Happy What I Ate Wednesday my little sugar cookies.
I think it’s safe to assume I’ve dipped my toe and maybe even a calf into the winter sweets-fest extravaganza happening pretty much everywhere right now. Y’all know I’ve got a thing for sugar. I’d need an entire set of dentures to get rid of my sweet tooth, and since I’m definitely not that old yet… Not even close, by the way.
I’m trying to temper my sugar dabbling ways with some healthy eats and exercise. So just to prove my healthy meals weren’t a one time thing this week, I’m sharing Sunday, a day where leftovers made an appearance at every meal, so I can at least say I ate healthy on two separate occasions.
When you are done here, head on over to Peas and Crayons and throw a little comment loving Ms. Jenn’s way for hosting this ridiculously popular shindig. One hundred and seventy-five link ups last week. That’s a crazy amount of daily eats and obviously the place to be in a Foodie town. On that note….
For Sunday morning’s breakfast, I scraped together the last of my remaining granola from the week and topped it with plain Greek yogurt and fresh berries. I also had some champagne leftover from my Beet Juice mimosa’s so I kept it traditional and just added orange juice. It’s safe to assume I had alcohol for breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday. What can I say; I like to live on the wild side. Although apparently not too wild since it took more than two days for me to finish a bottle of champagne. We can thank god and whoever invented those crazy expanding corks for my habit.
A little later in the day, I whipped up some fried eggs, reheated my leftover parmesan roasted sweet potatoes and toasted the last of the multi-grain bread, which I then covered in Raspberry Jalapeno and Basil jam (magic does exist, and it comes in this little container). Mimosa’s and yolk porn on back to back days this weekend; I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven. Also, anytime yolk porn is involved, I’d call the meal a screaming success (in an “Oh God Oh God” kind of way).
Later in the day, I snacked on an apple, which I failed to photograph. I know, bad food blogger, bad. I think everyone is going to survive though, myself included, but just in case, there’s any concerns, it was red on the outside, white and juicy on the inside, and overall crispy and refreshing. I also drank mass quantities of water throughout the day; gotta rehydrate after those mimosas.
Fast forward a couple of hours and I felt, or rather my stomach told me, a second snack was in order. I stuck my head in the fridge and came out with the remnants of Jenn’s Asparagus Pesto. I paired this delicious and flavorful pesto with Back To Nature’s Harvest Whole Wheat crackers and went to town. Mmmm…..so good.
I was feeling hungry again a short time later (can you say tape worm), so I stuck my head back in the fridge to see what I could throw together for dinner.
We had some CSA tomatoes on their last leg (if tomatoes had legs, mind you), a leftover opened can of artichokes, at least half full and a handful of Kalamata olives just begging to be used. Normally, I’d throw them all together with some whole wheat spaghetti, a little bit of feta, a lot of garlic, but I wasn’t really feeling pasta, so instead I threw everything on top of a garlic infused pizza crust and called it a day.
Looking back on it now, I’d say Sunday’s leftovers were my kind of leftovers: half the work with all the original flavor, alcohol for breakfast, yolk porn, homemade pizza, what’s not to like?
For those of you who are very observant and actually read the first couple of paragraphs, you’ll notice no sugar was consumed (other than the natural fruit kind) because I really am trying to hold back on my sugar cravings. Full denial though: absolutely not; this doesn’t work for me. In the past week or so, I’ve had a couple of frosted sugar cookies, which I would eat because of the frosting alone, a toffee bar brownie, a generous handful of Werther’s Originals and an equally generous handful of Andes mints. I’m trying not to eat something sweet, no matter how small, on a daily basis though because then I start craving sweets like a MoFo and lord knows they are readily available right now.
Some people can eat just one, but I know myself, and I’m not one of those people. If you leave me alone with a bag of sweets, I will eat the bag, after I consumed all the sweets inside. Hello, my name is Meghan, and I have a sugar addiction. It’s a thin line, but thus far I’m enjoying the holidays without going overboard. Hopefully I can stay on the right side of the deck, and I’m not sure how boats made their way into this post, but there you have it.
What’s you favorite kind of leftovers? How are you handling all the sweets this time of year? Do you dive right in or show some restraint? Anyone else want to cop to a sugar addiction?
