Good eeeeeeving
[Said in a British butler voice 
]
I left the house this morning with a new product to sip: Ayala’s Herbal Water. I’m testing these out for the Open Sky store!
They are organic water infused with herbs – lots of different herbs. Because I am obsessed with all things lavender, I picked the Lavender Mint to try today. Also included in this aromatic bottle was Thyme and Lemongrass.
The aroma was seriously HEAVENLY. One of the best lavender blends I’ve ever smelled. The water itself was plain to the taste – there are no sweeteners or anything. Just herbs!! But the aroma – so delightful.
Obviously these are too expensive to sip daily, but I think it would make one awesome mocktail (served in a martini glass and a slice of lemon or cucumber). I’m going to save my other flavors for special treats in the evening 
I wrapped up my hungry afternoon with some applesauce and a homemade granola bar!
Then hit the road, Jack.
I drove home as fast as the law would allow to meet up with EMILY! We decided at the last minute to meet up for a quick speed run after work/class. Loving my new workout partner in crime
[We're blue because Matt didn't understand white balance on my camera!]
It got dark quickly (hence the tennis ball yellow fleece!) dark and we ran FAST! I was huffing and puffing and my legs were crankin’
48:10 minutes later…
5:56 miles under our belts…
- 8:40
- 8:26 (!!)
- 8:40
- 8:46
- 8:44
- [4:52]
Fun times!!! We’re hoping to tackle my longest run yet – 9 miles – on Sunday!
I came home, opened a fantastico box from Naturally Nutty (more Open Sky loot!!), tasted a few of the best of the best, and then showered quickly to come down to a party platter of leftovers for dinner –
Emily spotted the new Yoplait greek yogurt in her neighborhood and brought me one to try! Being a greek yogurt fanatic, I couldn’t wait to test it out. This one has concentrate milk protein in addition to the milk and not nearly the probiotic profile that Oikos has (I had Oikos, this and TJ’s greek all in my fridge!) TJ’s greek has the highest protein (120 kcal and 22 grams of protein). The Yoplait gets points for the most calcium (35% compared to 20% in the other two) and vitamin D (neither of the other two had D).
But how did it taste?
NOT GOOD!! It was tangy! That’s what I hate about regular plain yogurt and love about all the other greeks. I think an hour later I can still feel the tang in the back of my tongue. Not cool. Also, aside from being thick, it did not have a good texture. It was almost gritty. A big disappointment. I love my Oikos!
To serve I mixed in some sweet potato puree (another thing I will never buy again – it is NOT good!!!!), flax and some Crofter’s spread
As Jamie Oliver would say: the veg
Leftover acorn squash
Drizzled with some Vermont maple syrup my coworker brought me from her wedding festivities!! Love the real deal!
And a boatload of collards. Literally! Along with more Tribal Moose.
Last but not least, a piece of homemade focaccia Matt brought me
Sparkles
A bit unconventional, but this dinner left me STUFFED!
How on earth is it 9PM already!? I’ve got an early morning tomorrow – gotta jump in bed!
{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
kath! i am sad you wont be able to make dinner tomorrow night with me, whit and co, but i hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow
annnnddddd….thanks for the yoplait review – good to know!
Me too
Hope you have fun with Whit!
Dinner Looks really good…. When did yoplait started making Greek Yogurt. I don’t think I have seen it anywhere!?
Pomegranate sparkling water…? Yes please.
Sometimes random meals like that are the best!! And you totally covered all the food groups
And I’m so glad you reviewed the yogurt. I saw some at the store tonight and almost picked it up (didn’t because I remembered how much yogurt I already have). I can’t decide if Oikos, Chobani, or Fage is my favorite. Good to know about the Yoplait though, I won’t bother. Did you know that Dannon also came out with a Greek Yogurt?
Great work on the run! That dinner is great too
I love throw together meals…keeps things interesting 
I wish we had that many types of Greek yogurt to choose from here. We just have ONE that I just discovered we carry in my city!! Crazy, huh? I’d love to try others! One day
bummer about the yoplait. ive been looking out for it because i’ve wanted to try it!
I agree…canned pumpkin is NOT good!!
I don’t mind the tanginess of yogurt, so I might like the yoplait greek. As long as it’s as *thick* as oikos? Was it cheaper?
GREAT run!!
Ooopps…did not mean to say canned pumpkin, I meant canned sweet potato. Canned pumpkin is wonderful.
Haha – I was gonna sayyyy!
Awesome run girl! Good luck on your 9 miler
I would never think of herb-infused water! I have lavender candles and a water-based lavender-scented linen spritzer, and I loooove the scent. I wonder how it would taste now (not that I’m going to drink the linen spray, yikes). That’s too bad about the Yoplait, I love how smooth Greek yogurt is and any graininess would certainly be bad.
That’s what I was just saying to Dustin, “It’s 9:30 already?!” Geesh, time is a flyin’!
