After work wrapped up and GLEEd my way home with the windows down and then got all of my daily work done. Lots of emails, comments answer>ed, lunch packed, etc.
I snacked on a Teens Eat homemade Larabar – their PB+J flavor. I have to say, this was BETTER than a Larabar because the flavor was more authentic PB+J! I’m thinking they used strawberries to make it more like strawberry jam? The Larabar uses cherries and I did not grow up on cherry jam!
I’ve decided that rather than rushing in the door and rushing back out to go to the gym, I prefer to unwind a little and then go to the gym later in the evening – around 6PM. Instead of feeling like another thing I have to do, this makes the gym feel like a reward for a hard day’s work. Especially when I bike there in warm weather and sunshine like I did today! I swear the warm weather has made SUCH a difference compared to my days in foodservice when I got home after dark when it was 30* and had no choice but to drive. There’s something about biking outside on a warm spring evening that is so calming. [I just need a good afternoon snack and I can tide to a later dinner just fine]
Dinnertime came at 7:30 when I was home and quickly showered!
Hey good lookin’! Whatcha got cookin’?
Long time no see Mr. Crockpot!
Continuing our Dinners We Can Eat At Different Times series, I planned a crockpot recipe for tonight and had Matt assemble it this afternoon. Once again, execution was flawless
On the menu: Jessica’s Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup. We pretty much followed the recipe as it is using some organic chicken breasts from Trader Joe’s, black beans, taco spices made from scratch (vs. a packet) and left out the sour cream simply because I didn’t feel like paying for it! (The organic chicken was enough cost 😉 )
The soup was great! Very comfort foody and satisfied my craving for 1) tomato sauce and 2) Mexican
Topped with avocado and Cholula!
Love my pretty Sagaform bowl 🙂
Spoon’s from Kenya! Brought back by moi
High tomorrow: 65 
High Friday: 85
What a jump!
So last night when I said I was going up to read? I ended up reading BLOGS for 45 minutes!!! In 10 seconds I am pushing publish and am going to read a real book this time! Blogs are great, but books are an escape!
xoxo,
Gossip Girl was awesome this week 🙂
Erica says
The soup looks good! May have to try that…. without the meat though 🙂
Kelly@ khakalackin.blogspot.com says
thought of you today Kath. The newspaper here in Charleston had article about better healthier food choices for kids in the schools. I thought you would be proud that Charleston is working on a program to get the pizza and fries out of school cafeterias. The chicken tortilla soup looks awesome! Enjoy your book tonight.
Lauren says
FYI – Don’t miss Glee tonight – 9:30! :o)
kellyO says
Soup looks great! My husband was on a feeding tube for over six months and had speech therapy three times/week that whole time. You can be such an encouragement to a patient/family member who doesn’t understand tube feedings!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
That is a big just in temps! Should make for a great weekend!
Jessica @ JJsVinBlanc says
The soups looks fantastic, Kath! What a surprise to be reading along and see my name and a recipe that I shared 🙂 Thanks for trying it and thrilled that you liked it. I’ll have to try it again without the sour cream.
Hope the house showing went well today, the kitchen and flowers look great.
Sarah says
Loved hearing about your FEES experience. I am a grad student in speech-language pathology and got all excited when I read about it.
Krista Burton says
I loved hearing about the FEES experience too! I am also a grad student in speech-language pathology, graduating in May! It’s exciting to read about things on your blog that I have spent what seems like forever learning about and learning how to do! 🙂
Ashley says
I wasn’t sure why the LB pb+j is made with cherries either…I like that bar, but definitely think it’s a little off from the cherry flavor…You definitely have to try the low + slow cubes…ah-mazing! I cooked them 20min at 350 but probably like 15 at 400…until they’re browned to your liking. They seemed to take just a little less time. Have a great night!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I’m glad to see someone else who tops their soup with avocado. My husband thinks I’m crazy, but it tastes good and adds some nutrients and heart healthy fat.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Blog reading can sure be consuming…I’m surprised you only did it for 45 minutes! I agree though…I never walk away from blog reading relaxed and in dreamland.
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Looks like a great dinner! Colleen Patrick Goudreau has a recipe for vegan peanut butter and strawberry jam cookies that taste like what I WISH those pb&j lara bars would taste like. Mmmmmm… 🙂
Janelle says
I love the crock pot – we used ours today as well, and it is so nice to come home with the house smelling like dinner and no prep-clean up to deal with.
