Happy What I Ate Wednesday, friendly faces! 😀
Two weeks in a row! I’m on a roll here with the WIAWs. Aaaaaaand that’s pretty much all I’ve got in the way of intros, so let’s cut to the chase and start talking about the good stuff — the food.
This week’s theme is: foods that make the day feel complete. You know what I’m talking about… the foods you can go without for a max of about 1 day before you start suffering the symptoms of withdrawal… Yeeeeep.
Breakfast… isn’t complete without… something sweet.
Brownie Batter Oats with some plain Greek yogurt and a spoonful of Barney Butter.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I will always and forever be a sweet breakfast kind of girl. I can do the savoury thing if need be, but more often than not it only results in me rummaging around in my cupboards an hour later, looking for dessert. I know some people say that eating sugar first thing in the morning sets off their sweet tooth and leaves them craving it for the rest of the day, but I’ve always found the opposite to be true.
Eating a sweet breakfast satisfies my sugar cravings and makes them a lot more manageable. I don’t end up feeling as hungry or snacky throughout the day, and I don’t finish my meal feeling like something is still missing… ya know? There are actually studies out there to back this kind of thing up… but then again, there are studies out there to back up pretty much anything. Everything works [for someone] — it’s all about finding out what works for you.
Morning snack… isn’t complete without… coffee.
Coffee, a banana, and some maple roasted almond butter.
Coffee is a daily thing around these parts, but I rarely ever drink it first thing in the morning. Instead, I like to start the day with a cup of my favourite tea and follow that up with a coffee around 9 or 10. No specific reason why, really — just personal preference. And because I’m well past the days where I could call a cup of black coffee a snack, I enjoyed my hug-in-a-mug alongside one of my favourite snack combos… and some word searchin’.
Lunch… isn’t complete without… a [sweet& salty] snack plate.
Roasted kabocha squash, half an avocado with sea salt, The Good Bean’s cinnamon crunchy chickpeas, whole wheat Triscuits, and dried apricots.
I have no idea how I functioned before I stared having snack plates for lunch… but I do remember not being a big fan of the midday meal. This plate had a little bit of everything to satisfy every possible craving. Creamy, crunchy, chewy, salty, and sweet… Per.fec.tion.
Afternoon snack… isn’t complete without… cookies.
A few maple almond butter cookies — for taste testing purposes, obviously 😉
Did/do you guys have a favourite after school snack? Mine was always, always, always cookies. I did go through a Pizza Pocket stage at some point, but that was pretty short-lived. For the most part, it’s been all about the cookies. Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Viva Puffs… Omigosh! Viva Puffs! I completely forgot about those! They’re probably my favourite as far as store-bought cookies go. So good. Needless to say, these weren’t Viva Puffs, but they were super tasty nonetheless. I’ll be sharing the recipe soon!
Dinner… isn’t complete without… leftovers.
Beef stew and whole wheat penne noodles.
I’m 99.86% sure that the main reason my family insists I come over for dinner on Sundays is so that they can make sure I’m eating something other than cereal and waffles. I am, but I appreciate the leftovers nonetheless… especially when it means that I get to eat something that I don’t usually cook for myself. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve never been able to get over my fear of working with raw beef. Chicken I can do, but beef still skeeves me out. Thank goodness for moms 😀
Evening snack… isn’t complete without… cereal.
A bowl mug of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Kashi Cinnamon Harvest, and crispy rice cereal with some vanilla almond milk.
I can think of few better midnight snacks than a bowl of cereal… or cereals as it were. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m never satisfied with just putting one type of cereal into my bowl — I need to mix up a few different kinds. It’s a taste and texture kind of thing. That being said, a combo I’m currently loving is: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Kashi Cinnamon Harvest, and crispy rice. CTC by itself is a little too sweet for me, but pairing it with more hearty, wheaty, bland cereals brings it down to just the right level of sweetness. Perfection.
And just like that, my day feels complete 😉 See you guys tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud!
Your turn! A day isn’t complete without ______.
What’s your favourite store-bought cookie? Favourite after school snack?
Is there anything you don’t like working with when baking/cooking?
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I’m more of a savory girl. My day almost always includes a salad for lunch-avocado, roasted corn, mixed greens…and whatever else is around to throw in. My favorite store bought cookie is probably standard Chips Ahoy-dunked in milk of course!
That Kashi cereal sounds really good. I love eating oatmeal as a snack after dinner especially in the winter. Right now it’s still 100 degrees in AZ so fro yo is where it’s at for a couple more months at least!
I’m more of a sweet breakfast girl too. Okay, I love breakfast so much that I want it all but considering I’m usually eating it in 5 minutes, sweet is the way to go. Like those cookies, for example. Those look freakin’ amazing! I can’t think of a better way to use homemade almond butter. Yum!
You have me reaaaaaalllllly craving kabocha squash. I need it like, yesterday. I might have to take a detour to the local Asian market to see if they have any in stock on my way to work tonight.
