What’s up, wonderful pals?
It’s that busy season again! I’m spending loooots of time working at our first Alchemy location these days along with overseeing some different catering events. The business ebbs and flows month to month and it can be tough to juggle it all; but these crazy times always make me grateful for slower, more quiet mornings and weeks where I have a little more time. No rain, no flowers!
Life update: Yesterday I went to get a can of beans where I keep extra food in our coat closet and found a MOUSE that had eaten its way (and pooped its way) through all the dry food I’d stored in there. It was horrifying!! And the worst part is we didn’t even catch it. Anyone else dealing with crazy bugs and mice lately? Holler at me.
Before we get into the food, don’t forget about $50 off your first two weeks of Blue Apron! It’s a rad deal, especially for when you’re in a cooking rut.
Breakfast
Breakfast lately has been toast. It’s quick and easy. We ran out of oats for Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal so Van’s multigrain waffles or Trader Joe’s sprouted wheat berry bread have been my best friend (I keep several loaves of that and sourdough in the freezer at all times). I ate at Alchemy so I had all the yummy toppings at my fingertips. One slice was piled high with avocado, beet kraut, za’atar, and micro greens. The other had almond butter, banana, coconut bacon, smoked sea salt, and raw local honey. With coffee, of course. Divine!
Lunch
Lunch was leftovers from a big catering event we had for TRISM. I took home a ton of our maple tamari tofu, sauteed greens, herbed rice (there’s actually very little nutritional difference between brown and white rice), chipotle sweet potato hummus, and cabbage slaw. I’ve been eating it for days!
Snacks
Afterward lunch I was craving something sweet. Brownie bites to the rescue! I whipped up a batch of these over the weekend by first blending 1/2 cup almonds and 1 cup walnuts in the food processor. Then I added a cup of pitted Medjool dates, 5 tbsp cacao powder, 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, and a splash of almond milk until a dough ball formed. I rolled them in cacao and froze them and they taste like amazing little brownies!
A couple hours later I noshed on my favorite crackers with Hope Foods’ spicy avocado hummus.
Dinner
Dinner was bean balls with fusili noodles and Kirkland’s organic marinara plus roasted zucchini and summer squash from our CSA box. I doubled the recipe, used one can of chickpeas and one can of black beans, used a heaping cup oats instead of breadcrumbs, and added Worcestershire sauce and some marinara. Recipes are meant to be messed with!
I’m really into this ancient grains pasta we found at Costco (notice the hole which I now realize is from the mouse, OMG). Sometimes people think it’s weird I shop there because it’s just the two of us, but I can’t tell you how fast we fly through giant bags of pasta, marinara sauce, nut butter, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and coffee.
For dessert, we enjoyed these Pumpkin Muffins because I’m craving all things fall! I used one cup unbleached all purpose flour and 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour. I also doubled the cinnamon, cut the sugar down to 3/4 cup, used avocado oil, swapped soy milk for almond milk, and used blackstrap molasses. Soooo yummy! Also, if you’re craving chili like I’ve been, Isa’s Chipotle Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels is hands down my favorite along with her simple cornbread.
Oh and then Jeff and I split one of these amazing ice cream sammies because they were on sale at Kroger and I couldn’t not try one!
Workout
This was a nice and sweaty one but didn’t feel too mentally exhausting. I love making up random circuits like this when I don’t make it in time for a group class like yesterday. If you’re not a stair stepper fan, you can also do a mix of treadmill, rower, elliptical, or bike. I write them down in the notes section of my phone. You can find other ideas in the workout highlights of my instagram page!
Style Inspiration
Still obsessing over these jeans that I told you about last week. I love that I can dress them up at night with a floral lace trim cami (on sale for $16.99, this one has more sizes) and cute earrings! Also very into these pointed toe nude flats and these Franco Sarto ones (most comfy ever) for a heeled version.
As fall slowly approaches, I’m having a moment with jackets. How cute is this lush drapey open trench and this camo shirt jacket? I just ordered this faux fur hooded bomber in green because it’s a whopping 80% off. If you’re looking for winter stuff early, there’s a couple sizes of these black Uggs for under $100. I ordered these tan ones with a bow because, look at them. Lastly, here’s a cute black rain boot for under $30? I’ve never had rain boots so excited to see how these fit!
Have a fab day! And remember, enjoy where you are now.
I’m still searching for jeans just like yours. I need to find a pair that actually fit, they’re so cute! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
OMG I had mice this summer it was horrible. They loved my dark chocolate covered almonds!
Ughhh so gross!!
Haha Anna, you’re cute! Love those–do you go for the trader joe’s ones?
We had 6 traps set in the basement that have pretty much worked for the past several years. Yesterday, hubby showed me all 6 traps. All of the p-nut butter was gone and not one trap set off. How DO they do that?
Hahaha omg they ate the peanut butter and got out alive?!
