I decided to try something new today!
Instead of eating all of my breakfast in one sitting, and all of my lunch in one sitting, I spaced everything out throughout the day:
- 8am: 1/2 a cantaloupe
- 10am: Mango Chobani Greek Yogurt (pretend that’s Chobani in the pic)
- Noon: mixed greens salad
- 2pm: string cheese
- 3:30pm: Pink Lady apple
I LOVED this schedule. It felt like every time I looked at the clock, it was time to eat – my dream come true! 
Honestly, I tried this out because lately I’ve been snacking more while preparing dinner, and I thought keeping a sustained blood sugar level throughout the day would help. It really did. I never got to the point of being too hungry and, as an added perk, it actually made the day go by faster because I had something to look forward to!
Do you prefer to spread your meals/snacks out throughout the day, or do you like to sit down to three square meals a day?
After work, with just the right amount of food in my belly, I hit the trail for a 4 mile run amongst the beautiful crabapple trees that are blooming all over the city. The sweet & flowery fragrance is all I smell when I step outside!
I hauled on the first half, as I didn’t want to get passed by the older gentleman nipping at my heels, and brought it in easy on the second. I couldn’t be less competitive when it comes to organized sports (except flippy cup, obvi) but I HATE getting passed when I’m running!
I zipped through this calisthenics routine x3 when I got home:
- 15 jumping jacks
- 15 push ups
- 15 dips (I use the edge of a stair or the fireplace)
- 25 squats
- 25 sit ups
Fabu!
BTW – even though I just got back into yoga recently, I can already tell how it’s positively affecting my other fitness endeavors. For example, I remembered what my core yoga teacher said about engaging your entire body when in the plank pose, which translates to squeeze your buns, thighs and abs when doing pushups. Try doing a pushup when you’re not squeezing your muscles tight. Now try it with them tightened.
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
It’s SO much easier, right?!
At any rate, in the spirit of trying new things, I tried something new from Trader Joe’s tonight and it was…not good. It was not good at all! Curry Chicken Jerky Tenders.
I was SO jazzed when I spied these at TJ’s last weekend.
I adore curry, and have really liked all the Trader Joe’s Indian-flavored dishes I’ve tried so far, but the day after I bought these babies I read some pretty terrible reviews online. Inedible! Little salt licks! What was TJ’s thinking?! They all seemed to say.
Indeed, when I inspected the nutrition label a bit further, I found that 4 measly oz of chicken took up 35% of my DV of sodium. Eeeeek. 
The good thing was the package came FULL of chicken tenders. I counted 14 in all. Definitely enough to feed a family of 4.
The bad thing was that the reviews were true.
These were terrible. Insanely salty!
I thought maybe a bath in some vegetable broth and water might help.
Maybe it’ll wash off some of the salt! I thought to myself.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
In addition to being extremely salty, the flavor was just not that great either! I had two bites and flicked the tenders off the mountain of goodness underneath.
Freshly steamed broccoli,
and brown basmati rice.
Trader Joe’s redeemed themselves slightly with this one!
Long, tender, delicate – and brown! I’ve never seen brown basmati before!
Plus it came in a resalable package which I totally appreciate. All my rice bags are either precariously shut with an old twist tie, or spun shut then stored upside down so the top doesn’t come undone.
You know what I mean. 
Ok, it’s time for the grade:
Chicken Curry Tenders: 0. Inedible. I don’t know how TJ’s let this one slip!
Brown Basmati Rice: 10! Unique and delicious. Plus it comes in a super convenient package – whee!
And with that, I’m off to drink copious amounts of water. Just a few bites of that chicken has already given me a bit of a headache. Gross!
I’ll also need to dig around the kitchen to find something to fill me up..like maybe some of these babies…
That is not an illusion – Ben and I have eaten nearly 3/4 of our container of Animal Crackers in less than a week. They are A-mazing!
Sweet, but not too sweet. Although filled with many unidentifiable animals. What…is…this?!
