I woke up saying Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” in my head. I had to memorize it for my 7th grade English class and have always had a fondness for the poem. I love its unique rhythm and rhyme. So when I woke up this morning I was dreaming that I was reciting it to my high school friends in some church upon waking up this morning. Then I couldn’t get it out of my head in the shower!
Choose sleep over workout this morning due to my late night Micro homecoming, so I’m planning to head to the gym at 4pm when I get home today. Tomorrow is our first Organic exam, so I need to focus all morning in between my classes so I can enjoy a break for a workout later on. And I’m dining at EarthFare today!
I think one of the keys to a perfect bowl of oatmeal is a lot of different flavors and textures = the more ingredients the better. Today’s bowl was PERFECT and I made a point to get up 15 minutes earlier today so I could eat it very slowly and enjoy every bite (unlike the past 2 days when I was running late and had to eat fast).
The Mix:
- 1/3 oats, milk, water combo
- 1 small banana (x2 flavor b/c we used 2 total)
- Raisins
- Wheatberries
- Vanilla + Salt
- Ground flax
- Toasted almonds
- A few walnuts
- Spoonful almond butter
SO MUCH chew + crunch!
Plus a milky coffee –
Adios amigos 8)
Katie says
Looks like a yummy fall meal. Good luck on your exam today! 🙂
Sarah says
Good morning. I have a question for you Kath as well as any readers who might have some advice. I have been struggling for about 2 years with eating healthy. I maintain a healthy BMI (I do walk,run, bike). I do very well for awhile (1-2 weeks) and then I binge eat (most times for up to 4-5 days). I work in a medical office so you can imagine- cookies, cakes, candy every day. I bring my lunch to work and try to avoid eating that. However, inevitably, I break down and then eat cookie after cookie which leads to eating more that evening. I also have trouble when I know I’ll be in a situation with that kind of food (out with friends, meetings, family celebrations). I have seen a counselor and also am set up to see a nutritionist next week. I wondered what other readers who have struggled with this have found to be helpful. I’ve gone back and forth between “ok, just eat one cookie one a day when you really want it” and “just never eat that sort of food i.e. cut out sugar and white flour because it leads into not being able to stop eating”. I know it is not logical to think that I will never eat another dessert as long as I live. However, I do know that I FEEL so much better when I’m eating “right”. Any advice would be appreciated.
Christie i. says
Good luck today, the oats look as good as usual!
caitlin (seebriderun) says
i agree – the more ingredients, the better!
VeggieGirl says
I love Robert Frost 🙂 And the wheatberry breakfast looks amazing, as always!!
Good luck today!!
madison (follow my weigh) says
kath do you ever get sleepy after eating oatmeal? i wish i could eat it more often but it makes me reaally sleepy usually. your oats always looks so good though!!
hk says
Ahhh i just love Rober Frost!! Have a great day!
Rose says
I hate being in a rush and having to eat quickly – so I understand your waking up 15 minutes earlier. Glad you got to take your time this morning! Have a good day 🙂
Charlie Hills says
Whose oatmeal this is I think I know
She blogs upon the internet, though.
She’ll probably see me stopping here
To leave a note right here below.
My browser here must think it queer
To stop and post a poem here
Between your blog and Google news
Just one of many stops this year
I read about our weight loss blues
And new good food that I can chews
But blogs abound and thoughts are deep
I’m forced to drink a couple brews
Still there’s wisdom we can reap
But I have promises to keep
And pounds to go before I sleep
And pounds to go before I sleep
rhodeygirl says
Sarah- I am happy to see you are meeting with someone. I have two ideas for you that might help in the interim:
1. Bring tons of healthy snacks that you really enjoy to work and leave them there. When the urge to binge comes along just pick one of those snacks and eat that. If you still want something have another, but then that’s it. Try to distract yourself with your work and such. Even if you are over your calories for the day, you will at least be putting decent stuff into your body, and staying away from binging on cookies and such.
2. Train for some type of race. When you are training for a race your body CRAVES healthy food and doesn’t really want food when not hungry. Plus you can’t very well run 8 miles on a heavy stomach, so you will have that next morning’s run or that afternoon’s run to motivate you to not binge that day.
I wish you the best of luck!
Tina says
I COMPLETELY agree about the oatmeal! More ingredients = more fun!
Tina says
Sarah,
I second what Rhodeygirl said about bringing in your own healthy snacks. For me, once I start with the office goodies, I can’t stop, so if I have my own stash of snacks/treats, I tend to stick to those. A coconut cream Larabar, in my opinion, is BETTER than a regular old cookie! 🙂
Also, if it’s at all possible, when someone brings in cookies, cake, etc., make sure that the treats are out of your sight. Maybe putting them in the back room or in a different part of your office? If I can’t see the treats, I’m usually not tempted by them. I’ll even walk the long way to the bathroom just so I don’t have to walk by them! Out of sight, out of mind!
