It is so liberating to wake up after a special event and feel normal. Something that took me a long time to learn to do. One day I just realized that you don’t have to drink or eat a lot at weddings to enjoy yourself. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean it’s the normal thing to do. Often at parties when I do consider another drink, slice of cake or late-night option, I picture myself waking up in the morning or things on my agenda for the next day and that puts the choice into perspective.
It was great to wake up in a pile of down pillows and enjoy breakfast and Gossip Girl hangover free and well rested 🙂
I’m totally digging the natural light in this suite living room too!!
Today’s mix featured a packet of Erewhon instant oatmeal – Cinnamon Raisin. All real foods 😉 The company sent me some samples to try over a year ago and I’m still using them up when I travel. One of my favorite instant oatmeals because it has a bit of flavor to make up for the lack of texture.
Nuked with 1 whole banana, half a carton of milk, some water and a tbsp of chia seeds. I used 50% power setting for 3 minutes.
Lastly, some Artisana Pecan Butter I’ve had for ages too! It’s not that big on the flavor dept. because it’s JUST pecans (needs salt, at the least!) but was still good for traveling.
I added the last of my Galaxy Granola – Vanilla Almond – and a Smucker’s jam from the lobby (totally NOT Crofter’s!) and a drizzle of honey, which was really nice!
Blah hotel coffee
I really want to live here as my condo in Charlottesville!! It’s tiny and one bedroom, but it feels cozy and I like being up so high! The next year of renting is probably our last opportunity to live in a "city" condo, so I think we should do it even though we’re used to house living for 3 years.
I think I’m going to tackle that 10 miler after all. I have the whole day ahead of me and my Camelbak waiting and took a rest day, so why not? I will miss you Emily!
Gotta go shower, pack up and drive back home. Guf!
zestycook says
Great to see you woke up feeling chipper Kath. Have a safe drive home.
zest
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I think all nut butters need salt to satisfy me; thank god that’s an easy thing to add!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
I totally agree- you so often see people over-drinkng or eating too much at parties (then feeling awful the next day!!) – so much better to have a little bit and enjoy it and still feel fab the next day 🙂
Have a good day!
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
I totally agree!! And it took a long time for me to figure that out 🙂
Ashlei says
Love my camelbak! 🙂 I still need to try the Pecan Butter though. Your oatmeal looks great!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I’ve been an overdoiter at parties in the past always fall prey to the assumption that I can do it if others are as well. I usually think to myself if I really want to eat or drink whatever is offered, I CAN!!! I can always find it or make it myself. A lot of times I think it’s my one chance to try those foods or get it all in before it’s gone and that’s why I start to shovel it all in. BUT it’s not true at all. Food is always available in this country 🙂
Glad you feel fabulous!! Have a great 10 miles!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
You should totally take advantage of having the opportunity to live in the city! I wish that my husband and I had done that. Oh well, we had kids early, so we will take advantage of that missed opportunity later in life…I think…
Have a safe drive home!
Jenny says
I can’t imagine the types of results you’ll get back from people googling based on your title:) SEO is crazy like that, hey?
ellen eats beets says
Breakfast looks delicious! Have fun on the 10 miler 🙂
Danielle (Coffee Run) says
I totally agree- you don’t need copious amounts of alcohol to have a good time 🙂
I love the new “KERF” pic 😀
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Ahh enjoy your run! I went out last night intending to do 7 and ended up doing 9.8 – my longest run to date! And I love the idea of not having to overdo it at weddings + other special occasions. Still trying to get my head around that for myself!
Lara says
Go for the city condo. I am not sure what “downtown” C-ville is like but if you live there and are able to walk almost everywhere it is totally worth giving up the space of a house, especially since it is not a long term thing. It is so convenient not to mention all that extra walking really ups your daily calorie burn (NEAT).
Very controlled eating/drinking at the wedding. Awesome. I find that less alcohol often means better food choices too. When I am buzzed it is much easier to have that extra piece of cake or serving of food because I am not thinking about how it is going to make me feel the next day.
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I agree with you about moderation at events or parties. You can still have fun without eating and drinking lots. And you end up feeling better about your decisions and better the next morning. You made a great bowl of oatmeal for being at a hotel.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i agree, living in a condo for a year will be fun. i miss apartment life from when i lived in nyc!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
Im drinking spring blend and thought of you:)
Molly says
I agree with you. I love life so much better when I limit my cocktails and wake up clear minded and ready to take on the day. This does not mean I do not have the occasional crazy night.
I love those hotels you are at. They are so spacious and they even have a ‘dinner’ with a keg and wine. Crazy good hotel choice!
Ameena says
As I said yesterday I love high rise condo living…you should totally consider it since you might not have another chance!
Andrea says
Great morning. I like your philosophy on special event eating and drinking. Good luck on the ten miler!
[email protected] says
i feel the same way. i used to always overeat and over drink and feel awful the next day…..it is so much better this way! 🙂
have a good run!
Lyn says
Question about your breakfasts:
I know you eat oatmeal often. You vary them a lot but there is a consistency too, with the usual banana and some kind of nut butter. I wondered if you have a basic mental formula for your oatmeal breakfasts (like a certain amount of grains, water, dairy, nut butter, fruit)?
