Happy What I Ate Wednesday friendly faces! 😀
Despite the fact that I create recipes and devote a blog post every week to sharing an entire day of meals with you guys, I don’t actually spend that much time thinking about food or analyzing my meal choices. Long gone are the days where 90% of my thoughts revolved around food, and where I’d spend hours a day planning my meals to try to achieve that perfect number of calories and macros — I just can’t do it anymore, and I think I’ve spent enough time doing it to generally know what works for me and what doesn’t.
This is why I sometimes find it a little difficult to write my WIAW posts, especially on days like yesterday where I couldn’t really identify a rhyme or reason to my meals. I mean, what am I supposed to say in those cases? That I ate this or that just because I felt like it? Actually, that’s not a bad idea….
Breakfast… Just because I felt like… not thinking about it.
Oats in a mug! Quick oats cooked with ~1 Tbsp. chia seeds, then layered with plain Greek yogurt and topped with banana slices almond butter, and cinnamon.
I tend to eat a pretty similar breakfast on a daily basis, and that’s mostly because I’ve fallen into the habit of starting to prep it without really giving it much of a second thought. Wake up, put oats on the stove, make tea, go about my business — that’s my morning. I’ll switch up the toppings depending on what I might be feeling on any given day, but it’s always oats, fruit, nut butter, and yogurt in some form or another. Oh! I did swap out the regular bowl I eat from with a favourite new mug — that’s something, right? 😆
Morning snack… Just because I felt like… something sweet with my coffee.
A slice of Chocolate Chunk Orange Bread <– check out my recipe on Savory Style!
I used to operate under the idea that sweeter things should never be eaten before lunch, but I’ve come to discover that I enjoy my morning coffee so much more when it’s accompanied by a baked good of some sort, and it makes me more productive 😉 Besides, if I deny my craving and go with something that I think I should eat instead, I run the risk of eating that, not being satisfied, and going back to eat half my kitchen before I finally decide to eat what I originally wanted. Better to skip all that, eat, enjoy, and move on!
Lunch… Just because I felt like… dipping.
Snack plate made up of half an avocado, plain Popchips, Tribe classic hummus, baby carrots, and a couple cocktail tomatoes.
The return of the snack plates! I missed them. In hindsight, I probably should have mashed up the avocado to make it easier to dip things in, but it was soft enough that it was easy to scoop out. But yeah… not too much to say about this lunch. I think I was just really looking for an excuse to eat some Popchips 😉
Afternoon snack… Just because I felt like… I needed to work on finishing off my cake.
A slice of my No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake… in a mug.
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but when you spend a lot of time making recipes, you spend a lot of time eating the product of those recipes. Sometimes you’re in the mood for it and sometimes you’re not, but it’s gotta be done if you want to prevent things from going to waste #foodbloggerproblems. Luckily for me, I was definitely in the mood for this one… which is probably why I went back for a few more spoonfuls after I was done. Just doing my part in waste prevention 
Dinner… Just because I felt like… not cooking.
Sesame chicken stir fry on white basmati rice.
Leftovers to the rescue! Cold ones because I didn’t even feel like heating them up… aaaaand I kind of prefer my leftovers cold anyways. What can I say? Sometimes I get lazy… especially around dinner time. This probably wouldn’t work if I had someone else to cook for, but since it’s just me, I can get away with these kind of things. Why is it so much easier to put in more effort when you’re doing things for other people? Not that it’s a bad thing, but daaaaang, Brain! I want some TLC too!
Evening snack… Just because I felt like… chocolate.
A handful of dark chocolate chips.
This one doesn’t really need much of an explanation — when you need chocolate, you need chocolate. Actually, I guess I could explain the chip aspect of it…
It was late, I needed chocolate, I was all out of bars, I didn’t want to go out, and chocolate chips were the only kind of chocolate I had in my possession. Well, I guess you could count the cocoa powder too, but I’m kind of over the days where I considered a spoonful of cocoa powder to be an acceptable (or palatable) replacement for chocolate. When I was younger, I’d resort to eating those squares of bittersweet baker’s chocolate if nothing else was available, and I remember not even liking them but needing a fix and eating them anyways. Can’t mess with those cocoa cravings.
Voila! What I Ate [on Tuesday]. See you guys tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud! 😀
Do you switch up your breakfasts or eat the same thing on a daily basis?
Do you reheat leftovers or just eat them cold?
Do you have an easier time putting in effort when you’re cooking for others?
More places to find me!
