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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep

September 18, 2008

The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep

I woke up saying Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” in my head. I had to memorize it for my 7th grade English class and have always had a fondness for the poem. I love its unique rhythm and rhyme. So when I woke up this morning I was dreaming that I was reciting it to my high school friends in some church upon waking up this morning. Then I couldn’t get it out of my head in the shower!

Choose sleep over workout this morning due to my late night Micro homecoming, so I’m planning to head to the gym at 4pm when I get home today. Tomorrow is our first Organic exam, so I need to focus all morning in between my classes so I can enjoy a break for a workout later on. And I’m dining at EarthFare today!

I think one of the keys to a perfect bowl of oatmeal is a lot of different flavors and textures = the more ingredients the better. Today’s bowl was PERFECT and I made a point to get up 15 minutes earlier today so I could eat it very slowly and enjoy every bite (unlike the past 2 days when I was running late and had to eat fast).

DSC03936

The Mix:

  • 1/3 oats, milk, water combo
  • 1 small banana (x2 flavor b/c we used 2 total)
  • Raisins
  • Wheatberries
  • Vanilla + Salt
  • Ground flax
  • Toasted almonds
  • A few walnuts
  • Spoonful almond butter

SO MUCH chew + crunch!

DSC03939

Plus a milky coffee –

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DSC03935

Adios amigos 8)

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Oatmeal

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Comments

  1. Katie says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:22 am

    Looks like a yummy fall meal. Good luck on your exam today! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:24 am

    Good morning. I have a question for you Kath as well as any readers who might have some advice. I have been struggling for about 2 years with eating healthy. I maintain a healthy BMI (I do walk,run, bike). I do very well for awhile (1-2 weeks) and then I binge eat (most times for up to 4-5 days). I work in a medical office so you can imagine- cookies, cakes, candy every day. I bring my lunch to work and try to avoid eating that. However, inevitably, I break down and then eat cookie after cookie which leads to eating more that evening. I also have trouble when I know I’ll be in a situation with that kind of food (out with friends, meetings, family celebrations). I have seen a counselor and also am set up to see a nutritionist next week. I wondered what other readers who have struggled with this have found to be helpful. I’ve gone back and forth between “ok, just eat one cookie one a day when you really want it” and “just never eat that sort of food i.e. cut out sugar and white flour because it leads into not being able to stop eating”. I know it is not logical to think that I will never eat another dessert as long as I live. However, I do know that I FEEL so much better when I’m eating “right”. Any advice would be appreciated.

    Reply
  3. Christie i. says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:31 am

    Good luck today, the oats look as good as usual!

    Reply
  4. caitlin (seebriderun) says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:38 am

    i agree – the more ingredients, the better!

    Reply
  5. VeggieGirl says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:40 am

    I love Robert Frost 🙂 And the wheatberry breakfast looks amazing, as always!!

    Good luck today!!

    Reply
  6. madison (follow my weigh) says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:45 am

    kath do you ever get sleepy after eating oatmeal? i wish i could eat it more often but it makes me reaally sleepy usually. your oats always looks so good though!!

    Reply
  7. hk says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:48 am

    Ahhh i just love Rober Frost!! Have a great day!

    Reply
  8. Rose says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:51 am

    I hate being in a rush and having to eat quickly – so I understand your waking up 15 minutes earlier. Glad you got to take your time this morning! Have a good day 🙂

    Reply
  9. Charlie Hills says

    September 18, 2008 at 7:51 am

    Whose oatmeal this is I think I know
    She blogs upon the internet, though.
    She’ll probably see me stopping here
    To leave a note right here below.

    My browser here must think it queer
    To stop and post a poem here
    Between your blog and Google news
    Just one of many stops this year

    I read about our weight loss blues
    And new good food that I can chews
    But blogs abound and thoughts are deep
    I’m forced to drink a couple brews

    Still there’s wisdom we can reap
    But I have promises to keep
    And pounds to go before I sleep
    And pounds to go before I sleep

    Reply
  10. rhodeygirl says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:00 am

    Sarah- I am happy to see you are meeting with someone. I have two ideas for you that might help in the interim:

    1. Bring tons of healthy snacks that you really enjoy to work and leave them there. When the urge to binge comes along just pick one of those snacks and eat that. If you still want something have another, but then that’s it. Try to distract yourself with your work and such. Even if you are over your calories for the day, you will at least be putting decent stuff into your body, and staying away from binging on cookies and such.

