Happy What I Ate Wednesday, friendly faces! 😀
You know how they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder? That’s definitely been the case around these parts. Not only have I missed doing a WIAW post after taking a few weeks off, but I’ve also missed some of my favourite eats after spending a few days frolicking around in the desert.
Since I didn’t take a picture of virtually anything I ate on my trip, I’m going to use today’s WIAW as an opportunity to talk about the foods that I missed while I was gone and was happy to come home to…
Breakfast… I missed my oats.
Eggy bananfied oats layered with plain Greek yogurt and topped with blueberries, strawberries, and roasted cinnamon glaze almonds.
This may have just been the best bowl of oats that I’ve ever eaten; and not because there was anything overly special about it, but because it was the first bowl I had in 5.whole.days. See, even though I was back home on Monday morning, I woke up pretty late and was too tired and lazy to cook up a bowl of oats, so I had some cereal instead. Still tasty, but definitely not the same. I think it’s safe to say that my oatmeal addiction isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Morning snack… I missed my homemade bars.
A fruit and nut bar (recipe coming soon!)
I usually whip up a batch of homemade bars, cookies, muffins, or something to take with me when I travel, but I was feeling a bit like a scatterbrained chicken before I left so I didn’t get a chance to spend much time in the kitchen and had to rely on store-bought bars to get me through. Still tasty, but definitely not the same 😉 These are some fruit and nut bars that I made for Savory Style, and the recipe should be up in a few days so I’ll let you know when it gets posted!
Lunch… I missed my snack plates.
Dr.Kracker Seedlander crispbread, dried figs & dates, half an avocado, baby carrots, cocktail tomatoes, and The Good Bean’s sweet cinnamon crunchy chickpeas.
Even though most of the lunches I had while I was gone were snacky grab-and-go type deals, there’s something about actually being able to plate food and sitting down to eat it that makes all the difference. That and I really missed the combination of avocado, figs, and crackers. Try it and thank me later.
Afternoon snack… I missed my yogurt messes.
Plain Greek yogurt with a sliced banana, homemade applesauce, and Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch.
Despite the fact that I had yogurt, fruit, and cereal on my trip, I did not have a bowl… which meant that I had to eat everything more-or-less individually at the same time… if that makes sense. Not horrible, but not ideal — yogurt messes really do taste better when all the elements have had a chance to mingle for a little while. Oh, that and I didn’t pack any cinnamon in my suitcase. Sad face.
Dinner… I missed… nothing, really.
Coconut basmati rice with oatmeal-breaded chicken and mixed veggies.
I think dinners have replaced lunches as my least favourite meal of the day. It’s not even that this one didn’t taste good — because it did — but I ate a tonne of Chipotle while I was in Vegas and, well… I’d take that over most home cooked meals, especially since I don’t know when I’ll be able to get my next fix. One of these days I’m really going to have to try coming up with a mock Chipotle bowl recipe… Either that or Chipotle needs to make its way up here, stat.
Evening snack… I missed my ice cream sandwiches.
A Chapman’s vanilla sandwich.
One of the things that has always bothered me the most about my peanut allergy is the fact that I can’t enjoy any sort of frozen treat while I’m out and about since most places can’t guarantee that their flavours haven’t been cross contaminated with nuts. This means no grabbing an ice cream cone on the beach and no going out for froyo dates. Sad face. But at least I can still enjoy my ice cream sandwiches [at home]! Chapman’s was one of the first peanut-free ice cream companies that I found, and I still love them to this day.
Home sweet home 😀 See you guys tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud!
Do you prefer eating out or eating at home?
What are some foods/meals you miss when you travel?
What are some things you always make sure to take with you?
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For me, eating out always sounds better than it actually is. I get frustrated when a meal is just meh and super expensive. I’m not some chef-extraordinaire, but I can grill chicken or salmon that is edible and not $25.
Wowza now that I eat chicken again I need to try that oatmeal breaded chicken. Sounds way too good to be true!! And you know I am equally as obsessed with oats as you are… so that oat pic has me drooling!! It’s so fun to come home from vacation and settle back into your regular eats! Xox
Hello Amanda,
Welcome back from your trip to Las Vegas! I loved reading your summary of your adventures. Sounds like you saw a lot of our desert Southwest here! Beautiful photos of the Grand Canyon. I need to get up there again myself. I haven’t seen it since the glass walkway was built.
Delicious looking WIAW “eats” today. Those granola bars look great, and I’m looking forward to the recipe. I wish I could try one of those Chapman’s ice-cream sandwiches, but the company is located only in Canada. However, I’ve been enjoying Skinny Cow and So Delicious 😉
Have a great day!
~Amy 🙂
It’s a tie for me between eating out and at home. I -do- eat the majority of my meals at home because vegan or even vegetarian options at restaurants are usually scarce. But when I get a chance to visit a vegetarian place I enjoy it a lot and choose dishes I wouldn’t prepare at home. Last week my mum and I ate at an all-vegan buffet – awesome.
Everything about your dinner brings back childhood memories for me. Peas and carrots = the classic vegetable mix for children, rice because, well, it’s rice 🙂 and the chicken would have more likely been a homemade hamburger patty but still.
