T-G-I-F! 
Did you catch the UNI vs UNLV game last night? How ’bout them Panthers?! UNI’s my alma mater and I was a very proud alumna after a wicked 3-pointer won the game with mere seconds left on the clock! Do you get into the NCAA tournament? I don’t really, but Ben has alllll of his brackets filled out, and the sports bar we went to last night was just jam packed with tables full of guys. You know? Love it. 
Well, earlier this week I promised you OIAJ for breakfast, so I give to you… Oats in a Jar for breakfast! 
In the mix:
- 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 banana
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
- nearly empty almond butter jar!
Oats in a Jar is pretty much my favorite thing ever. The hot oats melt the last little scrapes of almond butter inside the jar – it’s Heaven!
One thing about OIAJ is that they stay piping hot so, since my oats didn’t fill the jar all the way to the top to melt allll the almond butter, I popped the lid on to steam melt it. Muwahaha! I will be devouring it at work in about 15 minutes. Some people take briefcases to work. I take OIAJ. It works.
For lunch I’m packing some leftover Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi and a big Salad!
You have GOT to try making these gnocchi! The hint of cinnamon in the dough mixed with the garlic butter they’re sautéed in is unmatched. 5 gold stars. SO GOOD!
I thought a little veggies in my life would be nice too. In the mix:
- Mixed greens
- Spinach
- Celery
- Carrots
- Peanuts!
- Dried cranberries
40 Day Challenge Update
Believe it or not, we have completed 30 Days of the 40 Day/20 Minute Movement Challenge! The time has completely flown by and I’m astonished that I have exercised for it least 20 minutes a day for 30 days straight. I feel better – I really do. How are my other challengers doing?
Call for Recipes!
Just a couple days left to send me one of your favorite recipes to post while I’m in New Orleans! Blog or no blog – send ‘em on over!
Time to get this show on the road. I think I might stop for a Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte at Starby’s. I’ve recently rekindled my love – they’re really good! The other day I was thinking about all the combinations of drinks you could get at a coffee shop. Skim milk, whole milk, soy milk, foam, no foam, whip, no whip, 2 shots, one shot, hot, iced, blended…I bet there are close to a million combinations. Wouldn’t it be fun to attempt to try them all?! This effort would have to be funded by a higher power though…think of how expensive it would be!! 
Something to ponder…
Have a FAB FRIDAY!
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Do you like to try new dishes at restaurants you go to a lot? Or do you force yourself to try new things?
I’m totally guilty of being a repeat dish offender at restaurants. When you know how good something is, it’s hard to resist getting it again!
It really depends on the cuisine… if its a place that has unique dishes along with favorites, then i’ll try a new one. Some things though, like Mexican, i have to try the same thing at all the places i go!
It totally depends…sometimes meals are just too good. I don’t want to try something new and hate it. But then again, I love trying new things!
I love trying new dishes at restaraunts! I’m also guilty of taking pictures of my food, especially when in a new place! So much fun!
I actually just tried the Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte, and it’s very tasty! I love that it’s so light, compared to what I used to order from there!
Have a lovely weekend!
I’m very guilty of being a repeat dish offender!
I’m also totally into the NCAA tourney…my fav sports event of the year!!
GO KANSAS JAYHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Usually, NO. I get something different. But on occasion, yes yes i am. Like last night for example. This great sub shop in my neighborhooed has so many sandwiches to choose from and I always get the chicken salad because I had it the first time I went in! I know its good, I CRAVE it and no other sandwich will do!
I almost always try new things at restaurants, but stick to the same meals at home, it seems!
Everyone knows I am powerless against Asian salads–if a restaurant has it, I will order it. Love the ones at Panera and Granite City. I also have a tendency to always order pad thai, even though everything on the menu at most Thai places looks amazing.
I do need to branch out more.
Starbucks for me is a splurge and/or must-have for early morning road trips. I usually go for a sugar-free caramel machiatto.
I love trying new things at restaurants – LOVE it! But if there’s something I absolutely adore, I will of course have it again (and again!)
Congrats on your challenge! Amazing!
OIAJ – Best thing EVER! AND i’m obsessed with that almond butter. The pinch of sea salt makes all the difference in the world!
And you are so right about the coffee. I would SO do it if I had someone to pay for it. Because my little salary cannot support that kind of hobby
There are certain places where I always get the same thing, just because it’s SO good. But I like to try new things.
I love to try new things! But some things are so good they have to be repeated
I usually try something different when I go out – something I wouldn’t normally make at home.
Cooking at home though, I am the WORST about repeating the same things over and over. I know what I like and what I am better at making!
Once I find something I really like..I tend to O.D. on it until I’m totally tired of it. Then I’m forced to try something new
I am always the one to stick to what I know and love. It is difficult ordering a new dish when i KNOW for a fact how good and delicious a specific dish is. The times that I decided to be adventurous and order something else, I always end up disappointed and telling myself I should have stuck with what I knew! Happy Friday
I go back and forth between being a repeat offender and being adventurous. I know I like things but we don’t eat out that often so I try to change it up sometimes. Depends on my mood.
I think I’m going to attempt that gnocchi on Sunday after my half marathon – they sound too good to miss!!
I have favourite dishes at restaurants, but I’m starting to branch out more, cos when I have in the past, I’ve discovered amazing new stuff! I never thought I liked creamy sauces, til I had a salmon one, and now I think they’re delish
Have a great day!
(OMG at your OIAJ – YUM!)
I do try to go out of my comfort zone and try new things at restaurants, but if I go there craving my favorite dish it’s hard to try something new!
I’m so excited…I’m trying OIAJ tomorrow!!
I had oats this morning too. And your gnocchi looks amazing, I think I just might have to try making some now. I know you like Pure Bars alot, so you should look at the homemade one’s my sis and I made yesterday.
Repeat dish, all the way! I know exactly what I want to order when I sit down in a restaurant I’ve been to before. Don’t even need to look at the menu.
Recently I’ve started making myself at least look at the menu to see if any new dishes are mentioned. But I still usually order the same thing I always get!
Drives my husband crazy:)
I totally watched your Panthers win last night {great game!}, and I told my husband, “that’s IowaGirl’s school!”…is that weird? We’re huge March Madness fans. Go Kansas!! {sorry}
I’m a repeat dish offender. On occasion I’ll try something new, but usually I stick to what I know!
40 day challenge, I’m doing okay. I have to admit that I’ve missed some days, but overall I’ve been consistent at working out 4-5 days a week, which is much better than my previous record!
Happy Friday!
I LOVE skinny cinnnamon dolce lattes!!!!!!!!! They are the best!!! Have a great weekend!!!!
I usually get way into the NCAA tourney–but this year I forgot to fill out a bracket! Oops.
I am totally a repeat type of girl at restaurants–I know what I like!
I’m guilty of pretty much ordering the same thing over & over again! But once in a while I nudge myself out of my comfort zone & try something different. Like the Chicken Enchiladas at Tasty Tacos. I always get a flour taco w/sour cream every time….but I kept hearing people ahead of me in line ordering the chx enchiladas…so I tried one. OMG! So plain & simple yet SO DARN GOOD! Squirt a line of their homemade salsa/hot sauce on there & ENJOY!
I Love March Madness!!! things have been going a little crazy this year, though. I always try to order new things, but there are certain restaurants where I just know what I love and I can’t get away from the usual suspects! Have a great weekend!