Date Oatmeal

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Good morning!  Thanks again for all the birthday wishes this weekend.  I had a very nice weekend, and I was ready to tackle work…. until I opened my inbox and saw 20 new messages, most of them related to work "fires."  Ugh!  Mondays!

 

Unsurprisingly, I woke up this morning without the slightest twinge of my normal hunger.  After a regular dinner + 8 hours of sleep, I’m typically ravenous when I wake up, but after all that foods I ate last night (and over the weekend)… it took me a while to get hungry! 🙂

 

I’m a big believer that after a few days of caloric splurging, the best method to get "back on track" is just to go back to normal eating.  Restriction is pointless, unpleasant, and freaks your body out.  I’m definitely looking forward to normal, clean eating! 🙂

 

I had coffee while blog reading this AM (I’m checking out Frayed Laces’ Boston Marathon recap in the photo!).

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And later I made date-based oatmeal.

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My oatmeal contained:

 

  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 Medjool dates
  • Toppings:  chopped raw cashews

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Both the Medjool dates and raw cashews are from Oh Nuts!, and I think both of these products are AMAZING. 

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The cashews are the best I’ve ever eaten — so plump and delicious.  And the Medjool dates put my other dates to SHAME.  I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without a Medjool date in my life!  I’m definitely purchasing these again!

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Did you know that dates have a high tannin content and are used medicinally as a detersive (having cleansing power) and astringent in intestinal troubles? Plus, as an infusion, decoction, syrup, or paste, dates may be administered for sore throat, colds, bronchial catarrh, and taken to relieve fever and number of other complaints.

 

Off to work I go!

 

Did you have a nice weekend?

{ 36 comments }

 

  • Moran April 27, 2009, 4:48 am

    Had a FABULOUS weekend!!! Happy Monday to you!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) April 27, 2009, 5:06 am

    I agree…it’s best to just get back to “normal.”

    I LOVE medjool dates. I can’t get enough!!! Especially when stuffed with some kind of nut butter…

    =)

  • Kailey (SnackFace) April 27, 2009, 5:06 am

    I love returning to normal eating. No restricting, just normal eats!

    I am so happy you had a great b-day weekend! I definitely had an awesome, fun-filled, relaxing weekend. Luckily for me, my weeks end wednesday night, so it’s not far off!

    Good luck with the Monday! 🙂

  • jenngirl April 27, 2009, 5:15 am

    I had a great weekend too, and I’m in total agreement. Getting back to my normal eating habits always feels best, and I KNOW it’s the right thing to do after a weekend of fun.

    I need to try medjool dates!!

  • Lauren April 27, 2009, 5:15 am

    Medjool dates really are superior to the other, puny varieties.

    My weekend was awesome, thanks to the lovely weather!

  • Tami April 27, 2009, 5:17 am

    it was HOT up here in the Northeast this weekend but we had a GREAT weekend. I am glad you had such a wonderful birthday.

  • Meg April 27, 2009, 5:34 am

    I love dates!

    UGH to Mondays. I agree. I hope it turns out to be a good one!

  • Mica April 27, 2009, 5:38 am

    Ah, even more of a reason to eat dates!

  • Betsy April 27, 2009, 5:39 am

    I’m late on this but I just saw – Happy [belated] Birthday!

  • leslie April 27, 2009, 6:04 am

    love medjool dates and your philosophy!

    happy belated birthday!

  • Weight and Meditate April 27, 2009, 6:04 am

    I did not know that about dates. I had a nice weekend but I’m actually glad to be back working!

  • greendogwine April 27, 2009, 6:15 am

    Love the birthday bowl meghann got you – my favorite color 🙂

  • iowagirleats April 27, 2009, 6:17 am

    I completely agree – restricting your calories/food intake a day after a little splurge is just awful – best just to go back to moderation 😀 Disney looked awesome, and if you’re going to splurge on your birthday – pad thai is the way to go!!

  • Melissa @ For the Love of Health April 27, 2009, 6:18 am

    I whole-heartedly agree with you in regards to your comment on getting back to normal eating after eating more than normal! It’s the best way!

