My favorite part of the day.
After work, once we’re all home together.
And, of course, it certainly helps when Lucas napped well during the day and is in a good mood! Yesterday, Jay showed Lucas how to juggle, and he thought it was just the best thing going.
And once that got old, we had to play his other favorite game of hide and seek under the blanket. That will still keep him occupied for a good 4-5 minutes at a time.
I just love this boy.
So since today is Wednesday and all that jazz, how about we do a little WIAW action? Today’s post features eats from Monday, so let’s get movin’…
Breakfast
Overnight Oatmeal + a grande blond roast from Starbucks
Added bonus: my coffee was a freebie thank to a reward I earned with my Gold Card (you get a free drink after 12 purchased). I feel so special. Or, rather, maybe it’s just further confirmation that I go there too often…
Mid-Morning Snack
Wasn’t too hungry but decided to snack on a Golden Delicious apple.
These apples are still, by far, my absolute favorite!
Lunch
Another day, another salad. I think it’s about time I start switching up my lunches a bit. What have you guys been loving lately? I need some inspiration.
Then again, sometimes it’s the only sure way I get some veggies in me, depending on how lazy we are come dinner time.
Mid-Afternoon Snack
I found myself hungry for something a little sweet a couple hours later, so I grabbed a peanut butter cookie Larabar from my desk stash.
I’ve actually really been loving the Larabars these days. Most recently, I discovered the peanut butter chocolate chip one (I think that’s it…?) and it blew me away.
Pre-Dinner Snacks
These are almost always guaranteed, but because I’m usually rushing around, trying to feed Lucas, or attempting to get dinner ready, they don’t always get documented. Pretty sure that this particular day probably included some crusts from a PB&J sandwich and a handful or two of Snap Pea Crisps (because those are just freakin delicious).
Dinner
We decided to wait until Lucas went to bed to eat dinner on Monday which, although a bit later than I’d prefer, was actually rather peaceful! On the menu was skinny shrimp and broccoli alfredo.
The color turned a little darker thanks to our not paying attention and slightly browning the garlic a bit more than we should have…but hey, it was still delicious nonetheless.
Dessert
If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably saw this picture I posted last week:
We occasionally get their catalogs in the mail and on this particular day, I decided to post a pic of it in an attempt to get Jay to go out and buy me chocolates for no good reason other than I wanted chocolate. And caramel.
Well wouldn’t you know, I get home from work on Monday and find a package on my door step…
Godiva!! You wonderful, wonderful people. They saw my post and ended up sending along this fab assortment (including the caramel truffle flight I had been craving!). Of course, I had to dive in and have a couple of pieces.
Talk about amazing (not only the customer outreach, but the chocolate, too). Thank you, Godiva, for fueling my caramel addiction.
Aaaand, that’s a wrap! So tell me…what have you guys been eating and loving? (specifically, send me some lunch ideas, puhleeeease!)
Brynn says
Wow, your wish is Godiva’s demand! How awesome is that?!
For lunch I have been loving wraps, quinoa bowls and Greek salads. I have to change it up or I’ll eat out every day!
Heather @fitncookies says
That’s awesome that Godiva sent that to you! Jay is probably happy it got him off the hook ;) Lunches for me have been dinner leftovers, or taco salads. I love having the extra taco meat and throwing it on salads during the week. Easy and delicious.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Look at all the chocolate! I have a real problem with Godiva whenever I am in NYC. I go to their store everyday. But I always have to walk there, so I figure it all evens out somehow…
Linz @ Itz Linz says
make chicken salad on top of a bed of fresh greens for lunch! load up your chicken salad with dried cranberries, grapes, almonds, walnuts, celery! use a light mayo & dijon for the base – so good!!
amelia@i_heart_kale says
I’ve been enjoying snack plates for lunch. They typically consist of jalapeno flavored nut thins (any crunchy cracker or chip) deli turkey/chicken, favorite cheese (currently Monterey Jack and pepperjack) then veggies (grape tomatoes, cukes, carrots, avocados, sliced peppers, etc. Usually I have some sort of fruit an hour after for my ‘sweet’. You could also do avocado/tomato/sea salt toast, leftovers, soups, or even a big yogurt bowl or cottage cheese with veggies? Make a big batch of egg, tuna, or chicken salad on Sunday and eat all week with cracker and veg if you’re tired of the salad theme.