I love Oikos, Fage and Chobani, I can’t imagine Yoplait competing. Hope the flavor doesn’t turn people off to other Greek yogurts, they’re not all created equal!
Jenn
I anxiously waiting until the yoplait greek yogurt hits our stores!!!
Wow, what a speedy run! I saw the Yoplait Greek in my store yesterday, but was hesitant to try it… good to know it’s not worth it! Sorry it was a bummer, but thanks for testing it out for all of us.
That water sounds incredible!!!! Lavender is my favorite scent.
My mom tried that greek yogurt, she didn’t much care for it either.
i don’t love the canned stuff but homemade sweet potato puree is seriously divine! i just roast a couple sweet potatoes at the beginning of the sweet, give them a whir in the food processor, and use them in yogurt, oatmeal, etc throughout the week.
I’ve actually tried that water – that exact flavour, and none of the others! I remember, the whole time I was drinking, not being able to decide whether I thought it was crazy delicious or revolting.
I still don’t know for sure – there was so much going on!!
Would love to see mocktail ideas, though – and look forward to the rest of your reviews!!
I seem to be putting maple syrup on everything these days
I really hope you DON’T sell flavored waters/waters etc on your selling link at Open Sky.
It just is SOOO bad for the environment these bottled waters and SO unnecessary.
I can see the value in selling stainless stell water containers or something..but please don’t help ruin the environment with selling bottled waters of any sort…..
Thanks for reading my rant(sorry so passionate!)
Cheers!
Marla,
If i were selling 24 packs of bottled plain water I would totally agree with you, but this is something special.
That herbal water sounds so interesting. I would have picked that flavor too, I love lavender!
I just tried the Yoplait greek on the website a couple of days ago, and I agree — it was not all that good! I guess it’s Chobani and TJ’s for me.
Amazing how they were able to make the water have a lavender scent, but not TASTE like lavender.
Despite the not so great taste of the Yoplait, it sure looks delish!
You should sign up for a half marathon! You’re almost there.
Great time on your chilly run! That acorn squash looks very yummy. I too love greek yogurt….TJ’s used to do the job, but now I strain it with a cheesecloth to make it even thicker. It does have a nice, mild flavor. Love it with my Barney Almond Butter and Vanilla stevia.
Just wanted to say thanks for the bread advice (from my comment in your previous post) Seriously can’t wait to go back (I love how bread excites me so much haha)
i’m glad you told us about that yogurt…i would’ve seen it in the store and thought to get it, but not now! i do love my Oikos and Chobani
It’s a bummer when foods don’t turn out to be as good as you hoped. Thanks for the yoplait review! While I love Fage, Oikos, and Chobani, I recently made some homemade greek yogurt that was just as good and 1/2 the price:
Line a colander with 6-8 flattened out coffee filters, put the colander inside a big bowl
Take a 32 oz container of plain low-fat yogurt and dump it in the colander
Let it sit in the fridge overnight and voila! greek yogurt on top, whey on the bottom (which you can use in place of milk when baking!)
Megan,
I’ve tried that before but sadly the sour tang is still there so I didn’t think it was worth the time.
ewww, yeah i dont see myself straying from oikos! its just too good and i want to get a hold of the new flavors too! I ran 8:30 min/miles on the treadmill for 30 min the other day and DIED; you are such a speed demon!
I’m a greek yogurt fanatic, and Oikos is actually fourth on my list after chobani, fage and…. my number one choice: SIGGIs. If you’re looking for thick, you haven’t had anything until you’ve tried Siggi’s icelandic yogurt. So technically, maybe it’s not greek yogurt? But it’s with it on the shelves
My best friend can’t do plain, so I we mixed a Plain with an Orange Ginger. For someone who CRAVES a plain greek yogurt, this combo rocked my world. You gotta find some to try!
Just noticed your comment, Tracy. I’ve never heard of Siggi’s. Now I’m so curious!!
I’ve never had it but I’ve seen it at earthfare!! Will try it soon!!!
Eww, yeah that does not sound good at all. Good to know though- I probbably would have tried it. That squash sounds just looks so good.
thanks for the yoplait review! always good to know….i am not a fan of tang either!
Hmm…not sure I’d want to drink herbs..but I’d give anything [almost] a shot! I was skeptical of that yogurt the instant I saw it! No way could it beat the amazing smooth + creamy taste of Oikos!
That herbal water looks really, really, really good.
Lately, I find that every time I get on the treadmill, I say, “One day you’ll be able to run at least six miles like Kath!” You are such an inspiration.
Haha
I didnt know yoplait has Greek yogurt!!!
Wow, I had no idea yoplait was coming out with their version of Greek Yogurt….I’ll have to try that out myself!
I’m jealous of your Greek supply – my fridge is currently out of stock. Oikos all the way =)
What a cute wedding party favor. I am a real maple syrup kind of girl.
I don’t like the tang of greek yogurts either. That’s why I love TJ’s and sometimes cut it with a bit of fruit or agave.
