Thank you guys so much for wishing Spoons a happy birthday. He (she? it?) appreciates it very much 🙂
Today we’re gonna shift gears and switch from blog talk to food talk – it is What I Ate Wednesday after all, and people do love talking about food. Not surprising. Food is good stuff. Delicious, nutritious… auspicious (?? 😯 ). What’s not to love?
Sometimes I can’t help but wonder where our fascination with food comes from. Why do we spend so much time talking about it? Thinking about it? Ogling it? I mean, sure, it’s kind of essential to our survival, but air is a necessity too and you don’t see us obsessing over that.
Could our fascination with food be a result of the fact that it confuses the hell out of us? With all the information out there on how to eat, what to eat, when to eat, it’s easy to feel like we’re doing it wrong. Could we just be on a constant quest of trying to figure out how to do it right? Ha! Can you imagine what our ancestors would think if we told them we think we might be eating incorrectly? Good grief. But that’s human nature for ya – we like to have things down to a science, even if it’s something we already intuitively know and the process of doing so just confuses us more than anything else.
But even with all the confusion surrounding food, there are still certain things that are always a good idea; so if you won’t object, allow me to share some of those with you…
Good idea… deviating from my beloved AB/honey combo and starting the day with chocolate instead…
I woke up with a mad craving for chocolate, and since I’m trying to work on not procrastinating so much, I figured I should deal with it right away 😉 This was simply half a cup of oats cooked with an egg white and half a banana, with 1 Tbsp. of cocoa powder added in post-cooking.To complete  the ensemble, roasted almond butter and a sprinkle of Enjoy Life Double Chocolate Crunch granola for some added texture (and more chocolate).
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Good idea… tossing a tea bag in my morning coffee…
This was just a Pike from Starbucks with a splash of milk and a baggie of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea tossed in. I know, I know – it’s nowhere near Christmas and I completely skipped over a season, but when I was looking through my tea stash, this is the flavour that I figured would taste the best… and it did. Definitely going to be doing this on a regular basis.
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Good idea… preparing for the Apocalypse by stock piling fresh nectarines from the farmers market…
Having an obscene amount of peaches/nectarines means the fact that I’ve been eating my weight in them on a daily basis is completely justified, right? I mean, I can’t let them go bad, and they’re so good around this time of year.
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Good idea… salsa on salads [and basically everything else]…
I love salsa and will unashamedly eat it straight from the jar with a spoon. It definitely helps when I have something to toss it on, though, like this basic salad that I threw together just to satisfy a chicken craving. And speaking of chicken craving… I’ve found myself craving that and veggies on a more regular basis lately. Kind of bizarre, but I’m going with it…
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Good idea… keeping the doctor away by eating an apple (or 4) a day…
If you’ve never tried these, STAY AWAY – they’re insanely addicting. If I’m not paying attention (which I’m usually not), I can easily finish a bag without even realizing it. They claim to have 4 apples per bag, so I guess I won’t be taking a trip to see the doctor anytime soon… And to feed my addiction even more? They were on a killer sale in the grocery store the other day, so I think I’m stocked for the next… 2 weeks? 😆
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Good idea… picking up a new-to-me flavour of kombucha…
Holy.snap, I may have a new favourite flavour. Although to be honest, I think this is just an old flavour rebranded… Either way, it was delicious. I’ve actually had to give up drinking the Trilogy flavour because it was giving me some major stomach problems – the other flavours are fine, but Trilogy? Noooot okay. I’ve noticed it to be a lot more fizzy lately, so maybe that has something to do with it??
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Good idea… making/eating/cozying up to these 😉
Sad day, friends… my Almond Fudge Protein Bars are no more. Between sharing and snacking, I managed to go through the whole batch in… what… 2.5 days? I’m really tempted to whip up some more, but I’ve got a few other recipes rolling around in my brain and I need to start experimenting with those. Boo.
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Good idea…Â breakfast for dinner…
It’s been a while since I’ve had breakfast for dinner, and an even longer while since I’ve had scrambled eggs. I like eggs, but definitely go through phases with them. Â A craving hit the other night, though, so I scrambled a couple of eggs with milk, mushrooms, parmesan, and deli chicken, and had those alongside a random handful of veggies dressed in olive oil and salt. And because no meal is complete without some carbs…
… a bowl of cereal made an appearance a short while later. Have you ever tried mixing Cinnamon Harvest with cinnamon Puffins? It’s a good idea 😉
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Good idea… combining sweet things with salty things…
I picked up The Great Gatsby on my way home yesterday and ended my day by sitting down to watch that alongside some perfect movie snacks – popcorn and chocolate. This was a bag of Oogie’s kettle corn and a few After Eight mints. Hit.the.spot.
