I have a short week to recap since we were out of town for Memorial Day. We also need to get back into Cook Smarts but it’s been hard with so many broken weeks and travel! We could just crack into the Cook Smarts vault for a night or two, but I have this mental block that I want to do the whole week at once. Soon!
Also, I’m thinking of turning Lately posts into just a “What I ate” one day at a time (Like Caitlin has been doing!) maybe once or twice a week. Half of you say that these posts are your favorite and half of you think they are too long and lack context. I like writing them, and a part of me doesn’t want to let go of the old “everything I ate” style of KERF, but photographing one or two days a week instead of 5-6 would sure be nice. What should I do!?
A good mix of breakfasts this week –
Strawberries, eggs, toast and coffee. I’ve had a few requests for a scrambled eggs video. I’m trying to figure out the logistics on making one. I feel like it was probably the first food many of you learned how to cook, yet there have been a lot of requests…sooo… : )
This looks like overnight oats, but it was actually a bowl of yogurt (Snowville Creamery) topped with chia and raw oats plus strawberries and banana. Drippy Wild Friends nut butter on top! Deconstructed overnight oats if you will.
More yogurt, strawberries, banana, chia and sunbutter. This is my favorite early summer breakfast : )
Berries, toast with jam, eggs. Fill ‘er up!
And lastly, yogurt with fruit and a crumbled Carrot Raisin Walnut muffin from the bakery.
M: Walking at Goucher College with the boys
T: I took the long way to the gym and walked 2 miles on the treadmill while talking to friends. Then I went to small group with Erin where we did stations including tossing a 15 pound ball back and forth while standing on an upsidedown bosu. Fun times1
W: Walked to the gym and back and went to athletic conditioning. We did lots of outdoor running – up and down Monticello Hill!
TH: Active rest day with some basic cardio (elliptical and stairmaster) and walking to and from.
F: Lifting with Erin + warm up on the elliptical and walk.
S: Ran to the market with the boys. We covered about 3.5 miles plus the walk home.
What’s for lunch?
A salad with cheese, sweet potatoes, garden greens and lots of honey toasted almonds. Plus a side of baked beans I got from the Smoked BBQ Co downtown!
Day 2: a No Bull Burger on a toasted bun. Such a filling lunch.
Salad on the side! I sure wish Mazen would go back to eating No Bulls. That was so convenient. He’s in a stage now where he won’t touch them!
Quesadilla! I picked up these corn tortillas at our city market and filled them with leftover chicken and cheddar cheese. plus leftover sugar snaps and apple slices on the side (a discarded apple Mazen took one bite of and gave up!)
Leftover meatballs (see below) with greens and cheese. Lighter lunch because I had a smoothie at the gym late morning.
And more leftovers – a salad with greens, fresh mozzarella, tomato and more meatballs. Mazen won’t eat the meatballs either!
Here are the said meatballs – I made this recipe. SO easy and so delicious!
And because dinner was on the light side – I had some of this Great Harvest cookie for dessert. We had some around for a picnic and it’s a good think I don’t have them at home often. I’d never be able to resist!
This meal was a winner – pork chips with leftover rice and homemade cooked apples on top. Yuuuum! Lots of grilled asparagus on the side.
We had a lovely meat outside next – all grilled stuff. Twin Oaks Tofu plus zucchini and the Best Corn Ever. Matt covered it in southwest seasoning {this one} and it rocked.
And last but not least, Girls Night at Parallel 38.
I had a tabouleh salad, this platter of veggies..
And this AMAZING shrimp with fennel!
Happy week to you all!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
The posts may be long but I do enjoy them. I like to see how you use your leftovers from dinner as lunches (but in the not just re-heat and eat). Though I guess, that could become a post in it’s own, huh? 😉
Tonya says
I really like the lately posts but do what’s best for you.
I’m always amazed at the number of people who comment on your eggs! LOL! They look like eggs to me. Is it possible to mess up scrambled eggs? 😉
Elise says
I do really like “what I ate” posts on blogs, but perhaps you could just do a “What I ate Wednesday” kind of thing where you just document one recent day instead of this backlog of a whole week? If you only did a day, then you wouldn’t have to be two weeks behind, which is really my biggest complaint with these “lately” posts. I still want to know what you’re eating recently, though, so maybe you could document a Monday or Tuesday and publish on Wednesday? Or something like that. Just my two cents!
