Making the Most of It

We had grand plans of packing yesterday afternoon but Brandon ended up at the Y and I decided to go to a hot yoga class at Y2. I have to be honest, I really wasn’t feeling it…at all…but I always go on Sunday afternoons when we’re in town and am pretty set in my routines. The whole drive there I questioned whether I wanted to practice. I even walked in the door, scanned my card and contemplated turning around and leaving. So unlike me. I am so glad that I toughed it out because I ended up leaving my bad attitude on the mat and having an awesome practice.

I ate my oatmeal around 10:30 yesterday morning and didn’t want to eat again before I practiced. I definitely needed something when I got home at 4 but didn’t want a meal. Another Green Monster was calling my name.

This smoothie featured skim milk, a banana, crushed ice, half a scoop of chocolate protein powder and about a cup of spinach. Refreshing and held me over until this delicious dinner.

That my friends is Lowcountry Boil. A one-pot wonder! I blogged about it last night on Bakin’ and Eggs. Check it out.

Ice cream was a must last night.

Generous scoop of Blue Bunny lowfat vanilla topped with melty Dark Chocolate Dreams (microwaved for about 12 seconds). Dark Chocolate Dreams is all natural peanut butter blended with dark chocolate. It tastes just like a Reeses Cup. Yum, yum, yum.

I was up at 5 for BodyPump this morning. I just started teaching mornings in January. There was definitely an adjustment period but now I’m ready to rock for my 6 a.m. class and my energy levels are much higher during the day.

I came home and made a pot of oats while I got ready for work.

Packed and ready to go.

I had a request for my oatmeal recipe so here it is…

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
1/2 cup rolled (not quick) oats (sometimes I sub a couple tablespoons of Bob’s Red Mill 10 grain cereal for the oats)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk (the milk is a MUST for texture, all water = gummy, flavorless oats)
Pinch salt
1/2 apple, diced
1 teaspoon apple butter (more/less depending on desired sweetness. can also use brown sugar)
Sprinkle of raisins
Cinnamon (maybe 1/2 teaspoon?)
1 tablespoon ground flax (I use this if I’m not using Bob’s)

Place oats, water, milk, apples and salt in a small, heavy saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to thicken. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes for really good, soft oats. Stir in apple butter, raisins, cinnamon, and ground flax (if using) and mix well. Serve with toppings of your choice. Lately, I’m loving almond butter and Crofter’s superfruit spread.

I have many other oatmeal mixes to share with you guys but Apple Cinnamon oats are one of my all time favorites!

I came home for lunch and found this…

My vegetable and fruit drawers were totally empty!!! Sad. I was forced to turn to an old favorite (so maybe forced is a strong word, I was secretly happy!).

Enter peanut butter, banana and honey on whole wheat with a side of Kashi crackers. Heaven in a sandwich.

This sandwich always keeps me satisfied for the afternoon but I decided to have a Chobani Greek Yogurt at 4.

This wasn’t my favorite flavor. I love peach but it was just too sweet (and “too sweet” is a phrase that rarely comes out of my mouth). I think I prefer to mix my own fruit into plain or vanilla yogurt.

I g-chatted Brandon this afternoon to ask if he was cool with Thai Broccoli and Noodles for dinner. I recently starred this recipe from Cates World Kitchen in my Google Reader. The kicker, the protein is tofu. I asked Brandon if he wanted me to add chicken to his but was pleasantly surprised that he was totally onboard with the tofu.

Here’s my serving finished off with a healthy dose of Sriracha!

I’m happy to report that we actually packed some boxes after dinner. We were originally supposed to close on Thursday but our closing has been delayed until next week. 🙁 So it looks like we’ll have next weekend to pack too.

Hope you all had a great Monday!