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. WIAW… sitting down to eat .

September 10, 2014 by Amanda @ .running with spoons. 65 Comments

Happy What I Ate Wednesday, friendly faces! 😀

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a day of eats with you guys, and I figured that taking pictures of my meals would be good motivation for me to actually start plating them and sitting down to eat as opposed to eating straight from the pot or standing over the counter. Womp, womp. I’ve picked up some not-so-great habits over the past little while, and while I could blame them on being busy and constantly having something to attend to, they’re still habits that I’d like to nip in the bud.

Side note: I totally had to Google that phrase to see if it was “nip it in the bud” or “nip it in the butt,” because there was a point where I thought it was the latter… which sounds kind of wrong 😆 Either way, it’s still a habit that I’d like to stop, so let’s take a look at some sit-down meals! Plusssssss some unpictured snacking, because… hey… old habits die hard…

WIAWFall

Breakfast… sitting down to eat… pancakes.

Apple Oat Pancakes

A stack of apple oat Greek yogurt pancakes (recipe soon!!) with dried figs and almond butter.

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Amanda, the girl who never eats pancakes for breakfast, had pancakes for breakfast. I’m going to stop referring to myself in the third person now and admit that the only reason this happened was because I had pancakes left over from the night before — otherwise I consider pancakes to involve too much manual labour for first thing in the morning. But testing out a new recipe idea means lots of pancakes in my kitchen, and lots of pancakes in my kitchen means someone’s gotta eat them! I took about 3 bites before I had to go grab some maple syrup… #iamcanadian.

Morning snack… sitting down to eat… a protein bar.

Simply Protein Bar

Simply Protein Whey Bar in chocolate mint.

Okay, so I didn’t really sit down to eat this one since I was out running errands all morning, but I was sitting in my car so I’m totally counting it! I’m not really crazy about most store-bought protein bars and usually prefer to make my own, but I’ll admit that they do come in handy when I’m feeling lazy, and this one actually tasted pretty good! It helped keep the hanger at bay while I was out and about in the world, anyways, so I’m happy about that! Also… please note that Spike is still alive 😉

Lunch… sitting down to eat… a snack plate.

Lunch Snack Plate

Half an avocado, dates, Dr. Kracker crispbreads, roasted kabocha, cherry tomatoes, and cottage cheese.

The return of the snack plate! Not that it ever really went away, but it sort of morphed from a snack plate into a “snack-while-standing-at-the-counter” type deal. I know, I know. But sometimes I’ll just get into these moods where I’ll have no idea what I want, so I’ll stand in my kitchen and taste-test a bunch of different things until I figure the mysterious craving out… usually eating close to an entire meal in the process 😆 It’s a habit I really need to fall out of.

Afternoon snack… sitting down to eat… chocolate.

Chocolate Milk

Milk 2 Go chocolate milk and Green & Black’s dark chocolate.

I haven’t had chocolate milk in… years. But I got a free bottle while I was over in Whistler and figured I should finish it before it expired in… December 😆 Don’t even tell me what makes it last that long — I don’t wanna know.  It was tasty, though! And it, along with some dark chocolate, managed to squash the chocolate craving that always seems to hit me in the afternoon. Enjoyed with a side of Farmville.

Dinner… sitting down to eat… quinoa and chickpeas.

Quinoa Chickpea Bowl

A bowl of quinoa cooked in coconut milk and nutritional yeast, with steamed spinach and canned chickpeas.

You can thank my recent obsession with quinoa and chickpeas for the fact that I’ve actually been making real dinners lately. Or, I suppose I should be the one saying thanks, since there’ve been a few too many “cereal for dinner” nights around these parts lately… and to be honest, I was kind of getting sick of it. It’s not that I don’t like to cook, but it can be hard to work up the motivation sometimes when I’ve had a busy day and I know that I’ll be the only one eating it. Anyone wanna come over for dinner? 😀

Evening snack… sitting down to eat… cereal.

Books and Cereal

A mug of Kashi Cinnamon Harvest with banana slices and almond milk.

I may be tired of eating cereal for dinner, but that doesn’t mean I can go an entire day without it! It’s still one of my favourite late night snacks, and while I usually mix a few different kinds to make things interesting, I kept it simple this time around with the classic combo of shredded wheat, banana, and milk. Enjoyed alongside Heir of Fire before passing out for the night.

Hope you’re having an awesome Wednesday! See you guys tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud! 😀

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What did you have for breakfast today?
Do you have a habit of eating over the counter too?

