Good morning everyone! Welcome to a new week 
I had my first brush with “I-don’t-want-to-get-out-of-the-shower-because-it’s-friggin’-cold-out-there-and-I-know-I’ll-freeze” syndrome today. It was 52 degrees during my morning Mom walk, and tomorrow it’s supposed to be in the 40’s – eep! What are the current temps where you live?
To warm up, I whipped up something NEW for breakfast today – Toasted Honey Wheat Bagels with Pumpkin Cream Cheese. Can you believe all this pumpkin? Who am I? Hey, my plate is totally smiling at me!
I toasted up a honey wheat bagel and topped it with some cream cheese that I combined with a TON of pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and a dash of powdered sugar.
FYI – I LOVE BAGELS! For years I was unable to eat them because they almost made me feel sick. Too much gluten? Too many carbs? I can’t tell you what it was, but I’m so glad to be back on the bagel train, baby.
Hot and chewy with a creamy, pumpkin spread – dy-no-mite. I also packed a banana…standard
Lunch was inspired by these beauties – Baby Heirloom Tomatoes. Aren’t they gorgeous??
I used them to to create a Tomato Lovers Salad.
In the mix:
- Mixed Greens
- Celery
- Carrots
- Baby Heirloom Tomatoes
- Parmesan Asiago Balsamic Vinaigrette
Also making the lunch cut – Pomegranate Blueberry Yogo. Should be fab
In other news, I found an article the other day titled: World’s Ten Safest Countries to Visit. In a chaotic world, sometimes it’s tough to imagine leaving home far behind and traveling to a different country. Fear not, the Global Peace Index has deemed these countries as the top 10 safest to visit:
10. Slovenia
9. Finland
8. Canada
7. Japan
6. Sweden
5. Austria
4. Iceland
3. Norway
2. Denmark
1. New Zealand
Have you ever been to or lived in one of these countries? If not, which one would you like to head on over to?
When I lived in Japan for a summer in college, someone told me that there’s an outrageously small number of wallets/purses that are lost or stolen every year and aren’t returned – like 5. FIVE…in the entire country. Can you imagine?! I love Japan!
Packing my bag to hit up the gym after work – are you getting any exercise in today?
Have a great day back everyone!
Good morning for you, goodnight for me- I’m tuning in from Japan, where I was hired to teach for a year. Your list doesn’t surprise me- Japan is super safe, and guess what…I had my wallet lost and it was returned
I love it here! Oh and last year I was in New Zealand. By far- my favorite. place. ever. If you ever wanna visit your wild side, go to Queenstown- Skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning. I would move there if I could. Hope you have a fabulous day! I’m off to bed!
I was accepted into the JET Program, which seriously, if you have any questions or interest, I can tell you all about it! I came here not knowing a lick of Japanese, was placed in a small, rural town with no English speaking people, and no other ALT’s (assistant language teachers)- luckily I have a nearby train station to go to other cities. But it’s all a part of the experience anyway- many bumps along the way- but totally worth it (oh and I still don’t know any Japanese :-/ – oops)
It’s 58°F here.
I’ve been to Canada, Sweden, and Austria. I’d love to visit Norway and Denmark!
I’ve been to Canada and Denmark. Both lovely countries. I used to live only about a 2 hour drive from Canada so it was a regular trip. The Falls were beautiful. I would love to go visit New Zealand. Anything on that half of the world is awesome to me.
I made pumpkin pie oatmeal this morning! I bought can of Pumpking at WF on saturday (holy expensive batman) and made delicious oats today. Now I know I need to get to BJ’s and buy the large 3 can pack. Pumpkin is back!
I would love to live in Norway, where my family is from, I love exploring new countries!
I love bagels too, so hearty and some fun toppings!
I can’t find pumpkin on this side of Iowa anywhere:( And it’s 47 degrees here.
I would love to run outside today but not if it’s going to be a windy as yesterday!
It’s all of 52 here, and I’m THRILLED about it! I love fall… but i’d be happier if it were sunny!
I’d LOVE to visit Japan
One of my coworkers went to Iceland on his honeymoon. I thought that was odd, until I saw the beautiful pictures he posted on facebook. now I want to go.
Those bagels w/ pumpkin spread look awesome!!
