What I Ate Wednesday #105: Nut Butter All Day!

It should come as no surprise that we currently have 5 open jars of nut butters in the house. That said, they’re all dwindling because I can never decide which one I want and I never want to finish a jar. Such problems, right? Most days I usually have 4 of the 5 nut butters; I’d say that’s a good day!

The health benefits of nuts, including peanuts [technically a legume], are undeniable. Aside from just being known for healthy fats, they also contain a number of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

[Pre-Workout]

I wasn’t even counting my Skoop blueberry bite, but this does have some PB&Co. Bees Knees in it. Peanuts are higher in protein than most nuts and are a heart-healthy food due to the mono-unsaturated fatty acids that can help to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.

[Breakfast]

You all know how much I love my melty nut butters on my oatmeal. This bowl has a mixture of peanut butter, coconut cashew butter, and protein almond butter. Almonds are a fiber-rich nut which, along with the healthy fats, helps you stay full. And a recent study funded by the Almond Board of California has shown that these nuts can even raise the levels of good bacteria in your system for a healthy gut!

[Lunch]

I swapped out my healthy fats at lunch for a little avocado on my snack plate. As for the tuna, I mix in some ketchup and relish.. is that strange? I’ve put ketchup in tuna my whole life so I don’t even know. Ha!

[Afternoon Snack]

Soon after my lunch, I had a few slices of freshly roasted sweet potato with more coconut cashew butter. This was pretty much the best combo all day! Cashews are a great source of iron—helps to prevent anemia—, zinc—for immune health and vision—, and magnesium—to help improve memory. Crunch on some cashews so you can remember all of this 😉

[Dinner]

Skipped the nut butter in dinner again, but there’s a sprinkling of peanuts on top! I filled my bowl up with tons of broccoli and it hit the spot. Nice and light but super filling.

[Evening Snack]
Sliced up an apple with some more peanut butter. I just can’t get enough!

Nut butters are something I always have to use measuring spoons for, otherwise I’d go crazy! So while it may look and sound like I’m eating a ton of nut butter, I’m actually limiting it to about 2-3 tablespoons per day. You bet your butt I could eat more [like a jar per day!] but there is such a thing as going overboard on healthy food too 😉

Food for Thought

What’s your favorite nut?
Do you measure out your nut butter or just go for it?

Sources: 29 Amazing Benefits Of Peanuts For Skin, Hair And Health & Why You Should Go Nuts for Nuts

What I Ate Wednesday #102: Bubbly

I cannot believe the my Orioles clinched the AL East last night and we weren’t there for it.

Top of the 9th, 2 outs. I stopped cooking dinner so I could watch the final out. As soon as the O’s got that out, Nathan and I popped the bubbly. Hey, they were doing it at the stadium so we needed to participate too, right?!

I also sent a text to my dad. He’s been my Orioles partner-in-crime my whole life and with all of the terrible games we’ve been to over the years, I was so freaking bummed to not be able to celebrate with him. We so would have been there [Nathan was cursing California the rest of the night because of it!] and quite possibly would have gone into work late today. Like we say though, you should always have a bottle of bubbly in the fridge.. you never know when you’ll need it! Also, don’t be jealous of our extra large champagne flutes 😉

Now back to the rest of the food.. which is actually from Monday. I’m still in the “eat all the food” mindset, possibly because I most likely need more sleep. Do you get super hungry when you’re lacking rest? I know I definitely do!

[Pre-Workout]
I’ve been really rationing my coconut vanilla latte bites. I don’t want them to end [even though I can always make more..] but sadly my stash is just about depleted. I’m thinking I’ll need to create a new bite recipe soon though!

[Breakfast]

Because clearly we can never get enough oatmeal and nut butters. And repping the Orioles every morning..

[Morning Snack]

You know when it’s just about lunch time but you’re not hungry enough for lunch? Boom! Greek yogurt saves the day. And this stuff fo realz tastes like Pina Colada! That said, I’m not usually one for the flavored yogurts anymore, but darn their fun limited edition packaging.. gets me every time!

[Lunch]

By the time I got home from work, I was ravenous! I’m surprised I actually made myself a full salad instead of just eating a head of lettuce with veggies on the side. Ha! I had just enough time to shove this beauty in my face before heading to another meeting.

[Dinner]

Speaking of saving the day, that Costco rotisserie chicken was definitely the right plan for a day that I was running around. I just popped it in the oven, chopped my brussels, and with a tiny amount of effort, dinner was ready! I tossed the brussels with maple syrup, sriracha, and a little smoked paprika. They were pretty delicious but I have to admit, I’m definitely one for regular old EVOO + S&P brussels. Some ketchup made it’s way onto my plate too.. still going strong!

[Dessert]

I recently got a jar of Peanut Butter & Co’s Old Fashioned Crunchy and I just. can’t. stop. It’s so good! This plate was topped off with a carrot cake energy bite. I like to sandwich my day’s eats with some bites 😉

Food for Thought

What’s your favorite condiment or spread at the moment? [Nut butters are always at the top of my list!]
What’s your most convenient go-to dinner?

Five Things Friday {7/25}

Happy Friday! Today starts my weekend, Nathan is working from home, and the weather has been gorgeous here so we’re hoping to sneak out mid-day for some sunshine. We’re both ready for some relaxation.

