Holla!
I wrapped up at the office around 4 and stepped out into the sunshine!!
Before I left, I nibbled on this Banana Bread LaraBar to tame hunger before I headed to the gym. I think this flavor goes into my top 5!! It’s perfectly fresh banana bread – no artificial taste (probably because there’s nothing artificial in it – just dates, almonds and dried bananas!)
I headed to a new gym today – one that was on my way home and had some WINDOWS to let in the light. My usual gym is rather dark and dank and I couldn’t imagine myself going there. The Express YMCA was really crowded though and I had to use a stinky kind of elliptical. It ended up being OK though, and I whirled for 45 minutes reading Natural Health. It was a bit of a lackluster workout though. I made up for that with 15 minutes of heavy (17.5 lb) weight lifting, abs and some FOAM rolling!!
Came home at 5:45 to find Matt working on dinner.
We made a Real Simple recipe: Tuscan Lamb With Garlicky Tomato Sauce
The recipe was AWESOME!!! Very rich tomato sauce, flavorful and juicy lamb. The dish featured the American Lamb Council lamb I was sent to sample a few weeks ago. [Real all the details about the lamb I received in this post.]
There’s the lamb hiding under the maters!! These chops are really small, which is very nice for portion control. Believe me, I could have eaten more! I think of meat as a nutrient powerhouse when I do eat it.
On the side we cooked up some simple brown rice in chicken stock since we didn’t have any polenta.
Plus simple microwave steamed broccoli. Broc is my new favorite vegetable side!! So easy and quick.
Thanks for dinner Matt!
***
Ahhhhh. Just realized I forgot to change the time on my lunch post!! Hopefully you can all see it now 🙂 Since I publish posts the night before, I have to edit the date/time or they’ll be on chronological order. Sorry ’bout that!
In case you missed it: Weekly Dose
***
A while later I’m hungry again for a snack. Guessing it’s either the later workout or the fact that my dinner wasn’t exactly voluminous?
Problem solved: Caramel Oikos, Cacao Nibs, LIFE cereal (Matt’s leftovers) and a few butterscotch chips.
30 ROCK TIME!
Me-Linh @ Sweet and Sweat says
Looks like a good dinner/dessert! Aren’t the banana bread Larabars amazing? But they’re so small 🙁 but they’re crazy dense 🙂
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
Lamb sounds so exotic, I don’t think I’ve had it in ages!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Mmm…I love LIFE cereal on top of yogurt. Such a fun, snack-y combo of flavors. 😀
Ann @ Appalachian Appetites says
Ohh…you’re dessert looks wonderful! I never thought about adding so many goodies. Duh! Just like oatmeal 😉 Great idea!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Yummy looking dinner!
Caramel Oikos makes the perfect dessert 🙂
Mrs. Money says
Darn you and the caramel Oikos! 😉
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
I haven’t tried that flavor of Larabar yet! Sounds yummy 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
lol– I don’t know why, but I think it’s cute that Matt eats Life cereal 🙂
Looks like a tasty meal!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Are those bowls from Crate and Barrel? I think I have the same ones. Dinner looks delicious!
I’ve also NEVER tried Lara Bars. I need to pick some up! I love PURE bars.
Adrien says
Looks like a great end to a day of eats! I want to eat that broccoli off the screen!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
That dish looks delicious! I love that Matt cooks. 🙂
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I need to break out my foam roller again. Lots of kinks to smooth out.
I still need to try that caramel Oikos….I can’t give up a $5 bill for it though 🙁
Meghan@traveleatlove says
I need to foam roll. I have been running for most of my life and have never tried it!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I like the dessert yum and healthy. I have had the banana bread Larabar, he does really taste like banana bread. I love their bars, they taste like the flavor they are and the fact that they only have a few real foods in them.
Ashley says
I need to buy a foam roller and I need your dessert. ASAP for both! =P
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
lucky girl…it’s snowed about 6 inches in the past 2 hours here in colorado! i sure could go for some sunshine right now… 🙂 what a fabulous dinner! i’ve never attempted lamb before, but when i can eat meat again i might just do that!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
oh i love me some butterscotch chips…
christina cadden says
mmm, dinner looks good.
Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. says
I like how there is only one napkin. My husband only bothers to put out a napkin for me. Says he doesn’t need one. *smirk*
Kath says
Haha – I like how you noticed that.
Jenny says
mmmmm i love oikos for dessert!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
oooooh I really want to try the banana larabar – but I am yet to see them in Australia. I have come acorss cherry and pistachio – and thats about it!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
my husband loves life cereal too 🙂
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl says
I’ll pass on the meat but the veggies and brown rice look yumilicious! 😀
LOVE Larabars!!!
Glad you had another great day, Kath!!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Your dinner sounds great! And I don’t even eat pork! Broccoli is pretty much one of my favorite veggies, love it. I could my weight in it.
Caramel Oikos – YUM! try it with an apple! Tastes like a caramel apple!
jaclyn@todays lady says
I was wondering if the banana bread lara bar would be good. Thanks for the taste test 🙂
Caramel Oikos, I wish we had it in Canada!!!!
Meredith @ Sweat Every Day says
here’s my “no such thing as a” stupid question: how do you microwave steam broccoli? I have raw broccoli that I’ve been hauling out the veggie steamer for and it is a hassle!
