WIAW
On a Wednesday! #punctualityFTW
Hi friends! Howโs the morning going?? It has been sweltering hot here -I have no clue what has happened- so weโll probably head back to the beach or bay to cool off. The week is already flying by, and I canโt wait for the weekend because weโre surprising the girls with a Disney trip. Liv has no idea weโre going out of town, and I canโt wait to tell her where weโre headed when we get in the car. P was so little last time we went, so I think sheโll enjoy it a lot more this time. She just has to see the Mickey Mouse characters and see starts laughing and clapping. Also, a Mickey Mouse rice crispy is calling my name.
So for today, I have a WIAW (<โ What I Ate Wednesday) post. I always enjoy reading these posts to get new ideas for healthy meals, especially those I can make quickly. Hereโs what I ate yesterday, which was a pretty *normal* Tuesday:
7:30am: green tea while making breakfast for the girls and getting them dressed for the day
(I usually have tea or my morning drink first thing when I wake up)
After preschool drop-off, P and I headed to the gym where I got in a short leg workout. I did a round of Squatember, minus some of the impact rounds since I teach at night and didnโt want to totally crush myself.
10:30am breakfast: coffee, 1 egg + 2 egg whites, pumpkin protein oatmeal (1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1 scoop goat whey, pumpkin pie spice, and a drizzle of maple syrup)
P only ended up napping for 30 minutes (wah), so we went to storytime and to run a couple of errands.
12:00pm snack: Go Macro bar + a peach
We went back home to try for nap #2, and thankfully it was a success ๐
2pm supplements: liquid herbs from my naturopath, prenatal vitamin (I always take prenatal, even though weโre two and through), aloe vera, and collagen. I just started using the Vital Proteins brand since I had a tub from Blogfest, and love it. It dissolves really well and is completely tasteless. Iโll mix the herbs, aloe vera juice, and collagen with water in a tiny glass and take it like a shot. Due to the herbs, it tastes like sadness in a cup.
2:30pm lunch: salad (spinach, grilled chicken, zucchini, feta, bell peppers, Italian dressing), and sweet potato
3:00 pm pick-me-up
4:30pm unpictured: kidโs cup of mango sorbet
The Pilot was working late, so the girls and I headed down to the beach,
and stopped at Lighthouse for ice cream. Livi had a birthday cake ice cream, I enjoyed the mango sorbet, and we got some for the Pilot to enjoy when he came home. I also gave P a few bites of my sorbet since it was dairy-free (and didnโt appear to be colored with any food dyes) and it rocked her world.
For dinners, 1 of three things will usually happen:
1) Weโll eat something that I prepped during the day
2) the Pilot will cook, or
3) Weโll get takeout.
Weโre try to minimize takeout to a couple of times a week -it gets so tempting with two small kiddos because itโs SO EASY, but we like to cook, and eating out constantly is expensive- and figured it could be a Postmates night.
Tender Greens arrived at the doorstep and was waiting for me, along with a glass of vino, when I came home from teaching barre.
8:00pm hot plate with salt & pepper chicken, roasted veggies, and romaine salad.
Sometimes before bed, Iโll have a cup of cereal or some protein yogurt, but didnโt feel like I needed it. I had a mug of hot tea during my daily 11pm laundry folding/sorting ritual. ๐
What I liked about this day of eats:
I feel like it was a pretty good mix of protein, produce, delicious stuff, and I felt satisfied/energized. It did feel a little higher than usual on the sugar between the bar, sorbet and wine, but itโs NBD. I also ate breakfast fairly late, but thatโs how it usually goes when weโre chasing around.
What could have been better:
I would have liked to have dinner earlier, but I donโt like to teach with a full belly. I was definitely ready for it when I got home!
Obviously, it would have been better if I could have cooked at home -weโre trying a new salmon dish tonight- but Iโm thankful that we have so many healthy options here, and friendly Postmates.
What was the most delicious thing you ate yesterday? Any new snacks or meals youโre loving?
More WIAW posts here, here, here and here. For the OG WIAW fun, check out Peas and Crayons.
See you soon with Pโs 11-month recap!
Have a very happy humpday.
xoxo
Gina
My husband and I don’t have kids but we still do takeout at least twice a week. I’ve just come to accept it as a part of our life haha.
I appreciate that you share “what went well” and “what could have been better.” It doesn’t have to a an all good or all bad day of eating. Too often people will eat mostly healthy all day and because of one cookie it’s considered a bad day. Glad to see that you have some balance. I think that’ll rub off on your kids too ๐
thank you, friend <3
and amen on the twice a week takeout ๐
Well, I can’t say I’ve eaten anything THAT amazing since my hip surgery last week. I haven’t had much appetite, but I’m forcing myself to get all the protein to help my body recover. Hopefully, I’ll be able to walk unassisted soon because this resting stuff is boring.
i agree. resting is so important, but definitely boring. after my surgeries, i was ITCHING to move, so i can imagine a small fraction of how you feel. i’m sending you lots of healing vibes!
Looks like a delicious, nutritious day!
I’ve gotten out of the habit of WIAW posts, but I love throwing them in from time to time. Like you said, I always get some great ideas, and I love seeing that my favorite bloggers are human, too! Postmates FTW, right?!
Thanks for sharing!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
postmates FTW ๐
I’d be interested in a post on what to eat before a morning workout. I want to try to shift a couple of my workouts to mornings before work, but (a) I am not a morning person and (b) I often feel either not fueled enough or like I can’t do certain types of exercises because I ate before. Also, because this would be around 6:00am or so, sometimes I don’t even want to eat, but feel like I need to …
what about half a banana with some peanut butter? or a small bowl of cereal?
That photo of Ms. P…. adorable. ๐
thank you!!
Hi Gina! Good eats! I always eat dinner late too. Like after 8:30 p.m. and I know it should be earlier. But that all started when I used to get home after 8 p.m. from teaching or training, and these days, it just seems I’m not done doing all I need to do until late before it’s dinner time, so that late eating remains. Especially on the weekends! Anyways, Tender Green hot plates are my jam. Although Urban Plates and Lemonade are perhaps tough competition. Happy Wednesday, my friend!
i looooove urband plates and lemonade. all the things i will miss when we’re in georgia!
hope you’re having a great week <3
I know what you mean about takeout. My husband and I are always conflicted when we have busy days – takeout because it’s easy or cooking at home because it’s healthier? Thankfully lately we’ve been doing more of the cooking side of things, but it can be difficult!
it totally can. takeout is SO EASY, but when we cook at home, we’re always glad we did ๐
Have fun on your Disney trip!! If you would ever like some of the treats from the parks at home, you should check out my subscription box service ๐
i will! thank you so much!
<3 Pumpkin Oatmeal! Just got some from Trader Joe's yesterday, but I should make my own!
trader joe’s has ALL THE PUMPKIN right now
I oftentimes am eating dinner at 8:00 for the same reason – I’d rather not work out on a full stomach, & my class is at 7:00. I will make din for the fam & then head to my class & eat when I get home. I’d much prefer sitting down w/ them, but I’d MORE prefer not missing my class! It’s the only hour I do for ME! (& it makes for a much happier/healthier/relaxed mom). ๐
I actually tried 3 new recipes this week, & they were all fabulous!
http://www.skinnytaste.com/stuffed-delicata-squash-with-chicken-sausage-mushroom-stuffing/
http://iowagirleats.com/2016/08/12/skinny-shrimp-piccata-with-zoodles/
http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2016/03/ham-and-swiss-stromboli.html
Have a great time at Disney!!!
i totally agree! i’ve considered reducing my teaching schedule so things wouldn’t feel so crazy, but then i was like NO. this is something i love that i get to share with others and enjoy for myself ๐
thank you for linking to the recipes, too! i can’t wait to try them
xoxo
I’m in love with the Vanilla Almond Cluster cereal from Trader Joe’s.
It’s absolutely delicious and just a single cup with almond milk will hold me over the entire morning. The levels of sugar and fiber are pretty decent, so that has become my go-to breakfast over the last few weeks.
BTW, I really hope you have a wonderful time at Disney with your family <3. My dream is to surprise my kids by taking them to Disney one day (when I have kids, lol).
I LOVE that cereal too ๐
thank you! i’m excited about the trip
hope you’re having a great week!
