Such a delicious day!!!
I started the morning with pumpkin oats mixed in with cottage cheese and topped with melted coconut butter and Barney Butter.
Things that melt make the most wonderful textures. If I had just had something crunchy on top, this would have been the most amazing bowl ever.
I found this photo in my Baby Connect app when I woke up. After a week of less-than-ideal sleep, Matt did a bottle feeding for me last night so I could sleep for 6 hours straight. We used to do a bottle feeding every night, but once M started sleeping 4-5 hours, I didn’t need the sleep as much and it was just easier to nurse him. I’m glad we did it last night though because he needed it AND my 4:30am feeding. Crazypants!
Matt always takes a photo of their father + son time, and this was too cute not to share:
This morning we went out running walking errands. I bought this Jolly Jumper car seat cover for our stroller walks, and man does it keep him warm!! Snug as a bear in a cave! [I can’t imagine ever closing that face flap – seems like the most unsafe thing ever!]
While I was downtown, I decided to treat myself to a cappuccino. Part of my "pretend I’m an urban professional” ongoing game. It was delish to tide me to lunch.
Lunch was also great – 3 awesome meals today!
I bought some Applegate Farms Organic Herbed Turkey this week {I guess I missed T-giving turkey after all…} and this is the best deli meat I’ve ever had. The herbs give it SO much more flavor. I layered it with pumpkin butter (yes!) and brie cheese (yes! yes!) and toasted it in the oven.
Served alongside the salad of the week. Pre-chopped veggies and carton spinach are healthy fast food at its finest.
Afternoon photo shoot. I have a handful of great memorable 11.5 week photos now!
Since Matt works most Saturdays, he’s trying to take a half day at least once during the work week to spend some time with us family members. So today he was home at noon! We had lunch together, played and then did family gym hour.
I ended up doing a 4:15 vinyasa yoga class!! It’s been so long since I’ve done a real yoga class. Loved all the flowing and stretching. Annddddd the room was very warm!! Not hot, but I’ll take it. I kept my long sleeves on for extra sweating. Of all the exercise I’ve done postpartum, yoga has been surprisingly one of the hardest. I won’t be surprised if I’m more sore tomorrow than I was after my return to Pump!
Dinner tonight was awesome – Herbed chicken from the Organic Butcher. (It’s pre-herbed and oh-so-good!) We pan-seared and then roasted it.
On the side – roasted cauliflower and sweet potatoes. The head of cauliflower I bought was way too small for the price I paid… These were simply coated in olive oil, salt, pepper and smoked paprika before they got a good roasting at 400* for about 45 minutes.
Easy leftover rice on the side. Mixed with the chicken drippings for ultimate flavor.
Loved this dinner!
But I still demanded a mug of ice cream for dessert. The chocolate star literally jumped into my mug!
Sara @ fitcupcaker.com says
I’ve been obsessed with pumpkin lately so Im glad im not the only one! I made pumpkin oatmeal two days in a row and paleo pumpkin muffins! That dinner looks amazing too. Gotta love sweet potatoes!
Lynda says
I also am obsessed with pumpkin…making all kinds of muffins with slight variations. I have to stock up on canned pumpkin as it’s hard to find after the holiday season:)
Sara @ fitcupcaker.com says
Very true Lynda. Buy it while its on sale!!
Kaci says
“Part of my “pretend I’m an urban professional” ongoing game.” Love it! I feel like this too when I get coffee out too. 😉 What a beautiful baby boy & wonderful husband! Loving your posts!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I’d say the face flap would be good for maybe a freak blizzard that showed up while you were in a mall or something and you didn’t want him to get buried but yeah otherwise, not so much. 😉 Your dinner looks AMAZING!!!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I love the idea of coconut oil on top of oats. Plus it look pretty. 🙂 I just got coconut oil cooking spray and am using it on everything!
KathEats says
Just an FYI, this is coconut butter, which is much thicker than the oil
Patty says
Are those the TJ’s chocolate stars? If so, are they worth the calories? They almost jumped into my basket but I told them they’d have to wait till I lost Thanksgiving weight :).
KathEats says
They are choco stars. I’d say pass on them and get real dark chocolate instead. It’s more real food and more satisfying.
