Over the past year I have really come to embrace leftovers. This lunch was ready in seconds and was so delicious!!
A pile of our quinoa salad from Saturday’s picnic, with Friday night’s collard greens, Thursday’s roasted chicken, Halloween’s pumpkin seeds and a dollop of plain yogurt.
Some sparkles on the side!
Late this morning Matt and I ventured for our workouts. He biked me to the gym, and then kept biking. I played on the Stairmaster and then did some stretching and biked on home. The workout felt good, but I was also very dehydrated!!
I am packing up my laptop to head to Starbucks (on foot!) to do some freelance writing. I have a coupon for a free drink for my birthday month! I don’t want to get caffeine in the middle of the day – any recs for something frothy, flavorful and decaf?
Adios!
{ 74 comments… read them below or add one }
Decaf soy Americano misto
Decaf fat-free sugar-free cinnamon dolche latte!
I’d recommend the misto as well! Unlike you, caffeine is exactly what I’m needing right now. Coffee time!
Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte. SO GOOD!
Ever since I had Starbucks breakfast w/ you, I’ve swapped my lattes for decaf soy mistos. A little less rich, like you said, but still comforting. Plus, Starbucks soy milk is organic & vanilla!
Yeah for leftovers and Starbucks! I too like to reinvent a new meal with treasures in the fridge.
I love leftovers for lunch! It makes the day so much more manageable. And hey, it’s way better than takeout.
These comments leave me feeling out of the loop. I’ve never had Starbucks, and its not like they aren’t around here. We have one 5 minutes from my work, I’ve just never been!
Try a decaf latte! Wouldn’t hurt if they put a little pumpkin spice in there…
Caramel apple cider!!
I second this
So good…and since it’s a birthday drink, with whip!
Oh my gosh, Starbucks Caramel apple Cider is the the ultimate November 1st drink. It tastes like the Holidays!!
Vanilla steamed milk!
Yum! I always forget how delicious these are…they are an incredible caffeine free treat.
Leftovers make lunch so easy! I love your spritzer drink too
Have fun at the ‘bucks!
Start the holiday season early with a Decaf Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha! Delish!
Peppermint WC mochas are the best!! Definitely taste like they holidays
i love leftovers, they really do make the world go ’round!
As a kid, I hated leftovers…now, I LOVE them! Easy and delicious. We try to change them up too so it does not feel like we are eating the same thing over and over. Have fun writing!
I love leftovers. We are having them tonight!
Me too!! : ) leftovers are the best and they make meal planning easy lol
Try one of their herbal tea lattes- so good!
Leftovers are always good — and they are even better if you can “change” them a little bit.
Enjoy your afternoon at Starbucks! I usually just get their white tea.
Decaf skim cappucino!
If you’d like something that’s also decadent, the salted caramel hot chocolate is to die for. Ugh!
Good luck on your assignment!
Tina on Carrots N’ Cake had this today and it sounded delicious. I’ll have to try it next time I go to Starbucks!
I love going to Starbucks in the middle of the day! I feel so sophisticated!
Decaf soy latte! I like to add the sugar-free vanilla to mine. It’s the perfect hot fall drink to me.
I love taking leftovers and trying to make something new and exciting for the next meal
I don’t drink coffee, but I love the hot chocolates from Starbucks. Sometimes I’ll add in a pump of a seasonal flavor 
Jen
Chai latte! Perfect for the season. I asked about caffeine once and they told me there is almost none.
There are 100mg of caffeine in a grande chai, compared to 330mg in a grande brewed coffee, 225mg in a grande Americano, and 150mg in a grande latte.
I love starbucks’ soy lattes (ordered decaf). Starbucks uses vanilla soy milk so its just a little sweet. And soy makes TONS of foam – I usually get no foam. I also love getting tall decaf, skim lattes with one pump of pumpkin spice. Just enough flavor and sweetness for me.
Enjoy
that looks like the perfect combo of ingredients for a perfect fall lunch!
No caffeine in the middle of the day… why’s that?
I recommend a creamy soy latte, extra foam
I’d never be able to go to sleep!
My non-caffeinated suggestion is an unsweeted Roobis tea latte with soy milk. Enjoy your birthday treat!
I used to dread leftovers as a kid, now I think they are the best thing ever! Especially when you rip them out for lunch at work and all your coworkers oooh and aaaah over your food while they eat their takeaways or instant soup!
That dish looks really beautiful, actually. Good use of leftovers.
YUM!! Your lunch sounds terrific, and I LOVE transforming leftovers too!
Have a fantastic Monday, Kath!
I am such a fan of leftovers at lunch time.. Feed me leftovers for dinner though and I revolt.
LOVE that you added yoghurt!!!
