Have you ever smelled a paperwhite? They are easy-to-grow bulbs perfect for windowsills. They have a strong fragrance – and that fragrance reminds me SO MUCH of my grandmother’s house. She always has all kinds of plants blooming. I bought this guy at Trader Joe’s for a few bucks and have thoroughly enjoyed his company in my bathroom.
And today is her 88th birthday!! Happy Birthday Gram!!!
Today was filled with all kinds of delicious eats – starting with overnight oats! I’ve been so blinded by French toast lately I forgot all about one of my top breakfasts!
This was regular overnight oats made with 1/3 cup pumpkin stirred in along with banana and topped with Cville Crunch granola and TJ’s peanut butter! Texture heaven.
Especially good by the Christmas tree with the holiday tunes playing
For lunch today I went to the bakery because we had a 2pm meeting on the books.
Matt made us Hugh Jass salads from the sandwich selections and toasted Dakota bread on the side.
I had a blend of pimento cheese, curried tuna and lemony hummus with olives, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and tofu cubes. It was smashing!!
The bread board never ceases to tempt me – I had a bite of ginger cookie and turtle bar (chocolate caramel blondie!) after lunch.
Our weather has been so amazing these past two days that I have covered about 10 miles with the stroller!! My legs are tired in such a good way.
For dinner tonight Matt and I made Coconut Curry Cod with Quinoa and Snow Peas
The fish was Wild Alaska Black Cod courtesy of Alaska Seafood. The black cod was different from other East Coast cod I’ve had – it was flakey like the halibut but also really soft and tender – almost the same velvety texture as lobster. The flavor was mild and subtly buttery, and I hear (read) that it’s very high in omega-3s – 1800mg per 3.5 ounce serving (that’s over 3x halibut and comparable to wild Alaskan salmon). And coming from Alaska Seafood, it was, of course, sustainably sourced.
I had coconut curry on the brain, so we rubbed the cod in curry powder and then patted on some coconut flakes and seared it all in a tbsp of coconut oil using our oven-finish method (sear one side, flip, finish in the 400* oven for 10 minutes more). I loved the crunchy-sweet bits of coconut!
I made quinoa in the rice cooker, and this was perhaps one of the best quinoa sides I’ve had. Maybe thanks to the rice cooker? It was almost bready – nothing bitter about it. I mixed in some more coconut flakes and a tbsp of coconut butter, so it could have been the richness of the butter that smoothed out the flavor.
The snow peas were steamed in the microwave and sprinkled with lemon pepper salt. I’m in a bit of a vegetable rut and picked these up at Trader Joe’s – such a fun alternative to green beans.
I just gave Mazen a bath, and I can hear the boys upstairs reading a story. Sleepin’ time!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
2 of my favorite combinations featured today! Tuna with humus and coconut curry ANYTHING! I recently discovered my love for coconut and I love it best with curry flavors!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
I had overnights oats this morning after a long hiatus from them too. They were tasty, but I kind of regretted not making hot oatmeal after feeling super cold since the temps are in the teens this morning!
KathEats says
I’ve been heating mine for 26 seconds to take of the chill. They aren’t hot, but come out almost room temp. Makes a big difference in the winter!
CC says
Kath- Just curious about what sorts of things you always have in your freezer/refrig/pantry. AND, your weekly grocery shopping/cost. You always seem to be able to whip something up. Any chance you’d do a post with all those details sometime?
KathEats says
I have a groceries post on the sidebar! –>
We have a ton in our freezer right now. I made an inventory sheet. It’s my favorite way to eat fish and meat because you can use them anyday without having to buy fresh and use on the day you go shopping
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Yummm that quinoa sounds good!!! I’ve never tried making it in a rice cooker!
lisa fine says
What is pimento cheese? And is it a Southern thing?
KathEats says
Yes, it’s a spread made from cheddar cheese, pimento peppers and mayo(or Greek yogurt!) I have a recipe on my recipage
DS says
I searched for pimento on the recipage and nothing came up?
KathEats says
Ahh so sorry! I made the recipe here and the link is in the post – Kelsey’s pimento cheese: http://www.katheats.com/super-bowl-of-good-food.
It’s a healthier version of the classic
DS says
Thanks, but it looks like Kelsey’s web page has been taken down?
KathEats says
Gah! I’m so sorry this has been so confusing. I texted her for the recipe – hopefully she has it somewhere! If not, I’ll have to recreate it!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
Happy Birthday Gram!!
Kristen@Change of Pace says
That flower is beautiful and so is your Grammy! Happy birthday!
Miranda says
I love paper whites, but my husband and kids think they smell gross! Your grandma looks amazing, happy birthday to her. You have good genes. : )
Sarah says
Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby! Happy birthday Gram- I miss mine every day!
