Happy What I Ate Wednesday, friendly faces! š
Also known as the day where I show you [almost] everything I ate on [Monday]. These posts can get a little lengthy, so let’s skip the fancy intros and head right into the good stuff, shall we?
Breakfast was a tall and refreshing green smoothie made with: 2 frozen bananas, 1 Medjool date, 2 spoonfuls of hemp seeds, 1 scoop of Greens+, about a cup of almond milk, and a few handfuls of baby spinach. Tasty.
I actually notice a big difference in how I look and feel when I eat more greens, and I’ve found that adding a few handfuls to my morning smoothie has been the easiest way to get them in… especially during those times where I’m just not feeling the salads (read: the last 3 months). And yes…I realize it looks like a cup of swamp water, but I promise you it tastes infinitely better.
Shortly after that, it was time for coffee…
I’m not someone who can drink coffee first thing in the morning — I need some food and water in my belly first. I usually start my day with 2 or 3 cups of water, move on to a cup of my favourite tea, have breakfast, and then whip up a homemade latte about 2 or 3 hours after I wake up. This one was extra epic because I sweetened it with a homemade date syrup, and if you’ve never paired coffee and dates… you need to get on that!
And I needed a snack that I could chew on after all that liquid, so I had a bowl of white basmati rice cooked in coconut milk and sweetened with honey. Kind of random to reach for in the morning, but… meh.
Lunch came in two parts because I was hungry and couldn’t figure out what the heck I wanted to eat. Part 1 was a salad made with baby greens, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, mushrooms, chickpeas, avocado, and a homemade tahini dressing…
While Part 2 was an experimental French toast bake that I’m hoping to share the recipe for soon…
Is it just me, or are you guys the snackiest in the afternoon too? My appetite seems to be the craziest between the hours of 2 and 5, which is why having a bowl of Mini Eggs and jellybeans sitting within arms reach while I work probably isn’t the best idea š But… #Easter.
And because I generally photograph my recipes in the afternoons, and it’s impossible for me to get through a shoot without wanting to eat my subject, I snacked on a almond fudge protein bar, which I seriously wish I could make more often because they may just be one of my favourite recipes that I’ve ever posted. It’s just a little hard to make old recipes when you’re constantly experimenting with new ones #foodbloggerproblems.
But if we really wanna talk #foodbloggerproblems, let’s talk about the fact that I had [almost] the same thing for dinner that I had for lunch…
I always test and tweak my recipes multiple times before I post the finished product, and well… someone’s gotta eat the trials! Thankfully, I think I’ve found my winner, so no more French toast for dinner. Sad face.
Aaaaaand because clearly I didn’t eat enough breakfast foods today, cereal as a snack to finish off the day…
Happy Wednesday, friendly faces! š
What’s the first thing you drink in the morning?
When are you usually the hungriest?
What’s your favourite breakfast food to have for dinner?
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Hi Amanda! The ugliest smoothies are usually the best tasting and the best for you! And yes, I’m always snacky in the afternoon as well. And I’m glad you try your recipes before sharing them with us! hehehe It’s just part of the job. Happy WIAW! š
So much truth to the smoothie statement! Especially if you try adding cocoa powder to a green smoothie. Then you -really- end up with pond water.
I am always starving between 4-6pm and def need some snack age then and i drink tons of water with lemon or raw apple cider vinegar first thing and it helps me to wake up and feel less groggy for sure. You swamp juice looks divine – I am all about green smoothies even though they look like pond water:)
#singlegirlproblems … The moment you realize you have no one to share food with in the house! But hey, more for us! Haha! The first thing I drink in the morning is a couple sips of water while my coffee is brewing. The minute I wake up, I want liquid gooooooold!
My favorite breakfast food for dinner is either diner pancakes with chocolate chips && bananas or oatmeal with all the fix-ins!
2-5pm is definitely when I’m most restless, usually hungry and probably can’t focus. In an ideal world the thats when I’d want to workout, but alas that 9-5 grind. Love all your photos.
Those hours are the worst when it comes to focus for me too. And I can’t work out, either! I keep the weirdest hours… with early mornings and late nights being my best times.
I seem to always be dehydrated when I wake up so I go dfor water. I don’t drink coffee so after water I’ll have either tea or a smoothie of some sort.
Coffee first thing EVERY morning…
I’m usually the hungriest after a early morning workout…I want to eat my hand and my stomach is YELLING at me…
Pancakes are always a good one for dinner!
I always wake up and gulp down a load of water! Then I make a hot water with manuka honey and lemon – sets me up nicely for the day!
I am always my hungriest about an hour after CrossFit – I train at 6.30am and only have a couple of dates for an energy boost before I head. Then about an hour after I finish, my tummy starts growling at me!
Anything with eggs for me is a winner for breakfast lunch or dinner – those folk who keep them simply for breakfast are crazy!
Oh that French Toast Bake looks yummy! Can’t wait for the recipe.
