Greetings, my friends. Here we are again in the middle of the week. Let’s talk about a few random tidbits and then get to the food.
- Yesterday, I took my little Rudy to the groomer for his first puppy appointment, and he is currently extra white and fluffy. He wasn’t able to get a full trim on his coat because the appointment was taking so long, but he got a nice bath and some various puppy maintenance. Too cute.
- Yesterday, I had lunch with some of my fellow trainers from Orangetheory, and we ate at Tender Greens in downtown Walnut Creek, which always offers a delicious meal. We were there for two full hours chatting away, until I got the call that Rudy was ready to be picked up from the groomer. When you work at a small studio gym, sometimes you only see your fellow trainers in passing, so it was nice to have a little sit-down outside of that environment with them all.
- Yesterday, I subbed an extra BODYPUMP class in the evening. I’m still teaching the latest release, and for those of you who have asked, a full review of that will be heading your way soon, as well as a review of the latest BODYATTACK release.
- And yesterday, I bombarded you with a long and detailed post, so today is going to be much shorter. But just so you know, I was so happy to see some of your responses to my nutrition tips straight from the experts. It seems like many of you like to learn about food just about as much as you like to look at pictures of it, and I really enjoyed the comments and opinions from those of you who are in the field.
- Congratulations to the winners of my Les Mills Good Protein powder giveaway from last week, Farrah and Amy. Out of all the entrants, both of the winners this time have blogs of their own, which is pretty cool. Speaking of giveaways, I’ve got another one going on right now.
Let’s move on to the real reason you came to visit the ol’ blog today …
This week’s “What I Ate Wednesday” recap
Each week, I recap a full day of my eating, complete with real pictures of all my food. These posts are simply a chance to give you some insight into what actual meals look like from someone who tries to be healthy. I don’t have a perfect diet at all, but I try to get in plenty of nutrients and some of the fun stuff too. And yes, weekdays are certainly better than the weekends. And you’ll see a lot of repeated foods from week to week.
Today, I’m sharing everything I ate on Monday. I was able to make and eat all of my food at home in between teaching classes at different gyms, which is not something I’ve always been able to do, so I sure appreciate it.
Breakfast at 8 a.m.
Back into the overnight oats thing lately, I prepared a few batches of these puppies (minus the coconut) over the weekend and have been enjoying them each morning for breakfast. No need to cook, I just pull them right out of the fridge and top with a banana after I wake up. As always, these oats were consumed alongside a mug of hot green tea, sweetened with stevia and vanilla almond milk.
Lunch at 1 p.m.
It may not look like much, but this green smoothie bowl includes half of a frozen banana, frozen spinach, frozen blueberries, frozen mangoes, veggie powder, vegan vanilla protein powder, ice cubes and a little bit of almond milk, blended into perfection. I typically like to keep my smoothies as thick as possible, and this one was almost liquid enough to be sipped. I still used the spoon though.
Afternoon snack at 5 p.m.
When the afternoon rolled around, it was time for my second helping of hot green tea for the day, as well as a snack bar. ZONE bars used to be my jam, but I hadn’t bought them in a while. This wasn’t my favorite flavor and consistency, but it gave me plenty of fuel to teach BODYATTACK that night, and it was better than some of the other ones I’ve had before.
Post-workout at 7:30 p.m.
I had this little beauty slightly frozen and waiting for me after I got home from class. I chugged it while standing in the kitchen and squeezing on Rudy. I was only gone for about an hour-and-a-half to teach BODYATTACK at a gym near my house, but it was like he hadn’t seen me in ages when I walked in the door. That will never get old.
Dinner at 9 p.m.
I swear we eat later and later and later. Yes, we didn’t finish dinner until 9:30 p.m. What a day. I had things to do after my class, and Dave was finishing up some emails after he got home, so dinner was pushed off until we were ready. Shown above is a grilled turkey burger, on top of a whole wheat thin bun, with avocado, tomato and salsa. We also had a pre-packaged kale and brussels sprouts salad on the side, topped with not one, but two kinds of dressing.
After dinner, I took a few chugs of vanilla almond milk straight from the carton, as I always do, and that was it. Mondays seem to be my lightest day of eating each week, and this one certainly was with a morning snack missing. But all of the things I did have were just delicious, so we’ll call it a good one.
