I got so wrapped up in my research (I’m researching breastfeeding practices in Niger as it relates to the rampant child malnutrition there) that I looked at the clock to find it was 7:00 and I still had no dinner plans!! I had sort of decided on a veggie burger, but since I was hungry and freezing cold, the leftover mushroom-squash soup was much more appealing! I knew I wanted to give the frozen brussels sprouts a try too, so the plan was decided.
The soup got microwaved for a few minutes and topped with a sprinkle of toasted walnuts. I LOVE walnuts as a soup garnish!
I thawed out the brussels sprouts in the microwave by nuking them with a little water for about 90 seconds. Then I halved each sprout, heated about 1/2 a tsp of olive oil in a pan, and sauteed them until they were beginning to char – just how I like ’em! Let’s just say they were 90% as good as fresh and SO easy and conveninent!! I definitely have a new quick fix food. Topped with a little grated Asiago, they were absolutely delicious:
Lastly, I had to have a few crackers with my soup. I think the reason I always want them with soup is because the soup is such a soft texture and I need something super crunchy to balance it out. And they always take me a while to eat. I thought about having bread for some variety, but because of its softness and ability to disappear in 3 bites, it got vetoed.
From above with hot tea (unsweet, unmilked) –
Dinner was roughly 535 kcal, 21 grams fiber, and 22 grams protein.
Snack
I always talk myself out of having bars when I’m at home in favor of whole foods, but today I just wanted to get started on my research and although a smoothie was calling my name, I thought sitting down and working while nibbling on a LaraBar would be more practical with nothing to clean up. Of course I had hot tea (I was freezing!) I LOVE LaraBars and need to remember that! And the best part? It held me well into the evening with no hunger.
Off to read and bathe, my new nightly ritual (but not before I answer> some blog questions!)
janine says
Hi Kath,
I am curious as to what a Lara Bar actually looks like. Would you be willing to post a picture of the unwrapped bar next time you eat one?
Thanks!
Annie says
Hey Everyone, I was just wonderng if anyone has ever tried to sub no sugar added apple sauce for the egg beaters in Kaths Oatmeal Pancakes? I wanted to make one for breakfast in the AM, but have no egg beaters. It sounds like it would be really tasty..but dont know if it would hold its shape or somthing…just wondering. Thanks!
kay says
As always, your dinner looks so good!!
Do you pack your husband dinner when he has class? I pack my husband lunches and dinners sometimes (dinners when he has long days). I need new ideas! 🙂 At least he can take a decent size cooler and has a microwave/toaster at work.
Thank you again for your detailed responses! You are “Super Kath” to me! How did you decide on your blog name? “Kath Eats Super Foods” sounds appropriate too! 🙂
hk says
looks like a nice dinner for one! I love brussel sprouts, and I too am totally in favor of always having some frozen ones on hand!
Romina says
Your soup looks really good! Great topping of the walnuts. =) And asiago on brussel sprouts sounds like the prefect topping. (Although I don’t eat cheese, I can still reminisce!!)
A larabar is such a great way to snack. They’re so delicious, and best of all raw.
Emma says
Does the asiago do a lot for the b sprouts?
And do you normally have the original 7 grain kashi crackers? Or what flavor?
and ha! nice balancing action with the lara bar!
Kath says
Janine,
I’ll definitely take a photo of the inside of a LaraBar next time – and if I forget don’t hesitate to remind me a again!
Annie,
The egg whites are key to binding the pancake together as it cooks, so I don’t think apple sauce would be a good substitute. But I do think it would be great in addition to eggs. You could certainly give it a try though!
Kay,
Thanks!! I don’t pack his dinners – he’s eating in the dining hall like I did last semester! Cheapest all-you-can-eat buffet around!
Emma,
The Asiago did add a lot of flavor.
I love the 7 Grain crackers but have the Honey Sesame open right now and love those too. I don’t care for the Garden Veggie ones because I hate seasoned things (think onions- eww)
Kath
pinklilly says
I just posted this in the “lunch” section and just saw dinner was up. So, I thought I would re-post!
Having a love for eggs must be a Melissa thing because I adore them!
Is anyone else as obsessed with cottage cheese as much as I am? I find it to be such a healthy and satisfying snack!
Ana says
LOVE cottage cheese! (and eggs -_^) great power-packed food that has calcium AND protein!! sweet! i go through containers so fast! the guys at my local grocery are always like “weren’t u just in here YESTERDAY?” yup!^_^
Betsy says
that soup looks really good, and would have been PERFECT for the freezing night we’re having here in new york…i think i’m going to find some squash at the market this weekend and make some of my own. but, without mushrooms, cause I hate them like you hate onions!! Everyone else in my family loves them, but I can’t even be in the house when my mom cooks them. eww!! love the brussel sprouts though!
