I decided to eat my lunch on a rock in the sunshine and I had a guitarist provide me with musical entertainment 8)
Lunch was a wonderful balance of flavors –
Leftover pasta salad –
Kiwi and Orange (such a perfect fruit combo of both color and taste!)
And plain yogurt with a tbsp of jam –
In the bright sun –
Lunch was about 530 kcal, 13 grams fiber, and 31 grams protein.
Run, Walk, Crunch
I left for my run around 9:30 and did an easy 4 miles, then I took my flashcards for a walk – probably 25 minutes or so. I think I aced the test, so I vote for walking as a great learning method!
After exercising, I crunched on a carrot during my commute.
Since we had a test, I am home a little early and plan to make the best of my time to get a chunk of work done NOW so I can relax more next week over spring break!
Tonight we have our annual neighborhood meeting so we’re doing a low-key dinner and heading out for that. See you then 🙂
caitlin (in FL) says
i love the college scene… with dudes playing guitars outside!
Korin says
Kath,
I’m a fan of the blog, thanks for all the effort you put in.
I don’t mean to be nosy, and don’t know if this has been brought up before or ever mentioned by you, but do you and the husband have family support as far as your living and starting oout after getting married? I ask solely because the husband wasn’t working for awhihle and you are back in school (at a private school tuition even?) not working for an income.
I’m not be “judgy” I am just innately curious. You guys seem to have a lot of nice things and live a pretty nice lifestyle and I was just wondering how you do it. (Maybe I just need some advice since I work full-time at a pretty good job and have problems with just me! 🙂
Justy2003 says
That picture at Winthrop reminds me soooo much of my school with the red brick buildings! So pretty!
Oh, how I miss it sometimes…
Alison says
What a pretty lunch! Yum!
Kath says
Korin,
I don’t mind you asking at all and understand your curiosity, but I don’t feel comfortable discussing finances on the blog. A lot of our things we received as wedding gifts, but I’m also a good bargain shopper and decorator!
Kath
arimcg says
I am so jealous of your weather. Also, a question – is your sigg bottle easy to clean? I need a new water bottle and almost bought one the other day, but it seems like it would be a pain.
Amy A. says
Maybe I’m just weird in that I think water tastes different depending on what type of cup/bottle it is in, but do you think water tastes ‘good’ out of your Sigg bottle?
I never caught on to carrying around a Nalgene because I didn’t like the way water tasted out of it.
Laura says
My Sigg bottle is really easy to clean since I have a bottle brush. What I hate about mine is that it is hard to get ice into if I want cold water. The mouth of the bottle is small, and I can’t set my fridge to make smaller cubes!
Kiala says
Korin-
Two words…FINANCIAL AID.
I don’t know, I know it’s none of my business either, but I kind of wondered the same thing. So, I am going to assume they get financial aid and that’s that. Once you turn 25 AND if you’re married, you get a good amount. You should check it out. It’s debt, yes but besides owning your own home, they say it’s one of the better forms of debt to have. You know, so long as you pay it back and everything.
Justy2003 says
I was browsing around and found this recipe that sounds pretty good for us oatmeal lovers: BAKED OATMEAL! Never thought of it before, but it looks pretty tasty! Oatmeal with a crispy, crusty top? Yum!
http://www.notderbypie.com/baked-oatmeal/
JennS says
Korin thanks for asking that question.. i think every reader as thinking the same thing. My man and I have good jobs and no rent and we still struggle sometimes, so Kath, you are lucky it seems 🙂 haha, some of us simply dont have good shopping skills.
KarenT says
Umm I don’t think you could get enough financial aid to pay for these things. Especially since Kath had them before she even went back to school. She (or her husband) has a trust fund or a wealthy relative. Sorry, it’s just obvious. I had financial aid when I was in school, and there is no possible way it would cover 1) private school tuition, 2) study abroad to England, 3) extremely comfortable lifestyle, 4) large house, and 5) unemployed husband. Sorry, just doesnt’ add up and it’s annoying that Kath won’t even acknowledge the fact. I have noticed recently that she tries to add in things like “she’s on a budget” or she is trying to save money at the grocery store. Give me a break!
