Afternoon snack!! At the bakery I usually eat 1 big slice of bread a day (usually a medium slice with lunch and a hunk for a snack) and a few sweets nibbles. It’s really not all that much volume, but I sure feel carbed out when I leave some days!
Today I had Apple Crunch with White Chocolate Coconut PB by Naturally Nutty!
And then I left for yoga. I biked to my gym and went to Pilar’s Vinyasa class. No yoga compares to Y2Yoga, however, Pilar’s class is a good splash of the vinyasa style that I love AND she has fabulous music!! I know some serious yogis think music spoils the concentration, but I just LOVEEEEE doing yoga to music! Not loud or bouncy music, but really inspiring, interesting music.
Today THIS song came on and I just about danced across my mat. Loved it!!! So much attitude. I just played it for my sister (well, she played it on her computer) and she said “It reminds me of something Karen would sing on a holiday… “I’m feeling gooooood!” LOL! THIS song was our savasana and I am in love with it for opposite reasons, such as the s p a c e between words and the harmonica!
I actually headed HOME after yoga instead of to the bakery. Matt and I are feeeeeeling goood about how things are going and the business no longer needs both of us for 18 + 12 hour days. So glad I can step back just a bit and come in a little later and leave a little earlier, although I imagine I’ll stay till close many days.
I had a blast cooking dinner tonight!!
I decided I wanted something really herby and gathered what I could find in the yard – plus lots of swiss chard from our overflowing green garden!!
In addition to the chard, I picked dill, basil (!), mint and rosemary plus I used some of the oregano Faith brought over last week.
While I cooked dinner, I poured myself a cocktail. Kombocha! These make such great mocktails, and I try to put one in my grocery cart to sip once a week, although it ends up being more like once a month! I love their taste.
But since the brand had to re-do the formula due to being too high in alcohol, something’s been missing.
I decided to add back that zing.
Just a WEE glug of the good stuff!!
Plus mint…
And BAM – killer cocktail!!! I heart bourbon!
Matt came home around 7:30 and I had dinner waiting. [I am still SO impressed by my Shaklee Nature Bright that managed to get all the food out of these white napkins in the wash last week. White napkins are so pretty and mine usually have tomato sauce stains all over them!]
Our pasta salad was great –
Whole wheat penne (about a cup, dry?)
Lots of swiss chard, steamed
1 whole tomato, chopped
1/4 cup Pestos with Panache, strawberry (!! the strawberries are subtle enough that this worked)
2 tbsp of sour cream (to make it more saucy, and because I had some leftover. Optional.)
Lots and lots of fresh herbs!
The flavors were great~
Matt served his with two giant pieces of Cheddar Garlic. He and Allie are tied for “most bread consumed off the bakery premises” award ; ) He did share a delicious gooey bite with me!
Loaf Report
Karen’s Meatloaf Recipe was actually a Paula Deen!!!! She said it was actually BISON and not grass-fed beef, which is probably why I thought the flavor was so great. I love the flavor of bison more than any beef I’ve had because it reminds me of the beef I had when I was little. Weird, but true.
Goodnight y’all!
Herby Chard Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- Whole wheat penne about a cup, dry
- Lots of swiss chard a whole salad spinner full
- 1 whole tomato chopped
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 2 tbsp of sour cream to make it more saucy, and because I had some leftover. Optional.
- Lots and lots of fresh herbs! I used fresh rosemary basil, dill, mint and oregano. About 1/3 a cup total once chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package
- Place chard in a big pot along with 2 tbsp water and put on lid. Allow to steam for 3-5 minutes
- Chop herbs + tomato
- Drain pasta and herbs, if watery
- Combine everything into large pot and add pesto, tomato and sour cream.
- Toss together and serve!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I LOVE doing yoga to music too! I find that it helps me concentrate so much better – when it’s totally quiet I have about a million things happening inside my head and I end up getting so distracted!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
I really liked that feeling good song. I like this version too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edwsf-8F3sI. Hmmm I would love to try bison 🙂
Jackie Smith says
Your pictures are so pretty!
