I’ve got a midterm in Medical Terminology tomorrow and I haven’t started studying. It’s a pass/fail course so I’m not that worried, but I need to make this short! Sorry guys!
Soup tonight was inspired by a recipe from Shape Magazine: Black-Eyed Pea and Squash Stew with Many Mushrooms. Honestly, I wasn’t impressed. The spices were great, but the soup was just OK.
And started with some fresh ginger:
And garlic (I used a LOT!)
Plus “many mushrooms”
I also had a single serving bottle of wine while I was cooking!
The soup also had a large butternut squash, 2 cups of veggie broth, and 2 cups of our prepared pinto/navy beans, although after pureeing you couldn’t taste them at all.
The real shine was the spices – ginger, dry mustard, cinnamon, garlic, red pepper flakes and vermouth.
We topped each serving with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds!
The soup was about 350 kcal, 14 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein for this big bowl ~ 2 cups’ worth.
I had Kashi Sesame crackers on the side –
From above –
The whole meal with wine was 587 kcal, 16 grams fiber and 19 grams protein.
Snack
On my way home from lab this afternoon around 4:30 I had the Honey Graham Zbar. Honestly, I didn’t really like it. The taste was fine and there wasn’t anything I disliked, but about 2 bites in I wished I had decided on a LaraBar, KIND, or Nectar bar. I just like the texture of all of those better. They’re chewier, which is my “thing.” This was good, but I think the best thing about the Zbars is that they are small and not too many calories. I don’t think I’ll buy them again. Sorry to disappoint! I do have the chocolate chip one left though…
I also went for a 25 minute walk when I got home to enjoy the weather, run an errand at the shopping center, and catch up with my mom on the phone (I have a headset that’s perfect for talking + walking!)
The husband reports his first day was very overwhelming and he can’t really form an opinion yet. More on Friday he says!
Tomorrow is an “inverse day” which means I’m studying first thing, having breakfast with the husband around 7 and then working out around 9 after the husband leaves. I’m excited!
Blarg – off to study medical terms.
londonwee says
Hi kath. Do you notice that you are feeling less tired now that you eat healthy, as opposed to before? Is it easier for you to get up in the morning, and go to bed at night? You get up to study sometimes in the early morning, but when I do that i feel like i can’t function really. I’m working on eating as healthy as you do, but i was just wondering if you noticed any changes in your altertness/sleeping pattern/easiness to wake up. thanks!
Emily W. says
Sorry the Zbars didnt work out for you too well! I love the Chocolate Chip ones! MMM I have never had the Graham ones…!
Jessie says
2 questions for Kath…and everyone else!
Kath what kind of pb and j do you use?
and my other question is about storage, i see that you use a lot of plastic bags to store your food, I bring my lunch to work usually in a ziploc type bag or a plastic gladware container…and no matter what i do i SWEAR i can faintly taste the plastic. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there some special plastic thats being made that i don’t know about? Any suggestions on how to keep it fresher tasting???
oh and one more question, when you take your lunches to school how to you travel with them? Some sort of lunch box? i use a Koozie brand cooler thing and im wondering if thats contributing to the plastic taste?
Thanks!
Natalie says
Emily, I love the Honey Graham flavor!
sarah says
inverse day sounds positively heavenly.
bev says
Jessie, I only use glass to use most of the things I heat up for lunch. I buy the anchor hocking small ones and I take off the lid ( plastic) when I heat it up. Plastic can be very harmful to your health. I do have some safe plastic that I buy from the container store to put cut up fruit and etc. You can do a little research on “harmful “plastic on Goggle.
bev says
Jessie , this may help http://www.reusablebags.com/
Betsy says
this first day of work is always so scary and overwhelming. On my first day, I couldn’t sleep the night before and spent the entire day in an exhausted daze, which did not help at all.
jessie: i use Brad’s Peanut Butter or Whole Foods Natural. I’ve only seen Brad’s in New York and it’s good and always on sale at my grocery store so that’s why I buy it. I only use natural peanut butter because I like the taste better and I don’t want any trans fat in my pb.
Romina says
Sorry to hear your soup didn’t taste as good as it looks, because it looks very appetizing!
mel says
Jessie, I love skippy’s natural pb and smuckers simply fruit natural blackberry jelly -or honey instead of jelly! yumm!!
Ashley H says
I really dont care for the Zbars because I like chewy bars too and these seem dry. The worst is the brownie one blah!! Good luck studying Kath!!
Laurel says
You blog brightens up my day, Kath! I always look forward to reading it and being inspired by it. I picked up some of the Pacific soups you’ve mentioned and plan to use them soon.