I can’t handle P’s big eyes! Too cute!
so so sweet <3
Hey, Gina! Quick question about your pumpkin oatmeal. Do you prefer to mix everything (pumpkin, protein powder, etc.) in the pot while the oats are cooking, or mix the add-ons into the bowl once you’ve pulled the oats off the stove?
i add the pumpkin while it’s cooking, and everything else as soon as i take it off the stove
the egg white protein and goat why i’ve been using gets chunky (ew) if i heat it too much
Hi Gina, you look amazing first of all! Wanted to ask if you continued to see improvement in your abs and skin elasticity even after 6 months postpartum. I am 6 mpp now and was active during pregnancy, gained 24 lbs during pregnancy, and am back to my pre-preg weight. I eat a relatively low carb , high protein diet (with a cookie and some chocolate here and there), jog 4-5 miles 3 times weekly, HIIT twice weekly, and lifting once weekly with short pilates segments throughout the week for abs. I feel pretty good about my body and my legs and butt are back, but my abs are still a little saggy when I bend forward and also pooch out a little bit even when I stand up straight. I am hoping I can still see some improvement. I stopped pumping at 4.5 months, and noticed a big improvement in my abs then; just hoping I did not plateau. Thank you so much for your help and experience!
thank you so much!
YES. i noticed a much bigger improvement after 6 months! my abs have gotten so much stronger and more defined, but i still have lose skin. it keeps getting better, so fingers crossed that it will continue to improve
keep doing your thing and give it time!
I saw P’s twin today! I would have taken a picture for you, but didn’t want to be that person. Anyway, best thing I ate yesterday was some homemade veg minestrone (it counts as veg if I cooked bacon first for the vegs to saute in the bacon grease, right?) and it was awesome especially since it has finally cooled down here! yeah, fall! And the little LOVED it… well, she loved the carrots. She always loves cooked carrots, not such a fan of the celery. ๐
ahhh no way! that is so cute!
i love feeding the girls soup ๐ they always go crazy for it! we had chicken tortilla the other night ๐
Gina
Planning a Disney trip in March. We will be there for 3 days 2 nights. Where is an affordable place to stay?
there are SO many hotels, and many of them fall within the same range. how close do you want to be to the park? we usually take the ART shuttle (it’s $5) from our hotel to disney
Doesn’t matter how close just looking for insider advice on where to stay, eat, etc since my 2 girls are basically same age as yours
I know you’ve done it many times before, but I love these posts about the day’s eats and your opinions on what happened. It’s very helpful and informative. Everything in moderation right? ๐
so happy to hear you like them. i like reading them, too ๐
I’ve started using Vital Proteins collagen daily in my coffee and I am really loving it. After about a month I really started to see the difference in my digestive system, hair, and nails. I totally felt a difference when I went on vacation for a week without it.
I’m obsessed with egg bakes. Just made one last night…sauteed some mushrooms, onions, spinach…added in 6 eggs and some feta. Baked for 25-30 minutes, cut in 4 servings and breakfast is ready to heat up for the week. Just enjoyed a piece of egg bake with one of your flourless pumpkin bars
Hi Gina, love this post, I’m wondering if you don’t give P any dairy because she has a dairy sensitivity or is intolerant? And what do you give P as an alternative to milk then? Or if you and your family are dairy free for other reasons? Lately, I am thinking about going dairy free because I seem to reading more and more that it is not good for us! I have been consuming dairy my whole life and don’t believe it has affected me but I also have not eliminated it yet. I have a 13 month old son who has started drinking homo milk and I have just been questioning whether this is the right thing to do. I am curious about your thoughts on this and if you have any expertise you can share! thanks so much!
I really need to get on the collagen train! I think I’ll order some today… Do you find that it bothers your stomach at all since you don’t eat red meat and it comes from cows?
The yummiest thing I ate yesterday was half of a paleo almond butter cookie. So delish! Also, I got my first Terra’s Kitchen box and tried the chicken tacos with avo goat cheese. ๐
nope it doesn’t bother my stomach at all!
and now i’m craving a cookie haha
I did the Squatember workout again on Monday, and my legs are just now feeling normal again. Wondering if you’re going to do a Squatober? ๐
i did a HOTober workout plan! if you’re on my newsletter list, you should have received it!
hey gina! i wanted to ask about your final thoughts on the tera’s unflavored goat whey… did you like it? I’m looking for a protein powder that doesn’t have any sugar (of any kind, real, or sugar substitute) and I’m wondering your thoughts on this particular brand. did it add a weird flavor to your food/smoothies? would you recommend it? – thanks!
i have mixed feelings about it. i love the ingredients, but it’s very goat-y still. i have to camouflage it with shakeology. i really love the plain egg white protein from trader joe’s. that’s my latest favorite; it’s just egg whites but doesn’t taste like eggs