HangryPants says
I love that poem, but I enjoy Charlie’s version as well.
Sarah, I don’t have anything different to add because I agree with Rhodeygirl and Tina. Also, I think different things work with different people. Some people can have a small bit of something and move on, others can’t stop. It’s sort of individual I think. I would say definitely have your own treats so you won’t feel deprived if that’s an issue for you. Best of luck to you.
Jane says
Sarah,
I agree with what the others have said. In my experience, though, it’s worked the best to try to cut the junk food completely out. Like you, I used to have lots of trouble returning to healthy eating once I’d started down the junk food road, so I just had to commit to eating only things my body needed. Another trick is to chew gum (NOT sugarless, though — that makes you hungrier because of the soribtol and also causes digestion discomfort) when you feel a binge coming on. The sweetness was enough for me most of the time, and the smell of peppermint is said to make cravings go away. Worth a shot, anyway. Good luck!
Erin says
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep. – Robert Frost
~Such a good poem
Charlie, your version brought a smile to my face today!
Sarah,
I agree with everything everyone has said. I find that when I begin to eat healthy I don’t say to myself “You cannot have a cookie for a week” because all I am going to think about is the cookie. I try not to focus on what I’m not eating, though sometimes it’s right in front of me! I allow myself a treat every once in a while in monderation. I assure you, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself and when you find yourself hoping on the binge wagon, outlet your energy in another way like calling a friend or surfing the web for your favorite “healthy” blogs, hint hint! Hope this helps and good luck!
Melissa (the other one) says
Totally agree about the oatmeal – different textures and flavors definitely keep it interesting!!! I just wish those things didn’t come with extra calories 😉
Olga Deshchenko says
That’s my FAVORITE Robert Frost poem ever!
Those oats look so delicious, as always. I think I’ll have a bowl this morning as well =]
Kate says
Charlie – IMPRESSIVE!
WeightingGame says
Love the little vitamin in the pic! Actually, I’m sure it’s bigger in real life – my calcium supplements are freaking horse pills!
Allison K. says
I never had to memorize Robert Frost, although my english teacher, senior year of high school made us memorize Love Poems for Valentine’s day (Pablo Neruda….swoon!) and the introduction to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales…In Middle English!
Isn’t it amazing what you can’t forget…..
Biz says
I liked Charlie’s poem too!
Hope your day is less hectic today!
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
In 6th grade chorus we had to learn a version of that poem set to music… for the longest time I thought it was just a song!
Marie says
Random but I finally found the PB Larabars everyone has been raving about…and was wildly disappointed. Mine was rather dry, didn’t really taste like peanut butter at all (had that slightly artificial taste that I normally associate with other bars)..and just not good! PB is one of my favorite things to eat, which is why I was so surprised to dislike it so much…Is it possible I got a random bad one…?
Anne P says
Awww that’s one of my favorite poems ever. My great grandmother’s last name was Downey, and her nickname that everyone called her was “Easy” (because she was easy going), so our family has always loved the “easy wind and downy flake” line. 🙂 so pretty.
Charlie, I love your version! Very impressive 🙂
Jenn says
hey anyone that can help! I have a Australian Sheperd and doggie and she loves tearing things up when we leave her (mostly walls and fruniture) and its very frustrating! Does anyone have any advice on how to stop a puppy from doing this? She is 1 year old
Allison K. says
Jenn-
The best thing we ever did with our dog, is crate train him. He sleeps in his crate, and he stays in his crate while we are at work. There are lots of books and resources about crate training on the internet, or even at your pet store.
Also, the most important thing for your dog, is that she is getting enough exercise. If dogs don’t get enough exercise, like people, they get anxious and into trouble. I walk our pup 2 times a day, a much longer and brisker walk in the morning, and then a shorter more leisurely walk in the afternoons.
This is our third dog, and between the crate training and the walks, it’s been super easy. We had two dogs previously that weren’t crate trained and they destroyed everything in site out of boredom.
This might be a little too “animal planet” for you, but Cesar Milan (the one they call the Dog Whisperer” has a great book, and even though it’s about dog psychology, it makes ALOT of sense, and has helped me alot in puppy training.
Hope this helps, if you have further questions, just comment on my blog!
Christin S says
Betsy in Pittsburg, it was Randall Thomson, right? its a series of 6 Robert Frost poems set to chorus music…I sang them in high school choir! My favorite Robert Frost poem is Choose Something Like a Star…WAY awesome poem!
