Living in the south, we don't have to endure the cold quite like the rest of the United States. I am of the firm belief that 70 degrees is borderline chilly in fact. This week has been in the upper 20's, so you can imagine how I'm feeling about that. Last night it dropped down to 11 degrees (not including wind chill). Well, having a 3-block walk at 7 am with the temp hovering at 11 degrees was not my idea of a good way to start the day, nor end the week. My husband works directly across the street from me, and the wonderful man that he is, he dropped me off at my office. He goes in at 9 though. So today I opted to work 9-5 through lunch. It gave me the opportunity to get up and workout this morning though, without having to get up painfully early. I did Cardio Fusion and abs. It was a great workout actually. I haven't done that DVD in a few weeks, so it didn't seem as boring. Time flew by.
I also had time to prepare a proper bowl of steel cut oats using an overnight method that Jessica raved about (she borrowed from Jenna at Eat Live Run). I will say that it made far more than I'm used to eating, and I'll keep that in mind. But it was really yummy and very filling. I love the nutty flavor and denser texture of the steel cut oats. For my version, I added vanilla soy milk, more cinnamon, vanilla protein powder, and blueberries. This may be one of the very few breakfast photos I post on a week day! However, I do think that I may start taking the time to do this recipe more often and reheat when I get to the office. It really left me satisfied until lunch. Normally I have a snack in between, but today I was just still too full. Lunch (sorry, now picture as I was at work) was red leaf lettuce, spinach, roasted red bell peppers, artichoke hearts, chickpeas and a balsamic vinaigrette. YUM.
Tomorrow is my sister's birthday party. Her birthday is actually Sunday, but you just can't have a proper bash on a Sunday. This will be her first birthday party for herself since her divorce this fall. I am going early to help her with everything. I'm doing most of the food for the event. Sort of a gift to her. I will let her take on the meat dishes though! The menu is a bit rough and hodgepodge right now. It'll likely change up a bit tomorrow. For the moment though, here is the plan:
- Bruschetta made with homemade ciabatta bread (toppings TBD, will take suggestions)
- Veggie tray
- Spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips
- Butternut squash and black bean chili (because it's so freaking cold)
- Corn bread (vegan recipe from Fat Free Vegan)
- Spice cupcakes with cream cheese icing
Heather,
ReplyDeleteIt is ridiculously cold here too. This transplanted Southerner has kept herself inside whenever possible.
I do like to do the overnight oats sometimes too. When it is cold a hot breakfast just seems to make sense.
For the bruschetta you could do a mushroom topping. I didn't see the "mushroom group" represented. I make an interesting mushroom and walnut pate with marsala. You could do a variation of that.
I hope it warms up at your place soon,
Alicia
There was a period when I was obsessed with steel cut oats. Now I haven't had them in a looong time. Too long! you've inspired me to get obsessed with them again! Haha!
ReplyDeleteAnd lol, you and I both...I grew up in Singapore, so anything below 70 degrees = chilly!
Alicia a mushroom topping sounds perfect! I am going to look up your recipe and may use that. I love mushrooms and can't believe I didn't think to use them somehow.
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia ! Thanks so much for stopping by, glad I could inspire you with the oatmeal! Just finished up the leftovers for breakfast this morning. By the way, I love that you have a "pizza" category on your site. YUM!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog...Seriously, at this big German store, they let you sample some dips, and there was a bruschetta dip with roased corn, toasted almonds, tomatoes and cilantro and it ROCKED!
ReplyDeleteHi Special K ! Thanks so much for stopping by! Yummy, sounds like a tasty combo. Thanks for sharing. May give that one a shot. Sounds easy enough to make (even better).
ReplyDeleteYay! You tried the overnight oats! So good, right?? I'm totally making some tonight for work tomorrow, maybe I'll try adding the protein powder (finally bought the brand Cathe recommended on the Forums!) in lieu of either the almond butter or the banana. Hmm.
ReplyDeleteJessica I just got back from the store with more steel cut oats for tomorrow! I'll probably do the blueberries again, but bananas really sound good to me right now.
ReplyDeleteMmm...all your eats look really yummy :)
ReplyDeleteCasey @ spicyandsweet thanks for the compliment and thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete