What I Ate Wednesday #130: Greens & Grains

It’s amazing how much I love eating at home when I know we have company coming into town. Especially company that has yet to experience all of the incredible food and drink the bay area has to offer! I’m making sure to get in all of my greens, whole grains, and lean proteins while I can because it’s not long until our craziness starts again. I even had the opportunity to eat most of my meals at home yesterday. Dinner was the only exception but hey, at least I had time to throw it all together before heading to work.

[Breakfast]

I finally made sure I’m fully stocked on nut butters again! It’s practically torture only having 1 nut butter at my disposal [my life is so hard!], but now I’m back to cashew, almond, and peanut. Thank goodness!

[Morning Snack]

More of a breakfast #2.. post-barre I was pretty hungry and Taylor’s microwave peanut butter protein pancakes that I shared yesterday were just screaming my name! It was the right call, for sure.

[Lunch]

Leftover Moroccan chicken, za’atar cauliflower, and asparagus from Monday’s dinner graced my salad. I think I could’ve just eaten a big bowl of the cauliflower and been perfectly happy! If only I roasted 2 heads of cauliflower..

[Dinner]

A late lunch held me over for a good while until I had dinner standing outside of the gym. When you’re working the evening shift, you do what you gotta do! Luckily I had time to throw together cashew chicken and broccoli.. except with ground turkey. I guess you’d call that cashew turkey?

[Evening Snack]

I just won some of these Vanilla Almond Pure bars and they’re so good! It definitely helped to nip my sweet tooth in the bud after dinner and I love the chewy + crunchy texture from the nuts and grains. I’ve gotta get my hands on the Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Chunk Nut bars soon!

Food for Thought

Have you tried the new Pure Ancient Grains bars?

Link Love #80

Just like that our quiet couple of weeks without company is about to end. My college roommate and her husband are getting in late Wednesday night and staying with us for a week! They’ve never been out to San Francisco before so they’re definitely in for a treat. Do you remember how crazy we went when my parents came out last year? Yea.. there will be plenty of eating, drinking, and hiking! Get ready for some more delicious pictures 😉

Health

The Naked Truth: When Is Our Body Finally Good Enough? – Lifting Revolution

The Naked Truth: When Is Our Body Finally Good Enough? – Lifting Revolution
Why it is okay to gain a few happiness lbs – Darwinian Fail
So you want to study nutrition? Dietitian, Nutritionist, or Nutritional Therapist? – Gluten Free Rosie
Eat to Beat the Common Cold? Part One: Review of Vitamin C – Food & Nonsense
Using the stages of change model to adopt new fitness and nutrition habits – FitKnitChick

Fitness

Rock Your Body Workout – Fit Foodie Finds & Ambitious Kitchen

Rock Your Body Workout – Fit Foodie Finds & Ambitious Kitchen
Why Kettlebell Swings Aren’t a Good Exercise for Cardio – Trainer Paige
Don’t Skip a Beat: How To Train Using Heart Rate Monitoring – FitFluential
3 Creative Core Moves that Work Balance and Strength – Cotter Crunch
Stay on Track Workout – Coconuts & Kettlebells

Food

Green Goddess Hummus – Cookie + Kate

Green Goddess Hummus – Cookie + Kate
Microwave Peanut Protein Pancakes with Chocolate Chips {Gluten/Grain Free, Super Simple, Low Fat + Low Calorie} – Food Faith Fitness
Bahn Mi Spring Rolls – Minimalist Baker
Healthy Bananas Foster Donuts – The Almond Eater
Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Morning Buns with Blueberry Passionfruit Glaze – Half Baked Harvest
Almond Butter Fudgy Chocolate Eggs – Peachy Palate

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #79

Today is the last day to enter my MealEnders giveaway!

It’s my favorite day of the [blogging] week. Time for some link love.. catch up on all the goodies you might have missed! Enjoy 🙂

Health

The Perfect Snack When You Are Feeling… – The Nutty Nutritionist

The Perfect Snack When You Are Feeling… – The Nutty Nutritionist
Why Saying No Matter for Your Well-being – Crop Tops & Kale
4 “Healthy” Hidden Sources of Sugar – The Fit Cookie
‘But I Don’t Want to Look Like You’ – Gabby’s Gluten-Free
A Plant-Based Nutrition Q&A – Hummusapien

Fitness

The Gym is Everywhere – FitFluential

The Gym is Everywhere – FitFluential
7-minute barre squat burner – Fitnessista
Move It Monday: 10 Variations Of Kettlebell Squats – Lifting Revolution
5 Side Plank Variations to Try – Pumps & Iron
Another Super Sweaty 7-Minute HIIT Workout Video – To Live & Diet in L.A.

Food

Korean Style Fried Shrimp Rice Bowls with Kimchi + Crunchy Noodles – Half Baked Harvest

Korean Style Fried Shrimp Rice Bowls with Kimchi + Crunchy Noodles – Half Baked Harvest
Beet and Black Rice Seafood Salad with Lemon Lime Vinaigrette – Cotter Crunch
Bacon Asparagus Potato Frittata – Reluctant Entertainer
Fried Avocado Tacos with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce – Avocado a Day Nutrition
Slow Cooker Quinoa Energy Bar Recipe – Food Faith Fitness

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #78

Another day, another giveaway winner. Congrats to Rebecca P. for winning my Manitoba Harvest giveaway! We’re sticking to short and sweet today, friends. Enjoy the love!

