I said my goodbyes 🙁 It was bittersweet – I’m moving on to other things, but I will miss those girls (and guy 😉 )
They were too sweet and gave me a mug ("busy as a bee!") and some BISCOFF as a going away gift!!!
So fun and appropriate 🙂
I munched on an apple and some trail mix on my [last hour + 15 minutes long] commute home.
And I headed straight to the gym!! I wanted to maximize my time with Matt tonight. I much prefer to come home and change here, but it does make more sense as a time saver to go straight there.
I had a rather lackluster workout though. Just boring cardio with little sweat. I did the Stairmaster for 26 minuets (barely broke a sweat!?) and then the ET for 20. I didn’t have a MAGAZINE and was a bit bored with the generic one I picked up from last month on the rack.
And a PSA to the MAN in the BLUE SHIRT: If your breath is not fresh, please breathe through your NOSE and not your MOUTH! I had to get off the Stairs 4 minutes early (although I did not complain because it meant 26 minutes 😉 )
We got our
carpets cleaned
today !!! SO EXCITING!
Dinner was basic but really good. Matt was in charge of cooking up some Annie’s Mac + Cheese that we’ve had in our pantry forever. Plus lots and lots of veggies.
The mac was topped with PIMENTOS and was just like Velveeta and pimento cheese!!! We also added some sriratcha – SPICY!!
Simple sauteed kale and broccoli. I love both!
Unfortunately pasta is like AIR to me and I was still hungry an hour after dinner!!!
What a perfect opportunity to try my new favorite dessert: Caramel Oikos!
TOTALLY IN LOVE!
When I heard about these I knew they would make a great dessert. Greek yogurt is great any time of day! I love how the cups are little, so they’re perfect for a sweet treat rather than for a bigger meal.
I topped mine with some crunchy coconut granola for crunch!
I was honestly expecting a sticky caramel sauce – much like the ice cream topping – so I was surprised to find it was creamy. But the flavor was spot on and the greek yogurt thick and creamy and just all-around awesome. It was gone too fast! At 10 grams of protein, 15% calcium and only 16 grams of sugar, that’s quite a nice dessert. I like caramel more than chocolate, but I can’t wait to try that one too.
***
Raeleen from Oregon won the Open Sky SuperBowl contest and put me down as her favorite shopkeeper!! See this post for some photos of her goods 🙂 Thanks for the shout out Raeleen!!
***
I am determined to be in bed by 8:30.
Tomorrow will be spent a WINTHROP for our monthly seminar day. I don’t have to be there until 10:30!!! And I should be done by 3:30!! Fun times.
But I will be waking up at 4:45AM!!
Why, do you ask?
To take Karen to New Zealand!! Via transportation to the airport. She has to be there by 5:45 so I’ll be driving to her house to pick her up and take her. I certainly owe her one for taking me several times this summer in the middle of the night!!
Since I’ll be up, I have plans to meet Emily for a 10K run at the greenway (who also needs to get a head-start on her day) and then I’ll have time for a leisurely breakfast at home. Excitement!!!
Mrs. Money says
I am going to have to find that caramel Oikos!! You are a tease. 😉
Mrs. Money says
Oh, and I do have a question for you about dairy. I know that dairy is supposedly very mucous-forming. Does yogurt count? Or does the benefit outweigh the risk?
Kath says
I really have never heard any scientific evidence of the mucous rumors of dairy. I asked one of my professors and he laughed! So if anyone has any research…
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
I’m with you on feeling as if I’m eating air when I have pasta…it doesn’t keep me very full! Usually I’ll add black beans and salsa to mac&cheese, or sometimes I’ll toss in some chunk light tuna. The extra protein does wonders. 😀
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
that mac n’ cheese looks heavenly! how clever to add in the pimentos!
I STILL haven’t found caramel Oikos in stores — they better get here soon – sound/look delectable!
Stephanie says
The Stairmaster kicks my butt! I am usually dripping in sweat by the time I am done!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Ahhhhh I want to try that caramel so badly!!! It was way $$$$$ when I saw it though…WAY.
I was working out next to a kid that smelled like warm whole milk. Yikes.
Ally (Exercise and Pies) says
the guy next to me in class had that bad of breath today too… how is possible to not feel that bad taste in your mouth? eww~
dinner looks yummy tho!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
That caramel Oikos is good, It’s just a tad too sweet for me, but I still like it 🙂
Teri [a foodie stays fit] says
That caramel Oikos sounds tasty. Can’t wait to try it; I haven’t seen it at my stores yet. 🙁
I have to get up at 5 AM to teach spin. Early mornings are tough but it’s always nice to get so much done so early in the day!