    2. Train for some type of race. When you are training for a race your body CRAVES healthy food and doesn’t really want food when not hungry. Plus you can’t very well run 8 miles on a heavy stomach, so you will have that next morning’s run or that afternoon’s run to motivate you to not binge that day.

    I wish you the best of luck!

    Reply
  11. Tina says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:07 am

    I COMPLETELY agree about the oatmeal! More ingredients = more fun!

    Reply
  12. Tina says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Sarah,

    I second what Rhodeygirl said about bringing in your own healthy snacks. For me, once I start with the office goodies, I can’t stop, so if I have my own stash of snacks/treats, I tend to stick to those. A coconut cream Larabar, in my opinion, is BETTER than a regular old cookie! 🙂

    Also, if it’s at all possible, when someone brings in cookies, cake, etc., make sure that the treats are out of your sight. Maybe putting them in the back room or in a different part of your office? If I can’t see the treats, I’m usually not tempted by them. I’ll even walk the long way to the bathroom just so I don’t have to walk by them! Out of sight, out of mind!

    Reply
  13. HangryPants says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:18 am

    I love that poem, but I enjoy Charlie’s version as well.

    Sarah, I don’t have anything different to add because I agree with Rhodeygirl and Tina. Also, I think different things work with different people. Some people can have a small bit of something and move on, others can’t stop. It’s sort of individual I think. I would say definitely have your own treats so you won’t feel deprived if that’s an issue for you. Best of luck to you.

    Reply
  14. Jane says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:37 am

    Sarah,
    I agree with what the others have said. In my experience, though, it’s worked the best to try to cut the junk food completely out. Like you, I used to have lots of trouble returning to healthy eating once I’d started down the junk food road, so I just had to commit to eating only things my body needed. Another trick is to chew gum (NOT sugarless, though — that makes you hungrier because of the soribtol and also causes digestion discomfort) when you feel a binge coming on. The sweetness was enough for me most of the time, and the smell of peppermint is said to make cravings go away. Worth a shot, anyway. Good luck!

    Reply
  15. Erin says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:47 am

    Whose woods these are I think I know.
    His house is in the village though;
    He will not see me stopping here
    To watch his woods fill up with snow.
    My little horse must think it queer
    To stop without a farmhouse near
    Between the woods and frozen lake
    The darkest evening of the year.
    He gives his harness bells a shake
    To ask if there is some mistake.
    The only other sound’s the sweep
    Of easy wind and downy flake.
    The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep. – Robert Frost

    ~Such a good poem

    Charlie, your version brought a smile to my face today!

    Sarah,
    I agree with everything everyone has said. I find that when I begin to eat healthy I don’t say to myself “You cannot have a cookie for a week” because all I am going to think about is the cookie. I try not to focus on what I’m not eating, though sometimes it’s right in front of me! I allow myself a treat every once in a while in monderation. I assure you, you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself and when you find yourself hoping on the binge wagon, outlet your energy in another way like calling a friend or surfing the web for your favorite “healthy” blogs, hint hint! Hope this helps and good luck!

    Reply
  16. Melissa (the other one) says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:54 am

    Totally agree about the oatmeal – different textures and flavors definitely keep it interesting!!! I just wish those things didn’t come with extra calories 😉

    Reply
  17. Olga Deshchenko says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:02 am

    That’s my FAVORITE Robert Frost poem ever!

    Those oats look so delicious, as always. I think I’ll have a bowl this morning as well =]

    Reply
  18. Kate says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:06 am

    Charlie – IMPRESSIVE!

    Reply
  19. WeightingGame says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:16 am

    Love the little vitamin in the pic! Actually, I’m sure it’s bigger in real life – my calcium supplements are freaking horse pills!

