A Happy Spring Morning (& some calorie-dilute oatmeal)

Happy Friday!

Big plans for the weekend?

If you don't know what sweet something you're making for your family or friends this weekend, may I suggest dessert in less than 200 calories: GF lime coconut macadamia cookies w/ coconut dessert pudding? Check it out, I just posted it (I know, a double-post day, it's because I love ya so much :) ).

I'm really excited to show you what I had for breakfast today, but first.

We're all talking about the Hunger Games movie, or maybe that's just me & Joseph.

Are you going to watch? We'll most likely wait until it goes to the dollar theater, penny pinchers that we try to be. I read the first book, and have about thirty pages left of the second. I've been in the same spot for over a month now, kind of got distracted with other things. It's a compelling story, and I don't think I'll ever tire of a well-written dystopian read, but it wouldn't make my top ten, or even top twenty fave books.

Has spring sprung where you are?

A vase of fresh (or faux, as is the case with mine), set in front of an open window is a refreshing way to welcome the good weather. I think the pleasant weather is here, at least for today as is evidenced by every window in my house being open.

Our old house (circa 1890) has a lot of big windows. It's one of my favorite things about my home. In spring and summer, early fall, we begin the day by opening all the windows, letting in natural light and fresh air.

When we first moved in, we thought, how will we live without an air conditioner? But after a few years of living here, I've realized why nobody has bothered to install an A/C unit--it's the windows. It also doesn't hurt we are surrounded by some massive shade trees on two sides. In the summer, it gets warm inside our house (okay, sometimes sweltering, but only when I'm cooking), but I'm not convinced it's a bad thing. Somehow people managed without A/C units for millenia, I figure we can too.

This morning was so nice Joseph and the kids spent it playing cards in the front yard. One of their favorite games is Whack-a-mole.

My daffodils have begun to bloom. Only about a week or two of their loveliness and then they're gone.

This morning I had baby food for breakfast.

Salem, was never crazy about it so we have some leftover jars. I've discovered baby food has some great uses and I've figured out different ways of incorporating it into my dishes (another recipe using baby food, here).

Here's breakfast:

Baby food (squash), oatmeal (you know how much I love the stuff), strawberries, and a little brown sugar & cinnamon.

I used one cup old-fashioned oats, one jar baby food, and one cup strawberries. Plus bit of brown sugar it's about 425 calories and very filling. When a food has a lot of volume/weight and is low in calories, this is called a calorie-dilute food. These foods (all vegetables, fruits, and some starches, like squash and cooked oatmeal), are important because they help you naturally control or lose weight as needed. The fiber, water, and weight help signal to the brain that you're getting what you need without the excess calories. Nice, huh? (Want more calorie-dilute meal ideas? Go here.)

And of course, we've had piles of laundry to do. Which, leave it to my super-hero husband, he washed, folded, and put away all of this, so we can enjoy a laundry-free weekend (hope you can too!).

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