Guess what popped into the Open Sky store today!! I’ve got a new product trickling in everyday this week. Fun times. This one’s a bit pricey. But so is a bottle of wine 
Back to the coconut butter in a minute…
I’m having that time of the month when I have insatiable hunger!!
At first I thought I was just dehydrated from yoga and chugged some hot tea and a bottle of water…
A new tea to test by The Tea Spot!
Yerba Mate Limon Chai. Liked it a lot! Slightly lemon, but not sour, and a nice body. (I hate weak teas!)
I used this awesome collapsible tea steeper a.k.a. the "Tuffy Steeper" to brew. It was awesome!! Trying to get this available for you guys in Open Sky as well 🙂
I normally don’t sweeten my coffees or teas, but sometimes when I have a cup in the afternoon I do. My sweetener of choice is Stevia In The Raw, which I was sent as a sample. It seems to me to be the least risky of all sweeteners. I don’t use it often, but I don’t mind using it when I do. It has a similar consistency to Splenda, meaning it blends well, and the flavor is much, much better than other stevia products I’ve tried.
[Magic spoon!!]
OK, so back to my hunger. After hydrating, I questioned whether I had eaten enough at lunch. I had felt full, but I counted up the calories to see – about 500, I estimated, so that shouldn’t be the problem.
That leaves only one thing: HORMONES!!! I know when my body is acting out of character hormones are to blame. Ever since writing Embrace The Cycle I’ve been trying to pay really close attention to my body throughout the month and THINK I am just in that sweet spot where progesterone peaks = HUNGRY!!
I found myself reading this article on energy intake and hormones and researching progesterone. That hormone is bad news!
So after all that research, plus writing a quality improvement plan for my internship, I was ready for a snack!
=
There was about half a cup or less yogurt and I added a heaping 1/4 a cup or so of SP and then about a quarter cup of granola. YUM!
Dinnertime [two hours later and still feeling hungry in the back of my stomach] we brought out the coconut butter. Plus some coconut OIL (the butter is blended coconut meat and the oil is pressed from the meat) I got as a sample a while ago from Artisana.
Guess who loves the coco butter?! He said "I’ve never had coconut like this!" Eating it with a spoon!
And slathered them on an acorn squash!
30 minutes and one flip later…
FOLKS: Squash season is OVER! This was two in a row that just tasted off. Actually, it tasted EGGY!?
We continued the coco flavor profile into some….salmon!
[Speaking of Coco, I miss Conan so much already!!!]
Wild salmon courtesy of U.S. Wellness Meats 🙂 They came frozen a while back and they were just as delicious as I anticipated.
We topped them with some ground flax and the coconut butter and baked at 400* for 10 minutes
Finally we cooked some collard greens on the stove-top tossed with a chopped orange
Ta-Da
Loved the slightly sweet coconut crust
Wish the squash had been better, but the coconut flavor really did come through!
The collards were a bit bland, even with salt and red pepper flakes, so we ended up adding some…
Tribal Moose! Still obsessed with this smoky sweet sauce 🙂
About to hop in bed to read with my monkey Kanzi!
Takes me right back to 2004ish when I had a crush on Mo’kay Monkey at the SAE house!
Nite 🙂
Marissa says
I’m so glad I read your, Embrace the Cycle. I have CRAZY hunger around the same time, and your article made me realize that my body actually does need more food and it’s OK to give it. Our bodies are so awesome, if we just listen to them. On that note, I’m off…to EAT!
Zeus' Mom says
Nooooo…. progesterone is GREAT news!
Kath says
WHY!? OH WHY!?
Zeus' Mom says
Because you can’t make a little Kath without it 😉
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I’ve tried that coconut butter and wasn’t amazed :-/ I think coconut oil is more my love
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
Mmm such good eats! I’ve never tried coconut butter–it sounds great!!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Every time you make acorn squash, it looks so pretty! I usually just eat mine straight from the squash haha…
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries says
When I read your Embrace the Cycle post, I felt like you were writing about me. I just insatiably hungry for about a week each month and it always throws me off. I’ve definitely come to embrace it –especially when “hunger cures” comes in the form of SP yogurt! I need to try that!