Monica says
Being a bargain shopper doesn’t put money in the bank. Kath’s comment doesn’t even make sense. So they spent negative money when her husband was unemployed?
Monique says
Monica,
I assume Kath meant there are financial details that she would prefer not to discuss on the blog (supported by parents, trust fund, whatever). With that source of income- shes a good bargain shopper.
Amy A. says
Wow, can we not make assumptions about Kath’s finances a topic of discussion??? Don’t ruin the mood here, and on such a nice, sunny day!! Give me a break, you cannot assume this or that regarding Kath’s financial situation based on what you see in the backgrounds of her photos and the tidbits of her personal life she shares with readers on this blog.
1. How do you know her house is big?
2. RE: tuition and study abroad costs — how do you know what she paid? What if she had scholarships? Intelligence and hard work do pay off in life. I went to a prestigious school and did not come from wealth. My smarts earned me some nice rewards. At times, it seemed like they were throwing money at me and providing me with opportunities I thought to be financially out of the question. Perhaps Kath was rewarded similarly.
3. Her husband was not unemployed all that long, and I bet he was using some discretion to find the right fit.
4. A little budgeting goes a long way…try it if you don’t budget already.
5. MYOB
Tina R. says
This argument on Kath’s finances has already been hashed out on this blog. Kath is not going to comment on it. Give it a rest.
Monica says
Chill out Amy:
1. She has posted pics of her house.
2. I went to a public school and got several scholarships and still had to take out financial aid. That’s the way it works.
3. Yes, and he spent most his time monitoring this blog and making bread.
4. I budget. I think most of us do because we have to.
5. Again, chill out.
Clara says
Agree with Amy A. – MYOB about kath’s finances, this blog isn’t about that, it’s about Kath Eating Real Food. she already shares plenty about her life and it no doubt takes a lot of time and a strong sense of self to let the criticisms roll off of her. it’s a very kind thing she does with the blog, inspiring and helping so many people… so don’t blame her if she doesn’t want to talk about a personal matter that has NOTHING TO DO with the goal of this blog in the first place!
also, whatever kath’s financial state is, I think she does an excellent job of providing realistic examples of meals that pretty much anyone can recreate if they take a little extra time and carefully bargain hunt like she does.
Realistic? says
If you think Kath provides a realistic example of how an average twenty-something couple lives then you must live in the same sort of fantasy world Kath lives in.
Kelly T says
Kiala- my boyfriend and i have a running joke about all the practical reasons why we should get married : taxes, someone to balance my check book for me, lots of presents, the chance to be horribly mean to eachother without repercussion because divorce is a long process and we are lazy, etc. financial aid is a good one to add to the list (HA! like he would ever go back to college)
funny, love isnt one of them.
im thrifty too, Kath! it adds up. i usually make about 3 stops when i go grocery shopping because i know which stores have what for cheapest. i save every grocery bag i get so i dont have to buy trash bags or ziplock bags. i also compulsively save every piece of change i get my hands on. it pays for my big vacation every year. This year: stevie nicks in reading, PA with my sister.
i wonder if someone would ask you these intrusive questions to your face? doubtful.
Becky in MD says
That oatmeal looks SO.GOOD! I think I know what my Saturday breakfast is going to be! Thanks, Justy!
grace says
http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/absence-periods
This is a good website regarding the no period discussion. There’s lots of reasons that could cause it and it’s important to talk to your doc about everything. I always like to do some research before going to the doctor and bring lists. Not even doctors can remember everything in the world, so my doctor has found it helpful!
Alison says
I’m with the others who said MYOB. This is a blog about healthy eating and it’s not like Kath and her husband are eating expensive cuts of meat and organic strawberries from Chili every day.
Clara says
I didn’t say anything about Kath providing a realistic entire-lifestyle example. I do not know what her entire lifestyle is like, because I don’t know her personally, and I don’t really care. I can just say that her meals aren’t ridiculously expensive or hard to recreate (as well as being creative and interesting), and that’s why I visit this blog! 🙂
caitlin (in FL) says
hey, my husband and i are very very very broke, and i have to admit… the one thing im willing to spend our money on is good food. there’s no better way to spend it! 🙂 just a thought!
