Habits

I am totally a creature of habit. When I find something that works for me, I repeat it. Over, and over. For this reason I have a rotation of 3 breakfasts and I choose between them based on what my day entails. Luckily they are all healthy and delicious.

1) Banana Oatmeal for days that I don't have anything going on in the morning and I have plenty of time to make and eat breakfast.

2) Cold Cereal when I am off to morning yoga or planning a run early in the day.

3) Yogurt mix for days that I am working and/or won't be eating lunch until much later and need a solid breakfast that will hold me over for a long time.

In my yogurt mix I put together: Fage, a pear (usually red because they're my favorite but the grocery store was all out! gasp!) fiber one, and some flax.

This is seriously the perfect, nutritionally balanced meal. The protein from the yogurt, fiber from fruit and cereal, and fat from the flax keep me full and energized for hours!

Here we have it all mixed up alongside my mandatory cup of coffee (the first of many today, I have a feeling):

Happy Friday!

Too bad in the life of a retail worker, weekends don't exist : (

Easy Does It

I took the easy route with eating today, and didn't do anything too extravagant. Don't worry, it was delicious nonetheless.

Breakfast was the usual: banana wheatberry oatmeal. This time made with unsweetened chocolate almond milk as well as skim. This made it extra creamy and gave it a really nice hint of chocolate.

Unfortunately, even with my magical wheatberries, my stomach wouldn't stop growling all day. Here's my theory: When I exercise first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (like today) and then eat breakfast, I am always starving the entire day. Even right now, at 10pm after a full day of eating, I still feel like a bottomless pit. If, on the other hand I eat, wait, then exercise, I'm fine. Unfortunately scheduling doesn't always allow for this. Maybe I'll try eating something small (aka mini clif bars which were last week's obsession) and then having a little bit smaller of a breakfast afterward? We'll see.

After lots of errands, including a trip to the grocery store (the employees are starting to know me there, it's a little embarrassing. Especially with the people giving out samples. I hope they don't think that I just come in to get free food, which really is only party true...) Anyway, I was really hungry for lunch and for some reason eggs seemed really appealing (easy and quick!). I had some scrambled eggs with cheese, basil and cilantro flakes, alongside an Ezekial Cinnamon Raisin English muffin. 

This was my first time trying these and OMG are they good! A million times better than silly Thomas EM. The flavor was great, the texture was great, and the raisins were super sweet and chewy. What a perfect, simple lunch.

And then I forgot to photograph the rest of my food. oops, I'm still new at this!

Snack was fruit and yogurt (back to the gala apples though--I need to go to WF and get more of those Jazz babies) 

My tummy was grumbling all during yoga (it was a little embarassing when everyone is quiet and your stomach is yelling) and I was just not in the mood to go home and make an extravagant meal. So instead I made a 2nd trip to the grocery store (quick hello to Barb, the watermelon sample lady) and picked up a salad from the amazing salad bar. Seriously this thing is great, I'd say it's about 88% as good as the WF ones.

Dessert was my absolute favorite treat, but I'm a little ashamed to admit it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE rich chocolate cake, fudgey brownies, and moist carrot cake, but save those for special occasions. For just an average night: Dairy Queen Soft Serve Vanilla. I don't know what it is, but that stuff just tastes so good to me. I'm sure it's filled with all sorts of artificial crap that I don't really want in my body but I just can't contain myself around it. If I'm feeling really adventurous I'll add on cookie dough pieces, but usually plain is perfect. I know I'm crazy, but it's an obsession.

Oatmeal = Life

Now Aliza is an amazing person, funny, pretty, a good cook and baker, the list goes on and on. However, last we spoke about it, she is a failure at making oatmeal. This makes me so sad because oatmeal is basically what makes my life go on. It's one of the 3 breakfasts I eat and is so warm, comforting, and delicious. Now I'm NOT talking those fake instant super-sweet heat in the micro for 1 minute oatmeal. I'm talking REAL oatmeal.

Back in the day when I was gross and unhealthy I used to always skip breakfast, "saving" my calories for later in the day. Now I know better. One of the most important lessons I've learned during my journey to better health and better eating has been the necessity and immense benefits of breakfast. When you wake up after fasting all night your body needs fuel or else it will start breaking down muscles for energy (not good) And as far as breakfasts go: my oatmeal is a champion. Whole grains, fruit, and milk provide tons of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. 

After many, many variations of oatmeal, I have finally mastered the PERFECT bowl. Now, it is a little time-consuming, but I promise you it is so worth it.

Sarah's Super Oatmeal (lame, sorry)

1. In a small pot combine 1/2 cup dry oats, 1 cup water, pinch of salt, 1/2 banana, sliced. Stir. Turn on heat to medium and cook about 5 minutes until oatmeal thickens.

2. Add 1/2 cup milk and the other half of sliced banana. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla extract.

4. Enjoy

This long process creates such a creamy, thick, filling bowl of oatmeal. Seriously, just look at how thick it is: the spoon rests on a nice little pillow of yummy oats.

Enjoy!