Angie says
It’s absolutely incredible what a difference a week can do to a woman’s hunger; at first it would drive me mental thinking I was doing something wrong, and then I realized I could key it EXACTLY to my cycle. Now I just know that, just like your squiggly line says, it will all balance out in the end 🙂
Coconut oil is my new love. I’d been reading about the health benefits and wanted to incorporate some more good fat into my diet, and this is by far the best tasting yet!
ashleigh says
I bet that coconut butter is amazingly good. I love coconut!! What a creative idea to use it as crust for the salmon! Ok.. now I am seriously craving some coconut…
stacy says
hey kath are you trying to add kodiak mix to open sky? i was going to buy it on the web but will wait if you think you are going to… so i don’t have to buy an absurd amount! thanks.
Kath says
It is IN THE WORKS! Ironing out details. Hopefully next week?
Cole says
Yeah, that “hungry time of month” is always crazy. But that coconut butter definitely looks good enough to eat with a sppon!
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
I’ve got to try that coconut butter! YUM 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I just bought some coconut butter and can’t wait to try it!
I had kale with orange slices for lunch yesterday…we must be on the same brain wavelength 🙂 Greens and oranges go so well together!
Brittany says
YUM! I’ll have to try coconut butter! Sounds delish!
Mo @ Mommy RD says
Your dinner looks amazing tonight. Coco salmon sounds delicious!
Jessie says
I always thought that PB would be the only thing that I would eat straight from the jar with a spoon, but that coconut is making me super-hungry … maybe it’s the progesterone? 😛
Heather (Skinny Ambition) says
I’ve never had squash. It looks really good!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I just got that coconut butter and am LOVING it!!
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
I’ve always wondered what you do with coconut butter, that looks awesome!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
The salmon sounds fantastic! And coconut butter… oh wow. Oh wow. Open Sky tempts me like you wouldn’t believe. I thank you for it, but my bank account doesn’t 😉
Hannah says
I LOVE the idea of the coconut in the salmon!
Quick question though – you said before that the sweet potato puree tasted like its “skin” in your oatmeal… did you have the same problem when mixed with yogurt here?
Kath says
Yeah, this brand just tastes like the skin for some reason.
karla says
I love love love your blog!!! I tried the chocolate coconut Artisana you had in one of your previous entries, but it is not working for me, but the coconut looks really good…. I tried the chocolate coconut in yogurt, yuck! In grits for breakfast, YUCK!!! Still looking for a good combo.
Kath says
Well did you melt it first? What did you like? I LOVE it!
Alison (Life's Little Lusts) says
you tried the coconut on the squash!!!! 😀
i’m so glad you liked it.
it’s my newest love <3
thanks for passing it on!!!
Sophie says
I agree about the acorn squash! The last time I got it, the squash just wasn’t great. Blegh, so disappointing!
Leslie @ Chomp! says
Dinner looks GREAT! i love salmon but my roommie is allergic, so i have a hard time eating it on a regular basis! Also: I have been ridiculous hungry these past few days too… i just ate dinner and my tummy is making noises of hunger still!!
Question: how do you cut your acorn squash up? i find it difficult enough to cut in half, let alone into slices! do you soften it in the microwave first or something??
Kath says
I cut it in half, scrape the seeds out, and then with a sharp knife, hold it steady while I slice through.
Liz says
that coconut butter looks delish? What is the consistency of it? It looks quite dry and almost crumbly in the photos, as opposed to a creamy nut butter type texture
Kath says
Check the Open Sky page for consistency shots 🙂 It’s kind of waxy when cold and liquidy when hot.
Wendy says
Hey, don’t slam progesterone!! That’s the hormone that supports pregnancy! No progesterone = no babies!! 🙂
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
I just added that coconut butter and the chocolate one to my OpenSky shop too! Question about the mail order meat thing: did you get the salmon and steaks for free? If you did, would you purchase them when you run out?
Kath says
I did get them as I sample (thought that was clear in the post, no?). I would definitely consider buying some of the organic + grass-fed meats from US Wellness but since I have wild salmon readily available in my grocery stores (EarthFare) then I probably wouldn’t order it online.
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
I wasn’t sure since I use the term “courtesy of” even when I purchase something! Thanks for clarifying! I’m looking for a grass-fed provider that doesnt cost an arm and a leg, and US Wellness seems great
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self says
This is exactly why I try to eat intuitively, rather than worry about numbers or calorie counts. Some days/weeks, our bodies just crave more FUEL – be it due to our cycles or our workouts or some other factor. No strict dieting plan can account for those things the way that LISTENING TO OUR BODIES can. And then it all comes back to your notion of the “squiggly line effect.” While our bodies might crave more food during a certain week of the month, if we truly listen to them, they usually balance it all out for us later in the month. Voila!