You enjoyed so much delicious food, and it all looks amazing! I love all of your Trism bowls. I enjoy a variety of flavors and textures together. I also have to say it’s a breath of fresh air to see you enjoy a few desserts/sweet snacks in one day. Love your take on health that it is the whole body – mental, physical, emotional. LOVE your fashion choices! We have had mice at our lake house several times, and one mouse went RUNNING ACROSS THE KITCHEN WHILE WE WERE COOKING! Yuck! We set a trap, and like Charlotte above, it took the food but wasn’t caught. They’re tricky things!
It’s not the nicest but there are two really great options that work well – bags of food / poison that are quick and humane or you can get wall socket plugs that omit a sound that frustrates them so they leave. Both have worked for us in the past!
Sorry about your mouse problem!! Yikes! Also, I LOVE having chocolate no-bake energy bites made with dates on hand in the freezer at almost all times! SO good 🙂
Hey! I’m a mom of three teenagers who are constantly STARVING so I love making your bites and bars so they can snack on nourishing foods. So thumbs up from the kiddos! I made a batch of raspberry brownies and they were devoured in an hour. I just had a lingering question, and in no way do I want to sound judgemental or rude. But I just had a quick question I wanted guidance on. Obviously, you’re an rd so you would know best — that’s why I’m asking. But through your WIAW posts, I notice that you tend to stay away from white grains, like pasta, pizza, y’know. What’s the fear is whole wheat bread (had an awesome avo sammie for lunch–it was whole wheat)? Why do you tend to prefer alternative grains? Why don’t you just eat whole wheat, instead of products designed for people suffering from celiac! Thanks for any explanation you can offer. Have a great day and keep onkeepin’ on with the aawesome snacks for kids!
Hey there! I actually eat foods with wheat almost daily and I couldn’t have less of a fear of wheat 🙂 My toast for breakfast for example is made with wheat berries (not gluten-free). The Van’s waffles are also wheat. My fluffy pancakes recipe that I link to all the time is made with whole wheat flour, as is my banana bread and most of my baked goods recipes. Come to think of it, I’ve actually never even bought gluten-free bread before!
I found a fun super grain pasta at Costco so that’s what I used. If you’ve been reading for a while, you’ll see things like Harvest Pizza, croissants from my favorite bakery, egg sandwiches in ciabatta—all made with white flour. I also mention Trader Joe’s sourdough all the time which is made with white flour. Do I prefer whole grains? Of course, but there’s a time and a place for other options.
I have lots of readers and clients with intolerances so yes, I post gluten-free friendly recipes as well. That said, I eat all kinds of grains and I enjoy rice and quinoa and millet that are naturally gluten-free and satisfying for everyone, not just for people with celiac. I don’t believe these products were designed for solely people who can’t eat wheat—they’re just another wholesome option, like pasta made with chickpeas for example. Me wanting corn tortillas isn’t because they’re gluten-free, it’s because I simply like them better than flour ones.
I do aim for organic whole wheat (when I can) that hasn’t been hybridized like a lot of wheat on the market today. Hope this all makes sense, and feel free to peruse older posts like this one to get a better idea of how I eat. I always hesitate when publishing these posts for the fear of my personal dietary choices being misunderstood, so glad I could clear this up. What I eat might be totally different than what you eat, and that’s great! Hope that helps 🙂
Hello!
I may be new to this website but i’ve been hovering over all the articles!
I’ve started intuitive eating two days ago, but since i’ve let go of my calorie count, i’ve an insatiable apetite for all things sweet and carby.
you’ll find me up at 3am grabbing at breads and cookies.
I also constantly crave cake, pancakes and burgers even when my belly hurts from eating other things!
I’ve heard that this is called a ‘honeymoon phase’ and it will fade out eventually but i can’t help but worry if this will be me all the time…
do you reckon this is true?
also, can i ask how you found your hunger cues? I cant seem to know when im full or hungry these days…
sorry for the truckload of questions!!! Thank you for your patience <3
Aw man Alexis, I’m so sorry you had to deal with a mouse issue. Those are not only annoying but also just disgusting and terrifying and uncomfortable, BUT it looks like the worst is over and thank goodness for exterminators 🙂
I’m paying extra special attention to these posts of yours because trying to get inspiration for easy healthy college meals hehe, so thank you! Have a lovely rest of your week!
After living in Manhattan for nearly 7 years and dealing with a million rodents, I can say the only thing that got rid of their presence for good was adopting my dog. She never caught or ate them (thank goodness), but her presence kept them away. Besides that I’ve gone through MANY phases of storing everything food-related in thick Tupperware and/or in the fridge or freezer where they can’t reach them!
Good luck to you!
Thank you for doing these posts. I know some people are critical of bloggers doing WIAWs, but they were so helpful for me when I was in recovery and they are still helpful to me now as a competent intuitive eater. Anytime I feel a glimmer of a doubt around a food choice posts like this help me remember that this bod needs to eat and I shouldn’t fear nourishment!