I think I get my love for the mail from my mom. She always used to wish for "good mail" when we were young.
I went to bed hoping for good mail last night and good mail came!
Just gotta find a frame and hang it over my computer
Worked online this morning for a while and gear up for more YOGA! I can definitely tell a change in both my yoga practice and my body when I do it more than once a week. Particularly my abs. I’ve never had great abs, but I can feel them getting strong and stronger in there. Class today was another great noontime flow – lots of sweat thanks to higher temperatures outside. It was one of those days when the class feels like dance.
Once I got back home from my bike ride, I was pretty hungry.
Slammed a few of these while we cooked
And then, enter colorful lunch
I had an open-faced veggie sandwich with a little jack cheese and avocado. It was AWESOME.
A tiny little hand-picked apple
And the strained yogurt with Pear Fig Jam and just a sprinkle of granola. Gotta have just a leeeetle crunch!
QUESTION: What VIDEOS or POST TOPICS would you like to see? I’ve been toying with a few ideas but they seem boring. Any requests?
{ 129 comments… read them below or add one }
i just started using your budget spreadsheet. LOVE. would love to here more finance tips from you.
I am with Ashley… great idea!
Congrats on your certification!
OH how exciting! Hang that bad boy up!
I’d love to see more about how you prioritize organize you life with blogging 3 times a day – don’t know where you find the time!
She does it as her full time job
( I think!!)
Yum, this looks delicious.
I love your google videos and would love to see how you customized the new Priority Inbox feature to suit your needs.
I second that. I made mine, but feel like I could do more with it.
Oh She Glows (www.ohsheglows) just discussed this on her blog!
I love getting post!! It’s like, a highlight of a day
Especially when Glamour magazine arrives…
I’d love to see a post on portion sizes and distortion, that kinda thing. I always find it fascinating how bloggers eat such different sized meals
And congrats on your certification
WaHoo- congrats… bring on the frame!
I’m curious… you seem to enjoy a beer every now and then, but usually only 1 or so. Did you ever drink more? Like in college? I’d love to see a comparison of your life 5-8 years ago to now.
Just an idea
I’d like to know how you know all of this stuff is going to taste good together!! Is it just that you’ve been eating this way for awhile, or did you learn all of it in your RD classes? Sometimes, when I see the mixtures you put together for your smoothies, or meals in a jar – I wonder where you come up with the ingredients/mixtures and especially the proportions. Are you reading them from somewhere – making them up on your own? And if so – how do you know?
Beautiful lunch and congrats on getting your certificate!!
The yogurt with fig looks so good!
I love information about organization – how about kitchen/pantry organization? Or about breaking bad habits, it can be anything from kicking a soda habit to stopping nail chewing.
Congrats on the certificate!! I know it’s been official for awhile now, but it’s always so exciting to get the actual piece of paper.
ORGANIZATION TIPS!! You house/kitchen/pantry/life always seem so organized!!!
That is GREAT mail!!!
yay! it’s official! congrats
Kath -
Love your website – have never commented before. Thanks for sharing so much of your lovely life with your readers. I’m interested in the food blogging community and the intersection between healthy living (which you showcase in abundance) and eating disorders. It seems that so many “healthy living” bloggers are recovering anorexics who are still unhealthily obsessed with food and choose to mask their issues with strict veganism or raw eating. I love how you and Matt live a full balanced life and make such healthy choices.
Thanks.
I typically read your posts at work (on my lunch break of course) so I’m not a fan of videos. I like it when you post ideas about time management and meal/menu planning. Also, you had some good charts last year about nutritional info and cost comparisons of soy, almond and cow’s milk.
Hooray for “Good Mail”
I would love to see how you organize, find time for blogging 3 x per day and keep up with life in general. Managing my time is the worst for me!
How to cut a kabocha / acorn squash into those neat little “fry” shapes for roasting. I always screw mine up somehow…
That being said, just a “fancy prep” video would be kind of neat, showing how to slice things like pears, apples, squashes, or anything that’s kind of difficult to present in a fashionable manner.
Or you could do a humorous, yet informative, little “cooking show” and demonstrate recipes or little tricks in the kitchen (I know organization was mentioned and that’d be kind of neat). Heck, you could even toss the bears in there, some Benny Hill theme song music, and go nuts with it!
I remember a couple videos of you/you and Matt demonstrating a recipe in your kitchen; I enjoyed those videos very much.
I also am always interested in cutting down on the time it takes to get ready in the morning. You seem out the door so quickly.
