Hey, hey, hey! Happy What I Ate Wednesday!
Before we get to talking about food, we’ve gotta talk selfies. I love that you guys enjoyed yesterday’s post, and the general consensus seems to be that I need to do it more often. I can do that… I think 😯 The only catch is that I might try to drag you guys down in with me. We’ll see what I can work out. But enough about that — back to the food!
Last week I promised you guys that I’d do my best to start posting a full day of eats more often, and I’m still sticking to that plan (minus a latte, kabocha, and spoonful of chocolate coconut butter), but I wanted to bring back the themes so this week we’ve got… lessons learned at each meal…
Breakfast… Breakfast is more enjoyable when oats are involved.
This is not oatmeal — it’s rice [with milk, almond butter, cinnamon, and honey] — and while I definitely still enjoyed it, oats will always be my favourite breakfast grain. There’s just something about the texture and taste that I adore — or maybe it’s the fact that it has a lot of comfort attached to it since it’s what I grew up on.
AM… I really need to start making more blogger recipes.
I’m horrible about making recipes that I find online. Ho.ri.ble. I always mean to, but my good intentions never seem to translate into actions. Today is a special occasion though. See, it’s Becky’s blogiversary (head over to wish her a happy one!), so a bunch of us bloggers decided to throw her a virtual party by each making one of her fabulous recipes. My choice? Her {Easy} Breakfast Cookie in a Mug.
The only mods I made were replacing the stevia with sugar (didn’t have any), cutting back on the soda, and replacing the M&Ms with chocolate chips (pesky allergies). Becky, you’re a genius, and Happy Blogiversary! Here’s to many more years 
And if anyone wants to see what other bloggers made, hop on over to Twitter and search #ONWturns1.
Lunch… I eat a lot of stir fries.
But I can’t help it! They’re quick, easy, delicious, and you can toss pretty much anything in them (bell peppers, broccoli florets, mushrooms, tofu, a bit of orange). Plus they give me an excuse to cook with toasted sesame oil and use one of my favourite sauces (a simple combo of sunflower seed butter and soy sauce).
PM… Chocolate cravings can’t be ignored.
… at least not if you want to prevent yourself from eating 20 other things in an attempt to satisfy that craving, and still ending up having to take a bite of chocolate — and don’t act like you’ve never done it! Chocolate cravings are crazy. In fact, I remember them being so bad when I was younger, that I’d resort to eating those squares of bitter Baker’s chocolate if nothing else was available. Thankfully, I had a bar of Alter Eco chocolate on hand when the craving struck yesterday afternoon.
Dinner… I have an aversion to taking food pics when other people are around.
… which is why this picture is recycled. I had a friend over last night, and neither of us felt like going out or ordering in, so we tossed an Amy’s pizza in the oven and called it good. I’m 99.9% sure that she wouldn’t have cared if I whipped out the camera, but having to face my selfie aversion was enough for one week — we’ll conquer this one some other time.
Evening… I can’t go a day without eating cereal… or yogurt.
What can I say… I’m a woman in love
. – . – . – .
What’s your favourite grain?
What crazy lengths have you gone to to satisfy a chocolate craving?
Do you feel comfortable photographing your food when other people are around?
Your stir fry looks totally diviiiiine. I love your idea of using sunflower seed butter and soy sauce! So tasty and simple.
I have definitely gone after semi-sweet chocolate chips when necessary.
That cookie in a mug look AH-MAZING! Need to try that one!
I used to feel totally embarrassed about photographing food in front of people, but I’m pretty much of the mindset that I don’t really care anymore. Of course, there are situations that I don’t find it appropriate or I just don’t feel like it though.
Mmm… that mug cookie is the best! I need to go pick up some new coconut flour so I can make it again 😉 Thank you SO much for the blogiversary wishes – you bloggers are seriously the best group of people I’ve ever “met” in my entire life <3 XOXO
<3 <3 And hey now… we did technically meet — I just wish we had more time to chat!
First, I am excited that I inspired you yesterday with my yogurt parfait lunches…Second, I sometimes take food pics with people around and sometimes I do not. Lately, I try really hard to live in the moment when out for dinner and just enjoy myself rather than think about taking food pics for the blog…And chocolate cravings? I go to serious lengths to satisfy my cravings. I will drive anywhere for what I want- be it a spontaneous trip into Manhattan for the right dessert, hit up a few different Cold Stone Creameries just to get my chocolate dipped bowl and I will leave a Crumbs cupcake shop if they don’t have the exact one I want and drive to another location (have learned to call ahead to check on the status of the cupcake availability lol).
