WOW! I really loved all the comments on my last What I Ate Wednesday so I'm once again joining the link up with Sprint 2 The Table.
Eat when you're hungry, don't eat when you're full. It's a pretty simple concept, yet one that I struggle with on the daily. I don't need to be hungry to find myself reaching for snacks that I keep at my desk. Or to grab a Jolly Rancher as I pass a coworker's candy bowl. Or to pop a Hershey's kiss in my mouth every time I leave the physical therapy office just because they're sitting there.
I'm not going for mid-afternoon McFlurry's and fries - but I still think I should make a more concerted effort to listen to what my stomach is telling me. And if it's saying, "I'm still full from lunch," then I probably don't need to reach for the handful of granola just because I'm bored.
Similarly, if I hadn't planned on eating anything between lunch and dinner but find my tummy rumblin', you better believe I'm going to make myself a snack.
Ever since reading Dan Harris' book 10% Happier, I've hopped on board the "mindfulness" bandwagon. Embracing this concept has encouraged me to stop and check in with myself before making decisions, including decisions about what I eat.
But let's be real - if I'm full and someone wants to go get fro-yo, I probably won't say no-no.
Anyway, let's get into it shall we?
Breakfast
Fage 0% Plain Yogurt + 1/2 Banana + Honey + Back To The Roots Whole Wheat Cereal
Confession: If there is a bag of granola or a box of cereal at my desk, that sucker doesn't stand a chance. I'm constantly snacking on it mindlessly and then kicking myself when an 11 serving box is finished within 3 days.
So I was hesitant to pick up this box of Back to the Roots cereal when I sampled it in Whole Foods. But 1 cup is only 160 calories with 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber! This stuff fills ya right up!
And, life hack: instead of bringing in the whole box, I've been bringing in 1 serving in a ziplock bag per day.
Morning Coffee
I mainly drink coffee in the morning because it's something to do. I'm not hard to please when it comes to a cup of joe. But the free coffee in our offices? Yucko. I suck it up and drink it though, because it's free, and a $3 per day is over $20 a week. No thanks. I got donuts to buy.
Snacks
Throughout the day I snacked on the rest of my cup of Back to the Roots cereal and, on my way out to meet a friend during my lunch hour, grabbed a butterscotch hard candy (ok, 2) from my coworkers desk. Gets me every time - especially when she's got Werther's out!
Lunch
My go-to lunch is a big big bowl of oatmeal. Most people's reaction is, "that's all you have for lunch?" But trust me - I load those oats up and it gets me good and full!
Today's oatmeal consisted of 1/2 Cup Oats + 1/2 Banana + Walnuts + Raisins + Cinnamon + Shredded Coconut + a generous drizzle of honey!
It's so easy to throw all of the dry ingredients in a ziplock bag to keep at my desk throughout the week. Then, when it's time to eat, I simply slice up a banana and drizzle with honey (which I keep at my desk!
Lunch Dessert
Because there's lunch-dessert and dinner-dessert, right?
As usual, I wrapped up lunch with a handful of 5 deliciously decadent Dutch Cocoa Somersaults.
Pre-Pilates Snack
Rice Cake + Hummus + Cucumber
I am freaking out you guys - I think I am allergic to cucumbers! This was the second day in a row I felt awful after eating a cucumber. I'm hoping it's just because I didn't peel them, because I LOVE cucumbers!
The pilates class ended up being so disappointing. We barely did anything. I would have been better off taking a nap - probably would have been better for my body!
Islanders Game Snacking
When the Islanders are in the second round of playoffs for the first time in 23 years - YOU MAKE SURE YOU'RE WATCHING!
I found someone to cover my shift at the running store so I could watch at The Overlook with a friend. Apparently, NYC finally has an Islander's bar. It's great watching here - everyone is super into the game, the sound is on, there are chants happening AND the Islanders wives and girlfriends even join in the festivities.
We ordered some delicious "pomme frites" aka fries which I was happy to snack on because I was 100% actually hungry. I also casually whipped out one of these Qi'a mocha cocoa hazelnut bars. I love the flavor of them, but the texture is kind of odd since there are soo many chia seeds to chew!
Dinner
Is it still dinner if you eat at 10:30 p.m.?
Quinoa + Roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli with Red Chili Flakes + String Beans + Avocado + Sweet Potato & Carrots + Kale + Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette
Dinner Dessert
Did I need dessert after eating a huge plate of veggies at 10:30 p.m.? Absolutely not. Did I still take a bite of an energy ball and a spoonful of peanut butter? Mhm.
Never go a day without peanut butter, that's what I say!