It’s odd but I always pack fruit when I travel because a) I always need something “fresh” as a snack, b) never know where I’ll be able to get that next and c) at what exorbitantly high prices. If I know I’ll have access to a stove I’ll also pack a small bag of oat bran but if not I know it’ll taste extra amazing once I return. Sometimes I actually like the forced break to bring back excitement to everyday meals.
Very true! A little bit of a forced break is always a good way to get out of a routine; and ditto on packing fresh fruit! Except for apples because we’re not allowed to fly with those… I tried to once and I ended up getting stopped by a dog in airport security. Oops.
Oh, right, now that you mention it I recall once reading how you weren’t allowed to import fruit [and lots of other foods] into the US. But the fact that the dogs I’d assumed to only sniff for drugs stopped you made me laugh. Naughty you, smuggling in illegal fruit 😉 .
Okay so you’re going to love my post tomorrow..let’s just say that it involves mock Chipotle bowls! I definitely feel you about craving home food after holiday! I tend to miss my simple home fare even after too many meals out. I become THAT girl who craves greens & oats like no other. When I travel, I usually stock my hand carry with plenty of snacks- you can never trust airport food. Usual favorites include almonds, individual sachets of protein powder, granola bars & fruit!
I do definitely think there is something nice about coming home from a vacation and getting back into my routines, including what I typically eat. I love my Kashi waffles at lunch 🙂
I’m the opposite in that I don’t usually miss too many of my at-home meals when I travel! New food places excite me and I’m pretty game to try anything :). I also don’t have any food allergies, though, which gives me the upperhand since I don’t need to worry about my eats.
Glad to have ya back!
I think it’d be a lot easier to get excited about eating out if the allergy aspect didn’t stress me out so much 🙁 What I wouldn’t give to outgrow the pesky buggers…
I am obsessed with The Good Bean’s crunchy chickpeas! And that oats recipe…already planning out tomorrow’s breakfast.
I like eating out and away from home to a certain point. Then I start missing the simplicity of eating at home and like you I miss my breakfast from home. Also, I cannot wait for your fruit and nut bar recipe. I’m really interested in trying it out!
I prefer eating at home but with foods I get out. Does this count ;o)? I’m not lying when I say I eat Chipotle for dinner 3 or 4 times a week. Oops? ALLTHEGUAC
When I travel, I usually take some bars with me and some sort of cracker or cereal to snack on while I’m in the room. Also, chocolate and little flavored water packets tend to make their way in my purse. And I always have lollipops with me :o)
When I went to Philly for a long weekend, the first thing I wanted when I got home was a raw carrot and oatmeal. SO much fried food, I just needed something hearty and whole.
Everything sounds wonderful, as usual! Love your WIAW posts. Glad to see one back!! Thanks for the great ideas.
I love eating at home. Mainly because I love cooking, and I like being able to control if I get sick or not { lactose & gluten intolerant }. I always make sure to bring snacks, only because they seriously charge an arm and a leg for snacks haha.
Chipotle. Why can you not be within driving distance?
And I love eating out, but I can’t afford to do it too often sooo it only happens once or twice a week. When I travel, I always make sure I have some protein/snack bars with me, and usually request a grocery store trip for snacks like yogurt and fruit.
It is so odd to me that places are offering so much gluten free options, but nothing for peanut allergies. Peanut allergies have been around forever. I don’t understand how you can guarantee GF and not PF. Makes no sense to me at all!
I know! But GF has really gained popularity in the last couple of years, especially since a lot of people do it to try to lose weight. I guess peanut-free just isn’t that glamorous 🙁
I totally understand your desire to eat your foods at home after a vacation. I LOVE eating out … but only can do so for so many meals and days and then I don’t like it anymore. Ideally, I’d eat at home for every meal except maybe 2-3 meals per week. Realistically, we only eat out maybe once per week though. Glad you are home enjoying your delicious foods again! 🙂
You know what they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it 😉 That’s my motto, anyway. I had a real yummy yogurt cyclone last night made with sno caps….. omg YUM. That was a good nightcap. I’m freaking out (not really freaking, only slightly nervous) that the hotel I’m staying at next week won’t have any oatmeal at their breakfast buffet, which my dad ordered for us every day. Might die if they don’t.
That snack plate looks freaking AWESOME.
So does the ice cream sandwich. I’m trying to wean myself off of sugar again…. sometimes I wonder why I do it. haha.
Summer is the perfect time to through some fresh fruit and veggies in for a snack. And who doesn’t like an ice-cream sandwich?
What I miss most when i’m traveling is my morning cup of tea. I usually bring some with me (I only drink the one kind) but it’s just not the same – maybe the mugs are too small, the milk not creamy enough,… I always look forward to having a proper cuppa when I get back 🙂
Me too! I always, always, always start my day with my favourite cup of tea, and it can be super hard to do when I’m travelling… especially if there’s no in-room coffee maker. I totally agree about the mugs, though — WAY too small.
I prefer eating at home, honestly… then I know what I’m eating, I can eat whatever I’m craving and I can eat when I want. Is that lame?
