Hey, guess what?!? Today’s WIAW post is a little bit different from usual…
5:45am – Pre-Breakfast Snack
I had a 6:00am client to train, so I made sure to eat a little something (as always) before getting started.
Nine times out of 10, a Clif Z Bar is consumed first thing when I have early clients or am doing my own workout early in the day.
8:30am – Breakfast
A grande blond roast coffee + 2 pumps sugar-free vanilla syrup & skim milk with a batch of overnight oats in a jar.
I had some time to kill in between sessions so I decided to head down the road to Starbucks and eat there. It was a nice change from the kitchen area at the gym.
This particular batch of OOIAJ was fantastic…
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 mashed banana
- 3 tbsp plain Chobani
- cinnamon & nutmeg
- 1 tsp almond extract
- blueberries
- Love Grown Foods granola
Photos taken a la Instagram…I’m still learning.
11:00am – Mid-Morning Snack
My first piece of Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Bread for the day.
1:45pm – Lunch
By the time I got back home from work, I was ready to dig into something FAST. Luckily, this came together in no time.
I made a ham & melted provolone sandwich on a toasted whole wheat English muffin, paired with some honey mustard, spinach, and tomatoes.
On the side, I finished up the rest of the tomato and paired it with some baby carrots.
So bright and colorful…I loved it.
5:15pm – Pre-Dinner Treat
It’s a recycled photo, but did enjoy a lovely glass of chardonnay while flipping through the pages of my book. I also ended up snacking on a handful of Kashi crackers which went undocumented.
7:15pm – Dinner
Ever since Jay had received his latest issue of Men’s Health (you know, the one with the hottie on the cover) he’d been asking if we could have one of the recipes that was featured. He said he was in the mood for “something fresh,” which sort of made me laugh, but I liked where he was going.
The recipe was for Grilled Chicken Shawarma (<—recipe link) and it turned out pretty amazing. The chicken had awesome flavor from being marinated in the Greek yogurt, garlic, and spices, and it went perfectly with the extra veggies and yogurt sauce.
I used whole wheat pitas to layer everything up which, for me, included hummus, chicken slices, cucumber slices, red onion, lettuce, tomato, and the yogurt sauce. Jay liked them so much, he went back and made himself a second one.
I, on the other hand, used the rest of my appetite to nibble on the Alexia Sweet Potato Fries that I cooked up…totally forgot that the bag was still in the freezer from the last time that we made them. So quick and yummy!
9:00pm – After-Dinner Dessert
This particular Wednesday was all about giving into my cravings, and shortly after dinner, Jay and I both had a craving for ice cream. Not fro-yo, not the reduced fat stuff…real ice cream.
(Bonus points to anyone who can remember where else they’ve seen that green spoon here on STSL!)
Luckily, we have a Stewart’s Shop just down the road from us, which makes some of my favorite hard ice cream in the area. They just recently came out with five new flavors too…one of which I thoroughly enjoyed here called “Happy Camper” – graham cracker-flavored ice cream, with swirls of marshmallow and mini peanut butter cups.
It’s basically heaven…especially when paired with some added caramel.
Oh yes, my friends. Sometimes ya gotta go BIG or go home.
Know what I’m sayin’?
Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life says
Oh my! That ice cream sounds delicious, as does your dinner! Is Stewart’s a local place? I’ve never heard of them.
Courtney says
I’m pretty sure they’re a northeast chain. They are SO GOOD!!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Your dinner looks amazing! I bet the chicken tasted great with the yogurt sauce. Yum! :) Alexia fries are the best!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
That dinner looks delicious!!!
Alex says
16 handles spoon!!!! Represent (I had some last night :) )
Jen says
That looks like a 16 Handles spoon to me :)
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
Cliff zbar, wine and ice cream – you sound like me!
Courtney says
Haha all of my favorites!! :)
olivia says
Courtney,
I love all your oatmeal creations you make b/c we are an oatmeal family. But I am curious are you actually cooking your oats or just adding them to the mixture and guessing maybe the almond milk is soaking them up a little but I am thinking still a little uncooked taste to them. Sorry if this is a totally crazy question. Thanks so much for your amazing meal ideas!!!
Courtney says
Nope! For the overnight oats I just let them soak. It’s a different texture from cooking them but I love it!
Traci says
The chicken pita recipe and ice cream look great! Both look right up my alley.
Ashlee @ A Step in the Right Direction says
I tasted Happy Camper last week and it was yummy! A little sweet for me to eat a whole dish, though. I like the new toffee ice cream that is out :) Love Stewarts for the variety of Ice Cream!
Courtney says
Yes! The toffee is incredible right?!? Yum!!
Renee says
Awwww Stewart’s! I miss them they were all over in my hometown but sadly there are none where we live now. But I do remember loving their ice cream and the fact it was open year round!
Blog is the New Black says
I want that ice cream!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Oh wow, I want that ice cream! It has all of my favorite things in it … except I think they need to add banana. Then my life would be complete. :P
Becca says
Dinner looks delicious! Yum! I might have to try those :) I often prefer regular ice cream over fro-yo.. I think I might be the only! Haha.
Alyssa @ fit and fun in third says
Good for you… Sometimes you just gotta fulfill that craving!! :). That ice cream sounds amazing… Like a frozen s’more with peanut butter! I’d be scared my once-in-a-while craving would turn into a nightly thing with that treat so close!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
That bread looks amazing – I have a weakness for quick breads. So yum!
Then again… your dinner looks pretty fab too. :) Happy WIAW
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Happy Camper ice cream sounds amazing! Your dinner looks really good too!