Christine says
That picture that Matt took of Mazen is adorable! His little double-chin is too cute!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
I still need to try coconut butter… I LOVE coconut oil, but I’m sure the butter makes for an excellent oats topping! And your sandwich sounds amazing with all of those different flavors. Yum!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
I really like Applegate’s herbed turkey too – you should try it with fig butter – so good! I ate it so much last fall I think I got a little burnt out though =)
Jaymi says
The face flap is useful in super cold weather, when you’re moving from inside to outside. You know, like from the house to the car, then you take the flap off. You don’t leave it on like that for long periods of time.
Sara says
I love using the flap when it’s raining, just really quick getting from car to house or whatever.
lisa fine says
Glad you had some winners for meals on this day, considering your French toast the day before was a flop.
Question about coconut butter – does anyone have any stomach issues when they eat it? I find when I eat coconut butter (or oil, or ice cream), I tend to get a stomachache, which is so sad, cause I love coconut!
Patty says
Lisa,
I do! I think my stomach doesn’t take fat very well but I try to fight through it thinking it will be ok. Not so. I do love the flavor though and if I want some I’ll use it sparingly. Don’t give up on the coconut butter!
Jen says
Hi Kath! I’ve been stalking . . . er, reading your blog for some time now and I really enjoy following your C-Ville adventures. It’s a wonderful, unique, and very special place and I have many fond memories of a summer I spent there in college (yes, I still dream of Arch’s and Bodo’s!) Your photography is so simply beautiful, and your blog is very inspiring to me in trying to keep things healthy and wholesome without becoming consumed by calorie counting.
Quick question though, about the salad – is that avocado I see? Did you pre-cut it and, if so, how did you keep it looking so fresh and appetizing, as opposed to mushy and brown?
KathEats says
Glad KERF brings back memories!
I store my avocados in the fridge, with the pit in, in a glass container with a lid. Sometimes the outer skin does get a little brown, but you are probably seeing just the inner pieces here.
Jen says
I also drizzle a little lemon juice on the cut sides with the put still in. Then wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate. It works!
rebecca @ blueberry smiles says
I am an urban professional (well suburban professional lately), but I always feel way more like one when I hold a cup of coffee and walk down the streets. haha!
KathEats says
🙂
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
I roasted sweet potatoes with smoked paprika this week…yuuummmy! 🙂
Coco says
I want your dinner so badly now. It looks beyond delist, especially the chicken thigh. Could you be more specific of how your made it? Like how long in the oven at what temperature?
And that cover looks really warm. But close up all the way? I can’t imagine who will do that.
KathEats says
For meats we almost always sear them on the stove top in some safflower oil on both sides and then finish in the oven until a meat thermometer reads that it’s done. We almost always use 400* as the temp.
Alicia @ Wanna Be Ina says
Why safflower? I find that I am using coconut oil more and more when cooking, but I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever bought safflower oil. I used to use grapeseed oil because of the high smoke point, but not so much anymore.
KathEats says
Neutral and high smoke point, mostly
Katie @ SkinnyMinnieMoves says
I love the pic of Mazen with the pacifier! Haha so adorable! Look at those eyes 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Ooooo that sandwich looks so good! I love turkey sandwiches, and brie is one of my favorite cheeses! I really need to get to a yoga class… I’ve been injured and can’t run and I know yoga will help!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Awwww he looks so snug! Do they make grown up ones?? 😉 Although I have to agree, closing the face flap sounds dangerous!
Mmmm that coconut butter on top looks amazing!
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
That lunch sandwich… I want it. Now, please :).
Kavi says
Love the photoshoot!
Jordan @ Eat for Health, Eat for Fun says
That chicken looks delish!! It’s fun to season things yourself by coming up with ideas, but sometimes it’s just so nice to buy it already herbed and flavored 🙂 Also, I agree with Carly ^ I would like that sandwich as well!! (Along with all the incredible looking sandwiches you always get from Great Harvest!)
Annette @FitnessPerks says
Nice way to end the day 🙂
Alison says
Yum! All your meals really do look fabulous! I’ve had two good meals so far today so maybe I’ll have three for three as well 😉
Lyn says
I have salad envy!
That face flap is a godsend when it is pouring rain and you are moving the baby from the acr to the house. Also when it is gusting wind. A big wind will make a baby “lose their breath”… they gasp and can’t seem to breathe in the wind.
Laura @ She Eats Well says
Dinners like those scream Fall/Winter and taste so good AND warm the body right up. Yum!!!!
natasha says
Pumpkin butter/brie with anything sounds yummy to me! Great idea!