Kath says
Lyn,
I guess I do but it varies depending on toppings. I usually go with 1/3 cup oats, half milk, half water for cooking, half a banana, half a tbsp of chia seeds. That covers most of the food group bases. Then I get crazy with toppings but I try to keep them to 100-200 calories – sometimes they are more grain based (granola, muffin) and sometimes more nutty (flax, trail mix, bars, extra nut butter). Does that help?
Lyn says
Thanks, yes, that helps! A long time ago I did notice your always using 1/3 c oats. I’d been used to using a half cup. I switched to 1/3 and never looked back! It is a perfect portion (especially if you add a ton of pumpkin). I will have to try the chia seeds.
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I love the non-food hangover after events now. So much better than still feeling stuffed the next day.
Emily says
Your oatmeal always looks so delicious!! Even on the road! I am an oatmeal lover, but also a college student living in a dorm room without many options when it comes to preparing my breakfast! I can’t wait until I graduate in May to be able to start cooking for myself and try out some of your delicious looking recipes!
Hannah says
I love how we can see that the jam was plopped out from one of those square single serving packets! Hopefully it was nice enough, even if Smucker’s is ‘slumming’ it compared to Crofters 😛
Mama Pea says
I told you this already, but I am so inspired by your new approach to nights out. Now I just want a Happy Hour/wedding/cocktail party so I can try it myself!
Kath says
🙂
Ashley C says
Hey Kath, I tried melting dark chocolate dreams pb in the micro this morning like I saw you do for those banana sundaes- but mine didn’t melt and I nuked it for almost 2 minutes- I was just wondering how long you guys cooked it for because it looked amazing & was wondering if mine is just old. Thanks!
Kath says
Hmmm. Lauri did that so I’m not quite sure what she did. But it was definitely not for more than a minute.
jessica says
Hi Kath! Totally random but with the subject of weddings on the blog this weekend I was just wondering how old were you when you and Matt got engaged? And how long after college you were engaged?
Kath says
We met and started dating when we were 19.
Graduated from college at 22.
Got engaged at 23.
Married at 24 (I was almost 25)
So we had been dating for 5 years when we got married 🙂
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Sounds like you belong in the condo you’re in! I think it would be fun to do it for a year, but I don’t know, once you’re used to space it’s hard to downgrade. We lived in a 3400SF house in Atlanta for 2 years and when we moved back to NY and into an 1800SF house it felt like we were suffocating. Now we’re in a 2400SF house with a better layout and it feels sooo much better.
Where would Matt brew beer if you rent a smaller place? 😮
Jenn
Kath says
That’s the issue!!!!! Hoping he’ll agree 🙂
Katherine says
I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes it is nice to have a few drinks and an extra piece of cake, but other times it’s not worth the feeling the next day. I LOVE waking up hangover free and still realizing that I enjoyed myself thoroughly the night before. Love your dress by the way – great style on you!
Rachel says
You are so resourceful and innovative when it comes to breakfasts on the road! Great looking bowl of oats despite needing to improvise 🙂
Kary says
A downtown, modern condo does sound nice, but at the same time if you want to eventually have a family or have visitors, it may not be the most realistic. I am sure you can also find a modern home! I’m sure there are many factors to consider though! Good luck on your run! 🙂
The Paris Food Blague says
congrats on avoiding the hangover! and “blah hotel coffee” is the truest thing i’ve read in my life.
i am obviously usually anti-hangover……but i must admit, an excuse to stay in pajamas, watch movies and eat waffles can be nice every one in a while……
à bientôt!
Kim says
I totally agree about the overeating and over-drinking thing at parties, or going out in general. I used to struggle with that in the past, but once I met my European husband who views drinking in a totally different way (without food? no way!), and once I started “not caring” what others thought I feel so much better. I am so much happier now to limit my intake and feel great the next day!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
Sounds like the perfect breakfast after a wild and crazy night 😉 Very stabilizing!
[email protected] says
I’ve slowly been able to change my consumption habits when it comes to alcohol too. I’ve never been a big partier or anything, but I have learned my limits and it’s a fine line between drinking moderately and drinking too much and ending up with a hangover 😉 i just really hate waking up with a headache, dizziness, and nausea and tha wa’s enough for me to learn not to go overboard with drinks!
Frou Frou says
Junkfood hangovers are the worst! There’s a lot to be said about a few glasses of Sparkling Mineral Water after drinking.
Lovely blog – thankyou for the inspiration to continue my healthy journey!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
What a great mix! Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
that’s so true…it’s totally normal to only have a glass of wine or a slice of cake and feel good about it! hope your day is going well girl 🙂
Courtney says
I had instant oatmeal this morning too!
Samantha says
This is where I envy you the most Kath. To go away for a weekend and not see that as an opportunity to eat poorly. I don’t know how you do it, but I want to be more like you…truly amazing! (to me)
Jordan says
I agree 100% on enjoying the “normal” feeling the next day. We don’t drink much, but we have always gone BIG for birthdays and holidays. That binge drinking makes me feel horrible! Now I stick to two drinks. It’s just not worth it… and I’m not a fun (or nice) drunk. :/
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
I’ve been feeling the same way about special events lately. I had a lot going on in Jan/Feb of this year and kept waking up hung over on the weekend! I started to really hate it…the night would always be fun but then I’d feel useless the next day. I made a 3 drink a week rule now that I try to stick to and I have yet to feel bad when I wake up…it feels so freeing!