Amy @ Army Amy says
I agree with this. I know the two week delay is intentional, but as a reader it’s confusing. I don’t really want to see what you ate for Easter once we are well into May.
Lorie says
I agree with Elise! I would rather see one day of recent eats,or perhaps some “favorite meals as of late”, versus eats from a couple weeks ago. I love the food photography,but I do tend to skim through these posts because I personally am not as interested in so many specific meals being accounted for.
When you talk about your “squiggly line” of eating,I think that is so effective and smart! Same with when you have posts about balancing a day of eats (like, “I had toast and eggs for breakfast, so I had a salad and cheese for lunch”). For a nutrition-orented blog, showing just a day of balanced eating every week (perhaps relating it to a week of eats,without specifically listing every single meal) is more pertinent, in my opinion!
Love your blog–I’ve been reading it for many years now! I appreciate your honesty in asking readers what kind of content they are interested in reading!
KathEats says
I agree with what you’re saying. I wonder if I just need to do both styles since there seems to be pros and cons of both!
Regina says
Everything looks so good! How do you cook your tofu? (I guess I mean more how do you season it/ grilling process)
KathEats says
We usually brush it with olive oil and some salt, pepper and spices (like smoked paprika) or brush with bone suckin’ sauce and then grill!
Livi says
OMG that cookie looks amazing!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I beg to differ with those saying these types of posts “lack context.” I like seeing all of the different food you’ve eaten because it will often spark an idea for me. Obviously if you don’t have time for them or they no longer fit into what you want to present, we’ll all adjust if you should switch things up but do what YOU want to do. 😉
See, you just reminded me I bought fresh asparagus this week!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl says
I really like your “eats” posts. I think these posts once a week would be a good balance. Your breakfasts are always so pretty. I just took a look at the meatball recipe… gotta try those!
Katie says
I like the “What I ate and how I exercised today” posts!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} says
I just love looking at all of your food pictures! So gorgeous!! Great week of eats!
Shannon says
You’ve been several weeks behind on these for a while, so it seems like switching to the one day of eating per week format might help you get caught up.
KathEats says
I’m not really behind – the 2 week delay is intentional since I can’t write about a week until it’s over and work ahead. But I agree it’s not ideal. It just works really well for me.
Mandy says
Well, it might be intentionally behind, but its still a delay. I know it might sound nit picky from your perspective, but for some reason, in some ways it matters. I have no idea why, but I am more interested in what my friends/people are eating today/now. If I see it even a couple of days later I’m far less interested. I guess I like comparing in real time. I don’t remember what I ate a week ago.
I would enjoy seeing a day in the life posts, because I like the idea of seeing the squiggly line in effect from day to day. Small snapshots like that would be fun to see occasionally!
Becca says
Have you considered catching up on the lately time frame, since you’re running around 2.5 weeks behind the actual meals and workouts?
KathEats says
No I do the 2 weeks behind on purpose – I can’t write about a week until it’s over, and I work a week ahead.
Susie says
Would it not be less work to write about your week as you go along and then just check and publish at the end of the week? I don’t know how you remember what you ate two weeks ago! In any case I usually skip through these posts as I feel like we have seen a lot of the meals already in the other other posts or they are cook smarts. Would prefer more new recipes or how tos and tips for healthy living, home making and exercise! I think I enjoy your posts on your weekend family life the most as its always interesting to get a glimse’behind the scenes’ (mazen is adorable) and see how you fit in all your healthy eating, exercise, socialising (which is actually a big part of a healthy life!) on a weekly basis.
KathEats says
That is a good idea – to write as the week goes. I often take notes. But the reason I work a week ahead is because sometimes there are days when I don’t even get to blog work because all of naptime is dedicated to some other task (like a boatload of emails) so I’d worry I’d still get behind. I make notes in my calendar to remember for the following week : )
jenn says
I really enjoy family life posts as well and would love to see more of those.
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
You are definitely more creative with breakfast than I am, but I guess it helps that you make it and eat it at home! I’ve started to get as simple as possible, I put oats, protein powder and cinnamon in a baggie and then when I get to work I toss it in a cup, add hot water and mix! Had to find something fast since summer hours have me there even earlier!
Tonya says
this is a great idea. thanks!