I lived in Sweden for 2 years and they are right, it is a very safe country. My husband and I didn’t have a car so I walked everywhere- even alone at night.. without feeling threatened at all. Every one leaves their doors unlocked and they don’t think twice about it. If some one is kidnapped it makes the national news.
Let’s just say it was a reality check when we moved back to the states in January. I am here to finish my university studies and then I am moving straight back to Sweden. Not to put down the US or anything, I grew up here but for children.. Sweden is so much safer.
Those bagels look delish!! I am lovin’ all the pumpkin concoctions!
Well, it’s supposed to be 90 degrees today, down here in south Texas … consider yourself blessed that you have a fall! The closest we get to fall is well …. um pumpkin spiced items – so I’m definitely going to whip up some of your yummy bagel topping! Thanks!
ahhhh my morning walk to work was so glorious – like it signaled the beginning of fall for me. i think it was like 52 degrees or something.
i want to visit ALL of those – perhaps slovenia and new zealand the most! have a good day lady!
I heard we are going to have our first frost this week! I’m afraid! I don’t do cold… and I totally get that syndrome you suffered from this morning.
Never been to those countries, but I’ve met at least one person (if not more) from each of them. New Zealand would be my pick to visit.
Going to do Jillian Michaels Shred when I get home because I have a lot of homework to do tonight, so 20 minutes is better than nothing
Sidenote- On my way into my office today, a car in our lot had an Iowa Hawkeye sticker on it! Totally made me think of you!
Yum! I love eating toast with a layer of cream cheese followed by a layer of trader joe’s pumpkin butter. Hello, fall
yum! where do you find pumpkin cream cheese? I love any kinda of cream cheese. Is it only at trader joes??
It’s cold here too!! …and it was like the hottest day of summer just a few days ago. BOO! I live in Canada – the murder capital of Canada!! I live in a very safe neighborhood – but not all of Canada is safe. Japan on the other hand… If you’re on facebook, you have to check out the group: ‘Nobody Sleeps Like The Japanese Do’ – hilarious – it’s a wonder that so little theft occurs when it seems like it would be so easy! People are so polite and nice there – I can’t wait to go back!
Holy Moly! Pumpkin Cream Cheese sounds fantastic!! Great discovery!! I have never lived or visited any of those countries but would love to go to New Zealand!! Temps here are supposed to be around 80 but in the 70′s the rest of the week! Yeah!!
Your pumpkin cream cheese is such a pretty color!
It was pretty cool here this morning. I heard on the radio that tomorrow at this time it’s supposed to be in the 40′s. Yikes!
I’ve been to Canada a few times. Of the others on the list I would love to visit Japan!
Mmmm, pumpkin cream cheese? That sounds incredible!
I’ve been to Canada, but that’s it. I’d love to go to any of the others! And yep, I’ve got a Jump + Pump class (plyometrics and resistance training), Kick N’ Jab class (kickboxing), and a “Hard Core” abs class tonight. I gotta make up for the classes I missed this weekend for the fitness challenge. ha!
Off the list I have been to…..
8. Canada
7. Japan
2. Denmark
Interesting about the countries! I’ve been to these countries and loved Japan probably the best – so clean, so much history and the has the BEST custard in the whole world!!!!
Looks like you caught the pumpkin/cream cheese bug too! I am obsessed with that combo haha
This morning in VA I woke up to low 60′s and the forecast is for 81 today… still warm here but def seein’ the weather start to change. I have a yoga sesh at home planned after work… I can’t wait!
Awesome cream cheese concoction. Lovin me anything pumpkin and fall spicy right now!
If I ever have the opportunity to go to New Zealand, I am going! I want to go there so bad!
I’ve been to 14 or 15 countries, but of the list you posted, just Canada and Austria. Ironically, all of the windows were smashed out of my rental car in Canada in a robbery attempt, and my purse (containing passport, cash and credit cards) was stolen in Austria. I hadn’t been careless in either instance – you can’t always prevent these things – and the authorities in both countries were less than helpful. Fortunately, a woman in Vienna found my purse a few days later in a telephone booth across town (only the cash was missing) and called the embassy, and my roommate was able to lend me enough money to stay in a hotel until I had my travel documents in order and could return to Prague.
Pumpkin cream cheese sounds divine. I am eating Blue Bunny Pomegranate Cherry as we speak!
I have been to Austria, and it is fabulous! Never felt unsafe – even on desolate streets in downtown Vienna. It’s gorgeous!