Kim@ FITsique says
What a cutie pie! I am currently three stars away from Gold status!! No shame there. Lately I have been loving breakfast burritos with eggs, avocado, bacon, salsa, spinach, and goat cheese!
Emily Lutz says
Hmm, ok lunch ideas: In the morning while I’m getting ready (and this works even better if you have a toaster oven) throw some veggies in at 400 for 20 min; I’ll do this after I work out and grab them after I shower. and then add shredded chicken + soy sauce or sprinkle some cheese on top!
Courtney says
That’s an awesome idea, Emily! Thanks!
Stacey M. says
I agree with you on the lunchtime salad thing … I’ve been taking a salad to work for lunch for the past 4 months or so now. Sometimes, I just want something different, but I figure it’s a great way to get a decent amount of veggies in for the day. Good news is I haven’t burned myself out on them … yet anyway. If I had the time/energy to pack anything else for lunch, I would suggest tuna or chicken salad on top of baby spinach with some crackers on the side, or a chickpea salad (chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, corn, etc. with olive oil and spices) in a pita. I don’t like to bring anything to work that I will have to reheat … nothing worse than stinking up the office with your lunch!
What have I been loving lately?? Nothing in particular really … I guess food just hasn’t seemed very appealing to me in the past few weeks. I am still eating the Fitnessista’s cookie dough cereal for breakfast though – that’s an addiction I don’t see failing anytime soon. Oh, and I’d love to make some banana and/or pumpkin bread soon. Your post sparked a serious craving for that stuff. :)
Carrie says
I have been packing either a turkey wrap with hummus spread, spinach, tomatoes, avocado, and onion or a “BLT” inspired salad with turkey bacon, spinach, carrots, hardboiled egg, avocado, and tomatoes!
Courtney says
LOVE the sound of that BLT salad!!
Emily says
I’m with you – I gave up salads for lunch a long time ago. They just don’t have enough oomph for me anymore. I get my greens from 2x daily smoothies and that means I don’t have to worry so much about getting them in my meals. I have been solving my lunch woes with awesome leftovers. Perfect for this time of year – CHILI :)
Courtney says
Mmmmmm…chili. We need another chili cook-off at work soon! ;)
Molly says
This has nothing to do with your post but have you heard of toy rotating? A friend of mine just wrote a post on it and it has changed our household!http://mylittleladiesblog.blogspot.com/. It has helped SO much with cleanup at the end of the day and my little man focuses on toys so much more. Worth the half an hour every week or two!
Courtney says
Hahaha, Molly, are you saying we have too many toys in those photos above?? ;)
I actually have a friend that does this too, and I’ve been meaning to do the same thing as well because I love the concept (and the idea of a less cluttered room!) :)
Molly says
Munchkins can never have too many toys! My oldest will be two this month and we just started rotating a month ago or so. I think it’s more beneficial as they get a little older. Charlie was getting bored and probably overwhelmed with ALL of his toys out at once. And I was totally overwhelmed with the giant mess at the end of the day! No judgment from this momma though!
Catherine Culligan says
For lunch I like bringing leftovers or a wrap
katie says
this is a random question but what type of bowl do you eat your lunch salad out of? does it have a lid?
Courtney says
Haha, I get asked this question ALL the time! It’s actually a leftover take-out container (we have a bunch of them from a local place we like to order from). It does have a lid, and they’re just perfect for my salad lunches!
Erin @ She's a big star says
I’m a big soup fan for lunch, especially this time of year now that we’re hitting fall temperatures. It’s another good way to pack some veggies in… I’ll make a big pot and eat it for lunch everyday until it’s gone.