Emily @ Emily Eats and Runs says
I made a sandwich for my husband two weeks ago, using Applegate Farms Herbed Turkey Breast, and he loved it too! Next time, I’m going to take a tip from you and pair it with brie!
Lauren says
LOOK AT THAT CHIN!
So adorable.
Emily says
Mazen is SOOOOOOOOOO stinkin’ cute!!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Glad you had a better day Han last, with no fails 🙂
Lisa says
That turkey sandwich with the pumpkin butter sounds so good to me! I bet a sprinkling of dried cranberries would make it perfection!
I have been meaning to comment that I finally tried Biscoff after you mentioned it so many times. Oh my. Addicting!
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
I definitely get what you mean with the texture: creamy and crunchy are great.
cathy says
Hi Kath! Long time reader, but I seldom comment. Your son is just gorgeous! And your lunch sounded great. I always do cranberry with turkey, but now I’m intrigued to try it with pumpkin butter. 🙂
Lauren says
That Applegate Farms turkey breast meat is my favorite as well. Love the flavor!
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
I cracked open my coconut butter this morning – thanks for the reminder about how AMAZING it is!!! Heavenly! Roasted cauliflower is by far one of my favourite roasted veggies (possibly second to kabocha squash..)…a wonderful array of eats and love the collage of photos of Maze!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Glad you had a recipe success – you deserved it 🙂
And that collage with M is just too cute – Kath, he gets cuter every day!
lapiubelladitutte says
Any day with three good meals is a good day on my book!!!
Kristen@Change of Pace says
Oh my gosh you remind me of me when I had my daughter. We had a photo shoot almost everyday because she looked so darn cute in whatever outfit she wore that day. I’d be taking pictures all the time too! He’s a cutie!
Ana says
Maze is getting so big! Aww I love fat baby cheeks 🙂
Jun says
Perhaps it is due to your lack of regular yoga practice pre-pregnancy which makes it extra harder for you post-pregnancy? I’m just guessing though, on another note, your meals look delicious!
Emily @ www.main-eats.com says
That turkey looks AMAZING! You are right-such a great day of food!
ds says
That salad looks so good! Is it just spinach, red and green peppers, carrots, avocado, and pecans? Do you put dressing on it?
KathEats says
Yep!
KathEats says
Oh sorry, the “dressing” was just a drizzle of honey. My favorite!
ds says
So yes or no dressing? 🙂 What kind of dressing goes well with that?
Verenique B says
ok so i see you LOVE coffee!! i like coffee but dnt drink often since i am only one who likes it at my house(my husband is a hudge choc milk drinker, more like he lives on sodas and sweet tea 🙂
anways, i wanna get some coffee for these colder months but dnt want just cheap tasting coffee. what kinda coffee do you recomend as being some good quilty tasting coffee that wnt break the bank??
i was at tj’s in charlotte earlier today and regreat not getting the gingerbread spice coffee they h ad! 🙁 does whole foods have any good coffees??(have yet to go to whole foods wich we just got one near us now! 🙂
Vere’nique
KathEats says
Unfortunately the coffee I am hooked on (a locally roasted coffee shop’s) is break-the-bank good. BUT in Charlotte – I would recommend The Fresh Market’s coffee. I always loved theirs – especially the Spring Blend!
Verenique B says
well acutaly dnt live in charlotte only up there today with family to visit ikea and trader joes.
sooooo wish i’d gotten some coffee at trader joes now!! 🙁
KathEats says
Ahhh.. I haven’t had much luck with TJs coffee. But I’m pretty picky about my flavors. Do you have a local shop in town that roasts?
Verenique B says
not sure, i am located in irmo,SC,
the main places i go shopping at are aldis,sams,walmart and sometimes kroger and sometimes publix
i am dying to go to whole foods wich just opend up not to long ago! its on the other side of town, like 20mint drive but still wanna go look someday!! 🙂 i hear the begiging of the year theere will be also a tj/s opening near the whole foods 🙂
Verenique B says
tried searching online and couldnnt’ realy find anythings excpet a couple local coffee shops that just searve coffee, not sure if they sell bags to purchase. the only place i know to get coffee is at just grocery stores, any good brand ast just a reg grocery store?