E-mail — [email protected]
Twitter — runwithspoons
Facebook — runningwithspoons
Pinterest — runwithspoons
Instagram — runwithspoons
Bloglovin — runningwithspoons
I SO get the foodbloggerprobs. I can’t let anything go to waste which means I eat weird combinations of things and breakfast for dinner and dinner for lunch kind of stuff. I think it shocks people when they hear what I eat on a daily basis…
Still waiting on that WIAW from you 😉
Looks like a yummy day to me- no explanation needed! And heck, even if it’s ice cream that makes you more productive… go for it! 😉 P.S. not sure if they have it in Canada (or if you’ve tried it and I didn’t see), but the brand Coconut Bliss makes the BEST coconut milk (non-dairy) ice cream ever. Like you need to try it now. My favorite is Lunaberry Bliss (vanilla+mixed berry swirl), but the Vanilla Island (plain vanilla), Chocolate Walnut Brownie, and Dark Chocolate Dreams are all legit delish. Just so’s ya know 😉
xo, Ella
http://www.youtube.com/user/SparklesAndSuch26
Luckily, Coconut Bliss is one of the things that Canada DOES have 😀 I’ve tried the vanilla flavour, and ooomg it’s heaven. Actually, I think I need to pick myself up a carton the next time I go to the store. Oh who am I kidding… I’ll probably make an excuse to go in a few hours 😉
Chocolate is always necessary! I’ve done the baker’s chocolate chip thing, before…it’s quite a sad move.
I love cold leftovers – I swear they are so much tastier! I feel you on the recipe testing first world problems – I had to eat a stodgy buckwheat breakfast bake that I tested for 4 days straight because I can’t bare to waste anything – I used too much coconut flour and that thing got drier by the day…. #coconutflourproblems…
If I am cooking for others I put in effort and cook from scratch every time. If I am on my own for the night it can be speedy meal central as I will have some stuff I will need to get done – usually some kind of leftover or a random brinner number!
I definitely hear you on the #coconutflourproblems… You don’t even want to hear about how many pancake flops I’ve had…
I so love that chunk of cinnamon dusted almond butter in your bowl of oats! I have been on a bar kick – so mostly oat bars of some sort have been my go to breakfast for the last month or so.
Eating leftovers of that no bake strawberry cake has gotta be hard work – if you need help, am here…just saying 😉 I tend to eat leftovers cold in summer and sometimes heated up in winter. I don’t recall cooking for myself – I’ve always cooked for my parents, daughter, friends…and I don’t think I would have a food blog if I cooked for myself – sad eh?
Happy WIAW!
I’m pretty standardized in my breakfasts and lunches, but dinners are ALWAYS just because I feel like it’s. That’s why I will forever fail at menu planning 😀
Lately I’ve been doing a good job at switching up my breakfasts, I’m pretty surprised at myself! For a while I went through an oatmeal phase, then an avocado toast and eggs phase, and then a greek yogurt bowl phase… now I just rotate those based on what I’m craving that morning! With pancakes thrown in there sometimes, too 😉
Except I just realized I had hot oats and am currently sweating… that could be a problem for summer time lol.
I’m dying to try popchips because of you.
I have about 4 breakfasts I enjoy and I’ll switch them up during the week. Consists of green smoothies, fresh made juice, Cascadian farms cereal, or eggs and toast. I’ll probably change once I get tired of these, haha. That banana bread looks amazingggg!
THAT CHEESECAKE! I think I missed yesterday’s post…. ON IT!
I tend to switch up my breakfasts but probably only rotate between like three things – oats, toast, or smoothie. Yesterday I actually tried warm rice/quinoa and it was pretty tasty! Just like oats but not really….
I tend to reheat leftovers. I don’t think I could do cold stir fry BUT I’m with you on the handful of chocolate!!!
I did the quinoa breakfast thing once, aaaaand probably won’t ever again. It’s the goopy texture of oats that does it for me… neeeeeed it.
That banana bread looks amazing! Also glad to know I’m not the only one who grabs handfuls of chocolate chips when they have a craving.
Blogger problems, yes. I was struggling when putting together today’s WIAW post, too, because there just hasn’t been any rhyme or reason to my meals lately. Probably not so much for your good reason of being at the point of hardly thinking about meals yet but definitely thinking less about them.
I used to stick with the same breakfast every.single.day until recently. It was clearly out of fear of not feeling as satisfied or getting hungry ‘too early’ again, too, but now I’m switching it up every morning. It’s both nice to experiment and see what works and what doesn’t.
Leftovers have to be reheated for me. Even when it’s hot outside I don’t like eating meals that were originally meant to be eaten warm cold. And yes, I know I’m pretty alone on that front among bloggers :D.
Leftovers are where its at for me!! I purposely make way more than I need just so that I can have leftovers for my lunches.
And Im guily of the chocolate chip handfuls as well!!
