Happy What I Ate Wednesday Gang.
Man, it feels like forever since I did one of these things. I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s because I skipped last week, which was gratifying and satisfying, but I’m back now, and I’m actually going to stick to the program. Shocking, I know.
For anyone new here, What I Ate Wednesday is a day in the life of my food; from sunup (which I’m always awake for) to sundown (which I sometimes sleep through, especially on Friday nights; I know how to rage). It’s a day where I share every morsel which jumps into my mouth, including those which do a swan dive when I’m not looking. “Shit, how did that get in there?!” From beginning to end, from the good to the bad to the downright ugly (let’s be honest; it’s rarely ugly), here you have it: my feeding frenzy.
When Jenn told us to get our snack on this month, I took her literally. I snacked away my Friday and even stayed up well past my bedtime, into the wee hours of the morning. Since I was entertaining, I thought it might be a smidgen (love this word) inappropriate to fall asleep on my house guests (not literally because that would definitely be inappropriate). Have no fears, Friday was the start of my three-day weekend, so a mid-day nap definitely happened.
My day began with the last piece of Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake with a smear of butter and a side of coffee. I shed a tear or two or really told the Hubby if he finished the last piece, I would launch myself at him, in a bad way; in a non-mad monkey love way. 
My morning continued with a quick smoothie with strawberries, a boatload of kale, a frozen banana and some pineapple juice.
I saw somewhere you shouldn’t center your food in pictures. Apparently, the eye gets lost. I’m not sure where he goes, but he’s lost so I cropped my smoothie funny. What do you think? Is it artistic, or are you wondering where the other half went?
Since I was going to paying a visit to my BFF and her newborn baby later in the day, I made macaroni and cheese because far be it from me to show up empty-handed.
The smaller casserole dish in the background…yeah, I might have kept that one. In exchange for the last piece of coffee cake, I promised the Hubby mac and cheese. We work on a barter system here. This time it was about food.
The point is I had to snack while making this. Any good foodie will tell you, you must taste all the components of your dish separately and together (Top Chef, here I come), so there was some taste testing involved. For purposes of todays post, I shall call it snacking.
An hour or so later, I got my snack on again; this time for lunch. I devoured a snack bowl of cheese, cherries and trail mix. Two more slices of cheese mysteriously made their way into my mouth because well, it’s cheese. That’s reason enough.
Later in the day, I made iced coffee because I’m high-tech, or really because I made too much coffee earlier in the week. I know the phrase “too much coffee” is almost sacrilegious but an entire pot for two people fits the bill, so I poured the leftovers (raspberry almond) into a carafe and stuck it in the fridge. When it came time for its shining moment, I added ice cubes, a half scoop of raw sugar and some almond milk. Stir with a straw and viola: iced coffee for $0.00 because normal people just pour that shit down the drain. Bam.
While the coffee was crafty and temporarily held my hunger cravings at bay (I do NOT recommend this as a food substitute), it wasn’t long before my stomach up and slapped me in the face for skipping a proper lunch. So I had a proper dinner: two bowls full in fact.
If the mac and cheese looks kinda nutty to you, that’s because it is. I usually top mine with a mixture of crushed walnuts and Parmesan cheese for a crispy, crunchy and decadent crust. You’re welcome.
Later on that very same evening (well after the sun went down and with it my natural lighting), I shared a sample platter with friends: grapes, Asiago cheese and crackers.
There was also a unpictured bowl of big, beautiful and green olives, but I scarfed those down before I could take a photo. I finished the evening, and this snack-a-licious edition with a lovely hard cider. Bam chicka wow wow.
Are you a big fan of snacking? Could you snack your way through a meal? Would you want to? What would it look like?
Your mac n’ cheese looks delicious, Meghan…of course I would gravitate to that. I save extra coffee for iced coffee too, of course I have no ice at the moment so…yada, yada. Love the pre-smoothie photo…very artsy! Have a great day, my dear! Did you make the trail mix??