Gah! You’re so SO lucky to be able to take advantage of all the delicious things NYC has to offer. It honestly sounds like heaven, although I have a feeling it would be torture to live there with my nut allergies.
Every single time you post something I get so hungry!! Your food always looks amazing. And I cant believe that the ingredients in Beckys cookie mug come out to make THAT. Seriously? It looks delicious!
sometimes I am still uneasy about taking pictures of food at restaurants – unless I am with a bunch of other bloggers and we are all doing it 🙂 The flash goes off and people are looking, wondering why?!? but most times I could care less as long as the people I am with are comfortable with it. For the longest time my husband would be like “why are you doing that!” lol
That is a tough question lady! I definitely love oats, but I also love sweet potatoes (if that counts!)! And I definitely never feel comfortable photographing food when others around! I try to make it look like I’m looking up something on my phone, but it doesn’t work haha. All of your eats look amazing! Happy Wednesday friend!
Such a coincidence you mention the picture taking in front of others. Back when I started blogging I was really uncomfortable with that usually trying to snap a picture pretending I was just playing with some settings on my camera. I’m still feeling unsecure about taking photos in restaurants or when I’m with people who don’t know me too well. But funnily enough my mum finally got my “need” for pretty pictures and suggested buying me several new dishes “for your food photos”. So cute! Which reminds me she’s waiting to see pictures of those very dishes put to good use …
I’m not usually playing favourites but after trying Khushboo’s flatbreads yesterday I’d really have to say oats for their versatility and taste. There are some [pseudo-]grains I feel I’ll never really warm up to [millet, quinoa] but oats have yet to disappoint me in whichever form.
Happy Wednesday!
Awwwr that’s so sweet of your mum! I’m fine around my family as well, it’s just others who I’m still kind of uncomfortable around — I do feel like it’s becoming a lot more socially acceptable, though, so I probably just have to get over it. And I -really- need to try that flatbread — everyone’s been raving about it!
One time, while in the midst of PMS, I went to the grocery store, came home, and realized I had just bought 6 different types of chocolate. It was ridiculous. I think it was an out of body experience or something.
I only feel comfortable taking pics of food when I’m with people I know! If not, I feel like SUCH a tool.
Ditto on making blogger recipes. The easy part is finding them and saving them to your computer favorites/writing them down. Bringing action is the hard part – I mean they all look SO good, but…. it’s that effort of not just trying something completely new, but making something new. I hear you on the aversion to food pictures while others are around, eeek it makes me feel awkward ha! Huge oatmeal fan over here for the #1 grain. Hope you and your friend had a nice time 🙂
Oats, for sure. I love them savory or sweet.
I don’t eat chocolate anymore (for migraine reduction), so I don’t crave it! I had a couple of mini chocolate bars after Halloween and it didn’t even taste good. I might be broken. 😉
I definitely prefer to take food pics sans audience. Totally with you on that one!
When I first starting blogging I was definitely nervous taking pictures of my food in front of other people – but now everyone knows about it, so I don’t really care all that much. I figure with the popularity of Instagram, everyone’s taking pictures of their food these days 😉
Favourite grain? Probably oats. Brown rice is a close second though.
And I’m definitely guilty of eating bakers chocolate to satisfy a chocolate craving 😉 nowadays I always make sure to have some in the apartment for chocolate emergencies…and different kinds too, because you never know exactly what kind of chocolate you’ll be craving! 😉 And when all else fails – chocolate chips do the trick.
A girl after my own heart <3
Stir frys (fries?) are one of my favorites–they’re so versatile. When I was younger, my mom would make us homemade peanut sauce and we’d literally drench our stir frys (fries?) in it because it was that good. And now I really want some noodles with peanut sauce…sigh.
Ive tried the rice for breakfast thing as well and while I did enjoy it, you’re right, there is just something about oats that is just so much better 🙂 And I love the simplicity of stir frys as well. They are my go to dinner when I need a good veggie punch or can’t decide what to make! Just some veggies, a protein, a grain and a wicked sauce :):)
Everything looks delicious as always! I have got to give Becky’s mug cake a try. I’ve seen it on her recipe page and it looks so simple to make. Plus you make it look awfully delicious!
I still feel kind of funny photographing my food when others are around. I mean…if it’s Justin or my family, that’s okay because they know what I’m doing it, but if it’s other people who may not know I have a blog, I get funny looks sometimes. Guess I just need to get over though!
