Keepin’ It Simple

on June 27, 2011
in All Posts

Sometimes the simplest eats are the tastiest. 

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Today was a busy day for me – lots and lots of writing.  And yet I seemed to get nowhere!  I hate days like that, but I know that even when it appears that I’m just spinning my wheels, I’m actually getting somewhere.  Slowly. 

 

So – a busy day calls for simple eats.  Like watermelon.

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And dinner was some over-easy eggs on GF toast with a big bowl of steamed greens. 

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I’m LOVIN’ the steamed greens lately.  Trader Joe’s started to sell a mixed bag of pre-washed, pre-cut collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, and kale, and it is so delicious with a little sea salt.  And totally convenient. 

 

I have to say that my recent health issues has really refocused my efforts on eating healthy.  I’m not trying to be perfect, of course.  But I’m hoping that just making small efforts to eat more greens, reducing gluten (only because the ASI test said I was slightly intolerant; nothing inherently wrong with gluten), drink less coffee (which is SO hard), consume less alcohol (also hard), and de-stress in a healthy manner (the hardest) will add up over time and equal a healthier me.  I go back for a check-up in August and am really crossing my fingers for a clean bill of health.  

 

Okay, to bed I go!

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PS – I love James, too.  Maggie is just so much slower and easier to photograph.  James is always darting around!

{ 53 comments }

 

  • hippierunner June 27, 2011, 9:56 pm

    Simple dinners are the best! I think I’m just going to have some feta toast and veggies tonight. And lots of ice water because it’s so hot!!

  • Carolyn June 27, 2011, 10:00 pm

    Caitlin, have you tried Udi’s gluten free breads? I stopped eating gluten about a year ago, tried a lot of different breads (I try not to eat a lot of the GF versions of gluten foods, but bread is the exception) and Udi’s is BY FAR the best tasting. It’s the only GF bread that I enjoy even un-toasted. You can get it at TJs– also TJ’s brown rice tortillas are excellent! Good luck with making the switch!

    • Caitlin June 28, 2011, 12:03 pm

      That is Udi! So DELICIOUS.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) June 27, 2011, 10:02 pm

    I love how you always give the disclaimer on being even with the love of your dogs. You are too funny. I’m with you on simple eats. I’m loving my father-in-law’s garden right now and I eat at least one steamed veggie meal a day with an over easy egg on it for the dressing. It has been such lazy way to cook, but so good! I have my fingers crossed for you that your tests will come back better! Sleep well!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing June 27, 2011, 10:10 pm

    I’d KILL for some fresh watermelon, I haven’t had any yet this summer! And I agree about the eats. Exercise is awesome but to improve your health, eating healthy is where it’s at!

  • Val @ Balancing Val June 27, 2011, 10:15 pm

    I think one of the best changes since going GF besides the ones I posted about is that I tend to THINK about what I am eating a lot more.

    When I know I have to figure out whats in a meal, I am more apt to take my time and make it more healthy.

    I usually add in more greens or veggies where the bread or pasta would be 🙂

  • DadHTP June 27, 2011, 10:18 pm

    Hey – don’t be disrespecting coffee.

    • CaitlinHTP June 27, 2011, 10:22 pm

      I love coffee, but it doesn’t love me back. 🙂 But I love you!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen June 27, 2011, 10:21 pm

    It’s funny you say that about James. I’d say about 80% of my pictures of my dog come out blurry b/c she’s running around and never still! i wish I had a slow one just for blogging purposes 🙂

  • Meg June 27, 2011, 10:22 pm

    aww I lurve me some Maggie photos

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga June 27, 2011, 10:23 pm

    “So – a busy day calls for simple eats. Like watermelon. “–

    I just posted a few days about about busy days and keeping it simple, sweetie (the KISS principle)..and watermelon and pineapple also made it into that post 🙂

  • Lauri (Redheadrecipes.com) June 27, 2011, 10:25 pm

    Oooooh, I need to keep my eyes out for that TJ’s mix!!!

    I swear my dogs HATE the camera! If I point it at them, even from the other side of the room, they both turn their heads. I guess they are camera shy 🙂

    I weaned myself off of coffee several months ago. Noe if I drink just 1 cup of regular coffee I am WIRED for the whole day!! The ‘crash’ is what’s really bad though. It’s ONLY Decaf for me from now on!