Lbelle says
Apple pie is my absolute FAVORITE flavor of LaraBars 🙂
caitlin says
oooo try cottage cheese with crumbled kashi crackers!! so yummy!
Kate says
I had a LaraBar for a snack today too! But it was the Cherry Pie flavor. Also, brussel sprouts are awesome. They sound good the way you prepared them, with some cheese on top.
Karen says
I would have never tried frozen brussel sprouts. It’s nice to know they are a good alternative to fresh (which I love).
Jill - GlossyVeneer says
I had to chuckle when I saw this post. It was similar to my food today.
I was on my own tonight and had frozen brussels sprouts too. Of course, I’m often on my own for meals during January-April because my husband is an accountant and works way too many hours.
And I ALMOST ate an apple pie Larabar after my workout today. But instead I ate an apple and string cheese.
mel says
pinklily I LOVE cottage cheese!! I go through a large container a week of ff or low fat cc bc its just so good and you can make it sweet (with fruit, cinnamon) or savory with peppers or just plain !! haha! I love it!! – its also great when I eat eggs with it! I think we have similar tastes!!
hk says
for a great savory combination with cottage cheese–I LOVE having a cup with a spoonful of salsa on top–and some kashi crackers always are delish!
pinklilly says
Yay, I’m so happy so many other people love cottage cheese too! All of this cottage cheese talk is causing me to have a huge craving for some! I love all of the yummy ideas you guys threw out at me – I’ll have to try them. Besides, it gives me more reason to eat cottage cheese!
Do you mostly eat cottage cheese as a snack or with your meals?
Happy Friday!
goalie30 says
pinklily/ re: cottage cheese
My husband and I LOVE cottage cheese, too! He likes it just plain and brings it as a side dish for his lunch a lot. I like it for breakfast. I mix a serving of cottage cheese w/ a container of Dannon Light ‘N Fit yogurt and then I mix in some cereal or granola and add some raisins or fruit and sometimes some nuts, and it’s GREAT! and holds me for awhile, since it has the extra protein in the cottage cheese…
Happy Friday to everyone here…I have vacation next week, so I might be a little scarce, but I’ll have internet access, so I’ll be checking in still.
Annie says
I love cottage cheese! I always eat the Low fat one for my lunch a lot of time, with some cut up fruits and vegis and a some toast. My fav quick, filling meal.
Try it with some warm sliced bananas and cinnamon mixed in for a nice little treat…its SO good!
Kath says
That’s it, I’m going to Fresh Market this weekend to get some whipped cottage cheese! You guys are making me drool!!
Kath
ser says
What are you learning in all of that research you are doing? I’m a mom of two and big breastfeeding advocate, so I’m very interested.
As usual, I’m loving your blog and finding it very inspirational.
Kath says
Ser,
I am mostly finding that there’s just no substitute to breastfeeding – especially in the first few days. The breastmilk that comes out first (and if you’ve had kids I bet you know this) is loaded with immune-system-building nutrients that are super-concentrated and important to building a healthy immune system for the baby. I think in the U.S. doctors even recommend moms who aren’t planning on breastfeeding to do so for the first few days just for that reason. Niger has lots of problems because the mothers try to give their babies water and other liquids but that just fills them up so they don’t want milk, which has the nutrients they need (and since the water is calorie-free, they are full but starving). There are also other superstitions I’m finding and they don’t exclusively feed their babies so the babies aren’t getting enough nutrients, which leads to malnutrition from the start. And it doesn’t help that the country is so poor and there is a shortage of food for the moms and older kids. It’s a horrible cycle, but the good news is that the malnutrition rates have decreased some since the Nutrition Crisis of 2005. I hope I got all of that right!
Kath
Jillian says
Wow that is really heartbreaking Kath….I think we take for granted so much living in our society.
VeggieGirl says
brussels sprouts + Larabars = VeggieGirl heaven
Jennifer says
That is some interesting research. I still crack up everytime I think about the discussion in class about the breast pump / breasfedding. The face you made was priceless when we were discussing the pump. Have a great Friday.
ccameron says
The brussel sprouts look so yummy!! I have never tried them, but a huge fan of cabbage. I usually shred the cabbage and then saute it in a skillet with some olive oil. Now I want to try the brussel sprouts. The trick is getting my 2 kids to eat them too!
suzanne says
I made your oatmeal pancake today and added pumpkin and some pumpkin pie spice mmmmm it was sooo good 😉
sarah c says
i went out to eat recently and one of the sides with my meal was mashed potatoes (which i dont care for). i asked them not toeven bother putting them on, because i wouldnt eat them and didnt want to waste food. they asked if i wanted to sub something else, say, cottage cheese? ive NEVER been offered cottage cheese as a side in ANY restaurant before (this was a fancy one)! im all “YES!” of course my dining companions thought i was weird, but whatever–i LOVE cottage cheese!