Jamie says
I’m not a huge coconut fan 🙁 BUT your dinner still looks awesome!! I can never get enough salmon
Pam (@ TotalHealthCounseling) says
Yum coconut oil! I read it’s actually really good for you and on days when you are super hungry, can help satisfy your appetite.
Sometimes you crave more food because you need the extra fuel, so go ahead and nourish yourself with whole, satisfying foods.
Sometimes you feel hungry based on emotional reasons, so listening to yourself and knowing when you have emotional hunger or actual physical hunger is key.
rustique says
Looks about perfect to me. There’s a tea shop called the Tea Spot around the corner from me–they have some whacky tea leaves (the best being Coconut Cream Green Tea–all leaves, no sweeteners, yet manages to taste like cake)–they must be related.
[email protected] Two Lives, One Lifestyle says
“Hungry in the back of my stomach” is something I can relate to.. I like the phrase!
Ameena says
I have never had coconut butter before but it looks like a really good addition to dinner! I am going to check out Whole Foods to see if they have that brand.
Holly S. says
Hey Kath! Loved that cycle article, but I have to ask…you aren’t on the pill? Because if you are, your hormones should be pretty well-moderated and consistent throughout the month–the pill hormones trump your body’s hormones. Unless perhaps you are on a tricylic pill, where the hormones vary through the month? Just some thoughts!
Ashley says
I take the pill but still have this crazed hunger Kath talks about!
Kath says
Well, I actually have an IUD and so my estrogen is totally normal and progesterone, probably almost normal. I have a very distinct cycle even if I don’t have a period each month.
Allison K says
I was going to ask the same thing about hormonal birthcontrol. I’ve considered a non-hormonal IUD, but have been scared off by the stories of women who had periods from hell on them.
JessicaE says
Man, I wish I could look into getting an IUD, but most doctors in my area wont give it to you until After you have had children :*(
Kath says
The only reason is the pain, and it wasn’t that bad! Tell her/him you want it anyways 🙂
Holly S. says
Ohh that is very interesting! Yeah you definitely would still get a normal cycle–you are ovulating after all!
I find that on hormonal BC I get just crazy for the week I am off my fake hormones, and I don’t really experience the normal cycle.
Karla says
I’ve been having a crazy hungry month too! I’ve been drinking about 3-5 cups of tea per day to try to keep it under wraps!
I saw coconut butter in the grocery store today. Super pricey!! Looks good though 🙂
Wendy says
And here I’ve just been using my coconut butter for homemade deodorant! Thanks for the tip.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
LOVE LOVE LOVE your afternoon yogurt mix!!! And that tea steeper is SO neat. I’m going to have to check it out.
I’m not the biggest fan of Coconut Butter… I actually tried that exact kind myself, but I’ve just never cared for the taste of Coconut. Very neat recipe though with the salmon!
Deirdre says
Your monkey photo made me laugh. An Ex of mine totally won me a monkey like that at an amusement park and then had to carry it around all night.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’ve been slathering on coconut oil after showering – it’s such a great moisturizer and i don’t mind when my dog licks my toes!
Adrien says
That’s an amazing photo of you!
I had a Kabucha squash (or whatever that one’s called) tonight- I thought it tasted fine- so maybe it’s just a bad one you got?!
Who knows, coconut looks pretty delish to toss on- tomorrow, perhaps on yams.. a girl can dream!
Alison says
It looks like I need to read your progesterone article because I am always wondering why I get insatiably hungry for a few days every month. It’s ridiculous. I’m so glad others out there can relate! You dinner looks delish, by the way!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
You come up with the craziest combos, but they look totally delish. I keep that exact Greek yogurt stocked in my fridge at all times. I wish they made a larger container as I can go through it in a couple days!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I need an in mug steeper like that. I need to go to teavana and get one.
Patricia (Run Foodie Run) says
Love your photos! I’ve tried some other Artisana products before, but not yet the coconut butter. Must try it!!! 🙂 I love coconut water, so I think I will love all things coconut! Reminds me of my childhood in the Philippines!
Jenna says
Yummy dinner!!
Chelsea says
I tried to use that coconut butter to make popcorn the other night-bad news. Oops! Oh well. I do love that stuff. I can get it locally-I’m a lucky duck!
Sara (effortless health) says
Coconut butter is soo good!