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath June 27, 2011, 10:29 pm

    Such sweet photos of the doggies! I really need to try collard greens..looks great!

  • Mariza June 27, 2011, 10:37 pm

    This may be a dumb question, but how do you steam your greens? I joined a CSA for the first time this year and I have been getting mountains of kale and other greens. All the recipes out there are soup based and I am not in the mood for soup in this heat! 🙂 Any suggestions you have are very welcome!

    • Caitlin June 28, 2011, 12:04 pm

      You need a wok with a lid!

      Wash the greens and chop them.
      Turn high to high.
      Fill wok with a little water – like 1/2 a cup.
      Put greens on top.
      Cover with a lid.
      Steam for about 10 minutes.
      Drain liquid and salt 🙂

      • Mariza June 28, 2011, 9:08 pm

        Thank you so much for the reply! I will try that now!

  • Laura @ Cookies vs. Carrots June 27, 2011, 10:44 pm

    Those greens look delicious. I would also like to have some more directions in terms of how you make them. I usually roast my veggies. Do you use those steam bags?

    • Caitlin June 28, 2011, 12:04 pm

      No I’m so scared of those steam bags – plastic, eck! Check out my steaming method on Comment #10

  • Cristina @ Girl Meets Pink June 27, 2011, 10:57 pm

    Nixing the coffee is a tough one. I’ve tried to do so for a long time, but it really heightens my anxiety and also, doesn’t agree with my stomach 90% of the time. In the end, it’s not worth it. But, what about having coffee maybe once a week?

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) June 27, 2011, 11:11 pm

    I could give up coffee and alcohol no problem, but gluten would be SO hard for me! I admire anyone that has to do it!

  • ashley @ ashley's adventures in alaska June 27, 2011, 11:15 pm

    I’m glad to hear that someone else photographs one dog more than the other because of their pace! Our poodle mix lounges around and poses like a champ, but our cattle dog zips around and I have very few pictures of her. And, sigh, I need to start eating a bit better. We eat well, but I overdo it on things like wine… and honey… and everything else.

  • Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet June 27, 2011, 11:17 pm

    Haha I love that you have to clear up your love for James. I’m sure he’s not missing out on being judged on the internet! But we miss James, too.

    I think that giving up gluten would be the hardest part for me. And I wouldn’t even think about giving up coffee because that’s pretty much impossible. Hopefully all of these changes are helping your health 🙂

  • Sarah June 28, 2011, 12:19 am

    I’m a big fan of keeping it simple. So simple that I often eat the same thing three nights in a row!

  • Khushboo June 28, 2011, 1:10 am

    Making a number of changes in one shot is not easy but you seem to be doing really well :)!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness June 28, 2011, 4:09 am

    I agree, simple eats are often the most tasty – and really hit the spot when you are trying to eat well and be healthy whilst managing a busy schedule, like you do!
    From what we see on your blog, you are doing so well with your changes – i was amazed (in a great way) at how easily you transitioned to eating less gluten, with all your grains and new breads…I would have been like: “eeeks!” 😉
    good luck with your writing, keep on keepin’ on! Even when you feel like you are not making progress, YOU ARE! Every little bit you do makes a difference.
    Big smiles xyx

    • Caitlin June 28, 2011, 12:05 pm

      Thank you! I was all eeee on the inside for a while. But it’s really not so bad!

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas June 28, 2011, 5:37 am

    Love watermelon in the summer! It is a perfectly sweet – and does a fantastic job of quenching thirst!

  • Hayley @ Oat Couture June 28, 2011, 6:17 am

    Ahhh Maggie! 🙂 So cute! Good luck with the writing! Keep at it! You will get there! It all adds up! 🙂

  • Lauren June 28, 2011, 6:52 am

    I fully believe that what we fuel our bodies with has so much to do with all other aspects of our health. You’re doing great Caitlin! 🙂

  • Molly @ RDexposed June 28, 2011, 6:54 am

    I like to say that my nutrition is always evolving, so there’s room for improvement always. Keep going! 🙂

  • Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out June 28, 2011, 7:02 am

    Haha. We have one dog that will always sit still for pics, too.

    Dinner looks good and easy. I’m all for dippy eggs!