Heather says
yum the yogurt looks really good!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Biscoff as a going away present?!? Man, they really know you well!! 🙂
Enjoy your early morning!
Abby says
I don’t seem to sweat on the stairmaster or the ET either. Only the treadmill…. and the bike that I have set up on a trainer at home. I like to sweat!
Christina says
Wow, I need to get my hands on some of that caramel yogurt!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
Pimentos on the mac and cheese sounds sooo good!
Lori (Finding Radiance) says
This is the 2nd time I have seen caramel oikos on a blog! Can’t find it here, yet. I lurve caramel.
GurlOnA"Diet" says
Yum I love those caramel oikos too! I love it when i get the pack of 4 on sale- such a rich, nice-portioned dessert!
Ameena says
I feel so great when our carpets get cleaned once a year. I almost want to do it every 6 months but it isn’t exactly cheap!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Pimento cheese mac & cheese…OMG. Sounds so good.
I can’t find those darn caramel Oikos… where did you get yours? Earth Fare?
Kath says
Harris Teeter!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
oooh that mac n cheese looks great! We are having cheesy pasta for dinner tonight too 🙂
Alicia says
woah fun day planned! sounds excellent.
Leslie @ Chomp! says
i still can’t believe you’ve been getting up so early… i can’t get up at 7AM very easy although i suppose its all about routine!!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Gosh, so many yummy eats on here! That dinner looks so colorful… love it! And I totally need to find me some Caramel Oikos. It sounds amazing. I’d be a bit worried about it being thick too, but glad to hear it’s nice and creamy. 🙂
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries says
i had NO idea you could purchase BISCOFF!!!!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Aw, I love that they gave you Biscoff! I’m headed to New Zealand (well, Australia first) on Monday and am SO excited. It’s summer there! 😀
Stacey says
The mac and cheese looked good. I’ll have to try that.
Light Delight with TouTou says
caramel oikos looks really good 😀 gotta try some !
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Yum, those cheesy shells look so good! I need to try Oikos new Greek yogurt flavors, they look delish.
Jenn
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) says
Aww, that was so thoughtful of them to get you your favorite cookies. They are so dang tasty! Also, greens + mac = match made in flavor heaven. I love it!
Lindsay says
Isn’t the Caramel Oikos AMAZING? Oh my gosh. Talk about love at first taste. I also tried overnight oats for the first time this morning (with a base of low fat plain Oikos) based on some of your overnight oats recipes from previous posts, and I couldn’t help but be enamored. Between the overnight oats and the Caramel Oikos love, I feel like I’ve died and gone to Greek yogurt heaven. What a place to be…
Thanks for the Greek yogurt inspiration, Kath!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
Ah, I’m drying to try those sweet Oikos. I have 5 diff coupons for Oikos, but can’t find it anywhere in my area – gah. Enjoy your early, yet leisurely?, morning =)
Ellen says
Awww, poor man in the blue shirt. Maybe he didn’t realize…. 🙁
Kath says
Probably not. Perhaps I was too harsh, but he was breathing so hard in my direction!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
what a great parting gift, and totally appropriate 🙂 sounds like a great dinner…hope you and Matt have a great time tonight 🙂
Run Sarah says
That caramel Oikos look so yummy! I like the idea of adding some SPICE to Annie’s Mac and Cheese, I’ll have to try that!
Jamie says
AHH i want to try the caramel!!! Whenever I get ice cream sundaes I HAVE to have caramel sauce! I need to pick some of those oikos up asap!
Amy says
I really wish that they carried Oikos around here…but sadly they don’t! We get the other stoneyfield yogurts just not that one 🙁
Laura says
Where is she headed in New Zealand? 🙂 I’m in Central Otago, in the South Island. If you and Matt ever decide to take a trip this way, you’ll have to do a southern hemisphere reader meet-up!
Kath says
The South island!! Not sure where exactly, but she’s going to be biking – on a bike trip.
KathHubRag says
My husband always adds at least Tabasco to all Mac ‘n’ cheese – even the kind I make from scratch – but pimentos! that throws it over the top. I must find the yogurt – my Whole Foods does not have this – I am going in to beg for it tomorrow… Great post! Thanks!
Jenn @ Livewellfit says
I love Annies! She is such a dream. 🙂
Katharine says
That yogurt sounds so good! I hope it comes to stores near me soon. 🙂 Congrats again on finishing up this portion – you’re on your way!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
love annie’s shells and cheese – got me thru college!
amanda says
Ewww I hate stinky breath!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I feel the same about pasta and have to have some other sort of heft.
