BUT WHERE’S THE SUN!?!?!?
I did NOT sleep well last night. Thanks, wine. I thought we were getting to be friends. Ugg. I didn’t drink that much last night, but my body sure is throwing a fit! I need to stick to ONE and only ONE glass. No more (no less!)
I started my Sunday with Pumpkin Oats + Coffee to improve my mood. Topped with some toasty almonds and a drizzle of maple syrup –
I’ve been toasting almonds in the microwave, but they really are better in a skillet, which is what I did today since one was already out and dirty (from other toasty things going into bread). Or perhaps I just need to toast them longer in the microwave.
Con Cafe –
I had a second cup of coffee with a tad more milk after this one. This breakfast was 370 kcal, 10 grams fiber and 16 grams protein.
To-Do
I’ve already spent an hour this morning yelling at my Stats online homework. I could not get the right answer> and had no idea what the difference between my calculator and their numbers were. SO FRUSTRATING. I ended up just submitting the assignment with one blank.
I’m going for a run in a bit, then to the grocery store, then some errands. I want to relax all afternoon with In Defense of Food but I have a lot of stuff to get done, so it looks like my weekend kind of disappeared under my toes.
Sorry to be a complaining grump-a-lump today!!
Rachel says
I have In Defense of Food also, but haven’t been able to start yet. (Thanks, school!)
I hope it’s good!
KatieMoo says
Aww, sorry that your weekend is almost over! I feel like it went way too fast! And don’t you just wish that we didn’t have homework on the weekends?
I have a question for anyone… in your experience, does it make that big of a difference whether you make your oatmeal on the stove or in your microwave? My microwave is really slow and takes 7 minutes to cook the oatmeal and is really good! I’m just wondering if it could be better…
Kris10 says
I’m reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma and am really enjoying it. Hope you get some leisure reading time today!
bikergurl says
I still haven’t mastered cooking oats on the stove. Maybe it’s because mornings are busy times and I don’t have time to stand there and stir, but I really don’t taste the difference between stovetop and micrewave. I do use a really long microwave method though, so maybe that helps too…
I start with 3 minutes on high, until the milk comes to a boil. Then I give it a stir and pop it back in at 30% power and for about 8 more minutes, until the liquid is absorbed. I then let it sit a minute or so to cool off, stir and enjoy!
This is the only way I can walk away without worrying about overflowing oatmeal!
Lynn says
I needed a little treat this morning too, so I took my first go at crepes, and they were delish!
They were pretty healthy and I loved stuffing them with different yummy combos.
Here’s the recipe I used if anyone is interested (I used a fourth of everything it called for): http://www.recipezaar.com/106966.
I hope that coffee kicks in for you, Kath!
BethT says
Katie – I def. prefer stove oats. Try Kath’s method and they come out perfectly creamy!
Kath, I am the SAME way with wine. So deliciously sleepy when I fall into bed, and then I sleep like crap! No fair!
kay says
Hello Kath! I smiled when I read how you thought you were friends with wine! I thought I was friends with cookies but we are having a little fight right now… they don’t leave me alone!
I like when I toast my almonds in my little over the counter toaster oven! (I’ve seen them as cheap as $10!!) I have foil already cut in smallish squares so I just spread some almonds (walnuts etc.) put them in and they are done in under 2 minutes! Then, I put them on my oatmeal and throw away the foil with no dirty dishes!
Your dinner looked awsome too! I love Asian food!! My favorite is Japanese food. Did you know miso soup is eaten for breakfast very often in Japan?
Em says
Kath! Last night’s eats looked delicious. Especially the steamed gyoza and shrimp! I love your healthy attitude…and I know I speak for many of us! When you don’t feel well, you don’t seem to get stuck in a downy rut…you make a delicious breakfast, reflect a bit on the events and what you’ll do differently next time, and you plan and make goals for the day and get moving! I love that! And it makes it easier for me to focus and get down on these electron geometry chem problems! Thanks for being so great : ) it truly is uplifting!
Betsy says
it’s this crappy weather (bad up here too)-makes people super grumpy.
wine (and champagne) was not my friend last night either. we were buddies-not anymore!!
hope your day goes up from here!
Betsy says
Em
Amen!!!
rachelzim says
kath–
i made pumpkin oats this morning–but the flavor was sorta…blah. maybe im not used to pumpkin flavor? i stirred in some honey, some pumpkin seeds, a little vanilla soy milk, as well as the oats and some pumpkin.
how sweet is yours? i dont really like super sweet breakfasts, but this seemed a little dull w/the level of sweetness i made it. any tips?
Ally says
Pumpkin oatmeal is seriously one of my favorites.
