Lunch Uptown is always fun. Charlotte is so neighborhoody that it always surprises me how much of a real city it is at noon on a Thursday!
Feast was pretty good. The decor was amazing!! There was black damask everywhere (I LOVE black damask!) and of course the menu was right up my alley. The con? The service was verrrrry slow.
I ordered the Chicken Mango Panini on Cranberry Nut Bread. It was SOOOO GOOD!! The chicken was spice-rubbed and the swiss cheese, which was a surprise because it was NOT on the menu, really made the sandwich. I was glad I had it in the end, but I can see how a vegan (or cheese hater) would have been annoyed at the discrepancy. And the mango, of course, was so fun on a sandwich!
Knowing what I know about bread, sandwiches and cheese, I’d put 600 calories toward this one. I’m pretty sure there were 2 pieces of swiss and the bread was probably close to 250. While it tasted da-licious, it wasn’t really that filling at all. I ate every bite (and I ate it sandwich-style too!)
My mother in law got the salmon pot pie, which I thought was excellent too (had a bite) and the husband got the meatballs, which were pretty typical. Their entrees would have been better with a little bread on the side. Otherwise they were smallish. Despite the fact that it took 45 minutes for our food to come (and mine was another 5 behind that!), I would still go back to Feast because my sandwich was that. good.
After lunch my company got TCBY cones. I had a few licks of the husband’s cone because I didn’t want a whole one. He’s so sweet to share 🙂
Packing Peanuts Round II
Gah!! I HATE packing peanuts. But I did manage to get all of my second box unpacked. And luckily the UPS store around the corner happily took the boxes and all the packaging to re-use. Go UPS! Made my life and theirs much easier.
Antique Noxzema containers. I’m not sure I have the story quite right, but I think my great uncle took the Noxzema recipe to Canada and started it there! So we have a family connection. My mom and grandfather use it religiously like a moisturizer to this day.
An old candy dish. Too bad there’s no candy in this house! Guess it’ll do for eye candy (jewelry) instead 🙂
Pitchers.
The whole shebang, including a pretty quilt, linens, more blue glass, hat box, antique juicer, spools, a copper pot and more.
Kath says
Kelly L,
I’ll put some more peanut butter in his dinner 🙂 I think it was the angle though. He’s been doing this turtle neck thing in photos recently!
Doodles ,
I DID have ice cream – I just didn’t need my own. Wasn’t craving it. Since when is not getting dessert a bad thing?
Ange C.,
This blog IS my part time job. My free time depends on the semester – this spring with the 2 labs and 6 classes I would have only had time on the weekends. I’ve had a week and a half off of school, but not really long enough to start a commitment since I have 5 weeks of 8am-9pm coming up. It’s definitely possible to have an in-person PT job during the semester with my program on the weekends, but thankfully I haven’t needed to get one thus far.
Husband,
You’re doing the turtle head again!!
Maran ,
HI!! My night classes start on Monday and then I just have weekends free!! But I could meet you uptown for lunch one day next week if that would work!? We could go to Feast!
Carter ,
Haha – good point!
Kath
DaisyMay says
I thought you weren’t counting calories anymore? or is it just a force of habit to count
Kath says
DaisyMay ,
I’m not keeping a food journal with calorie counts anymore, but that doesn’t mean I’m not aware of portions. I posted the count estimate simply to note that while the sandwich was small, it was probably still a big percentage of my daily intake, whatever that ends up being.
Kath
DaisyMay says
Gotcha thanks. On a side note today is free iced coffee day at dunkin donuts. yeah!!!!!!!!!!
Kelly L. says
Fatten that husband of yours up Kath! With all the healthy eating yall do he looks like he’s getting even skinnier! 🙂
Kelly L. says
I just realized that might be taken the wrong way so let me clarify by saying I didn’t mean that rudely. Just in fun!