Kelly T says
i try not to go after the negative nancy’s, but realistic? i dont get your comment.
so kath spends hours a day sharing her food with us, which is hard work, but shes supposed to hide her lifestyle from us because we might feel alienated? jealous? should she pretend to be poor so we will be able to relate to her more? what if im a billionaire? Kath- can you please buy a porsche and spit on a homeless man so that i will appreciate your morning oats a bit more? because oats taste better when you cook them over an open flame of 100 dollar bills.
give me a break.
Becky in MD says
I’m gonna pee my pants that was so funny….way to go KellyT!
Kiala says
God knows how people would react to my lifestyle if they decided to get all judgey on my blog.
Still, whatever, it’s the internet, people get rude and shit.
Excuse me, Kath. Sorry, Stuff.
Kiala says
Oh Kelly T.
sigh.
I love you. There. I said it.
Courtney says
I think this should stop here and now. Finances are personal and I’m sorry to sound old fashioned, but it’s bad manners to hound people for personal details. We all make decisions, financial and otherwise, and the only people we’re accountable to are our nearest and dearest. Kath already gracefully deflected this topic and so should we.
On a lighter note, the sun gives me hope that spring is around the corner! Lunch looks great.
Kelly T says
Kiala, I’d balance your checkbook anyday.
Elizabeth says
Kath,
Regarding the cookbook comment in the breakfast section…
There are TONS of niches you two could fill! I love all your recipes and fun food ideas, especially the way you modify recipes you find. Your meal planning techniques are great too! Maybe you could write a “how to” cookbook about meal planning, recipe modification and building, and a guide to grocery shopping or modifying meals for spouses. You could even write something about integrating the blog and how it led to your cookbook, etc.
Judging by the number of faithful readers you’d have, I bet it’d be a bestseller. 🙂
Monica says
Kiala,
Do you have a blog?
Romina says
That is such a fantastic way to eat lunch. Nothing makes me happier than sunshine, it’s so refreshing to be able to eat outdoors, and be entertained too!
Kim says
Not that Kath’s financial life is any of our business. 🙂 Some general comments. Have a great night.
Investing in a house is among the smartest choices a young couple can make. Why throw money away on rent if one can build for the future? I guess it’s one’s own personal preference. Why give Kath a hard time if she says she bargain hunts/budgets. Sounds sensible to me. Secondly, study abroad is very often cheaper than domestic tuition. Families are often pleasantly surprised when they find that out. Cheaper in fact than most of the private schools here, more on a par with a family who has a student attending an out of state public college/university. And many American schools offer such programs in the context of their degree programs; or even require it. Financial aid for graduate students (unless there is a graduate assistantship, merit stipend/scholarship etc, generally takes the form of either subsidized or unsubsidized loans (depending on need, the interest that accrues while student is in school is covered by fed govt). I was lucky enough to have a full graduate assistantship my first year, but due to my clinicals, wound up needing to take out some loan money that second year. It is absolutely no freebie. You don’t have to pay it back until six months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled half time. Students aren’t supposed to, but sometimes, they will use that loan disbursement check for non-education related expenses which is obviously not what those funds are for. As far as debt goes, it’s not the “bad” kind like credit debt/you get a tax credit when filing. But those monthly payments pack a punch. And got forbid one goes into default. Still education in my opinion is ALWAYS a sound investment if it affords an individual the opportunity to pursue a career she will love. I agree we should all focus on other things. I am working on starting a blog on educational/counseling/wellness issues soon. BTW, love the kiwi/fruit combo. Jealous of your lovely weather down there.
