I am definitely a creature of habit. Most of my food choices today are repeats of items I’ve had all week. So to not bore you to tears challenge myself, I’m posing a simple question at the end of each meal: so what’s new? Here we go!
BREAKFAST: PARTS ONE + TWO
Part one of today’s breakfast consisted of a packet of Kashi Honey & Cinnamon instant oatmeal mixed with unsweetened vanilla almond milk and 1 scoop whey protein powder.
Pretty basic, huh? Plus there was the usual Coffee Cocoa, but that’s a repeat on any day.
And when I got to work, I just couldn’t help myself with part two: Hannah’s Bretzel. I know, you all must think I’m nuts by now considering my obsession with these things. But I can’t help it 🙂 They are just so good, and although they look really big in the picture, they are actually the perfect size – much like two pieces of toast, only 1,000,000x better.
So what’s new? Well, first of all, I had a new flavor of Honest Tea to go with the delicious bretzel.
The pomegranate red tea with goji berry is my favorite so far. It also happens to be the flavor with the largest amount of added sweetness. Are we seeing a connection here? 😉 I think so.
But let’s back track for a moment, shall we? Really, the most novel (in other words, my fancy way of saying new) thing about breakfast was the fact that the picture of the oatmeal only represents 1/2 of its oat-y potential. The other 1/2 ended up here:
This picture represents why I hate dislike microwaving oatmeal 👿 Stove-top oats give me the option of leaving the room for a few minutes, without worrying about a mini explosion in the kitchen!
LUNCH
I had the same salad from Ponte Fresco that I had on Tuesday. I ate it outside again today, but unfortunately the benches were super crowded so I didn’t have enough room to really spread out and get a good picture. I would have had to take it in my lap, so I decided that the picture from the other day was just much prettier to look at.
So what’s new? Well today, I ate this salad while being cornered by the two P’s on all sides: people and pigeons. Now I generally like people, don’t get me wrong, but I do NOT like pigeons. They scare me because they seem so completely comfortable with walking up to you and brushing up against your leg. Ick. Plus, they let their bodily fluids flow freely with no regard for the sidewalk or car windshield. I mean honestly, show some respect pigeons. Don’t act like this guy:
Ok, I really don’t think pigeons can control where they decide to relieve themselves. But I’ve spent too much time on the subject, so I’m going to move on.
AFTERNOON SNACK
Today’s afternoon snack was a Larabar.
So what’s new? Well, I tried another new flavor: Coconut Cream Pie!
Let me preface this review by saying that I didn’t think I cared much for coconut when I bought this, but I was willing to give it a try.
And wow, I’m certainly glad I was open to experimentation. This bar was awesome. If you like coconut, you will love it. You could taste the coconut pieces in every bite! This bar was quite a bit softer than the banana cookie (not as much crunch from the nuts this time). It really filled me up all afternoon!
DINNER
Finally, we come to the last meal of the day. I started out with some microwaved poached egg whites with goat cheese.
And the second part of my dinner consisted of a lot of orange: sweet potatoes and a gigantic carrot!
So what’s new? Well, the carrot was topped with PB…that’s not new…although doesn’t that PB look like a scoop of ice cream? Yum. But no…that’s not it…wait, what is that on top of the sweet potatoes? Ketchup? NO!
Barbecue sauce!! That’s right, I tried out a new topping and I really liked it! The sweetness from the sauce went perfectly with the sweetness of the potatoes. There’s a chance that ketchup has met its match!
After dinner, I went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical, 15 on the stationary bike, a leg workout and a little bit of ab work. It was intense! So when I came back, I refueled with some rice pudding and blueberry granola.
And now I’m watching the Olympics (duh!) and snacking on some frozen grapes. Thanks for bearing with me on my monotony of eats. I hope I made the process more enjoyable – albeit dorky and corny – for you!
Sweet dreams 🙂
Haha, I bet I’m more of a creature of habit than you are! 🙂
Wow, that carrot is MASSIVE!! Yum.