Thanks
Hi Kath,
Congrats on getting the certificate – and of course on becoming an RD!
I’d love a post on how to start your own blog. I’ve been wanting to sart my own and would love some ggood advice, e.g. what host you’d recommend, an bloging software/tools you would recommend (Mac vs PC), tips on posting photographs etc.
Thanks so much!
Congrats on your certification!! I would also love to see how you manage and organize your menu and grocery planning.
Yay! Congrats!
As a single gal, I’d love to see some one-serving dinner recipes! Also – maybe some more in-depth posts about nutrition, since you’re an RD now and all
Congrats on your certification! That is so awesome!
Congrats Kath
I would love your thoughts on what to feed toddlers. My girls (3 and 16 months) already have a good diet but I would love new ideas!
Love your blog. I’m a relatively new reader so I’d wouldn’t want you to repeat yourself on my account. I’ve looked at a few past posts but not all. How about a shopping list? What are staples in the KERF kitchen?
Just to let you know, Kath made a list of KERF staples in a post not too long ago! I can’t find it now, but you may want to check it out!
Congrats on getting the sweet RD diploma! I can’t wait to get mine : )
P.S. I would love to see a day in the life of what Matt eats! Just curious if and how he eats differently from you.
Me too!
Yeah!
I’m interested in more about running. If you were looking for video ideas, something on stretching would be good.
I’m also interested in specific nutrients , how you know when you’re getting enough, what foods are good sources, ideas for getting more, etc. Let us benefit from your nutritional expertise!
Maybe also posts on particular foods, why they’re good for you, how to incorporate them into your diet, recipe/meal ideas.
Maybe something on how to balance food choices, so that you have some treats (as I see you do: beer, wine, frozen yogurt, etc.) but the bulk of your diet is healthy and nutrient-rich.
Yay! Having the paper in your hands makes it all so much cooler
Congrats! It feels good to get that piece of paper in your hand! Lunch looks so good!
That is GREAT mail! Congrats!
Any organization tips for the kitchen would be wonderful. Also, any recommendations on including more veggies and fruits with a meal. Your recipes are great – especially your oatmeal ones. Because of your oatmeal ideas, I enjoy banana, pumpkin oats.
Let’s see, I was thinking about emailing you with a couple questions, so this is really timely!
I’d love to see “oats 101″ – A post where you explain the basics, like:
Stove top oats: use x to x ratio of oats/milk, cook for x minutes, add toppings
Microwave oats: …
Overnight oats: …
Also some ideas for people who are starting out with running and yoga? I joined a yoga class today (20$ for one class a week until summer, at my campus) but was wondering how could I do another session at home so I practice 2x/week? Any videos you recommend for beginners?
Check out Kath’s “Tribute to Oatmeal”!
i would love some more blogging tips. photography, networking, etc.!
Yay, that is good mail! I got really excited when my certificate came in the mail, too. Seems kinda unreal after all that work, huh?!
Your veggie sandwich sounds awesome. Love the addition of avocado.
I love the apple with all of the leaves still on! How adorable!
I love posts about budgeting, organizing, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. I’m kind of a homebody and I love learning how other people do those things!
Congrats! I’ve never commented but have been reading your blog for awhile, I really enjoy it!
I’m interested in how you decided to make such a huge career change and how your life has changed since you no longer work the typical 9 to 5 schedule.
More dance videos. Every time I hear Bad Romance I picture you dancing
hahah I second more dance videos. Kath, have you read “Real Food” by Nina Planck? I’m in the middle of it and it is really good, just curious to know your thoughts.
LOL!!
I have not read “Real Food” or even heard of it. Do you like it?
Yes, I definitely recommend “Real Food” She also has a sequel called “Real Food for Mothers and Babies” that I totally started reading even though I’m not even expecting. hah! I would so love to hear your thoughts. I checked it out from my library which is small, so I’m sure yours would have it. Oh, I also thought of possible ideas for your blog that I love so much
Maybe homemade nut butter recipes/tutorials and crunchy oatmeal toppings. All your fun toppings always look awesome but I would love a way to make some of those things homemade for less $. I’ve been wanting to try making a healthier homemade nutella in the food processor. Just an idea. Thanks for asking, Kath!
That lunch looks so fresh and beautiful and delicious– I love that the leaves are on the apple.
I’m obsessed with checking the mail
)
Your lunch plates are purdy!
Photography tips for slr’s! Your photos are so beautiful. Tips on the didderby settings, terms, etc would be awesome!