Brittany says
Courtney! You can’t waste your gold card freebie on a drip coffee, since it’s good for anything, you gotta save it for that day you want a special treat, you know, triple grande PSL and such ;)
Courtney says
LOL I knowwwwwww, I was thinking the same thing as I was going through the drive-thru yesterday. Major freebie fail! I’ll remember that for the next time around though ;)
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
I wish I had the desire to make salads like you everyday for lunch. For some reason, I just kind of despise making salads! I think it’s all the washing, chopping, prepping. Leftovers are my go-to lunch…so easy to warm up and always delicious. I’ve also been liking chicken & veggie wraps. I’ve been buying rotisserie chickens and it’s SO convenient to throw on salads, sandwiches, wraps, and give to Hunter. Egg salad or tuna fish sandwiches with a bunch of spinach is another favorite lately!
Emily says
I would kill for some Godiva on demand! Especially on a Monday night… I easily get in ruts with my lunches too, but try and switch it up every 3 weeks or so. I like whole wheat pitas filled with hummus, chicken, avocado and spinach with a side of carrots and fruit. Or a sandwich thin with laughing cow cheese, deli turkey, tomatoes and spinach with the same sides. I also like to make a chicken salad with diced chicken, plain greek yogurt, grapes and walnuts! Great in wraps, on bread, or on salads!
april @ Simply Sweet Living says
Oh man that chocolate! mmmmmm I have a Starbucks addiction too. It’s ok ;) I just discovered egg salad in lettuce leafs with some hummus and carrots! Boil you an egg, chop it up and add some kind of miracle whip, veganaise, greek yogurt, whatever suits you and then some turmeric, garlic powder and celery salt. Sooo good! ;) I’ve been having a really hard time finding healthy lunches too. I’m sure I’ll get some ideas too from all the comments.
Rochelle says
For my salads, I’ve been LOVING spring mix, with a sprinkle of honey roasted sunflower seeds and chopped avocado. Top it off with a can of tuna, some salt and pepper, and oil & vinegar dressing. YUM! I swear that I could eat it daily (and sometimes do, with just switching out the protein for bbq chicken or something else)
Alexa says
WOW lucky you! it’s like your wish was Godiva’s command! please please do a review of the caramel truffle flight and the caramel brownie truffle.
for lunches, i mostly do salads but change up the protein. chicken breast, hard boiled egg, quinoa, tuna, taco meat… other than that, the supper i’ve been loving lately would make a great lunch: “quinoa fried rice” = make a big batch of quinoa of the weekend, then mix a serving with soy sauce, veggie of choice and protein of choice! reheat and it’s that simple. recently ive had it with scallions, edamame, a scrambled egg, all on a bed of kale marinated in tahini. yum!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Salads are a default for me too. I feel mixing up the protein, veggies and toppings or dressing really helps to make it at least somewhat different. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is my favorite Larabar. You should try them for sure. :-)
Those pics of Lucas are so adorable. What program do you use to have them display side by side on your blog?
Koryn @ High Heels & Healthy Alternatives says
Love this post – Lucas is too cute!! Unfortunately, I’m not much help on the lunch front… I’m trying to get out of my soup for lunch rut. Lol! It’s just so easy to grab a can of soup and go, but I’m totally loving the ideas in your comments too. Hope you don’t mind! :-) P.S. If you’d like to try the soup route, hubby and I love the Amy’s brand Lentil/Veggie soups! Low in sodium, packed with veggies, protein via lentils, soo tasty and like I said, super convenient! #shrug
Linda @ Running4two says
The blanket hide and go seek game never gets old! Godiva sure knows how to treat a chocolate lover. :)
I’m not too creative on the lunch time front. I usually just take leftovers from dinner to make my life easier (boring but easy). :)
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
avocado toast and fried eggs is my lunch favourite right now! Although to be fair, that’s probably harder to pull off in an office…
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Oh wow, chocolate truffles are the ultimate treat!!! Must make something with shrimp, so good in a creamy sauce.
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
Godiva truffles are my absolute favorite!! Jealous. :)
Gonna check out that shrimp recipe; it looks fantastic.