Julia says
kiala’s blog is linked to her name…just click on her name above
Caroline says
Oh, my gosh! Your lunch is just beautiful — and not just the food! The weather just looks absolutely perfect. How nice! (:
Thanks for sharing,
Caroline
http://eatprayrun.wordpress.com/
Julie says
Kath says they are on a tight budget of $75 per week for groceries…The only thing I keep questioning is, if you are on a tight budget, then why eat out so much? I think Kath mentioned the husband buys his lunch everyday and she frequently does so too (and they don’t look like cheap lunches either)…we all know this frequently can add up to $75-100 per week. So, I can see why many readers are confused. When you see a week at a glance it really doesn’t seem like they are trying to budget as much as they say they are.
I’m a 20-something woman in a relationship and I can agree that this lifestyle is not average. Most of my friends are busting their ass 40 hours or more a week to pay the mortgage, car, food, etc.
if it only grew on trees I say!
Becca says
Hi everyone. I have a problem with restrictive eating followed by bingeing (no purging, but bingeing), and this weekend I had a doozy of a binge. I had gone 20 days exactly with working out everyday for 90 minutes and not exceeding 1500 cals and then Sunday evening I snapped and went to sonic and got a peanut butter fudge large milkshake…..followed by a gas station trip to get an ice cream snickers, two reese’s bars, and a kit kat. THEN I ate arbys mozzerella sticks….THEN i went to the groccery store and bought two gourmet, huge style peanut butter cookies. I ate it all. I felt so sick (obviously). I weigh about 115 pounds and I literally, literally ate THOUSANDS of calories in a few hours span…..so here’s the question though, understandably on monday I had no appetite, however my appetite still has not picked up and its thursday now. The thought of food is repulsive and i’m truly not hungry (not pyschologically not hungry because i feel like i need to get back on track not hungry, but honestly not hungry). The past couple of days i’ve only eaten a couple hundred calories. Should I force myself to eat more? Or just let it balance out? Oh, and I have booked an appointment to talk to a professional about my issue, but I don’t get to see her for a week. Sorry this was so long, thank you thank you for all who read.
Alison says
I think Kath eats out way less than most people I know! And my parents paid for my undergrad education and study abroad and grad school- does that make me a bad person? I don’t think so.
Betsy says
i agree with everyone who says to mind your own business. finances are personal and Kath should share what she alone feels comfortable in sharing.
that is a beautiful setting to eat lunch in!! i ate my lunch in bed cause i have strep. 🙁 i would prefer your setting.
SawSaw says
Becca-
I find that sometimes I have “doozy” binges too-good name by the way. They are always triggered by something.
Usually it is EMOTIONAL (boys, grades, stress, self-loathing and other wonders of my mind) but sometimes I think my body is honestly craving more calories.
90 mins of exercise everyday on 1500 calories would be extreme for my body. Not saying our bodies are the same but eating a bit more every day may help quell those super-large, painful, self-destructive splurges.
I am 5’2″- when I am in exercise mode (30-60 mins of exercise almost everyday) I need at least 1800 calories stacked in my body daily 🙂
Hope you feel better. Please try to eat a bit more and not punish yourself for the splurge.. because.. guess what?? Restricting because you are in punishment mode may instigate another “doozy.”
-SawSaw
Clara says
Becca, I can so relate to what you have done. I’m in the process of recovering from the whole bingeing thing too!! and get this – I weigh about 115 pounds as well! It’s weird that I have a bingeing problem because I am also quite thin… if I didn’t have genetics on my side, I’d be huge. And I don’t starve myself on days that I don’t binge – I just try to stay within a reasonable calorie range and exercise, and eat healthy foods (get enough vitamins, minerals etc).
The past year was getting really bad – I was having the bingeing episodes 2-4 times a week at my worst and making myself feel SO sick. I know I have the problem because of some emotional thing – I’m not happy with where I am right now in life, and until I address the things that are “eating away” at me I won’t be able to stop bingeing. So that’s what I am trying to do now… it’s not about going on a diet, it’s about finding out WHY you binge.
Anyway sorry to go on and on about myself. My advice to you is to not eat if you’re not hungry, but when your body does tell you it’s ready for some more fuel eat healthy, satisfying things. Exercise will also rev your appetite.