Becca says
Love the presentation of your dinner! So pretty.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Coconut and curry is one of the best combinations ever!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I like snow peas but the TJs sugar snap peas are the BEST! I love those things – they’ll cure any rut, either raw or cooked.
And happy bday to your gram! 88??! I would have guessed like 68! She looks amazing!
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
I love overnight oats also; they have become my favorite breakfast!
Jen says
Hi Kath – have you seen this? http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/26-random-acts-of-kindness
My family is working on doing this and I just thought that if you did it and shared some of your #26acts on the blog that others might follow suit. It’s really warming my heart this holiday season.
KathEats says
Those are great! Lots of ideas. I love the tipping the lunch amount and bringing a giftcard to Santa
Melissa says
Hi Kath,
I’m almost old enough to be your mom but I’m still an avid reader. Had to comment today. Love that flower. I’m heading to TJ this weekend in hopes of finding one. That last pic of M is precious. You are an AMAZEN mom!
The reason for my comment was that after I finished reading your post, I was heading over to HTP to ck out her latest, and…instead of typing healthytippingpoint, I typed overnight oats. LOL
Merry Christmas!
Melissa
KathEats says
Haha fun!
carol says
Your little boy is so precious!!!
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook says
I love salads like your lunch one that are comprised of a little of this and that! Pictures of sleeping babies are so sweet. I always wonder what they are dreaming about.
Morgan says
Love the coconut curry idea! I would never think to mix the two on top of fish–genius! Thanks, Kath! I’m trying that tonight 🙂
Ashlee says
Mixing bowl salads are the best! I bet it’s fun to own a whole salad bar that’s just always available and prepped for you to mix and match with!
karenb says
Your photography in this post is fantastic!
KathEats says
🙂 Thanks!
katie says
I work in a greenhouse and we sell Paperwhite bulbs throughout the Winter. I grew up with parents that worked in this industry, and the smell of them is a huge memory trigger. Happy birthday to that lovely woman, and by the way I LOVE your table!!! Happy Holidays 🙂
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Of course everything looks delicious, but I have to say I LOVE that pic with the wooden table! Who’s the photographer?! I definitely need to take some courses! Btw, I LOVE that table too…hard to find rustic furniture like that where I am ;-(
Cassie says
Paperwhites are my favorite flower! Your g-ma has great taste!! 🙂
Lisa Langenfeld says
I grew up in Alaska, working on my Dad’s fishing boat, and black cod is one of my favorite things to catch and eat! It’s my favorite type of fish – and it’s also SO good smoked! It is one of the highest omega fishes, and cooks up so easily. I’m so glad you got to try it, straight from the source! 🙂
I made pumpkin banana protein oats this morning too and am loving them. I seriously can’t seem to get enough!
Mazen is absolutely beautiful 🙂 Enjoy your day!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
never thought about how you have access to a bread sampling board at all times!
KathEats says
It’s impossible to resist
Sara @ fitcupcaker says
I LOVE overnight oats. And I have found so many new recipes using quinoa too! Yum
Annette @FitnessPerks says
Happy b-day to your gram! quinoa in a rice cooker = genius
DS says
Fun! Do you add the banana at night or in the morning to your overnight oats? Is it just sliced? Thanks!
KathEats says
At night, sliced yes
Paige says
Question about your Alaskan Seafood, I’d love to try it (I already get my meat from a local farm) but when I go to the link you post, I never see where I can order from. What am I doing wrong?
KathEats says
Alaska Seafood is representing the retail market of Alaska which distributes to every corner of the country, so you should be able to find some of these fish in your own grocery stores (like wild salmon). There are Alaskan retail shipping sites, but they can be pretty expensive to ship, but if you want to try the specific fish and it’s not near you (like the Black Cod) you can search for those retail sites
a farmer in the dell says
happy birthday to your gram! I miss mine everyday. your dinner looks great as always.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
I love overnight oats but it’s just to cold this time of year here! It’s whipped pumpkin, french toast, pancakes and instant bakes and of course baked oats all the way! 🙂
Whitney says
I am in LOVE with your cousin’s (I’m guessin’?) shoes. Those are adorable!!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
The cod looks SO good – I might have to give it a try! 🙂
Sarah says
Love Hugh Jasses.
Love Peas.
Love Mazey!!!
KathEats says
Was just reading the chapter of your book about them!
Anna says
I love the way you think to put pimento cheese in a salad. I’ve never thought about that before and now I’m going to have to try it!
