The Granola Factory was hard at work making some Groovy Granola for a big thing coming up. Hint: it could be yours!
I finished up my paperwork at the bakery – almost done with July’s recon!!
Snacktime before my dance class – milk with a little floating granola. It held me all the way till dinner no problem.
Dance was great today because we got to do tons of dancing! And cartwheels!! Afterwards, Eileen, Faith and I headed to the rooftop pool for some girl talk. And talk girls we were!
We lounged in the water for a long time and then drip dried on the chairs. Mountain views!
Back at home, Matt proclaimed he was not in the mood to cook at all. He wanted to eat a cucumber, tomato + garlic gold salad and call it a day.
But since we had fun ingredients, I coaxed him into making a quick + easy supper – frittata and greens
We sauteed peppers and tomatoes in some olive oil and then poured on 4 beaten eggs. Topped that with pepperjack cheese and covered with a lid for 5 or so minutes. No broiler necessary!
The cheese was the best part. Clearly.
The greens was a massive bunch of swiss chard that melted down into a meager pile. I hate that about greens! Guess there’s lots of fiber packed in this little ball though. For flavor, I mixed in some of Gina + Megan’s mom’s Rhubarb-Orange Marmalade. Delicious choice! It was like mixing fresh orange, cloves and maple syrup (for sweetness) with half the effort.
Kombucha Brooklyn for sipping! Just like wine.
I used to hate the evenings. I’d twiddle my thumbs between going to bed, mindless snacking and starting some insane project that I knew I couldn’t finish. I don’t know what changed, but now I love them. They are 100% chill time (except the part where I have to edit photos, write my blog post and answer emails 🙂 ) and I’ve been enjoying some good television and books!
Cantaloupe for dessert! I’ve never been a big melon girl. Cantaloupe always tastes great upon first bite but gets gaggy at the end. Not sure why!! Maybe because the middle is sweetest?
Nite y’all
Jenn says
Funny. We do eggs of some sort when I don’t feel like cooking…or we walk to Fry Spring Station 🙂
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Kombucha that is like wine = I *NEED* some of this!!!!
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Eggs are a great easy-peasy meal. But cantaloupe makes my throat itch! (I’m mildly allergic – but love the taste).
Enjoy your night!!
~
Sylvia @ My Attempt at Balanced Living says
My roommate had me try cantaloupe for the first time last week and I felt the same way about it. It surprised her since I like watermelon so much. Ah well, your dinner sounded delicious (and so simple!) Have a good night lady!
Cait's Plate says
I’m with you on the cantaloupe – not sure why that happens. I tend to do better if I mix it with other fruit…goes down better for whatever reason.
The view from the roof deck is so gorgeous – I’m so jealous of your time + girl talk!
Baking N Books says
Kath you are such a calm and confident soul. Did you ever have problems with mindless eating? I can’t imagine it!…I’m really struggling now. Every night – every night for the past few months at least – it’s chocolate. A Lot. Way too much than I care to admit. It’s so hard to sleep and face the next day – but it won’t stop! (er, i won’t). Any advice?
KathEats says
Yes, I do get the munchies. But you just have to snap out of it and find something else to do. People make it seem so difficult to get over food things – but I’ve found I just need to have a “no bull” mindset with myself and suddenly I see things more clearly. But by all means if you’re hungry, have a snack!
Baking N Books says
I wish it were that easy! I know there’s always something else to do. Eating my emotions. It’s the repetitiveness that gets me. It’s not just a random night here or there.
Thank you anyways. Sorry to interrupt your blog!
KathEats says
But it really is that easy. You’ve got to train yourself to deal with boredom other ways.
And not an interruption!
Baking N Books says
Well – yes – it is “training” and practicing of course – but that doesn’t happen overnight Kath!! Practice takes time, discipline – and setbacks. Also, sometimes focusing on what I CAN do and the little changes is better than trying to change it all at once or feeling like a failure for not “being likes others and good enough”. That only worsens the behavior in me.