Nope, the trail mix wasn’t mine. I got it at my girlfriend’s house so I’m not sure what brand/kind it was; it tasted good though.
Meghan,
Nuts on the mac and cheese? Brilliant!
Now I’m thinking of iced green tea, since the thought of cold Lady Grey with cream leaves me icked out.
Yes you must top your mac and cheese with nuts. It takes it over the top.
Please can you feed me! Everything you ate looks right up my street! Cake for breakfast is definitely the way to start the day. Congrats on your BFF’s baby. I love them when they are new and squishelicious! (so not a word). I will be totally stealing your mac and cheese topping *thief*
Stephanie x
I’m sure feeding you can be arranged. I really like feeding people for some odd reason…oh wait, it’s because I love food and cooking and drinking while cooking, and I digress. Squishelicious is now officially a word. I declare it so.
I love all the cheese in this post! Cheese is simply the best. Period. And I’m totally with you that any good cook will sample all their ingredients. Quality control, right? 😉
Oh and that coffee cake looks amazing. I’ve got to get on baking with rhubarb.
Quality control is right. Gotta make sure it’s not poisonous or something. Baking with rhubarb is great and I’ll be sharing another and maybe even more fabulous rhubarb recipe on Friday.
That mac ‘n cheese looks heavenly! I could totally snack my way through the day with fruit, veggies and hummus, and cheese and crackers.
Ah yes veggies and hummus are another winner. Or apples and peanut butter. Yum. I heart snacks.
When that day comes that I get to meet your lovely face, I’m expecting you to prepare that mac & cheese for us (or me.. you better watch out) to devour 🙂
Not a problem my dear (so long as I get to keep the second small casserole dish in the back). 😉
Kraft who? Your mac & cheese looks amazing- loving the sound of a nutty crust! I love to snack but I need my substantial meals otherwise I don’t feel satisfied. What can I say- I’m a girl who likes her portions ;)!
Kraft Schmaft. Get that weak shit outta here…I can understand and needing a substantial meal was probably why I ended up with two lovely bowls of mac and cheese. Of course, it could be my love of cheese.
I consider myself a master of snacking 🙂 Left up to my own devices I would have a cheese plate for dinner every night. As with most things I make it would include every reasonable item I could find it my kitchen: cheese, crackers, olives, tomatoes, nuts, dried fruits, hummus, shrimp, whatever is available. This is not a frequent indulgence though as SOME PEOPLE (who will remain blameless) do not think this constitutes a real meal. I scoff at them and enjoy my snacky dinner whenever they travel, which is frequently 🙂
I want your cheese plate! You tell SOME PEOPLE they are way off base with this one.
Oh, and in the summer I make it a habit to make an extra cup o’ joe in the morning just so I can enjoy a chilled coffee treat come afternoon. Soo good!
Yep, I think we call that a little afternoon delight. 😉
The Mac and Cheese looks amazing (and it’s always better with some crunch stuff on top!) I don’t think my eyes have ever gotten lost in your pictures (artistic or not) though I can’t say the same about my control over my salivary glands…
Love the cherries/granola, and all the cheese 🙂
Also isn’t Original Sin (the cider not the other kind!) delicious?! It’s one of my favorites.
It is a great cider. I’m a fan, but I’m also a sucker for marketing and the name Original Sin just appeals to my naught side.
I’m jealous of your cider! At least I don’t have to be jealous of your cherries. I have some here, and I’m loooooving them. So good!
In a handful of months, you’ll be back to hard ciders again. Stay strong, and keep eating those cherries. They help.
mhm…YES! When Chris and I travel, almost 100% of our food is in the form of snacks – little bites here and there. That way, you can try the biggest variety of things!
Now that’s smart thinking; I would love that. Alas, the Hubby prefers a full meal most days. Can’t say I blame him either.