Julia says
We eat scrambled eggs a lot for breakfast. 2 tips for really fluffy healthy eggs. Always pour egg mixture into a COLD greased pan then turn on stove. I like to add puréed cauliflower to my egg mix. I purée a batch of cooked cauliflower and freeze it in ice cube trays to defrost as needed. 2 cubes work well whisked into 5 beaten eggs. (Why did the chef go to jail? For beating the eggs!). The trick with the purée is that it has to be cold (or at least not hot) to make the eggs fluffy.
Ali says
This all looks so good again. I think I’m going to look into Cook Smarts – I could use the help of getting out of my food rut lately.
[email protected] says
Ending on a high note! That shrimp looks incredible! Yes please to the scrambled egg video!!! They always look so good!!! Do you use butter in them? I love these posts..but I’d be happy enough with two or three day food day recaps but it might end up being more work?!
Caitlyn @ City and the Cubicle says
I love the “lately” format. Those meatballs sound great!
Carolyn says
Everything looks soooo delicious this week!!
I like the idea of doing a What I Ate Wednesday (or whatever day) post. If you did that, would you be able to put it up in the same week you ate it? That’s the only thing that’s weird for me about the Lately posts. I totally understand having a little kiddo makes it hard to put these posts up right away but it’s strange reading about what you ate/exercised two weeks ago when we’re current on so many other posts (weekends, etc).
Another vote for a scrambled egg video!!!
KathEats says
I agree the delay isn’t ideal, but it’s really the best way for me to get a work-life balance and keep stress at bay
Mary Ann says
Kath–It’s great to see that you are so honest about your system! Without a lot of help–nannies, family, etc–women generally can’t do it all, despite what we’re told. So it’s really important to see examples of women making choices to shape their lives. You have made the choice to prioritize certain things and not others, and that has led to work-life balance and less stress. This doesn’t mean other women have to make the *same* choice (I spent the first 1.5 years of my little one’s life finishing a doctoral degree, so I sacrificed cooking time and “me” time and gym time in order to do my work and get it done to standard), but it is a great example of how women *do* have choices and can shape their own experience.
KathEats says
Thanks Mary Ann, that means a lot for me to read
Lauren says
I would much prefer a weekly (or twice-weekly) post of what you ate for the day. I enjoy the lately posts but sometimes it tends to be the same types of things for breakfast and lunch (ex: eggs, toast, fruit). I loved the old format of the blog so it would be great if you did sort of a daily recap once or twice a week….what you ate, how the day was, etc.
Leah @ goodnight cheese says
All the grilled food looks so good!
I like the idea of just showcasing a couple of days. Since you started using CookSmarts and can’t post recipes, it’s not as enjoyable to read about delicious-sounding dishes and not be able to make them. (Improvising is always an option, of course, but I would rather have the recipe and THEN make changes.) Also, to be perfectly honest, while your breakfasts look delicious, you tend to eat the same things (pancakes, yogurt, eggs, toast, overnight oats, fruit, nutbutters) everyday, so I think if you just switched to lunches or dinners it could work and be easier for you.
Ashley Brandin says
I agree with everything Leah said. Seeing a week’s worth of meals, 2 weeks behind, is really confusing and monotonous since you tend to eat the same thing a lot (me too!).
I know you say that the 2-week delay is what works for you but honestly I don’t really understand why that is? You post about your weekend immediately after it happens, on Monday or Tuesday, so why can’t you post about your week’s worth of meals the Wednesday after? You could do Saturday-Friday, and then have 5 full days to get the Lately post ready, which seems like more than enough time to load photos and type in simple descriptions. Maybe you spend a lot of time doing photo editing or something but I seem to remember you saying you don’t edit your photos. I agree with others though, you should do what works best for you but I think the slew of lately posts is the least interesting thing on the blog.
Kate says
Have you tried just giving Mazen a basic meatball or burger? Perhaps he doesn’t like the texture of non-meat burgers or meatballs with extra stuff in them. My toddler loves a good old fashioned, real meat meal, but won’t touch what she calls ‘weirdy meat’.
Farah says
I really like the weekly lately posts. I really don’t think they are too long at all. I love seeing what bloggers eat and it gives me meal and snack ideas. For example, when you post a photo of a burger, it gets my wheels turning– “that burger looks good, I think I’ll make some tonight for dinner!”