Blogs can get addictive, can’t they?!!
Janet (pantrybites) says
Great idea making the gym a reward rather than a chore. It should be a reward…a good for you kind.
Lauren says
Thanks so much for sharing your internship experiences with us, Kath! I will be starting my Dietetic Internship in about a year, and it’s such a nice treat to get a sneak peak. You’re awesome!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Books are an escape for me, too!
Kellyn says
Hi Kath! I’ll be graduating in less than a month in Speech Path! yay! FEES are definitely interesting to watch! Just an FYI (I know you’re doing a lot of note writing), it’s dysphaGia. Dysphasia is actually refering to a ‘difficulty with language’, They sound the same though. :0)
Kath says
Oops 😳
Jenny says
You should watch Glee!!! Sooo good:)
Chloe (Naturally Frugal) says
That looks delicious! I have to agree, it’s so much easier to go workout when it’s nice out, especially if you get to get in some exercise while getting there.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
soup looks fantastic! and that avocado just puts it over the top – deilsh!
Jil says
That soup looks delicious!! Glad your internship has been so inspiring!! 🙂
Lydia says
I see a lot of people who come in with dysphagia symptoms and high risk for aspiration. I rely on our nutritionists for support. I am so glad you’re enjoying your clinical experience. Medicine is amazing!! Glad you love it!
Kelsey says
Saw Allison tonight.. She asked about you!
Kath says
🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
I haven’t watched GG yet but i’ve heard it’s awesome!! I can’t wait to see it!
I love tortilla soup..yum!! And such a pretty bowl! I’m a sucker for cute dishes 🙂
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Gotta love the slow cooker — it makes dinner so much easier when you’re busy.
kate says
I love the idea of working out being a reward!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
gosh that is a tasty dinner! I will have to give it a try for sure 🙂
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I need to get back into the reward mindset. Tomorrow I’m going to the gym…I’m really going to go because I need the workout.
Meg says
I have recently starting reading your blog and today I just had to comment after you mentioned speech pathology! I am currently studying that and would one day LOVE to somehow combine that with nutrition.
Love KERF! 🙂
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
that is a very pretty bowl! i have a feeling my crockpot eats will end once it starts getting warmer!
jaclyn@todays lady says
I must use my crockpot!!! Its never ever been used and yet I have no idea why!!!
Run Sarah says
I find the fact that it is light out later helps me with evening workouts too! That crockpot soup looks awesome – I need to put mine to more use!
Sarah-Mae @ Eat, Run, Knit says
I just love post-work downtime, I haven’t been able to unwind after work for several months now due to being a part-time student (yoga teacher training) on top of my full time work, but I always insisted on unwinding for an hour after work before doing anything. Especially the gym, I just needed to let the day go first!
Hannah says
Oh, that soup looks so good, I wish I could make it! (Tomato allergies in the household, sadly). Though that procedure you witnessed sounds kinda oooky 😛
Diana says
Your dinner looks delish. 🙂
I definitely agree, weather makes a huge impact in how I’m feeling.. Last week the weather was great and sunny and I got much more things accomplished. This week it’s raining again :/
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Oh I feel so left out of the world – I don’t watch Glee and I’ve only seen G Girl season1!! I have so much catching up to do..which would you recommend 1st!?
Kath says
I’d start with GLEE (watch all of Season I) because it’s easier to catch up on.
Gossip Girl will take you hours and hours, but it’s soooo worth it!!
Julie says
Uh I have to make myself some tomato sauce for dinner tonight I think! And then I have to get back on making my own bars – you just inspired my with that PB+J!
Loved GG as well. Sometimes I feel like a teenager again, getting all excited about watching it every week 🙂
Jenn (www.j3nn.net) says
Oooh, that soup looks fantastic. Love the avocado on top!! I wouldn’t be able to resist having some tortilla chips along with it. Yummmmmmm 😀
Jenn
Laura says
Theres nothing like being part of a Medical team- you really feel like you are making a difference to people’s lives on a basic level- if you get what I mean? You’re making me scared at the moment- I’ll be doing NG tube insertions in a couple of years time, and thats one of the biggest things I am worried about- it looks so uncomfortable ;( I used to hold the patients hand whilst the tube was going down!