I exercised bright and early this morning!
I am digging all that pumpkin flava! One of my favorite things about the fall
Your tomatoes are SO gorgeous! Love that pic!
I got a new bike this weekend & haven’t had a chance to try it out yet. Was so excited to go for a ride tonight, but it’s REALLY windy out there!
Maybe it will calm down by 5. Otherwise I will definitely get a walk in.
Yay – I have to say I’m super excited that Canada made the list! I love my country!
That pumpkin cream cheese looks DELISH! All the food on your blog always looks SOOO good it makes my mouth water!
I am so upset, I cannot find Pumpkin Cream Cheese here yet in Florida……..=( Einstein Bagel is supposed to have it in on the 30th though, thank gosh, I am craving it so badly! WOW, 52 degrees, I wish……it is supposed to be in the UPPER 90′s here in Florida today. I wish FALL would arrive soon here.
~Laura @ Finding A Healthy Balance
its chilly here (in canada) too! Its still bright and SUNNY!! but supa windy.
nothing hardcore though.
I am planning a work out today
your bagel looks super
Chilly and windy here in central MO, too, and I’m loving it! The wind made my 1.5 mi walk/3.5 mi run (pushing my 2-yr-old in the jogger) a bit challenging this morning, however! Going out felt super-fast, coming back, not so much.
That pumpkin cream cheese sounds delish, definitely going to have to try that out. LOVE pumpkin pie!
The only country I’ve visited outside the US is Canada (Quebec to be specific). It was gorgeous – I loved the European feel of Quebec City.
I’ve lived in Denmark. It is very safe… and very happy! I <3 Denmark and am so proud to say I'm part Danish (the other half is Lebanese).
Pumpkin Cream Cheese is such a brilliant idea! I need to bring this concept back into my life.
What kind of bagels are you having these days? I think my favorite supermarket bagel is Thomas Whole Wheat but I just saw they now have Apple Cinnamon Bagels in their new seasonal flavor that I must try. How perfect for fall?
Hope you have a fantastic Monday girl!
I lived in New Zealand for four months during my third year in college, and I loved EVERY SINGLE minute of it! Certainly the “adventure capital of the world.” I did everything from bungee to cave-diving. Wonderful! I’m not surprised it received the #1 spot. People there are so incredibly friendly, and really it’s just a very clean, crime-free country all around. Bad things just didn’t seem to happen too often; lost dogs make the news!
There is a serious pumpkin shortage in Ohio…NONE of the stores have pumpkin puree!! I did find Pumpkin Butter at TJ’s….AMAZING! I’ve had it on toast, in yogurt, in pancakes…so good.
I’ve only been to Cananda and the part I visited was ickey. I do want to see the world though…maybe one day!~
No exercise so far today…slept in! Whoops! Maybe tonight…maybe not!
Hello lovely lady! I’m not gonna lie, it looks like you spread mustard on your bagel! Ha ha. I am on the bagel train to – love them!
I have been to New Zealand and Denmark of that list and loved both! I would LOVE to go to Slovenia and Finland.
I failed massively and forgot my wallet today so I can’t go to the yoga class I packed my bag for
so sad. I’m gonna do some at-home yoga instead but it’s so not the same!!
baby heirloom tomatoes?! yummm!!!!
i spent the summer in austria once, and i loved it! i’m surprised switzerland is not on this list, too….i visited Interlaken, Switzerland one weekend, and i felt extremely safe there — everyone was really nice and friendly, it was the cleanest city i’ve ever seen, and there are police that patrol the streets at night to enforce a quiet after 10 pm rule. it’s funny to me that new zealand is #1 b/c i had a friend spend a summer there working and staying in a hostel, and he got all his $ stolen the week before he left! despite that, i really really want to go to new zealand sometime!
i would love to go to New Zealand (my best friend spent a semester there just this past winter semester) and she loved it! i would totally love to go to japan as well! I hope one day i’ll be able to embark on my travel wishes!
The tomato salad looks awesome. i have a ton of home grown tomatoes just waiting to be used!
Hi everyone. I live in New Zealand, it’s a great country. The climate is great, you can go to the beach in the summer, and ski on the mountains in the winter. New Zealand has the best of both worlds! If you can visit, I would, it’s truly an experience worth taking.