Quick question for you…do you have the recipe for your homemade date syrup that you used in your coffee? I’m trying to transition out of my really-bad-for-you creamer. š
I don’t, unfortunately š But I’m planning on posting one within the next couple of weeks! I just have to get the measurements down…
I also have a little collection of mini eggs on my desk right now. Of course, I keep offering them to co-workers in the hopes they’ll disappear a little faster š
That’s the problem with working from home! š” š
I’ve definitely been more into drinking greens lately, also!
Love this – I end up eating the craziest things on the days I’m food testing – granola for ages, eggs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But luckily even the fails aren’t terrible (unless they are terrible in which they go in the trash). Your day of eats looks fantastic!
Since most mornings mean going to CrossFit, I usually have my Spark + Rehydrate drink (from AdvoCare). After that, I’m all about water! I’m trying to be better at drinking it throughout the day – I fell off the bandwagon for a bit! I’m usually the hungriest right at the end of my work day, RIGHT before I get to head home for dinner. And lastly, we love to have pancakes, eggs and bacon. But really? I had waffles last night, so anything is fair game!
Breakfast foods are just a win all around š And I was slacking on my water intake for a while there too, but I noticed a -huge- difference in how I felt when I got better at it. That’s enough motivation for me!
I think we’re complete opposites in regards to what we have in the morning! I usually have a really hard time drinking a lot of water first thing in the morning, but coffee is a whole other story. BRING ME ALLLLL THE JAVA š . And so many good eats! I’m a bit skeptical on the sweet rice you made, but I can totally see it being delish. Just not a flavor combo I ever thought of! And I seriously can relate to your food blogger problemz. So hard to make old favorites when you have to keep creating new content constantly!
I’m the same with coffee! I always drink lots of water, eat my breakfast, then sip on a coffee while I catch up on all my favourite blogs. Also the same about being hungriest in the afternoon. About an hour after lunch I just want allllll the food.
Your cereal mix looks amazing! Why have I never tried raisins in cereal?! Sounds so good plus an extra texture! Yum.
It’s definitely a great way to add some extra sweetness! And it’s even better when you toss some chocolate chips in there as well š
Soooo #foodbloggerproblems seriously… I never remake old recipes. Ok maybe not neverrrrr, but not nearly as often as I would like to! There are a few staples but for the most part I’m just trying to come up with new stuff!
Your WIAW posts always make me smile…and drool a bit ;)! I’m excited for the French Toast bake recipe- looks scummy! Like you, I can’t drink coffee first thing in the morning despite my love for the stuff. I prefer to start off my day with a few glasses of water followed by a cup of hot water & lemon. My coffee intake usually starts post-breakfast. Omelettes are my fave brinner food….as tonight’s dinner proved!
First thing I drink in the morning is a mug of hot lemon water. I love how it starts my day! Whatever your french toast meal is, I’m looking forward to the recipe!
I drink 0.5 ltr after waking up straight from the bottle, to my breakfast I drink a huge muf (about 0.5 ltr as well) of green tea with fresh ginger, and a squeeze of lemon. I’m the HANGIREST in the mornings!! However, I always manage to make a great breakfast and don’t just shovel anything and everything into my face š I’m that disciplined, haha!Ā° Because I more often than not have a savoury breakfast, I sometimes have a bowl of oatmeal in the evening. Not bad at all!
That french toast bake seriously made me swoon. I LOVE french toast, and yours looks so fluffy! š
I’m the opposite of you; I love having a cup of coffee when I first wake up. I can handle it down better than food. I also have been having cereal before bed. I just find it so satisfying.
P.S. I’m on a smoothie kick right now as well with all.the.greens!
Start with water (just to take my vitamins lol) than it’s HOT Coffee. I’m starting the Green Smoothie soon (just ordered online) I got the Flu over a week ago and really struggled shaking it UGH, figured Greens will help, even thought that’s my diet anyway (Vegan Plant-based) guess I need more. Rice is my top favorite food group, so good. Great post Amanda have a wonderful day.
Arlene
Sorry to hear that, Arlene! This time of the year seems to be tough in general — I’ve heard a lot of people complain about colds and flus even though they eat super healthy!
I always have a green smoothie in the morning. I have been doing it for years and it’s one habit I am glad I have! All of your eats look amazing. When I don’t feel like leaving the house I just make a honey cashew milk latte and it is heavenly! Thanks for sharing and I definitely need to get on that almond butter fudge!
It looks like it’s going to become a habit for me as well! I just love that it satisfies both the hunger and thirst aspect of things.
I like you wait to drink my coffee because if I don’t I will just keep chugging through the day! I swear if I wait my body uses the energy and doesn’t become a “need”! All of your goodness looks delicious xo C
Yayyyy! A WIAW post! I drink coffee first thing in the morning, and I’d eat any type of breakfast food for dinner. I love mixing all kinds of different cereals into my bowl. It’s a gold mine of happy.
