How’s your week going? Because of Labor Day last week, this is our first full week of class so it feels good to be in a rhythm and fully into the swing of things. And you guys, I cannot get enough of this cooler weather. Nick and I walked to get ice cream last night and I had on leggings, a long sleeve, and a jacket. The mornings are crisp and hot oatmeal is back!
Mondays and Wednesdays I have to leave my apartment by 8am so breakfast is eaten on my way uptown to Columbia. This week, I’m all about the classic banana + PB oatmeal…except this is oatbran. I posted on IG and some of you asked about a recipe– this is just 1/3 cup dry oatbran, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, a splash of cinnamon, a heafty sprinkle of cinnamon and a dash of sea salt. Let it simmer away until all the liquid is absorbed and then stir in a chopped banana and top with a respectable spoonful of PB. If you haven’t had Trader Joe’s flax and chia PB, go get some.
Pancakes hold me over way, way longer than oatmeal though so by 11am I was about to eat my arm off, so I ate some almonds in class.
And then was more than ready for lunch by 12:30. Some days are just hungry days. I ate in the sunshine while doing some freelance work and answering emails. It was cool and breezy and I was super grateful to be able to have a job that allows me to work anywhere.
I’m still working my way through this super dense seedy bread I made last week, so with a slice of that I had kale salad [if you live in NYC, organic kale is 2/$4 at Whole Foods, heyyyy!] with tomatoes and bell pepper + lemon tahini dressing . Plus a kiwi, some cucumber + hummus and a couple squares of dark chocolate.
And after working for a couple hours, I was hungry again. Before heading to a cycling class, I ate a couple sunflower raisin energy balls I made in about 5 minutes yesterday by throwing this is my Vitamix and then rolling it into balls:
Chocolate Coconut Sunflower Bites
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
2/3 cup organic raisins
6 tbsp unsweetened coconut
3 tbsp cacao powder [or cocoa powder will do too]
1/4 tsp sea salt
And then spun my little heart out at a cycle class. I’m fighting some IT band issues with training for the NYC marathon, so while I could run– it’s uncomfortable and I don’t want to really piss off my IT band so I’m taking this week off from running and cross training instead.
I showered, biked home and drank a green smoothie while throwing together dinner because I was too hungry to wait. In the Vitamix, 1 cup homemade cashew milk, 1/2 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen organic spinach, and 1/2 scoop Vega sport. I reheated gingery red lentils I made on Sunday, mashed a yukon gold potato with some butter, and sautéed up some TJs frozen green beans with coconut oil.
After dinner, Nick and I walked to get a salty crunch sundae from Chloe’s because it was so nice out and we were both craving it. But I was still hungry when I got home so I ate some flattened banana with PB and chocolate and then tucked into bed to read by 10:30 – cheers to early bedtimes!
And that’s a wrap to a hungry WIAW.
Eat something awesome today, okay?
![5 Minute On The Go Breakfast [Daily Eats]](https://www.thereallife-rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/FullSizeRender-1-150x150.jpg)
![Eating From The Freezer [Daily Eats]](https://www.thereallife-rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/IMG_3676-150x150.jpg)
Loving this weather too…There is something so comforting at night about putting on a sweatshirt, while you cook dinner, but still having the windows open and smelling the beginning of FALL…No complaints here…I’m enjoying while I can before winter comes in full force. Happy Hump Day! XOXO
oh man, cooking dinner in a sweatshirt with the windows open is my favorite!! hope you’re having a great week 🙂 xo
I love being able to dine outdoors. I’m really digging the variety in your lunch, all the different flavor and colors!
And I know what you mean, some days your just really hungry!!
you’re 🙂
The MOMENT the air begins to feel like fall… hot oatmeal it is. Though I do agree, it just doses’t fill me up like pancakes or toast etc. does. And even though the air is getting cooler, I’m totally still digging the ice cream dates. Maybe I’ll just compromise and go for pumpkin ice cream!? Your eats looks gloriously nourishing and delicious, as always. Hope you have a nice week!