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Filed Under: Food Talk, WIAW Tagged With: breakfast, chocolate, dinner, Dr.Kracker, Kashi, lunch, Milk 2 Go, pancakes, protein bar, quinoa, Simply Protein, snack plate, snacks, What I Ate Wednesday, WIAW

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles

    September 10, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    I had a protein pancake for breakfast today…but now I’m craving some classic pancakes. Maybe I’ll get The Chef to whip some up for me? And I’m pretty sure I went the vast majority of my life thinking it was ‘nip it in the butt’. It doesn’t really make sense, but it’s funnier that way…

    Reply
  2. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles

    September 10, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    I have gotten over the lack of blueberries lately and have been loving just banana stirred into my oatmeal with peanut butter. It’s so simple, it’s nothing new to either of us but it has been making me really happy.

    Reply
  3. Cassie

    September 10, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    I had Siggi’s yogurt with cherries, peanut butter, granola, hemp seeds and some hazelnuts for breakfast… so yummy!

    I don’t really eat over the counter… but I’m guilty of eating in front of the computer. All the time. At work and at home. I need to stop but I kind of enjoy it?

    Reply
  4. Jo @ Living Mint Green

    September 10, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    I forgot how much I love Simply Bars! I’m super excited for your pancake recipe… did I tell you I bought a non-stick pan just so I can make your greek yogurt pancakes? HAHA

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 5:03 pm

      I had to buy a non-stick pan so I could even -attempt- to make pancakes! Otherwise they just freak me out way too much.

      Reply
  5. Carol

    September 10, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Your leftover pancakes look so much better than my leftover breakfast…I had a leftover sandwich. Pancakes would have been tastier!

    Reply
  6. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl

    September 10, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    I like “nip it in the butt!” 😉 And thank you for the snack plate reminder. It has been way too long since I have eaten one for lunch!

    Reply
  7. Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl

    September 10, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Your pancakes are always my favorite and those look so good. Can’t wait for the recipe!

    Reply
  8. Mai-Lis @ A Sunshiny Day

    September 10, 2014 at 11:49 am

    ooh, cooking quinoa in coconut milk, that sound AH-mazing! Looks like I’ll be trying that soon!

    Reply
  9. Shannon

    September 10, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I cannot wait for that pancake recipe! They look more than amazing. And I love the creativity in the cactus shot 🙂

    Reply
  10. She Rocks Fitness

    September 10, 2014 at 10:56 am

    I have a habit of always eating in front of my computer. I need to break this habit and enjoy my meal. Sheesh…I had greek yogurt, chia seeds, apple, cinnamon, and a huge blob of crunchy peanut butter for breakfast this morning. Starting to crave apples again…change in season, even though it is going to be 100 degrees today!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 5:02 pm

      I can’t even imagine that kind of heat right now! I had to turn the heater on today because it was so cold here…

      Reply
  11. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment

    September 10, 2014 at 10:43 am

    I do like to eat standing up over the counter and in front of the TV. Two probably not so awesome habits! Your snack plate looks delightful.

    Reply
  12. Faith VanderMolen

    September 10, 2014 at 10:07 am

    Before I got married it took everything in me to eat something besides cereal or oatmeal for dinner. It really is so hard to find the motivation to cook for just one! And cereal…the best nighttime snack. When I eat cereal at night it’s always out of a mug:)

    Reply
  13. Ann

    September 10, 2014 at 9:29 am

    I had protein waffles for breakfast this moring! Winner!
    I’m excited for your pancake recipe, anything apple must be good. Could you try making them in a waffle maker? I’m kinda obsessed with waffles lately 😀
    Oh, and I want to come over for dinner!!
    Have a nice day!

    Reply
  14. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious

    September 10, 2014 at 9:26 am

    I’m currently testing a diet program for a Phoenix company that does fresh meal delivery. Foods really good surprisingly. Today was scrambled eggs with all the veggies. I’ve never had a fig in my life. Not in purpose anyway lol!

    Reply
  15. Laur

    September 10, 2014 at 9:11 am

    I considered the idea of eating oatmeal straight from the pot. I mean, it sticks to all of the dishes you put it in so you might as well only have ONE sticky mess to clean up. Amiright?! Just say yes, please. lol

    And for dinners, I tend to get a lot of already made meals from my local organic store or chipotle. I am queen of laziness when it comes to dinner… Or any meal, really. If I’m only eating for myself I don’t want to make batches of things then get tired of it in two days! Then, I’ll just be wasting good food. First world problems. Lol

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 5:01 pm

      Yes :mrgreen:

      And I’m pretty sure that I’d be eating at Chipotle at least 5 nights a week if we had them up here!