Congrats on “good mail”. With all the email that floats around these days, sometimes it’ just so nice to receive something tangible. I think I’m going to start sending more cards
I love your posts on Charlottesvile and running. You new running page fascinated me because I’m a new runner and can use all the information I can get.
Photography tips for slr’s! Your photos are so beautiful. Tips on the different settings, terms, etc would be awesome!
Hi Kath,
I have trouble w/ portion sizes, so if you could do a post on how you keep your portions in check then that would be a great help. Also, I don’t eat a lot of meat and am concerned that I’m not getting enough protein. What personal guidelines do you use to ensure that you’re getting enough protein in your diet?
Thanks and congrats on receiving your cert!
i would love it if you did a video on gardening, portion sizes, and how you decorate/organize your house!
Congrats on the cert!! Hang that little guy up ASAP.
I’d love to see “A Day in the Life” kinda thing, incorporating your work, workouts, etc. Although I enjoy checking your blog many times a day as is. and your lunch today looks so yummy!
COngrats on your certificate~ ideas on what to write on~ wondering how you get such a great balance all the time to do follow a certain guideline or a rule of thumb~ do you also have a rule of thumb of your exercise~ like so many days of running, yoga and such?
Great blog!
yay for good mail! I am obsessed with the mail too. Hubby knows not to get it b/c that’s my favorite job lol!
post topics-you could ahve already done this and I missed it, but a yoga post on diff kinds of yoga and what the differences are, mats, what to bring, clohes, etc. (maybe I missed this?) lol
Yay for good mail!! And yay for good yoga!
CONGRATS on the great mail!
I agree with the other comments about meal planning- either how you combine what you have in the house into a great meal (it never turns out that way for me) or how to minimize prep time or how to cook one meal one day and use it again for something else… it never comes across as ‘leftovers’ in your pics! Anything about organizing and planning… I could use all the help you’d be willing to give!
Kath,
Would love to see posts on the different dieting fads out there. Maybe you could address a different diet of the month? Raw food, low carb, low fat, vegetarian, etc. It would be great to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of these diets, why you do or don’t like them, and how you would modify them (if at all).
Thanks!
Bri
More Nerd Kerf!
Uh oh…you asked and now we are telling! Okay…I have been dreaming about something like this…
A grocery list of things needed for a week. Then different recipes and ideas for how to eat that food in a couple meals plus snacks. I have 2 problems…1) I make a big meal for the week and get sick of it after eating it twice. 2) I waste fruit and vegetables cause I can’t think of ways to use them in simple meals/snacks.
You seem to be the queen of imagination & not wasting. Pretty please? 
If I could go shopping and then effectively use everything I would be so proud of myself I might burst. I have been struggling for years!
I agree!
I’m curious how you feel about taking vitamins and supplements and if you yourself take any.
Hey Kath,
Longtime reader and I’ve spoken with you a few times via email (heading out to BHI next week per our conversation back in May
). I have reviewed all of your resources on budgeting, meal planning, and using Google calendar and iPhone (now Droid) apps for time management but I would still love to peer inside your head and see how you think about time and how you plan out your days, weeks, long-term projects, budgets, and meals. I don’t know if that makes sense but you continue to stand out to me as one of the best time managers I “know” and I would love to really understand how one does that.
Thanks for your help and lots of congrats on your cert,
Sam
As someone new to healthy eating and a bit terrified in the kitchen (due to lack of skill and knowledge) any posts on cooking how to’s or easy changes to make in the beginning of a healthy eating journey would be much appreciated. (I’ve already cut out diet soda and cut way back on processed foods).
There are many veggies I’ve seen on your blog that I’m scared to prepapre. I also don’t do well with turning things into a second meal – I end up with lots of random left overs! So tips there would be great!
Congrats on your certification!!
I know that I read healthy living blogs in order to get some more ideas about how to eat healthier … by both adding more fruits, vegetables, and “real food” to my diet and also by managing my portions. I would love to see more tips from you geared towards people struggling with their weight … how can they stay motivated to eat less portions even when they are already eating healthy foods.
Congratulations!! Love that kind of mail!
I would love to see a post on crock pot recipes (especially non-meat ones). I love how you put things together and every recipe I try of yours is delish! I have trouble finding non-meat crock pot recipes online. Thanks for asking us!
Congrats on your certification! It must have felt incredible to get that in the mail.
Time-(/self-)management! But I guess the video of the healthy living summit will cover that topic?
Congrats!!!! I would love to see a video about your approach to interior decorating!!! I really love your style!
