What I Ate Wednesday #2

Hi everyone and yay to making it halfway through the week!  The week after a holiday always feels really long, but we're almost there.

Starting off on a tangent: Is anyone else keeping up with Wimbledon this year?  It's been SO great so far, with a lot of matches going to a deciding final set!  I'm still cheering for Serena to complete a non-calendar slam, and Novak to win back-to-back championships.  The next few days are going to be exciting!

Today I'll be joining the What I Ate Wednesday (#WIAW) linkup again. If you haven't heard of #WIAW, check out this post that explains it.  Basically, I'll just be sharing what I ate for an entire day. My last post quickly became my most-viewed post ever, so I had to participate again!  I didn't know everyone would be so interested in what I had to eat, but I'm glad you all liked it.  Read on to see what I had to eat yesterday!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my very first giveaway here!  All you have to do is comment on that post telling me why you need to be pampered, and you can win a free facial!

Breakfast

I woke up early in the morning to get in a run before work.  I was only planning on 3 miles, so I didn't eat breakfast before going.  I just chugged some water and went out the door!

I was starving when I got back, so I quickly made my new favorite breakfast, breakfast cookie dough cereal.  I guess I was feeling patriotic today, because I chose to top it with raspberries, blueberries and coconut.


I also had some water with Grape Nuun (my favorite flavor) because I was really thirsty after my run.  In the morning, it always feels cool out, but I'm soaked by the time I get home.  What's up with that?

I headed to work, and had my second (third?) glass of water, with some Amazing Grass mixed in.  I don't have coffee every morning, but always have a little caffeine in some form.  I love these packets because they add some veggie/fruit servings, have some natural caffeine, and taste great!

Lunch

For lunch, I combined a few things that I made ahead of time on Monday night:

Everything came together so well, and it tasted fresh and perfect for the summer.  I love how colorful it was too!  This was the first time I tried that corn salad, and it was amazing!! Definitely going to double the recipe next time and eat it with every meal.  It's delicious!

Later in the day, I decided to treat myself with an iced coffee.  I'm trying to cut back on buying coffee drinks, and only get one if I go for a run before work (whatever wakes me up at 5AM, right?).  I got a caramel swirl iced coffee with cream from Dunkin Donuts, and it was great!  Some of their drinks are way too sweet, but this one was perfect.  I'm loving the cup as well!  I also snacked on an orange that I brought when I got hungry in the afternoon.

After work, I stopped by the Humane Society where I volunteer to walk some dogs.  It was super hot and humid out, and it started to pour as soon as I got there.  Luckily it was a short and sweet storm, so I got to walk a few dogs with no problems!  I was starving afterwards, so on the ride home I had a Quest Bar in the cookie dough flavor.  Trader Joe's just started carrying Quest Bars, so I had to check them out!  I've heard that these are best when eaten warm, so I'll have to try that next time.  Overall I liked it though!

Dinner

Dinner tonight was a recipe that I found on Trader Joe's website- a portobello mushroom stack.  It had lots of flavors and textures mixed in, and was delicious.  It was also surprisingly filling!  I made two servings, so I had lunch prepared for the next day.  I love to take dinner leftovers for lunch- it's killing two birds with one stone.


For dessert, I tried a chocolate bar that I found when I shopped at Trader Joe's the other day.  It's called the Fireworks Chocolate Bar and definitely delivered on the name.  It was slightly spicy from cayenne pepper and also had something that popped in your mouth.  The dark chocolate was delicious and I could only eat half the bar.  Really rich and delicious!


I also made sangria for the first time!  I followed a recipe I found on Pinterest, and it turned out really well.  Now I have drinks for the entire week!


I tried lots of new recipes, and they all turned out surprisingly well!  I love to experiment with new ingredients and different flavor combinations, especially in the summertime.  Trying new ways to eat fruits and vegetables is the best! 

Who's watching Wimbledon?  Favorite player?
What drink do you usually have in the morning?
Tell me what your favorite foods are!

Comments

  1. MKJuly 8, 2015 at 4:45 AM

    Quest bars used to be my all time favorite snack food (and yes, heating them up makes them amazing)!! The chocolate chip cookie dough is the best. Nicely done. Unfortunately, too many after a good few months chowing down (and I've heard this from many people) can cause some, err, bathroom issues. (TMI? Eh, we're bloggers). I've cut back, but your post has stirred up some nostalgia bahaha :) Happy hump day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJuly 8, 2015 at 7:52 AM

      Thank you for the tip! I think I read that warning somewhere, so I'll eat them sparingly. Have a great rest of the week!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 8, 2015 at 7:35 AM

    HIGHLY recommend heating up the Quest bar! If they have it, definitely check out Mint Chocolate Chunk... seriously tastes like a Girl Scout cookie : ) Federer is totally my favorite player! So I'm rooting for him : ) I treat myself to an ice cold seltzer after a run - something about the fizz makes it just a tad bit more refreshing. Then I usually find myself guzzling lemon water throughout the morning. This humidity is no joke!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJuly 8, 2015 at 7:54 AM

      I love Federer too!! I'm hoping that he makes it to the final, but hope that Novak beats him in 5 :) Both are such classy players (which is a big contrast from my bad boy fave Nick Kyrgios!) Totally agree about the humidity. Not so great!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 8, 2015 at 11:03 AM

    That chocolate bar looks so great! I'm sad we don't have Trader Joes up in Canada. Boooo. And I've never had sangria before, can you believe it? It's about time that I try it! I'll have to check out that recipe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJuly 9, 2015 at 5:43 AM

      Aw boo! If you ever make it down to the US make sure you stop at one! They're life changing (although it might make you want to move down south!).

      Delete
  4. UnknownJuly 8, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    Hi Gretchen! You know, I actually got to go to Wimbledon when I studied abroad in Europe and was stopped in London for a week. Didn't see a main match, but it was still cool. I'm not following it now. And I'm intrigued by that super green energy drink ... very neat. Great day of eats, lady! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJuly 9, 2015 at 5:44 AM

      Wow that's so cool!! One of my goals before I turn 30 is to see a professional match, but I don't think I'll make it to a majors. That would be so awesome though!

      Delete
  5. AmandaJuly 8, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    I've NEVER had a quest bar but I'm really thinking I need to change that!!!

    Amanda @ www.slimplifylife.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. meredith @ Cookie ChRUNiclesJuly 8, 2015 at 12:15 PM

    I have that chocolate bar in my pantry! I like the look of that mushroom recipe - I should check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJuly 9, 2015 at 5:44 AM

      I hope you like the chocolate! Very interesting but I liked it.

      Delete
  7. HoHo RunsJuly 8, 2015 at 4:36 PM

    I'm one of those obnoxious people who asks Starbucks to make her drinks using half the syrup. Otherwise, they are too sweet. I've done it at Duncan's too. Actually, they are always very nice about it. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJuly 9, 2015 at 5:45 AM

      Haha that's not obnoxious at all! I should start doing that as well..good idea :)

      Delete
  8. UnknownJuly 8, 2015 at 5:59 PM

    Oh, I'll have to try the Grape Nuun. I feel the same way on morning runs--it feels cool when I get out there, but then I'm soaked and so hot during the run. I bet it's the humidity. I also bring dinner leftovers for lunch. It saves time & money, which I love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunJuly 9, 2015 at 5:45 AM

      You're probably right, it just blows my mind! This morning was 66 and felt amazing. I don't even notice humidity till I'm done. I just don't understand haha!

      Delete

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