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
I personally really enjoy your lately posts the way they are (your blog is pretty much the only one I enjoy reading “What I ate” type posts 🙂 ) but I think you should just do what feels right to you, or maybe try out a few weeks with the new way and see how that feels. 🙂 Have a great day, Kath!
Emily @ It Comes Naturally Blog says
I like your lately posts for inspiration. I usually check out the What I ate Wednesday linkup on Peas and Crayons.
Alycia says
I would enjoy a “what I day” post to add context but when you are using cooksmart I do love to see how you rework leftovers for lunches. But I agree that sometimes the lately posts are long and I get lost in them. Although I enjoy them! Do whatever is easier for you, I’m sure we’ll all enjoy whatever you choose!
sara @ real fun food says
I love the food pictures but think it would have better context if it was just a day of eats. But I think it’s just a preference that I like posts that are a bit shorter.
ashley says
If you’re going to change the format of these posts a bit, I think it would be more fun to show what you ate in the context of a day or days and talk about what you were doing. The lately posts as they are now read as lists, with pictures. I have trouble staying engaged. It could be like a nod back to the old format of the blog.
Cashmiere says
I love the posts where you document the week. It gives it variety and I like to see how you use leftovers!!
When you are at the gym, mazen is in the daycare? How did he initially do when you first brought him there? My girl is 17 months and am having trouble leaving her. Would love to hear how mazen transitioned! Thanks for listening 🙂
KathEats says
Yes, our gym has a daycare. He does really well and loves seeing his friends who are also there most days. I started taking him at 8 weeks, took the first winter off during flu season and then started up again at 6 months or so so he’s been going for forever. New toddlers generally go with their parents and play a little and then their parents leave little by little.
Ashley says
I like these posts! Don’t change them, please! I look forward to reading them every week. I always get great ideas for lunches.
Melissa says
I know this is going to sound like such a stupid question, but it always amazes me how much more that I eat than you. Even if I ate what you ate, I’d need at least double portions to feel satisfied – not stuffed. Is it because of my weight (260’s)? Honestly curious here. I feel like even when I eat ‘good, healthy’ foods, and eat until I’m satisfied, I go above my suggested calorie range (around 2,100) – I’m 28 and 5′ 7”. How do you stay satisfied with what you eat? I know this is a struggle with those who ‘diet,’ or even try to eat right – how do I feel satisfied and stay in my calorie range. I am not a huge calorie counter, but I did it just to be curious (through LoseIt), and although there were days I could stay in my calorie range, I usually didn’t.
KathEats says
I do think it is a reflection of weight difference. You need a lot more calories to run your body, so you will feel hungrier than someone who is a lot less. The more weight you lose, the less you need and likely the less you’ll feel hungry for bigger portions. Some of might also have to do with just being used to a calorie level. After a big vacation it takes me a week to reset my hunger into thinking that I don’t need all those extra splurges : )
Melissa says
Thanks for the reply 🙂
I know I’m overweight – morbidly obese even if I don’t feel it, or look it – and I’m not going to act like I don’t know where my weight comes from. I do eat crap sometimes, and I don’t move like I should. However, when I really watch what I eat, and try to do something – like LoseIt – I am so frustrated because I can’t get full on whatever the “allotment” is. Even when I was doing Weight Watchers, I’d have to really plan out my points or I’d end up hungry all the time.
Since you mentioned coming back from vacation, and having to ‘reset’ your body, can your stomach ‘shrink’ and be satisfied with less food? If so, how? I think that’s my worst problem. I have tried really, really hard to cut out the mindless eating, and pay attention to hunger cues and all those other ‘techniques’ to lose weight, but 98% of the time when I eat, it’s because I’m truly hungry.
KathEats says
Maybe those apps are giving you too few calories? Have you considered seeing a dietitian to hash out some of the these questions in person? I think it would be really helpful! My friend AnnetheRD.com does online consults 🙂
Melissa says
I haven’t personally, but to be honest, I haven’t really focused on it here lately, and I know I *CAN* do it, when I set my mind to it. I lost 20 pounds before getting pregnant with my daughter, and 15 before my son who I lost at 18 weeks in September (sensing a theme here huh?). I am going to really focus on TTC very soon, and I know that means losing weight. Thanks for all the input and your kind honesty!