Anon says
You do realize that your life is still ruled by calories, don’t you? Being aware of portions is a whole different thing than counting numbers in your head. I’m sure that’s why you didn’t have that very small ice cream cone, too. Your control over your life seems so restrictive
Doodles says
Why didn’t you have any ice cream? That’s no fun!! If you weren’t full you could have had a baby cone? Party pooper. 🙂
Korin says
I could never turn down TCBY. PLus it isn’t even that bad for you… except I always get CANDY mix-ins. Damn weakness! 🙂
Kath, seriously, the hubby needs to gain a bit. And I don’t mean it rudely either, but he looks pretty thin. Yikes.
Ange C. says
Kath- just curious…is it that your school schedule is too demanding that you don’t have time for a part time job? I really have no idea how a masters that you are studying for works. How many hours are you taking each semester? I know your summer is about to be nuts with classes ALL day, but just wondering what your load is during a normal semester. Not judging here, just curious if this program doesn’t allow time for that! Thanks for the insight!
Mandy A says
i so want some tcby now 🙂
the husband says
Man, what’s up with my neck in that picture… I’m turned just enough to the side so that the angle cuts part of it off and I look like a bobblehead!
Allison K. says
I love black damask, as well as red….that picture of the restaurant is how I would LOVE my dining room to look!
Maran says
Cheese Haters like me!!!!! Woof, I hate when restaurants don’t add cheese to their menus.. hence why I always look like a freak and have to ask about everything.. But you get it, onion hater.
PS We need to do a mid-week dinner sometime soon since you are booked until Fall pretty much 😉
Have a great day!
Carter says
I doubt a vegan would have ordered a chicken panini. 🙂
the husband says
Instructions for making a turtle neck in a photo:
1) say “cheese” with EXTENSIVE emphasis on the EEEEEE
2) ruin pictures
Ange C. says
Gothca….thanks for the info. I didn’t realize this blog IS your part time job. Good to know.
Lauren says
I’ve never had mango on a sandwich, but that seems like a great idea. I really like putting grilled pineapple on my veggie burgers in the summer =)
Jimmi says
omg, kath- i sometimes hope you don’t take all these comments too seriously. i think your taking stock of calories, portions and food group balancing is INCREDIBLE- and you should be commended on making a transition from counting everything to lightly thinking about it. AND PS. you and your husband look amazing. i don’t know where everyone is from- but you guys look like you’re made for TV. get real, there’s sooo much decadence revolving around the sport of eating food- it’s refreshing to see/read someone appreciate good food by limiting the decadence and knowing you’ll have more/better later. how could you possibly have appreciated that AMAZING dessert buffet over the weekend if you were indulging in TCBY every meal? i mean, for real. thanks for your hard work and inspiring me to eat consciously, smart and appreciatively.
james says
ps. “feast” totally looks like a recreation of “I LOVE NEW YORK’s” house on vh1. or even “flavor of love”
hahaha
Paige says
I don’t necessarily think a part-time job is about needing one (i.e., needing the money), but rather, more about getting experience in one’s field so that once out of school, employers want to hire you because of your experience. As someone who regularly reviews resumes and makes hiring decisions, I’d definitely interview someone with even a part/short time of real work experience in their field over someone who didn’t have that experience, since it demonstrates interest and experience in the field. It sounds like your school life is about to be too full time to consider it, but if you do have time in the fall, I’d suggest considering a job (even a non-paid internship) for the experience, even if not for the money.
Casey says
I just have to say that you and your husband are so adorable.
Not to sound dramatic, but I’m a college student and I sometimes feel jaded by marriage after seeing so many parents divorce. You two have completely changed my perception!
And on a lighter note, I adore TCBY! Yum, yum, yum.
