The day started out OK, but as my dad says “The weather has deteriorated rapidly.”
I managed to bike to and from the gym and got caught in the first of our sprinkles on my way home. While there I did 36 minutes on the Stepmill and some weight lifting (pullups, pushups, shoulders) and headed home for lunch.
I had yet another salad –
- Mixed greens tossed in a drizzle of olive oil and honey (you should try this combo – the contrast of the two makes the perfect dressing)
- A scoop of Karen’s hummus (which is Barefoot Contessa’s recipe)
- Carrot
- POM
- About 6 frozen/thawed brussels sprouts
- A small carrot
- Blue cheese crumbles
On the side I had pumpkin mixed into a vanilla Oikos (I’ve only got one left – a blueberry!) with pumpkin butter and Crunch.
After lunch I hit the town for some quick shopping. Why oh why did I save these errands for a Saturday!? It was a madhouse of traffic near the mall, esp. with the rain, but I lucked out TWICE on two awesome parking spots.
I drooled over all the holiday stuff at Crate & Barrel, but unfortunately I didn’t drool on it enough to get to bring it home. They had so much awesome decor there! I loved these red + white scalloped plates and fluted bowls, plus all kinds of cool bowls and mugs and placemats. I am on a bowl-buying freeze these days, as funds are tight, so I got my Christmas gifts and left 🙁 I also hit up Williams-Sonoma though, to get Gran Bett’s vinegar. While there I had a Moravian cookie sample and a chocolate ganache sample (!!).
And I tried some of the other vinegars. They didn’t have the kind we love on the shelves so I thought maybe they discontinued it and I would try another kind. Well the others, despite being just as expensive (one bottle was even $55!!) were nothing compared to my favorite kind! I had a bottle of a fig flavored one in my hand and was about to purchase it when I decided to ask a salesperson about my kind. After describing the bottle, the guy said he didn’t know which one I meant and they were probably out of it. He said there was one vinegar that was awesome but he didn’t see it on the shelf. Turns out he was talking about my kind and they had one more bottle in the back! And he agreed it was the best. Here it is. It’s $22.50 but will last you a long time (our first wedding gift version lasted about 6 months)
It’s thick and syrupy – not vinegary at all.
It’s so gross out there I am not leaving the house again today. I’m excited to wrap some gifts, sip tea and read my book on the couch all evening 🙂
VeggieGirl says
Great salad!!
Hang in there with the horrid weather!!
Petra B says
What a perfect salad! It looks amazing, i’ll have to try it out. You provide such wonderful recipe inspiration!
Hope the weather improves!
Shelby says
You have such amazing salad combinations!!!
Nhuy says
Is there a difference between a Stepmill and the Stairmaster?
Have a good Saturday!
Erica says
Hey Kath! The rain must be headed south because it def looks like its going to rain any minute now in Charleston! I love Williams Sonoma- they always have the best samples out!Sounds like you got some fun stuff!
Oh She Glows says
I know what you mean about the rain! I always say I would much rather have the sun out and it be freezing then rain and sorta warm. I hope the sun comes out tomorrow for you!
Wow I never knew they had such sophisticated vinagrettes! Where have I been. What exactly is the difference between this stuff and what you would buy in a grocery store? How does it taste different?
Angela
www.ohsheglows.com
Mel says
Hang in there with the weather! At least it’s not snow! 😉
sarah says
oh my god, it IS gross! but at least it’s not cold. i just got back from a 10 mile run in it — i missed the sun!
Jennie says
Hi Kath!
What do you use the balsamic vinegar that you like for? As salad dressing with some olive oil?
Do you have any favorite recipes that you like to use it with? I’d like to try it…
Kelsey says
We got some balsamic vinegar, but it’s so sweet.
It isn’t a huge brand name like yours, but maybe the reason it tastes weird is the lower quality?
How should balsamic vinegar taste?
ErinE says
that salad looks really good! Next time I have a salad I am going to have to try mine with hummus.
Becky says
I have a question about net calories…I know that you are not supposed to eat under 1200 calories a day…but is it ok for your net calories to be under 1200 calories a day if you are trying to lose weight…sometimes I will burn 1000 calories during exercise according to my heart rate monitor..and I don’t know if that means I need to eat 2200 calories that day..I have tried to find the answer to this question but I can’t seem to come across anything that makes since and I know you have experience with it. Thanks
Becky says
sorry…sense not since..haha
Moran says
Yummy salad!
Rina says
Hey Kim,
I’m pretty sure you made a list of your favorite yogurts, but was chobani on the top few? I tried it for the FIRST time today and it sort of tasted like regular NON greek yogurt…kind of “thin”, but I guess it’s just me… Is Fage the thickest?