  • Jeanelle @ Glocal Girl June 28, 2011, 7:27 am

    I love eggs for breakfast! I’d eat them more if my European boyfriend considered them a ‘proper dinner’

  • Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans June 28, 2011, 7:44 am

    Maggie is so cute!!

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION June 28, 2011, 7:51 am

    Simple is the best! 😀

    I do love my coffee and it DOES have health benefits. But I hate, hate, hate feeling so dependent on it. I slowly weaned myself off a few months back, but unfortunately, it has slowly weaned itself back in. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration, as I hope to cut back on it as well!

  • Heather June 28, 2011, 7:53 am

    you are doing a great job at making one healthy decision and then another 😉

    I need to spend some time meditating and refocusing on the “de-stress in a healthy manner,” myself. Thank you for the brilliant reminder. xo

  • Baking 'n' Books June 28, 2011, 8:13 am

    How do you prepare your greens? I saute my veggies in a little oil usually and love the taste of it – but wonder if I’m actually ‘over-cooking’ them.

    Your quest to be healthy is eye-opening. I feel like I don’t even deserve to try after all these years of big mistakes…

    • Caitlin June 28, 2011, 12:05 pm

      See comment 10

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin June 28, 2011, 8:37 am

    All your healthy decisions lately are really motivating me to do the same. Especially how you manage to fit in exercise in a day, even if it means running at night. Kudos! 😀

  • katie @ KatieDid June 28, 2011, 8:42 am

    It really has been noticeable even on the blog your extra effort. I know making a pretty big dietary switch is no easy task, but you went into with a really positive attitude and that’s going to pay off in the end. No gluten was one thing for me, but no coffee? Never! couldn’t do it!

  • Cait's Plate June 28, 2011, 9:06 am

    Eggs are my go-to easy dinners! They’re the best – and there’s not much clean up! 🙂

  • Emily June 28, 2011, 9:16 am

    Good job with working at GF…it is SO hard at first but slowly it starts to be a little easier and you realize most the things you’re missing arent the greatest foods in life anyways. I am glutent-intolerant too so there are still some things that I can have and be fine…that makes it a little harder because it’s not so black and white. Its easiest when cooking at home and definitely hardest when going out to eat. Keep blogging about how its going 🙂

    • Caitlin June 28, 2011, 12:06 pm

      Agree! Thanks for the support.

  • Jess June 28, 2011, 9:24 am

    I love that bagged greens mix. It’s a nice variety and it’s great for tossing into soups.

  • Christine June 28, 2011, 9:27 am

    Have you seen this article about how to talk to little girls? Very interesting! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-bloom/how-to-talk-to-little-gir_b_882510.html

  • Mary June 28, 2011, 9:45 am

    that’s the same with our dogs too. Tika will let you do anything to her and she’s so easy to photograph. Corbin though keeps darting around and wont sit still even long enough to get his harness on to go for a walk! haha!

  • Renee R June 28, 2011, 9:51 am

    Hey Caitlin! question- what brand of GF bread have you been eating? I have tried Udi’s, a farmer’s market bread, and TJ’S rice bread and cannot seem to gag down any of them! They all are such small pieces of bread and don’t taste normal to me at all. I have been GF for several months now due to health issues and most of the time, it is not so bad but sometimes I crave a big hunk of bread and the GF breads I have tried just don’t seem to do the trick- thanks:)

    • Caitlin June 28, 2011, 12:06 pm

      I like Udi… they are small. 🙁 But I think it tastes pretty good toasted! Maybe that’s the key.

  • Ali June 28, 2011, 10:50 am

    I am LOVING the Maggie photos!

  • Ali @ Around the VeggieTable June 28, 2011, 10:56 am

    hehe I always feel like people who read my blog might think I don’t love Roo as much as I love Tootsie because there are tons of pics of Tootsie and hardly any of Roo. That’s because Roo is small and fast, and Tootsie is fat and slow lol.

  • Aimee June 28, 2011, 11:42 am

    Simple eats, relaxing… sounds like a good plan for your way back to health. Hopefully you will feel better soon! Cute dog too (now they really know how to live, don’t they?)!

  • Amber K June 28, 2011, 12:55 pm

    The quest for healthier living is something I think everyone should be doing! We should all be so smart to take the time to take care of ourselves. You keep rocking it girl 🙂

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