Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is almost here – can ya believe it?!
Well, unlike some of my other breakfast endeavors in the kitchen, I tried something new for Thursday morning’s breakfast – and got it right on the first try! So what was it, you ask?
WHEATBERRIES!
That’s right – I finally rememberd to soak them last night. It’s so darn easy (berries + water + bowl), I should have been doing it for months now! Oh well. I soaked about 1/4 cup of red wheatberries (also known as “groats”)in cold water overnight. Then this morning, I added them to a pot of 1/4 cup of multi-grain hot cereal and some water + salt.
While they were cooking, I was looking through the fridge when a foodie thought occurred to me – rice pudding! I usually think of pudding as a snack or dessert, but this morning I thought why not add it to my oats?! So I did 
I poured out most of the liquid from the oats and made Groat Pudding!
The verdict? I am definitely having wheatberries as often as possible. Period. They are chewy, filling and went perfectly with the rice pudding and multi-grains – a combo I will make again soon!! I can’t wait to start varying the toppings with this dish.
I finished off breakfast with Coffee Cocoa in a new mug that I got at Caribou Coffee over the weekend. I simply love their slogan: “Life is short. Stay awake for it.” 🙂 So true!
MORNING SNACK
I had my usual mid-morning snack at about 10:30 am. I tried something new today – a Clif Mini Bar!! I’ve read about these on other blogs for quite a while and kept looking for them at Target, but they were always out of stock…until last weekend!
I tried the chocolate chip flavor. It was really good! It’s not as big as a Clif ZBar, but it’s good when I’m looking for a somewhat smaller snack/boost of energy.
LUNCH
I met up with Bobby for lunch today! We both packed lunches but decided to eat them together 🙂 We found a food court about halfway between our offices, so it worked out great. I started out with my sandwich – two slices of Arnold Flax & Fiber bread with turkey, honey mustard and spinach – classic!
I also had one of the juiciest red pears I’ve had all year. It was so easy to bite into, and juice was getting all over me – but I consider that a good thing, because it was extra sweet!
I also had some more of the barbecue soy crisps that I bought from Trader Joe’s.
And last – but certainly not least! – Bobby and I got the urge to go into the McDonald’s in the building and get ourselves a treat. We split a vanilla ice cream cone!! Oh did this hit the spot.
AFTERNOON SNACK
Lunch kept me going for a while. I knew that Bobby and I were planning on playing tennis and eating dinner later though, so near the end of work I made myself a bag of Pop Secret 100-calorie butter popcorn.
It was a good pick-me-up! Although all the popping in the office got me a few stares!!
DINNER + DOWNPOUR!!
But when I left the office – it was raining! And lucky me, I left my umbrella in the wrong bag! Considering I have quite the walk, I was literally soaked by the time I got home! So…tennis was clearly out! I was still getting hungry enough for dinner, so it was time to eat instead 🙂 I started out with some microwaved egg whites with goat cheese, feta cheese and spinach mixed in – great combination!
Then I had a spinach salad drizzled in Annie’s Woodstock dressing and topped with a huge serving of whipped cottage cheese. I definitely got some protein and fiber in this meal!
A view from above:
After dinner, I went to the gym and did 35 minutes on the elliptical, plus an arm machine workout. Then I came home and snacked on some blueberries and cherries while watching Lost – a perfect way to end the evening!!
Have a GREAT Friday everyone 🙂
I have been eying the wheat berries as the store- I just need to purchase them and give them a try! I love that caribou slogan as well. I wish we had a caribou coffee near me! I’ve been to a few of them and love their drinks! Hope you have a good weekend!
wow: wheatberries, clif mini, red pear, mini popcorn bag, vanilla soft serve.
you hit a great deal of my favorite things today.
Also, a heads up: I’m dedicating my lunch to you. The post won’t be up until tonight probably but I thought of you when I was making it this morning. I’ll give you a hint—it involves cinnamon raisins ; )
Wheat berries are awesome. I think I just may have to soak some today.
I also love that looks of that dinner. It’s so exactly something I would, and often have, had for dinner. Except sub the whipped cottage cheese for regular. I’ve never had whipped before.
Okay….so where does one buy your food thoughts? 🙂
So many great ideas!
Oooh the groat pudding looks delish!! And I love how that ice cream cone is all melty :0D
TGIF!!
youare VERY gutsy with the wheatberries. i applaud you.
for some reason “applaud” looks spelled wrong.
McDonals’ plain vanilla is my FAVORITE! i like the little baby cones, just because they are cute. so i get about 3 of them 😉
http://www.groundedfitness.com
Your whole day is YUM YUM YUM! I have never tried wheatberries. Did they keep you as full as oats?
And don’t you just love goat cheese? There is something about it and I just cannot get enough. And a little goes a long way with that amazing flavor!
Wheatberries, Groat pudding, these foods need more appetizing names. HA!
Erica ~ Definitely give the wheatberries a try. They are so much easier to cook with than I realized! Hope you have a good weekend too 🙂
Sarah ~ I can’t wait to see your lunch! I’m flattered that you thought of me 🙂
Kristie ~ I love random dinners like that one – so easy to make, but still have a ton of flavor!
Mark ~ Aw, thank you! 🙂
VeggieGirl ~ Haha, I had to take a picture quick before it started melting onto my fingers 🙂
Kelly T ~ I LOVE the baby cones too! I used to! Growing up, my family used to be fast-food junkies (if you can believe it) and I always begged my mom to get me one every time we went to McD’s!
sweetsandsweats ~ The wheatberries definitely kept me as full as oats! I was so glad too – because I really liked them and want to make them more often 🙂
totaltransformation ~ Too true 🙂 I love how we eat such weird sounding foods, but they taste awesome.
BTW, I think I am going to start taking pictures of my food and posting it. You have inspired me.
NOBODY BELIEVES ME WHEN I SAY: MCDONALDS’ VANILLA CONES = THE BEST E.V.E.R. I looove you for this post Jenn!
totaltransformation ~ I’m glad to hear that – I will definitely check it out!
Julz ~ Aww, no doubt that those cones are awesome! I will definitely be getting them more often 🙂
Where did you find the wheat berries? Also, do you just soak and eat, or do you have to cook them as well?
Bummer about the downpour…the same thing happened to me yesterday actually.
I LOVE whipped cottage cheese…I buy Friendship brand.