Recent Eats & Baked Oatmeal Apple Sticks

 

 

 

Good morning. Actually, it’s a great morning –> the Islanders shut out the Rangers!

I am just sitting here about to enjoy my usual pre-run breakfast.

Sometimes I add blueberries and I always add peanut butter.

My son is on an oatmeal kick too.

I give him the LOVE GROWN Super Oats (Nuts & Seeds variety) because he isn’t allergic to nuts like I am (remember, I have oral allergy syndrome. I am not anaphylactic but I do have reactions to walnuts and almonds so I am trying really hard to honor that and avoid them).

He loves his morning bowl of oatmeal especially when I mix in the LOVE GROWN Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters.

I think the Cocoa Goodness tastes just like Cocoa Pebbles which was my favorite as a kid.

Lately I have been on top of my Skoop A-Game by adding some (the Sweet Greens variety) to my post run oats in a jar.

I am still working with frozen berries which is what makes the oatmeal/yogurt mixture look so pretty pink even though I have lots of fresh strawberries in the house. I have gotten so used to the frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries and cherries) that I think I may actually like them.

I normally eat lunch at home during the week but on days where I can’t, I tote it along with me.

Chick pea/avocado mash with roasted sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas and roasted brussels sprouts over spinach.

Since I bought the new-to-me Rudi’s Organic Spelt English Muffins the other day, lunch at home this week has looked like this…

Chick pea/avocado mash on one half and peanut butter on the other. It’s the perfect savory sweet combo for me and comes complete with side salad of plum tomatoes, spinach and roasted brussels sprouts.

I really like something sweet at lunch. I normally save the peanut butter half for last, sort of like dessert.

I am currently obsessed with roasted brussels sprouts by the way and I think it’s a great obsession to have.

Always spritzed with coconut oil cooking spray, sometimes sprinkled with pepper, sometimes with just pure maple syrup, sometimes with maple syrup and Dijon mustard, sometimes with pepper and Dijon mustard and sometimes with honey mustard.

Dinner is usually easy because I can throw together a Power Bowl in a flash.

Lentils cooked with tri-color quinoa, roasted cauliflower, broccoli and I think asparagus with sweet potato wedges and avocado.

Remember the other day when I made those baked oatmeal apple sticks?

It’s a super simple snack and you can make it two ways – either using favorite nut butter or PB2.

I can’t even say which way I like it better. I made it using Mighty Maple peanut butter one time and PB2 another and both came out really good. You hardly taste the peanut butter in either version, you just know you are eating something really special.

The apples get soft, the baked oatmeal topping gets a bit crispy.

Each bite is like a slice of apple pie but it’s healthy and comes together in ten minutes.

Do it.

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:20]

Be sure to check out what everyone else is eating today!

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Favorite nighttime snack/dessert lately?

Do you like something sweet at lunch time?

Which brand and/or type of oatmeal do you cook at home?

 

 

Thinking Out Loud – Did I Tell You…

 

I talk and text with so many people in a day and I consider my blog writing a form of communication as well therefore I often forget who I tell what and in what form I tell it.

Did I tell you…

That Lulu Lemon has an in-house tailor? You can even have your work-out tops shortened if you find that they are too long. I didn’t know this so if you did and didn’t tell me, that isn’t very nice.

I decided yesterday that walking into Lulu Lemon is like being in Disney World and walking into the Disney gift shops. You are immediately brain washed into thinking you need everything when in reality, you just don’t.

I don’t need this bag just like you don’t need the Minnie Mouse beach cover up with matching sandals to coordinate with the Disney dish towel set which pairs nicely with the Mickey kitchen utensils.

Ugh but the bag is cute and functional and water proof and did I mention cute.

Did I tell you that asking a girl out in the fifth grade and her saying yes really just means your instagram profile will now include your “girlfriend’s” name with a heart next to it? Welcome to the social media generation.

I decided it’s not fair that kids today have their own cell phones and never need to stress over calling a boy’s house and having the mother answer where you choke and hang up due to fear and embarrassment.

Did I tell you that I got a new pair of running shoes?

Clearly I have a color theme which is so not done on purpose.

