Good morning guys! I’m not going to title my posts like this every day of Lent, but this is a pretty big benchmark so I thought it was only appropriate!
Last night I was feeling not good at all, and Nate had a ton of stuff to catch up on from being gone all weekend, so we ended up staying home most of the night. However, we did go out for a big juicy burger one last time…call it our Fat Tuesday celebration! What it comes down to is I just didn’t feel like cooking, and we didn’t have anything ready to cook, so rather than going to the store we went to BJ’s Brewhouse. I started with a 5 oz P.M. Porter:
This was NOT my favorite beer. It could have been colder (it was lukewarm almost) and it tasted like metal. Definitely didn’t get any of the chocolate/caramel/molasses hints that I read about!
We each got a burger to celebrate my last meat hurrah for 40 days. I went with the California burger, with avocado, chipotle, and ranch, served on garlic sourdough. ‘Twas delightful, and definitely a tasty way to go out!
Nate got the regular BJ’s burger on garlic bread. Can you say HOLY YUM!?
We stopped by the store to pick up a couple things on the way home, namely some veggie stuff for me! I’m excited to see where this takes me spiritually and physically, but I’m not expecting anything. God will give me what He has in store for me.
Breakfast this morning was PB & J Oats with a twist: I did banana instead of pumpkin!
And I did NOT like it. I don’t think the banana was ripe enough yet and it was kind of clumpy and hard. BLECH. But I think I would rather have pumpkin anyway…it’s just as good with fewer calories and SUPER creamy. Now I just have to find some more canned pumpkin…
I feel like Christie posted a really good question today, so I’m going to steal it for here as well: Why do you read blogs? Is it for escapism, food ideas, to know about people’s personal lives…? I love reading mainly to feel like I’m part of a community who cares about food and health as much as I do. I read for encouragement from strong women all over the globe. I read for new workout and recipe ideas, and I read because it’s something I love to do. I don’t think it’s fair to expect to know every detail of someone’s life by reading their blog, but I am thankful for the encouraging and compassionate and REAL bloggers that I do have the pleasure of reading about!
I like to read blogs because it helps me get creative with how I eat and exercise. I’ve become a HUGE fan of all the interesting ideas out there on how to eat healthy.
PS – My hubs and I LOVE BJ’s Brewhouse! My favorite is their Jeremiah Red – I’d highly recommend it next time:)
I also read for the community. I appreciate all of the support everyone gives each other. I think it’s funny that your first meatless entry starts with a delicious hamburger!
I’m Greek Orthodox and always give up meat for Lent (we don’t get to pick what we give up!) and I had a farewell burger too 😀
I read for a bunch of reasons–because I feel bonded with some readers, I love to get ideas, inspiration and keep up with the people who read my blog.
This community is the shit!
Your oats look yummy! I haven’t tried them with jam yet. I will do that soon 🙂
I read blogs for inspiration mostly. When I read how all the bloggers are eating and all the activities they partake in, it gets me motivated and inspired. The recipes are a bonus 😉
I read because I enjoy finding new healthy recipe ideas from other bloggers.
I was JUST thinking about how I could totally go for some PB and J oats!!! They look delish! 🙂
I agree, I readblogs to get ideas and to feel like party of this little community of people all over the place that share some interests!
I don’t think it is realistic to expect anyone to post every detail of their lives but what I do expect is honesty and being genuine. It just upsets me that certain bloggers paint a perfect picture about their lives and have very young impressionable readers thinking they have to be the same way. When in reality, all we see is on side of them and have no idea what happens behind closed doors. There is one blog that I read off and on and she has never professed to being in a bad mood or having a rough day. That just isn’t real.
As I mentioned in the comments on my post, I don’t post every detail of my life, I post what feels relevant or is important to my recovery and the process of learning about keeping my body, mind and spirit healthy and happy. That includes the good, the bad and the ugly. Some people like that, others don’t.
But the awesome thing is that we have a choice to read and comment on the blogs that we do.
I like reading blogs because I find that I draw inspiration from all the amazing people out there!
I feel like the bloggers I read are my friends and I like keeping in touch. Is that weird? I am interested in food but I am more interested in personal lives-so maybe I’m just a stalker 🙂
I love me some BJ’s. OMG that sounded incredibly nasty but really BJ’s is good even though they have an unfortunate name.
As for banana in oats. I mush mine up (until it’s glistening) and it does have to be ripe. The riper the better. 🙂 I actually don’t like pumpkin in my oats-wish I did!
Good job giving up meat! I have considered going pesca in the past – no way could I give up the fishy. I don’t eat much in the way of other meats but when I do I really enjoy it – so I would not want to give it up forever : ) I am curious to see where this takes you!
I read blogs for the supportive community – fo sho!
i love your reasons for reading food blogs, i totally agree! i LOVE bananas in oats, but only if they’re super ripe and “melted” in. i’m a huge canned pumpkin fan as well though. i think it’s great oyu’re giving up meat, i think you’ll find that it makes you be more creative with your meals (not that you aren’t already!) and it’s actually fun! ew, lukewarm beer? no thanks. i’m a california girl so i’m happy to see your burger choice..represent!! haha just kidding
Way to go for giving up meat! I’m going to give up sugar! To answer your question, I read blogs because I feel like I can relate to people. When you dont have people necessarily right in front of you who are trying to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s easy to get sucked right back in to bad habits. When I read blogs that talk about health or eating well, I feel like I’m not alone anymore, and I shouldnt give up! I also get great recipes and ideas. BTW-what is your oatmeal/pumpkin recipe? Sounds fantastic!