Helen says
I definitely think the apps and websites don’t give people enough calories. An easy way to figure it out is to just document what you normally eat for a week, ignoring if the app is yelling at you for being over. Then set your daily calorie goal at 500 less than the average of that week. That could maybe help you start losing without feeling too deprived. I have the Fitbit connected to MyFitnessPal and I seem to have a better calorie goal now.I’m 5’7″ and 205 and trying so hard to lose this baby weight!
Melissa says
That is a FANTASTIC peice of advice – thank you!!! 😀
Elizabeth says
My normal maintenance is about 2100 net calories per day (30 yo/5’11″/normally 165 lb), and I need to eat more than that to make up for calories lost through exercise, and so the portion sizes look very light to me as well.
I am trying to be careful right now with what I eat because I am pregnant and ravenous and gaining more than I should as a result. I could easily eat 3500 cals per day if I let myself, which is seriously more than I need. My midwife told me to concentrate on eating protein, getting carbs from veggies and fruit as opposed to grains because grains are so easy to over-eat, and drinking a ton of water to help with the hunger.
A lot of the time, when I feel hungry, it’s really because I haven’t been drinking enough water. Water itself gets boring, and so right now I am drinking water with lemon slices and I have a pitcher on my desk so that I don’t even have to get up to get more. Lime slices, orange slices, etc can make it feel special and different when I get bored. I also sometimes have a decaf iced coffee, which is basically like flavored water if you don’t start doctoring it up with lots of sugar and cream.
My breakfast this morning was a 2-egg omelet made with a couple handfuls of spinach, a slice of proscuitto, and some goat cheese crumbles, and a slice of whole wheat toast. This came out to only about 500 calories but was really filling and tasty, and I’m not hungry by 10 am like I would be if I ate a more carb-heavy breakfast.
I think a main reason why so many people are swearing by paleo right now is that proteins and veggies will make you feel full on fewer calories than eating a carb-heavy diet. I’m obviously not following that at all — cheese and good bread are too delicious — but if you concentrate on protein, veggies, and water, it may help with being satisfied with fewer calories.
Carrie says
I was just having a very similar thought about your portion sizes. I feel like I would need at least a serving and a half to a double sized portion of many of your meals. Maybe I am constantly over serving myself with large meals? I’m 30, 5’7″ and around 150lbs. and only moderate physical activity (much less than yourself). Do you eat several snacks throughout the day? I realize that every body has a very different healthy portion size, but I don’t think I know what mine should be. Any advice?
KathEats says
I usually just have an afternoon snack…or maybe a bite of this or that to tide me over.
Michele says
I was thinking the same thing about your portions sizes. I would be starving if I ate what you eat! I am 5’2″ and weigh around 135 pounds and work out about 3-4 times a week. I eat healthy but I have to eat a lot to feel satisfied. On the days where we see something like the pork chop dinner, do you have a salad beforehand or is that it? Do you ever snack at night? Even after a good sized dinner, I eat at least 3 snacks between dinner and bed time every single night (a piece of fruit, some nuts and some banana soft serve for example).
KathEats says
I think I tend to eat more calorie dense foods than some of you. Nut butters, cheese, bread along with lighter salads and meat/fish. I think it just looks small, but I assure you I’m eating at least 1800 calories a day!
Jessica J. says
I think it’s important to note that Kath does an excellent job at balancing her nutrition. Meals and snacks have a healthy dose of proteins, fats, and carbs. If you’re consistently lacking in any of these categories, then that may be the reason why you are not feeling full or satisfied. It might also be because you are not drinking enough water. Being properly hydrated is important for that “full” feeling as well. Also: Fresh fruits and vegetables are low in calories, so you can eat a lot of them — if you’re consistently over on your calories but still feel hungry, it might be because you’re eating too many processed foods (which are high in calories and low in nutrition).
Check out her “Day in the Life of Nutrition” post for a breakdown of her meals and snacks with ratios for protein, carbs, and fats. https://www.katheats.com/day-in-the-life-of-nutrition
Michele says
That is an excellent point Kath. While I eat healthy, I tend to avoid foods high in fat. I probably need to incorporate more healthy fats into my diet, which would probably make me feel full longer.