Health

5 Foods You Should Be Eating in the Spring – Mommy Run Faster

5 Foods You Should Be Eating in the Spring – Mommy Run Faster
Are Rest Days Necessary Even If I’m Not Sore Or Tired? – Lifting Revolution
Good Fats vs Bad Fats: Which Fats are Good for You – Coconuts & Kettlebells
Guest RD: Overeating – Jessica Penner via Kath Eats Real Food
Achieving a Healthy Balance: Stress Management – The Adventures of MJ and Hungryman via Delights & Delectables

Fitness

Sweat on Road! A Travel Workout You can Do ANYWHERE! – FitAspire via Cotter Crunch

Sweat on Road! A Travel Workout You can Do ANYWHERE! – FitAspire via Cotter Crunch
Naked (Juice) Boot Camp Workout – No Equipment Required – Trainer Paige
Strength Training Workout: Building A Bangin’ Back – FitFluential
30-Minute Abs and Glutes Workout – The Fit Cookie
30-Minute Rowing Workout – Pumps & Iron

Food

Deep Dish Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies for Two – Food Faith Fitness

Deep Dish Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies for Two – Food Faith Fitness
Corned Beef Hash Breakfast Sandwich – Running to the Kitchen
Healthy Carrot Cake – Well Plated
Luscious Grain Free Lemon Cake – Fitnessista
Grilled Pineapple Caprese Eggs Benedict with Coconut-Almond Hollandaise – Half Baked Harvest

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #65

Can you believe we’re already half way through December? I went to lunch with a friend yesterday and we were talking about our New Years plans; it’s really only 2 weeks away. Wow.. 2014 has been a pretty crazy year for us and I’m doing my best to wrap it up on a high note.

Health

How to eat the gold standard of 7-9 servings of fruits and veggies – Run to the Finish

How to eat the gold standard of 7-9 servings of fruits and veggies – Run to the Finish
5 Ways You Can Restore Balance to Your Busy Weekend – Family Sport Life
What Would Happen if You Focused on THIS and Not That? – Nia Shanks
Why Easy Sessions Make You a Better Athlete – Cotter Crunch
‘Detox’ Diets Are a Scam, According to Report – Food and Wine

Fitness

12 Days Of Christmas Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution via Love, Life, Surf

12 Days Of Christmas Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution via Love Life Surf
At-Home Broomstick Workout – Your Trainer Paige
5 Exercises For Improving Grip Strength – FitKnitChick via Eleven by Venus
Resistance band travel workout – Fitnessista
New Holiday Hunny HIIT Workout – Tone It Up

Food

Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tarts with Cinnamon Peanut Crust – Garnish with Lemon

Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tarts with Cinnamon Peanut Crust – Garnish with Lemon
Sweet Potato and Apple Latke Cake with Baked Eggs – The Healthy Maven
Triple Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake Cookies – Half Baked Harvest
Peanut Butter Oreo Chocolate Bark – Sally’s Baking Addiction
Sage Kale Pesto with Parmesan Roasted Acorn Squash – Food Faith Fitness

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?
Do you have plans for New Years Eve?

Link Love #64

Have you entered my Peanut Butter & Co. giveaway?

After staying with my parents for 2 weeks in Baltimore, it feels downright strange to be back in California. I’m a little confused as to where I actually live and why my parents aren’t around watching tv at night. Ha! Of course, Nathan and I made sure to get a little pick-me-up after we landed.

Well, that pick-me-up really ended up making us even more tired after a 3 a.m. wake up call so we just made our way to the grocery store and then back to the apartment to unpack. Just in case we didn’t have enough beer in our lives, we successfully hauled about 12 more beers back from Baltimore! Do you know how hard it is to find Bourbon County Stout?!

It was a long, tiring day so I was more than thankful for a delicious bibimbop carryout dinner from around the corner. Success!

I knew it was necessary when the thought of even microwaving the meatballs in the freezer seemed like too much. Yep. But now we’re back to the daily grind.

Health

10 Tips for Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season – Eating Bird Food

10 Tips for Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season – Eating Bird Food
All About Cider Vinegar – The Lean Green Bean
Mindful Monday: Herbs for Winter Wellness and Immunity – The Foodie Dietitien
The One Thing Top Nutrition Experts Do to Stay Healthy During the Holidays – Greatist
6 Ways Perfectionism is Sabotaging You – Too Much On Her Plate

Fitness

Fast Paced Upper Body Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers

Fast Paced Upper Body Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers
The 25 Reps Of Christmas Workout {Bodyweight} – Lifting Revolution
Why I love Drop Sets & Why They Are Effective – Powercakes
30-Minute At-Home Workout – Pumps & Iron
My Top 3 Exercises to Build the Glutes – and Why Squatting isn’t One of Them – Trainer Paige

Food

Pomegranate Sesame Chicken with Ginger Rice Pilaf – Half Baked Harvest

Pomegranate Sesame Chicken with Ginger Rice Pilaf – Half Baked harvest
Bourbon Peanut Butter Gingerbread Healthy Bites {Cyber Monday Giveaway} – Cotter Crunch
Crepe Cake with Pistachios And Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting – Food Faith Fitness
Roasted Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Farro Salad – Fit Foodie Finds
Peppermint Pretzel Marshmallow Fudge – Joy the Baker

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #61

Have you entered my WIN Detergent giveaway yet?