I burned through my latest pair of yellow Adidas Energy Boosts fairly quickly but that’s what happens when you run a lot of miles each week, especially when those miles are taking place outdoors.

I got lucky that the Energy Boosts were left in my size in dark pink this time around.

As I said in Tuesday’s post, proper running shoes are crucial. You can’t wear poor fitting sneakers and you certainly cannot run in worn out, too-many-miles-on-the-soles sneakers and expect to run happy.

Sometimes your knees hurt, hips ache, calves burn, heel hurts, hamstrings pull to the point where you think you are injured or just not made for running when in reality, nothing is wrong other than you trying to run in the wrong pair of sneakers.

Did I tell you that I am contemplating giving away my pink jean shorts?

I am not ready to graduate to mom shorts but I decided the pink ones are the shortest and maybe need to be retired to someone who can wear them age appropriately.

My friend’s daughter would like them. She is nine. Makes sense.

Did I tell you that I am currently obsessed with corn and recipes that contain corn? It started last week when I kept eating my favorite salad.

Corn. I just want corn.

I spotted roasted corn on someone else’s table the other night at Rosa Mexicano and became sorry we ordered the roasted plantains as a side dish. Although those plantains were good. Like really good. I need to start buying plantains.

Here are the corn recipes I recently pinned and need to make:

Farmer’s Market Skillet

Sweet Corn and Quinoa

Black Bean And Sweet Corn Guacamole Dip

And while on the topic of recipes I need to make, now that I have an abundance of blueberries, I must make Davida’s Roasted Rosemary Brussels Sprouts with Blueberries.

It would help if I had Brussels sprouts in the house. Why can’t I ever have every ingredient that I need at the same time?

Be sure to check out what everyone else is thinking about today!

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Do you suddenly crave random foods for days on end?

Did you used to freak out calling a boy’s house (or a girl’s house) when you were a kid?

How do you usually tell you are due for a new pair of running shoes? I can usually feel the front  of the shoes are worn through and this time around, I had heel pain in both feet.

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year From Times Square

 

Good morning 2014!

I had no intentions of being out last night. In fact, I can’t recall the last New Year’s Eve that I spent in a restaurant or anywhere outside of a friend’s house or the comforts of my own home.

I was not exactly in the fa-la-la mood as you may or may not have picked up from yesterday’s random post.

Blogging is an interesting thing; a majority of the time, chatting with you everyday is usually all sunshine and unicorns but there are times and moments when life can get in the way of that and, at least for me, I have a lot of trouble hiding behind words.

Anyway, sometimes you just have to go through the motions. Sometimes, especially when you least feel like it, you just must get on with yourself and your usual routine in order to feel normal. Whatever normal is.

Sometimes we don’t feel like running, we don’t want to get out of bed, we don’t want to cook, we don’t want to clean the house. Sometimes we don’t want to go out with our friends.

Yet somehow, like last night for example, we go through the motions, get ourselves ready and end up in Times Square where the biggest party in the entire world is taking place.

We find ourselves on a subway (only for the third time in my 35 years living in New York) with a stupid smile on our face.

We find ourselves staring up at the Empire State Building as it flashes a light show for the world to see.

We learn that the Red Mango in Penn Station makes a mean parfait as a snack before a fabulous dinner. Please don’t ask me how I ended up in Penn Station when I drove into the city which means I didn’t take the train.

Speaking of the fabulous dinner, I wish I had some photos from the meal but it was too dark to take any.

I am insisting though that the next time you find yourself in Manhattan, you choose to dine at Alta.

In fact, you need to invite me so that we can go together.

The restaurant featured all small plates. I can’t even count how many small plates we ordered but the Brussels sprouts were so amazing that I ordered another round and refused to share them with the rest of the table.

And, of course, when it came to dessert, I informed the table that I would not be sharing and they were on their own. Molten chocolate cake all to myself.

Yes, friends, it was one fabulous and hysterical evening.

I didn’t see the ball drop but how do you not buy the shirt from the guy on the corner who is simultaneously trying to scam you and steal your money?

And the best thing that took place on New Year’s Eve in Manhattan beside the Brussels sprouts?