I’ve never thought of adding bourbon to my kombucha, but I think it’s a brilliant idea!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
That pasta looks so good and fresh with all those herbs! Yum!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i’ve always wanted to actually make a paula deen recipe. they look so great!
Amanda (The Nutritionist Reviews) says
Wow all of those fresh herbs look amazing! I just got some of that pesto that you’ve blogged about before. Can’t wait to try it!
Donna says
How does Matt work from 3 am until 7 pm? Does he also leave the bakery to take breaks during the day or attend exercise classes like you do?
KathEats says
He has been able to go in a little later these days. He doesn’t belong to a gym, and he is truly happy at the bakery. He doesn’t really need breaks, but when he’s tired he has gone home to nap or refresh. The bakery is like blogging to him – when you really love it it doesn’t feel like work
JenATX says
that is so awesome that Matt gets to spend the day doing what he loves… what a great gig!
E says
What a great attitude about his ‘work/job’! I hope to feel that way about my career someday 😉
SAL says
Nina Simone’s version of Feelin’ Good is the bomb! Check it out (and I bet Karen knows it:).
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Hahaha one would think I’d be tired of it by now!! Then I see oozy cheese and I fall in love all over again…
Grace @ Healthy Dreaming says
Lovely pictures! You are surrounded by carb all day which sounds like paradise (and hell) to me! It’s a conflicting feeling since I love great baked goods! haha
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
That’s quite a fancy dinner! Love it!
Cait's Plate says
Ahh! So many things.
First of all – I’ve NEVER been to a yoga class that plays music! I can’t decide if I would love that or not, but I’m thinking I would.
Second – if I had apple crunch bread staring me in the face I’d never be able to pass it up – it would totally be worth the “carbed-out” feeling at the end of the day 🙂
Third – That pasta salad looks delish. So jealous you have such a great garden to eat out of! And my boyfriend Mike could totally keep up with Matt in the bread-consumption department. I would love to see them go head to head. Maybe a trip to Cville is in order for us 🙂
Also, I love how rustic that table makes everything look. I picture you guys eating outside a nice, wide open organic farmhouse 🙂
Luv What You Do says
Your dinner looks SO good! I love having the time to enjoy a cocktail while making dinner. I am so glad to see your creative use of Swiss Chard. I bought some from the market this weekend and was just thinking tonight of different uses for it.
Laura Jane @ Recovering Chocoholic says
That song was nice. I didn’t know they played music at yoga. I can’t believe Paula Deen has a healthy recipe! I love her cooking, though.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
I love the looks of that salad with the tomato and herbs….so yummy. And you guys are saving so much money (and time) buy growing your own greens and herbs and not having to run out for them.
Yoga with music..two schools of thought on it all and I can go either way. Sometimes I love music, sometimes I’d rather just have it quiet b/c it helps me really go inward, deeper. The right music can be awesome though.
And booch and the whole alcohol thing…I joke w/ people that there’s more alcohol in vanilla extract than there was in booch and I feel the whole thing was much ado about nothing and yes, have heard that many ppl dont like the brand as much since the re-formulation. Glad I brew my own 🙂
And I mailed a certain someone that you know something so she can brew and maybe she’ll share with you 🙂
KathEats says
Oh yeah!? Who!?
Crystal says
That dinner looks delish! So fresh and simple to make. I just planted some herbs and will definitely try to create that dish.
anna says
That’s one of my faaaavorite songs… I’ve never heard that version- it’s a good one! Michael Buble also sings it well 🙂
Melissa says
Loving your energy, Kath! I can tell you’re feeling your oats! I love days like that. Hope you have many more to come.
Katelyn says
That dinner looks delish! Thanks so much for the recipe! WOOO Paula Deen! And Karen 🙂
Lauri (Redheadrecipes.com) says
If I worked at a bakery, I would CARB LOAD all day!! It wouldn’t be pretty…
My swiss chard plant died 🙁
Your Pasta looks DELISH!
