Mmm…Monday: Snack Edition
by Kym on August 9, 2010
Life is a bit multi-focal for me right now. I’m not zeroed in on any one thing, and I feel like my vision is prismatic, scattered, blurry. There are so many things I’m struggling with, striving against, hoping for, that it really is a wonder that anything ever gets done around here. One moment it’s all about letter writing. I’m wrapped up in packing tape and bubble mailers and post cards. Ink and paper and stamps (if I haven’t got your mailing address you are SO missing out right now). And then I’m writing my novel in my head during every spare moment. Every time I hear something funny, see an interesting cloud formation, or chance upon a stray thought it leads me down the path to where my novel is ALIVE and playing out like a movie in my mind.
Some days I can’t get the yearning to be the best mom I can be out of my heart. And that’s a good thing, as it inspires me to be better…more, than I currently am. That’s the feeling that reminds me to make time for story time and art time and music time. And while that’s one of the most wonderful parts of me, it can’t, shouldn’t be ALL of me. Besides, there’s laundry, and dishes, and tidying and organizing and scrubbing to be done. I’ve been focusing a lot on that lately too. On making sense of the mess. On arranging things so that it doesn’t have to be so hard all the time.
And lastly, which leads into what this post is ultimately about, I’ve been focusing on snacks. Yes, it sounds a bit mundane in comparison to all the rest, but I have had a great number of my thoughts caught up in the old What-to-Eat-Next debate. I’m overweight, as many of you know. A good solid fifty pounds overweight. I’m tall and my extra inches help me get away with it to a certain degree, but I’m unhealthy and displeased with my hedonistic ways. I don’t like my size, don’t like my poor health, but mostly I hate the feelings associated with lack of self-control and I feel this intense need for self-mastery.
So I’m working on a replacement program, since cutting out bad foods is not and has never been enough. I need good foods to replace them with. Pita chips instead of potato chips. Veggies instead of microwave popcorn. Cantaloupe instead of cookies. Fruit and yogurt instead of ice cream.
And it works. It really does. Except when I forget. And friends, I am nothing if not forgetful…so here’s a post about remembering…
Plain Hummus = Blech. Roasted Garlic Hummus = Savory Ambrosia
Preheat oven to 400.
Brush whole wheat pita lightly with olive oil.
Sprinkle with seasoning of your choice.
Bake for about 7 minutes, or until lightly browned and crispy.
Only 227 calories for a whole one!
Please note: A cantaloupe that is not yet ripe is a nasty, nasty thing.
Mmm...scrumptious...
Organic French Vanilla Yogurt.
Hazelnut Honey Granola
Fresh Sliced Strawberries.
Need I say more?
Have a snack idea or recipe to share?
21 comments
I, too, have been quite the jumble of different focuses. Which I suppose can be a good thing. Wonderful snack ideas! This week has been all about experimenting with salad recipes for dinner. There’s so many ways to create delicious, filling, healthy salads.
by Brownpaperbaggirl on August 9, 2010 at 12:53 pm. #
I am a recent hummus convert. Like within the past 4 months. I tried it once before, and I must have gotten a crappy batch.
And I am so with you on the garlic. Have you tried the Sabra brand, that has minced garlic in the center? Heaven.
by Kristina P. on August 9, 2010 at 1:14 pm. #
I am a jumble of different focuses too. I must get on track with a lot of different aspects of life. One of those being exercising and eating better. Not eating well leads me to an even more jumbled up mess of being out of focus.
Sorry, this comment is out of focus too but it kinda makes sense to me :)
Random – Have you gotten your piano tuned yet?
And I’ve never tried hummus. I see people writing about it, so I’ll have to give it a try.
by Lesa on August 9, 2010 at 1:27 pm. #
I eat almonds all the time. If you get the honey roasted, they are even sweet enough to cut the edge of a sweet tooth, but overall, they are SO good for you. And fruit. I always have watermelon and peaches and cherries in my fridge through the summer time. Winter time is tougher… I just eat lots and lots of naval oranges then. I LOVE hummus… when i want something sandwichy for lunch, I”ll get those nature’s own sandwich rounds that are only 100 calories for the entire thing (as opposed to bread, which is 100 calories per slice), slather it with hummus, then load it up with fresh vegetables… cucumber, and red and green pepper mostly. It’s so very good, filling, and still low calorie.
by MommyJ on August 9, 2010 at 1:33 pm. #
ok . . . you?
are mean . . .
that cantaloupe? oh my WORD does it ever look yummy and i don’t have one right now to slurp!
by Kate on August 9, 2010 at 2:39 pm. #
The snacks look heavenly! I am a huge snack eater, pretty much all day long. I try to make healthy choices like the ones you’ve listed. I also try to eat only fruits/veggies after dinner (instead of a yummy giant bowl of popcorn).
