Ok, it’s official: Bananas dominate anything you put them in. I did an intense 8.25 miles in 30 minutes on my recumbent bike, then decided to indulge in a decadent bowl of oats that I originally planned to have on Halloween, but didn’t get around to.
Milky Way + peanut butter pretzels banana oats in a Dark Chocolate Dreams painted bowl:
While I cooked (and stirred/mashed frequently) 1/2 cup (40g) Quaker 100% old fashioned oats (150 cal) with 1 medium banana (110 cal) in a small saucepan on the stove top, I spread 1 TBSP (16g) Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams (85 cal) around a bowl in an attempt to emulate the last scrapings in a jar of nut butter.
When the oats were done, I poured them in the bowl and topped it with 1 Fun Size Milky Way (75 cal) and 15g Trader Joe’s no salt on surface peanut butter stuffed pretzels (75 cal).
Delicious for just 495 earned-post-workout-calories, BUT even with all of that ooey gooey chocolaty and peanut buttery goodness, I tasted the banana the most. 
A little disappointing, but my tummy was happy. Oatmeal feels like a brick in my stomach, so this kept me full for hours afterward despite being somewhat low in protein and very high in carbs. Then again, carbs tend to keep me fuller longer than any other macronutrient. *shrugs*
When I was hungry again, I went for another taste bud-pleaser: A sweet and savory pear, roast beef and cottage cheese salad
I picked up this single-serving container of Rachel’s pear mangosteen cottage cheese in Shop Rite the other day. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about it, so I gave it a try. It was fantastic! A little high in sodium (380mg) as cottage cheese tends to be, but I balanced it out with lower sodium components in the rest of the salad and throughout the day.
In the bowl:
- A bed of mixed greens (15 cal) tossed in 1 teaspoon EVOO (40 cal) + red wine vinegar (5 cal)
- 2oz store-cooked fresh roast beef (~100 cal)
- 1oz Shop Rite no salt added Swiss cheese (100 cal)
- 1 container Rachel’s pear mangosteen cottage cheese (130 cal)
- 1 VERY ripe Bartlett pear (~90 cal)
- 14g reduced fat blue cheese crumbles (40 cal)
- 1 teaspoon (7g) honey (20 cal) drizzled over the top
1 serving, ~540 calories and loaded with protein and yumminess 
OMGosh! One of 2009’s BEST salad combinations! LOOOOOOOOOOVED it! Sweet, salty, savory, bitter, crunchy and creamy all in one tasty, TASTY bowl of goodness. This kept me full for 4+ hours, then I had some granola with skim milk for a snack and a small roast beef sandwich before bed. Overall, a successful calorie and sodium-conscious day. 
I’ve actually been pretty consistent all week. *knocks on wood* We have a movie and lunch/dinner date on Sunday, so let’s just hope I can at least get to Sunday with minimal damage. 
Should be easy, as long as we stay home… and disconnect the phone. 
lol I’m at least trying to be good in between all of the big events coming up: My cousin is coming home from FL (Hi, Tricia!! ); my in-laws are visiting sometime soon; Thanksgiving; my birthday; Christmas Eve; Christmas and New Year’s — all while dodging fast food and restaurants while out shopping and holiday food and food gifts in between. 
Fun times! hehe It’s cool, though. I know how to strategically make the best of it all without depriving myself, or at least how to not feel guilty for very long after I totally blow it. LOL 
Ok, 80000000000000000 things to do and counting. I better go tackle the ever-growing “to-do” list!
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