What is this? You mean I actually have to go back to work?? That’s what I was thinking this morning when I got up bright and early 
Oh well, I guess after today, going to work won’t feel like it is unusual.
I started out today with a breakfast that would put me in a good mood by topping a bowl of oats with flax, cinnamon and some tropical trail mix. However, after I poured it I realized it contained coconut, which I despise, so I had to pick it out! I, of course, inhaled my morning coffee as well!
That breakfast held me over for around 4 hours, surprisingly! Around 10am, I had a Fiber One bar that I found in the back of my pantry. I know this things contain HFCS, but I just want to use them up. Plus, I actually LOVE the taste of them and feel like I’m eating a candy bar :/
I wound up eating my lunch around 12pm… Sadly, since I have to pack my lunch the night before, I can’t eat what I crave at the moment, unlike the last two weeks! Plus, I also feel tempted to eat at the normal eating times (when everyone else is AND based on mtg times, etc.), so eating intuitively based on hunger cues doesn’t work optimally for me when at work. Oh well, I still felt satisfied after my lunch so I guess that’s all that matters 
I packed two slices of that yummy Arnold’s double fiber bread and smeared it with a generous helping of my homemade hummus topped with peppers alongside a Honeycrisp.
Mid-afternoon, around 3pm, I snacked on this yummy blueberry Chobani - what a yummy treat!
Yesterday afternoon, I attempted to make these bars. However, I made a lot of modifications to them…
- 1.25 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup dried apricots
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chocolate whey isolate protein powder
- LOTS of cinnamon
- 1 packet of Organic Green Superfood
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 egg whites
I mixed everything up in my Vita-Mix except for the syrup & eggs. I then added the last two ingredients, mixed well, and poured it in a sprayed casserole dish and baked at 350 for 20 minutes. Then I cut them into bars.
Here’s the result…
I ate one right before my 5:30pm spinning class… they were really good, but a little dry, I think I’d prefer them to be more moist next time, I’ll have to do some experimenting.
I’m sad to say but tonight was my last Monday 5:30pm spinning class … for a while anyway… I’m taking a new assignment at work that starts next week and I will be traveling a longer distance at a different location, so I’ll be unable to make the 5:30 class! Boooooooo!
Dinner tonight was inspired by a fellow newlywed’s recent recipe: Sante Fe Casserole!! I have been meaning to attempt to create it myself and I knew that tonight would be the perfect night to try it since I usually do 5:30-6:30pm spinning, don’t get home until 6:45pm and we usually don’t wind up eating dinner until 7:30′ish. I made up the casserole yesterday so all I’d have to do is pop it in the oven when I got home, so it would cook while I showered.
Here’s my modifications:
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes w/ zesty jalapenos
- 1 can red kidney beans
- 2 cups cooked green beans
- 1/2 cup skim milk
- 1 cup free shredded cheddar cheese
I mixed it all together well (except for the cheese, which I sprinkled on top), poured it into a sprayed 9×13 casserole dish and wrapped it. Then I stuck it in the fridge. Tonight, I baked it at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. While it cooked, I was able to shower, pack both of our lunches, pack my gym bag, set the table, AND make us some side salads.
The dinner was a HIT, for sure. It was yummy, chewy, and flavorful ~ a great combination of flavors and super simple & quick since you can make it up ahead of time! It was definitely my kind of time-saving dinner.
Now it’s off to unwind for an hour or so and then head to bed. True to my goals, laptop is being closed this very minute.
Have a great, relaxing, computer-free night!
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oh i love those fiber one bars, too
Maybe some applesauce would help moisten them…they still sound pretty good!
I like to make tropical oats with mango…mmm, mango…
Those bars you made up look so yummy! I have been thinking about making something like that…a little thing to munch on mid-morning at work.
I also despise coconut.
http://www.seejessrun.wordpress.com
I just found your blog and I love it. I am completely obsessed with oatmeal…LOVE IT. I eat it every single morning and would eat it for every meal if my husband would let me. My family makes so much fun of me for it but now I know there are a lot others out there just like me!
I’ve also wanted to make those Energy Bars but never had all the ingredients! Now that you went ahead and made subs, I might follow suit. Yeah, maybe appleasauce will make them more moist.
The casserole looks great! Maybe try applesauce for the bars? That might make them a little more moist.
I would have done the same thing with the coconut. Really don’t like the stuff at all!
The bars look great! How thick are they?
Sadly, they were not thick at all – I need to try again – my friend said they aren’t supposed to look like that LOL
I’ve been curious about those Ellie Krieger bars- they look pretty tasty!