And I was just gloomy because I came home from work to bad mail. Glad you got good mail! Congratulations a million times over! Love, Mom
I would love to see a post re: eating healthy while away from home. I spend 3 nights a week away from home for school and find it a daunting and overwhelming task figuring out what I am going to pack so that I have healthy options and also so that I do have to spend extra money. Congrats on the certification : )
YES!! frame that up and hang it asap! so proud <3 Registered Dietician
mm and the lunch is a bit of a celebratory feast hehe. looks awesome!
xo
Yay Kath! I love good mail
My last piece of good mail was an exam back from my school with a big 100% plastered on the front – It feels so good to be recognized for your hard work!
Good mail, indeed! I loved getting that piece of mail, too
That bread looks fantastic…all the seeds on the crust…yum! Love GH — I grew up on the stuff in Illinois!
You seem so organized, be it finances or grocery trips, etc, so anything on organization would be great!
Congrats Kath!!!
I don’t have any requests, but just wanted to say that I, too, always hope for good mail. It feels so special compared to the usual forms of communication today!
Congrats on being official now with the paperwork!!! How about educating us with facts/food we may not be familiar with. With the cold weather coming upon some of us, how about a post on soups.
That’s not just good mail- it’s fantastic mail!! Now it’s official-official. Congrats
Congratulations on your certification!
Firstly, something about how you manage portion sizes would be great. I love eating real food, but I have always struggled with portion sizes. Whenever I get hungry, I inevitably become grumpy and get light headed, so I tend to eat too much because I worry I’ll get hungry later (and stopping to eat at work is an issue).
Also, if you could speak a little about how you balance nutrients (amount of protein versus amount of carbs, good fats, etc.), that would be great.
Congrats on your certification!
Congrats, Kath!
I work at a desk for 9+ hours/day. I love oats for breakfast but always feel so guilty eating a big bowl of carbs. Do you recommend something lighter for breakfast for someone who is not as active during the day? I work out for an hour every day after work but sometimes feel like a bowl of carbs in the morning goes right to my hips when I’m sitting all day!
Good question. Well the carbs aren’t just for your body – but for your mind too! I think if they fit into your energy needs for the day, there’s no reason at all not to have oatmeal for breakfast. A half cup of oats cooked with milk and banana and perhaps some peanut butter is hardly a carb fest. But if it’s 600 calories and you only need 1800 / day and are eating more at your meals, it’s the calories that will add up to your hips. Also, you do want to ensure your oats have some protein/fat to balance the carbs and ease the release of sugar into your blood, so ONLY oats made with water and banana would be pretty carb heavy but only because of the lack of other food groups. Does that help?
oooh very exciting indeed!!!
Echoing some others:
– organization and home care
– a joint video with Matt explaining how to cook for two people who may have different tastes, nutritional needs, etc., or how to motivate one partner to eat differently. I’m always so impressed with Matt’s willingness to eat a meal of beans and veggies … my husband can get a little pouty when I make “lighter” dinners.
Can’t get better mail than that. Well, perhaps a cheque would be better!
Congrats on your certification and becoming and RD. Your hard work paid off!
Congrats! Your sandwich + apple looks deeelicious.
Yay!
Nothing like having that degree done and the proof to boot 
Congrats
I’d like to see a video of you making a smoothie & what goes in it and what you prefer the consistency to be.
Congrats on becoming an RD!
Lunch looks stunningly delicious. I would like to hear more about time management in regards to blogging. Do you have any tips to make blogging life quicker/easier. It seems like uploading the pics seems to take forever. Also, any videos on yoga would be nice. I have never done it, but am thinking about getting into it. I’m a bit afraid of knowing all of the stances though. Lastly, and advice on getting through injuries with exercise overuse/running–in particular my hip. Thanks!
Congrats! That is so exciting!
Hi Kath!
WAHOO, way to go sweetie! RD, my friend Kath.
I vote to dedicate an entire day to MATT’s food! That would be fun and you could have the day off to eat whatevah ya want, no photos, no bloggin’, just eatin.
XOXO
I would love to see a post on starting to run and building up endurance. I’m sure there are tons out there, but I think your take on it would be interesting.
P.S. That sandwich look amazing!
Congrats! I’d love to see a few “dumbed=down” posts about what you learned in RD school. Maybe just point form on some basic health pointers, what we should be including in meals, what certain things do for our body, risks, etc.
Thanks!
Woot! Woot! You’re officially official–congrats again
A huge congrats on your huge accomplishment, Kath! Wishing you many more pieces of ‘good mail!’
Yayy on the good mail. I’m thinking about what I want to see, I’ll let you know!