BBQ sauce on the sweet potatoes, eh?? Nice!! I’m still partial to guacamole and roasted-garlic hummus though 😉 Oh and I’m going to try serving the sweet potatoes with some of the Snobby Joes mixture soon!! I’ll let you know how they taste together 🙂
Glad you liked the new Larabar flavor!
MICHAEL PHELPS IS BEYOND PHENOMENAL!!! Just wanted to make that clear… 😉
P.S. – never sit on a park bench, under a tree full of pigeons; especially while eating a snack. you’ll end up with droppings on your lap 🙁
I love sweet potatoes! Mmmm, I must try them with bbq sauce..sounds delicious.
I can’t tell you how many times my food has exploded in the microwave! It’s always very sad (but kind of hilarious).
I’m notorius for making a mess in the microwave. Nice to know I’m not the only one! LOL.
awww poor microwaved oatmeal!!
I adore the orange portion of your dinner!! I need to try the BBQ sauce!!
The coconut larabar sounds tasty too! I’ll look for that one!
Have a great evening Jenn!
hahahahha…i have done that with oatmeal more times than you can count!!!! classic i must say…
oh yeah, and did you have to pay for that pretzel this mornin? hehehehe…((wink wink))
oh yeah, and seeing as how i’m a crazy bird person, have you ever really looked a pigeon? have you ever noticed the iridescence on them? there are some absolutely gorgeous colors of blue, green and gray/silver on them…and really, their calls are beautiful to me…but that’s cause i’m crazy about all birds, even the ones that poop all over everything. hahaha.
have a great night!
I had a good laugh reading this post. You kill me Jenn!
I love that you included the microwave picture. I hate microwaving oatmeal, too. I’m sure it works if you have a freakin’ 12 inch tall bowl! Which I don’t.
Have a great Friday!
I microwaved my oatmeal once and it did the same thing, so I don’t microwave my oatmeal anymore!
Great plan with the what’s new idea!
Everytime I used to microwave oatmeal it would explode on me. Never again! Well, I shouldn’t say never. But nothing beats stove top oats so I shall avoid microwaving those babies as much as I can.
Now I LOVE the bbq sauce and sweet potato idea. Never even thought of that. Considering how much of a bbq sauce fan I am, I will definitely have to remember that winning combination.
definitely enjoyable!! i HATE it when oatmeal does that – have done it too many times :/ the coconut larabar sounds amazing, i lovelovelove coconut. a lot. the pretzel looks delicious!
once i was just walking down the street minding my own business when i felt a raindrop. hmmm, it’s a perfectly sunny day, how is it raining?
nope. not rain. bird poop.
i hear it’s good luck actually!
I laughed because that’s SO MY LIFE.
the microwave splosion is a daily thang up in herre.
I hate when that happens to my oatmeal. I have to stand there and stop the microwave every 30 seconds. I realized this takes more time and energy than stirring on the stove, so now I do that most times.
Have a great Friday!
I love how you “poached” your eggs…. hahah the microwave really does make life so much easier!
Sorry about the oat explosion! I hate having to babysit my oatmeal while it’s in the microwave. Annoying. But your oatmeal BOWL is adorable!
poor exploding oatmeal!!! i had to start doing stovetop because i would do that every single time… or burn my hands picking up the bowl, dropping and breaking it :/
i will never get sick of seeing that beautiful bretzel!!!
i’ll need to try some bbq sauce on my next sweet potato 🙂 LOVE the carrot w pb!!! mmm
have an amazing friday!
That oats picture could have been taken from my microwave on any given morning. Especially right now with the Olympics. I always get side tracked by the Today’s show recap of the previous day’s Olympics…and next thing I know—Oats caked to the microwave walls.
I tried the carrots with PB yesterday. It was amazing. Why have I been wasting my time with celery and PB all these years???!
sweetsandsweats.wordpress.com
i HATE it when my oats overflow in the microwave, it’s so depressing. 🙁 that huge carrot with PB is my new mission in life, can’t wait to try it! haha
I put my oatmeal in the microwave when I make instant stuff for a looong time, because I like it in a thick consistency, so I always have to stare into the microwave, and when it start propping upwards, I have to hit the button to stop super fast. lol. =D
i basically eat the same thing for lunch everyday. i am, without a doubt, a creature of habit.
my roommate found that larabar on sale at my grocery store and bought one for me. loved it!!!! i have yet to find it again though.