Happy Wednesday, friends! 😀
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Do you ever eat chocolate for breakfast?
Eggs: are you a fan?
What’s one food you have a ridiculously hard time controlling yourself around?
Your turn! Good idea… _____________.
sarah
Well, if Running With Sponns is a guy, it’s awfully camp. Look at all the pink! Your blog & its design & everything, is looking super cute BTW.
Soooo I made your fudge, (disclaimer: I quartered the recipe to make 1 lurrvly serving, & added a pinch of salt).
Oh my ,my ,my. You did good Amanda, you did good.
The taste, texture…heck even the smell of it , ugh AMAZING.
It is probably for the best I didn’t make a full size batch. As my self-control would be severely lacking, & by lacking, I mean totally NON EXISTANT around the stuff :p. More power to ya’ for making it last a whole 2.5 days.
Fab WIAW post as always :D.
Xxx
sarah
Aha, just saw your wonderful bars on Healthy Aperture, whad’I tell ya :).
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome
All of the above look like great ideas to me! Especially the last one. I haven’t had kettlecorn, let alone popcorn in way too long. With dark chocolate in the mix! Yum!
I’m going to have to look for that Kombucha! Sounds super yummy and I’m always open to trying new flavors. I need to make my own one of these days…
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I keep meaning to try brewing it myself too, but I’m kind of scared that I’ll do something wrong and end up making myself sick 😯
Sarah @ Feeeding the Brain and Body
I am totally with you on the salsa thing. I put salsa on practically everything, or I use it to make a sauce with greek yogurt. You don’t even want to know how many jars I go through haha! Chocolate in the morning is always a great idea. My story is I need the extra caffeine 🙂 I haven’t had Kombusha in almost a year, I suddenly have a strong craving!
P.S Those protein bars look incredible. I must go check them out!
Annie @ my fuel and fitness diaries
I cannot control myself around ice cream. Or cool whip. Or dips/deserts made out of cool whip. Its kinda embarrassing!!!
Mike
I’m absolutely craving that breakfast for dinner with eggs that you posted, Amanda! Looks absolutely light, filling and healthy!! 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld
Look at you, already implementing the spice of life with a different take on breakfast 😉 Whenever I make chocolate oats it ticks the breakfast box, or muffins with chocolate chips in it. Eggs are a daily staple for me- I love how you added cheese and milk- thats my two omelette/scramble necessities.
Good idea- adding sea salt whenever (feasibly) possible. And you can never go wrong with sweet and salty!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I think you may have inspired me to try to eat a different breakfast every day for a week. Maybe 😉 We’ll see what I can come up with starting next week. And salt is -always- a good idea in oats.
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life
I think a ton of our obsession with it comes from the fact that we’re confused about what to do with it! It’s supposed to be good for us, but so much of what’s bad for us tastes good, and that alone is confusing. Plus, it’s nice to look at. 😉
I can’t wait to get my hands on my very own copy of The Great Gatsby!!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I think that your blog is definitely a “she” ;). Girl power!!
Liz @ The Girl on Fire Now
Those protein bars still look amazing – and so do the oats 🙂
Alex @ Kenzie Life
Breakfast for dinner (or B for D as I call it) is one of my favorite things! When I lived in Greece, my friends and roommates and I had “B for D” every Thursday with mimosas made from peach champagne and a juice that is only sold in Greece called Motion. Motion Mimoas and Greek style pancakes (cooked in olive oil, what else?)…the good ol’ days 🙂
Ellie@Fit for the soul
Oh dannng so much good food! Your bars look like they’d be amazing and super hearty, so I don’t blame you for finishing ’em up. 🙂 And I have a hard time controlling myself with nut butters, biscoff, and key lime flavored Chobani!!!! Oh mannnn~that last one is so good and addictive.
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
I’ve tried chocolate in my oatmeal a few times, but I don’t have it that way too often. I love chocolate and banana smoothies though!
I definitely go through phases with eggs too. Sometimes I don’t want them at all, and other times I eat them like everyday for a week! I always eat them more often when I can get local free range ones from the market though.
Good idea: Getting a donut from Kelly’s Bake Shoppe yesterday! 😀
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Chocolate is usually too bold of a flavour for me in the morning as well, but sometimes the cravings just come out of the blue. And I completely agree about the local eggs – I’ve been getting mine at the market and they taste so much better than the ones in the store.