This is like most Wednesdays around here, I’m working at home, teaching a lunch-time BODYATTACK class and then coaching a couple of classes at Orangetheory Fitness tonight. I hope your day is lovely, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow!
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Read more daily eating recaps
Each week, “What I Ate Wednesday” is hosted by Peas and Crayons for bloggers to showcase their eats to the world. If you want to see more food recaps, check out some of my posts from the past here:
- A full day of eating in pictures
- Another full day of my eats and drinks
- Real food isn’t always pretty
- Do you have a balanced dining out strategy?
- What I ate and drank all day
- Three meals, two snacks and a shake
- Food trucks and rest-day eating
- Plenty of protein at every meal
- Colorful fuel for a day of training
- Long days of training require a lot of food
- Making do on “What I Ate Wednesday”
- Healthy foods for a rest day
- Who doesn’t like pictures of food?
- A look at a full day of eating in pictures
- Snapshots from a day of delicious meals
- Pictures of food, because you like them
- Food pictures and the juice cleanse that wasn’t
- A look at what I really eat in a day
- What I ate in the Sunshine State
- My weekend eats and a little narrative
- Stories about food and yesterday’s meals
- A day of eating and some commentary
- Do you want to know what I ate yesterday?
- Healthy challenges and foods from my day
- Eating, napping and eating again
- Filling up on healthy food before the holiday
- A perfect birthday at home and my eats
- Top blog posts, reader stats and my food
- A different kind of training and my food
- Joining a healthy green movement and my eats
- Must-try veggie pasta tip and my eats
- Are you eating this sweet and satisfying fruit?
- What a difference a week makes and my eats
- On Wednesdays we look at pictures of food
- Food, drinks and a very hydrating giveaway
- Front-loading all the healthy this week
- MealEnders giveaway and back to healthy food
- Eating, drinking and sharing the pictures
- I don’t like bad people, I do like good food
- Smart training nutrition tips and my meals
- “What I Ate Wednesday” and a Phenoh 7.4 review
- What my daily meals look like in pictures
- Food pictures from a light and healthy day
- Life lately and a look at all of my meals
- What’s normal to you? (And my daily eats)
- A bit of chatter and “What I Ate Wednesday”
- How you eat beets and a look at a day of food
- What I ate yesterday in the Sunshine State
- A full day of lazy eating from the weekend
- Every thing I ate yesterday in pictures
- BlogFest 2015 and “What I Ate Wednesday”
- Why I refuel after a workout and my daily eats
- Random life updates and a look at my food
- Travel plans and everything I ate yesterday
- My daily eats and heading off on an adventure
- All of my meals from a healthy weekday
Questions of the day
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten lately?
If you have a dog, how often do you take him/her to the groomer or bathe him/her at home?
What is one food that you can’t get enough of?
YUM! I still am yet to try your green tea with almond milk, I must give that a go this week! I love your lunches, a thick green smoothie (also eaten with a spoon) is my go-to lunch when I am feeling a little busy. I know everything is in it without any effort! xxx
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things recently posted…Tips to cook brussels sprouts that you’ll actually want to eat
Hi Krissy! I know! I feel good after having a green smoothie, knowing I put a bunch of healthy stuff in there! Yummy!!! 🙂
What is your favorite bar? Do you think any of them gives you enough protein and fiber to use as a meal?
Also, is it hard for you to eat that late at night and then go to bed shortly after?
Sorry for all of the questions!
Have a great day! 🙂
Hi Kimberly! How are you? Ask all the questions you want. When it comes to bars, you really shouldn’t have but one a day, because they tend to have a lot of ingredients in them that are artificial. The Zone bars are not the cleanest for sure, but they are better than a candy bar, because of the extra protein. However, when it comes to taste, I would say that full-sized Clif Bars are some of my favorites, and Quest bars most recently. However, I wouldn’t eat them as a meal, just as a snack. Unless you totally can’t get regular food, so a bar and some fruit and a lot of water would suffice in a pinch of a mid-day eat. Not ideal though. And I have to eat dinner so late because of my gym teaching schedule, and usually go to bed about 1.5 hours after finishing dinner. Once again, not ideal, but my body doesn’t seem to mind it. Other people prefer to digest more, but you just have to see if it bothers you or not.