Haha, I LOVE balsamic vinegar, but I normally use the 5 dollar kind at the supermarket. My friend actually gave me a fancy bottle worth 40 bux which i, being a klutz, dropped while opening the back car door…….it was a mess.
Megan says
Have a wonderful relaxing evening at home. I am always tempted by the fun holiday stuff at Crate and Barrel.
Kath says
Nhuy ,
Stairmaster is the brand, StepMill is the type of machine. I started calling it the StepMill because I wanted to be sure people know I meant the revolving staircase and not the one where you just push pedals down, which I think is also made my Stairmaster.
Oh She Glows,
The difference is kind of like good and bad wine 🙂 The one I love is thick and syrupy and sweet – kind of like a port.
Jennie ,
I mostly use it for salads. Occasionally for a marinade or over vegetables like balsamic baked broccoli (which we did once). But mostly salad dressings like this one:
https://www.katheats.com/?page_id=4322
Becky ,
1,000 calories!? Are you an athlete in training or marathoner!? If you consistently burn that many calories in training than I think it is important that you are not dipping below 1200 net on a regular basis. It basically means you are dipping into your body’s basal metabolism to fuel your workouts – stealing energy from your systems to exercise, which you wouldn’t want to do over time. So if it’s a regular thing, you would probably like seeing a sports nutritionist to figure out ways to ensure you’re getting enough calories (i.e. calorie dense foods!). But if you only burn the 1,000 every now and then like a long run on the occasional weekend, I don’t think dipping below 1200 net would do much harm so long as you’re still eating a normal amount of food and not going hungry.
Rina ,
Chobani is my favorite – along with Trader Joe’s. Both are smoother than Fage and Oikos while still being nice and thick. So perhaps it’s the smoothness you’re noticing? All are delicious, so just pick your favorite brand.
Kath
BethT says
You may or may not know this, but does Karen adjust the garlic and lemon in the BC hummus recipe? I often use that one, but the original is SO heavy on garlic and lemon….just curious.
Rina says
Thanks for responding to my comment, KATH. Sorry about calling you Kim. I was thinkng of someone else then… =)
Becky says
Kath…no I am training for a half marathon so its not every day that I burn that many calories…I just don’t know what my net calories should be if I am trying to lose weight because when you were counting calories sometimes your net would be 1200 when you were maintaining your weight. That is why I am so confused.
Runnershigh says
Becky–unless you have a thyroid disorder there is no reason you should be eating that few calories just to maintain weight. I don’t know who told you that but perhaps it would help to see a registered dietician.
Becky says
I am not eating that few calories…I am just wondering what a good net calorie range you want to shoot for if you are trying to lose weight. I am just going by what some of the days were like when kath was maintaining her weight on this blog…after her exercise and everything…sometimes…not all the time…her net was around 1200…that is why I am wondering about this whole net calorie thing for losing when sometimes her net calories for maintaining were around 1200. I usually eat around 1400-2000 calories a day…I am just talking about net calories.
Becky says
Here is an example… https://www.katheats.com/?p=93 …I am honestly not trying to be rude so I am sorry if it seems like that…I wasn’t accusing anyone of not eating enough I am just confused as to what my net calories should be if I want to lose weight.
Nhuy says
Thank you for the explanation!
Kath says
BethT ,
She did cut back on the garlic this time but not the lemon. I think it’s her best batch yet because I do think it’s too garlicky as written.
Becky ,
If you are losing 1200 NET is probably spot on because it assumes a -400/500 calorie defect from your lifestyle activities already. Without trying to lose, your NET should be closer to 1600-1700. For the most part, I never netted less than 1200 – and I was often closer to 1300 or so. The reason I still probably go close to a 1200 net in maintenance is because my approach is to “lose some, gain some” so I do lose on those days and gain some (or gain a lot sometimes!) when I enjoy special events. Hope that is clear.
Kath
Missy (Missy Maintains) says
Honey and Olive oil dressing..great idea! I will be giving that a try! I usually just use red wine vinegar or hummus but would love some healthy variations.
www.missymaintains.blogspot.com
Carolyn says
It is on my list!
Kath, you did such a great job “selling” that balsamic that I put it on my Christmas list! I sent the hubby off to William Sonoma, esp. because everything in the store is 20% off until the 24th! I think I will have a bottle under the tree and I am excited to taste it. Thanks for writing about it on your blog…you got me to try kale, this balsamic and to “gourmet up” my oatmeal…what will be next??!! I can’t wait.