I had TJs pumpkin ice cream the other day and it was amazing- great idea 🙂
Those lentils you had for dinner look delicious! Especially beside a big serving of mashed potatoes! Yumm!
I am also loving the cooler temperatures! I sat on my front porch the other day and enjoyed a hot mug of tea while also wearing a light jacket. Heaven!
HEAVEN!
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! I love so may things about it; the colors, the smell of the air, squash season, apple season, cinnamon with everything, hot tea with everything…In Colorado, it’s still getting up to the high 80s but I was determined to enjoy my afternoon cuppa. I gladly sweated while I sipped my dandelion root and elderberry tea in the shade. I’m excited to make that super seed bread, it looks delicious! And those balls, gotta love quick snack balls 😉 Enjoy your day!
Ugh “many” not may. Haven’t had my green tea yet :-/
Yummm I need to try that peanut butter from Trader Joe’s. I usually just get the regular crunchy kind but the flax and chia sounds good!
And ohhhh man that sundae. Ice cream is my weakness!
obsessed with that PB- so much crunch!!
Your oatmeal is making me want to start eating it again!! Too bad it’s still kicking 90 degrees here in Kansas!! I have to wait for a little cooler weather before I go there! 🙂 And I love how you end your day…banana, peanut butter and chocolate..the BEST combo!
hoping you get some cooler temps soon! 🙂
What a great day of eats! Made your coconut popcorn today for snack! Also if you’re having IT band issues… I highly recommend the form roller! I feel like that’s the only way I’m able to run 10+ miles without having issues!!
I’m all over that foam roller! Feeling much better this week!
What are your thoughts on oat bran vs. regular oatmeal. I hear oat bran technically isn’t considered a whole grain..
I honestly don’t know the detailed differences, but ‘bran’ is the fibrous part of the whole grain – so while not a whole grain, it’s the part of the grain that gives you the health benefits of whole grains so you’re getting the best part! Kind of like only eating the skin of an apple
I’d love a post on book recommendations — both ready for health/nutrition and just general entertainment!
putting it on my “blog idea” list! 🙂
Aw hope your IT band issues clear after some rest. And good on you for staying off of it for a bit – I’m sure that can take serious willpower when you’re in training mode. My boyfriend is allergic to nuts/peanuts and bars and bites like that are SO rarely nut-free so I am super excited about that recipe. Thanks for sharing and for another WIAW full of meal inspiration!!
It’s feeling better thankfully! Hope you like the bites!
Chloe’s sounds amazing! I’ll have to remember to hit that up next time I’m in NYC!
Also, your blog totally got me hooked on 90% Lindt! That and the TJ’s 85% are my faves now!
LOVE LINDT dipped in PB! And you have to try Chloe’s- perfect afternoon pick me up!
You seem so happy and appreciative for everything in your life, it’s such a refreshing read every time I come to your blog. I always find myself feeling more blessed and content when I read your words and see the extent of your gratefulness.
On another note, have you noticed an increase in appetite since living in the city (with walking, etc)? Are you still around 3000 cals every day or just on days you’re extra hungry?
I’m recovering from an ED and trying to honor my hunger, sometimes that means more sometimes less but never under 2400 thanks to you and your honest WIAWs 🙂 it feels so good to be eating this amount but its also hard to see people around me eating much less.
thank you so much for your sweet words, God is good 🙂
I don’t know how many calories I eat in a day but I know that when I first moved to the city I was hungry all the time from the walking/biking and activity of living in the city– but over a year later now I feel like my appetite has adjusted and an increased appetite is just my new “normal” if that makes sense– so all in all, the active lifestyle of living in the city makes it easy to eat a lot, ha. It’s hard to not compare to everyone around you with food, but there is so much freedom in stepping out of the comparison. I wrote a post a while back on food comparison that I hope is helpful 🙂 https://www.thereallife-rd.com/2014/02/wiaw-food-shaming-and-comparison.html