Rachelzim- when i make mine, it’s not ‘sweet’. I really enjoy the flavor of pumpkin so for me it’s the perfect that it’s not overwhelmingly sweet. I actually eat plain, canned pumpkin sometimes so I’m probably not the best one to respond about sweet pumpkin.
Nick says
You keep talking about this pumpkin oatmeal. I’ll be making my own pumpkin oatmeal recipe soon using pumpkin mousse sometime this coming week. Where do you find the time to take all these pictures and make all these posts?! Keep it up though, there’s always something fresh and new to read here, I like it!
– The Peanut Butter Boy
eliza says
i agree w. em 🙂
VeggieGirl says
No worries, Kath – you don’t sound like a ‘grump-a-lump’ (although I can’t help but laugh at that term – too cute!! haha). This weekend has definitely gone by too quickly!! At least you’re still nourishing yourself with DELICIOUS eats, so hopefully that will brighten your day a bit :0)
LolaFunk says
I LOVEE your bowls! My mom has fiestaware and we both have a thing for beautiful bowls.
Your spoons are also too cute.
kwaze says
My meals are no where as exciting as Kath’s…however, I have a general question about fullness/when to stop eating. This is long…sorry….today my breakfast totaled 330 cal(I ate in in three different increments b/c of kids activities)…then I worked out for 45 min(cardio). Around 1:00 I started eating my lunch….1st I had an apple, then 2 carrots(big)….I was getting full….then I had my 4 egg whites scrabled with 1 p lf cheese/spincah and mushrooms. I was STUFFED but decided to eat 1 serving of my kashi crackers anyway. I ate them b/c I figured that I really had not had that many calories and would end up getting hungry again sooner if I didn’t. However, I hate eating when I am am not hungry and feel bad about it. Should I have just ditched the crackers since I was full anyway? If I did that wouod have meant only having about 550kcal as of 1:30 pm. Sorry for rambling….just npt sure when to say when!:) Thanks!
Amanda @ Down Home Dieting says
It’s raining here and I’m grumpy as well.
I’m planning on making a thai soup later today though, cooking usually cheers me up!
Your pumpkin oats look great!
Lauren says
im grumpy from the lack of sleep last night due to my night out of drinking (which is rare for me) so it hit me WAY harder than usual! Not to mention I had a really unhealthy binge of “4th” meal syndrome before bed. To finish it off I gave into donuts this morning…
It was good but I have GOTTA get back on track today with sleep and eating!
I am bummed though because I hurt my foot somehow and it hurts to run and even walk long distances but I still wanna get some exercise in! Any suggestions…pool isnt really an option for me with the weather…
Suzanne says
Hi Kath –
Don’t worry about being a complaining ‘grump-a-lump’ (haha – too cute!). I feel a bit grumpy myself…it was supposed to be a sunny day today and I was going to go bike-riding with my husband (a fun way to do some cardio).
But the weather is not so hot, so I have to do the treadmill indoors. Big bummer.
I have been on the couch reading and procrastinating my run. This weather just makes me feel so lethargic. 🙁
My friend just lent me a book yesterday: Julie and Julia – 365 Days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen. Has anyone read it?
The premise of the book is very interesting. Just as the title states, the author cooks every recipe from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking – in 365 days. I am only on the 3rd chapter, but it’s very entertaining. The book was published in 2005. I thought I’d mention it to everyone since it’s cuisine related. 🙂
Have a good run, Kath and I hope it lifts your mood. I’m going to get my lazy butt off the couch now and to the treadmill. (I think 4 hours of procrastination is enough…haha)
*sigh* if only weekends were longer…….
Courtney S says
Hi Suzanne – I read that book awhile ago and enjoyed it. I’m a huge Julia Child fan! My only thing was while I found Julie’s antics entertaining, I wasn’t a fun of her frenetic and frantic cooking style. But that’s just me!
I’ll join the crowd of tired grumps…it’s cold and raw in Boston, among other reasons. Too much wine last night MIGHT be one of them… 🙂
Sarah says
kwaze—I used to do the same thing. I’d eat just because I knew the calories weren’t going to be enough, and hated that feeling.
I was pretty thin at the time and knew for a fact I needed to eat the calories. If that’s your case as well, it might be a good idea to eat your meal *before* snacking on the veggies. You can always save them for later on your ride home from work, or for a case of wanting something to chew on.
If you’re seriously full, you can wait a while and always eat the crackers later too. I tend to eat more now, more often as a way of making sure I’m getting the calories I need without that “ugh I’m stuffed” feeling! 🙂
Jill says
Awwwwwwwe, poor Kath! I woke up in the EXACT same mood as you, and thinking the exact same thing about my SUNday here. Grrrr, I’ve been a little off all day. Hope the run helps you out, as I plan on doing the same thing in order to cheer me up. Do you find it’s the best way to cheer yourself? I think so!
eliza says
hey kwaze… well, whenever I feel not “hungry” but am in need of calories because I am pretty low I will snack on something with some cal’s in fat (natural peanut butter, walnuts) because this will usually bring me up about 100 calories. And once I open the peanut butter jar I usually am always hungry for a little peanut butter 🙂
Or trail mix helps too.
Jennifer says
kwaze…I think you just need to be eating foods that are a bit more calorie dense. Healthy fats, avocado…ect will bring up your satiety level without the extra feeling of bulk in your stomach.
kwaze says
Hi,
Thanks for those helpful tips…all very good points!:)
Liz H. says
I need inspiration!!! I am writing a paper for a visual culture course and we can basically write about anything (these always seem like the toughest papers to write!!) I want to write about the visual aspects of food, in that it is such a huge part of the experience of eating. I have no clue how I am going to structure this paper, and I’m not asking you guys to do my homework, but need inspiration!
So I’ll throw some questions out there…
-How important is how food looks while eating?
-What are the ways you make your food visually appealing/fun to eat?
-What do you think is the most naturally beautiful/hideous food out there?
-Do you think our “beautifying” culture contributes to our need to make food aesthetically pleasing as well?
Opinions?!
Sarah says
Interesting paper! I wish I could help with some points…can’t wait to hear what other people have to say about it. 🙂
Personally I think its part of the reason we as a nation are so overweight. We want quick, large, and fast meals…and we gulp it down so fast without even taking the time to appreciate what it looks/smells/feels/…or even TASTE like! Because of that, we miss out on one of the most pleasurable experiences of food, which is of course the eye appeal…
All in all, maybe thats why “French Women Don’t Get Fat.” Americans are so much into quantity, while they’re into *quality.*
Sorry to ramble…I had this same discussion with someone today and its so interesting to look at different cultures and what different people look for in foods and what makes it enjoyable or not.
Gretchen says
Liz H.
I’d much rather be writing your paper than mine on theorist, Viktor Frankl, 🙁
But I think you chose a great topic. For me, the simplest things make food more enjoyable and appealing. Using my “favorite bowl” for oatmeal in the morning is an example.
I’m also big into color. I think fresh produce is the most beautiful thing out there. When my plate is complete with rich greens, reds, oranges, or even purple (from eggplant), I am most satisfied!
Hope that helps a little, and good luck to you!
Annalise says
(sarah and others)
I am not a fan of the “French women don’t get fat” theory. We would like to say that the reason is due to small portions and lots of walking, but let’s be honest and add one of the biggest contributers to their alleged thinness (and thinness does not equal fitness as we all know)….they smoke cigarettes! Smoking takes the place of snacking and helps curb the appetite. Too bad smoking is also completely disgusting, grievously unhealthy, an economic drain, and very unattractive!
Jen says
Hey Kath,
I have a question–I really admire your approach towards food and I was wondering if you would classify last night as “binge” or not?
Brynn says
I don’t think Kath’s eating last night could be classified as a binge. She didn’t eat crazy portions of anything, she just ate less healthy food than normal. I’m curious to see her response but indulging is totally different from binging in my opinion.
Kath says
KatieMoo ,
You never know until you try! I swear by stove-top oats for their creaminess…but if yours are great then there’s no need to change!
rachelzim ,
The pumpkin oatmeal is sort of blah without sugar. It’s not nearly as naturally sweet as the banana oats are. I like to add some maple syrup or brown sugar to the top of mine so I get a tiny bit in every bite (if you mix it in you need to much to notice the flavor). I like plain oatmeal more and more though, so I just eat it for what it is.
Nick ,
Your pumpkin mousse sounds yummy already! I have no idea where I find the time…it just appears! Sometimes I do go a bit nuts (mostly when I have 2 posts worth of questions to answer and I’m ready for bed!)
kwaze ,
I think you have to just listen to your body. If you were really stuffed, save the crackers. If you were just getting full, I might eat them just to top off the meal and not have to think about a snack. It just depends on the day and what you’re feeling!
Jen ,
No, I wouldn’t say last night was a binge. I deliberately ate everything and enjoyed it all with good intentions. The breast cancer dinner I went to in March might be considered a binge – I ate two plates of homemade desserts and felt sick afterwards. It was not “normal” eating behavior, even for a special event.