Kristi says
Happy bday to your Gram! I see where Maze got the hand gestures from 🙂
Denise Laflamme Jolly says
Je suis completement en amour avec votre petit bébé .l’air si doux et paisible !!avec des beaux parents comme vous 2…pas étonnant d’avoir fait un si beau bébé !
Merry Christmas a vous !
lectrice du Québec !!
I am completely in love with your baby. Looked so sweet and peaceful! Fine with parents like you two … no wonder of having a beautiful baby!
Merry Christmas to you!
reader Quebec!
KathEats says
Fun comment… And thanks for translating!
Cait's Plate says
She looks AMAZING for 88!! Happy birthday to her!! 🙂
Verenique B says
ok so i just made a mix of overnight oats in prep for bfast tmrw, used 3rdcup oats,3rdcup pumkin,3rdcup vanilla greek yougert,3rd cup soymilk, and 1tsp of chia seeds(gonna top with a quinoa/chia seed granoll and crunchy almond butter)
but i mixed it up and it was more runny than the banana over night oats i have made, is that normal? or did i not do it right this time with the pumpkin?
or will it still thiken up prety well over night?
KathEats says
I think it will thicken!
Sara @my less serious life says
ahhhhh that bread board is so beautiful!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
I like the idea of putting coconut on the fish…I usually just dress mine with some lemon juice, salt, pepper, parsley and olive oil. Is the coconut sweetened?
KathEats says
Yes
Mandy says
Hey Kath, love the blog and happy b-day to your grandmother. What a festive time of year for birthdays! I wanted to ask about the wild-caught fish you have been eating and whether it is safe for breast feeding/pregnant women? It seems like wild fish, with high mercury levels, can be very bad for infants (http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/lead.asp). I just wanted to see if the group that has been sending you these products to try had any information about mercury in their products and if you could share that with us!
Thanks so much
-M.
KathEats says
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think the recommendations for breastfeeding women are any different from the regular population: consume fish high in mercury in great moderation. These include tuna (which I don’t eat a lot of for this reason), shark, swordfish. The wild salmon, halibut and cod I don’t think are high in mercury at all (I know the salmon is low). This site might be helpful to read: http://www.epi.alaska.gov/eh/fish/
I only have fish a few times a week and mostly different species, so I think variety and avoiding the high mercury ones are what’s most important
KathEats says
Here is also a pamphlet by Alaska Seafood that says:
http://www.alaskaseafood.org/health/documents/healthy_mother-FINAL-PDF.pdf
Hope that helps!
KC says
I read through the linked article from Mandy carefully. I did not see anything that said breastfeeding women should eat fish differently than what is already recommended for young women in general. The main concern seems to be to be extra careful to not exceed the fish consumption recommendations already laid out for all women of childbearing age.
I’ve also spoken to our pediatrician and my nutritionist about this. I was told to follow the same recommendations as for women of child bearing age and I do not need to follow the recommendations for pregnant women. I was also told that consumption of seafood is an important part of my diet for both myself and my baby. If we’re afraid to eat natural foods because they’re contaminated and processed foods because they’re not natural…….
If someone chooses to be extra careful, about anything, above and beyond official health recommendations that’s fine. More power to them! But, that doesn’t mean the rest of us need to follow suit. There are enough do’s and don’ts about raising children to worry about without creating ones that don’t really exist.
Mandy says
My understanding is that pregnant women and nursing mothers should follow the same guidelines, as well as small children, have you heard otherwise?
It seems like the guidelines differ significantly depend on who you ask, but I know you keep Mazen’s safety as a high priority! Black cod and salmon are both in the moderate-mercury category and here is the conservative recommendation on that:
“To be safest, however, The Green Guide and the Environmental Working Group recommend limiting moderate-mercury fish to one meal a month, and bypassing high-mercury fish completely.” (from here: http://grist.org/article/fish-and-tips/).
Although it is an interesting thought that varying what you eat might be helpful, in actuality I don’t think it makes a difference. Mercury/other heavy metals build up in the body over time and all ocean fish contain some.
Anyways, I’m sure all the moms out there would appreciate the info!
Thnks.
KathEats says
I think salmon is in the low, but halibut and black cod are in the moderate here. That’s interesting because they were listed as low on the sources I read earlier.
Jen says
I turn to KellyMom for all things breastfeeding, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer:
http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/chemicals/mercury/
From what I gathered in the articles linked above, the risk is higher during pregnancy. Very small amounts of mercury are passed through breastmilk, and the danger is highest during the first 3 months. Even with mercury exposure, breastfed babies still performed better in developmental tests than formula-fed babies. But then the FDA also says: “While it is true that the primary danger from methylmercury in fish is to the developing nervous system of the unborn child, it is prudent for nursing mothers and young children not to eat these fish as well.”