1. Tomorrow we’re headed out on another road trip down to Carmel. It’s one of the places we’ve been talking about exploring but just haven’t made the trip yet. Like I said, the weather’s been beautiful so we’re planning on leaving early, grabbing some lunch when we get there, and laying out on a blanket on the beach. Relaxation at its finest. [Maybe a bottle o’ wine, too?] If you have any suggestions for restaurants or other places to go in Carmel, we’re all ears!
2. I recently received a pair of PRO Compression socks to review as part of the #KeepItTight Campaign with Fit Approach. To be completely honest, I wasn’t sure how much I really expected them to help. But after a bunch of shifts at work this week where I’m on my feet for hours at a time, as well as my workouts, slipping these bad boys on at the end of the day has really made a difference.
   

   With a little O’s action in the background!

   The idea that compression socks increase blood flow to your legs has been proven and dare I say my calves and feet have felt less tired and sore by the next morning. If you want to give them a try for yourself, use code PINK at checkout for 40% off your entire order!

3. I killed the salted caramel brownie brittle. Which, of course, means there was brittle dust at the bottom of the bag just begging to be sprinkled on some PB&J yogurt. Obviously. Best idea ever.
   

   Bloobs, figs, & brittle dust.

   

   Cherries & brittle dust.

4. My Swanson 45th Anniversary giveaway ends Sunday night. Don’t miss out on your chance to win a $45 gift card to get some awesome products!
   
5. Baby girl. [And her mama.] That is all.
   

   1 month till squeezes!

Food for Thought
What are your plans for this weekend?

Scenes From the Weekend and Swanson 45th Anniversary Giveaway

The weekend was a good one. The Orioles were in town so we mixed in a little relaxing with a lot of baseball fun.

He got the glass. I got the pitcher 😉 Ha! Ready for some O’s action!

Part of our Orioles-watching spread!

My very first banana bread! [say whaaaaattttt?!] Awesome recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

With peanut butter chips and coconut!

A new favorite snack –> brown rice cake + white cheddar Laughing Cow wedge +
balsamic jelly + salami.

Gloomy but nice morning on a 5 mile run. Whoop whoop!

Bringing Birdland to us!

We played nice. After some words.

Rally glasses since I didn’t have a hat.. and how I felt by the end of that game.
Had nothing to do with the beer…..

After a fun weekend like this, I’m always happy to get back to my normal routine and healthy eats. A bunch of my favorite ingredients that I use everyday, I actually get online, so when Swanson Vitamins reached out to me to help celebrate their 45th Anniversary, I was psyched!

Not only were they were generous enough to give me $45 to spend on some of my favorite items, they’re also giving one of you the chance to win a $45 gift card too!

Enter here for your chance to win!

Need some new fancy nut butters? Protein powder? Coffee? Vitamins? BOOM! It’s a one-stop shop! And don’t forget to check out their 45 Healthy Food Sweepstakes.

Weekly Meal Plan

Sunday – Out!
Monday – Baked turkey Italian meatballs with fresh papparaelle pasta for him/zoodles for me & no-cook tomato sauce
Tuesday – Quick Honey Ginger Pineapple and Summer Veggie Chicken Stir Fry with Caramelized Cashews
Wednesday – Mustard balsamic chicken with potato wedges and roasted asparagus
Thursday – Leftovers
Friday – Out!
Saturday – Leftovers

Food for Thought

What fun things did you do over the weekend?

A Weekend of Celebrations and Bread Wars

Well I had quite the exciting start to my weekend. You may have seen on Instagram already, but if not, you should really know that I’m now certified to kick your butt.

I passed! That damn NASM CPT test was a beast and I’m so glad to have that weight off my shoulders. It was really helpful to use Julie and Gina‘s study guides along with what I got from NASM to prep. If you’re interested in getting any NASM certification, you can receive a 10% discount by getting in touch with Michael Golembewski mentioning my name or blog when signing up. Just give him a call at 602-383-1263 or email him at Michael.Golembewski@nasm.org and don’t forget to mention Barr & Table!

Clearly, passing the test called for celebrations. First stop was a bar in Berkeley for a couple drinks and to watch our Orioles. They’ve been playing the A’s so we’ve been able to actually watch our guys out here! [Not that it’s been much to watch..]

Then we went for celebratory sushi!

Got a free California hand roll for checking in on yelp. And it was possibly the best California roll I’ve ever had.

I also got a chirashi “bowl” .. typically served in a bowl, but you can’t beat the freshness regardless of how it’s served! Not to mention it’s gorgeous. I also loved this restaurant because Nathan—my non-seafood eater—could get something other than teriyaki chicken.

This pork belly soba dish was so flavorful and delicious!

Saturday we continued the celebrations with brunch and farmers’ marketing.

Pastrami benedict. I don’t think there’s much else to say here. I don’t know the last time I’ve had such a perfectly poached egg.

And we got peaches for days! I’m not even a peach-eater but these were so amazing, we filled up.

Yesterday, we had a fun day at a sourdough starter class. I’ve not had much success making bread at home so I’m hoping these starters work out better for me. I can’t wait to get started!

We were told that to have a successful starter, it needs to have a name. We actually both chose Bertha [we’ve been together too long] but I let Nathan have it. Let the bread wars begin!

I think Nathan’s camera work could use a little help, yes? 😉 He also wouldn’t stop chewing to smile. I promise he was happier than he looks. Ha! And with all of my celebrations, it’s about time to get back to a nice meal plan. Holy moly!

Weekly Meal Plan

Sunday – Turkey caprese meatball salad
Monday – Honey ginger chicken and veggie stir fry
Tuesday – Leftovers
Wednesday – Quinoa crusted chicken strips with BBQ honey mustard and asparagus fries
Thursday – Ginger chicken with peaches and onions + roasted broccoli and rice
Friday – Out!
Saturday – Leftovers

Food for Thought

What fun things did you do over the weekend?
Have you ever made bread at home?