I love hummus. I have a great recipe for homemade, but my husband hates when I make it because the house stinks for days. :( It’s worth it, though.
by Mrs.Mayhem on August 9, 2010 at 6:21 pm. #
One of my very favorite snacks is sliced apples and low-fat farmer’s cheese on organic whole grain crakers. It’s a little sweet, a little savory and it has a nice blend of grains, diary, protein and fruit. I also like cottage cheese and pineapple chunks. Yummy!
by VirtualSprite on August 9, 2010 at 6:21 pm. #
Kym, I LOVE your posts! They make me smile and sigh and I feel refreshed, and it’s true so don’t be shaking your head like that.
I’m a salty snacker, generally, but I love grapes! Actually, grapes and apple slices with thin slips of cheese are simple heaven to me.
Great, now I want grapes.
by Krista on August 9, 2010 at 7:16 pm. #
Love love love love hummus. I eat it with carrot sticks.
by That Girl on August 9, 2010 at 7:29 pm. #
It’s more of a terat than a snack but I love Greek yogurt sweetened with honey (the one with all the fat in it) swirled with blueberries. I divide one into thirds and am generous with the blueberries. Delicious! (keeps me away from ice cream)
by Mrs. Organic on August 9, 2010 at 9:37 pm. #
Make that “treat”
by Mrs. Organic on August 9, 2010 at 9:38 pm. #
“My vision is prismatic.” Yep, that is me. Clearly me.
Fiber One bars have been one of my standby snacks for a long time – the chocolate and oats flavor.
by An Ordinary Mom on August 9, 2010 at 9:59 pm. #
again your writing is pristine. I’m always on the road and always snacking… I don’t want to explode so I keep to healthier stuff. I’ve become an unofficial, self-appointed spokeswoman for Food Should Taste Good. This company makes chips that are chiseled from heaven, I tell you. My favorite are the Olive and Sweet Potato chips. Costco sells a big bag (of course) of their Multigrain flavor. They’re delicious and especially good for celiacs, those who cannot have gluten in their diet: they’re gluten free and lactose and cholesterol free! :) You can tell by the name of their company that they are to be taken seriously, but let me add my serious approval: I know how to pronounce each ingredient they use. Perfect snack or accompaniment to your favorite snack!
by emilyf on August 9, 2010 at 11:41 pm. #
Mmmm, I am nuts for yogurt. Looks really really good. I am trying to eat more organic foods. Mommy J’s hummus sandwich sounds good too. Now I am hungry. :)
by Kazzy on August 10, 2010 at 5:26 am. #
I love hummus! That’s been on my list to make this week–only I need to soak and cook the garbanzo beans first.
by Rebecca on August 10, 2010 at 8:56 am. #
I’m hungry.
Prismatic is my name. :P
by Eowyn on August 10, 2010 at 9:07 am. #
Well, I think your snacks look great! And I bet you are a fantastic mom. I know you are a fantastic writer. XD Thanks so much, Kym, for your support.
Kenzie
by Anonymous on August 10, 2010 at 9:11 am. #
“writing my novel in my head” – Oh, I can sooooo relate to that!
by Jane on August 10, 2010 at 12:12 pm. #
The more I read about you, the more I think we may have been separated at birth! I have 12 chapters of a novel that I wrote a couple of years ago. I have not had the courage to sit down and finish it. :( I also am struggling with weight, (although I have seen pics of you and you don’t look like you are struggling), and I have this constant “what can I eat now” in the back of my head gnawing at me. It’s so hard. (Hard enough that I am focusing more on exercise! LOL) Your snacks look awesome. I will have to remember those next time I’m hungry… like right now! ;)
by Petra on August 10, 2010 at 2:15 pm. #
It’s so hard to say no to a nice chocolate bar. But sweet(ened) strawberries can do it for me. And when I have the munchies, I try to have a bowl of grapes or raisins with me. As long as the grapes are without pips of course. Can’t stand the pips!
by Mara on August 11, 2010 at 1:47 am. #
Once I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
by Dan Smith on May 13, 2011 at 1:08 pm. #