Oooog. You know how I said that I’d probably be home before eleven last night?
Yeaaaahhhh… didn’t happen.
What actually happened was that I walked through my door at around 12:30, eventually got my butt in bed a little after 1, and yet still somehow managed to wake up before the crack of dawn [read: 5:30]. If anyone knows how to reset the timer on one’s internal clock, let me know – I misplaced my manual.
Furthermore, I have no idea how I used to do this sort of thing all the time when I was younger. Throughout my mid-to-late-teens and early twenties, I was basically out every night and it was a rare thing for me to be home before midnight, yet I still functioned perfectly fine… but now? I’m tiiiiiired.
That being the case, the first thing on my mind this morning was this:
Coffee. Beautiful black liquid energy.
And no, I wasn’t so out of it that I needed a double shot this morning (I usually try to limit myself to one cup per day). The second cup was for my dad… honest! As far back as I can remember, me and my dad have always shared a cup of coffee in the morning – it’s our thing. We make a huge French press’ worth and then split it between the two of us. A nice way to start the day, for sure.
Another nice way to start the day? With a [food] party!
… and breakfast, of course. Remember the other day when I couldn’t decide between cookies or muffins? The same bout of indecision hit this morning… Chocolate oats? Vanilla oats?
Ahhh screw it. Chocolate AND vanilla oats.
And thus, half-and-half oats were born. All I did was cook up a regular batch of my eggy bananafied oats, added some vanilla extract, scooped out half into a bowl, threw a Tbsp. of cocoa powder into whatever remained in the pot, and voila – the best of both worlds, yet again.
Oh, and then I dressed it up with blueberries, the other half of the banana, and roasted almond butter.
After that I was good. to. go. Go where, exactly? Grocery shopping! I’ve been slacking pretty hardcore on my usual bi-weekly trips to the grocery store. Actually, the last time I went was probably… over a week ago(?), and I was running out of the essentials everything, so off I went.
Early morning grocery shopping is fantastic because there are barely any people in the store, and no line-ups to speak of. Nevermind that the one person in front of me just happened to be this little old lady who insisted on counting out the exact change from her coin purse – I was in no hurry. Well, that’s not entirely true… I wanted to get home because…
… it was snack time…
A Muffie and vanilla Greek yogurt.
… and swear like a sailor workout time…
Gosh my bangs are getting out of control… time for a snip, snip.
I tried flipping this picture, but then my hair looked all sorts of wrong and it just weirded me out in general… So, for those of us who aren’t dyslexic, that would be The New Rules of Lifting for Women. I’m still very much in love with this book and currently cursing my way through their workout program.
Why does it have to hurt so good…
So that I can appreciate lunch time even more!
Lunch was just some leftover Pumpkin Chilli Mexican Scramble alongside mashed avocado and cottage cheese. I was feeling used, bruised, and abused after my workout, and throwing together a creative lunch was more than I was willing to do. I didn’t even reheat this dish – just ate it cold.
Surprisingly good.
It was another gorgeous sunny day here in my neck of the woods, but I had some work-related errands to run so I didn’t get to spend the afternoon lazing about in the sun. Boo. I did, however, get to come home in time to enjoy an absolutely delicious snack…
A Deep Chocolate Vitamuffin and caramel pudding over vanilla Greek yogurt.
Hello and goodbye chocolate craving. And helloooooooo afternoon energy slump. My late night finally caught up with me, and I ended up taking a 20 minute power nap before dinner…
Yep, I’ve still been eating sweet and savory oats for dinner on a regular basis. Yep, I’ll probably get tired of them eventually. But until that day comes, I’ll be cherishing every moment I spend with them.
Love doesn’t have to make sense – it just has to feel right.
And now if you’ll excuse me, today’s nightly noshings are calling my name…
Popcorn with butter/nooch/salt … lavender/peppermint/camomile tea
… as is my couch/bed – but I’m gonna try to hold off on that one, because going to bed when the sun is still out in full force feels oh so very wrong…
Enjoy your night, loves. See you tomorrow for what I have a feeling is going to be a ranty post 😀
. – . – . – .
Do you get an energy buzz from coffee? I don’t, actually. I wouldn’t say my morning cup wakes me up so much as it makes me smile – breakfast is what gets me going.
Did you get some exercise in today? What did you do? Week two of the program!