You and me both! We need to start a support group or something 😛
hehehe…YES! 😉
I agree! Oatmeal is my absolute favorite! I could eat it every day! That sauce for your stir fry is genius! I gotta try it! I love sunflower seed butter! I do find it awkward to take pictures of my food in front of people. But my phone helps with that. I turn the “click” off so they don’t know I’m taking a picture lol
It looks like you had a great day full of tasty eats! I had pizza for lunch yesterday, haven’t had it in a long time and now I’m reminded how tasty it is. My mom used to make this rice breakfast for us with leftovers from dinner. Rice, milk, cinnamon and sugar was one of my favorite treat breakfasts when I was growing up.
There are certain people I feel ok photographing my food around and others not so much. It is definitely the week for chocolate for me (I mean, every week is chocolate week, but this is when it becomes crucial!). I love those Amy’s pizzas 🙂 I’ve been craving pizza lately so when the American Thanksgiving comes around, I’m forcing myself to take a whole day off, watch movies in my sweat pants and eat pizza. No exercise. No work. No homework. Just sleeping and relaxing!
I neeeed to start making recipes I see on other blogs. I always drooling at them.. but then forget about them and the cycle continues. That cookie mugs looks delicious!!! I haven’t made a mug cake in ages.. that needs to change, stat!
Right!? It’s hard when there are so many good ones out there — it’s like you don’t even know where to start! And… confession: this was actually my first time making a mug cake. I’m kind of hooked.
haha I have definitely eaten about half my fridge before just going ahead and giving in to a chocolate craving. I think it is a woman thing- I could never see a dude eating 2% greek yogurt, rice cakes, almonds and a glass of soy milk because they didn’t want to eat the chocolate. 🙂
Your WIAW themes are the best. Seriously so creative! Eek I am getting better at taking food pics infront of others but still sometimes shy!
Chocolate can never be ignored. I will just end up craving it until the cows come home and there is no use in ignoring that craving to begin with. I’ve learned that now.
And I totally just realized I’ve been ignoring the cereal lately. Who am I?
I don’t even think I can choose a favourite grain. There are so many tasty ones to choose from. I love oats, oat bran, buckwheat, quinoa, and teff a lot.
And photographing food in front of others can be a little weird at first, but most of my friends follow me on instagram where there’s clearly lots of that happening anyways so it’s safe to say most of them probably know.
I want that breakfast cookie in a mug! It looks so good.
Rice with almond butter, cinnamon and rice – I am intrigued! I have never red rice in that way…my fav grain are oats and I have been o.d.-ing on them recently!
Chocolate I do love, but I dont think I crave it as much as I used to – when I was younger and lived in Sri Lanka, there was this bakery that made “apple cakes” these cakes did not contain apples, but were made with the cake crumbs of the cakes baked during the day – they had a strong hint of chocolate and the frosting was almost like royal icing only really thin and sweet – these were the best and I was in love with them and I would hide in the bathroom and get my fix when my mom said I had enough 🙂
Cakes made with crumbs?! 😯 😯 That actually sounds like a brilliant and delicious idea! And I love that you were so sneaky about it 😛 I had to do some pretty crazy things myself to get past Mom.
I have to say, my gluten free self loves tapioca and rice pudding for that texture reason. I wish I was more of a morning eater but I just can’t get my appetite in the morning hours. Plus, you always make your food look so good
I wish I had your photography skills. Every single one of your food photos you post makes me want to jump through the computer screen & eat it all. However, since technology has failed me & didn’t get that far yet Ill have to drool behind the screen instead.
lately for my chocolate cravings I’ve been making dark hot chocolate and mixing in a scoop of dark chocolate almond butter. So good =)
I loved your selfie-filled post yesterday! I’m not sure I could ever do a whole post dedicated to just that… (No nerve!) but I’m not against the occasional selfie on my blog 🙂
THAT breakfast cookie. 😯 My eyes seriously bugged out my head on that one. It looks like a bowl full of cookie dough. Which it basically is… Wonderful!
I really like wheat. Allergies aside I think fresh wheat bread, cream of wheat, and whole wheat crackers are some of the most tasty foods ever. I always love white, jasmine rice.
Crazy lengths for a chocolate craving? I ate straight up cocoa powder once. And some 100% dark chocolate. Is that crazy?
If it’s my mom, dad, or brother I don’t mind taking pictures. Anyone else. No.
Oh my gosh! Don’t hate the Bakers’ squares, I eat those lol! I actually prefer Ghiradelli baking bars ( unsweetened 100% cacao) to sweetened chocolate, lol! That’s how much I love chocolate- hard core:) Since I have seizures influenced by glycemic issues, I don’t even like the taste if real sugar anymore, but I am totally addicted to stevia, though they’ve yet to make a chocolate bar with stevia I like.