Kath says
Jimmi ,
Thanks so much for your nice comment 🙂
Paige,
I totally agree with you about experience. I am hoping to volunteer/intern at a company that focuses on corporate wellness and nutrition after my summer school ends in mid-July if it works out. And next summer, when hopefully I won’t have to take courses, I hope to get a full time job in the nutrition industry when I have 2-3 months to commit. I’m 100% with you on gaining experience but I’ve got some time (2 years) before I’m an R.D.
Casey,
You’re sweet. We were close friends first (and actually dated each other’s friends!) and fell in love second (during Christmas break of freshman year of college). I think the order has something to do with why we’re still great friends <3
Kath
arielle says
Oh god, my mom would love you. She’s always trying to send me home with stuff, and I always have to fight her off. Of course it helps that you have a house and my apartment can barely fit my couch.
Tina says
Look it all that great stuff! So nice of your grandparents to give it to you!
Lunch looks great too! Mango and chicken… mmmmm! 🙂
Allyson says
The restaurant looks beautiful! And the food sounds great! How cool is all that stuff! I think its great that you can spend some time with the husband in the middle of the day. It makes it feel different and special 🙂
creatingadiva says
LOL husband! oo and what is damask? Is this something I shouldve picked up along the way?!
Katers says
Swoon, I love antiques..this post makes me want to go antiquing! I can’t wait til I have my new apt and actually have places to put things!!
SawSaw says
What do you all think of eating the “heel” or end of a loaf of bread? Do you eat it? Or throw it out?
Maran says
Yay for lunch uptown! I head home on Thursday so Mon-Weds would work for me. Just let me know!
Ally says
The decor is really nice and that sandwich looks pretty good!
I used to eat TCBY all the time as a kid. I haven’t had it in years though!
Sara says
Kath,
Your life seems so great and it makes me happy to read about it everyday. You and your husband seem like the perfect couple. I was wondering if you have always been so up beat and positive?
My life is good but sometimes I get down and depressed and just want to eat a pint of ben & jerry’s to make myself feel better. Do you ever have days like this? I know I need to keep reminding myself how much better I feel when I eat healthy but sometimes it doesn’t work. Have any tips or special tricks?
Thanks!!!! I love the blog!
Anne P says
lol, the husband, i love your steps for making the turtle neck. i’ve definitely been known to do the huge smile thing haha.
Kelly T says
i dont think Kath gets enough credit for how business savvy (is it two vv’s or 2 aa’s? i can never remember) she is. When kath gets her degree and becomes and RD, how many of you would use her? i would. This is the best way to get business if i have ever seen one.
Not that its just about business. I know she likes us a lot, too. because we are cute.
Kelly T says
sorry, i always seem to talk about you, instead of to you.
Kath, I know you like us a lot. 🙂
VeggieGirl says
OH. MY. GOODNESS. GRACIOUS. My personal style/decor “color scheme” is red, black, and white, so I am completely awestruck by the decor of Feast – magnificent!!!
I LOVE that old candy dish!! Gorgeous!!
Sidi says
Do you, Kath? You llike us? You like some, right? We like you instead, don’t worry. I changed my eating habits reading you. Thanks!
Nicole (the other one) says
To SawSaw – depends on the bread. If it’s homemade or bakery the end is the best part! But if it is pre-sliced bagged bread, I usually toss it. Although last week, the husband (oh my gosh Kath, our spouses have the same “name”!) had the nerve to leave one regular slice and the heel in the bag.
See Casey, you can still marry your best friend and get stuck eating yucky sandwiches.
hk says
wow, what a great package of goodies, I love it! Such cool old noxema tins 🙂
Glad lunch was yummy, boo to the slow service, but I’m sure you all enjoyed the time together! have a nice night!
Kath says
Creatingadiva,
I’m not exactly sure what the technical term for damask is (I checked Wikipedia and it seemed to be more about woven cloth than a pattern) but I think of it as a white background with a pattern that’s in the pillows in the photo above. And here’s a link with lots more examples:
http://www.nextag.com/damask-black/search-html
I have a black damask umbrella, reusable bags in red and black and our living room chairs are kind of the pattern.