Ashley recently posted…Just a little chatting and some food pictures
I don’t think I’d be able to hold out that late for dinner. You’re a trooper! I need to do the smoothie bowl thing. I’ve been craving something cook this week this may just happen!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…WIAW…My Perfect Post Workout Meal & Smoothie Obsession
Hi Megan, Well when you don’t get home from teaching a workout class (or two) until just before 8 p.m. on most nights and sometimes after 8 p.m., it makes a 9 p.m. dinner not seem so strange. 🙂 But I know, it’s late!
Haha I can’t imagine waiting that late to eat! I swear as soon as I walk in the door from work I’m like I HAVE TO EAT.
Best thing I had lately was definitely chocolate chip cannoli! It was epic.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted…Summer Meals
Hi Liz! I know, I’m usually having my afternoon snack when most people are thinking about dinner, but I don’t get home from my last class until close to 8 p.m. so I’ll never be able to eat earlier than that! 🙂 Yay for cannolis!!!
Your meals look amazing… especially that burger!
Bri recently posted…A day in the life of a running lifting yogi
I have to give credit to the husband for grilling up the burger! 🙂 Thanks, Bri. Have a great day!
I love taking my dog to get her bath, she’s so fluffy and cuddly afterwards!! And there’s no way I could wait until 9 to eat, lol!
Marielle recently posted…For the Love of Planks
Hi Marielle! I know, but I get home late from teaching classes, sometimes after 8 p.m. so our dinners have always been late. And as far as cuddly after a bath? Rudy is still not so sure about bath time hehe! But he CLUNG to me when I picked him up from the groomer. 🙂
You eat dinner so late–that’s kind of impressive, haha! I can’t have dinner past 6 or I melt from starvation. Kidding, sort of. 😉
Yay for a review on 94! I just posted mine today; it’s a fun release! I haven’t taught BA in awhile though, so I haven’t taught it or reviewed it yet. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
Annette@FitnessPerks recently posted…BODYPUMP⢠Release 94 Review
Hi Annette! I usually have an afternoon snack close to your dinner time heheh! But I teach the late classes most nights of the week, so I don’t get home until around 8 p.m., which means dinner can’t come any earlier than that. Yay for BODYPUMP reviews! I’ll check it out:)
I forgot about overnight oats! I need to make some, asap!
Hi Brittany! I know! They are so easy and tasty and filling! Hope all is well with you, pretty lady!
I tried the newest body pump release this week. I liked most of it. It’s definitely different since they use the bar a lot less. The only thing I didn’t like was the music for the squat track.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…A day in the life #2
Hi Jen! YAY for BODYPUMP, good girl! I’m liking the new release for sure, and I think it’s beneficial to go without the bar a bit more to work each side on its own. I’ll share more about it soon. Have a lovely day, my friend!
Oooh I forgot about overnight oats! Might have to bring those back since it’s been too hot cook even in the mornings!
I too LOVE my smoothies thick enough to eat with a spoon. If they get to runny, I’ll throw them back in with more ice to thicken them up 🙂
Have a great Wednesday!
Giselle Schroer recently posted…WIAW – Creamy Paleo Pesto Dip
Hi Giselle! I use a crappy Nutribullet that sometimes can’t handle my thick smoothies. What do you use?? 🙂
Vitamix! LOVE it! I actually bought it refurbished on their website for a fraction of the cost and it works like a charm!
Giselle Schroer recently posted…WIAW – Creamy Paleo Pesto Dip
AWESOME tip. 🙂 Thanks, lady!
I used to love Zone bars too… I actually used to freeze them and eat them! They were super good that way– esp the dark chocolate ones!
Carrie (This Fit Chick) recently posted…This Could be Hindering Your Workouts
Frozen bars? Is that a thing, Carrie? I may need to try it! THANKS for the tip! 🙂
I am still obsessed with summer fruit- watermelon everyday! 🙂
Julia recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday
Yay for fresh fruit! Always a good choice, Julia! 🙂
Totally obsessed with my favorite smoothie still: almond butter, almond milk, vegan vanilla protein powder, frozen banana, cold brew coffee. Hits the spot every single morning.