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
December 19, 2012 at 7:26 AMNice! Seems like we’re going about this whole sweets thing the same way! I’ve definitely given in (though that terminology is utterly laughable since I have no willpower to begin with once it comes to cookies) quite a few times this week and last, but I’m trying my best not to make a habit out of it. For that reason, I have totally abstained from baking in any way shape or form…I figure I’ll just leave that to my co-workers who INSIST on bringing in mountains of cookies/bars/candies in each day. Yeah, there is no having “just one” as far as I’m concerned…so I’ve taken to hiding them from myself…at the start of my shift, they go in the cabinet…out of sight, out of mind! 😀
Lovin’ the yolkporn girlie…and that jam sounds like…well, the JAM! 😉 Oh, and I’ll take your pizza…x 2 please!
Meghan says
December 19, 2012 at 7:34 AMOnce I start, I have no control either, and like you, I haven’t baked a single sweet because I’m trying to keep the temptations limited to places I don’t live. Last night, the neighbors dropped off a huge plate of cookies though so now they are in the house and I’m torn. I’ve stuck the entire plate in the microwave for the time being. This way, I don’t have to look at them, although I can hear them whispering my name. They are calling to me even now…..
The jam was the JAM! Food festival find. Gotta love those, and I know how you enjoy your condiments.
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
December 19, 2012 at 7:30 AMEverything looks delicious especially the pizza. I really want to start making my own. Soon…I have successfully avoided the sweets so far this season. I know I will get sucked in next week. I’ll try to be good! 😉
Meghan says
December 19, 2012 at 9:09 AMThe best part of making your own pizza is you can top it with whatever your heart desires, which for me was artichokes and olives. Great job on avoiding sweets thus far. They are my nemesis.
Lot-O-Choc says
December 19, 2012 at 7:39 AMmmmm wow it all looks so good! some definite yolk porn there haha!
Meghan says
December 19, 2012 at 9:10 AMCan’t go wrong with yolk porn.
Stacey Belasic says
December 19, 2012 at 8:58 AMI wish I could say I’ve been as good at avoiding the sweets as you! But unfortunately, I have not….ah well, January is fast approaching and then is when my world gets all shook up and I start being SUPER STRICT again…its the vicious cycle of my rollercoaster weight…whatever!!!!!! I too am an all or nothing personality and right now I am all bad….January, though, I will be all good. I wish I could be an “everything in moderation” type but I never have been able to perfect that…so instead I am an, “I’m putting on my winter weight for hybernation” (LOL!) type and then an, “I’m eating SUPER healthy and working out like a MoFo so watch out!” type. It is what it is…haha!
Your food all looks amazing, as usual! And are those little radishes on your pizza too??
Meghan says
December 19, 2012 at 9:14 AMI actually try to avoid being super strict because I ultimately cave and do more damage if I deny myself. I just try to make everything I eat real whole food with no franken ingredients whenever possible. I also do try to keep the sugar in moderation, which come holiday time is a wee bit (read a ton) more difficult. As an fyi, I only learned and was able to practice moderation (and it doesn’t always work) in the past year or two. It takes effort, but for me, it’s definitely worth it.
Yep, those are radishes on the pizza. Good call! I’m super impressed. We’ve gotten a ton in our CSA the past couple of weeks, so I’m putting them on everything.
Eating 4 Balance says
December 19, 2012 at 9:40 AMThat wooden bowl with the pesto is awesome! You have the coolest dishware ever.
I’m definitely like you. Once I start I can’t stop. No going back. My whole family is like that too. Open a package of cookies and they’ll be gone in a day. No matter the size or kind. That’s why whenever my grandma sends over one of her super snacky concoctions like turtles, cookies, white trash, etc… We just send it to school with my mom the next day. Haha.
Meghan says
December 19, 2012 at 9:56 AMCool dishes come with age. Some you pick up yourself, others come when you get married or as birthday or Christmas gifts. Pretty soon, you’ll have a stash of cool dishware too. And the wooden bowl is actually half of a morter and pestle; it was a Christmas gift one year. I love any kind of wooden dishes though. I think the grain is so beautiful.
Sunnie@ModernGirlNutrition says
December 19, 2012 at 10:05 AMYum! What a great day of eats Meghan! The pesto and the sweet potatoes look especially good:)
Meghan says
December 20, 2012 at 12:53 PMThe pesto was great. I have Jenn at Peas and Crayons to thank for that.
Liz says
December 19, 2012 at 10:38 AMThis might be one of my favorite posts of yours. So happy you started blogging. Makes my everyday a little smiley-er. No sweets addiction here. I definately indulge when the mood strikes, but will go for the salty/fatty foods over sugary any day.
