Happy What I Ate Wednesday, friendly faces! 
You know how they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder? That’s definitely been the case around these parts. Not only have I missed doing a WIAW post after taking a few weeks off, but I’ve also missed some of my favourite eats after spending a few days frolicking around in the desert.
Since I didn’t take a picture of virtually anything I ate on my trip, I’m going to use today’s WIAW as an opportunity to talk about the foods that I missed while I was gone and was happy to come home to…
Breakfast… I missed my oats.
Eggy bananfied oats layered with plain Greek yogurt and topped with blueberries, strawberries, and roasted cinnamon glaze almonds.
This may have just been the best bowl of oats that I’ve ever eaten; and not because there was anything overly special about it, but because it was the first bowl I had in 5.whole.days. See, even though I was back home on Monday morning, I woke up pretty late and was too tired and lazy to cook up a bowl of oats, so I had some cereal instead. Still tasty, but definitely not the same. I think it’s safe to say that my oatmeal addiction isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Morning snack… I missed my homemade bars.
A fruit and nut bar (recipe coming soon!)
I usually whip up a batch of homemade bars, cookies, muffins, or something to take with me when I travel, but I was feeling a bit like a scatterbrained chicken before I left so I didn’t get a chance to spend much time in the kitchen and had to rely on store-bought bars to get me through. Still tasty, but definitely not the same 
These are some fruit and nut bars that I made for Savory Style, and the recipe should be up in a few days so I’ll let you know when it gets posted!
Lunch… I missed my snack plates.
Dr.Kracker Seedlander crispbread, dried figs & dates, half an avocado, baby carrots, cocktail tomatoes, and The Good Bean’s sweet cinnamon crunchy chickpeas.
Even though most of the lunches I had while I was gone were snacky grab-and-go type deals, there’s something about actually being able to plate food and sitting down to eat it that makes all the difference. That and I really missed the combination of avocado, figs, and crackers. Try it and thank me later.
Afternoon snack… I missed my yogurt messes.
Plain Greek yogurt with a sliced banana, homemade applesauce, and Cascadian Farm Cinnamon Crunch.
Despite the fact that I had yogurt, fruit, and cereal on my trip, I did not have a bowl… which meant that I had to eat everything more-or-less individually at the same time… if that makes sense. Not horrible, but not ideal — yogurt messes really do taste better when all the elements have had a chance to mingle for a little while. Oh, that and I didn’t pack any cinnamon in my suitcase. Sad face.
Dinner… I missed… nothing, really.
Coconut basmati rice with oatmeal-breaded chicken and mixed veggies.
I think dinners have replaced lunches as my least favourite meal of the day. It’s not even that this one didn’t taste good — because it did — but I ate a tonne of Chipotle while I was in Vegas and, well… I’d take that over most home cooked meals, especially since I don’t know when I’ll be able to get my next fix. One of these days I’m really going to have to try coming up with a mock Chipotle bowl recipe… Either that or Chipotle needs to make its way up here, stat.
Evening snack… I missed my ice cream sandwiches.
A Chapman’s vanilla sandwich.
One of the things that has always bothered me the most about my peanut allergy is the fact that I can’t enjoy any sort of frozen treat while I’m out and about since most places can’t guarantee that their flavours haven’t been cross contaminated with nuts. This means no grabbing an ice cream cone on the beach and no going out for froyo dates. Sad face. But at least I can still enjoy my ice cream sandwiches [at home]! Chapman’s was one of the first peanut-free ice cream companies that I found, and I still love them to this day.
Home sweet home See you guys tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud!
Do you prefer eating out or eating at home?
What are some foods/meals you miss when you travel?
What are some things you always make sure to take with you?
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All of it looks so YUM. The only thing is, was I the only one who had an anxiety attack when I saw the ice cream bar sitting opened atop your laptop??
ahh, living life on the edge 
Geebus, oatmeal breaded chicken nuggs? That’s kinda brilliant my friend. These are the times I miss eating meat. I was thinking of doing the same thing with coconut shreds and scrimps. My apologies for always bringing seafood into the mix!
BTW, your oatmeal shot is worthy of a Martha Stewart Living cover. I might need to invest in a light box for my food pics now. The lighting in my apartment is close to impossible to work with. It looks like a live in a doom and gloom hole.
I am starting to prefer eating out more to be social and not cooped up all alone in my little abode all 7 days of the week. But nothing beats a homemade meal, the couch, and little indie acoustic music in the background. Hermit.
We finally moved into our new duplex (yay!), so I haven’t wanted to cook at all…but it is getting better! I think most nights we like to just stay in and make a dinner instead of going out. Because then when we do make date nights, it is a way bigger deal to get out of the house! When traveling, I think I primarily miss the routine of my eating at home – when you are away, no matter how long it is, it still makes it a little hard to get in BLD and your snacks!