Andrea Dermos says
I rarely (if ever) comment but I hope you don’t change these posts much! To me, I like seeing the variety of breakfasts/lunches/dinners and the list of what kind of exercise you did over a week vs just a day. I think it gives me a better idea of what a healthy/healthy living person does over a span of time, if that makes sense? Reading the “I ran 10 miles. I ate hummus and a tomato” posts from other HLBs seems so…unrealistic to me?
Tonya says
“10 miles. hummus and a tomato” haha! right?! so true
Jacqueline says
I like the lately posts but wish they were more current. I’d be for the what I ate in a day posts if they were in real time (or posted within the same week). It’s fun and useful to me as a reader to consider what you’re eating in conjunction with the other happenings (traveling, throwing a party, etc).
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
The pork chop with cooked apples looks delicious! That is something I’ll definitely like!
Kristi says
I agree with the others who find the time delay on the “Lately” posts odd. It’s especially strange since you recap weekends in real time. I know you’ve said it works best for you to work on a delay but just adding my two cents to the reader feedback. I also find the posts repetitive especially when you use leftovers as lunches and repeat breakfasts (which we all do of course but it’s not all that interesting).
I know it’d be impossible for you to return to your original format but a WIA day would be the closest thing to that. I did enjoy the old format because it was easy to see how your eating fluctuated and adjusted over the course of a real day and the corresponding exercise.
Kate N says
I really like these posts! Helps me with weekly meal plans. However, I like it less so with Cook Smarts, simply because the recipes cannot be shared.
Erin m. says
I love the lately posts but you have to do what works for you!
Ali says
I agree with taking these down a notch and catch up on the two week delay. Every week I feel like this is just repetition and usually skip these because they are long and boring (sorry!). It also doesn’t make sense to me as a reader why your workouts are smushed into the middle of the food sections – I suppose this is when you workout (mid day?) but it doesn’t really make sense. I guess, too, that your posts have become more photos (or sponsorships) than content a lot of the time. I personally would rather see content that photo after photo after photo of similar things. Example: three photos of meatballs and greens in a row above. You have a great educational background – I’d love to see it on the blog more. Just my two cents, obviously do what works for you.
Michele says
Agree!!
Brianna K. @ Hungy Gator Gal says
I like the “Lately” posts, but you should do whatever works best for you! If it’s difficult and time-consuming to photograph every meal, then switch to one or two days per week. I wouldn’t mind! 🙂
Annie says
I like it all — but I vote for the recapping “one day at a time once or twice a week” option. I like those posts for some reason. I’ll read what you do regardless, though!
Rebecca @ it's a nourishing thing says
I love the lately posts!! I always look forward to reading them. They often inspire what goes on my weekly menu 🙂
Tiffany says
I personally love your breakfast post pictures so if you could continue those that would be great. I love them bc they are so bright and cheerful. I don’t care too much about dinners and lunches. But whatever works best for you thats what matters.
But I do like the system you have going now. Or maybe you can do What I ate “insert day” – a couple times a week thats cool too 🙂
Heidi says
I absolutely love the “Lately” posts, as the pictures are beautiful and I’m inspired to try new things (as well as combinations of ingredients I already have). Yes, please continue if they’re not too much trouble for you. I look forward to them (favorite post of the week!).
Kimberly says
I prefer the original format of your blog. Like I think some other commenters were saying, it was nice to see how different things in your life affected your food. I know you don’t want to go back to that format, so I would suggest posting closer to real time, even if some foods get left out. A lot of foods are repeats or you eat them a lot so I don’t think we need to see every bowl of oatmeal, plate of eggs…maybe something more like your “weekend” posts where you can include what you did and the foods you ate for a day or a few days. That way we would still see some of your foods and also get more of the personal touch your blog used to have. Or maybe just post in the “old style” whenever you had the time (even if some meals got skipped). Just suggestions from a long time reader!
Julie says
So many delicious sandwiches and salads, and they all are perfect for summer!
robin says
What does Matt eat for breakfast and lunch? Also Im sure he eats as healthy as you, has this always been the case?
KathEats says
He eats at the bakery. He’s always been sort of a healthy eater, but he eats better now than he ever has.
Grace says
I would love to see some exercise only posts! Since you are training with Erin now, maybe some video tutorials on how to do the perfect push-up, something like that!
I agree with those who say the lately posts are long and very out of context.. I know you are posting them on an intentional delay but if you just aren’t able to post meals from a whole week with less than a 2 week delay maybe a different format would be better.
