get the urge to make a video and are looking for a subject, please throw this one in the hat!
Thanks again for all you do!
Kim says
Finally, someone else that got married and didn’t change her last name! I am ALWAYS harassed about it! I like my “S”, so why should I have to give it up 🙂
Kristie says
Haha ice cream in oatmeal… that sounds like it would be dangerously good! I guess maybe it’s a good thing that it didn’t turn out amazing because I think I would be tempted to eat it all the time!
Katers says
After 4.5 mo of eating healthy, counting calories, measuring my food, and working out 6x week (and losing 15 lbs!) – I’m burnt out. I know when I work my plan, I’m happier, more productive, and lose weight. I still have more weight to go (25 lbs in a perfect world) and I’m stumped for ways to get re-motivated. I’m planning a big grocery trip this weekend at my fave grocery store, Trader Joe’s; I bought two new cookbooks (Veganomicon and EDBV); and I’m starting twice weekly Pilates reformer classes next week to kick start my workouts. Kath, do you (or anyone else) have any tips for getting re-motivated and jump-starting yourself? I’m particularly struggling with packing my lunches for the next day. I’m just all out of lunch ideas. Thanks!
SarahF says
Morning everyone,
I just wanted to say a huge “Thank you” to you Kath. Reading this blog has been so beneficial for me. I absolutely love your “worth it” philosophy.
I just started an office job in January (my very first one) and with it my life became a lot less active. I joined a gym almost immediately (the first time in my life) and became a little obsessed with counting calories because I didn’t want to gain weight. It took all the joy out of my life because anytime I ate anything that made me go over my “calorie limit” (which I initially placed at 1400 calories!) I felt bad about (which includes nutritious things like bananas, peanut butter, even carrots).
Reading this blog has helped me to realize that that is so stupid! I’ve started making very healthy decisions, but I allow myself treats and don’t dwell on them- like I said a few days ago, I’m currently on a week long trip with work (which are going to start happening more and more frequently) and I’ve made really healthy choices the entire time, exercised 3 times this week, and last night I was craving ice cream-so I had some! Though it wasn’t a huge binge like what I was doing before-I had one scoop and enjoyed every single bite- and felt content afterwards.
So, after a very lengthy post, one more Thank you to you Kath, because you have helped me to gain back my healthy relationship with food and brought back joy in my life 🙂
caitlin (in FL) says
katers congrats on your weight loss!
have you seen the show on TLC called “I Can Make You Thin” by Brian McKenna? They had a segment on last week about how you can become motivated by creating a positive association with pressing your finger and thumb together and then tying that physical response to the desire to exercise. I’m sure I can find segments on the show on YouTube or something, and it seems pretty cool.
BethT says
OK Kath and any other morning exercisers….does anyone find themselves still sweaty from their workout even AFTER they shower?? I have to shower at the gym and go straight to work from there….by the time I get to my desk I’m a sweaty mess. I know it’s because I don’t have as much time to cool down, compared to when I can shower at home, but YUCK. Any ideas on how to reduce this? I’ve tried cold showers, but no luck….
tvk says
To BethT, maybe you could try starting your workout 5 minutes early, so that you can build in a genuine cooldown. When I get the post-gym, post-shower sweat, it’s because I didn’t properly cool down.
Kelly L. says
SarahF- You seem to be eating too little right calories. Working out and eating 1400 calories will have you losing weight. I know you said you are trying to loosen up with the calorie obsession so try and listen to your body and eat whole nutritious foods and you’ll be fine. Having a serving of ice cream isn’t a binge AT ALL! I binge is consuming a large amount of food and feeling like you can’t stop (full or not). I have ice cream 5 days a week almost and I would never consider that a binge. I just make sure I get in all my other daily requirments and then have at the ice cream. Don’t worry so much. Life is too short. 🙂
SarahF says
Kelly L,
Sorry I should have specified. I’m no longer on a 1400 calorie restriction. I’m actually no longer counting my calories but just eating when I’m hungry and stopping when I’m full (though sometimes when I count my calories out of curiosity I’m usually around or over 2000 calories).
And my ice cream story was about how it wasn’t a binge-but how I was able to enjoy ice cream without it turning into a binge!