Bison is DEFINITELY my favorite type of meat!! But its pretty pricey so its a nice treat on a rare occasion! (FYI EarthFare has the BEST gouda bison burgers! One is usually enough for Ben & I to split)
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
We had something similar for dinner tonight too! Pasta and sauce sometimes totally HITS the spot. YUMM.
erica says
If you like this version of “Feeling Good” you should listen to the Michael Buble version – it is kind of jazzy and sexy
http://grooveshark.com/#/search?q=michael%20buble%20feeling%20good
your dinner looks fab!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
You are very fortunate to have access to so many herbs and fresh vegetables!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
I love that song. I can’t remember where I first heard it (I think it was in a gym class too- that version at least) but I just love it. It really does pump me up! It’s a real “feel good” song. Your dinner looks so yummy. I had a bunch of cilantro in my salad tonight and it hit the spot!
Laura @ Backstage Pass says
The pasta salad looks fantastic!
Matt’s bread looks delicious. I am on vacation this week and am going to have to pay a visit to my local Great Harvest! Hoping they have something with rhubarb baked into it… Mmm.
Maryea @ Happy Healhy Mama says
You have more self control than I would working at a bakery all day!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
I was just drinking Kombucha the other day and thinking what a great mocktail it is! And of course there is never an inappropriate time to drink it 🙂
Your pasta looks fabulous but your piece of bread with White Chocolate PB really takes the cake 🙂
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Yum, pasta salad is so summery!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
I loooove herby pesto! SO good! Pesto will forever remind me of my childhood…..my parents still make it at least once a week!
katie @KatieDid says
All that free food from the earth is amazing! You must be saving tons of money.
I’ve never actually had bison, is it more gamey than beef? I am interested in giving it a try sometime.
KathEats says
Its not really gamey – more like beef! Rich and tasty
Erin says
Hey! I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now and I just wanted to say that I think its great! Such beautiful photos! And its just so refreshing to see someone truly enjoying their life and doing what they really love to do.
By the way, where did you get those pasta bowls? I love them, the way they are so wide and shallow. I can’t seem to ever find the right size??
KathEats says
Thanks!
The bowls are Pottery Barn
Katie @ cookiesandkimchi says
Your meals and beverages are always look so yummy, fresh and refreshing! Very inspiring, I really hope to try this pesto pasta dish soon. Thanks 🙂
Brynne says
On New Year’s, my friend and I put vodka in kombucha. It was a little too strong, but I would try it again! Maybe with a flavored vodka? Like cranberry in Cosmic Cranberry – I’m sure that would be great!
Angel7 says
I just listened to the song you heard at Y2Yoga, and like it! I like the Michael Buble version of this song as well.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
You sound so chipper in this update, I love it! And YES – herbs on everything, that’s the way I like it 🙂
[email protected] says
oh myyyy that pasta looks reallly delicious! I love how fresh you always make everything!
Jackie @ That Deep Breath says
The cheddar garlic bread looks amazing! Nothing sounds more delicious to me than a big hunk of bread with gooey cheese!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
I always appreciate it when there is good music in yoga class! I started working again this week, so I can’t make my Monday morning yoga classes anymore 🙁 The instructor (and the music) is the best!!
Allison says
I’ve never had a yoga class that played fun music like that. I think it would be great!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Adding whiskey to Kombucha just made you my new hero. 🙂
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
doin’ herbs – LOL! got a laugh out of that title 😉
Liz @ Something To Chew On says
That’s a GREAT version of “Feeling Good” – had never heard it before, love it!
More than half of the blogs I’ve read tonight had pasta for supper … you’re making me regret my dinner choice. Looks delicious – and I think I could probably run away with that Cheddar Garlic bread …. yummo!
Sandi says
Can you describe kombucha to me? Is it like a ginger ale? I need the ‘crayola’ version…so go slooow…. 😉
KathEats says
Actually Ginger Ale is an EXCELLENT comparison!! Kind of like ginger ale with a splash of vinegar? REALLY like splash!
rumfunandsun says
Hope the cocktail was great! I also hope I some day become as good at making tasty healthy meals as you are!
Mama Pea says
Whiskey + kombucha. I think I love you more than I already did.