Any who! I am the same about food pics around others. My mom is the exception and she still asks what I’m doing. Hello mom, I have a food blog!;) If I’m out to eat, Ill snap a picture when no one is paying attention though:) iPhones are great like that!
Ditto on the yogurt!;):)
I’m not hating on the Bakers’ squares! Well, I didn’t enjoy them so much back in the day, but that was way before I developed a taste for dark chocolate. I’m actually curious what I’d think about it now…
I made her cookie in a mug once and it did not turn out like that, haha. Aaron laughed as it was all over the microwave! Maybe I need to give it another shot, haha.
Oh yumm, I need to make that breakfast cookie! Sounds like heaven!
I can not admit what I used to do in the past to get chocolate. When bingeing, it’s not a craving anymore, it’s addicition – which made me do really REALLY weird&strange things to get to sweets.
I don’t feel odd when taking pics, but I feel that the other person might be annoyed about it – I mean, if you’re in the middle of a sentence, or everyone wants to eat – ya know what I mean. Thankfully, most of my friends got used to it and wait patiently until I am done with my duties 🙂
😆 When I DO take pics around others, I always feel bad for making them wait so I try to be all quick and out-of-the-way about it. I don’t think everyone appreciates my love for eating cold meals 😉
Thats funny because I made one of Beckys cookie in a mug recipes but swopped in M&Ms instead of chocolate chips! Delicious!
Sometimes a frozen pizza does the trick!!
And I sometimes find it weird taking pics of food when people are around, but I think it’s so common now (even for non-bloggers) that it’s NBD. It’s funny because now my close friends and family find it weird when I don’t take pics. Go figure!
It’s funny, the way you feel about oatmeal is how I feel about bagels. I just can’t help but crave them over everything else. Even this weekend, I ordered French toast while I was out but ended up wishing I had gone with a boring bagel. Old habits die hard! As for the chocolate cravings. They don’t hit me until after dinner but that could be because I get my fix with hot chocolate in the mornings. I’m just someone who craves sugar in dessert form at night!
Oh my goodness that breakfast cookie looks amazing! Yum!! I need to make that stat, and actually I think I would prefer it how you made it instead. Share the recipe!
I pretty much used Becky’s recipe exactly, just with sugar instead of stevia, and I reduced the baking soda to just a pinch.
Oh girl, I have exactly the same problem with taking pictures of my food when others are around. It’s all right when it is my best friend or Jay. They both read the blog and mostly support me taking pictures all the time. But sometimes you just feel like savor the moment and not bother about getting your cam out and the angle and light right and stuff like that.
And thanks for one more stir fry picture 😉 it actually inspired me for what to have for dinner today. I only need to remember to get some tofu on my way home later.
Ha. Chocolate cravings…one time after a long run I was really craving donuts. Tim and I were driving back from out of town and we stopped at 4 donut shops…only for them to be closed. So I ended up going to the one by our house when we got back.
I obviously am not a food photographer but I do take photos when I’m out and about. My friends all know I blog so I don’t have any secrets with them.
Yummm everything looks so good! And I HAVE to go check out Becky’s blog because that mug cookie looks insanely good!
I’m terrible about making other people’s recipes too! but after making Becky’s cookies I now think I should give it a start! Starting with your donuts…or your fudge. Ugh stop making such a amazing recipes so I can catch up!
This is random but I think my favourite grain is probably rice. It’s so versatile. I have it in some form almost every day. Wild preferably 😉
Gah too much deliciousness and it just kept getting better as your day went on! I’m suddenly craving a stir fry, chocolate and oats all at once. Choosing my favourite grain is a no-brainer for me- oats for sure! Love their taste and versatility. I’m pretty sure that most days, 2 out of my 3 meals are oat-based! I have no qualms whipping out my camera when I’m eating with others but sometimes avoid doing so based on the restaurant and how hungry fellow diners are. Especially when we’re ordering family style, I’d hate to make fellow diners wait to dig in just so I can get te “right” shot…#bloggerproblems ;)!
As a friend, I’m going to have to advise you to avoid trying to combine a stir fry, chocolate, and oats in one sitting — but then again, I’ve eaten some pretty strange combos myself, so maybe it’d be good 😉 And oats are all sorts of amazing — I still need to try making your flatbread!
i don’t mind photographing food in front of people since everyone knows i blog… it always brings some chuckles to the table anyway!