It sounds like you had a really good program down, with the 90 minutes exercising/1500 calories, but might I suggest increasing the calories a bit more? If you’re trying to lose weight they are probably okay, but if you want to maintain it’s probably too little and your body is demanding more food and eventually will lead you to a binge.
This is really lengthly but I felt like I really wanted to respond! Good luck to you and I hope you move past the binge quickly (after 20 days of being so good, it really wont affect your weight, just get right back on track!)
SawSaw says
Oh and Becca read this:
http://www.pastaqueen.com/halfofme/archives/2008/02/vampire_eating.html
This post + the comments:
http://www.pastaqueen.com/halfofme/archives/2007/06/bad_habits.html
This post:
http://mrs-furious.blogspot.com/2008/03/cookie-monster.html
It’ll let you know that you are not the only one.
Clara says
I also wanted to quickly mention something about the previous Kath finances discussion. If Paris Hilton was posting about meals that are creative, satisfying and relatively easy and inexpensive to recreate then who CARES if she’s totally rich or not? The likliehood of Paris’s meals being as great as Kath’s not withstanding (lol) the point is – Kath offers a great service to everyone. she’s not cooking gourmet food or using ingredients that none of the rest of us can afford. This blog is a food blog and it IS very realistic and relatable in the way it’s supposed to be – not about kath’s husband’s occupation, kath’s education, kath’s belongings, etc. etc. – but about FOOD!
I hope that makes sense but I just wanted to say that. Great job Kath.
Kath says
arimcg ,
I have to admit, I don’t clean my Sigg that often 😳 But I throw the cap in the dishwasher and do my best to get the lip, inside with detergent. I only drink water out of it, so my only concern is bacteria – hopefully the hot water and detergent is good enough!
Amy A.,
I totally agree with you about water. I actually don’t like water in glass – only plastic cups! But I HATE Nalgene bottles!! The husband has one and I refuse to take a sip when he offers. Yuck! As for the Sigg, LOVE it!
Justy2003 ,
Definitely going to try that baked oatmeal soon. Perhaps this week over break!! Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth ,
Thanks so much for your cookbook comments. I think I will have a few weeks off at the end up summer school. I might have my mom, who is a writer herself, help me put together a proposal of sorts!
Kath
Kiala says
I think it’s important to note that Kath and Matt’s portion sizes are a reasonable size – ie. not supersized.
This makes a big difference when stretching your groceries. Aaand you’d be surprised how far 75 dollars goes when the bulk of your food comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Gah. I didn’t say anything funny there AT ALL. I must be sick or something.
Alyssa says
Kath,
I’m on spring break next week too! I laughed when you said you plan in getting ahead in school work because that is exactly the same thing I do, with relaxation of course!
Emma says
i love raw carrots! they may be one of my favorite snacks ever…and steamed carrots are amazing too!
have a great evening kath!
Frannie says
Kath – we totally have the same tupperware. I smiled 🙂
Becca –
I totally get the ridiculous binges too, especially when I am training for a race, during which I do bouts of exercise like you are doing. This is what I’ve found helpful:
Eat more frequently during the day so you never get ravenous. I HAVE to do this when I’m exercising a lot. I portion out servings of nuts, yogurt, crackers/cheeses, etc. Then I eat as slowly as I can make myself and try to wait for at least 15 minutes before grabbing something else.
Eat more the night before you plan to do vigorous exercise. Maybe most days you can do 1500 c, but if you know you’re going to get up and work out really hard, 1800 might help you keep your sanity.
Good luck, and don’t worry. Binges happen, and they still happen to me too!
Betsy says
Kiala
I was thinking the same thing. When you eat normal portion sizes, you can make $75 a week go a looooooooooong way. i go to 2 grocery stores and the farmers market to get the best stuff for the best prices and stretch my dollar is much as i can. eating well can be synonymous with eating on a budget!
Ally says
I love the carrot and that fruit bowl is so pretty! That reminds me that I need to eat some kiwi before it goes bad!
I’m very excited for Spring Break next week as well! It’s hard to stay focused when the end is so near!