Michelle says
I don’t know what I love more–the kombucha cocktail or the song during yoga. I’ve had it on repeat while I’ve checked the rest of the blogs for the evening. Love it!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Interesting, never tried yoga to music. The kombucha cocktails looks amazing!
Namaste Gurl says
You added liquor to kombucha?!?
You bad, bad soul 😉
Khushboo says
Your dinner sounds fab, very innovative i must say!
Jumanah @ Healthy Living in the Middle East says
Basil makes pasta so delicious! Your dish looks fabulous! I have never added sour cream to pasta dishes- need to try that. Sounds yum!
Terry says
How does your garden grow? Love all your fresh greens – do they grow pretty well on their own or do you have to tend to them very much?
KathEats says
We weed it, but it’s just been doing well. We are not huge gardeners! Matt planted all the seeds from scratch which took a lot of time up front, but maintenance has been relatively simple
Christie Inge says
Man, I wish I knew the secret to your greens. Ours are just barely starting to come up but our squash, zukes, green beans and tomatoes are all thriving. I have a feeling it is the soil. The stuff that is thriving is in store bought soil!
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy Girl" says
I love that song. It’s got so much attitude ;-). I wish I worked at your bakery so that I could have your bread every day too!
[email protected] Flying ONION says
Look at all those fresh, yummy herbs!!! I have basil in my herb garden, and the oregano is growing out of my ears. I need to start using some in my dinner. 😀
And I had no idea that the kombucha had to be remade due to the alcohol content! Has this just happened recently? I haven’t tried any in a couple of months and I’m wondering if I would know the difference. I kind of like your solution. 😉
cj weaber @ http://cjh002.wordpress.com says
That dinner looks amazing!!!!
I have to agree, Bison has a lot more flavor than lean ground beef, but have you ever tried elk?! My brother in law lives in Colorado and while visiting last year I went to their local farmers market and picked up some ground elk. Oh my gosh it was the most delicious red meat I have ever had! Sometimes they have it at Whole Foods but it can be kind of expensive. It makes an amazing chili and an awesome burger!
KathEats says
I have not had elk before!
Caitlin says
Michael Buble’s version of that dong is one of my faves! Love the one you posted as well!
Hannah says
Strawberries in pasta! Wow!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
That savasana song is beautiful! I play music in my yoga classes too and I’ve gotten so many positive comments on how much students like it. If it’s the right playlist, I think it can make a class!
Glad you got to have a more relaxing day and things are settling down!
Jun says
I personally like how the pasta salad looked so earthy (due to the greens and herbs, in my opinion) yet somewhat appetizing.
Do you prefer store-bought sauce, or homemade? What’s your fav pasta/spaghetti sauce?
KathEats says
I don’t like a lot of store-bought sauces because they are too onion-y, but I do like a simple marinara from TJ’s or WF’s that has real food ingredients
Molly @ RDexposed says
Basil is king of herbs! Basil makes everything better!
Amelia says
Wow Kath, dinner looks incredible! It looks like something you might order in a restaurant.
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
My favorite meals are pasta dishes. This looks incredible!
[email protected] says
Your pasta looks so yummy….and it’s only 8:30 in the morning! I wanted to let you know I saw a little ad on the side of weather.com with you on it! How cool!
Jordan says
Hi Kath! I wanted to let you know of a new Yoga experience hitting Charlottesville. One of my classmates is starting Pop Up Yoga http://www.popupyogacville.com/ this Saturday they are launching with a free class at the Downtown Farmer’s Market. You should definitely check it out. Glad everything is going so well with the bakery- I am away from Charlottesville for the summer but cannot wait to get back and check it out.
KathEats says
Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!! So excited to have another yoga option and VINYASA!!!!!!!! I signed up for their email list and put in a strong request for hot vinyasa!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Doing herbs and spiking your kombocha? You rebel! 😉
Hope says
You dinner looks amazing! I love having pasta for dinner. 🙂 I have always wanted to make a Paula Deen recipe! Now I have the perfect opportunity to try it! 🙂
Sonya says
I tried my first Kombocha recently. And, you’re description is correct! It’s ginger ale-y with a splash of vinegar! I shook my bottle to mix the green stuff and went to open it and it fizzed all over me! You mentioned they re-formulated their recipe to reduce the alcohol. I didn’t know Kombocha was alcoholic!? Are they/were they? I’m confused. Which flavor Kombucha goes well with vodka or bourbon? Thanks!