Smidgen is ranking high up in my [not actually existing in written form] list of favourite words, too. Not to bore anybody I won’t get started on favourite words, phrases and general delight in language here. Just to let you know, though: if WIAW wasn’t about food I’d let you know that your style of writing was my favourite part of this post. Oh, I just did that? It happens ;).
Back to the food: I wouldn’t mind being a house guest at yours. Especially if you served me that Mac and Cheese. By the way: good deal from the barter system with your Hubby as you got to enjoy both the cake and the mac and cheese.
Happy Wednesday!
I like to think of my writing style as a little bit sassy combined with some bursts of crazy. Either way, you made my day with your comment.
You are correct. The barter system did favor me significantly in this case. How astute of you to notice. I’m impressed.
I like the way you took your pictures. For some reason, centering the food doesn’t always look good. Also, I love that idea for mac and cheese. It’s fun to experiment and go beyond the normal breadcrumbs.
Basic breadcrumbs don’t cut it for me. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.
M&C looks too damn good…. ugh….
Come to the dark side. 😉
SNACKS SNACKS SNACKS SNACKS! EVERYBODY TAKE SOME SNACKS!! Like shots..but with snacks. I SNACK all the freaking time. Too much really, I am thankful when my days are busy because it doesn’t allow me to eat 398592385 handfuls of chocolate chips.
I was already singing before I even got to your explanation. Quite frankly, I like your version better.
Between all those tasty snacks, the amazing looking mac n cheese, and that cider (yum!), I hardly know what to comment on. All I know is that now I’m hungry! Particularly for those gorgeous ruby red cherries!
Cherries are spectacular this time of year. I can’t get enough.
I’d just like to let you know that you’re more than welcome to visit me if you come bearing gifts of mac and cheese. We could snack the day away because I’m -definitely- a huge snacker. There are days where the only legitimate meal I’ll eat is breakfast, and I’ll basically spend the rest of the day eating like 15 snacks. Fruit, cereal, yogurt, nut butter, cheese, eggs, chocolate… can’t live without my snacks.
I thoroughly enjoy your snacking options, and your cereal or oat bowl usually is topped with a plethora of snacks.
I eat first and second breakfast because it really translates to more snacks.
I’d bring you grilled cheese in exchange for some Dill Pickle potato chips. I’ve only seen those in Canada, and I have a weakness for pickles and chips.
I’m all about the snacking! Some days more than others, but you know how it goes. Looks like some fantastic food!!
Thanks Michelle. Yep, it’s so much easier to go with the flow of whatever your body is craving.
That mac and cheese looks divine! So much good grub. Have a lovely day!
Thanks Brittany. The mac and cheese was spot on delicious.
I could snack my way through life. Snacks are the highlight of any day! I mean, sure meals are great and all, but they don’t have the light, refreshing, sounds-good-at-that-instant-moment feel like snacks. Or like cheese. Cheese IS tricky. It’s sitting on the counter, looking all innocent, and then suddenly–BAM–in your mouth and then gone. Deliciously gone. Speaking of which, I should have hung around for that mac n’ cheese. I’m no stranger to a parm topping, but some walnut crisp n’ crunch too? Mmm!
I would have done either a pecan or pistachio crust for you.
I like snacks because I can eat a wider variety of things which is the same reason I like tapas restaurants (although usually not their prices).
Cheese always mysteriously ends up in my mouth.
Your photos look lovely! Really bright and clear. Also I also read that you could always crop your food to the “power points.” Basically draw a tic-tac-toe board in the frame and place your food on one of the points where the lines cross 🙂 That’s why your picture of the iced coffee looks so great.
Aha! Thank you for that explanation; it was very helpful. The photo editing tool I use, Pic Monkey, actually shows the gridlines, and I just though it was to ensure my picture was straight. This makes more sense though. Thanks again.
Ohhhhh that mac and cheese. And that coffee cake. Omg.
Yep, yep. Both winners.