Leftovers, it depends: some things need to be heated up (I will NEVER be a cold pizza person…I can’t do cold tomato sauce, so that applies to spaghetti, lasagna and the like) but some leftovers are better cold – generally any meat or non-tomato-sauce-based pasta dishes. Stirfries are also acceptable cold!
Breakfasts, I generally have 2 or 3 that I rotate between, but that’s really the best I can do before 8 in the morning. It gets the job done!
And this is the second banana bread that’s jumped out at me today and it isn’t even 9:30 yet…I think the universe is telling me that I need banana bread.
Awwr but the tomato based leftovers are my favourite. Cold pizza for breakfast was basically the epitome of my teenage years 😆
I’ve certainly been known to eat one (or two) handfuls of chocolate chips straight from the bag! It’s seriously the best way to get your chocolate fix!
Because I eat breakfast at work, I’ll tend to make the same thing during the week. I’ll either make a big batch of baked oatmeal or go with different smoothies everyday. On the weekend, I switch it up because I have more time to prepare breakfast. Eggs or pancakes is usually what I go for then.
When I cook for others, I just feel like it has to be “perfect” or I don’t invite people over.
And I shouldn’t be like that forgetting what a blessing is it to be invited to dinner!!!!! AnYtHiNg tastes good when cooked by someone you care about =)
That chocolate banana bread looks awesome. I love some kind of a sweet bread/scone type deal with my coffee too.
I always have a bag of chocolate chips on hand. I buy them so I can make cookies, then I forget to make cookies. Instead, the bag becomes my emergency chocolate stash. I keep my baking stuff on the top shelf, though, so I always forget it’s there. Then it’s a happy surprise when I remember it haha.
Everything looks delicious as always!!
I need a big mug. I want to eat my oats out of a mug! But the mugs I have are so tiny, maybe 1/3 of my portion would fit in them….
I switch about 2-3 different breakfasts a week. Eggbake. Oats or Pancakes. It mostly depends on how much time I have or if I workout or not.
Leftovers – WARM!! I know the microwave is bashed, but I love it because, yeah, I am lazy too.
The mugs are tiny in Europe! Even the size of the coffee cups in coffee shops is way too tiny. You need to stock up when you visit us next year 😀
I love seeing the “because I felt like it” day of eats! That banana bread looks awesome, and sometimes I also eat chocolate chips right out of the bag.
I prefer to not spend too much time thinking and planning my meals too, however when I was doing that for a long period of time I unintentionally lost weight so now I am back to planning more of my meals to make sure I am getting enough. I am looking forward to being able to stop once I get a better sense of what I need for my new activity level.
That cheesecake looks so good! I always feel like dipping. I think I have some sort of dip almost every day!
Haha I love your reasons! I’m just like you with so much. A lot of meals are just because I felt like that. Dinner is the one thing that is planned. Most snacks are just what I want at that specific time. Handful of chocolate is just as good as anything 😉
I go through food grooves with my breakfast- first it was overnight oatmeal, then cereal and after today’s breakfast I think green smoothies are next up! Depending on what I’m eating as leftovers will I then heat it up- most of the time, I just eat it as is especially if it involves marinara sauce…mmm! I’ve been putting off lunch because I want to finish up some work but this post was the last straw- I am HUNGRY…time to go eat! And you better believe it’s going to involve minimal effort!
I think the only leftovers I can eat cold is pizza. And the occasional veggie when I’m too lazy to microwave. Other than that, I’m not a huge fan of cold noodles or rice or stir fries or anything else for that matter–I like my food hot! (Not warm. Hot.)
Have you ever tried cold pizza for breakfast? Ohhhh the crazy years of my youth 😆
Everything looks so good! I want to try those oats for breakfast 🙂
Haha basically every meal that I eat has no rhyme or reason! I definitely reheat leftovers…Arman is the king of cold food and I don’t understand it. Gross to me! I never cook for others, so if I have a bunch more effort to give my doubling my meals and sharing them, I don’t know it right now!
I saw your tasty cheesecake recipe earlier in the week and I literally cannot wait to make it! My hubby and I are 1) super HUGE cheesecake fans and 2) in love with fruity desserts in summertime. There is just nothing better than a nice, cool, fruity satisfying treat in summer! This dessert looks perfect, and something that can be had for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
I can be the same way…sometimes I have cravings that just seem sooo random and unsolicited. I often times in the past found myself saying ‘you really shouldn’t have this NOW’ only to find that it was continuously on my mind after not having it. Better to eat what you want in the moment and move right along with your day, totally agree!
I’m totally with you on eating the same basic meal every breakfast. It’s so comforting to know that I get to wake up and eat a delicious bowl of oatmeal variations! I know it will satisfy me and keep me fueled during my morning run!