Way to use those leftovers! I’ve never really liked eating leftovers for lunch but recombining them into a mish-mash bowl makes them look much tastier. I’ll give that a try!
I love skim vanilla steamers from Starbucks when I’m not in the mood for caffine. Their vanilla is soooo yummy and it’s such a pure-tasting drink
.
I love leftovers & Starbucks!
Oh that looks yummy! I love your bloggg!!!!!!! I just had a quick question…people always say eat every 3-4 hours to keep metabolism going…but what if you aren’t hungry..should you still eat or just wait even if that means maybe not having a meal…? Because I am never hungry for lunch but I always eat because it’s “lunchtime” or because it’s been 4 hours…I guess I am trying to eat more intuitively so that’s why I am asking this..I feel like if I skip a meal though than I will be also losing out on nutrients that I need to take in daily.. Thank you even if you don’t have time to answer this question…i love reading your blog every day as a way to settle down for the night.
Good question. I think following hunger cues should rule more than time…however…you’re right that if you don’t get hungry on a somewhat regular basis then you might want to follow the time rules more (or speak to a hunger-knowledgeable professional!) about that.
I guess what I’m trying to say is if you have a particularly big breakfast or just a day when you’re not too hungry, then don’t worry about it. If your breakfast holds you over 5 hours everyday (like mine often does) then eat lunch after 5 hours. Don’t eat after 3-4 because some book or website told you to. But I am definitely not advocating skipping meals! (Even if you’re not hungry you should have something small) and I wouldn’t go too much longer than 5-6 on a regular basis – there is some science behind metabolism and the frequency of eating.
Thanks! That helped! I am actually a freshman in college trying to be an RD too, so it’s fun reading your blog. :]
Decaf Soy Pumpkin Spice Latte
Always a winner!
I’d “rec” a decaf americano with two inches of steamed non-fat milk and one packet of raw sugar.
So, so good at any time of the day.
Happy writing! Your lunch looked amayzing.
I love leftovers! Especially combining a few different leftovers to create a great meal.
Any tips on how to get one of those birthday free drink offers?
Did you sign up on their website? I couldn’t find it…Mine’s in December and it would be a perfect time for a hot free drink. Thanks Kath!
I have no idea!!!!!!! It just came in the mail!
Starbucks Rewards. I got one for my birthday too!
https://www.starbucks.com/card/rewards
You also get free soy milk and free flavor shots when you use register your starbucks card (which puts you in the rewards program)…a nice bonus
Hey, thanks for the tip! I’m always annoyed that I have to pay extra for soy when everyone around me is getting 3 gallons of caramel and whipped cream and I’m only drinking coffee (soy hazlenut misto!).
I got one for my birthday in July too…
Just a tip: you cannot use them at Retail Starbucks stores (i.e. inside of Target or other grocery stores).
I found that out the hard way.
Yum- your leftovers look delish! I love heating up something that I already have prepared- so little work involved!
As far as Starbucks is concerned- I would go with a SF decaf vanilla latte or a Chai Tea Latte- yummy! Enjoy and good luck with your writing.
Those pumpkin seeds look delicious!
Decaf toffe mocha ! soo good!
The only drink at Startbucks that I care for is the Vanilla Bean Frap because it tastes the least like coffee…so I guess I’m not much help
I embrace leftovers because that means I don’t have to cook!
You’re probably done drinking your birthday drink by now, but I’d have to give a shout out for a caffeine free, grande soy misto with 1 pump of cinnamon dolce. It’s my absolute favorite. I’m so predictable, in that I order it almost every time.
I think leftovers are fine when they are reinvented into something new, delicious, and exciting.
I love going to work in Starbuck’s! It is something I have not done in so long!
Can’t you just get one of your favourite drinks, but decaf? I used to order the Cinnamon Dolce Lattes with soy and decaf… I MISS STARBUCKS. *sob*
Leftovers rock my world!
They always have so much more flavor than the original dish!
aaaah! we’re having identical dinners again, kath! well, nearly.
I’d just get some herbal tea! I’m really not into flavored lattes (esp. decaf).. they all just taste so artificial to me! Hot chocolate would be my second choice
Agree with you there on the leftovers! Your lunch looks so creative!
xoxo
Love using leftovers to plop onto my salads– super yum and easy!
I often cook dinner intending to have leftovers. Slow food today…fast food tomorrow!
I used to hate leftovers too, but they’ve become a lifesaver with my busy schedule at school this year!
I cook with having leftovers in mind plus some things taste better after they sit overnight and the flavors mingle. Leftovers = portion control + simplicity
Late, but I had to pass it along: Vanilla Rooibos Tea or Vanilla Rooibos Tea LATTE! Decaf, smooth, creamy, and soooo flavorful. It’s my go-to when I don’t want coffee or caffeine!