Seems to me I need to do a group challenge or something again, which seems to be the more popular suggestion 😀
I tried a different breakfast today. I made up protein waffles, and used 2 triangles for a bun for an egg sandwich with laughing cow.
The strawberries have some whipped cream drizzled on them that really needs to be re-whipped.
Calories for breakfast with my coffee drink – 388. 34 grams of carbs, 19 grams of fat, 22 grams of protein. Staying power? Fail! I was hungry not even 2 hours later. Really hungry. I think there was just not enough fat in this meal. Or maybe not enough calories. It was about 100 calories less than normal, but then I did not exercise before breakfast either.
So I had some of these:
For lunch I had what I told Roz was the Cadillac of yogurt – Fage!
I don’t buy it often because it is pricey, but there is no yogurt that really compares as far as texture and taste. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.
I mixed in some pumpkin, flax, a teaspoon of maple syrup and a boatload of cinnamon. Then crumbled some pecans on top.
I managed to eat my lunch standing at the counter talking to John about Disneyworld. That wasn’t very mindful.
During the course of the day, I tried another recipe from Nourishing Traditions for Crispy Nuts. It requires soaking of the raw nuts overnight in lightly salted water (1 cup almonds 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt), which I actually finally remembered to do.
She recommends skinless almonds, but I wasn’t going to blanch and peel these.
Then drain.
Interesting that the almonds plumped up and were softer.
Spread out on a cooking pan:
Sally Fallon says to bake for 12 hours at 150 degrees. I’m sorry, but no way am I going to leave my oven on for 12 hours. What a waste of electricity! It’s supposed to preserve the enzymes at the lower temperature. Bye-bye enzymes. I put them in the toaster oven at 250 degrees and it took for-ever. Forever! I was afraid I would burn them, so I just kept setting the timer for 20 minute increments. I was thinking it was a pain at this point. After about 1-1/2 hours, I let a couple cool and tested them:
See how they don’t really look any different than raw almonds? The verdict? Yum!! They are crispy, but not like roasted nuts. Almost dehydrated, which is pretty much what they are. After thinking that it was an annoying process, I find myself saying I would do them again this way because they are very good. And I can’t stop eating them! 
 I think if you have a food dehydrator, it could be much easier.
So that is 3 different kinds of nuts I have consumed today…
Latte break:
And I went out and worked in the garden as the system was down for work. Unplanned break. I got a delivery of plants today!
The red hot pokers (heehee) plus 2 of the 3 coneflowers. I got the emerald and the milkshake, but the tiki torch is backordered until the fall. Booo! So, I planted these since the rain stopped and the sun came out.
Since the afternoon was so nice, I grilled up some chicken. I made a fun plate for dinner with sweet potato topped with leftover cheesy cauliflower (thanks Green Giant!) and the chicken.
Very interesting combo.
We went out for a quick 8 mile bike ride so I could burn off some of those nuts today. One of those check the radar and cross your fingers ride 😀 We made it fine. My patched tire is not so good, though. Going to have to replace the whole tube before this weekend’s long ride.
Work is functioning again, so I have to catch up tonight!
Question:Â Have you ever tried Fage?
I didn’t like Fage. But to be fair, I tried it when I was first discovery the Greek Yogurts and I was still eating the super sugary Yoplait types. It took awhile to get used to eating the greek yogurt, and then I slowly started to prefer the greek yogurts that weren’t sweet. Now I can eat plain or vanilla Greek yogurt without needing to add anything to it. I should give Fage another try.
I would definitely give it another try. I love the 2% Fage with a drizzle of honey and toasted pecans!
I’ll have to try those nuts in my dehydrator!
What a nutty day!!! I have not tried fage…I think it might be too thick for me, I could always toss it in the blender as part of my protein shake.
Glad you were able to get a ride in!
Fage is very thick, but kind of fluffy almost.
Fage is the bomb! 2% is worthy!
Did you remember I tried those crispy nuts a while ago? I did it with pecans. And I did do the 150 degrees for I think 12 hours. They were fantastic, IMO. Just lightly salted. Yumm. I’ve been thinking about making them again.
I think I vaguely remember that now. Boy howdy these are good and I think pecans would be divine!
Honestly, I’m not so much a fan of the Fage. I don’t dislike it, but it doesn’t taste better to me than some other brands of Greek yogurt. I only buy it when the grocer has some individual containers on clearance.
I have occasional times when I eat a meal and then am hungry a couple hours later. Sometimes it’s the fault of the meal, but other times, I think it’s just some other aspect of life catching up with me. 🙂
I love Fage…but you probably knew that, lol!
Interesting concept with the crispy nuts! I might do the 12 hour thing in the dead of winter (we have a gas oven) but no way now. Good to know that you can shorten the time.
Fage rocks!!! And yes, the 2% is totally worthy. I like it best with fresh fruit, unsalted nuts or wheat germ, and a healthy shake or three of cinnamon. Yum! (In fact, I had that for lunch today-Fage, cantaloupe, and cinnamon. Nuts on the side. How funny is that! Yet encouraging…feels like I’m getting back on track.)
Yes only here it’s called Total but the package is the same. I agree that this is the best Greek yogurt there is. My current grocery store doesn’t sell it and I don’t buy Greek yogurt for that reason at the moment. Which is a pity because I do love it.
Im definitely a Fage n’honey woman.
Im far too in to the sweet 🙂
Love Fage (laughing at Cadillac comment) and I agree that you often get what you pay for with food. Love the cinnamon/nut/yogurt concoction.
As I said on Roz’ post, I choose Chobani because of price point. The weekly cost of groceries for just the two of us, combined with the every day rising cost of fuel, makes that matter to me now. Every time I hear the economy is recovering I laugh then think, where?
Love the Fage & Costco has the large container for a good price so I buy it there but it is non fat, not the 2%. You can always add in your own fat! 😉
That waffle sandwich looks cute! Love that idea!
I had a free coupon thing from CSN stores so I bought one of those wearever pans with a cover so I can try your omelet trick! Have not got the pan yet though!
Yum I love waffle breakfast sandwiches. Delish.
Never tried Fage. I’m not a fan of greek style so I’m unsure if I would like it.
I had a waffle/egg sandwich for dinner last night; ’twas delicious!
I have tried Fage, it’s not my favorite, but I like the cherry flavor.
I will ALWAYS think of you when I eat Fage Lori!!! And when I see a Cadillac!! 🙂 Now that I’ve gone over to the “dark side” and tried Fage, I’ll always bring a few containers back when we whip over the border, because it IS delicious! It’s almost a blessing that we can’t buy it here in Canada, because can’t be tempted. I AM tempted to try these crispy nuts! Like you, I don’t think I’d leave my oven on for 12 hours, but if I can do them in the toaster oven, I’ll give them a go. Have a great day Lori! (excited for your plant order!!)
Fage just came to our area a few months ago. I do like it a lot but find the dannon greek very close in texture and a much better price. The nuts sound interesting but like you don’t really want to run my oven for 12 hours, makes me curious to know how much each almond will cost you then lol. I’m big on nuts too, loving the Emerald cocoa roast almonds these day.
Yep, I buy Fage now because it is finally at my Costco!
I love Fage! I have tried all the other brands, but none even come close! I have probably eaten it almost daily for two years (since my store started selling it). I like the 2% best, but will get the 0 if that is on sale. I mix it with slightly thawed frozen raspberries and call it breakfast! I also like to mix it with lime or lemon curd. Makes a great dessert that way! 🙂