Good Mornin’ Monday

I know that Monday mornings are meant to be dreaded—they just are!—but I was definitely looking forward to today.  After a weekend of eating pizza and cheesecake, walking through Boston, attending my graduation ceremony and late nights/early mornings, I was ready for a fresh start to rejuvinate. 😀  Not saying I didn’t love every single moment of a fun-filled weekend, but it’s also nice to get back to normal. 😉

Oats In A Jar!

• 1 c. milk + 3/4 c. water
• 1/4 c. oatbran
• 1/4 c. wheatbran
• 1/2 banana
• cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger

A reader pointed out that I should try mixing the chia seeds into my oats.  I will oftentimes tell myself, “Sarah, today is the day that you’re going to try this technique.”  But it never actually happens.  Instead I find myself mixing them in with my granola and sprinklin’ it onto my oats as I go.  I’m such a c-r-u-n-c-h kind of girl.   

For anyone who’s tried cooking the chia seeds, do you add it in at the very beginning of the cooking time?  I promise to try this soon.

It felt so good to have a hearty, warm breakfast this morning.  The next step towards feeling completely rejuvinated was a long bike ride which was very much needed.  I felt one hundred times better after sweating and bursting out some excess energy.  😀

Refuel: grapes and almonds!

Can I just say how much I hate the dentist?  Please tell me I am not alone?

I can remember being a little girl and having my mother desparately trying to console me before going to the dentist.  Anxiety preceded tears.  Lots and lots of tears.  Now that I’m older, I may have overcame the crying part, but the anxiety is still all there. 😉

But I had a few cavities that needed to be taken care of, so I gave myself a pep talk and went in.  I didn’t feel a thing after being given four shots of a numbing agent (ack!) which means I didn’t taste much of my lunch either…haha.  But I’ll bet it tasted amazing.

• 1/2 large sweet potato
• 1/4 c. or so of Sabra’s Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (best hummus ever!)
• 1/4 diced avocado

+ milk!!

Afternoon snack: last of the jarlsberg cheese and some Doctor Kracker Apple Crisps (love these!)

The Grill Master (aka, Dad) grilled up some pork chops with a new rub recipe that involved salt, lemon & pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and coffee powder!  I’ll admit it sounded odd at first, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  But the coffee just seemed to enhance the flavors, and it just worked.  Super juicy.  Super flavorful. 😀

Meanwhile, I was cooking up some roasted potatoes (425 oven for 20 minutes) with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. 

Along with 1/2 a vidalia onion, zucchini, and a tsp of olive oil, cooked together at a high heat…

I made a huge salad out of everything by topping a basic mixed salad with a sliced pork chop, some roasted potatoes, sauteed onions & zucchini, and some roasted asparagus.  I doused it all in balsamic vinegar for the perfect “yum” factor. 😀

I noshed on a granola bar for dessert.  Using the basic recipe, I subbed in some chia seeds for the flax and added in a bit of coconut.  Loved the chia seed addition!! 😀

Off to start a new book.  My brother bought me a new one and I’m excited to dig in!

Question: Favorite way to perk up a Monday?  If I ever have a rough Monday, I like to stop at Starbucks for a latte or go out for a long bike ride/run.  Both do wonders for a Monday Morning! 😀

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