Corey @ Family Fresh Meals says
Yum! That chicken recipe looks delish! What!? No sprinkles on your ice cream! :)
Courtney says
Haha not thus time! Crazy, right? ;)
Courtney says
And by thus, I obviously mean this. Darn auto correct…
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Looks like a perfect day of eats!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says
The last time I was at the grocery I bought real, full-fat ice cream and it was amazing! I always buy low-fat, fro-yo. However, I don’t know if I want to ever go back now!
Sarah says
Oh my gosh I got so excited when I read Stewart’s shop! When I was a kid I would always go to Stewart’s with my grandma every time I went to visit :) Such great memories and they really do have the best ice cream!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
A good day of eats in my book! I’m missing the pre-dinner snack that you had though…. one day, I’ll again get to enjoy a pre-dinner snack like that :)
Janae Wise says
You do a great job of eating regularly throughout the day. I can’t seem to do this. I like to eat & get it over with & not have to worry about it for hours. I’m going to see if I can eat more frequently today…you’ve inspired me :)
Danica @ It's Progression says
I’ve never made overnight oats before, even though I eats oats for breakfast most days of the week…do you mix it all together and let it just sit in the fridge? Do you ever heat it up in the morning?
Jana Hartley says
Another Starbucks on WIAW. Yikes, I gotta go get a coffee before I finish visiting everyones site. But that sandwich, now that looks to die for! Gee, that ice cream doesn’t look half bad either. Starbucks and ice cream….I am on it! Jana
Doris @ vanillacocoberry says
not gonna lie, I clicked on your icon because I though u ate skippy peanut butter straight from the jar!!! hahaa happy wiaw!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
i totally agree! sometimes you just have to give into those cravings and go big. ;) as much as i love froyo, the real full fat stuff is just necessary every once in awhile! looks like a delicious day of eats!
Linda says
Courtney – I have to get you the new report on Kashi. I just learned of this morning. :(
I want to get into your overnight oats routine – they look amazing.
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud! says
you’re veggies have been looking so crisp and fresh and delicious lately!
Khushboo says
I couldn’t agree more- if you’re gonna be bad, be terrible :)! I’m glad you owned that bowl of ice cream!
krystal @coffeecardiogoddess says
I ate like the same thing for dinner that you had for lunch haha. Those oats look amazing. I will be making them asap!!!
Yellow Haired Girl says
That’s one of my favorite lunches! It’s simple … but hits the spot :) That plateful looks just delicious!
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
wow that ice cream flavor sounds amazing! extra caramel on top is always necessary:) YUM
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Courtney, I just have to say that I love how you not only talk about balance but live it too! And its funny because I was just thinking about how I need to go on a “real” ice cream run soon. It’s been too long!
Courtney says
Thanks, Parita! I really do strive to “practice what I preach!”
Errr, blog. ;)
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie says
Wow, starting with the wine and ending with the ice cream? I can’t decide what I was the most jealous of :)
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
Yum! Now I’m craving ice cream :)
Brandi says
Yummy eats!! Oh my gosh, those oats look amazing!! :)
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I love the Clif Z Bars. Sometimes a normal Clif bar is just too much and the Z Bar is the perfect amount. I should get some more! ;)
Kim @ The Family Practice says
I love chicken schwarma! That’s one of Nick’s favorites so he makes it for us quite a bit – he’s a pro at this point :)
How does Jay like Men’s Health? I always think maybe I’ll sign Nick up as a random present or stocking stuffer type thing but then I wonder if he’d actually want to read it or get anything out of it. Maybe I overthink it but I just don’t imagine guys as excited about mags as us girls.
Courtney says
He seems to like it – he gets excited when it comes in the mail. I got it for him as a surprise gift for being so helpful around the house. He always gets excited about the recipes and shares them with me right away :)
Kim @ The Family Practice says
Thats a good sign! We’ll have to test it out!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Dam, I’m hungry now! What a great day of eating!!
Jaima says
I love Skippy natural. My all-time favorite that I have at least once if not twice a day. That recipe for chicken looks amazing. I’m adding it to our meal plan next week. Thanks for sharing.
Courtney says
Awesome! You’ll have to let me know what you think!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
mmm ice cream – if only it didn’t make my stomach KILL!!!!
Courtney says
haha, it doesn’t play too nice with mine either…but I push through ;)
Angela @ Health Happiness & Harmony says
That ice cream sound amazing! Since it’s a once in a while treat, you can recreate the taste with some crushed graham crackers, mini marshmallows and dark chocolate chips in vanilla Greek yogurt. So good!
alex says
do you think anyone at starbucks found it odd you were eating out of a peanut butter jar?!
Courtney says
Hahaha…if you notice in the picture, it’s hiding behind my purse. Aaaaand I was also sitting in a corner by myself :)
Then again, I really don’t care if people thought I was odd!
Whitney @ Whit Likes Fit says
I would like to eat that ice cream right now.
Cindy says
That spoon is from 16 handles! I know that for 2 reasons–I remembered thinking it was cute when you posted about your trip to 16 handles not to long ago, and second because I recently went to 16 handles (nyc) and got my own spoon! I also saved it and use it for breakfast :) so cute
Courtney says
Haha, I love that you remembered that! (And that you thought to do the same thing that I did.) ;)
Lisa says
Your dinner looks awesome, I’ll have to try out that recipe. I would never think to marinate my chicken in yogurt!
Courtney says
I never had either, but it was surprisingly delicious!
Shannon says
Am I guessing that green spoon is from 16 Handles? I saw a 16 on the top.
Deirdre @ Ladies Holiday says
Seriously, I think yesterday was national zucchini bread day! Way to go…Big overnight oats fan…try it on Ladies Holiday with cookie butter for WIAW…that is what I call going big! Happy WIAW!
Alana says
the spoon is from 16 handles…aka my obsession