Sarah, I soooo feel you pain!! That happens to me at my office too, and I agree with what the others were saying, but I also wanted to add that I like to keep a dark chocolate bar 72% cacao or higher handy, as well as Brownie or Chocolate chip Clif Zbars…when other people are munching on sweets, I eat that instead, and i am usually asked what I am eating, which sparks a conversation about whole grains and antioxidants…the more I “convince” my coworkers its a good idea, the more I convince myself that its a good idea to stick to my guns and not partake of more sweets…that way you are allowing yourself a treat and won’t feel left out, but you will be less tempted to go overboard (or at least I am) good luck!!
Allison says
I love that poem! It just puts my in a wintery, quiet mood. 🙂 I named my own fitness blog after it actually so it’s cool to see it on someone elses!
runjess says
Check out Mending Fences by Frost as well.
Have you tried studying on the elliptical?
Jaclyn says
Jenn-
It’s probably separation anxiety. My little guy used to the do the same thing. I agree with Allison K. that the best solutions are crate training and exercise.
Plus, keep in mind that he’s still a puppy! My dog is 3 1/2 now and has definitely mellowed out. No more chewed up books and I don’t have to lock him in his crate (but I think he spends a lot of his time there anyway when I’m gone).
Also, if it’s a an option, doggie daycare is great. I was only able to work 1 day/week into my budget, but he’s out of the apartment for that 1 day and then he’s so exhausted from it that he spends that night and the next day sleeping!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Your oatmeal creations always sound (and look!) good!
Stacy (IN) says
Jenn, Another suggestion for your puppy problem is try to find something to keep her working. Aussie’s were bred to be working dogs and if they don’t have enough stimulation, they’ll find their own “work” which is probably what you don’t want her to do.
I’d recommend finding a dog park to tire her out or if you have the time and there’s something in the area, trying agility training. Crate training is terrific, but she’ll also need good outlets for all her energy and herding instincts.
ModelBehavior says
first orgo chem test! EEP! good luck! 🙂
caitlin (seebriderun) says
jenn-
crate, crate, crate! i dont know what i would do without crates for my two dogs.
i left mine alone once and he ate my boyfriend’s passport. enough said.
tfh says
I love how the poems you memorize for school never quite leave you. Lovely.
Kath says
Sarah,
Everyone gave great advice – just what I would have said too.
madison (follow my weigh),
I don’t really notice being sleepy, but being full does slow you down a little in general vs. a light fruit meal (which wouldn’t take away my AM hunger!) Maybe try a smaller (1/3 cup) portion with more calorie dense toppings?
Charlie Hills,
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saving this for my saved document 🙂
Marie ,
I do think they are drier, but I think they taste like natural peanut butter. Sorry you didn;t like em 🙁
Allison ,
Cool blog title!!
runjess ,
Yes, I have studied on the ET, but only as a last resort because I like my workouts to be Me Time.
Kath
KatieTX says
Jenn– My roommates and I have a 5 month old lab. Probably the most energetic dog ever. We HAVE to keep her in her crate when we are not here. She is pretty crazy even when she is out but walks help. I think big dogs calm down after about a year. Do you have a backyard you can let her roam in? I found the best thing is to not let the dog have the chance of chewing anything up!
mom says
Great poem Charlie!
Karen says
…and you even have a candle lit.
erin says
ever since i came across your blog last week– and you’re obsessed with oatmeal. I usually eat omtmeal for the fall/winter months. so this sparked my interest in trying a banana with oatmeal — i only started liking it. but at work I only have a microwave. so i tried it anyway- YUM! banana, oatmeal, milk/water. a little brown sugar and a small dollop of peanut butter. Ooh that’s a kicker! So thank you for giving me ideas!
SH says
Hi Kath,
I know you say the secret to good oatmeal is the layers, but do you have a suggestion for portable layers, flavours and textures? I eat breakfast at work and find it too time consuming and irritating to pack all the different little components. I actually bought a box of Quaker instant Apple Cinnamon packets and started trying that this week.
Here was my sad bowl from this morning… http://hareandtortoise.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/ugh/
Any suggestions??
Kath says
erin ,
Glad you liked it!
SH ,
I only recommend whole rolled oats – you just don’t get much in the packet! Check out the Tribute to Oatmeal page for all my advice:
https://www.katheats.com/?page_id=2032
Kath
Hayley says
I always seem to forget about poetry. I love it, but it isn’t a consistent part of my life – I think it should be! Especially beautiful poems like those by Frost and Neruda, and thought-provoking verse from Coleridge etc. 🙂
Also – your photos have inspired me to try oatmeal. Yum!