Soupasana

Today I decided to try a new hot cereal – Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain 8 Grain Hot Cereal. I have only tried adding it oatmeal before, but couldn’t really taste it in the oats, so here it is all by itself. This is a great alternative for those allergic to wheat, it contains oats, oat bran, brown rice, corn, soybeans, millet, barley, sunflower seeds and flaxseed.

 

The package said bring to boil, turn the heat down and cook for 10 minutes, but I think you can take if off even earlier. Mine cooked in about 8 min.

My new mug in action!

So this is not the most appetizing looking photo I have taken, but after trying the cereal just plain with a bit of salt, I actually did not feel like adding sweet (or any other) toppings to it. I really liked it plain!!!

Naked banana and 1/2 toast with Crofter’s jam.

 

As an afterthought I threw in some almond butter for protein (which normally would have been a topping on the cereal). I don’t like this almond butter. It tastes just like any other, but the settling of the oil is SUCH a hassle. I make a big mess every time I try to stir it, and still end up with eating more oil than actual almonds. Definitely no-stir Maranatha almond butter next, OR Bulk Barn almond butter.

Note the hot cereal bowl in the background – licked clean!

 

The misery calluses on my shoulders were completely gone after three months off Soldiers of Fitness (SOF), so after running with misery yesterday, I’m happy to report the formation of brand new bruises. Oh, and if you don’t know… Misery is a 3m 80-lb duct-taped metal pole that you carry on your shoulder in pairs.

Back to SOF tonight.

A big disappointment of the day…

 

Omg, this “best I’ve ever tried” bread is not even close to the last batch. I guess it’s all about buying it on time. I think it was super fresh last time.

For lunch – salad that was supposed to be Sunday’s lunch (before we decided to do Indian) – spinach, lentils, tomatoes and radishes.

And a tomato-less vegetable sandwich!!! I don’t think I’ve ever had one, because for me a tomato on a vegetable sandwich is a must! This one had plenty of hummus, spinach, onions, broccoli (!), and mushrooms. It was fantastic! Must repeat.

Who said you can’t brew happiness?

Full presentation with a pear for dessert!

 

I started getting hungry few hours later, so here was a nice snack before SOF training. Rye bread with Moroccan hummus, 1/4 avocado, some strawberries, and a smoothie. This has healthy fats, carbs AND protein. Perfect.

I also found a perfect ratio for the Naked smoothies. I diluted this one 1:1 with water, and really liked the result. Interesting to see how your taste buds change over time. I used to love these smoothies, but now they are just too sweet straight up.

I knew exactly what I wanted for dinner. With Vlad’s help, we went from this:

To this:

Almond Butter Carrot Fries

[further adapted from Oh She Glows]

Ingredients:

• 1-2 large carrots (none of that baby carrot business. I mean come on, do you not know that carrots do not have babies? they grow in the ground. how old are you?)
• 1 heaping spoon of almond butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp of sesame seeds
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp of garlic flakes
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• salt, pepper

Directions:

Slice the carrots so they resemble regular fries. I didn’t peel the carrots – just gave them a good scrub. Add spices, oil and peanut butter. Mix until evenly covered. Spread evenly on a baking sheet (sprayed with PAM), and bake for about 30-40 minutes at 400F. Slowly devour making your best attempts at Godzilla noises.

Going in…

Coming out…

This dish can get messy. See all that almond butter on my fingers? I totally licked each finger clean washed my hands carefully in the bathroom like all mature adults do.

 

I can’t decide whether I like these better than parsnip fries or not – these were fantastic! I think sesame seeds really made the dish. And keep in mind I don’t even like cooked carrots. Like… at all! I WILL keep experimenting with these.

Fancy beverage = soda water + POM + ice cubes.

And an orange for dessert. Ok, this is really my second orange. And the only reason I didn’t have a third is because we ran out. I think I have a problem… A nice, juicy, sweet problem.

Lots of running in SOF today with all kinds of metal objects. I think I will feel my hamstrings tomorrow… again.