Does your breakfast ever just make you wanna smile and be happy? :D That is completely what my breakfast did for me today.
2 slices TJ’s FF Mutli-Grain Bread
1 Tbsp Nut Barn Crunchy Almond Butter
Banana
Decaf Christmas Blend Coffee
I think I crave this simple breakfast whenever I am not super hungry, but, know I need to eat. It’s a 5 pt breakfast so you’d think I’d pick something less, but, almond butter toast is my FAVORITE standby ever.
I spent the morning shopping, doing chores and prepping for the week. I find it always helps my eats during the week if I have them ready to go. I made up stuff for an AWESOME lunchtime salad and boiled some eggs for a quick protein snack.
The Husband requested BLTA’s for lunch and continuing with the theme of using what we have on hand, here is what I cam up with.
Smashed AVOCADO on toasted TJ’s FF Multi-Grain Bread seasoned with sea salt & black pepper.
Plus crunchy tomato slices.
Plus spinach for my “L” 🙂
Topped with 3 slices of center cut bacon (TJ’s Turkey Bacon is my FAVORITE, but this is a close 2nd).
Smooshed together and devoured (6 pts of FANTASTICNESS).
While I made up the sandwiches, I roasted the Organic Kambuca Squash I picked up at Whole Foods last week. I plan on posting a how-to for you all this week and using this melon to demonstrate. It reminds me a bit of pumpkin more so than acorn or butternut squash.
My afternoon snacks were sorta random. I had a low-fat colby cheese square for 1 pt.
Then, snacked on a few of The Husband’s peanut M&M’s. He bought an ENTIRE bag (ahhh, hope he eats them all soon because I LOVE these!) (1 pt for 8 barely!) 😀
I had fun this afternoon putting together a package for “My Secret Bloggie” along with a couple of other surprise packs I have going out. I think seeing all the goodies I got made The Husband have cravings like a girl 😉
Seriously, he asked me for a junk food night and wanted Nachos with processed cheese from a jar or to go by Red Robyn to get their like 2,000 calorie version. I didn’t want either option, so, instead, I whipped up my very own version of Healthy Nacho-Riffic Nachos!
I had 1/3 of the BIG Bowl I made him for 8 pts ~ BARGAIN! Totally delicious and I think he was pretty happy with the result. The best part is we have leftovers to make up tostadas or tacos or taco salads – FUN!
Does anyone want the recipe??? :D Leave a comment below to let me know and I’ll be sure to share it soon. I can totally see this as a SUPER BOWL FOOD!
Speaking of recipes, have you all checked out the Latest Issue of Cooking Light? I finally finished reading the Jan/Feb issue that Time sent me and it’s AWESOME!
Here are some of my FAVORITE things from this month’s issue (aside from that AMAZING looking chili on the front!:
* The Cooking Light Way to Eat (p. 133) – They offer up 10 rules for healthy eating in 2010 and 50 small changes that can make a big difference. I LOVE their approach to CLEAN EATING ~ The plan’s tips include: Try something new; Choose healthy fats; Cook more often; Eat less processed meats; Eat more whole foods; Start the day off well; Indulge adventurously; Eat out creatively; Be portion aware; and Drink well.
* Chili Basics (p. 102) – Learn the secrets to making a great bowl of meat-based, bean-based or completely VEGETARIAN chili. YUM, I will be making some of these!
* Dinner Tonight (p. 77) – I am a BIG fan of their DINNER TONIGHT emails. Do you all get the daily newsletters? I do and I swear they make me want to abandon my dinner plans to make what they send me. This month’s issue includes 3 of those recipes that are AWESOME , easy and quick ~ Roast Chicken with Balsamic Bell Peppers, Pan-Grilled Halibut with Chimichuri, and Chiptole Bean Burritos. Although I really want to try their Chicken Tamale Casserole too!
I could go on for days because this is my FAVORITE recipe magazine and this issue is chalk full of amaziingness as usual, but, I should probably leave something for you all to read about in case you picked it up too 🙂
You can check out all the features in this months issues as well as get ALL THE RECIPES ONLINE FOR FREE by clicking HERE.
You know how I told you all yesterday I was done celebrating my birthday, well, guess what ~ NOT YET!! WOOHOO! The AMAZINGLY, SWEET, THOUGHTFUL, KIND, FUN, AWESOME Janetha sent me a gift card to NY&CO (my favorite store!) and this TOTALLY CUTE card that I had to show you all.
I LOVE all the foodie references!
I think she should have to come up with MORE PUNS 😀
Thanks, Janetha! You are such an awesome friend and I am lucky to have you in my life ~ Love ya!
Alright all, my lower back has not been happy all day long. I am thinking it was maybe doing my long run on the treadmill versus outside? Not sure, but, I am off to get a massage a la The Husband to make it better :D, apply some heat to it and read/relax!