      Reply
  16. Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness

    September 10, 2014 at 8:49 am

    I am quite the opposite, I need to sit to eat! Hey I want to enjoy my food! But I am definitely a taster! I will spend my lifetime looking at an open fridge and nibbling here and there until I can decide. Sometimes I even take my time to prepare and cook the food and end up storing it and having somethings else…I am that indecisive!

    Reply
  17. Becky @ Olives n Wine

    September 10, 2014 at 8:13 am

    I am AWFUL at eating over the counter, especially after work. Thankfully, I only have a few days of work left so hopefully that habit will be broken sooner rather than later 😉 As for breakfast, it was super random – chicken breast with a runny egg and hot sauce with a banana on the side.

    Reply
  18. Kat

    September 10, 2014 at 7:53 am

    Sitting down to eat I think is a really important part of being satisfied with your meal. I think when people eat so much on the run[in their car, walking, ect]they miss out on the real meal.

    Reply
  19. Chelsea @ A Fit LittleOne

    September 10, 2014 at 7:50 am

    Oh no!! I thought it was “nip it in the butt” Bahahahahahahaha . Mmmmm those pancakes are making me even hungrier for mine this morning! Unfortunately I’m really hungry right now since i have to do a fasted blood work this morning, so it makes being hungry way worse lol. And yes to the quinoa!!! I’m more of a fan of the red one though, it has a great nutty flavor!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 5:00 pm

      Ack that’s the worst! Hope it went okay for ya! And I’ve never tried red quinoa before, but now you’ve got me super curious! I’ll give it a go when I finish off my baggie.

      Reply
  20. Kim@ FITsique

    September 10, 2014 at 7:46 am

    Ohhh baby I can’t wait for that pancake recipe! I’m with you lately, I’ve been so busy most of my meals have been inhaled while driving or trying to get something else done. I’ve also made a bad habit if eating my meals in parts instead of as a meal.

    Reply
  21. Davida @ The Healthy Maven

    September 10, 2014 at 7:31 am

    weirdddd this typical breakfast pancakes eater had a smoothie for breakfast! Something must be in the air…

    Reply
  22. Emily

    September 10, 2014 at 7:30 am

    I am obsessed with that Kashi! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Megan (The Lyons' Share)

    September 10, 2014 at 7:27 am

    I just made a deal with myself this morning along the same lines … when I eat after dinner, I need to stop working on the computer while eating. That’s a vicious cycle that just leads me to keep eating more than I want to or am hungry for. Snack plate looks delish!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm

      Oh girl, I hear ya! I get SO snacky when I’m on the computer! But I like to think that it’s because my brain needs the extra energy from all the thinking I’m doing 😆

      Reply
  24. Erin @ The Almond Eater

    September 10, 2014 at 7:23 am

    So glad to see/hear that Spike is doing well 🙂 and those apple pancakes?!!! Want! No….NEED.

    Reply
  25. Miss Polkadot

    September 10, 2014 at 7:16 am

    Deal! You don’t need to ask me twice. I’ll be over for dinner tonight. Only you’d have to keep it ready in, say, four hours when I should be getting home from work. Leftovers of the quinoa would ve perfect. Chickpeas!
    Breakfast was kabocha cooked in almond milk with coconut oil, almond butter and pleasantly plump blobs of coconut flour. Faster than the hot bowl of oat bran I actually craved.

    Reply
  26. Miss Polkadot

    September 10, 2014 at 7:13 am

    Deal! You don’t need to ask me twice. I’ll be over for dinner tonight. Only you’d have to keep it ready in, say, four hours when I should be getting home from work. Leftovers of the quinoa would ve perfect. Chickpeas!
    Breakfast was kabocha cooked in almond milk with coconut oil, almond butter and pleasantly plump blobs of coconut flour. Faster than the oat bran I actually craved.

    Reply
  27. Sky @ Blonde Freedom

    September 10, 2014 at 7:13 am

    I’m currently enjoying my bowl of oatmeal. I can’t wait for your pancake recipe! I’m always up to try a new pancake recipe. And chocolate milk…mmmmm…I used to drink that daily when I was little up til I graduated high school. I always enjoy it when I have a glass on rare occasions.