Karla says
I like one day at a time more but would love if you incorporated what Mazen eats that same day too! I would be interested what you can share or double up with for you toddler and what you can’t. Also, when you do the posts, you can do a little more detail if you just do a couple days a week. I also really like to see what you order when you eat out.
Amanda says
Hi Kath,
I would enjoy both types of posts, but I’d also like to see what you’ve been eating for snacks lately as well! I try not to rely on too many larabars for snacks so would love some more options to bring to work with me!
** A bread question: I don’t have a great harvest near me and would love to buy whole grain fresh breads for sandwiches. I usually buy grocery store wheat breads because I can see the calorie counts and ingredients…. and sometimes bakery breads are a mixture of (white, wheat flours etc.). What do you think would be the healthiest and cleanest option for buying breads that are also 100% whole wheat?
KathEats says
I’d look for anything 100% WW with a short ingredient list. I should be more familiar with the grocery store brands to be able to recommend one but unfortunately I don’t know any on the top of my head
Elise says
I really like the Rudi’s breads and a lot of them meet Kath’s recommendations (not all of them are whole wheat, but they all have relatively short ingredient lists and nothing unrecognizable). But they’re definitely on the pricier side. They’re at Whole Foods and I’m alsoable to get a more limited range of the brand at my “regular” (not a health food store) grocery store.
Kat says
These are my favorite posts. I like seeing how you balance your food in any given week. I agree with others about the 2 week delay but only because I do cooksmarts too. As long as you can keep showing me some balance and squiggly line in effect, that’s good enough for me! 🙂
Dale says
I love the “what I ate” posts on other blogs. They tend to be a nice combo of food and lifestyle which I think keeps it more interesting than just a listing of meals.
Melanie says
I love your “Lately” posts a LOT. I’m definitely inspired to eat better, specifically in the morning when I have the opportunity to make the time for it. So your breakfasts are a highlight for me. But to touch a little on some other commenters thoughts/ideas:
I loved your old format even more. Knowing this was not something you could maintain with your new [mommy] lifestyle, I think some kind of version of it is nice. And yes, you do tend to eat a lot of the same things (with a little variance here and there) so leaving out some of it would be totally okay in my book. But I think the main point was how different things you had going on affected your food choices. I like when you say *why* you chose what you did. For example, when you ate a light salad because you had a smoothie at the gym. You’re obviously being conscious of how much you eat or listening to your gut, so tell us about that. And how your nutrition education affects your choices. Or how you feel after a work out. These are a little more personal and I think that’s what most of us come here for.
The best choice of course is to do what truly fits your lifestyle. Whatever you do I’m pretty sure I’ll be a lifer in reading it. I doubt you’ll lose followers because of it. Just please don’t be too tempted in to the blogosphere habits/trends — I love that yours is a different one than the others. 🙂
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
I love these lately posts! If it’s easier for you to track just a day or two, that might make these posts more concise for people that like a shorter read, but they would still satisfy that “what I ate and exercised” post that people (like me) love!
I really want to try those meatballs now too. 🙂
Bernie says
I vote for the full week recap. I’ve said this before but I love reading descriptions of food and looking at pictures of food…I like reading menus, cookbooks for fun, etc. I see how one day a week would be easier but in my opinion that completely removes the features I enjoy about a food diary. It has no meaning except as an interesting anecdote. The full week recap shows patterns, seasonal trends, etc. I honestly don’t know if I would continue to read in that instance…I usually skip posts that don’t interest me (e.g., some of the guest posts have no applicability to my life so I skip them, and I don’t usually read product reviews either). To be truly honest, I just like seeing pictures of your meals and so I vote to maximize that as much as possible!
Addie says
I do really like the Lately posts for ideas and such, but I agree with a few other people that I also like to know why you chose to eat what you did. I would also like to hear more about daily snacks. But whatever you choose to do, I will read it because your blog is my favorite!
Nancy says
With a busy toddler, it’s understandable that these lately posts work better for you. However, would prefer the ‘what i ate’ days 1-2 times per week if given the choice (ones that are more current and with context).
sarah says
Long time reader but not a commenter, usually. I totally agree with the “lacking context”. Love your blog, love the food, love love. But, it’s the combo of you and food together, in your life that MAKES it for me. It’s similar to the feeling I have about Eat Live Run (that so many others do)- she switched from food diary and recipes in the midst of her lifestyle, to recipe development… we like HER in relationship to the food, in the same way we like YOU in relationship to your food. That’s getting a little weird, but you get my point.;) No criticism here, will happily keep reading and enjoying whatever you do!:)
Erin says
Hi Kath!