I always miss oatmeal/yogurt/sweet potatoes/energy bites when I’m traveling. Also avocados. Good to know I’m not alone (of course I’m not, our tastes are the same haha)
I am drooling over your faves…especially that lunch/snack plate! Yum!
I agree about missing healthy eats. I just got back from vacay as well, and I could not wait to get back on track. It helps to actually enjoy eating healthy. I hope you are having a great week!
It’s rare for me to find a place “worthy” of eating at when I’m out, so I usually prefer eating at home. Once in a while though I do enjoy going out, I had Chipotle on Monday after a rough hike!! It was worth every last bite. SO GOOOOOD. It is weird I actually never want ice cream in the summer? The idea just makes me feel sick, the heaviness of the cream (coconut for me usually) is just too much in the heat.
I love travelling, but I also love love love coming home and making my own food again. Especially with my body’s digestive issues, it can be so hard on it to have to process such rich food. I honestly love coming home to my usual oats, my own salads, and my ice cream ritual, made the way I like it. And eating it on my couch in comfy pants, lol. But I do miss the cocktails 😉
I don’t now what it is about your oats, but they ALWAYS leave me craving oats! They just look so fluffy and delicious. Do you use rolled oats or quick oats? Maybe it looks different texturally because of that? Regardless, they look yummy! 🙂
And girl that snack plate….holy freaking yummmm! My plates are never as festive as that! I better get on board that train!
I almost always use quick oats because I find them easier to digest, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I cook them for way longer than it says (~20 minutes?) and let them sit for a while before I eat them so that they have a chance to cool down and fluff up.
Haha when I saw this post title, I thought the entire post was going to be about oats! I know that oats are to you what french fries are to me 😉
I love your”yogurt messes”!
I love to eat at home because I can take my time and modify anything I want without feeling bad. But I’m on my way to Greece so there will be plenty of eating out this week!
Greece?! SO jealous! That’s been on my travel bucket list forever, and I really hope I can make it out there some day. You’re going to have the most amazing time!
Looking forward to the fruit and nut bar recipe! I love eating out and at home. I am a creature of habit though. I miss my smoothies when I am away! I always take oats and snacks like Nakd bars and nuts away for when the hunger beast strikes!
When I leave town I totally miss my foods. Even if I’m eating similar foods. I miss mine. MINE. 🙂
But technically they’re still yours if you’re eating them 😛
I definitely prefer eating my homecooked meals!! I tend to like weird combinations and at home I can really satisfy my crazy cravings. Although I like eating out, I either end up leaving still hungry or really stuffed.
When I travel I tend to miss everything…it sounds crazy but I find that even simple ingredients taste different…maybe its the water or oil it is cooked with..or maybe its just me!!
By the way that fruit and nut bar looks OUT OF THIS WORLD!!
I almost always prefer to eat at home. I’m super controlling about food prep so I always get a tad anxious when eating out.
When I travel, I always bring apples with me. I love apples!
I definitely love my homemade meals more than eating out – though there is something so nice to sit down and get served. More time, more wine, and new things to try.
But as you say, it’s always nice to come home and be back with the favorites – which is for me my oats too (sisters!), Almond Butter and Sweet Potato Wedges. Weird I know, but in Switzerland you can’t find any Sweet Potato dishes in restaurants.
That breakfast looks amazing! I totally craved healthy, homemade foods after traveling for two weeks. Stuff you normally take for granted tastes so much better when you get back from a trip!
Oatmeal breaded chicken? That’s a new one to me. I may have to try that!
I like it a whole lot more than using breadcrumbs!
I actually love eating at home. Cooking is something that I enjoy, so I like to try new recipes and make dinner for friends. But with all of my cooking at home, going out is that much more enjoyable. I find that it is such a treat to go out and I only eat at great places, because why waste one time out on something junky?
While it’s nice getting to eat while on vacation; it also feels so good to be home and it your favorite foods out of your own dishes. Glad you’re back!
Wait – oatmeal-breaded chicken?? I sure hope you post that recipe! As always droolworthy eats, my friend!
I love eating in – while I will eat out occasionally – I just adore home made EVERYTHING – guess I was spoiled growing up because eating out then was a rare, rare occurrence! As much as I miss my oats, I don’t always take them with me when I travel – preferring some oat scones or bars instead. But one thing I have started taking with me always is a small bottle of chili flakes – I’ve been putting that shiz on everything – tried it on an avocado yesterday and meohmy!
Like you, I like to bake a batch of granola bars/crackers to take with me. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on a plane, starving, and without food!
#truestory. Honestly, probably around half of my carry-on is packed with food… even if it’s only a 3 hour flight 😆
Yup I do miss my own homemade stuff when I’m away. I think this probably applies to most people who do a lot of cooking and spend time making their meals taste great. It’s just not the same anywhere else!
I would have missed those meals too!!! Can’t wait to try the homemade bars!
Winning. Grinning and…..salivating?
Eating Chipotle for all your meals is totally acceptable- something I would should I find one…. damn Australia. When travelling, I usually just miss eating at home..if that makes sense.
You leave me craving an ice cream sandwich on a consistent basis…..I envision one (or three) this weekend.