Goodness…sorry I’m not superhuman or “regular” human I guess.
Mary Frances says
Set some kind of goal you want to work towards and achieve and then tape notes and signs around. If there is a weight goal you want to reach and the chocolate is thwarting it, take the money you would spend on chocolate and save it for a new piece of clothing or fancy dancy vacation. If you don’t want to waste it, put any chocolate you have in the house in a tin in the basement in pre-measured portions of maybe less than 150 calories so you can get a taste if you must with a checklist of when you absolutely cannot go back into the tin again until a certain date. Try riding out the urge for just half an hour and if you really feel like you need it after that, stick with just the portion. Also, when you get your chocolate portion out of the tin, check it off the checklist, go back upstairs from the basement, you might not even want it; but if so, you will not have too much because the whole bag or package won’t be right there. Never eat it until you have gone to a separate, sitting, relaxed location and savor it. If you have an understanding friend you can call at anytime to talk you out of binging, set that up. Additionally, after you ride it out not having any at all for about a week or two, you might find yourself not even craving it as much. Good luck!
Baking N Books says
Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I have tried many, many of these things however…I am battling “demons” far more serious it seems and have a long ways to go. And, weight is not an issue. I am a healthy weight and eat healthy the rest of the time.
Suz says
Hang in there. I do this Every Night. Chocolate. Granola. Cereal. Ice cream. Just plain slices of bread.
Personally I had a tricky past with deprivation and scary roads and then I developed the early stages of MS and activity is next to impossible. But one night I just “let” myself have something “bad” and suddenly I lost all control. I just suddenly realized how insane I was for being afraid to eat it for so long. I didn’t care that I couldn’t walk it off. And night is the worse because I can drown it out and not think about it. So now I”m the opposite and I eat chocolate and cereal and anything at night. I even drove to a 24-hour grocery chain at 11:30 am one night because I wanted cookies and ice cream. And I do this every night too. I do feel ashamed about it.
I know Kath makes it seem so easy. But I think its something in every individual person that makes it different and unique.
What I’m trying to do now is eat more during the day and eat more of the bad foods during the day too. The binging at night still hasn’t stopped. But at least I’m getting in solid meals and snacks. Unfortunatley dessert turns into an extravanganza.
Anyway, you’re not alone. If that makes you feel better.
JessicaEn says
I definitely think that you must battle your other demons before you can tackle the binging/mindless eating. It seems that food isn’t the root of the problem and until you fix what IS, your food issues will remain. Good luck.
Baking N Books says
Bingo Jessica! Exactly. Same thing my Doc/Therapist told me. I’m not lacking anything or depriving myself at all – it’s “eating the emotions”.
Okay – enough now – poor Kath! 😉
Jess says
Hey~Have you ever heard of the book Made to Crave by Lysa Terquerst? I highly recommend it! It is about overcoming food temptations/cravings while growing closer to God. Sometimes, we do crave food to cover our other ‘needs’ in life that are not being fulfilled, whether relational, career, low self-worth, etc. I’ve been there and am still fighting it! Good luck!! You CAN do it.
~Jess
Baking N Books says
I have never heard of that. The responses here are amazing. Thank you…it is a constant battle. It’s not as easy as just being “done” with it – try telling that to a smoker or an alcoholic…and yes to me it’s the same. An addiction. I will check out that book. I love books 😉
Olena (The Fit Gourmet) says
Just don’t keep the stuff in the house. Period. Nothing sweet, baked or anything else you find tempting. Nada. At least during that crucial stage to break the addiction cycle.
Baking N Books says
Good point. And I’ve done that – trust me- but,…I’ve also ran down to the store right below my building in desperation at times :(…da*m…i need to move.
Olena (The Fit Gourmet) says
With such strong cravings, I suspect that you’re undereating somewhere during normal meals. Most probably, lacking protein, which is a great hunger quencher. I dare to suggest to re-assess your eating plan to combat these urges.