I saw this yesterday, and thought of you- and your public health rotation, I wondered if you’d be interested in how many of the ‘problems of affluence’ endemic in the children of the U.S are now appearing in the U.K: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s2mh1/Panorama_Spoilt_Rotten/
Kath says
Thanks!
Rachel says
Sounds like you had a great and productive day. I am interested to hear more about your clinical rotations. I had a feeding tube three times each for about 2 months. They are not fun to have put in, let me tell you!
I don’t know how you get motivated to workout at night. When I get home from classes/work at night, I am ready to just be a homebody and unwind. I much prefer morning workouts! Although, it is so, so nice to have it light out in the evening now. I remember the beginning of this semester when it was below freezing and dark by 4pm!
That chili looks amazing. It is making me hungry for some 🙂 Hope you had a great night!
Kath says
Having no choice to do it in the AM is motivation enough for me 🙁
lisa says
I have a hard time stopping myself from reading blogs too! I need to put a cap on the number of minutes or hours I read them, or limit myself to a time of day. I have books I’ve been longing to read as well, and I’m continuously online. Grrr…
I tried the PB&J Larabar a few weeks ago, and was not impressed either. I found it to lack flavor, but I also think it’s because I’m not as fond of peanuts in bars. I prefer cashew, hands down.
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
That soup looks so hearty and delicious. Crock-pot creations make me think of my childhood. When both of my parents were working, I’d come home (I was a latch-key kid) and the house was permeated with the aroma of whatever my Mom was simmering in the crock-pot for dinner. They’re incredibly handy for people who want to eat well despite having a busy schedule.
Nicole, RD says
That tortilla soup looks awesome! Love the crock pot!
K says
Lots of SLPs or future SLPs here! : ) Glad you enjoyed your FEES experience, Kath, perhaps you’ll get to observe an MBSS (modified barium swallow study) as well! I do a fair number of those at the hospital I work at and they are my favorite. They are less invasive than FEES. Seeing a PEG tube inserted is pretty cool too, I was lucky enough to see the procedure during one of my internships. It’s neat to see in real life all the anatomy you’ve learned about. Have you met any of the speech therapists yet? I find that in the hospital, and especially in the nursing home setting, SLPs work so closely with the RD. You’ll be learning so much about different liquid consistencies and food consistencies,… I’m excited for you! (speech therapy nerd)
Amanda says
I like after-work workouts it makes my evening more productive and eating dinner later means I don’t snack after dinner : ) I have to go right away though, as soon as I get home I put on my gym clothes, otherwise that couch will suck you right in!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
chicken tortilla soup has stolen my heart…it’s just SO GOOD! lucky girl 🙂
Sarah says
That’s funny- your foodservice class was a complete opposite timewise than mine is (I’m taking it right now)- our stuff for foodservice is all at 6-7 am and it’s still pitch black at that time. Put that with an hour and a half commute and I’m practically getting up in the middle of the night, LOL!
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad says
I’ve decided the same thing about exercise this week! Plus, when the high is in the 80’s, I’d rather wait until it cools down some before I begin a run. Running in the heat is no fun! But runs in the evening breeze are heavenly!
Lisa says
Soup…looks…AMAZING!!! And we have the same Slow-Cooker so I think it’s a sign that I need to make that soup!!!
Thanks Kath!
Lisa
Carolyn @ lovinlosing says
Hmm…I think I’m going to have to work on thinking of the gym as a reward after work. 🙂 I wish I could work out at lunch at my current job. I miss that.
BroccoliHut says
Love your RED Crock Pot!!
KathyZS says
Your soup looks yummo – fat free plain yogurt makes a great substitution for sour cream!
Alas, I think I have developed some sort of sensitivity to avocado, I end up with a tremendous bellyache when I eat it in any form. Ever heard of such such a thing? I googled it and it appears others suffer from this too. It really stinks cause I also developed a peanut allergy later in life so avoid all nuts (except I can do almonds) – which means I can’t enjoy many of the good fats one can eat. Oh well, guess I will live my food cravings vicariously through you!!!
Leng says
I don’t eat meat, but man that soup looks soOo comforting and appetizing.