Kath
Suzanne says
hi Courtney S –
Oh so you read it! I have only read a little bit, so I haven’t experienced Julie’s cooking style yet. Thanks for the tidbit though. 🙂
The lengthy post after this point is for Liz H (so feel free to skip over!):
These are some great questions. I think I would actually enjoy writing this paper if it was assigned to me (I was one of those weird students who LOVED writing term papers!)
Here are some thoughts regarding your questions:
* How important is how food looks while eating?
I would say it’s very important. Your eyes/brain take in the food before your mouth does, and it has to look somewhat appetizing for you to put it in your mouth. Take stew or soup for example. Compare a sloppily dumped stew in a bowl to a nice bowl of stew that has been meticulously prepared at a restaurant, topped with a fancy crouton, and with all the spills/splatters wiped clean with a towel. The restaurant bowl would probably be more appealing to most people even if the stew tasted exactly the same.
*What are the ways you make your food visually appealing/fun to eat?
haha…just take a look at Kath’s posts – she does a great job at making her food look yummy and fun!
I think even the little things make a difference: Using food with a lot of color. Using food in unexpected ways. Having a lot of variety and textures. Some examples: (1) Kath’s many toppings/ingredients to her oatmeal (nuts, pumpkin, coconut, chocolate chips, etc.). Just looking at her bowls of oatmeal make my tummy growl! (2) Kath’s salads – they are so colorful and have so many wonderful ingredients. They appear hearty and filling. I usually think of salads as appetizers, but Kath’s salads look like real meals.
* What do you think is the most naturally beautiful/hideous food out there?
Naturally Beautiful: Figs, Watermelon
Naturally Hideous: Sea urchin – the insides (the smell is hideous too!), Lobsters – the cockroaches of the sea.
Do you think our “beautifying” culture contributes to our need to make food aesthetically pleasing as well?
Oh definitely. Just look at all the fine restaurants out there. I just went to a Japanese restaurant in NYC on Friday and each dish looked like a work of art. Not too mention they did some crazy ‘special effects’ – using dry ice to create a bed of smoke around the food. Just turn on the food network. It’s not just about making food tasty – it’s also a goal to make them beautiful. I design covers for culinary books so I have been on plenty of food photoshoots. It’s all about the food looking good. We have spent hours just to get not only the food beautiful but the props as well. Why do you think food stylists are so popular? Even food has a stylist these days! It’s quite funny. 🙂
Ok Liz – I hope my rambling has aided you somewhat. I apologize if it hasn’t. Oh well, I still had fun answering your questions. 🙂 Good luck with your paper!
Liz H. says
THANK YOU thank you to everyone who responded! It is such an interesting topic and I am having trouble narrowing it down to fit in 6 pages!!! I love hearing everyone’s responses! Suzanne, I was thinking about focusing on food stylists, because I too found it hilarious and wonderful! May I ask how you got a job designing covers for culinary books? That sounds like my dream job!!
Courtney S says
Suzanne, you’ll enjoy it. There are parts of that book that had me giggling LOUDLY! Anyone that likes to cook will definitely appreciate it.
Suzanne says
Hey Liz –
Glad you found my comments helpful. 🙂
I actually started off going to a 4 year university after high school. But during my time there I knew I didn’t want to be there – I had no interest in any of the majors. I had always been a studious high honor roll student, but I just never had a passion for what my parents wanted me to do (medicine, pharmacy, etc.).
I was always interested in art/design. My parents still have drawings I made when I was young. But my parents felt that a career in art/design would not be easy or successful. I know they were just looking out for me….
Luckily they came around and after a year, my parents suggested I apply to art school in NYC. I was shocked, but ecstatic. So I transferred to art school and the following 4 years were a blast. I loved school! I loved homework! The people were so interesting and eclectic. I was exposed to so many wonderful people and cultures. It was the best decision I ever made. Oh, my major was graphic design.
I was lucky to get a job right after graduation at a publishing company in NYC designing book covers. Our school had ‘portfolio day’ – where we would bring our portfolios to a place where a ton of company reps would be sitting at tables and we would walk around and present our work. We would give them our resumes and they would give us their business cards. I got a call a few days later.
Since then I have worked at 3 other publishing companies. It wasn’t until this current job that I started designing culinary books. I have also done a few fun pet books, hobby, and hospitality books (some are in Williams-Sonoma, Urban Outfitters, etc.). My job is definitely fun! 🙂
It’s fun strolling through Barnes and Noble and seeing the books I’ve done. 🙂
If you’re interested in a career in designing book covers, I would suggest going to art/design school. Where are you located? There are a lot of good schools all over the US. Let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂 With that said, I have to get back to work!
Have a great day!