    Reply
  28. Marjorie

    September 10, 2014 at 7:07 am

    Oh I can’t wait for the pancake recipe. I love baking with Greek yogurt! It’s a great tool to lighten up baked goods and make them slightly healthier.

    Reply
  29. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food

    September 10, 2014 at 7:07 am

    I’m pretty impressed with your skills in precariously balancing a protein bar on a cactus.

    I had yogurt, eggs and a banana at my hotel this morning. It was ok, but I’m not loving the selection at this hotel. I also love kashi cereals. I haven’t had the cinnamon harvest one yet., but I destroyed a box of cinnamon crunch last week!

    Reply
  30. Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers

    September 10, 2014 at 6:49 am

    I snacked on some cereal yesterday too. A bit toooooo much, but it was delicious!!

    Reply
  31. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More

    September 10, 2014 at 6:47 am

    I’ve never had a fig but oh man, those dried ones caught my attention right away! YUM!!!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      I actually don’t like the fresh ones either, but the dried ones are amaaaaazing! And the seeds add a nice little crunch too 😀

      Reply
  32. Khushboo

    September 10, 2014 at 6:44 am

    Ooh I love the sound of your dinner- so simple yet so flavourful..definitely trying it out soon! Breakfast today involved a smoothie with raw oats, almond milk, peanut butter, banana, raw oats and some protein powder…delicious start to the day! Pancakes, however, were the highlight of lunch. I had a friend over and she requested banana bread pancakes so obv I delivered :)!

    Reply
  33. Hayley@healthyregards

    September 10, 2014 at 6:37 am

    Oatmeal! Yes totally- especially when I am preparing food in the kitchen I tend to snack on a lot of it right there.

    Reply
  34. Lucie@FitSwissChick

    September 10, 2014 at 6:33 am

    Chocolate Craving RIGHT HERE!! I think I need to sprint to the little shop near my office and get some….
    I had eggs for breakfast 🙂 What a surprise!!
    I never eat over the counter and I always plate my food, BUT the habit to eat way too fast sneaked in with all the busy weeks. I had. SO need to work on that, my poor stomach is completely stressed…..

    Reply
  35. Tina Muir

    September 10, 2014 at 6:31 am

    Ooooh quinoa cooked with coconut milk! Now THAT is a good idea, I wonder if it would work with rice…..I am going to make a vegetarian curry later….I think that would be good….will have to give it a try!

    As for eating over the counter….yep, guilty as charged, I need to nip that in the bud too 😉 We also have to pledge not to move from the counter to the computer, and eat over the keys haha. That is my other bad habit!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 4:56 pm

      It definitely works with rice! White basmati rice cooked in coconut milk is actually one of my favourite things. Give it a go!

      Reply
  36. Sam @ PancakeWarriors

    September 10, 2014 at 6:17 am

    Amanda – love your plated food!! Pancakes for breakfast! I love it. Can’t wait to see the recipe! Thanks for sharing – see you tomorrow for thinking out loud, and I hope you join me for Fitness Friday!

    Reply
  37. Sam @ PancakeWarriors

    September 10, 2014 at 6:17 am

    Amanda – love your plated food!! Pancakes for breakfast! I love it. Can’t wait to see the recipe! Thanks for sharing – see you tomorrow for thinking out loud, and I hope you join me for Fitness Fridays!

    Reply
  38. shashi @ runninsrilankan

    September 10, 2014 at 6:16 am

    Just as I begin to try to justify eating from a pot – you’ve nipping your habit of it in the bud! 🙂
    I had some beet bars with white chocolate chips for breakfast – I have to tweak it a little before I post the recipe – think I forgot to add salt!
    OOh – those apple greek yogurt pancakes – I cannot wait for that recipe! Happy WIAW lady!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 10, 2014 at 4:55 pm

      If it’s any consolation, it’s definitely not going according to plan! I blame the fact that my stand up desk also happens to be my kitchen counter, and since I eat at the computer… well… 😉

      Reply
  39. Susie @ Suzlyfe

    September 10, 2014 at 5:45 am

    Agree with Arman, but minus the physical injury, haha. I have a habit of eating certain things at the counter. I blame my father, who for 20+ years drank his morning breakfast standing at our kitchen counter reading the paper. Sitting was for lazy weekends!

    Reply
  40. Arman @ thebigmansworld

    September 10, 2014 at 5:34 am

    Can you guess what I had for breakfast today?

    That protein bar in cactus shot is ridiculous. I hope it poked you.

    Reply
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Amanda

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