SawSaw ,
I agree with Nicole (the other one)! If it’s homemade bread I request an end piece. But on a store-bought loaf = ewww.
Nicole – so cool about our husbands!!!
Sara ,
I definitely did not used to be so happy. When I was overweight, I honestly felt like my weight plagued my whole life. Having poor self esteem just kind of affected me all over. It’s a shame it took me so long to make the connection between my unhappiness with my self and eating too much. I wouldn’t say I was that unpleasant and definitely had lots of fun times during those years, but in terms of everyday life, I wasn’t that cheerful and I think general unhappiness with my self was to blame.
Also, I was never content in my two previous jobs (publishing and PR), but I had no idea what other careers would suit me. When I came home each day, I never felt fulfilled and just felt drained. I used to actually read Eat Like Me while at work and saw her living a flexible lifestyle as a dietitian and thought, “You know, it’s not too late to go back to school.” That’s where it all began. I realized am truly happiest when I have flexibility and the rigidness of working in corporate America was what was draining me most. Swamped with chemistry, stats, and physio all at once this semester, I was still happy deep down because I know I’m on a path to a career that I’m excited about.
Lastly, and this may seem strange, but reading Fit From Within changed me in so many ways above just eating advice. Chapter 6 “Focus on Living a Quality Life” really hit home (and I read it around the same time I was brainstorming going back to school). I was living my life snack to snack and when she wrote the following, I realized how little meaning I was getting out of my days:
“Everybody has experienced being so involved in a project that a mealtime has passed unnoticed…it would be unrealistic to expect that level of involvement in every moment. Besides, you’d starve to death. That quality of involvement, however, needs to be with you all the time. If your life is boring or not fulfilling or unsuited to the person you are, it’s no wonder you eat too much. You’re lucky you’re not doing something worse.”
That’s when I knew I had to take the leap and go back to school. And I’ve been 10 times happier ever since 🙂
Kelly T,
I do like all of you a lot!! And food! When I started the blog I hadn’t decided to go back to school, but I’d be happy to counsel you all professionally in two years 🙂 Perhaps I should have a web-based private practice some day? I’m sure there are ways to make it work.
Kath
Chelsea says
First off-Kanz made me LOL at work, that was hilarious!
Secondly-A vegan wouldn’t order chicken, but a lactose intolerant (*raises hand*) would be pissed.
Thirdly 🙂 My Mom would love you. She loves antiques and has many of the same things you’ve been showing. I hate hate hate clutter to the point of throwing stuff away. I completely appreciate all the stuff you got from your grandma but would never take it myself. I would take that quilt though!!!
Laurel says
Hi everyone. I’m reposting this from earlier this week, I guess it got buried under the other comments:
I loved reading about your vacation, Kath! I must have missed it–why did you decide to stop counting calories? Do you still wear and calculate calories burned with a heart rate monitor?
I’m looking for advice on gaining weight. My husband has lost every ounce of the 10 pounds he worked really hard to put on last summer. He’s naturally very lean and has a fast metabolism, plus he’s very in tune with his appetite and also lazy when it comes to feeding himself.
He gained the weight by drinking milkshakes with ice cream (Haagen Daz), half and half or heavy cream, Carnation Instant Breakfast and fresh fruit (strawberries and banana). He also weight trained at the gym at least 4 times a week.
I don’t like the shakes but he wants to start them again. He refuses to drink ones with protein powder or bananas in them. He’s not an adventurous eater at all and mealtimes are difficult. Any advice? Thanks
Erin says
Kath,
I ordered Fit from Within from Amazon and plan to read on my vacation in Florida at the end of this month. It’s funny, I’m 24 and currently work in public relations, much like you. I am finding that I, too, really dislike the rigidness of the corporate culture. I absolutely love your blog!
Suzanne says
Yea! More antique goodies! I love that quilt!