i love aldis!!! never tried their bag coffees though. hmm guess it couldn’t hurt to tyr, just know if i dnt like it i’ll get stuck with it since im the only one drinking it! thats why im asking so many questions about the coffee 😉
ever heard of caribu coffee??
k. says
I think coffee is such a matter of personal taste. I drink a ton of it and so do the people I work with — but we all like different kinds! My suggestion is that you go through all the brands that are most easily available until you find your favorite and just go with it. I buy different ones, depending on how much I feel like spending, and I think dark roasts are usually the best buy. Buying whole beans and grinding them, and using a French Press coffee maker, are two ways to get the best taste out of whatever brand beans you like best, but I don’t do either because of time and hassle. I always buy it ground. Unless you keep a bag for a long time, do not store it in the fridge or freezer. It dries out!
Ana says
I have bought bags of coffee at coffee shops and reallynliked it. Many places grind it for you right when you buy it, and some places sell it by weight. I am also the only one who drinks coffee at home, my son also likes ot with milk but he is only 10, anx my husband also is a choco milk fan.
I buy sometimes at WF, the allegro breakfast blend is very good. Also, there is a coffee shop near us called It’s a Grind, and I buy it there too. They have hazelnut coffee that is amazingly good. And they do sell it by weight so I always get a little bit at a time (like 1/3 lb) and buy more when we run out, this way the coffee is always fresh. See ifo have an “It’s a Grind” coffee shop near you, it is worth it to stop buy there! 🙂
Ana
Justeen says
I just love all of your creative food combinations!! You make everything look and sound so GOOD. On my way home, I stopped by TJ’s for the herbed turkey breast and goat brie (already have pumpkin butter!). I can’t wait to try the sandwich!
Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles says
Oh I wish I could have clones of all your meals delivered to my house. Looks much better than what I am about to scrounge up for dinner. Mazen is looking super cute!
Jill says
The car seat cover looks so cozy! I have no idea why they make these things with head flaps! My daughter’s bundle me can zip up way over her head – not that I’d ever do that! Now that she’s older she loves pulling it up over her face to play peekaboo with me during our walks 🙂
cay says
what kind of chocolate star is that!? with vanilla ice cream is it? looks DELISH
KathEats says
Trader Joe’s chocolate stars
jenna k says
Part of my “pretend I’m an urban professional” ongoing game
^^haha! i love playing that game.
mmm, your meals all do look so good!
Christie Ellis {Pepper Lynn} says
Love your comment on pretending you are an urban professional with your cappuccino, Kath. I totally do the same thing!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I’m the same way with my oatmeal – I always need something crunchy on top!
Fran@BCDC says
Your breads always make your sandwiches look so good. I should see if I can find a Great Harvest in the area.
Kara says
Hi Kath! I read this post the other day and I went out to buy some coconut oil (that`s all they had in my Canadian health stores). It’s the “good stuff” though!
But my important question is, I’m only 18 and I’m really careful and cautious about diet changes. I had some coconut oil (1/2 a tablespoon – is that normal?) on my morning oats and today is closing to be one of the best days of my life as far as mental clarity! I think part of it is that I like fats – I really feel better after dairy – but I’d really like to make this oil-in-my-oats-instead-of-milk a daily thing.
Is this sustainable? Is it healthy? Can one keep coconut oil up for a lifetime?
Thanks! Means a lot, Kara.
KathEats says
Coconut oil is healthy in reasonable portions, so yes, glad it made you feel good!
Dub says
As I read some of your posts I was thinking about some things that I have been learning lately about fat loss. The main thing is that our digestive system and hormones are really what determine fat loss and keeping it off. If either one of those is out of wack then weight loss will be almost impossible. If we fix what’s wrong with us inside and get back to true health, then the outside will follow and we will get our long term weight loss results. Some problems can be that we need to give our organs a cleanse/detox, or a low calorie low fat diet causes a slow metabolism, candida yeast overgrowth in our digestive and tract, processed foods with preservatives and chemicals, etc. Anyways I have a site that I would love for you to take a look at and see if it has any info that may be helpful to you and I would love any tips or advice to make it better as I am currently working on it and adding to it. http://lovehandlesloser.com. Good luck with all your fitness goals!
Dub
Katie@Real Food Katie's Way says
Oh my goodness!
I went on vacation and haven’t read your blog in 3 weeks…I can’t believe how much your little guy has grown! He looks like YOU in such a major way!
KathEats says
Fun!