Nicol says
I love salads for lunch, so maybe you got switch up the protein you put on the salad? Maybe??? No? Okay…. ;)
Maybe make some Tuna or Chicken Salad and scoop it up with carrot or cucumber slices?
Lately, I’ve been loving a regular ol’ peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I seriously get a little too excited about it when Noontime rolls around.
One option I did for awhile was buying Smoked Salmon, light cream cheese, and bagel thins for lunch. If you work in a cube, I’d definitely suggest eating it elsewhere if you want to remain on positive terms with your neighbors. ;)
Michelle says
Maybe you should mention Mercedes in your next post and see if they send you a new car!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
That’s awesome they sent you some goodies! I tend to eat the same salad during workdays, but eat more variety for lunch when I can make it and eat it at home. My latest number one snack — cottage cheese, with a chopped-up gala apple and some crushed almonds on top. I LOVE to have that in the afternoon.
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says
I recently made a quinoa black bean and chickpea salad that worked WONDERFULLY for lunches! Throw on a little avocado and you’re golden :)
Claire @ Keeping Up With Claire says
Lucas is SO cute! I can’t get over him!
I totally know how you feel about the salad rut. I saw a cool thing on Pinterest about making different “bowls” each day by changing up the grain (brown rice, quinoa, barley, etc), using a few different veggies and a protein and then adding some type of sauce. You can make a chicken teriyaki bowl with brown rice, veggies and chicken one day and then a quinoa bowl the next with the same veggies and protein! I hope I didn’t butcher that description because I feel like it may be confusing now. :) I’m probably going to start trying that next week because I too need some lunch inspiration!
Danica @ It's Progression says
That’s so so awesome that Godiva sent you all of that! I’m thinking I need to post about them too because that all sounds amazing ;)
Furonda says
Court! Your little man looks so much like Jay more and more EVERYTIME I see pics! I know you’re hoping it’ll turn around and start looking more like you but you’re lucky you’ve got 2 handsome men in your life! :-)
Courtney says
Awww, haha, thank you! :)
Betsy says
I have been making a big frittata full of veggies on Sunday to have for lunch during the week. Very filling and I get my vegetables in.
Fiona says
OH MY GOD, LOVE me some Godiva!!!! It’s my dad’s favourite so we all treat him for his birthday and luckily we get to share too!
I am in a salad funk too but I gotta get my veggies in some how…I swear by the ‘topping’s (nuts, feta cheese, dried fruit) but I’ve also been loving vegetable curries my new fav is salmon-veggie curry with the already made Patak’s curry sauces…I know it’s higher in sodium then we’d all like but HOT damn it’s good!
Love me some LaraBars! That peanut butter chocolate cookie I think is a new flavour, but I have noticed the SIZE of the bars are getting a little bit smaller-shame!
Looks like a a great day!
And one day closer to the weekend!
Have a good one!
Papa B says
It sure would be nice if some of these goodies were to be shared with Courtney’s Mom & Dad.
:(
Courtney says
Perhaps we’ll have to work something out so I can get in on the goodies that always seem to be sitting on your counters when I come over. Nobody ever tells Courtney when grandma baked!! ;)
Lindsay says
No lunch inspiration for you. I eat a salad every day too. :) Have you tried the snap pea crisps with hummus? SO GOOD!!
Katie Brackmann says
How awesome is that! I could totally dig into some of those truffles FOR SURE. Also, where did you find these snap pea crisps everyone is raving about? I’d like to give those a shot too.
For lunches, I usually eat a wrap (turkey and provolone on a low carb wheat wrap from TJs – so good) and my new favorite – cottage cheese with apple sauce. Love. Also loving the Buddha Bowl Lesser Evil Coconut Oil Popcorn from Costco (surely they sell it elsewhere thought)..it’s SO GOOD.
Jennifer L. says
I often try to make enough dinner the night before to have leftovers for lunch the next day. Another couple of ideas are soups/stews and making a batch of veggie burgers to freeze and reheat as needed.