Lianne @ EAT and get MOVING
Those bars look like heaven! Seriously 😀
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
Not sure how I missed those no bake almond bars recipe, but I’m heading over to pin those babies 😀
Liz (formerly VeggieGirl)
Chocolate is most definitely part of a complete breakfast 😀
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom
Sometimes I like to put chocolate chips in my oatmeal or on my yogurt bowls. Ain’t no shame in that. Not a fan of eggs…they weird me out. I don’t like the texture and they hurt my stomach…but that might just be a mental thing. I have a hard time controlling myself with ice cream or dark chocolate pomegranates. Can’t say no..and certainly cannot follow a serving size! I’ve recently fallen in love with jalapeño hummus, though, and I’m having a hard time saying no to that 😉
Good idea is cottage cheese on a salad or blueberries and peanut butter (not on a salad, but together in my belly).
Maria @ Pappa Don't Preach
Um, We’re in the same boat with chocolate! Woke up craving it too! I had a chocolate protein shake but I want MORE! And there is none in my vicinity! Not okay.
I love eggs, but egg whites only. I do not like yolk, even when it’s scrambled in. I love the consistency of egg white omelets. They make my life.
I need to find that kombucha flavor STAT!!!
Eating 4 Balance
I think if air tasted half as delicious as food then we would ogle over that too. Grape flavored comes to mind really. That would totally fit right into a Willy Wonka movie along with those bubble drinks and gum that tastes like a 7 course meal.
I kind of love the fact that you can pack in the nutrients of 4 apples into a small bag like that. At the same time though it’s just so easy to go through the dried fruit so quickly!
You make cereal look so classy.
The Great Gatsby?! New or old? I’m assuming new, but you never know 😀 How did you like it? I thought it was pretty amazing but I think Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the best actors to walk this earth.. so…
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
New one! It was my first time watching and I really liked it. A little long so it took me a few sits to get through, but I thought it was really well done.
Natalie @ Lift,Sleep, Eat
Chocolate for breakfast – of course haha! On regular days I’ll just incorporate chocolate flavoured things usually but on Christmas morning I go the whole hog and usually end up eating bars of chocolate for breakfast..hey its only one day a year right haha ;). Chocolate is pretty much the only food I can’t control myself around – its just so good and there’s so many delicious types! Drool!
Love, love, love eggs pretty much in any form, depending on my mood usually haha!
Popcorn + M&Ms are a great combo together as well! Crunchy sweet n salty goodness.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Christmas and birthdays are completely acceptable – and even necessary – occasions to do just that! 😀
Ashlee@HisnHers
Ohhh so glad you closed your WIAW with that because NOW I know what I’m doing tonight! Great Gastsby and popcorn . YES!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Mixing sweet and salty is a perfect combination. I love dark chocolate with a sprinkle of sea salt.
I still need to find and try these apple chips. They even look addicting.
It’s hard to understand why the body craves what it craves, but like you, I just roll with it.
Have a great day.
Lauren
I used to drink chocolate milk every day after I ran in high school as a breakfast. Chocolate for breakfast reminds me of my dad because it’s the first thing he grabs when he wakes up. I get it from my papa, I guess. 😉 I definitely went through a dippy egg phase a week ago. I ate eggs for like 4 days straight and now I haven’t eaten once since then. Lol I definitely have a hard time controlling myself around ice cream sundae bars and chocolate fountains. It’s a good idea to start your day off with coffee. 😀
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I will definitely say Amen to that
Lisa C.
Chocolate for breakfast? Every day. Is that weird?
morgan
ok so my breakfast was totally inhaled by the time I read yout post, but it was a chocolate whey special dark cocoa powder egg white pancake breakfast! with a side of fresh brewed ginger lime Kombucha. tea & chocolate for breakfast? I think you read my mind….. and it was so tasty, I might repeat the exact thing for dinner 🙂 the joys of being an adult!
Cassie @RedLetterDaye
How was Gatsby?! I can’t wait to see it.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I really liked it! A little long, but really well done.
Beth @ Mangoes and Miles
One of my favorite oatmeal toppings is chocolate chips. Especially if the oatmeal is hot, then the chocolate melts and you swirl it around and it’s one giant bowl of chocolatey goodness. I tend to stray away from sweets during breakfast though because it makes me crave sugar for every minute of the day. I love the cocoa powder idea–it’s not too sweet and doesn’t have sugar so it theoretically shouldn’t spike my sweet tooth…now I just need to find some cocoa powder. 😉
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I definitely find my sweet tooth starts raging a little more than usual if my breakfast is too sweet, but cocoa powder is a little more bitter and earthy so it satisfies the chocolate craving without making me feel all crazy. And you can find it in the baking section of the grocery store 😛
Alex @ therunwithin
I am glad you share my popcorn love. I won’t lie, I want to dive into that bag you pictured like now. MMMMMMMM Also salsa on anything is a great great thing
Rebecca
I haven’t had chocolate for breakfast in…years. But my favorite cereal when I was younger was always Cocoa Puffs! I was only allowed it on my birthday. I would still love to have a bowl of that chocolatey goodness.