Do you always heat up leftovers? I actually prefer most of my food cold… even freshly cooked meals – I usually let them get cold before I dig in.
I love the ying yang type look of the oats! Very sneaky 😉
and yes, I have to have my coffee! But one cup a day?! My minimum is two, but when I work maybe like… 6+ haha. it is healthy though, there have been studies… that’s what I tell myself. Plus it is GOOOOD!
Hope you are having a wonderful day!
Scott
I never even though of sweet and savory oats…..I’m intrigued!! Glad I found your blog!!!
Yummm everything looks delicious. I love when you don’t have to pick between vanilla and chocolate 😉 Popcorn is a great nightly nosh, nom! 😀
All of your eats look wonderful! I love the chocolate and vanilla oats idea,
All of your eats look wonderful! I love the chocolate and vanilla oats idea,
I sure miss coffee! I never really noticed that it woke me up or anything… it never really seemed to have any effect on me. I just LOVE the taste… but its been so long now that I’m starting to forget it! Eep!
Those oats remind me of a black and white cookie–except better. 🙂
Mmm… craving POPCORN now.
I know what you mean about the light, though! It feels so wrong to sleep when there’s light outside. Maybe that’s why we get up so early? Sometimes I swear my life is dictated by the sun! In the winter time, if I have no where to be, I’m usually in my PJs by 6pm. Now in summer, I don’t even get back from my evening walk until after 8!
Half and half oats…now THERE’S something I’d love to try! I basically love everything about this post…your lunch looks amazing! I love avocado so much…I could eat it everyday with NO problem at all, that’s for sure!
It’s sad but I need coffee to function, not for the energy boost! I’m currently obsessed with popcorn/peanut flour/cinnamon blend. It’s getting out of control. Confession: I’m bad at leftovers! They never seem appealing for some reason the next day.
Just letting you know that I always read your blog and I really do love it.
The way you enjoy your food and don’t fear it or worry over calories is really inspiring to me!
You eat so healthy, the way I wish I could, but certain things still do freak me out (like avocado.. or two helpings of pb in a day)..
So I went from anorexia to binging.
Now I’m trying to find the balance. But you seem to have it down so well.
Anyway, just thought I’d let you know that I look up to you, and I look forward to my continued reading of your blog 🙂
To answer the ?’s! … No, I don’t drink coffee.
yea, I ran 7+ miles this morning, and I’m swimming later. 🙂
No, I like my food cold sometimes, too!
Just letting you know that I always read your blog and I really do love it.
The way you enjoy your food and don’t fear it or worry over calories is really inspiring to me!
You eat so healthy, the way I wish I could, but certain things still do freak me out (like avocado.. or two helpings of pb in a day)..
So I went from anorexia to binging.
Now I’m trying to find the balance. But you seem to have it down so well.
Anyway, just thought I’d let you know that I look up to you, and I look forward to my continued reading of your blog 🙂
To answer the ?’s! … No, I don’t drink coffee.
yea, I ran 7+ miles this morning, and I’m swimming later. 🙂
No, I like my food cold sometimes, too!
Aww thanks girl 😀 It’s definitely not always easy, but it helps to stop and look at just how much happiness your fears and rules are robbing from you, and to try and refocus your attention on how good freedom feels 😀
What brand of caramel pudding do you use..it looks so yummy on top of a Vitatop!
I use Belsoy, and it’s very yummy 😀
I love that you and your Dad have coffee together every morning – what a great ritual!
I drink coffee practically everyday but it has never been an energy booster. If anything it makes me tired, but I just love it o so much!
There are so many good things going on in this post, I’m not sure where to start!
First, I love that you and your dad share a French press each morning. What a wonderful tradition…Coffee truly brings people together and creates better bonds. 🙂
Second, The New Rules of Lifting is a book I’ve had my eye on for a few weeks. Your plug had convinced me to bite the bullet and make the purchase. I’m hoping they have it at the airport bookstore today so that I can read it on the airplane. Hey, I may be sitting for six hours, but I can at least begin mentally preparing for the future burn!
Your Pumpkin Chili Mexican Scramble looks to die for. I want a bowl right now. Topped with lots of guacamole, just like yours.
Hope you got some quality rest last night! <3
I drink coffee, but don’t notice any effects of the caffeine…..I just love my coffee!!! 😀