Congrats on getting your certificate! I would like to see more videos on breakfasts that are quick and easy to make. I never thought of putting fig jam on yogurt. I will have to try it!
You have apples growing in your yard, you are so lucky.
Congrats! You’re official now!
I’m with Jessica – I’d like to see more explanation on how you deal with time management. I know how packed you make each minute, but you still find time to do all sorts of fun activities.
congrats on the official notification!
WOOHOO! Congrats, Kath! It’s completely official. I can’t wait for that day to come for me someday. I can only imagine how excited you must feel.
I totally read “What I learned from my nom” hahahaha. Nom nom nom and learn something! Congrats on the RD.
Make a purtty frame!
Good mail, indeed! That’s a gorgeous piece of paper. Congrats, Kath!!
Jenn
Video request – I’ve been mindfully eating with friends and would love a video of you enjoying a meal! You could even voice your thoughts of the meal throughout and note when you are starting to feel full.
That’s been some path from Davidson, to Trip Mag, to Mower, back to undergrad, to blogger and finally to RD. Congrats on your perseverance and finding your way.
congrats on your certification!
My suggestion is purely selfish: Since you’re a bonafide RD (CONGRATS on the good mail), how about a crash course in traveling the health road for those of us who are planning on taking that trip? I read a lot of blogs and it seems like chia seeds are pretty popular. I’m finding that I’m on information-overload and it’s so overwhelming!
Congrats!!
I love love LOVE that blue bowl! And I think it would be cool do posts about how to make your blog successfull.. perhaps how yours became so sucessfull and widely read?
Congrats on getting your certificate! It must feel so official now!
Hmm I’d love to see a post on fueling yourself on workout days. I’ve never been sure how much extra I need to eat to make up for the calories I’ve burned.
congratulations
Dear Kath,
I loved your financial stuff and could definitely use a refresher!!!! I started my home budget because of you! Also, anything on menu planning for the week in conjunction with a grocery shopping list! I’m sure you have a great system – you seem so organized!!
(Also, I don’t know if this is something you would write about, but is there competition amongst you and your blogging friends? I know a lot of women our age struggle with that and I just find it interesting that you have such a huge community of blogging friends that all write on a similar topic. Is it hard? What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a healthy living blog? What is the best/worst thing about blogging all of your meals? Also, I sometimes wonder, what’s next? I think that some of us who have always put health/wellness in the forefront forget to look past that. Once we reach our goals (and are living a healthy life with healthy eating) how do we move beyond always focusing on food/eating? I hope that question makes sense…. I’m not quite sure how to phrase it! On a blog like yours, how do you let people know that there is more to life than food?)
Sincerely,
Sally
Congratulations!!!! And such a colourful lunch, too, to make your diploma proud
I would love to know how you get all these great recipe ideas like what you had for dinner and it seems like every meal you have is delicious!! Maybe you can write about how you afford to eat such a variety of foods!
I agree with Jessica @ Sweet Eats. How do you fit in the time to blog three times a day? I just started a blog and am practicing with blogging once a day while I work full time. It’s tough to fit in a post in under 30 minutes!
Also, your “trade secrets” for blogging-like I saw you use eye-fi which probably helps with the photo upload tremendously.
Thanks Kath and congrats on your exciting mail! I am a good mail geek too.
Very exciting mail! Congrats! Too bad about the apple pies…they at least look delicious!
Hey Kath!
Congrats – I’m yet to frame my Dietitian qualifications, oops!
Re the posts, I really enjoy what you put up & am struggling to think of new ideas. Perhaps you could do some more on menu planning for the week? In terms of how you come up with ideas for meals (books, seasonally, what is in the fridge, budget restraints, etc).
Heidi xo
Congratulations!
Congratulations, bravissima, encore! Way to go, Kath.
Id like to know what foods someone with hypothyroidism should stay away from.
I’ve been trying to get away from the typical yoplait yogurts. But, I have a hard time knowing what to look for! I bought an all natural yogurt and it was gritty and I wasnt sure if it was bad or if it just wasnt for me! I also tried greek yogurt but I found that there would be like solid bits near the top of the container…
So what kind of yogurts can I try for the healthier living lifestyle, that have a similar texture to what I am used too?
Thanks!
I’m guessing Dannon Plain was the gritty one!?
I’d recommend anything by Stonyfield. Try Oikos Greek or Trader Joe’s Greek – both are very smooth. Stonyfield’s Plain is good too – mixed with jam or pumpkin!
I would love to see a video tour of your new house (like you did with your other one)