I totally agree about the coffee thing. A necessity!
You always take the best photos!
The little baby almond butter container is adorable. How big is it (next to your starbucks cup)? I’m thinking 1-2 tablespoons. It looks like a great traveling size container!
Right?!? What is it about mini things that makes everything better? And if I had to guess, I’d say it’s about 2 Tbsp. Definitely easier than carting around a whole jar in my purse 😉
My favorite store bought cookies were Chips Ahoy and Oreos. The oatmeal picture reminded me of a black and white cookie.
I agree with the first comment- those cookies look wowza! 🙂 A day is not complete without coffee (usually 2- hot in the morning, iced in the afternoon) and actually just seeing that starbucks is making me want a 3rd cup right now. ok you convinced me, im going:)
I find it hard to go a day without eggs. At some point, I’m going to need to eat some eggs.
I HAAATE working with raw meat. I’ll deal with chicken, but my husband is on steak duty if he wants it for dinner.
A day absolutely is not complete without some sort of bread product, for me. I can’t help it. I love. My favorite storebought cookie is probably Oreos. And do thin mints count? I house those up like it’s my job.
Can we pretend all I eat is waffles so your parents make me come over for dinner? I could go for some of that pasta 🙂 Next time you have cereal, totally add almnds & coconut sugar to the mixture. It’s awesome!
I’m the same way! No matter what I’m eating for breakfast, there has to be a little bit of sweetness too. And omg I love that little jar you have your almond butter in!!!
ATTENTION NUT BUTTER EATERS: the FDA just released a huge list of almond and peanut butters that are being recalled because of a Salmonella outbreak. Here’s the link to the list of contaminated jars: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm410533.htm they want you to dispose of the product and then call them for a refund/replacement. I hope everyone is safe! Amanda, maybe consider sharing this link in an upcoming post, seeing as how much all of your readers seem to bond with you over nut butter…
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Gah! Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention, Ella! I’ll definitely be including it in my ToL post tomorrow!
I always love your sweet looking breakfasts & snacks, but I’m one of the people that when I start sweet it leads to endless hunger & snacking. Big trouble. When I do savory & fill up on eggs, veggies, & bacon it keeps me full all morning. My sweet tooth is trouble, so it has to be caged. 😉
Happy Wednesday!!
Omg you make me want to eat beef stew now!! Too bad Chicago just decided to get hot and I don’t feel look cooking it! I love your fun twists on WIAW!
I’ve read about the study that suggests sweets for breakfast, simply because it suggested a person should eat a slice of cake for breakfast and be A-Ok the rest of the day. That 1 mad me giggle, seeing as how I have done that before, and still ended up eating another slice after dinner lol Give me all the cake!! But, that doesn’t mean that everyone is like me. It may work for others!!:)
😆 I think you’d need to give yourself a longer time window to experiment in before coming to any sort of conclusion. You know… all in the name of good science 😉
I love mixing my cereals up like you and any bowl that includes cinnamon toast crunch is a winner in my books.
Looks delicciousss!!! I am the same way, as in I prefer to have sweet breakfasts. ( I actually often end up having my greek yogurt “pudding” concoctions for dessert, because I like them so much!)
Also your miniature container of almond butter is so cute 🙂
Those cookies look delicious! I having been relying on lara bars lately for my afternoon snack. They’re so easy to just throw in my bag and have on the go, and I love the short ingredient list!
I just have to say, that little jar of almond butter with your coffee is way too cute! I always mix my cereals because I never can decide which kind I want, plus it just tastes better. Can’t wait for that cookie recipe… they look delish!
I also have a huge fear of dealing with raw meat! Raw fish gets me skeeved out too, but not to the extent that beef and chicken do. The other day I bought chicken breast, slightly freaked out, and ended up just boiling it to avoid touching it raw 🙂 This has been extremely annoying because I’ve been craving meat like crazy lately!
Brownie-batter oats?! How do you make that? My day isn’t complete without peanut butter + banana, kombucha, and fruit, which banana is, but because I eat it so much, it’s basically become it’s own food group, while other things like apples, oranges, watermelon, etc. are ‘fruit’ 😉
😆 YES to what you said about bananas! I feel exactly the same way! And the oats are actually super simple. I just cook up a batch of oats with about half a banana, and then stir in chocolate pudding and cocoa powder when they’re all done.
Ice Cream, chocolate and a warm beverage (coffee or tea). Each as a place in a ritual type thing for me. Ice cream is probably the most negotiable of the 3, but that is only if I leave dinner completely satisfied. And probably if I’ve had a drink as my dessert 😀
Everything looks amazing as usual! My day is not complete without some sort of nut butter. Obsessssed.
I need that snack plate… that looks so good. I love those combos! To me, a day isn’t complete without coffee… and nut butter at least 3-4 times haha. I’m addicted!