Meghan says
December 20, 2012 at 12:54 PMYour comments make my day a little brighter too. So glad this was one of your favorites. Salty/fatty foods are tough too, especially after consuming mimosas!!
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear says
December 19, 2012 at 12:10 PMThat breakfast is TOTALLY yolk porn…drooling. & I feel ya on the sweets. I can never just stop at one!!
Meghan says
December 20, 2012 at 12:55 PMYep, it’s an all or nothing kind of mentality. No cookies or ALL the cookies!
Antonia @ Health Inspirations says
December 19, 2012 at 12:57 PMI love your writing style Meghan, so funny! So,how am I handling all the sweets. Well, I try to have a little bit everyday and I’m not depriving myself of anything. In a week Christmas will be over and I really want to try as much holiday food as possible but try to keep the portions small. I also load up on veggies and fruit for my actual meals which makes me feel better for all the sugar eating.
Meghan says
December 25, 2012 at 7:00 PMThanks Antonia! My goal is to be funny so I’m glad to hear you think it’s true. Your eats are always amazing, and they look as delicious as they sound. Loading up on veggies and fruits is a great idea, and since I love both, it should be easy.
Allie says
December 19, 2012 at 4:03 PMI don’t have an across-the-board sugar addiction, but oh man, anything peppermint, anything cookie, anything caramel-corn-in-the-office-break-room-who-put-that-there-I-hate-and-love-you, and I have absolutely no self-control. And anything brussels sprouts. So it sort of evens out.
Meghan says
December 25, 2012 at 7:02 PMCaramel corn is divine, and I love how it evens out for you with the brussel sprouts; that’s my kind of logic. Makes perfect sense.
Luv What You Do says
December 20, 2012 at 9:26 AMThat dip looks amazing! I love those crackers from whole foods. I grind them into bread crumbs often!
Meghan says
December 25, 2012 at 7:03 PMThe asparagus pesto was great, and I snagged the recipe from Peas and Crayons (http://www.peasandcrayons.com/).
Using the crackers to make bread crumbs is genius; I need to try that. Thanks for the tip.
Alaine @ My GF & DF Living says
December 20, 2012 at 10:35 PMLooks like a great day of food! I have a terrible sugar addiction. It is awful. Once I start I have to keep munching especially around the holidays. I can’t help it! haha
Meghan says
December 25, 2012 at 7:04 PMI’m with you. Sugar is my nemesis. I’m ok if I don’t start, but once I get going, you can pretty much forget about it. Holidays are especially tough.
Jessie says
December 21, 2012 at 3:28 AMHoly Moley Meghan, your pizza for dinner looks AMAZING!! =)
Meghan says
December 25, 2012 at 7:16 PMThanks Jessie. It was delicious, but then again, I love artichokes so I’m not really impartial.
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
December 21, 2012 at 2:18 PMI bow before you, Pizza Queen. Radishes–I’m super impressed. I have not gone there yet mainly because I am the only radish-eater in the family. Though I’m working on my son, via the hummus route.
I’ve made 3 kinds of cookies and a batch of muffins in the past week. Made up plates for all the neighbors and DH’s coworkers, then bagged up the remaining handful of cookies and tossed them in the freezer this morning so I wouldn’t continue to snack. The muffins are still out, but they are soaked whole grain low sugar cranberry-apple-pecan-tangerine muffins so it’s OK by me.
I will, however, kick the baking up a notch by making magic cookie/hello dolly/6 layer bars and peanut butter blossoms (not Real Foods Real Deals healthy ones, either, though hers look great). Then we’ll haul all the cookies up for the holidays and hope others scarf them up too.
Meghan says
December 25, 2012 at 8:28 PMNow, now, now; you’re the real pizza queen. The only reason I threw the radishes on there is I’ve gotten a ton of them in our CSA so they are going on everything. Plus, they’re pretty and peppery.
It sounds like you will be really busy baking your tail off, along with the 3 kinds of cookies you’ve already made. Those muffins sound fabulous by the way; I want one.
Lori says
January 6, 2013 at 8:30 AMHey Meg, This looks great as usual. A friend wanted to know if you are linked to
foodgawker.com. I didn’t know but she uses it for finding recipes.
Meghan says
January 6, 2013 at 9:04 AMThanks Lori. I’m not linked with food gawker, but I’d like to be. I’m pretty sure you have to submit original recipes and photos and they either yay or nay you. It’s on my list for 2013 though. Thanks for the tip, and tell Max I said Hello.