See all that dryness? Heather reported a similar condition when she was on a low-fat diet, but I don’t think that’s my problem! I always have pretty dry skin on my legs, but my hands are usually nice and moisturized. It’s quite the conundrum!
Yesterday Ari had to get up early to run an errand, and although I myself didn’t have to wake up for a few hours, I couldn’t fall back asleep. So, muscles still aching, I gingerly made my way to the kitchen to make some coffee and breakfast. My oatmeal was inspired by Janetha’s Mighty Maple Chocolate Protein Oats:
I took the easy road and made it in the microwave. It still works! First I combined the oats with 1/2 cup water and 3 T liquid egg whites. I microwaved them for 30 seconds, stirred, and mixed in 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, and stirred again. I microwaved the bowl for an additional 40 seconds, then added cinnamon, stevia, a splash of almond butter, and 1 tablespoon of Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter (which I have rediscovered, and love again).
Honestly, I didn’t think the egg white + protein combo would make the oatmeal taste very good (sorry Janetha!) but it was quite tasty! It also kept me full for quite some time.
Two hours after breakfast, I went to the gym for a 20 minute HIIT workout… and I thought I was going to throw up. Breakfast and coffee was sloshing around in my stomach, and I had to walk the last two minutes (at an incline) so I wouldn’t get sick all over the gym. Not pretty! When I can, I like to work out before breakfast, for precisely this reason!
When I got home, I wasn’t hungry yet but I had to be at work at 12 and knew I couldn’t wait until my break to eat a real lunch. So I made a big salad.
- two handfuls spinach
- 1/2 sliced cucumber
- handful baby carrots
- ratatouille
- chopped Boca burger
- cottage cheese
- lemon juice
This was one of the only times (I can count the occurrences on one hand) where I haven’t been able to finish my lunch. I was just too full! Of course, as soon as I got to work I was hungry again, so I had a Kashi TLC bar. Crunch.
When break-time came at 3, I was seriously dragging. I’m usually loath to have coffee after 3 (I have a history of troubled sleep), but it was necessary. Instead of just chugging a cup of coffee, I blended a packet of Starbucks Via instant brew (which I received as a sample months ago) into a delicious smoothie.
Banana-Coffee Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1/2 small banana
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1.5 T PB2, or peanut flour
- 1 c. almond milk
- 1 packet Starbucks Via instant brew
- 3 ice cubes
Blend until smooth, and enjoy clarity and alertness for the next several hours 
And try not to break your glass.
I worked until 9, and spent almost two hours trying to surreptitiously munch on a sliced Granny Smith apple and diced Babybel cheese. It’s not easy to do without customers noticing!
When I got home, I quickly whipped up a batch of Tomatoey Spiced Chickpeas, which I poured over a serving of Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend. I also enjoyed the last of the sautéed broccolini.
Two episodes of True Blood later, I was dead to the world. It’s so nice to be able to fall asleep easily again. I like a day that wears me out!
Do you have trouble sleeping? How do you combat it? Do you take sleep aids, practice yoga, read in bed, etc.?
Mmm, that smoothie sounds perfect! My hands are always dry since I wash my hands like a thousand times a day. The only thing that has ever really helped my hands is Aveda’s hand creme. I need to buy some more asap!
I usually sleep pretty well, unless I’ve had caffeine late in the day, or have a lot on my mind. Just this week I’ve started to turn my computer off at 9:00pm, because I find that being in front of a screen right before going to bed keeps my mind going for a while. Reading helps me sleep.
Great idea to add instant coffee to a smoothie. I’ve been craving iced coffee lately, so maybe I’ll try something like that instead.
So sorry that you broke your glass, oh no!
I am notorious for not sleeping right, but I have found that yoga and reading a book before bed are best.
Okay… so first thing I noticed is that ring on your finger. It seems to be on your left hand? I’m confess I’m a somewhat new blog follower of yours, but… are you engaged? Did I miss this?
I normally fall asleep easily but every once in a while I can’t. I try not to have too much caffeine later in the day. I try listening to really soothing music like stuff my parents would play for me when I was a kid.
Beautiful dinner! Chickpeas and broccoli-esque veg? Yes, please!
I suck at sleep… can’t help you there, sorry!!
As for your hands, that happens to me a lot. The only thing that’s ever worked is Neutrogena Body Emulsion… which, of course, has been discontinued. (Well, not discontinued, but changed / renamed, and now it’s not the same.)
<3 <3
I have major issues with sleeping and usually just toss and turn and silently yell at myself to shut my brain off, which causes my brain to race even faster – it’s a vicious cycle.
Love the ring
gahhh your broken glass reminds me that my favorite bowl just broke
tear. now i need a new huge bowl for salads! and you need a new classy coffee shake glass!
seriously that’s one of the main reasons i never workout later in the day because it makes me SICK! so i totes understand your pukeage status!
you sneaky girl with your baby bells & apple slices.
OMG when I first saw the pic of your hand I thought you were pointing out the ring and that you had got engaged!
We need to get together ASAP and grab some The Lite Choice:)
I am a very good sleeper, I mean VERY good. However, if I have trouble sleeping one night I’ll hold off on the caffeine the next day and then work out. It works like crazy.
I also can’t work out with anything in my stomach! I have to have a good four or five hours since eating before working out. Morning would be ideal but I get up so early for work (5:50) that I generally do my work out afterwards.
Hey girlfrand!1
blah i HATE when i have trouble sleeping!!! I usually sleep LIKE A BABY THO!!
I cant NOT work out w.out food! I can go running atleast an hour after a big ole bowl of oats! my stomach can handle alot for some reason!
that smoothie looks delicious! Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep. What helps is reading before bed and doing some yoga-like deep breathing.
like Avery I noticed the ring and not the dry skin…ha ha!!!!
sometimes if I cant sleep I get out of bed for 15 min or so….read….look at a magazine…no computer (the screen is too bright) than try to sleep again……oh and milk is supposed to help…ever try warm milk before bed….sleep just like a baby
good night
Beth
ps like Kelly the yoga like deep breathing helps…along with muscle contraction and release over your whole body…part by part
Okay, that’s very weird because the same thing is happening to my hands as of late! Does the place you work have air conditioning? That might be what’s taking the moisture away. Other than that, maybe it’s because you need to consume more water? I’m not too sure . . .
I’m sorry for your broken glass by the way. D;
I usually take the OTC sleep aids. Not good, but better than not sleeping. Sometimes I STILL can’t sleep (like last night) because of our G-damn upstairs neighbors who apparently, don’t like to sleep on weekends! >:(
So sorry about the dry hands, but honestly mine were just liked that until I starting eating a good deal more fat. Once I switched my focus from protein to fat, the dry skin went away almost immediately. It was wild!
So glad you’re sleeping better these days as I am a huge fan of sleep. I’ve never had too much trouble in the past, but I have discovered that I sleep much better with some food on my belly, namely carbs. So, I’ll usually eat a bowl of oatmeal with nut butter or a baked sweet potato post dinner. That “no eating 3 hours prior to bed” never worked for me. Carbs = sleep coma for me, and I love it!
Hope you have a good week, and that you’re not too sore from your HIIT workout yesterday!