Congrats on the times!
I am still trying to convince Husband that we should make room in our budget for ANY yogurt, let alone greek, but I’d really like to try it. Mmmmm.
What a great run! You make me want to start running again. (The cold is still beating you, though.) Oh well, me and my yoga mat.
Sorry the greek yogurt was a disappointment… I heard that yoplait was coming out with a new one, and honestly I didn’t have the highest hopes for it. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Yoplait. Good to know that it’s better just to stick with the good stuff – Oikos, Chobani, and Fage!
poor Matt.
Why exactly? Because his wife is hot and funny and makes tasty looking meals? Yeah sucks to be him.
I still have only tried the Liberte Greek yogurt as its the only one we have here. I’m hoping we get Fage and Chobani here soon!
That water sounds heavenly! and does it make me snobby if I don’t trust anything Yoplait?
Lavendar mint?! Yum! Can’t wait to hear about your long run on Sunday!
There must be a greek yogurt explosion lately, I saw Dannon Greek yogurt at Harris Teeter today but I didn’t buy it because there wasn’t a price marked and I was headed to TJs anyway. It has similar nutrition stats to the Oikos single servings, though…but not organic.
I have a can of sweet potato puree that I’ve been waiting to crack open. I hope I like it alright
I’m assuming it tastes nothing like regular sweet potatoes?
I’ve seen that yogurt but have been scared to get it. I don’t get it–you hate the tanginess of that one but like it with other Greeks?
The other greeks are NOT TANGY!!
ooohh I LOVE foccacia! You are SO lucky having a baker as a husband haha! That’s like every foodie’s dream.,..
Good run too! Best of luck for the 9miler – wait til you get to double figures, then the sparks realy happen
Have a good evening
I love Oikos, too. And that lavender water sounds amazing. I love lavender also!
We sell the Ayala water at Blynk! Lots of fun different flavors. I’ve seen it at Earth Fare too!
Such a fun run. I felt so good afterwards!! Sorry the yogurt was not a hit! I’ll try mine this weekend and let you know, but thanks for the warning…
That water looks interesting, I love all things lavender as well.
That’s too bad about the yogurt. I saw it the other day and bought one because it was cheaper. I haven’t tried it yet, but now I’m not as excited to
Glad i didn’t buy a fridge full!
Lol right now I have FIVE types of Greek yogurt in my fridge: oikos, chobani, voskos, icelandic, and fage. My ranking is as follows voskos and icelandic tie for first (v. has best flavor while i. has best texture), oikos second, chobani third, and fage last (too tangy!).
Greek yogurt seems extremely subjective to me — even more than other foods! So far, I’m a Fage girl. I haven’t liked Chobani at all … yet that seems to be a favorite with many.
great job on the run, you are pretty speedy!
sorry your yogurt wasn’t good!
I actually like the tang of regular plain yogurt… but only when it’s regular yogurt. I would hate it in Greek yo! Fage is my fave, but Oikos is a much, much better deal… sometimes I get TJs, but I think it’s kind of thin…
Wow! Dinner looks amazing, nice and balanced.
I love those green Crate & Barrel condiment spoons, I have a few myself!
It’s a shame that alot of the Greek Yoghurts do not have Vitamin D in them, as calcium is better absorbed in the body with Vitamin D.
I eat a good amount of Greek yoghurt, not because I love it, but for the nutritional aspect of it. I like the fact that Oikos is organic, but do not think it has the best texture/flavor. I prefer Chobani, but then that is not organic. Sooooo………… I switch them up, go with what it on sale & what I have coupons for.
I agree with the person who said Greek Yoghurt is really is a personal taste thing. I prefer plain or vanilla, because I like to add my own fruit in, rather than the fruit flavors. I recently tried the Oikos Chocolate and thought it was horrible.
Ha! Hopefully the label on that water doesn’t actually say “organic”, since there isn’t such a thing as organic *water*. I’ve worked in the natural foods industry for 15 years, and I’m amazed at all the silly and erroneous labeling that goes on lately, since there are so many buzzwords floating around now and the industry is at it’s peak as far as trendiness goes.
The HERBS are organic!! Not the water
That acorn squash looks amazing! Whenever I see squash on your blog, I immediately feel like cooking it.
Good for you on your long runs – 9 miles is great! I’m training for a half marathon at the end of the year and have only run 6.2 miles so far and have to work up to 13. It’s tough, but at least I have blogs like yours to keep me inspired.
K
Kath- have you ever tried lavender oats? I add lavender seeds- sprinkled sparingly in the oats… and if you love the aroma, if you ever come over to the U.K. again, you should go to Norfolk Lavender in East Anglia, acres and acres of different types of lavender fields, and an amazing shop selling all sorts of herby/lavendery based things! The cafe even serves lavender scones! Different but very nice
I’m not I would like herby oats, but I guess I can’t knock till I try! I love lavender baked goods