Yesterday was a really special day. It was my grandfather’s 93rd birthday! And once again, skype came to the rescue! My family went over to my grandparents’ house for dessert and my mom setup the iPad so I could “be there” with them.

He was completely baffled by the whole thing and it was pretty funny to see his reaction when he realized that I was actually there and my mom wasn’t just showing him a picture! Having that opportunity totally made my day. Technology is a hell of a thing! What’s the count now.. 6 days? 🙂

Health

I Had the “Perfect Body” & I Still Wasn’t Happy – Mind Body Green

I Had the “Perfect Body” & I Still Wasn’t Happy – Mind Body Musings via Mind Body Green
What 10 Pounds Taught Me – The Real Life RD
Exercise Guilt? It’s Time for an Intervention – Lifting Revolution
Mental Rest Days – Wildly Fit
3 Ways to REINVENT Yourself – Cotter Crunch
Lighten Up On Yourself – Almost Getting It Together

Fitness

10 Bodyweight Exercises to Do Anywhere – Happy Fit Mama

10 Bodyweight Exercises You Can Do Anywhere – Happy Fit Mama
The 20 Minute Mom Workout – Veva Health via The Lean Green Bean
5 Minute Stability Ball Ab Workout – Peanut Butter Runner
Perfecting the Lunge – Enjoy Your Healthy Life
Does Fasted Cardio Really Burn More Fat? – Hello Healthy

Food

Incredibly Gooey Collapsing Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Custard Cake – Half Baked Harvest

Incredibly Gooey Collapsing Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Custard Cake – Half Baked Harvest
Chocolate Pudding Slab Pie with Peanut Butter Mascarpone Whipped Cream – Eats Well With Others
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction, Goat Cheese and Almonds {Gluten Free, Low Carb + Super Simple} – Food Faith Fitness
Autumn Acorn Squash Pita “Nachos” with Pomegranates & Blue Cheese – Climbing Grier Mountain
Spicy Sriracha Cornbread Sausage Stuffing – The Law Student’s Wife

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

A Weekend of R&R

One of my favorite thing about sitting down to write my Monday posts is looking back on my weekend. It’s always nice to revisit the fun things we did. Maybe it’s because last weekend we were away but this weekend was extra quiet and relaxing. It was one of those weekends that Nathan and I looked at each other and said “uhh.. what did we do?!” And we were both ok with it!

Friday night we stayed close to home and had a little bbq for dinner at T-Rex. I got a nice salad with beets, goat cheese, citrus, and grilled salmon. Nathan had the brisket cheesesteak. It was good, but definitely didn’t cure the bbq craving for Nathan. Any good bbq recommendations in the bay area?

Saturday ended up being a day at home. We cleared out the fridge for lunch and mostly sat on our butts all day. We decided to venture out for Chinese food for dinner. I was happy to have some steamed veggies and shrimp because we dug into an incredible banana, sea salt caramel gelato for dessert. And when I say we dug in, I mean there were no pictures 😉

When we got home, we watched We’re the Millers. If you’re looking for a good comedy, I definitely recommend this movie! I feel like it’s been almost impossible to find a decent comedy lately, but this one had us laughing!

Yesterday was the big day.. I worked, we went to lunch, and we went to the grocery store. Holy moly, such a busy day 😉 I made myself a pretty awesome breakfast before heading to work.. a little snickerdoodle protein pancake action went down!

But because we were inside most of the day Saturday, I decided we should head to Off the Grid for lunch. It was a beautiful day here and food trucks = time outside.

We ordered from KoJa Kitchen. I had the vegetarian portabello burger & pineapple koja and the teriyaki chicken & pineapple koja, both on rice buns, which were essentially sticky rice patties that were seared on a flat top. Nathan got the same teriyaki chicken koja and an order of kamikazee fries which were piled up with onion, bulgogi, and spicy sauce on top of waffle cut fries. Everything was so good!

And now we’re back on the weekly meal planning because we need to get our lives back in order after so much fun.

Weekly Meal Plan

Sunday – Chopped brussels sprout salad with chicken [for Nathan]/swordfish [for me] and pecans
Monday – Sweet potato noodles with asparagus and chicken tequila habanero sausage
Tuesday – Pecan crusted chicken salad with strawberry honey mustard
Wednesday – Leftovers
Thursday – Quinoa salad with pineapple mojito chicken
Friday – Out!
Saturday – Leftovers

Food for Thought

Did you do anything fun over the weekend?
What’s on your menu this week?