Also, the French have a great proverb: qui dort dîne – “one who sleeps eats”. This is to say, if you face cravings close to bedtime, just go to bed.
Good luck – I had to deal with similar issues at the time, though not as bad. Carb withdrawal only lasts for a couple of weeks. You CAN do it. Big hug xoxo.
Christine says
I have to agree that once I started eating more protein and allowed myself to have healthy fats in my diet (nuts, olive oil etc) I was able to have that “no bull” attitude that Kath is referring to. When I was starving my body of certain things it needed I couldn’t control the emotional urges to eat at all (now I do pretty well). Not sure if this applies to you but it’s worth looking at.
EllaRose says
Agreed. I will be get a lot of negative feedback on this; but I don’t buy into the emotional stuff. Its physical. If you’ve had a past with any food issues whether its restricting, overeating, guilty feelings, dieting or being around others who diet , you may indeed be physically deprived. Does not matter if you are at a healthy weight. That doesn’t mean you at the right weight (a set point may be a bit higher and you unconsciously fight that) or it doesn’t mean that you are still “feeding” yourself. You can probably without any doubt have your chocolate and eat it on a daily basis too, and still be at a great, healthy weight. Your actually physically deprived but you just don’t know it.
That said, I am battling the binging demons too. I fail to practice what I preach and a binge happens to me every night. I am seeking counsel for it, but nothing seems to work for me. If you figure it out, share the secret. Because there are a LOT of daily and nightly bingers out there and alot of us are still trying to battle our demons also.
Lisa says
I am still working on the 100% chill part of evenings myself–I am definitely one of those people who feels like they should be doing something ALL THE TIME. I’ve been working on it, though. Glad you’ve got it down–that definitely gives me hope. 🙂
KathEats says
Totally agree. But sometimes TV is on the to do list!
Cathy says
just curious Kath…do you have cable? You seem too busy. I have been turning mine off and doing other things since reading your blog. I only watch cable after I have “accomplished “something. My bathroom is organized thanks to your inspiration.
KathEats says
We do! But we have DVR so I watch when I have time to watch 🙂
Cathy says
I have Comcast so no DVR. 🙁 Guess I will have to figure out something. Enjoy your day Kath….roof top looked so relaxing. I live in the Houston are and everything is flat and the weather is HOT!!!
Kinley says
I agree about the melon sweetness issue. Instead of all these “seedless” melons out there, we really need to be working on some “rindless” ones 😉 lol!
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
The mental pic I conjured up of a “rindless melon” cracked me up. Love that idea. 🙂
~
Margo @ Peanut Butter Trees says
Oh I know, if only greens maintained their volume when cooked!
Emily says
Frittata’s are my go-to easy dinner on an evening like that! And mmmm greens, my favorite.
Hillary says
Night time is my favorite time of the day usually. I love just laying back, relaxing, reading my book, snuggling up in my bed, etc. It’s a little bit of necessary rejuvenation!
Kait says
all that granola looks so yummy! I being able to completely relax on weeknights, its the best!
Megan says
Glad you liked the marmalade Kath! I hadn’t thought to use it on greens – great idea. I’ll have to grab some kale or chard at the farmer’s market this weekend and give your technique a try! Last week I mixed it w/some vinegar and oil for a quick and zingy salad dressing 🙂
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
I can’t say I’ve found the “fun” in my evening activities. They usually involved running around like a chicken with its head chopped off trying to get everything done for the next day: dinner made, dishes done, lunch packed, apartment picked up, blog post, etc. I am hoping to change that this (school) year though!
Angel7 says
I just bought my first bunch of swiss chard today to try. I have never had it before, and am excited to try it.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
That dance class sounds like so much fun 🙂
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Granolaaaa!!! That stuff holds you GOOD. What kind of dance is it?! I tooootally missed that memo.