I just wanted to say that I love and look forward to your lately posts every week. They always seem to be my favorite 🙂 I really appreciate your healthy and balanced approach to diet and look to your site and these lately posts for ideas and inspiration. I too love oats for breakfast, and often do salads for lunches as well. I enjoy seeing your inventive combinations and also appreciate the dinner posts. I am a college student on a budget and love to read your post as they help me to continually come up with fun and easy ways to incorporate whole foods and balance into my diet. I copycat many of the meals! Each day I genuinely look forward to reading your blog and really appreciate the work you put into it and the positivity that is incorporated. Although the lately posts happen to be my favorite, I think you should do whatever you feel is working best for you!
Helen says
If sharing a single day of meals would be more recent I’d vote for it. Like everyone has said, it works for your schedule but I don’t want to read about Memorial Day week now.
Marta Smiala says
Great photos, great diches! I wish i could cook like that 🙂
KL says
Maybe try Mushroom Meatballs for Mazen ? Healthier then the ground beef version and oh so good 😉
Emily @ Fit as a Mother... says
Oooh – that plate of grilled tofu and veggies looks amazing! Everything tastes better grilled!
Peyton Hargrove says
Do not have any less pictures of your food than you do. I love them all soooo much. I am always inspired to make my meals as healthy and pretty as yours. The delay means nothing! Who cares when you ate it? I’m inspired when I’m seeing it! I love your blog and your oatmeal video made me love oatmeal after 40 years of saying I hate it. Cooking the bananas…genius!
Eileen says
It’s interesting to see the split in opinions. I “get” why you’re not sure what to do.
I’m going to vote in favor of scrapping or dramatically editing the Lately posts. I’d be happy with a “Lately” that featured, say, five meals that you’ve really enjoyed in the past week. You could really vary the content that way, depending on what was going on in your life and what you genuinely enjoyed the most. It would be a great way to showcase new recipes, one great restaurant meal, a surprise success for Mazen, etc. Meanwhile, it would freshen up the structure and probably get you some more free time, too.
Elyse says
Love the Lately posts and the delay doesn’t bug me at all. I didn’t even notice until someone pointed it out!
Adie says
Kath,
I LOVE your lately posts along with your workout recap. Don’t change them, they give me such great meal ideas! Keep up your wonderful work lady.
Tonya says
I’m sorry but I just don’t understand how a reader can even notice that your lately posts are on a delay. (That is unless you specifically mention a holiday or an event that we know took place earlier) What does it mean to me whether you ate that pancake on Thursday of this week or last? Who the heck requires real time documentation of another person’s eating habits?? I mean we’re here for EXAMPLES of how to incorporate healthy meals into real life right? Just examples for inspiration right? Girrrrl. I give you props. You are always so gracious to your readers.
Christine says
I’m really surprised at the number of posts complaining about a 2 week time lag. That’s super fussy. How much difference does that make? It’s still current and seasonal, it’s not like we’re reading about winter squash and pumpkin with snow in the back round! I just make whatever works for you works for me. For example, sometimes I find the posts repetitious when you post lunches from dinner leftovers and then post dinners (I know you’ve acknowleged this). So sometimes I scroll past lunches down to the dinners or I focus on reading the lunches and skim dinners. The point is, you do what works for you and the rest of us will just have to figure it out! And if that’s the biggest complaint, you must be doing just fine!!
Elise says
I like this kind of post with all your daily eats. But I think it would add context and be more meaningful to see them organized by day, rather than by meal (instead of all your breakfasts then all your lunches then all your dinners, it would be Mondy breafast-lunch-dinner then Tuesday breakfast-lunch-dinner).
Fancy says
I miss your old way of blogging SO much. I miss seeing your rational behind the foods that you are eating mixed in with your day to day activities. A suggestion if you still do continue with these “Lately” posts (although I would so much rather you go back to your old way of blogging!) would be to organize them by day and not by meal…so it would be easier to see how each meal fits with the others in a day’s span.