Some questions for you:
* How long does it take you to run 5.5. miles?
* Where do you put your stuff (e.g., keys, cell phone, wallet) when you run outside? In the past I’ve used a fanny pack-type thing but it bounced against my waist the whole time and was distracting.
* Any recs for salad dressings–homemade or bottled (low-cal but flavorful preferred)? I’m so tired of the same old olive oil, vinegar (either balsamic, white or white balsamic) and salt that I’ve been using.
* I’m wondering how you structured your exercise routine and meal prep when you worked full-time/ business hours. Did you have to get up even earlier to exercise for an hour each day?
* Can you, or anyone, recommend a good sports bra? None of the ones I’ve tried on fit well at all (I’ve gone to Modell’s, Sports Authority, etc.). They’re either loose where they should be form-fitting and painfully tight around the ribcage/ neck and shoulders (for the halter style). I’m on the small side and I need something supportive (a shelf bra won’t do), especially for high intensity cardio (running, elliptical, etc.)
Thanks!
edamame22 says
I notice too that my food tastes plasticy, no matter if I put them in baggies or in expensive tupperware or those cheaper “disposable” gladware. I have started taking real bowls to work with leftovers and sometimes will put items in tin foil rather than baggies. If anyone else has suggestion, PLEASE let us know.
Thanks kath and husband for all you do for this blog. We appreciate all the time it takes to maintain it so well.
NCCarter says
Hi Kath,
Just had to let you know I made your mother-in-law’s veggie lasagna and it was delish! Tell her thanks for me! 🙂
Betsy says
Laurel
I swear by LuluLemon Marathon sports bra. They are perfect for running, with minimal bounce!
Caitlin says
I currently have UnderArmour sports bras. A little expensive but very comfortable and supportive. Plus, I love the moisture-wicking feature.
RG says
Hi everyone-
Random question that I can’t seem to the find the answer to…. app. how many oz cooked does 2 oz of dry pasta make? would it make sense to be about 7 oz cooked if it had just a little bit of sauce?
also, kath how would you enter this into calorie king? i could not find any entry for portions AFTER cooking the pasta
Karen says
That’s a bummer about the soup. It looks and sounds appealing. And I love the pumpkin seeds on top.
B_Hlthy says
Goalie- I have used protein powders before and I suggest you mix it very well in the liquid medium prior to putting it in your oatmeal… That should get rid of any clumps! It will make it very creamy! I’m with you on eating the majority of my calories rather than drink them- your body’s cue to digest is partially signalled by chewing!
Jessie- I use Smuckers Natural Creamy and Chunky- I always dump out the excess oil on top and it makes it more dry but i like it!
_ Lunch: I waited for three years to buy a Lean Cuisine Lunch Bag that supports Breast Cancer… they sell out super fast every year! They start selling them in august/september for $9.95 free shipping… half their cost goes to Susan G Komen Foundation…. I finally got one this year and it is SUPER cute and foil inside.. here is a link: http://www.leancuisine.com/Komen2007/SoldOut.aspx
caitlin #2 for tonight :) says
Laurel:
I tie my house key or car key to my shoelaces (double knot, of course!) and then tuck the key under the strapped in laces… works like a charm!
I never thought about bringing my cell phone or wallet on a run with me…. i just run places i feel safe and i don’t really need either one!
B_Hlthy says
oh and you know what i thought would be the COOLEST?…. Not that I think Kath could do this herself- I think websites should this for bloggers….
i was thinking that lots of people ask questions and have comments and if there was a way almost to “subscribe” to the blog and have the same comments for each dinner/lunch/ post…. but to also have a “Reader” section on the margin….with the list of all the readers. That way… you see a comment from a breakfast… but not until its dinnertime– so instead of going back to breakfast post… you just click on that person name and immediately message them your reply.
I know that’s a little “deep” but it makes sense because we are not only here for Kath but to also network with others of similar interest and help answer each others questions/ discuss topics/etc …
VeggieGirl says
There’s no such thing as too much garlic (in my opinion, haha) – that soup looks wonderful!! I’m reading Shape magazine right now, actually, so I’ll have to scope out that recipe.
Ahh, I do hope that Matt’s job gets better for him – hang in there!!