I’m with you on the Fiber One bars, too… I used to eat them constantly. They’re SO yummy. Too bad about the HFCS
the casserole looks really good – I want to make some sort of rice/bean casserole now!
I wonder if I ate exactly like you for a few weeks if I couldn’t lose these last few pounds of bf that I’m hanging on to..hmm this may be a challenge at some point
hi amanda ~ you are way more active than me
maybe you need to add more food to your diet? i’ve heard that works for hardcore athletes, but im not sure since i’m no expert 
Oh I didn’t know you didn’t like coconut. Tropical trail mix is a huge addiction for me. Once I get started eating it I have a hard time stopping!
Love the casserole and am thinking of making one myself!
Wowza that casserole looks sooooo good! Can’t wait to try it soon! I haven’t eaten one of those fiber one bars in forever and I miss them, but reminding me that they have HFCS really helped squash my craving.
Hope your Tuesday is a little easier then your Monday!
um I meant to say “yum” not “rum” .. haha
Rummy!
rum!! that all looks amazing! I am itching to make those bars now too! I will try to get to making them soon and send you a link if mine work out too!
Ugh – I’m not a big fan of coconut either. Only in certain things but the majority of the time it is nicht gut!!
Knockout lunch, snack, bars, and dinner!!
Have a great Tuesday lady
I agree going back to work sucks!
THos bars look great! Again, sooo jealous of you vita mix
how did I miss your new iconthing before?!
I LOVE IT!
Monday was tough but we all made it through. I love you oats- they look gorgeous with all the bright fruits. The dinner casserole also looks really great!
Hate coconut?! How is that possible?!?! I love me the coconut. Soooo good.
The energy bars look interesting, and that hummus looks incredibly creamy. Yum!
I know how you feel with getting back to work! Oy vey! I love your energy bars, though. Even if they weren’t quite what you wanted, they look great – I will have to try them, Vita-Mix style
I also saw your comment on Jen’s blog about the P90X and how you’re interested in starting but didn’t know about the pull-up machine. I am actually getting an “over the door” pull up machine that apparently you can put up and take down in seconds (when you’re not using it) so that I can do it in my little apartment. I just thought I would tell you that in case you wanted to get started even sooner!
I hate how good those Fiber One bars are. Almost TOO sweet, but very delicious. Hence why I only save them for an extra special treat snack.
Interesting energy bars,, I might have to give them a try! And I’ll definitely have to try the casserole in all of its cheesy glory. Mmm.
Wow, everything looks amazingly delicious! I want to try a FiberOne bar now! LOL
Lindsay,
I am finally creating a blogroll and wanted to let ya know that I’m adding you
I hate to admit it, but those FiberOne bars taste so good!
I love dried fruit in my oats too! and your dinner looks so yummy I gotta try it!
Great planning ahead!
I loooove Chobani!
Mmm love that tropical trail mix! I love coconut, so I would gladly help you finish it off
Sorry that work doesn’t allow the flexibility you have at home…but you still manage to eat so healthfully! You are a rockin’ woman!
Have a nice night Lindsay
I felt the same way this morning, luckily, I think most people did! Good luck with your new assignment.
Wow that oatmeal would remind me of being on vacation!
I felt the same way this morning and I have been at work all through the Holidays. Monday’s stink!
Your dinner looks yummy!
You are lucky that your Husband isn’t that picky with food. My future hub is very picky! It doesn’t not make it east…I love him anyways. hehe
http://andreaseats.blogspot.com
My roommate also has an aversion to coconut! She wouldn’t even touch it though, I like how you picked it out! hahaha
I also <3 those Fiber One bars…even though their ingredient list is soooo long. I bought a ton of them too…they taste good, I’m totally going to eat them!
The recipes look fab!
your oatmeal looks really appetizing! Maybe try adding some greek yogurt, crushed pineapple, applesauce, pumpkin, or an extra egg-yolk to your bars to make them softer/chewier… I am actually in the process of becoming a pastry chef… so I love to experiment with those kinds of recipes
I totally felt the same way this morning – what?! work?! Hopefully we’ll get back in the grind soon enough.
I HATE COCONUT TOO! hahah and I also loveee the fiber one bar (only oats&choc flavor though) and I realllly wish they didnt have HFCS..blah. Your dinner looks really yummy too, way to be super productive while it was cooking
I hope you can fit in some other spin classes! I wanted to tell you, i made your “easy hummus recipe” today..from that website…OMG AMAZING!! I’m soo excited, I just used my food processor but it came out great- I will be saving some $$$ NOW!!! thanks lady!
Great eats!!
Ahh, hang in there with work!!