Good morning! Exercising in the morning is getting easier and easier for me-- I hopped out of bed with no problem and was at the gym by 5:40. I'm usually a zombie for the first 15-20 minutes of my workout, but today, I had a ton of energy! For my workout, I did a mix of cardio on the machines: 30 minutes on the elliptical, 15 on the stairclimber, and 15 walking on the treadmill. It wasn't a "tough" workout, but I got my heart pumping for an hour and caught up on my magazine reading.
Today's breakfast was pumpkin oat bran with dates... and an apple for later this morning.
From above... I only use 1/3 cup of dry oat bran, but combined with the canned pumpkin, it plumps up to make a huge and filling portion!
I just have to rave about this product! I recently ordered a reusable, portable Baggu shopping bag (below), which, when unfolded, holds the contents of 2 to 3 plastic grocery bags. I throw this little pouch in my work tote for unexpected errands, and it has already come in handy many times. I really don't like taking plastic bags from stores; I almost always put things in my tote or carry them, so this Baggu bag is perfect for when I decide to make a last-minute shopping. It is so convenient and kind of cute (they come in lots of colors!). And the price is right, just $8.50/bag plus shipping ($3). (The company also has deals if you buy more than one.) The best thing about this bag: "Using one Baggu for one year replaces 300 to 700 disposable bags." I'm a big fan!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Breakfast and BAGGU
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21 Comments:
oooh I LOVE that bag! My grandmother lives in Trieste, Italy and she always uses this shopping bag that has a zipper in the bottom to make the bag bigger/deeper if she has extra groceries, but it's starting to wear down (it's probably her 100th one) so I think I am not only going to buy one of these for myself but I am going to send a couple to her!!
Thanks for the heads up!
P.S. Do you keep the extra pumpkin from the can in a tupperware in the fridge? If so for how long?
-RhodeyGirl
Do you warm up the pumpkin and oat bran in the microwave? If so, for how long.
Irbas,
Yep, after I open the can, I keep the pumpkin in Tupperware in the fridge. It probably will last a week or so. I usually use it up within 7 days. Once a can is opened, I use in everything! :)
ccameron,
I nuke the oat bran, pumpkin, and water in the microwave for 1 minute, then take it out and stir it, then cook it for another minute. Comes out great!
I always workout in the morning - as a morning person, I find that the early hours are when I have the most energy and time. it's great! glad it's working for you too!
wow, thank you for posting about the BAGGU - I always use reusable grocery bags, but that one looks ESPECIALLY resourceful! I'm going to order one :0)
Your blog has really inspired me to try to start morning workouts! What made you make the change to morning? It's so hard, I keep saying, oh I will just do it in the afternoon!
Also, I noticed you don't eat before your workout, do you get hungry?
Lastly (sorry for so many questions!), what time do you go to sleep and get up to exercise? Thanks and enjoy your day :)
On days I get up early I always find myself hungry too early for lunch. Does the apple really hold you over?
Leigh,
No worries about the questions; I actually love getting them from readers!
I decided to start working out in the morning because I would always come up with excuses in the evenings for why I couldn't workout... and sometimes I just wouldn't want to. Plus after working all day, I usually just want to relax, eat dinner, and get myself organized for the next day. If I do it first thing in the morning, I'm finished with my workout at 7am, and don't have to worry about it for the rest of the day.
I do sometimes eat before my workout. I don't usually take a photo because I am exhausted and just want to get myself TO the gym. If I eat something, I will include it in my breakfast count for the day or mention it in my post. Sometimes when I wake up though, I'm just not hungry. After my working out, I am ALWAYS starving! I eat breakfast almost immediately after showering!
I'm usually in bed by 9:30 and asleep by 10:00. I set my alarm for 5:30, and I am at the gym by 5:45 (it's downstairs in our building).
Laura,
Usually, the apple will hold me over until lunch, which I eat around 12:15/12:30. However, on crazy busy days like today, I never had a chance to eat my apple, and ended up eating my lunch at 11:45.
That bag is so cute! I have also jumped on the train of reusable bags. I have a really nice one from Trader Joe's for only $1.99 and a cheaper kind from Whole Foods for .99. Sweet! I like yours more, looks like it will last longer :-)
Those bags really are cute! And they seem very reasonably priced (always a good thing!)
And you are making me want to try dates! Surprisingly I never have before.. I think it was when you filled the date with chocolate chips. That really won me over!
Hi, I am in school, but I am guessing work is similar in that I get so bored and just want to snack (ex: diet drinks or caffeine, candies, or gum, etc). I try to avoid those things, but honestly, studying can get boring after hours of it! How do you manage not to boredom snack?
I don't have any oat bran, but I do have a box of the Kashi Go Lean Hot Cereal - Vanilla. Couldn't I mix this up with the pumpkin? I have a tupperware of pumpkin that I have been putting on my oatmeal pancakes and looking for more ways to use it up. Thanks!
I noticed that you eat oatbran. Is that as filling as oatmeal?
ccameron,
I think the Kashi would work. I just scoop the canned pumpkin onto my oat bran and stir it up a little before I cook it in the microwave. I think the Kashi would work the same way. Sounds delicious!
Jill,
Oh, I have been known to snack out of boredom! I try my best not to though. My job is typically pretty busy, so most days, I don't have the time to snack. On slow days, however, I try a few tricks: drinking lots of water or hot tea with a piece of fruit, sometimes I will chew gum or have a mint. Tea and fruit usually works best for me. In my opinion, fruit is a perfect food-- low in calories, easy to digest, gives you energy, fills you up, has lots of fiber, nutrients, and water. It is probably my favorite snack, especially when I have the munchies. Plus, I will stop working and prepare a mug of tea and a piece of fruit (I will sometimes cut up/peel the fruit and put it on a plate or napkin). I think this process slows me down a little and prevents mindless snacking.
Jill,
For me, I think oat bran is more filling that oatmeal. I am a "volume eater," so I think the size and volume of my bowl of oat bran also influences my thinking. A 1/3 cup of dry oat bran makes a BIG portion!
this might be a silly question but is oatbran the same thing as oatmeal? do you have to prepare it the same way with water/milk in the microwave? also, what brands does it come in? i typically eat whole grain quaker oatmeal but i'm also a volume eater so i'm curious about this oatbran haha. i also started morning workouts like you and it sooo much better! thanks :D
That Baggu bag is such a great idea! I think I will have to get one :)
Enjoy the dress fitting ~ I hope it's fun :-)
I remember growing up my mom would always bring a few Safeway bags with her shopping that would fold into themselves, I always though it was genius!
I ask how you made the bulgar pumpkin and you didn't answer . i have bulgar and yours looked so good/
Bev,
Sorry that I missed your question. It has been a crazy couple of days! I cook my bulgar in the microwave for 6 minutes... in a big, deep bowl. I just add water (sometimes milk) and other toppings (pumpkin, dates, almonds, etc.) to the dry bulgar and pop in the microwave.
Andrea,
Oatmeal and oat bran are essential the same thing, but they are processed in different ways. Here's a link that explains: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080101122248AAp3qKe
Thank you Tina. I can't wait to try it :)
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