O.M.G. Bender Baby, last night with my salad, I tried the laughing cow (light, french onion… 2/3 of a piece bc it’s a LOAD of flava 😉 ) + egg whites with a NEW additioN!!! About 2/3 of a can of SALMON! AND WA-WA-WEE-WA it was SO bomb-dig I cannot even tell you, girl! YOU GOTTA TRY IT! I put on top some herbes de provence and freshly ground black pepper and also added about a tablespoon of chicken stock to it and whipped/beat the egg whites for a little while pre-micro… It seriously KICKED… umm… @ss 😉
TRY IT!!! YUM YUM yummity YUM!
I hate mircowaving oats for that same reason. And I now want one of those preztels!!
I didn’t even know they made coconut cream pie Larabars…yum! I love the banana cookie one.
Your pictures look so artistic! Nice work 🙂 I want a Larabar! sighhhh when I move I know I will be able to get them! I hate pigeons too- ick! Hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂
I love your blog! your creations are great and your so funny! I was just wondering if there is a picture of you on the blog? (i’m not trying to be creepy, honest!) I always just like to see whose talking!
VeggieGirl ~ I still have to try that roasted garlic hummus! Oooh, and combining it with the Snobby Joes sounds fab-u-lous! And thanks for the tip about those darn pigeons!!
Nicole ~ It really was delicious! And I’m glad to know I’m not alone on those explosions 🙂
Fit Bottomed Girls ~ Haha, I think it’s more common than we realize!
glidingcalm ~ Definitely try the BBQ + Coconut Larabar…but not together!
Melissa ~ I actually did notice that about the pigeons! They are definitely beautiful in their own special way 😉
Erin ~ Glad I could entertain! And I wish there was such thing as a 12-inch bowl!!
Foodie ~ I’m going to avoid it as much as possible!
Kristie ~ Nothing beats stove-top oats, for sure! And yes, do try the BBQ sauce!
wholefoodswholeme ~ Ooh if you like coconut you are gonna love that bar!
Sarah ~ Haha, good luck huh? Well, I guess that’s one way to look on the bright side!
MizFit ~ Glad you can relate to the woes of exploding kitchens 😉
HangryPants ~ I hate having to stand there too and you’re right, it does take even more effort!
Christie ~ The microwave is one of the greatest food-related inventions of all time 🙂
HeatherBakes ~ Thanks! I got it from Urban Outfitters, believe it or not.
fitnessista ~ I have DEFINITELY done the same thing with burning hot bowls – ouch!!
Fitzalan ~ Haha, I totally get sidetracked watching the Olympics on Today, too!! I’m so glad you liked carrots + PB!
jenngirl ~ Let me know what you think when you try it!
Sharon ~ Haha yeah that’s what I always have to do! Unless I forget, such as in that picture 🙂
Betsy ~ Creature comforts just can’t be beat!!
Julz ~ WA-WA-WEE-WA is right! That sounds like such an ammmaaazzing combination!! I’m going to try it and give you all the creds, fo sho! 😉
eatingbirdfood ~ Boo microwaving. Three cheers for stove-top!
Natalie ~ I think it’s a new flavor actually!! Definitely try it 🙂
Erica ~ Haha, thank you! And I hope you get your hands on those Larabars sooner rather than later 😉
april ~ Thank you so much! Your comment put a smile on my face 🙂 I do have a picture, it’s on the About Bender page. It’s small cuz I like my privacy, but hopefully you can get an idea of the face behind the food!
Your eats were exciting today!!!!! Haha at least they got me excited. I bought that flavour of larabar too, I can’t wait to try it. I feel your pain on exploded microwave oats too- you have to watch them allllll the time because they can “grow” so fast!!
The oatmeal picture… oh my, I almost died. Do you know how many times that’s happened to me? I’m sure as much as it’s happened to you!
Love your new idea in this post with the “so what’s new?” It’s always great to challenge yourself like that and try new things – especially for us creatures of habit!