KathEats says
Modern + ballet fusion
katie @KatieDid says
I also LOVE evening when a busy day has come to an end. It’s more leisure days that I find myself twiddling my thumbs come after-dinner hours.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I feel the same way about melon. Specifically, cantaloupe and honey dew. I have no idea if this is true or not but someone once told me that there are certain foods/fruits that aren’t good for your blood type and melon was one of them for Type A’ers (which is me). I always think of that when the thought of melon makes me gag. I should look up the validity (if any) of that statement!
KathEats says
Wouldn’t surprise me, but I’m type O!
Mandie says
Bought some okra and tofu at the store today, will be my first time cooking both of them! Do you have any recommendations on grilling them?
KathEats says
If you search for okra on KERF you’ll come up with all of my variations! Okra fries are the best, but also look for my better than fried okra recipe
Tracy says
Eat your cantaloupe with salt! I promise it tastes so yummy!!! 🙂
E says
Yep, definitely my favorite way to have it! I live in Ohio & our melons around here are so good right now 🙂
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Salt AND pepper – definitely.
It always garners some strange looks though… 😉
~
Lynda @ Healthy Hoboken Girl says
Kombuncha rules!!!! Must get some soon!
Sana says
Cheese is always the best part, yeah evenings are always super weird, like you are allowed to eat all day and suddenly you stop and have awk time before you sleep?
Hannah says
Everyone knows floating granola is the most filling type of granola.
Jackie @ That Deep Breath says
I’m totally not a cantalope girl, just the smell makes me want to gag. I totally don’t know why, same goes with honeydew. That granola looks delicious!! I bought some the other day out of the bulk bin and it was a total tease. The top was clustery and the rest was completely grainy, no clusters at all. Total bummer!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Cheese is always the best party 🙂 I’m a generally anxious person, so I have a hard time relaxing in the evenings!
Mandy says
I LOVE me some granola. I got a really great homemade recipe from SparkPeople that isn’t too sweet and has no added sugar (maple syrup and apple juice concentrate to add the stickiness and sweetness). But yours looks fabulous too. Do you put wheat germ in it?
KathEats says
I don’t put wheat germ in mine..
Mandy says
I thought wheat germ would make it taste weird or grainy, but you actually don’t end up tasting it at all. And the texture of everything else stays the same too. Plus it adds tons of nutrition. What do you like in yours?
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i love my evenings. that’s when i hang with my hubby and dog and we catch up on movies, tv shows, dinner, friends, or video games!!!
Khushboo says
I never used to be a fan of melon either although I’m loving it now, especially with cottage cheese. It’s also great in a smoothie with frozen banana!
Jumanah (Healthy Living in the Middle East) says
I NEED some of that granola!
J3nn(Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I actually like melons more towards the end! I like the bitterness. 🙂
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
I actually love how much greens shrink as I can trick my boyfriend into eating more 😉
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
Love rooftop pools ALMOST as much as I love girl talk 😀
CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ says
I feel the same way about cantaloupe but love watermelon. To me it’s not summer without a good watermelon!
Sally Anne @ PaleoRunnerGirl says
Goodness Gracious– I have the complete opposite problem with canteloupe! I could eat an entire melon in one sitting. However, too much of it does always give me a bit of a stomach ache!
That frittata looks excellent! Eggs are always so satisfying and versatile! They are a completely underrated protein!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Yum! that cantaloupe looks good! I hate when it gets to soggy. I need to get some swiss chard, I havent had it in forever 🙂
Emma (Namaste Everyday) says
I beg to differ – I LOVE cantaloupe! Whenever I cook greens, it always looks like I’m putting too much in, I have to remind myself that they cook down!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
“headed to the rooftop pool for some girl talk. And talk girls we were!”– NICE
That right there just makes the day, week, and saves lives. Girl talk, it works. It’s needed 🙂
Emily says
I love my weeknights too but I always got caught up on what to do. Whenever I have a great book to read I get stuck on whether to sit down with it or do the million other projects. I like your approach much better 🙂
[email protected] Flying ONION says
Gasp. That granola! Looks amazing. 😀
Erika @ The Teenage Taste says
Sounds like a fabulous evening after a hard day at work! I love the Great Harvest granola. It’s not your average granola, that’s for sure! 😀
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says
omg I love the evenings! Best time to get things done around the house, relax and see my hunbuns!