    Reply
  20. Allison K. says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:17 am

    I never had to memorize Robert Frost, although my english teacher, senior year of high school made us memorize Love Poems for Valentine’s day (Pablo Neruda….swoon!) and the introduction to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales…In Middle English!
    Isn’t it amazing what you can’t forget…..

    Reply
  21. Biz says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:17 am

    I liked Charlie’s poem too!

    Hope your day is less hectic today!

    Reply
  22. Betsy in Pittsburgh says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:27 am

    In 6th grade chorus we had to learn a version of that poem set to music… for the longest time I thought it was just a song!

    Reply
  23. Marie says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:29 am

    Random but I finally found the PB Larabars everyone has been raving about…and was wildly disappointed. Mine was rather dry, didn’t really taste like peanut butter at all (had that slightly artificial taste that I normally associate with other bars)..and just not good! PB is one of my favorite things to eat, which is why I was so surprised to dislike it so much…Is it possible I got a random bad one…?

    Reply
  24. Anne P says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:34 am

    Awww that’s one of my favorite poems ever. My great grandmother’s last name was Downey, and her nickname that everyone called her was “Easy” (because she was easy going), so our family has always loved the “easy wind and downy flake” line. 🙂 so pretty.

    Charlie, I love your version! Very impressive 🙂

    Reply
  25. Jenn says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:47 am

    hey anyone that can help! I have a Australian Sheperd and doggie and she loves tearing things up when we leave her (mostly walls and fruniture) and its very frustrating! Does anyone have any advice on how to stop a puppy from doing this? She is 1 year old

    Reply
  26. Allison K. says

    September 18, 2008 at 9:59 am

    Jenn-
    The best thing we ever did with our dog, is crate train him. He sleeps in his crate, and he stays in his crate while we are at work. There are lots of books and resources about crate training on the internet, or even at your pet store.

    Also, the most important thing for your dog, is that she is getting enough exercise. If dogs don’t get enough exercise, like people, they get anxious and into trouble. I walk our pup 2 times a day, a much longer and brisker walk in the morning, and then a shorter more leisurely walk in the afternoons.

    This is our third dog, and between the crate training and the walks, it’s been super easy. We had two dogs previously that weren’t crate trained and they destroyed everything in site out of boredom.

    This might be a little too “animal planet” for you, but Cesar Milan (the one they call the Dog Whisperer” has a great book, and even though it’s about dog psychology, it makes ALOT of sense, and has helped me alot in puppy training.

    Hope this helps, if you have further questions, just comment on my blog!

    Reply
  27. Christin S says

    September 18, 2008 at 10:02 am

    Betsy in Pittsburg, it was Randall Thomson, right? its a series of 6 Robert Frost poems set to chorus music…I sang them in high school choir! My favorite Robert Frost poem is Choose Something Like a Star…WAY awesome poem!

    Sarah, I soooo feel you pain!! That happens to me at my office too, and I agree with what the others were saying, but I also wanted to add that I like to keep a dark chocolate bar 72% cacao or higher handy, as well as Brownie or Chocolate chip Clif Zbars…when other people are munching on sweets, I eat that instead, and i am usually asked what I am eating, which sparks a conversation about whole grains and antioxidants…the more I “convince” my coworkers its a good idea, the more I convince myself that its a good idea to stick to my guns and not partake of more sweets…that way you are allowing yourself a treat and won’t feel left out, but you will be less tempted to go overboard (or at least I am) good luck!!

    Reply
  28. Allison says

    September 18, 2008 at 10:02 am

    I love that poem! It just puts my in a wintery, quiet mood. 🙂 I named my own fitness blog after it actually so it’s cool to see it on someone elses!

    Reply
  29. runjess says

    September 18, 2008 at 10:39 am

    Check out Mending Fences by Frost as well.

    Have you tried studying on the elliptical?

    Reply
  30. Jaclyn says

    September 18, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Jenn-

    It’s probably separation anxiety. My little guy used to the do the same thing. I agree with Allison K. that the best solutions are crate training and exercise.

    Plus, keep in mind that he’s still a puppy! My dog is 3 1/2 now and has definitely mellowed out. No more chewed up books and I don’t have to lock him in his crate (but I think he spends a lot of his time there anyway when I’m gone).