NIte all!
Those nachos look amazing! I’d love the recipe!
The nachos look very good, and so did that sammich!!!! 🙂
Looking forward to the Kombucha squash how -to! I’ve been dying to try it!
LOVE
-smiley face breakfasts
-avocado and bacon
-nachos
-cooking light
-YOU
xo
K
Have you tried Tiger Balm for your back? Its a natural remedy similar to BenGay I guess??? it has cooling properties of some sort of menthol – it feels AMAZING…a weird sensation but it totally helped my sore back! My lower back was sooooooooo sore after my first BodyPump session but Tiger Balm helped immensely!!! best stuff ever.
I used to like NY&Co as much as you do – but now I am a bigger fan of Ann Taylor Loft – because their stuff is youngish but sophistocated (and fairly inexpensive – plus mom gets 30% off coupons) which is great for me being in an office environment and then also not wearing Juniors stuff. hehehe.
That is so sweet of her! I just love surprises like that 🙂
And that avocado “BLT” looks so great! I have been craving avocado!
Those nachos look great! I would love if you could post the recipe and the nutrition stats (if you have them)! Nachos are one of my faves!
I LOVE your avocado mash. I got the frozen avocados at TJ’s yesterday and might have to use that on some Ezekiel bread. I would LOVE the nacho recipe. I had some pretty nasty ones yesterday, and yours look so good and good for you!
Awww, Janetha is such a sweet gal! Happy Belated Bday BTW!!!!
holy yum at the guacamole. I just subscribed to a bunch of magazines over Christmas, including Cooking Light. can’t wait for them to start rolling in!
oh man, i want that cooking light! my mom is probably sitting at home reading it herself and not remembering to send it to me in FL! evil woman!
those nachos look amazing!!! now i want some, and i have no chips, or tortillas to make any! must get to the store!
heyy! this is my first time to your blog, and i LOVE it !! i love it when food smiles at me! that sammich looks SO GOOD … and i have a weakness for nutty m&ms 🙂 that and yorks … hehe
Sandwich and your healthy nachos look great!
hahaha i couldnt resist that punny card! i love your HAPPY breakfast! you are so cute! mmm that smashed avocado is calling to me. “janetha! eat me! i’m delish!” i have that mag but havent had a chance to check out all the goodness yet. thanks for letting me know what it has in store! great nachoooos. xo
Everything looks fantastic today!! i think breakfast and eating in general puts a smile on my face, but the banana does the trick too. hahahah 🙂 i’m also loving the mashed avo on your sandwich!!! I hate avocado slices, but guac is a different story. It really….looks…DELICIOUS…
Happy belated Birthday and welcome to OpenSky! I’m glad you’re part of our team!
Have a great day.
Yummy avocado on toast…looks delish!
That sandwich looks awesome and yes I would love the recipe to healthy nachos heck yea. I have never read that magazine, probably since I don’t cook ha ha but I will have to take a peek some time.
OMG your day of eats looked SOOOO good! Love your happy breakfast! And then lunch, and then dinner!?!?!! I’m swooning over all of that yummy food. I definitely need your nachos recipe!
I don’t have a blog and since you’;re a trader joe’s fan I thought I’d share with you my fav food from there. THeir whole wheat pitas. The small 4inchish ones are 1 pt each and their big 7inchish ones are 3 points. Here is what I do with them. The small ones make a nice lunch size pita pizza. Or I toast it and then split it and pour 1-2tsp of my healthy oil for the day – using garlic infused olive oil (hand poured preferred). Sooo good! Or if I want to save my oil for something else, I spray it with oliv oil pam, sprinkle with garlic salt and toast. Makes really nice, filling garlic bread. And of course the big pitas make a fabulous dinner sized pizza. I swear these pitas are so much better than any other 🙂
Have a great day Danica. Congrats to the opensky shop! Please get food stuff in b/c that is what I like to buy :DDDD
Your breakfast made me smile 🙂
MY BREAKFAST… always makes me smile! It’s my favorite meal of the day! As a matter of fact, I am already looking forward to it… and I just finished dinner! ha ha!
OMG, I LOVE this month’s issue – I actually subscribe, was late on my renewal and started seeing it everywhere in blog land, so i HAD to buy it – love everything about it – especially how and what to eat. Although I will never like sardines, I don’t care if it is a healthy fat! 😀
Love your taco bowl too!
I would love to have that recipe. I have been craving nachos like its my job latley and I do not like restaurant ones because they are not the same. I NEED that recipe
nut butters and avocado are the perfect foods for when you arent too hungry, but know you need to eat something.
I really looking forward to your Kambuca how to post. about a month ago i tried roasting one in the oven and it just came out AWUL! I’m not sure if i didn’t season it correctly or something, but I know I need a tutorial =)
oh and I LOVE the card from Janetha – too funny!