Without sounding like a total cheese ball, your WIAW posts always make me smile- such yum eats! For me, my day is not complete without some chocolate! As for favourite after-school snacks, Chips Ahoy & Oreos were my jam back in the day. I prefer freshly baked chocolate chip cookies these days but as for Oreos? It is very rare for me to turn down one! I hope it’s not just me but something about seeing the word ‘yeast’ in recipe scares me off!
I am a coffee girl myself, but I am literally looking for it as soon as my feet hit the floor out of bed in the mornings. Everything looks delish!
I am so with you on the sweet breakfast thing!! A lot of times I will top my PB toast with mini chocolate chips or a little cinnamon sugar! Perfection.
I will admit..I did wonder whether you ate things other than snack plates, waffles and cereals! 😉
😆 On occasion!
Oh.My.Gosh!!! I cannot wait for the recipe for those cookies…they look AMAZING!!!! My day isn’t complete with out my coffee! I have to have at least one cup of coffee. When I tried to give it up a long time ago I realized my day honestly sucked lol I am to the point where I don’t need it in the morning but at some point I do like to take a time out, sit down with a cup of coffee (preferably brewed at home) and do some reading. It just gives me some sanity & time to focus. I know the coffee isn’t necessary but I have a particular type I like and put it with a little maple syrup, almond milk and cinnamon and it is heaven! Plus, it keeps me on track and from devouring and entire sleeve of oreo’s hahahaha
Amen to that! Coffee makes me a better person, so really, it’s in everyone’s best interest that I drink it 😀 And mixed with maple syrup and cinnamon?! That sounds amazing!
I can’t recall the last day I went without peanut butter. Or even the last day I went only have peanut butter at one meal. It just goes with everything. And yeah, totally with you on breakfast, sweet all the way. I don’t know how to eat savory in the morning. The random times that I have, it feels wrong.
You know – I wasn’t hungry at all..I wasn’t hungry till I meandered over onto your WIAW Post!!!!
Oh my – those cookies! They could be my fav after school/work snack!!!
Lately I have been on a major salty food kick and have been consuming pita chips at an alarming rate – Stacy’s Sea Salt pita chips are my fav and I tend to nibble on them when cooking/baking when I get home from work.
Right now I’m going to say a day is incomplete without chocolate. Sprinkled throughout the day preferably..from various sources; morning oatmeal (thumbs up on your bowl!), a midday smoothie, a few squares here, evening hot chocolate.. 🙂 .
Hmmm those cookies are adorable. Weird way to describe them maybe, but seeing as I can’t taste them :p .
Oreos were my after-school choice. Chocolate double stuff to be precise! I’ve never had Chips Ahoy!! Do I need to rectify that, or is it not much of a big deal as a cookie?
my breakfast is the same! ALWAYS something sweet 🙂
There is not a day that I don’t break into the nut butters. I made some fresh almond butter, sunflower seed butter, AND coconut peanut butter just yesterday; that was essentially what my day’s eats consisted of. I also went through a cottage cheese phase, but that’s starting to die down.
I can hardly remember store-bought cookies anymore. There’s just something about the fresh-baked goodies smell wafting through my house that I may be slightly addicted to… but if I’m ever in need of cookies (pfft, when am I NOT?) and I don’t have access to an oven, I’m all about the Oreos. Double stuffed, crazy flavored; as long as there’s a glass of almond milk involved, I am all in. 😀
I have the same experience with having something sweet first thing in the morning!
That little jar with almond butter is soooo cute! Where did you get it? All I see is small plastic containers..can’t find small (tiny) glass ones….
It was actually a small jar of honey that I got from the farmers’ market! But other than that, I haven’t seen small ones like that either.
Sorry to intrude but you can probably find small jars like that at a craft store!
Awesome! I’ll look for small honey jars and craft stores 🙂
Oh Dear, I just finished lunch and now I am jealous of that snack plate and want a cookie at the same time. Darn those WIAW posts 🙂
Almond Butter is definitely a daily need. Several times!! 🙂
Coffeeeee! I was actually craving chocolate chips yesterday. My first thought was cookies, but I opted to make a lil’ batch of pumpkin choc chip muffins instead. Craving satisfied. 🙂
I think I’m going to start making snack plates for lunch. It’s always so hard for me to think of what to make for lunch for some reason. Both me and the kids.
Snack plates for lunch are the best! I love eating them because you get a great mix of so many goodies. My day isn’t complete without something sweet. I usually have a piece of chocolate or a cookie. What is life without a little fun?
Do you use beef bullion cubes to make your beef stock? Or do you make your own?
And we have such a sweet tooth! I know what it is to finish a meal and it not being sweet just kinda bothers me.
I’m not 100% sure what was in it since it was my mom who made it, but I’m pretty sure she makes it completely from scratch.
Those cookies look wowza! Everything looks good really. I used to be a bed time cereal person. Now my son is currently obsessed with anything Barbaras brand, especially puffins. He wants like 3 bowls a day at least!
He has good taste! Puffins are awesome, and it’s been way too long since I’ve had a box in my pantry!