Jamie recently posted…Groceries for Days WIAW
Cold-brew coffee in a smoothie sounds AWESOME! I don’t even drink coffee but I’d like that. Hmmm …. thanks, Jamie! 🙂
Looking forward to reading your review on BP 94! We’re launching later than normal this time around, so I teach it for the first time on Monday. I think it’ll be a good one from what I can tell so far! Your smoothie bowl looks so PRETTY. That’s hard to do, so I’m impressed. 😉
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…How My Passion For Fitness Has Evolved
Hi Ashley! Yes, I hope you like 94! I find it to be a great workout. 🙂 And pretty smoothies only happen on picture day, of course!!
Oh bathing a dog, I remember trying to be all about the groomer and keeping up on my dogs good looks, until he back a full blown dog at 80lbs..we could barely hold him down to cut his nails. We used to bath him maybe once a week when he was a puppy but now he gets a hose down when he puddle rolls and that’s about it..lol..puppy mom fail.
Hahhaah that is a HUGE dog, Fiona! I bet the hose works just fine. That’s what my parents do with their dog too. I don’t think little Rudy is ready for the hose just yet hahah! 🙂 Have a wonderful day! How’s the little one??
Oh gosh, if I had a cute little dog the hose would NOT happen, he’d look like a drowned rat!!! Plus they’re easy to wrangle when they’re little. We used to try to wash our dog in the bath tub and it would sounds like someone was being murdered..lol..funny to us probably not to our neighbours!!!! Oh gosh my little Gremlin is growing like a week and deciding not to sleep…grr…how is mama supposed to check her blogs!!!! thank god he’s cute..:)
Hahhaha Fiona! That little guy needs to give Momma more time for herself heheh! And yeah, big dog in the bathtub sounds like trouble!
Ashley recently posted…Just a little chatting and some food pictures
Turkey burger at 9:30pm? Sounds like my kind of day! 😉
karen recently posted…build a better butt with donkey kicks
Hi Karen! You know it! Happy Wednesday to you, lady! 🙂
Ashley recently posted…Just a little chatting and some food pictures
Oh my, I’m usually in bed by 9:30 lol. I do 16:8IF as part of my maintenance plan, and my usual eating window is 11am-7pm, so by 6:30ish my kitchen is shutting down for the night 🙂
Definitely team Cat over here lol. Dogs always look so nice after being professionally groomed though!
Sara recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday #2
Hi Sara! I’m not home from the gym until after 8 p.m. sometimes after teaching, so I have to keep the kitchen open later! 🙂
I am totally on the overnight oats kick too…Since it is so hot and they are so easy to prepare, it’s perfect in the morning to wake up and not have to prepare anything, plus they’re DELISH. I can never get enough of nut butter…It’s my favorite addiction! Delicious eats lady!
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…Healthy Skin ALL Summer Long
Hi lady! YES to overnight oats. YES it’s so hot out there. And YES to nut butters. 🙂 Happy Wednesday to you!
Ashley recently posted…Just a little chatting and some food pictures
I have not had overnight oats in so long and now you have me craving them again! Hopefully I can whip up a batch soon! I can honestly never get enough of eggs, salmon, sweet potatoes, or figs!
Niki @Life With Niki recently posted…WIAW: Interesting Food Combos
I haven’t had sweet potatoes in over a week. Something is NOT right in the world, Nikki!! 🙂
I think I could eat that all in one go… Maybe that’s why I can’t lose the weight..
James @ HalfMarathonJames recently posted…Running 5.5 Miles For No Reason
ahhaha James! I don’t know about that, my smoothie is like 600 calories alone! 🙂
Hi Ashley. Can you explain how it’s 600 calories? Half a banana is only 50 cals, the rest of the fruit/veg is maybe another 150. And protein powder 150? So about 350 calories total?
Hi Lauren! That’s a good question. I don’t ever calculate the calories of my food before eating, but I know my smoothies are pretty high, so that’s just an estimate at 600. I use a lot of the fruits/veggies to blend up so the calorie count is a bit higher, so it’s like this: blueberries (70 calories), mangoes (70), huge half of a banana (70), spinach (50), a scoop-and-a-half of protein powder (about 250), almond milk (60), veggie powder (20) — that’s just under 600. Which is why I eat them for lunch, because they are more substantial than they look! 🙂
You have made me want to try green tea with almond milk. I am such a morning coffee person, but I would love an afternoon tea. And I could live off of almonds/almond butter! They are my favorite snack.