Your sandwich looks delicious. The mango is definitely an interesting twist.
HAHA – the husband bobble head thing cracked me up. My husband actually has a long neck and he has the ‘bobble-head’ thing going on in some pics too! But your husband seems to have a normal neck – it’s just the funny angles. 🙂
I really appreciated your personal response to Sara’s question. It really shows your caring nature to us ‘strangers’ and that you really take the time to try and help all of us. Reading your blog honestly everyday makes me feel better about things when I’m down, because I see how positive you are. THANK YOU!
JessieP says
I know im coming in late on this discussion, but i can’t help but point out that NOONE is happy and upbeat all the time, no matter what career you are in or what your life is like. I think Kath tries very hard to keep her posts upbeat because who would want to read a bunch of posts like “wow i had the crappiest day today….” Personally I look to Kath’s cheery blog posts each day to cheer me up as well, and i think thats the point, and we love her for it.
That being said i guarantee Kath has bad days, bad moments, just like the rest of us. She is human after all. I just think this is important to put out there so that people don’t get down on themselves for being “Mary Sunshine” all day every day, we don’t hear about everything that happens in Kath’s day, its easier for her to put a positive spin on things when she is just typing a paragraph at a time.
I’m sure you have a fantastic life and wonderful marriage Kath so don’t take this is a personal hit or anything! Your self confidence is wonderful and you deserve it. Just wanted to put this message out there.
JessieP says
correction:
*down on themselves for NOT being “Mary Sunshine”…..
Becky in MD says
SawSaw-I used to throw away the end of the bread, but when I was in Chicago, I got a sandwich, and halfway through I realized the guy had used the end of the bread to make it, but had turned it so the outside was facing in (and I didn’t even know!). Now I use the end pieces, I just turn them so the non-end side is facing out.
BethT says
Laurel – my hubby has also gained weight and did it by eating lots and lots of protein such as chicken breast, turkey and fish, plus complex carbs for 5 – 6 meals a day. It’s a lot of food but the healthiest way to do it and better than shakes. I would have him talk to a nutritionist as that is what my husband did to develop a plan.
Kiala says
I like the heel end of the bread.
I can’t be the only one.
Kath says
Laurel,
Thanks for re-posting your questions. Here’s a link to the day I made the calorie counting announcement: https://www.katheats.com/?p=3643.
I do still wear my HRM because I wear it for reasons other than calorie burn – motivation, in particular.
Remember I’m not an R.D. but usually the recommendation for weight gain is calorie dense foods: nut butters, nuts, trail mix, olive oil, dairy, etc. PB&J sandwiches are very calorie dense and I don’t know many people who wouldn’t eat them for a snack. Hope that helps.
Erin,
Have fun with FFW!! And best of luck with your career plans 🙂
Suzanne ,
Thanks for your support and response! I think it helped me to write it out too 🙂
JessieP ,
Very true – I do have bad days….(Negative comments, anyone!? They DO get me down and it’s hard to keep my chin up sometimes). But what I said about being happier in life these days is definitely true. But you’re right that a blog of complaints isn’t very fun to read, so I do keep things as positive as I can.
Kath
Jaime says
do you have a recipe for that pasta you had for dinner? Looks delish and best of all…easy to make. I’m very green in the kitchen and need specific instructions to make anything:(
Kelly L. says
Kath- You. Rock. Nuff said.
sirenjess says
Do you soak your own chickpeas or buy them canned? I tried to make chickpeas and followed the directions and they never come out the way they do when you buy them canned.
Katie says
That quilt, those blue linens and that copper pot! :::swoon::: so jealous! LOVE IT!
Kath says
sirenjess ,
These were canned but I love them prepared from dry more when I have time. You need to soak them overnight and then simmer for 1-2 hours over medium to low heat. I think all beans are WAY better prepared from dry, but it is quite a process to do and needs advance planning, which we don’t always have!
kath