Ashley says
#1-Okay. So more recently I have also noticed this crazed hunger. I’m not sure why I haven’t as much in the past…not sure if I really varied this much before. Nothing has changed, medication wise but my last 2 cycles have been nuttzo! I mean…I am always hungry, every 2hrs [even with a 400+ calorie bowl of oats in the AM] but right now I seem to be in my not as hungry week, where I’m eating slightly less. Then, it seems that it’s “the week of” where I’m ravenous! So.AHnnoying. I still eat my normal routine of food and keep cookies + icecream out of the house, almost all of the time. So, I’m never just eating a million empty calories either. I wonder what brought on my recent change…maybe I’ve always been like this but haven’t noticed? Either way, totally weird, and I can totally relate. #2 i LOVE that you compared the coconut butter with a nice bottle of wine. I think people get SO scared to put money into food but will definitely not think twice about good beer or a $20+ bottle of wine. And the coconut butter will last waaay more than 1 night! Way to put it into perpsective!!! 🙂 I wish we lived closer….sigh…night!
Kath says
😉
Ashley says
Oh…and as if I didn’t say enough…that is good to know about the tea having a nice body. I don’t drink tea because I find it is oven not flavorful enough and tastes too watery, even when I use 6oz of water. That little steeper is just too cute!
Liz says
Hey Kath! Quick question…when you cook greens on the stove top do you put some liquid in the pot? What do you use? I’ve also noticed that sometimes you will steam veggies with fun add-ins like maple syrup, but it doesn’t ever look like you use a steamer basket, which is the only way I’ve ever known to steam veggies on the stove, so I’m just wondering what your cooking method is when you do that.
Kath says
I usually wash the greens right before and even though I spin dry, they are still quite moist. Sometimes I do add a tbsp or two of water to a pot on medium high but mostly I just put the greens in and the lid on and stir throughout the duration of 5-7 minutes. When they turn bright green they are done. Then we add on our drizzling sauces before removing from the pan.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I LOVE Artisana coconut butter!! I used to eat it by the spoonful when I first got a huge jar. It was so pricey though. It’s hard until I microwave it though so that’s good for not digging in with a spoon whenever I walk pass the pantry 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
the dinner looks yummy, even with the off-tasting squash! i love the steeping contraption for your loose leaf tea…bet it makes it easy to do loose leaf!
Christina says
What an appealing dinner!
Sarah says
Oh the hungry week – good to know progesterone is to blame!
Jac says
i really wanna buy from Open Sky, but they don’t ship here! 🙁
Kath says
Where do you live?
Jac says
MAlaysia! 🙁
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com says
wow what an amazing dinner, that all looks SOdelicious!
Ok, first pumpkin puree, now sweet potato puree!!?? Seiously, I am SO JEALOUS!!! I want some purees 🙁
christie @ honoring health says
Man, that dinner looks awesome. Sorry about the squash though. Just means spring and summer are right around the corner!
Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind says
Kath, love the “Embrace the Cycle” article you wrote for Breathe Magazine. I saved it to my favorites, as well as the Breath Magazine website!
K says
I think even if it isnt an extra hungry time of the month, its OK to have a snack! I’m hungry everyday for one…..
Kath says
Well of course!! I have one almost everyday as well.
Lisa @ Early Morning Run says
I made salmon for dinner last night too. It was good, but didn’t look nearly as good as yours! I still have to try collard greens sometime soon. I like the idea of pairing it with an orange.
Janice @ O.S.M.B. says
Disappointed to hear about the squash- just bought my first acorn squash at the grocery store last night to try it out. We’ll see if it’s any good!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
I’ve just gone back to using regular ol’ sugar when I need some sweetness from time to time. It’s totally worth the miniscule 15 calories per teaspoon for the piece of mind of knowing I’m not eating anything artificial, you know?
Ana says
Ohhh, what a cool tea steeper, I want one too!! I love tea and drink it almost daily, especially during the winter.
I got a jar of that same coconut butter but haven’t opened yet,l gotta try it soon! I also got one of the coconut bliss, could not help, I cracked that one open first, so good!!
Ana
Family Fresh Cooking says
I have got to try that salmon with the coconut and flax. Very creative! Loads of protein and healthy satisfying omegas!
Kristilyn (My 29th Year) says
Wow – I would love that salmon! It looks great.
I bought some coconut oil the other day from the health food store but have no clue how to use it! I thought it would be more like an oil, but it’s hard in the container. I thought it was just because they kept it in the fridge, so I put it in the cupboard and it’s still hard. Do I heat it up? It’s very confusing, sometimes, trying new products! LOL!
K
Kath says
Yes, mine was hard too and I heated it up to get it back to an oil.