Eating out because I get to try new flavor a and learn new things but eating at home because I can make whatever I want and add all the extras that I could only do for myself. (I have a hard time answering questions directly)
Check out my WIAW posts also on http://runwright.net
I always miss oatmeal when I travel too. Unless I have an epic breakfast out, like the time I had French toasted bagel with granola and yogurt with orange zest in Halifax last year – I could have cared less about oatmeal while eating that!
I’d prefer to eat at home…but the occasional eating out is always fun for a foodie!
I miss things like sweet potatoes, protein pancakes, overnight oats, and green smoothies while i travel. It makes me so sad by like day 2…is that bad? Hahaha
Im making your homemade granola bars this weekend!! I tried the banana nut mug cake and not sure if I am in love, which i am really surprised about! All my favorite things………..I will give it another shot, something may have been “off”
Throw a couple slices of cheese on that snack platter and I would happily run away with it.
Not being able to eat an ice cream on the beach is sucky. I’m sorry for you because it is just sucky.
I can’t wait to see the bar recipe on Savory.
Oh, man – I’m so sad you didn’t post your eats in Vegas! I might be going there soon and I was hoping for some recommendations, LOL.
Granted, I would have missed your normal delicious food, too…I don’t really take food with me. Especially after the time a bottle of jelly somehow got open in my suitcase one time. It was TRAGIC, LOL.
What’s so good about Chipotle bowls? Aren’t they just veggies and beans and guacamole. I feel like it’d be so simple to whip up for half the cost.
I think it’s mostly the sauces they use for their chicken, and their guacamole is kind of to die for.
I always bring some chia, flax or hemp seeds with me to dress up oatmeal, yogurt and the like.
No froyo?! That is a true travesty!
Okay…wow…you just described my perfect day of eats…can I come visit and/or could you send me a days worth of meals? (:
Of course
Chipotle is about as close to a home cooked meal as I can ever get when I’m on the go. It’s SO delicious and fresh. And that guac…there are no words. I don’t think I’ve ever known a blogger who is as obsessed with oats as you are! You are loyal to it, that’s for sure
I always have to go through breakfast rotations otherwise I get bored. And I can’t imagine going through life with a peanut allergy…that’s so tough 
it probably gets you more in tune with food and what you’re putting in your body, though!
I LOVE to eat at home and eat out, but I typically only eat out once a week, so it is a nice treat for me and I go BIG! I always take oatmeal, chia seeds, and Nut Butter with me when I travel. Since I still feed my nut butter addiction when I travel, I don’t miss it. LOL!
Chipotle will ruin anyone’s dinner
That place is amazing.
Wow, five days without oats? That’s almost a crisis Amanda! I bet that first bowl tasted incredible. Haha, I have yogurt messes too. Using up random cereal and trail mixes is kind of fun!
YES! I don’t think I ever just go for one cereal when I make a bowl — it’s always gotta be the perfect mix of flavours and textures
I prefer dining out – with friends, of course. Preferably on a sunny patio in the mountains. Checking out new restaurants is one of my most favorite things!
I miss veggies when I’m traveling – I tend to live it up and just eat dessert and wine. It’s all part of vacation though!
Ahh I’ve missed you and all this!! and i had forgotten how hungry your WIAW’s always make me. (ok actually how hungry your posts always make me, and i normally have to read them around some sort of meal time:) i want all the things! those bars look especially amazing.
I love eating out on vacation, but after a few days I’m usually ready for my routine and typical eats again.
I often miss fresh fruit! Depending where you go it can be difficult to find good fruit (don’t get me wrong, some places do have amazing fruit though!).
I always bring some almond packs, protein bars, and kind bars!
I just got back from a 10 day road trip with the family, so I totally understand your food cravings! While on the road, I most missed my homemade pancakes, our pizza and my leftovers quesedilla. I definitely agree with you on the Chipotle, too! Luckily, I have one close by cause I’m in LOVE with their burrito bowls! YUM!
So, I really like Chipotle, but sometimes I find that it doesn’t leave my stomach in the best way. I also don’t like cilantro all that much, and the flavor is very pronounced in the salsa. Boo.
I actually don’t usually get the salsa because I find it a little too hot for my tastes. Yes, I’m a wimp
But a salad with beans, chicken, and guac usually hits the spot juuuust right 
ugh I haven’t had an ice cream sandwich in so long. I need one now!
I recently went on a two week trip to Europe and I couldn’t believe how much I missed my regular meals. I’ve never been so excited for Greek yogurt and almond butter in my life. Eating out not only took it’s toll on my wallet, but it wreaked havoc on my gut, too.
I live in the middle of the city and I’m surrounded by tons of restaurants but I actually like cooking at home. Eating out is so expensive and I’d much rather know what ingredients I’m eating by cooking my own meals. Of course, I do enjoy eating out every now and then but I prefer homecooked meals.