I go through phases of liking eggs, like you. I ate scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast for about 3 months straight, and now I’m in the phase where I’m totally sick of ’em!
I have a hard time controlling myself around chips and salsa/guacamole. I always feel bad when I fill up on guacamole before the real food has even been served!
Brittany
I’m so glad that I am not the only one that whirls through my baked goods in less than 3 days haha. I must share some though, or I will eat the entire batch in less than three days..that would be NO BUENO! I really think I will be making these bars this week! YUM! I love all your good ideas, they are GREAT IDEAS to me! I have to say I am not an egg fan..I would like to have chickens someday and when they are my own I will possibly use their eggs for baking..but not to eat. I just don’t like the smell/taste that much!
Jamie @ fitfortherun
If i eat chocolate for breakfast its in the form of a protein bar! I loove eggs, but they never really fill me up. I can’t control myself around trail mix and potato chips!!!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Ohhh trail mix is impossible! And if there’s chocolate chips involved? I’m basically done for…
MassachusEATS
Love breakfast for dinner! And salsa on salads – the best kind of dressing. 🙂
Angela @ Health's Angel
YES to the chocolate for breakfast thing. I mean, I usually love chocolate anyway but lately it’s just been sounding THAT much better. I’ve been doing chocolate oatmeal in the morning as well- with a banana and some vanilla extract!
I definitely go through phases with eggs, too. Lately I’ve been into them. I love scrambling one up with some quinoa and veggies. My stomach doesn’t always like eggs, however…
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green
I loooove mojitos so much! I have to try that kombucha, I’ve only had the grape one of that brand. And I also put salsa on everything. It makes everything taste better.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
So nooow I get what you were talking about last night. Can I just blame the fact that my brain shuts down at 11 pm? :-p
And eggs. Pffft. That’s like asking me if I like chocolate. Or peanut butter. It just goes without saying. I actually didn’t have any for breakfast today, which means that I will probably be having them for lunch.
And salsa works on literally everything. With chips, with eggs, on a salad, with a spoon :-p just never a bad choice.
And I will also take chocolate at any point in the day, but it’s been a while since I had it for breakfast. As a kid though? Pretty sure my go-to breakfast order in restaurants was chocolate chip pancakes, and if we ever went to Tim Horton’s in the morning I’d be all over their chocolate chip muffins (can you tell I’ve been a carb fiend since childhood?)
If I make oats for breakfast tomorrow I maaaay be throwing some cocoa powder in there. One of the few pantry staples that I haven’t packed away yet is my cocoa powder, because you just never know when you’re going to need it (which I do pretty often).
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Oh man, that reminds me of the crazy chocolate chip muffin phase I went through as a kid. My parents would buy these bulk packs of HUGE chocolate chip muffins once in a while, and I remember them being a breakfast of choice. Clearly I’ve always been a health fiend 😉
Kacie @ Lace up with Kace
I love chocolate at breakfast time! Donuts, chocolate chip pancakes! Also, I love eating salsa on salad too! It’s a great substitute for dressing!
jessiebearwhat
Holy yum, those bars. So pinning that.
meredith
Is it weird that I never want chocolate at breakfast? I think it is weird considering I am a sweet tooth at heart. In my early 20’s, I only ate sweet foods for lunch and made frozen yogurt count as dinner more often than I care to admit to back then…Besides cocoa cocoa pebbles as a kid and the occasional chocolate chip pancakes, breakfast is never about chocolate…as for eggs, they are neither here nor there to me. On the rare occasion I have a craving for eggs, I do make sure to eat them though.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Not weird at all! Chocolate is definitely one of those bolder tastes that doesn’t always appeal first thing in the morning… even I don’t find myself craving it that often.
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug
Nothing beats fresh fruit in season!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye
Putting tea into your coffee sounds like an AMAZING idea!! I have a couple of chai tea bags and am going to try that this morning. I’ll let you know how it goes! Oh, and I guess today will be an Amanda-inspired one, because I’m also giving your protein bars a whirl! They look too good to pass up :D.
Great eats! <3