A rather dreary start to the week. It’s been raining pretty much since last night and shows no signs of stopping. Flood watches are out and I am glad we live on top of a hill (except for when I have to bike up said hill).
I cooked up some quinoa last night to make a quick breakfast this morning. Not a grain, so go me! 
I made up some pear/cranberry compote and put half of it on the quinoa. Then I added 2 tablespoons of half and half.
Pretty good breakfast, although I was missing the cream consistency of custard oats.
Yesterday I had my biggest no-grain challenge. Went to the movies yesterday and my sister shoved her big bag of popcorn at me and said “Can you hold this while I visit the restroom?” Eeeek! I love popcorn. I felt like I was holding a bomb or something LOL. I ended up giving it to my niece to hold, but I managed to not eat any of it. I did have my own snack of blueberries and dates (yes, I brought my own snacks).
Speaking of the movie, we saw the new Planet of the Apes movie. It was very good! The last movie I saw in the theater was Inception in August of 2010. It takes a lot to get me into the theater. I just love Planet of the Apes and this take was really good. Not campy in the least (thank you), and a few homages to the old movies in there, subtle and not so subtle. I highly recommend it.
So, in case you were wondering where the other half of the pear topping went that I made for breakfast, here it is!
This is one of those food blog times where the picture just looks bad, but the food was good. This was the topping mixed up into some 2% Fage and 1 tablespoon of ground flax. I was surprised at how good this was! I am never eating fat free Fage again. Ever.
Gratuitous pet photo alert! The sleepy Ms. Pixie doing what she does best.
I was wonderfully productive with work today. One of those days where I got in more than the usual lines in the same amount of time. That = more money for Lori, which = happy Lori! Gotta save for that Disney trip
I broke for a snack:
These dried pineapple rings are advertised as low-sugar. If so, I cannot imagine how sweet a regular one would be . I think the sweetness would make you see through time. Maybe I should hunt some out and see.
More pouring rain:
John and I cooked up some burgers for dinner. Cast iron pan as the grill wasn’t really happening tonight.
I topped mine with some laughing cow and caramelized onions (from my freezer stash).
Those are shredded brussel sprouts on the side sauteed in coconut oil.
Tonight is some football. Yeah, it’s preseason but at least I get my fix!!
To be watched while noshing on these:
Pistachios are good snacks because of the time it takes shell them while eating.
Question: How do you like to eat quinoa?
I recently discovered pistachios! Yum. They were my go-to snack today since I’m trying to avoid carbs and sugar this week.
I love pretty much any nut, but pistachios give you entertainment while eating LOL.
Upstate must be getting the weather we had that started at around 5am yesterday morning and didn’t let up until about 1 this afternoon. We got over 7″ of rain! I think more is expected for tomorrow. Hopefully that doesn’t come your way as well!
What was the texture like with the quinoa? Is it too crunchy?
We have a lot more to come with the rain.
The quinoa wasn’t crunchy, but it just wasn’t creamy like oats, even with the half and half. It’s just different.
I LOVE quinoa and have only really had with savory items like black beans and tomatoes and onions and cilantro. I’ve not attempted to make quinoa a “sweet” dish. I’m not sure I’d really like it to be honest.
I like it both sweet and savory. I’m not picky LOL!
Lots to comment on here. I make that quinoa breakfast that I really like. But I probably like the 1/2 and 1/2 quinoa/steel cut oats better. Did you think of trying to make ‘custard quinoa’ by mixing the egg whites w/the cream and then cooking for a minute or two? I did something similar with a rice breakfast that I bought from Vicky and I really liked it.
And amen on the 2% Fage–unbelievable difference!
I can’t believe that rain you’re having!
I thought about whisking in egg whites, but I wonder if they would just cook up and not be creamy. I also wonder if I could cook them with the mashed banana as well. Too many things to try and too few meals!
I love quinoa mixed in with some brown rice and veggies. Mmmm!
Huh. So that’s what rain looks like. It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten! 😉
I’ve only had quinoa with dinner, or made into a cold salad – having it sweet sounds strange to me, but then, I don’t like oatmeal, either (unless it’s in a cookie or granola).