Happy Monday!! “See” you at breakfast, and for “inverse day” :0)
LT says
Hmmm about the plastic taste…..Maybe you might want to try those little wax paper bags for sandwiches and snacks (they remind me of elementary school – I used to be embarrassed that my mom packed my food in weird brown wax paper bags instead of cool ziploc bags! ha!). As for the Tupperware, I wash mine by hand and don’t put in the microwave b/c I’ve heard so many chemicals seep out when they’re heated to such high temps, which prob. could add to the extra plastic flavor (just guessing).
**I’m also curious about alternative food-packing devices!! Tips are very welcome!
Emma says
Hi Kath…well maybe your soup wasnt tasty, but it sure looked it!
And for the reader that asked what kind of PB Kath uses… I’m pretty sure at one pt she said she goes for the Harris Teeter brand? (correct me if I’m wrong!)
I like Smuckers or Adams- creamy. Though I recently bought a tub of Trader Joe’s almond butter…we’ll see how I like it! I heard almond butter is not as thick.
Gluck on your test Kath!
bev says
FYI : http://blogs.insidetoronto.com/naturopathic_perspectives/harmful-plastics/harmful-plastics/
Kate says
Too bad you didn’t love the soup, it looks great! Lots of ingredients I like. Hopefully things will work out for the husband at his new job. And good luck on that midterm!
ana says
aww! i love Zuma bars! they are the best (and i find them really chewy??) sry u don’t like them though-to each their own!^_^ my favorite is the pb ones! (with a chocolate ribbon drizzled on top!)
Kiala says
Emma –
I saw the TJ’s almond butter in the Frequent Flyer…it was like 5.99 or somehting awesome like that.
Betsy –
I LOOOOVE Lululemon. I have their yoga/running/ whatever they are they are fantastic pants.
We have a Lululemon in our neighborhood right across from Whole Foods. We’re very lucky.
Ashley H says
Jessie- grind your own pb at whole foods and then make your own jelly it is soooo easy. Basically just fruit and sweetner.
Yaz says
Good luck on your midterm Kath. Mines are also coming up 🙁
Scott @ One Food Guy says
I love what a microplane does to fresh ginger and garlic! Nice soup!
Mom says
Love the photo of the crushed ginger!
Mom
Kath says
Londonwee,
I’m not sure if it’s due to being “healthier” but I believe 100% in the body clock. I think you have to reset your body to get up early – I wake up most days at 5:00 even if my alarm is set for 5:30 or 6. Once you do it for a while, it becomes much, much easier.
Jessie,
We use Harris Teeter brand organic peanut butter.
Here’s a link to my lunch bag from http://www.Reusablebags.com. It folds up into a tiny pouch after lunch. I LOVE it. I also used a Built in NY lunch box when I was working full time and had more space. Loved it even more!
https://www.katheats.com/?p=1415
Despite having a sensitive taste, I have never tasted the plastic taste. Perhaps you could wrap sandwiches in waxed paper? I do that I lot and use it as a plate. Not sure if you’d be able to taste the wax. Also, maybe you could try a diff. kind of tupperware made of a diff. kind of plastic?
Laurel,
Yikes – lots of questions!
1) I run about 9-9.5 minute miles when I’m “out for a run” in the winter. I’m faster in warm weather.
2) If I’m leaving from our house I put our single house key in a zippered pocket – or in a bush if no pocket is available. I never have that other stuff, but if I did, it would mean I drove somewhere and I’d lock it in my car trunk.
3) I hate most salad dressings and usually make my own with good balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of honey. Jenna on Eat Live Run recommended Annie’s Woodstock the other day and I’d like to try it.
4) When I worked full time the alarm went off at 4:45 and we were at the gym by 5:30. I was home, showered, dressed and fed by 8 and on my way to Uptown Charlotte. I also did 30-40 minutes of walking on my lunch break. Evenings were short, because we were in bed by 9:30 or so, but it’s what I had to do to fit it all in.
5) I love the Champion sports bras at target that have the thin straps and are racerback. I just can’t see spending $40 PER sports bra on the expensive ones and I love all the colors these come in.
NCCarter,
Glad you liked the lasagna! I’ll let her know 🙂
RG,
2 oz of dry pasta generally makes about 1 cup cooked, which appears to be about 5 oz on CalorieKing. Just search for “pasta, cooked” to find it.
B_Hlthy,
I added a “recent comments” widget to the sidebar. I think it’ll be very helpful!
Kath
Betsy says
Kiala
i am addicted to lululemon. i went in one day to buy a pair of yoga pants and left with 2 pairs of pants, a new yoga mat, 2 sports bras, some stupid yoga accesory that i really didn’t need and a MUCH lighter wallet. they are not cheap. it’s a good thing they’re a 30 minute subway ride from my apartment.