YES! Omg yes. The textures and flavours — I can’t eat cereal any other way.
Your food photos make me wish I was there to trial run your recipes š I have also eaten the same thing twice in one day for one reason or another.
The mini eggs are dangerous. I bought one bag this season and it was a problem from the second they were opened.
http://www.divaandthedivine.com
Oh girl, I know -exactly- what you mean. I tell myself I’ll only have a few, and then the whole bag is gone and I’m looking for more š
Juice. …it’s a habit I’d like to break. Just waiting for summer when we turn all our juice into popsicles. I always find myself hungry when the kids take a nap. And we love breakfast casseroles for dinner at our house!
I am definitely hungriest between 2:00 – 4:00 although I also wake up starving so let’s just say I am super hungry whenever I haven’t eaten in a couple of hours lol
#storyofmylife
Alllll the jelly beans!! Oh, and lunch looks great too. Yup, all about the sweets n’ greens around here. š
I also drink a bunch of water in the morning. I’ve recently been adding some Apple Cider Vinegar to it as well! Can’t tell if it’s working yet or not..we shall see š
Jelly Beans are the best! And the colors are amazing. I could go for some right now..
Lots of people swear by the ACV cocktail! I did it for a while but found that it gave me some nasty heartburn later in the day. That’s when my stomach was kind of wonky in general, though, so I should probably try it out again and see if anything changed.
I’m loving the look of that French Toast bowl..can’t wait for the recipe! I am definitely an afternoon snacker too.
My favorite breakfast food at dinner is most definitely eggs! I could eat them every. single. day.
I also get pretty ravenous between lunch and dinner. I try to keep something healthy within reach, but I’m usually craving something crunchy/salty.
How about baby carrots and hummus? Or some kind of cracker/crisp and hummus? Crunchy, salty, and pretty darn healthy š
Okay, that was definitely the last picture of Easter candy I could take without starting to feel completely left out. Because the fact is the amount of that in this house in 2015: ZERO. Yes, that would mean not a single tiny bag was purchased by either my mum or me. Granted, I have a big enough chocolate stash in either way but … it’s not Easter candy. Fact.
Your morning snacks reminds me – okay, I didn’t actually need the reminder because it’s been on my mind for-ev-er – of my intention to finally prepare rice pudding again. The classic way. Real milk, not almond, sugar. Plain, simple and just the way my mum used to when I was a little one. I’ve been craving it for months and therefore totally approve of your morning snack.
Also, a French Toast bake?! I’ve never had French toast before but imagining something decidedly warm and cinnamon-y it has to taste amazing.
Can you believe that I’ve never had rice pudding? Which is just crazy considering how much rice I ate growing up. I love it sweet, but I’ve never had it recooked in milk and sugar! I say definitely do it if the craving has been following you for a while now š
Well, then Iād say we should both have some good old rice pudding soon š . Though I recommend preparing it the way it’s done over here: not recooking cold rice but starting out with cooking short grain rice in milk. My mim actually used to go with the ‘bed method’ where you bring milk and rice to a boil, then take it off the stove and let it continue cooking wrapped tightly in a thick blanket.
Haha! If only that was the hardest job in the world! š Ohh that french toast! It has been so long since I have had it. I actually get hungrier at night or early morning.
As always, GORGEOUS photos! I love Cadbury mini eggs…there’s nothng better!
That salad! Yummo!
French toast bake?! Gimme!! I cannot wait for you to post the recipe.
Soon! It’ll be up Friday š
Yup, I’m the same with coffee! Need water and food first. I want to replicate your smoothie one morning. I’m a little bit scared of green smoothies but this looks very tasty š
I promise you that you can’t taste the greens -at all-… especially if you use a really mild tasting green like spinach. It just tastes really sweet and refreshing!
I have been having oatmeal a lot for dinner lately! I would say I am hungriest from the 2 to 6 timeframe. It is often when my day drags the most.
I find I feel better with greens in me but haven’t been eating many lately š I wouldn’t complain about French Toast for dinner š That reminds me I need to find a dinner tonight, haha. I am usually hungriest right before lunch. I have to go quite a few hours without a snack at work so I am starving by that point!Typically the first thing I drink is hot water these days!
So true about food blogger problems! You really do end up eating the same thing. I went to a food photography class recently and the woman couldn’t believe nloggers actually ate the food. She was telling us to use scotch guard and other non edible things. The entire class gasped in shock.
I’ve actually read a lot of those kind of tips myself, and yeah… I could definitely see them working… but I hate wasting food so it would be so hard to implement them!
I do not see this as a foodbloggerproblem I see it as a foodbloggerwinnnnnning (unless it is a terrible recipe, in which case…. well, can’t help you there!). My foodbloggerproblem would be having to eat at weird times or else deal with terrible lighting. Not that my pics are that great, but still!
The struggle is real! Or always having to eat your food cold because you have to photograph it first.