KathEats says
They weren’t technically. There was like 0.5% fermented alcohol and some bottles had as much as 2% or something so they had to get the recipe more exact back down to 0% and they lost their zing. I never felt anything from them
Karen says
that, song…. weight watchers commercial!
Sara R. says
I have missed the “feeling of well-being” I used to get from Kombocha before they reformulated it to lower the alcohol content 🙂 Spiking your Kombocha is genius. I know what I will be drinking tonight!
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
Haha you added back the zing. 🙂 Dinner looks fab!!
Stephanie @ Fear Of Bananas says
I absolutely love doing yoga to music. It’s tough to find studios/teachers that offer that. That’s a perfect song for yoga too!
Yummy cocktail and dinner! I’ll have to try both.
Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble says
hahaha! I love that you added bourbon to your kombucha! That’s awesome! Pasta looks pretty great too. Can never go wrong with lots of herbs!
Sonia (the Mexigarian) says
Wow. Love this version of the song. I so want to play that as my song at the next pole dance class I attend 🙂 Sensual music is a must.
I also like it when there is music played during yoga. It helps relaxes me and focuses me on my body that it’s background to everything else.
Nat says
Kath,
I really love your blog, but I’m so disappointed that you own a Guy Fieri knife ;0
KathEats says
Haha. It was a freebie!
The Healthy Engineer says
I love the word “panache” !!! Reminds me of Cyrano de Bergerac.
Rachel says
I went back to Ohio, we’re I’m from, this weekend–and stopped by Great Harvest! Had to see if their cookies were as good as I remembered–they were. Thanks for the inspiration!
KathEats says
Oh they are goooood!
Smuddpie says
Kath, does you gym have Body Flow classes? They are put out by the same company that does Body Pump (Les Mills.) I think you would love it! It’s a combo of Tai chi (very nontraditional), yoga and Pilates. The more I took it, the more challenging it was, and it is set to fantastic music. I know the Nina Simone version of Feeling Good from Flow.
KathEats says
It doesn’t 🙁
Seth @ Boy Meets Food says
Hey Kath,
Being from the heart of bourbon country, I have to ask… have you tried other kinds of bourbon aside from Maker’s? Personally, it’s one of my least favorites. If you and Matt really like bourbon, I would strongly suggest a short vacation to KY to tour the Bourbon Trail. Almost all of the bourbon distilleries are right here within a pretty small area. The Trail is just a big loop where you go and take a tour of each distillery, learn about how they process the grains and age the bourbon, and then you get tastings of each. I think the only one that charges anything is Woodford Reserve (and that’s only $5). I bet that would be right up Matt’s alley!
KathEats says
Hey Seth! I have tried Knob Creek and I believe Woodford – it was another more aged kind. I don’t like them when they are more spiced – I like ’em sweet! But not Jack Daniels sweet – eww! I’d love to do a bourbon trip someday, but I don’t really like it straight up so I might have to carry a flask of cherry juice in my purse!
Seth @ Boy Meets Food says
It’s kind of a tricky thing you get into when wanting different levels of sweetness. Bourbon by definition can’t have any sugars/sweeteners added to it. Bourbon can only have 5 ingredients (3 grains, water, and yeast). Talk about Real Food! When they add in sweeteners it is just whiskey and can’t be called bourbon (i.e. Jack Daniels). So, the different flavors have to come only from the amounts of each grain, the yeast, and from their maturation in the barrels. Sorry, I just went on a tour of a couple last week, so this stuff is all fresh in my head. 🙂
The snobs might turn up their noses if you pull out some juice to drink with it, but hey, whatever works!
KathEats says
I completely admit I am not a bourbon connoisseur!!