    Also, if it’s a an option, doggie daycare is great. I was only able to work 1 day/week into my budget, but he’s out of the apartment for that 1 day and then he’s so exhausted from it that he spends that night and the next day sleeping!

    Reply
  31. Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says

    September 18, 2008 at 11:23 am

    Your oatmeal creations always sound (and look!) good!

    Reply
  32. Stacy (IN) says

    September 18, 2008 at 11:59 am

    Jenn, Another suggestion for your puppy problem is try to find something to keep her working. Aussie’s were bred to be working dogs and if they don’t have enough stimulation, they’ll find their own “work” which is probably what you don’t want her to do.

    I’d recommend finding a dog park to tire her out or if you have the time and there’s something in the area, trying agility training. Crate training is terrific, but she’ll also need good outlets for all her energy and herding instincts.

    Reply
  33. ModelBehavior says

    September 18, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    first orgo chem test! EEP! good luck! 🙂

    Reply
  34. caitlin (seebriderun) says

    September 18, 2008 at 12:13 pm

    jenn-

    crate, crate, crate! i dont know what i would do without crates for my two dogs.

    i left mine alone once and he ate my boyfriend’s passport. enough said.

    Reply
  35. tfh says

    September 18, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    I love how the poems you memorize for school never quite leave you. Lovely.

    Reply
  36. Kath says

    September 18, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    Sarah,
    Everyone gave great advice – just what I would have said too.

    madison (follow my weigh),
    I don’t really notice being sleepy, but being full does slow you down a little in general vs. a light fruit meal (which wouldn’t take away my AM hunger!) Maybe try a smaller (1/3 cup) portion with more calorie dense toppings?

    Charlie Hills,
    LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saving this for my saved document 🙂

    Marie ,
    I do think they are drier, but I think they taste like natural peanut butter. Sorry you didn;t like em 🙁

    Allison ,
    Cool blog title!!

    runjess ,
    Yes, I have studied on the ET, but only as a last resort because I like my workouts to be Me Time.

    Kath

    Reply
  37. KatieTX says

    September 18, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    Jenn– My roommates and I have a 5 month old lab. Probably the most energetic dog ever. We HAVE to keep her in her crate when we are not here. She is pretty crazy even when she is out but walks help. I think big dogs calm down after about a year. Do you have a backyard you can let her roam in? I found the best thing is to not let the dog have the chance of chewing anything up!

    Reply
  38. mom says

    September 18, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    Great poem Charlie!

    Reply
  39. Karen says

    September 18, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    …and you even have a candle lit.

    Reply
  40. erin says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    ever since i came across your blog last week– and you’re obsessed with oatmeal. I usually eat omtmeal for the fall/winter months. so this sparked my interest in trying a banana with oatmeal — i only started liking it. but at work I only have a microwave. so i tried it anyway- YUM! banana, oatmeal, milk/water. a little brown sugar and a small dollop of peanut butter. Ooh that’s a kicker! So thank you for giving me ideas!

    Reply
  41. SH says

    September 18, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Hi Kath,
    I know you say the secret to good oatmeal is the layers, but do you have a suggestion for portable layers, flavours and textures? I eat breakfast at work and find it too time consuming and irritating to pack all the different little components. I actually bought a box of Quaker instant Apple Cinnamon packets and started trying that this week.
    Here was my sad bowl from this morning… http://hareandtortoise.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/ugh/
    Any suggestions??

    Reply
  42. Kath says

    September 19, 2008 at 7:04 am

    erin ,
    Glad you liked it!

    SH ,
    I only recommend whole rolled oats – you just don’t get much in the packet! Check out the Tribute to Oatmeal page for all my advice:
    https://www.katheats.com/?page_id=2032

    Kath

    Reply
  43. Hayley says

    September 19, 2008 at 7:37 am

    I always seem to forget about poetry. I love it, but it isn’t a consistent part of my life – I think it should be! Especially beautiful poems like those by Frost and Neruda, and thought-provoking verse from Coleridge etc. 🙂

    Also – your photos have inspired me to try oatmeal. Yum!

    Reply

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