VeggieGirl says
Haha, how fun that you were serenaded during your lunch break – talk about atmosphere! :0)
mmm, kiwis – I just finished eating one (with the skin, of course!). love your mixture of the kiwis and orange segments.
enjoy the neighborhood meeting, and the rest of your Thursday – thank goodness the weekend is on its way!
the husband says
I’d just like to say that suggesting I buy my lunch everyday is an insult to my delicious bread!
(It’s crying in the cupboard now)
530tracker says
Alright, this is weird…I have a restrictive/binging eating problem too….Im a runner…and I weigh 115! Ahhhhh twighlight zone.
KC says
Kath clearly has a wealthy family. That is probably the reason why she doesn’t want to discuss finances on the blog; maybe she thinks it’ll make HER less credible if she admits that her family has money (that may or may not…but probably does…trickle down to her). But I will say that I think it is a fine topic to discuss because finances and money and budgeting is something that affects everyone. Kath does tend to make her life look very glossy on the pages of this blog, but I guess that’s her prerogative.
I also want to say that even if your (and I’m using the general “you,” not speaking to Kath or anyone in particular) family is wealthy but doesn’t literally hand you money (like, cold hard cash), knowing that “cushion” is there if you fall changes everything.
KC says
Oh, and one more thing. In every one of these discussions/arguments, a bunch of people always say, “mind your own business,” “this blog is about FOOD not MONEY,” etc…you really need to better understand the nature of the beast. The beast, being, Internet Blogging. This is what it’s about, take it or leave it. It’s like a reality show that we, the readers, are participating in. Kath should be aware of it (I’m sure she is) and the readers should too! Call it a job hazard!
Korin says
Yikes. I sincerely didn’t mean to start a big argument with my inquiry. I guess I was just curious as to how Kath lives the way she does, and maybe I’m just a tiny bit envious of the fact that she has the luxury to be in school full-time. I would love to do that, but have to work on my masters while working my full-time busy corporate gig… and I just still seem to have too pinch pennies even though it’s a “good” job! Dangit!!
Anyways, sorry 🙁
Tara says
Perhaps we could turn our financial-probing into positive comments?
Meaning, do any penny pinchers out there have tips on how to avoid eating out??? I have tried everything: planning meals, freezing meals, etc. but the fact is, my husband and I love the taste of fast food (I know many of you are gagging as I say that!). So it is tough to resist the temptation.
Does anyone know of any tips on how to avoid this??? My husband and I are full-time grad students who are buying a house and we DEFINITELY need to watch our money.
I’d love any advice!
Leah says
Good God girls, some of you need to grab yer’selves a bottle of 2 buck and have a good cry in the corner. Get off her back. If you’re the jealous type then that’s your own problem! I’m almost 40 and these concerns over ‘who has more’ , and ‘who’s showing off’, and ‘who’s expenses just don’t add up’ NEVER EVER GO AWAY. So get over it, especially if you’re planning on living in suburbia! There is always going to be someone with a bigger house, better car, fancier appliances, or bigger dining out or grocery budget.
Kath, I was only writing to ask, it that on the lawn between Margaret Nance and Bancroft?! Or between McLauren and M. Nance?! I lived in both places!! It is so crazy to see pics of Winthrop on your blog!!!! I haven’t been back since December of 1990. Leah
Leah says
Oh and PS nosy girls, Winthrop is a public school!!!
Julie says
PS Leah- Judging from your blog, you need a reality check yourself
Korin says
Hey Leah,
Sorry that asking a question nicely and even apologizing when others took it to an extreme created such a hostile reaction from you. I guess it’s easy to misconstrue curiousity for “jealousy” when you’re a stay-at-home mom skiing in Telluride. You probably think everyone is jealous just because they aren’t you, right? And people who might just wanna know how it is possible to afford a certain lifestyle while getting other things done (going back to school, etc.) are just “nosy girls” I guess.
Sorry I got so “nosy” on a public forum. I was feeling bad for stirring the pot, and said so above, but you responded like a total snatch.
KC says
HAHA!
whatevs says
This blog is so self-serving.