My cousin, who might as well be my sister, gave birth to her first child right before midnight. A beautiful baby boy.

It is going to be a good year. For all of us.

Happy New Year!

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Do you normally go out or stay in on New Year’s?

If you blog, do you struggle sometimes to post because life is getting in the way and making you feel like you are hiding behind words?

Best thing you ate last night?

 

 

What I Ate Wednesday – My Usual Plus Dinner at The Smith NYC

Hello and Happy Wednesday! I am still all giddy after running yesterday morning. That’s right, I ran a little over 5 miles and while I felt some sort of very slight twinge in my left foot, overall I was really fine.

I actually read through some of my past posts and realized that this shin splinty feeling on the tops of my feet is nothing new for me. Isn’t it amazing how blogging helps you to remember things about yourself that you may have otherwise forgotten?

It seems that every so often, I experience some sort of discomfort on the tops of my feet. Why, we don’t really know for sure, but I have come to the conclusion that for me, when I up my mileage or don’t take enough rest days, the tops of my feet are the first to call me out on my rigorous routine.

While going through my posts, I also noticed A TON of repetitive meals or at least repetitive ingredients. What can I say, I am a creature of habit.

I am happy to be able to check in with you on this What I Ate Wednesday to share not just my usual eats but a great dinner from last night.

Let’s take a look!

BREAKFAST:

With each morning that passes, my pancake flipping skills just keep getting better and better. Please note the abundance of peanut butter and jelly on top – winning combination.

I may eat the same breakfast every day but I DO VARY the peanut butter – sometimes I go with Mighty Maple, sometimes Crunch Time, sometimes PB2 and sometimes any combination of all three.

I love this egg/banana pancake. It is filling, delicious and satisfying.

Sometimes I make a second pancake midmorning – all depends upon the day, my appetite and what I am in the mood for come stomach rumbling time.

LUNCH:

Lunch has still been my version of overnight oats. Cooked oatmeal (served cold) mixed with plain greek yogurt, lots of berries and lots of peanut butter. Topped off with KIND granola.

I could easily eat this combo for every meal.

I always cook a big pot of oatmeal in advance and just keep it stored in the refrigerator in servings. I went crazy this week and cooked a mix of steel-cut oats and old-fashioned rolled oats to get a blend of the textures. I love having oatmeal on hand for lunch as well as for those mornings when the little boy requests a bowl of oats for breakfast.

I also made another batch of my no bake trail-mix bites this week.

My son loves them and they are the perfect anytime snack to grab.

After grabbing a Quest Bar for myself yesterday afternoon, I headed into Manhattan for a weeknight treat. There is something so fun about escaping the routine of the week for a night out on the town.

Over the last few weeks, I started noticing a trend of various bloggers on Instagram checking in and posting awesome looking meals at a Manhattan restaurant that I had never dined at before…The Smith.

You would head into the city on a random Tuesday night for house made hot potato chips too, wouldn’t you?

They were amazing. Simply amazing. I don’t often eat chips but I cannot resist the fresh, hot from the oven variety.

We also shared the Tuna Tartare.

The menu at The Smith had so much to choose from but I was super excited to see Vegetarian Bibimbap listed. So many bloggers post this dish and I had never tried it…until last night.

I need to search for some bibimbap recipes so I can try making this at home! It was beyond delicious and filling to the point where even I couldn’t finish my bowl. I actually brought home leftovers. Perhaps eating the giant bowl of chips had something to do with this. Or the side of brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes and I think we ordered grits too.

Not to worry, I always have room for dessert.

See the candle? No, it was not my birthday but I ordered the birthday cake which comes with a candle plus a lollipop that says Happy Birthday!

I love a good hunk of chocolate cake…

I can’t wait to go back to The Smith again. Who wants to meet me there for brunch? Or lunch? Or Breakfast? Or OK, dinner?

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I NEED TO KNOW:

 Have you ever had bibimbap? Do you have a recipe for a vegetarian version to share with me? If so, please post the link in the comments!

Ever been to The Smith?

Favorite birthday cake? Chocolate Fudge cake all the way. Never ever ice cream cake unless it is the Cold Stone Creamery variety that includes layers of fudge cake with the ice cream.