Megpie says
Kath, don’t wanna make you jealous or anything… but it is supposed to be 90 degrees here in southern California today and this weekend!! 😀 I hope it warms up for you!
Christianne says
Katers- Congrats on 4.5 months of healthy living! When I get burned out I try to remind myself that it is a marathon, ideally you will live healthfully for the REST OF YOUR LIFE so you have to have attainable goals that make your life healthy and still ENJOYABLE. Personally, if I were to measure my food and count every calorie that would suck all the enjoyment out of my meal and it would just make me completely obsessed. Everyone is different and I can see how for someone else, weighing and counting is enjoyable and helps them meet their goals and feel like they have accomplished something. If however you are starting to feel burnt out maybe try taking a break from some of your habits, like measuring and counting but still keeping an eye on portion size and healthy foods. As far as packing your lunch goes that one’s tough, and I think you just have to rely on your comittment to healthy eating and be as creative as you can be.
Kath says
Patrizzle ,
Love your name!! Welcome to KERF 🙂 The banana muffin tops are a modified version of “Blueberry Bounty Buns” I got from the recipe book Vive le Vegan by Dreena Burton. A REALLY great book. I think copyright laws restrict me from posting recipes, but it was basically banana muffins dropped on a cookie sheet instead of in cups = muffin tops!
LisaR ,
I have the .6 L one which is a great size for carrying around because it fits in most water bottle holders and isn’t too heavy. But I know Sigg makes a 1L too. Just depends on how you want to use it.
Bridget ,
It’s on my list of videos!! I just have to be ready to make a video when I’m ready to eat one. Hopefully this weekend, if not the next.
Nick,
They have a store locater on the site:
http://www.turtlemountain.com/
Katers ,
CONGRATS on your success!!! Maybe you just need a break? I always find that after a vacation I come home with a renewed energy for being healthy (even if I ate well on the trip, just eating out a lot is kind of draining after a while). Perhaps you just need a week off? Try some of my lunch ideas – get organized on the weekend and see if that helps too. You’re doing GREAT – don’t worry, you’re enthusiam will return.
SarahF,
Thanks so much for your great feedback! I’m glad you are enjoying a healthier mentality 🙂
BethT ,
In the summertime (we don’t really use our A/C much!) this is definitely common for me. But I consider it the post-exercise “glow.” It’s rather hard to put on make-up when you’re face is sweating, but I find nothing helps more than a fan blasting on me.
Megpie ,
I AM SO JEALOUS!!! It’s 80* here today, but next week looks awful.
Glad you all are having success with the recipes!!
Kath
Molly says
uh oh! someone got oatmeal in your ice cream! that’s how i view it…hehe
Kelly T says
ha, i never thought i would see the day where kath allowed ice cream from brekfast in her house.
Shameless self promotion:
MY SITE IS BACK UP
www.everygymsnightmare.com
Kristin Point says
tried the kale chips today…i was skeptical but they were SOOOOOOOOO good! Thanks for the idea kath!
Yaz says
Megpie,
I am in SoCal also! I am so excited to see someone else form Cali on the blog. For some time I have been feeling left out because I hear of all the good restaurants in the east coast. 🙂
KatieTX says
Kath, Just wanted to let you know because of you I have fallen in love with the assisted pull-up machine. I feel so strong when I do it. Also I love push-ups. Just curious…how many full “boy” push-ups can you do? I’m a fitness instructor and I try to work my students up to being able to do at very least 10, and try to get them to do 20. Also how many sets do you do for pushups? Have a happy Friday!
Melissa says
California ladies – 🙁 I am in WI and we’re supposed to get 5-10 inches of snow AGAIN tonight! Please soak up the sun for me and think of me! It is NASTY right now! And last night within a matter of an hour, we had snow, sleet, rain, and 30 mph winds. I thought it was APRIL?!?!?!?!?
Kath says
KatieTX,
Glad you like the machine!! I’m not sure how many I can do because I never do them to my max (which would leave me sore for days!) but I usually do 3 sets of 12-15. I go down pretty far, but the husband says I don’t “touch my nose to the floor.” I think I could probably do about 50 in a row before I collapsed!?
K
Katers says
Thanks Kath! I really owe alot of my success to you! You’re such a source of inspiration for me! Thanks for the tips, too!