Kath says
Good question!!
Wash broccoli. Chop. Put about 2 tbsp of water in the bottom of a glass bowl and nuke for 3-4 minutes.
kate says
I totally have that Real Simple recipe dog earred. Im glad you guys liked it – makes me want to make it even more now!
Lindsay says
Oh my gosh, isn’t the foam roller amazing? I just got one a few days ago, and I could already feel such a difference in my quads and IT band after my runs. It hurts so good!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
I’m totally with you on the Larabar flavor! Isn’t it fabulous? And I love your post-dinner snack. Great way to satisfy the sweet tooth!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
I have to find this caramel Oikos stat. Combined with all of your toppings, that must’ve been one tasty snack/dessert.
Your dinner looks very tasty. I haven’t had lamb in ages, but your post reminded me of what a tender and delicious meat it is.
Emily Eats and Exercises says
Sometimes I think I shouldn’t look at food blogs after I’m done eating for the night. I want your dessert!
Broccoli is my favorite side as well. Plus it’s one of the few veggies that really taste just fine in the microwave. Quick and easy.
thatShortChick says
i have fallen in love with larabars thanks to reading about them on your blog! currently, my trader joe’s only carries a handful of flavors and I don’t believe that banana bread is one them (but I will check the next time I drop by!) but I love cherry pie.
Candice says
I love larabars, but for some reason did not care for the banana bread one when I tried it. You’ve made me think I should give it another chance, though. We shall see! My favorite is Cashew Cookie.
Your recipe looks awesome!
KatieTX says
I finally picked up 2 larabars and I understand why you eat them…they are actually real food! I love lemon and got the lemon bar flavor. So excited to try it! I am still waiting for my grocery to carry caramel oikos!
Lauren says
Ever since I’ve gotten big into reading food blogs, I feel like everything has to have at least 50 toppings. Plain yogurt or just yogurt and granola looks so naked now!
Rebekah says
That brown rice looks perfectly cooked! What is your (or Matt’s) secret? Mine always flares out of the husk and gets too sticky.
Kath says
It was actually pretty chewy! He only made 1/2 a cup which is not the ideal water ratio (I think 1 cup comes out better). I’m guessing you’re cooking at too high of a heat if it’s exploding. Simma low!
Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble says
I love lamb but rarely eat it! My grocery list is stacking up fast this week! 🙂
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
That dinner looks like a great cold weather meal — just finished a 20km hike and came home craving hot soup. Still cold even now but this cuppa tea is helping. 🙂
The Paris Food Blague says
i also really love the banana larabar, and i usually dislike energy bars.
and i like lamb once in a while too.
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
I love lamb and that dish looks great. I have to give your recipe a try 🙂
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Yum, your dinner looks delish. I’ve only had a LaraBar once, but I don’t think I liked it. It was chocolate flavored. Banana bread sounds good though!
Jenn
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Larabars sound exactly like Nakd bars over here – the Banana Bread flavour of them is my favourite 😀 That or the Cocoa Brownie one….so yum 🙂
lisa says
Do you pre-program your posts by writing them all one day and publishing them the next? If so, that’s a good idea – blogging can be time-consuming!
Kath says
Only my packed lunches when I’m in this internship
Simply Life says
wow! what an elegant meal!
Becky @ flybynyght says
It’s always nice to come home and find the hubby working on dinner! One of the best things my Mother IN Law ever did, was teach her sons how to cook!!!!
Lyndsey says
I NEED that Larabar! I love love love banana bread so so so much!!! And I still have yet to try your frozen banana —> icecream recipe yet, but I think about it everyday lol. It sounds so delicious.
Anyways, I have a question for you in regards to the kind of nutritional work you do. Do you make nutritional diet plans for people based specific medical issues they may have? I am making an appointment with a nutritionist and I am nervous that she may not have worked with an illness I’m dealing with. Anyways, just a question! Have a great day!
Kath says
Lyndsey,
I’m not a dietitian yet – still doing my internship and should be sitting for the exam in August!
Lyndsey says
I knew you were in your internship I just thought maybe you had a bit of insight on how extensive the training for a nutritionist goes as far as catering to individual illnesses. Good luck on your exam!! Oh, and if you ever want to tailor a diet plan just for me : ) , I would accept the offer haha
Kath says
OH, OK 🙂 Most RDs get basic knowledge on different illnesses and the ability to research and become knowledgeable when the need arises. Some are much more specialized than others so it really depends on the RD.
After I”m credentialed I hope to do more online nutrition consulting!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
Flavored greek yogurt is such a great healthy dessert option! I’m eating Fage 2% cherry right now, and it tastes like whipped cream!
Dolly says
Baaaaaaaa!
Hannah says
I loved that caramel oikos when I was visiting the state – I wish I’d thought to add cacao nibs, and if I love oikos, I ADORE cacao nibs. You’re always full of good ideas!
Lauren @ BIOCHEMISTA says
Looks like a great day 🙂 We need some sun here in DC so if you could send some, that’d be great 😉 Have fun on your date!!!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
My roommate and I are going to attempt making lamb for the first time during Easter this year. Thanks for the recipe…this may just be the one we try 🙂