I love my fat-free Fage. Love it. But now you’re making me want to try the 2% to see if it’s THAT much better!
I don’t want to tell you that the 2% *is* that much better, but yes, it certainly is!
I don’t like the taste of quinoa at all. I have made it a couple of times as part of a Moroccan quinoa salad…the Boss liked it, as did the guests at the potlucks…heck…even my parents liked it.
Tons of rain your way…we were supposed to have some, but it passed over.
I bought some dried pineapple the other day as yours always looks so luscious! Yum!
You are doing so well on your grain free challenge! Congratulations!
Thanks Kimberly – the challenge really isn’t so bad at all.
I have never eaten quinoa and like Shelley I don’t like oatmeal either.
The pear-cranberry compote looks delicious.
I didn’t know there was a new Planet of the apes, saw an announcement yesterday that the other one (with Mark Wahlberg) will be on tv next Wednesday.
I don’t go to the movies much either (but you knew that already 🙂 ) I prefer to watch movies at home where there are no interruptions from the public but for some movies I go, like Harry Potter.
I saw the Mark Wahlberg one on TV last week. The new one is very different from that, but of course Tim Burton directed it, so it is unusual.
I like quiona mixed with about 4 oz of ground venison for dinner, never tried it for breakfast
I so want some Pixie sleep! I LOVE that pic!She does do it well! 🙂
We really want to see the Ape movie since we are from the generation of the original. Saw previews for it at other movies & man, it looks creep but good! I hear great things about it!
Congrats on your no grain success so far! Feel any different?
I do feel a little different. No cravings for sweet stuff or much snacking, which is nice.
I agree with you on the 2% Fage. I don’t eat the fat free kid anymore either!
I’ve only made quinoa once and it was pretty good – although my mom makes chocolate quinoa cupcakes. I need to experiment more.
Come on over to WI. We have gorgeous weather here (about time!)
Chocolate quinoa cupcakes??
Hmmm…I have a pear. I have some quinoa. I have a dinner plan. 🙂 Thanks, Lori!
I don’t eat Fage because I’m too cheap to pay the price, but Chobani’s 2% yogurts are also that much better than the fat free!
I want to like Quinoa but every time I’ve tried it I’ve not been a fan. Maybe I just haven’t had the right recipe yet? Because usually all things grainy (I know it’s not a grain!) and seedy are right up my alley.
We’re having a bit of a let up on the rain today and the sun peeked out for a while this morning, which was nice. I can’t believe it’s August 16th and our forecast high for today is only 75!
you know i am not a big quoinoa fan! it is not that i don’t like it I just would rather eat barley or couscous or brown rice. wow so much rain!
I like to make quinoa into “fried rice”… I drizzle sesame oil over the quinoa and add “forman grilled” zucchini, onions & broccoli, and an egg. You could add soy sauce but I like to add a little balsamic vinegar (sounds weird but is really good!). I just love sesame oil…. Do you know if it is good for you like olive oil and coconut oil?
I don’t think seed oils are as good as olive and coconut, but much better than corn or vegetable oil.
I love quinoa! I use it in place of rice for a lot of dishes. My very favorite way to eat it is with sauteed garlic and spinach, and feta cheese stirred in.
I have some of the pineapple rings (NOT low sugar) and they are sickeningly sweet–I can only eat about 1/4 of a ring at a time. And I have a MAJOR sweet tooth, so that is saying a lot. They’re good though. I’ll have to look for some low sugar ones!
Hey Lori, thought of you this morning when DH and I went for a bikeride…I was telling him about you and your 100 mile rides! I’m not even close to being ready to go with you — 5K kicked me! But I did it!! Dawn
Holy smokes Lori, that is a SERIOUS storm!!! Hope the sun comes back soon. And I have to AWWWW at the lovely Pixie!!! So cute. Hope your day has gone well.
Yum! Those pistachios look so good. What a dreary, rainy day! I hope the sun will come out tomorrow! 🙂
Kudos on surviving that popcorn challenge! So tough. Glad the movie was good. Love that gratuitous Pixie pic. Yuck on all the rain. At least it was better Tuesday for your run.