Patricia @sweet and strong recently posted…What I ate Wednesday #1
Hi Patricia! YAY for almonds, I have a lot of those too! Always an open bag in the house here! 🙂
That smoothie bowl looks amazing!!
Liz recently posted…Staying on Track with Journal Menu
It tasted as good as it looked, Liz!! 🙂 Happy Wednesday!
Ashley recently posted…Just a little chatting and some food pictures
Watermelon at this time of year is fantastic! Your dinner looks fantastic, but there is no way I would be able to wait until 9 PM to eat. I am an early girl, up at 4:30 AM to get to the gym before work.
Hi Susan! I know, it’s super late for dinner, but I don’t get home from teaching classes until around 8 p.m. most nights. And there are some days when I have to get up before 6 a.m. to teach early too, so those are the longest days when eating late and going to bed right after! Just seems to be the way things are right now. Oh well! 🙂 Good work on your early gym visits!
Some days we eat super late too, totally just depends on our schedules 🙂 And we take Mitchell in once a month for his nail trimming. He typically gets washed at home (outside!!) once per week… Or at least after every ocean swim.
Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted…#98 Treat Yourself Tuesday
Hi Becky, Yes, it seems like people with bigger dogs just throw them under the hose hehe. That wouldn’t work with our little puppy yet. 🙂 Happy Wednesday, Momma!
Hi Ashley,
I bet Rudy looked extra cute after his trip to the groomer (extra fluff included!).
Your pictures of meals always look so fresh and delicious!
I never seem to get sick of green smoothie bowls. I know I have mentioned it before, but I have at least one a day.
Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…WIAW: How much protein do I need?
I don’t get sick of the green smoothie bowls either, Heather! 🙂
Cooking at home does make life SO much easier. If I ever had to go into an office again I’ll be so sad!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Jerky Heaven [Giveaway] + WIAW
Bringing a sad paper-bag lunch was not always fun, but I did it for MANY years! 🙂
Ashley recently posted…Just a little chatting and some food pictures
I’m definitely interested to hear your thoughts on the newest BODYPUMP release.
I did it for the first time on Monday and want to go a few more times before I really decide (I can usually only fit it in once a week) but I felt like the crazy high reps made form start to suffer for a LOT of people.
(I also wasn’t a huge fan of this BP instructor, but that’s another story).
Happy Wednesday!
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Running and the Cowgirl
Haha that’s too bad, Ange. I like this release for a few reasons, but it’s tough! Glad you made it to class to try!
There is something about a smoothie in a bowl being more filling to me. Maybe it’s the act of using a utensil? Not sure, but it’s my preferred method!
My pup goes to a groomer sporadically. One, because he’s a husky and they need less frequent visits, and two, because he hates me for days on end after. 😉
Jessica @ Balance and Thyme recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday #2
Hi Jessica! hahah oh no, well so far Rudy has not been upset about the groomer visit. And it seems like huskies would stay pretty clean. But a little white dog like mine? He needs a groomer heheh! And YES on the smoothie bowl being more filling – I like them thick! Have a good night! 🙂
LOVE smoothie bowls! We’ve never actually taken Roadie to the groomers. He has a coat that doesn’t need to get groomed, so we give him showers every two weeks or so, depending on his activities. He’s always so soft after a bath! And he rolls around with a towel on the floor and gets super hyper. He runs around the house, up and down the stairs, and all over everything for like 30 minutes. It’s so funny! I think he likes the feeling of being clean 🙂
Heather @ Life In Leggings recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday #96
Hi Heather! My parents’ dog does the same crazy behavior after a bath! So funny! Rudy just shivers after a bath hehehe. Poor little guy. We have to blow dry him when doing it at home. Happy Wednesday, lady!
Wow! That is….not a lot of food for all the activity you do.
Hi Danielle! Actually my meals are pretty calorie dense and keep me nice and energized. As I said in the post, Monday is by far my lightest day of eating, which is what I’ve shown above. I can assure you I’m plenty nourished for my activity level. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great day.