Coffee and Crack

It’s no secret I love my morning cereal. Crisp, crunchy and comforting, I’ve been enjoying a bowl nearly every morning since I was a toddler. Every once in a blue moon though, I’m in the mood for something different. Something like…

Overnight oats! Nutella raspberry oats, to be exact.

Growing up, Nutella was a pantry staple. I’m wise enough not to eat half a jar in one sitting anymore, but mix a heaping spoonful with coconut milk kefir, oats, raspberries and cocoa powder, and you’ve got one heck of a breakfast.

After breakfast, I got my sweat on with Jillian Michaels’ No More Trouble Zones DVD. I increased the weights from 3lb to 4lb, and definitely felt it. My triceps are already killing me. I kind of love being sore, though…

Lunch was a yogurt mess with So Delicious vanilla coconut milk yogurt. I added regular Puffins, a pound of strawberries and a whopping spoonful of Naturally Nutty cinnamon vanilla sunflower seed butter.

All mixed up:

When I got hungry mid-afternoon, I dipped some cucumber rounds and a whole-wheat tortilla into a bowl of hot salsa.

I also whipped up a batch of espresso bark for a birthday party I’m going to tomorrow. The birthday boy is a coffee lover, so this was a no-brainer! To make it, simply melt 2 cups of good-quality dark chocolate chips, stir in a cup of whole coffee beans, and spread the mixture into a pan lined with wax paper. Harden in the refrigerator before breaking into bite-sized pieces.

Of course, I had to sample a piece!

 I wanted something simple but different for dinner. After quickly browsing a few blogs, I came across Mama Pea’s crack wrap and knew I had to try it. I slathered a whole-wheat wrap with garlic hummus and a slice of Tofutti mozzarella-style cheese, and then browned it in a pan with a little Earth Balance. The result? Ooey-gooey goodness.

When it was done, I wanted another. So I went for it. Crack wrap #2, this time with spinach-artichoke hummus. Yes, we have multiple tubs open at once. We’re a family of hummus addicts.

It was just as good the second time.  Check out the melty innards!

On the side, I had some steamed broccoli, carrots and tomato with olive oil, salt and nutritional yeast.

Dessert was yet another pear with four squares of Hershey’s dark chocolate. My mom bought a dozen pears last time she went grocery shopping, and apparently she and I are the only family members who like them.

One thing I’ve been meaning to mention is that I always have several nighttime snacks! I eat dinner early, so it’s necessary. Peanut butter sandwiches, bowls of cereal, mixed nuts…I generally don’t photograph these foods, but I may start in order to help me overcome my picking problem. I still find myself picking occasionally, so maybe taking pictures will encourage me to have a real snack instead. I’ll give it a go for a while and see how I like it!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Is there a food you eat every day, whether intentionally or out of habit? I eat cereal, dark chocolate and apples pretty much daily, though strangely enough I didn’t eat cereal or apples today!

What foods does your whole family love? Hummus, peanut butter and apples are popular in this household!

To the other food bloggers: how much of your daily intake do you photograph? I document nearly everything until after dinner. Nighttime snacks definitely constitute a significant part of my intake though!