How nice for you to take Karen to the airport. I’m sure she appreciates the return of her generosity.
Jil says
Aww, that was so sweet of them!! Can’t go wrong with Annie’s and veggies!!
Katheryn says
I’m jealous that Karen is off to New Zealand. Where will she be traveling? My husband and I moved there seven years ago so he could work on LOTR movies. We ended up staying there for five years, had two children and have been back in the states for two years. We miss NZ every day – Karen will love it!
Kath says
SO COOL your hub worked on LOTR!!!!! We are huuuge fans and would love to come see Mt. Doom sometime.
Kaite@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle says
Oh stinky gym people, I wish I could tell you. I think the guy next to me yesterday wasn’t wearing deodorant. It was awful!
Emilyeatsclean says
I never cooked kale myself. I’ve bought it from the Earth Fare deli and really liked it. Maybe I’ll give it a whirl soon! 🙂
-emily www.emilyeatsclean.wordpress.com
Cole says
That trail mix looks great!
Ashley says
Cute gifts!!! I’m sooo glad you like the Oikos!! I’m not big on super sweet yogurt, so I thought you might like it. I couldn’t believe how REAL the caramel tasted. Yummo…I have 1 chocolate left in the fridge and my stomach is grumbling..hmmm 😉 I like the chocolate almost as much…still good + not too sweet! Your morning sounds INtense!
Stickler For Spelling says
At first I thought it was just a slip of the hand, but you’ve done it multiple times so obviously you must not know….. sriracha has no T in it. Misspelled words is a pet peeve of mine, I hope this doesn’t come across as rude.
Kath says
Sorry, I didn’t know.
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com says
4.45 is TOO early, what a good friens you are!
I’ve found regular gym workouts don’t touch me at all now I’m running fit. The longer you run, the harder you need to cross train to get tired! Not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing yet…
Hannah says
Yay! I’m so glad you like the yogurt, I did too! I maybe would have had a teensy bit less caramel, but I guess I was eating it more as a snack than dessert, so at times I thought it bordered on too sweet.
Also, your dinner is so pretty! All the colours!
christie @ honoring health says
I have been trying out mixing up kale with other veggies but I never thought of broccoli. I need to give that a try, probably tonight. We have salmon on the menu!
I’m having an amazing grass giveaway on my blog!
Paige says
There is nothing worse than a non-sweat workout at the gym. I know exactly what you are talking about! It makes you feel like you were there, but didn’t really do anything. I have found a way that guarantees sweat everytime…If I am doing the elliptical or the stationary bike, I put it on the “cardio” setting, and it makes me keep my heart rate in cardio “zone.” It always makes for a great sweaty workout!!!
Spiceaholic says
Love all the bright colors going on in your dinner.
I’m still trying to find those caramel Oikos — must be looking in the wrong stores!
Heather (Skinny Ambition) says
The mug is perfect! I’ll have to try the Oikos, hope my store has them!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
AWw what sweet going away presents!! I LOVE the new caramel Oikos!!
Katy ( The Balanced Foodie) says
That’s so sweet that they got you Biscoff! I bet you’re thrilled. Glad you have a day to take your time and get a run in. Enjoy!
Pam says
Supper looked great…yummy!
Enjoy!
Sophie @ yumventures says
Pasta never fills me up either…what is that?! We only use it as a “we have no other food in the house” last resort.
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
Funny – I had Annie’s shells n cheese last night too! I always mix mine with canned tuna, sauteed mushrooms and green peas… it’s just like tuna noodle casserole that way, plus more protein and bulk keeps me satisfied.
Kristilyn (My 29th Year) says
That was my husband’s go-to meal last night … Annie’s mac with steamed veggies. I don’t think we’ll be buying KD anymore!
Love that mug!
K
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight says
That yogurt looks fantastic!!! I bet it would be good with some carob chips and raspberries!
krista says
I totally hear ya about people with bad breath at the gym.. I’ve been on a few machines next to people with HORRID breath and it can really ruin a workout. Personally, I can handle the smell of body odor better than bad breath smell. And I never enter the gym without a piece of mint gum in my mouth so hopefully I’ve never been a “bad breather”! 🙂
Phae says
That mac and cheese looks amazing! I always had it when I was younger, so I still love it, lol. That’s exactly why I ALWAYS brush my teeth before I go to the gym (if i’m at home), or at least pop a mint…you just never know! I tried the caramel myself…delish! I can’t wait to try the chocolate too!