Daaaang woman, I love your eats! Cheese everywhere! And cider. Win and win.
I’ve never heard that thing about off-center pictures, but it is interesting. I’ll have to try it out some time.
I often snack through my meals. Usually it involves a bit of everything, like some cheese or salami, crackers, a piece of fruit, and some veggies. Maybe some hummus. Snack plates really are great as meals because there’s a little bit of everything, but I (usually) don’t walk away feeling too stuffed.
I love snack plates for lunch or for dinner or both really. Sometimes I think I end up ingesting more that way. It’s all so good though.
Mmmm…everything looks great! I love the sound of that smoothie and the mac and cheese…yummy! I love snacking! I could totally snack my way through a meal. Actually, some days I prefer doing that rather than eating my normal meal!
You and me both.
Homemade mac & cheese is the BEST! Yum, yum :).
Homemade mac and cheese wins every single time.
Great idea on the nutty topping…I bet that is perfect for mac n cheese which will satisfy any craving of mine and is perfect for long days without food.
Yes! You will love it; I promise.
I am loving all the snacking here. Trail mix and fruit are my ultimate snacking loves, especially when chocolate chips are involved in the trail mix…And the coffee cake looks great!
You can’t deny chocolate chips in the trail mix. You can however go through said mix and pick out all the chocolate chips. It’s been known to happen.
Mm your mac n cheese looks amazing! As do all of your eats; I think it looks good when you sometimes off centre your photographs. I definitely love snacking; I’m always careful not to spoil my appetite too much though as I love enjoying a proper meal too.
Some days my snacks are my appetite and then some days, like you, all I want is a big ol’ meal. I generally listen to whatever I crave.
I’m going to keep working on some off center pictures and see what happens. Thanks for stopping by.
your eats all look seriously amazing! and LOL at the smoothie photo. i appreciate the effort you put in 🙂 i am such a snacker. i’m working hard at listening to “am i hungry?thirsty? or am i just bored?” most of the time, i’m just bored.
I’m usually thirsty! Although boredom eats have happened before.
That’s a crazy thought about putting nuts on your macaroni and cheese… I think by now you can tell from my comments that I’m a plain food type of person. Plain cheese pizza, plain macaroni and cheese…oh, and plain oatmeal as well. I know that sounds crazy but I honestly only put other toppings on my oatmeal before to make it look better. Lol.
I cringe whenever I see a full, cold coffee pot at home… Next time I see that some coffee has been left out I’m going to store it in the fridge and show my mom that iced coffee is just as good, if not better because it’s economical! 🙂 By the way, you asked what we thought of your smoothie pic- artsy definitely, but I really like the birds eye view of your iced coffee! Really neat.
Well technically the iced coffee was birds eye view and off center so how about them apples? I think that picture came out great too. It might be my favorite of the day.
Yes, save the coffee and make it iced. You could even blend it and make an iced coffee creation which could be pretty fabulous, especially if you added some melted chocolate….now that sounds good!
Big…HUGE fan of snacking…as you well know! Actually, if I have it my way, lunch is really just a series of 2-3 snacks over the course of a few hours…breakfast and dinner are the actual “meals”…though if I’m lazy (which most of the time I am), it’s really breakfast and breakfast! 😉
That mac n’ cheese…for the love of God, woman, must you torture me so?!?! And I just want you to know that it is by no means small feat to get me to burn, pine, and perish over a picture of noodles since I would never really call myself a fan of the stuff (bread is my carb of choice), but damn does that bowl look good…especially with the walnut and parm topping! I will go ahead and put my request in now should I ever find myself gracing your doorstep, I MUST have this!
Good to know. This is an easy one to make, although it’s usually reserved for the winter months. I’m sure I can manage to turn the oven on in your honor, should it come to that. That’s what AC is for, right?!
Laziness aside, I like breakfast and breakfast. Maybe because I actually like laziness. Hmmm. You got me.