I also don’t really enjoy making an elaborate meal for myself. I’m perfectly happy with simple meals like almond butter and jelly sandwiches. I do, however, love impressing my boyfriend, family, and friends with my mad cooking skills haha! It actually brings me so much happiness to watch others enjoy my cooking/baking… I usually won’t eat those meals though (not clean or healthy enough). I need to work on that…
Even your meals thrown together look pretty and delicious. I tend to eat the same thing for breakfast as well, and sadly, lunch most weeks. I will eat something over and over until I get tired of it and switch it up. Basically I am super lazy with meal prep..
I can definitely relate to that one 🙄
Yum! Everything looks delicious! I would put those chocolate chips and make a cake mug or something 🙂
Taking the chocolate chips straight out of the bag is the best!
I love chocolate chips straight from the bag. I find they satisfy a true chocolate craving perfectly. I switch up breakfast on occasion without any warning. It just happens out of nowhere and I go with it. My mother loves a piece of banana bread or something cakey like that with a cup of coffee. I always make her some to keep in the house.
I usually have one of three things for breakfast every morning- makes it easy, and I don’t get bored with anything that has nut butters in/on it!
I like eating leftovers, but I always eat them cold. Preeeetty much no matter what it is 🙂
And cooking for me is SO much easier, because I make weird “meals” that really probably aren’t meals. Just hodge podge all the time, until I feel like I’ve had a well-rounded meal set 🙂
Good thing I love leftovers! Waste prevention is such a huge food blogger problem… I hate wasting food. Haha! That bread looks dangerously delicious!
You’re lucky you have kids and a husband to help you out though! I need to look into hooking myself up with those things 😉
So true about putting in the effort or others more – recently I’ve been trying to put in more though, just to spice things up! I’d also argue that most leftovers taste better cold. Unless it’s cake, which I like to blitz in the microwave 😉
OMG How did I miss the cheesecake recipe? I am on a huuuuuge cheesecake kick right now. Can’t get enough.
I try to switch up my breakfasts, but inevitably always end up having a yogurt bowl, eggs or a smoothie. Mmmm yogurt bowl. That’s what I’m gonna have this morning.
WHY HAVEN’T YOU TEXTED ME YET. I am so sad. 🙁
Chocolate chips are just fun to eat, well, and delicious. And things in mugs are more fun too. That’s normally how I eat my cereal.
I eat pretty much the same breakfast everyday, so do my kids and husband. It’s hard enough to feed everyone and I spend so much time thinking about what dinners to make, that any more effort on meal planning would make my head explode. I think of breakfast as the most “utilitarian” meal anyway, so as long as we’re all getting properly nourished I don’t think variety is a big deal. It’s day to day real life, not a gourmet cooking show 🙂
Somehow you make everything look good in pictures though, you have a real talent!
I definitely tend to eat the same breakfast on a day-to-day basis! Sometimes, I’ll switch it up and make overnight oats or if I have some Van’s frozen waffles, I’ll pop a couple of those in the toaster. Either way, my breakfasts usually have the same toppings- fruit, peanut butter, and chia seeds. Why fix something that isn’t broken, right? 🙂
I ALWAYS heat my leftovers. I think they smell weird when they’re cold… O.O
Maybe I’m not normal, but I tend to pamper myself when it comes to making food. I almost always put a lot of time and effort into making my dinners. Lol. I like to eat good food (read: gourmet food) so I’m willing to put in the extra time and effort 😀
That actually sounds all sorts of brilliant! Send some of that motivation my way? 😀
Something sweet is always a must! If I don’t have something sweet for breakfast, you better bet I’ll have something sweet at one of my snack times 🙂
I eat the same thing for breakfast pretty much every day. It’s nice to have all the guess work done for me when I’m all sleepy-like.
Oh, and I never go through a bag of chocolate chips without eating at least 1/2 of them out of my hand (or a cupcake liner when I’m feeling fancy!)
That snack plate looks soooo good! I just did my first WIAW! I feel like if I brought that bread to work, it wouldn’t last 10 seconds with my coworkers around! And that no bake cheesecake … after I retweeted that reciepe, my friend offered to let me be her test subject to her attempts at making it so I’m quite the happy camper today haha
I think I HAVE to make that chocolate chip banana bread. I’ve been craving banana bread recently and I think the chocolate chips would make it sooooo delicious!
Ack talk about a total labelling fail! It’s actually orange bread, so no bananas 🙁 I do have a recipe for a CC banana bread that you can check out, though!
http://www.runningwithspoons.com/for-spoons/chocolate-chip-banana-bread