Heather says
Pretty please sell the granola!!!
I am the botton of the bag of my open sky clusters and am beginning to mourn the loss!
Kelly says
Oooohhhh that dinner looks good! I’ve never tried chard…it sounds scarry 🙂 And I feel the same way about melon.
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I hope I can learn to enjoy my evenings like you do! I’m definitely the twiddling my thumbs/ mindless snacker type! I’m too much of a morning person!
Katherina @ Zephyr Runs says
Evenings are for winding down, it’s so nice when you stop worrying about what to do and just relax! A dance class with cartwheels sounds really fun 😛
Sara says
Your post-dance rooftop time looks dreamy. And those frittatas look like pizza. (dreamy pizza)
On another note, I think it would be so interesting to see a more detailed post about how you close out your month at the bakery (sans viewing actual numbers, of course!)
KathEats says
it’s really not all that exciting! Just entering in credit card processing fees, doing a reconciliation with our bank statement, entering in payroll. I’m not sure I could show much for privacy’s sake..
Meaghan O'Connor (My Spoonful of Inspiration) says
The granola looks incredible. It makes me ashamed to say I get mine from a box. 🙁 I always love looking at your photos and all the fresh ingredients!
Rachel says
“I’ve never been a big melon girl.” 😉 Hmm, with lines like that and the scandalous sausage shapes you posted the other day, your blog is getting racy! Or I just have the sense of humor of a teenage boy…
KathEats says
LOL!
Alison says
I ordered some of this! I am excited to try it! looks YUMMY!
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
Frittatas are so delicious, but I’ve never thought to make them for dinner, even though I make breakfast for dinner at least once a week.
Amy Pea says
Evenings for me used to be hectic, too, until I started allowing myself “three things in 20 minutes” rule when I get home from work. If there is wet laundry to move to the dryer, that’s one thing. If it’s unloading the dishwasher, that’s another. Putting my clothes and shoes away from the day and picking out tomorrow’s outfit/workout clothes would be the 3rd and final thing. Then I am able to feel productive, move on and enjoy the night.
Mindless eating at night used to plague me, too, until it interfered with my sleep – so it stopped. My need to get a good night’s sleep somehow trumped the need to eat and I never binge at night anymore…
Kayla says
Wait! Is granola coming back to OpenSky?!
Meredith says
Cantaloupe is one of those fruits I can’t make myself like for the reason you wrote: the first bite is OK, but after that it’s all downhill.
Robin @ The Balanced Life says
I can’t wait to try that Kombucha! Be sure to tell us when it becomes available 🙂
Mary Lou says
I want to second the book Made to Crave. It has been really helpful in dealing with my food\exercise demons.
Love the rooftop pool! Looks like a fun time!
Shayla @ The Good Life says
I love what you said at the end…I too used to dislike evenings. For some reason I always started to get anxious after dinner…”am I hungry?” “do I want a snack?” “I’m bored should I go to sleep or snack?” “watch television?” ahhhh so annoying!
Then finally I just made myself proactive about really mindfully listening to my hunger cues and eating intuitively, having a “no bull” mentality like you said, and from then on the constant need to eat out of boredom stopped and I can finally relax and enjoy my evenings again… 🙂
Charise says
Cantaloupe’s my favorite kind of melon! Eggs and greens are my go-to meal when I don’t feel like cooking – so much reward for so little effort.
Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine says
Oh man, if only you could open up a “granola factory” in my kitchen. Please, please, pretty please? 😉