    Your oatmeal looks great!

  • tfh April 27, 2009, 6:25 am

    Happy belated birthday! 🙂

    Even without intentional restriction I bet you naturally eat a little less after splurges– just because, as you mentioned, you’re less hungry!

  • Kelly April 27, 2009, 6:25 am

    I love medjools.
    A really fantastic treat to have around are cashew (or almond) stuffed dates. just take the pit out and stuff some cashews inside. It’s like having a candy bar. 🙂

  • Brandi April 27, 2009, 6:35 am

    I’ve never had a medjool date either – I guess I need to get on the bandwagon.

    Looks like you had a great time at Disney! I’ve only been once for a chorus trip in school and it was horrible – we got to ride one ride, and we were stuck at Epcot for an ENTIRE day. I need to go back to redeem the fun!

  • Susan April 27, 2009, 6:37 am

    I’ve never had a date (oops?), but they remind me of Amelia Bedelia when she tried to make a “date cake” cut up a calendar to put in the cake! Those were some good books…

  • Sarah (lovINmytummy) April 27, 2009, 7:00 am

    Intestinal troubles?

    Note to self: buy Gracie some dates. And some air freshener.

  • Samantha April 27, 2009, 7:09 am

    Good info about the dates. I eat some probably everyday so I think I’m good :). I had a good weekend, I went to Byron Bay(Australia) for a few day but now I’m back to school.

  • Lora April 27, 2009, 7:11 am

    happy late birthday! your thai food and disney adventure looked awesome! have fun at work and i hope u have nice weather today!

  • Carolina John April 27, 2009, 7:12 am

    i LOVE frayed laces. watching her boston was so much fun! but i hate that she’s battling this ass pain.

  • Bec April 27, 2009, 7:21 am

    Your oats look fantastic!

  • Run Sarah April 27, 2009, 7:32 am

    I have been wanting to try medjool dates but they are so expensive, but they look so good! Hope you have a great day!

  • mgaltier April 27, 2009, 7:36 am

    I had a fantastic weekend that was full of food splurges. Thanks for the reminder that the best thing to do after a weekend of treats is to just jump back on the healthy eating wagon!

  • Michelle April 27, 2009, 7:38 am

    DATES sustain me. I love them. There amazing w/ almond butter put into them. Also if you cut them up and carmalise them w/ a little bit of butter and banana and then add into your oats you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven. Your birthday sounds amazing. Happy Birthday.

  • elise April 27, 2009, 8:56 am

    thanks wiki, errrr…caitlin. even MORE reasons to down medjools by the pound!

  • Susan April 27, 2009, 9:09 am

    I don’t know what it is but dates + cashews is one of the best combos ever!!

    I’m with you on the regular eating thing. No need to shock your body with a bunch of eating and the shock it AGAIN by restricting yourself.

    Good luck with the work “fires”!

  • redheadedjournal April 27, 2009, 9:18 am

    I had a great weekend!

    (Dine Out, Fight AIDS. April 30th http://www.diningoutforlife.com)

  • Jen Makes Office Supply Art April 27, 2009, 9:20 am

    Those cashews look so good…

  • Audrey W. April 27, 2009, 9:34 am

    what a cute bowl! it was 80 and sunny both days in boston so lots of beach, sun and friends..perfect weekend i think!

  • Jordan April 27, 2009, 9:42 am

    happy belated birthday.

    yeah, i did it.
    i jumped on the birthday train.

  • Runeatrepeat April 27, 2009, 10:14 am

    I agree, normal eating is the best way to get back on track!

  • katecooks April 27, 2009, 10:43 am

    looks like you had a great birthday!!!! i am dying to make a disney trip soon myself!

    ps love those target bowls!!! they have the cutest little bowls for cereal and yogurt 🙂

  • Julia April 27, 2009, 11:07 am

    my roomie told me dates are also good for hangovers 😉

  • Lisa D. April 27, 2009, 5:00 pm

    I did NOT know that about dates! and I have some, I think I may need to have one after dinner for a delicious and healthy dessert!

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