Goodnight!
~~~~~
What’s the last new thing you tried?
The last new thing I tried was Noosa Yoghurt. I’m so glad I did too, because it tastes like cheesecake without all the fat & calories – FTW!
Wow good to know about those tenders! What was Joe thinking? So unlike him!
Its a cat! With utters?
oops… I mean “udders”
That is EXACTLY what I was thinking!
Haha, exactly what I was thinking !
Me three! Too funny! I was like, “Surely those aren’t…”
LOL now i am worried cause when I tried them I didnt notice they were super salty…
Dang that stinks about the tenders!
I definitely like to spread my meals out throughout the day. At my old job, I would eat a bowl of cereal at home, then eat a hard-boiled egg when I got to work, then yogurt around 10! Now, I’m too busy to eat in phases (I do therapy with kids so I’m not at my desk a lot some days), but I do prefer to eat throughout the day!
I went from larg meals to more frequent, smaller ones and noticed a HUGE difference. Much less cranky since I get to “indulge” in my favorite hobby… eating!
I like that idea of eating all day! I am gonna try this out next week!!!
i think i wanna try that eating all day thing. my only problem is that i tend to over eat those mini meals and end up eating many regular meals!!! YIKES!
i space out my meals all the time, i sit at my desk for 8 hours so i get bored sometimes and eat snacks
the last new thing was organic free range eggs, and they really do taste different! a much more “animaly” flavor…
I always think I will like eating throughout the day, but I find I’m never full and always snacky. I do better with full meals
I always have breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and then dinner (and dessert). Keeps my blood sugar stable throughout the day and like you said, gives me something to look forward to. Also keeps me from overeating at meals from being sooo hungry!
ps. I love animal crackers and want to reach my hand in that container asap!
I don’t spread out my meals per se but I DO make sure I eat around the clock (planned snacks between meals, etc.) I don’t know how people eat 3 meals a day (or less?!)
I just have to say that your past few posts have had me cracking up — the spray bottle for the run, the flippy cup comment and the chicken in broth are fabulous
Oh my goodness, too funny you posted this, I bought pre-marinated meat from TJ’s a year or so ago and it was terrible!!! I threw it out, so salty and awful, ugh. Glad I’m not the only one who felt like that! But sorry you had a bad dinner bc of it
That’s funny, I’ve had the curry chicken and liked it. Although I haven’t had it in at least a year… so maybe the QA went to heck?!
So jealous of your eating schedule! I work at a preschool from 9-2 every day, and have no actual break… I am technically allowed to partake in the hot lunch I serve the kiddos, but… *shudder* No, thank you! I usually snag a little piece of fruit or bread from that around 11:30, however, but otherwise, I have a bowl of cereal, fruit, and nuts around 7 AM, sometimes saving the fruit or nuts for my drive, and have to wait till I’m home at 2:30 to eat again. Far from ideal, that’s for sure!
I see you are also a TJs-aholic…have you tried the dried pineapple? It’s amazing! We call it pineapple jerky!
I haven’t! I get a little crazy around dried fruit – as in, I can’t stop eating it once I start – so I try and only buy it on rare occasions. I’ll have to pick it up sometime though!
NEver seen brown basmati, either?! And I love that it comes in a great package! NICE! I like to spread out my food as well.
My husband and I just roll bags of that brown basmati rice – it’s so good!
Love that eating plan! I am going to try that. I usually eat at 7am, 2pm, and 8pm – but I get SUPER SNACKY around 4:30pm. I will try your morning schedule.
Glad to hear about the rice; sorry to hear about the icky-chicky. Yuck.
Lately I’ve been eating grass-fed beef snack sticks from Wallace Farms (http://wallacefarms.com), and they sustain me during snack time. They’re low in fat and only contain natural ingredients with the added bonus of them being humanely raised, grass-fed yummyness. They also have pasture raised turkey sticks.
Other than that, I tend to eat lots of beans at lunchtime which sustains me until dinner.
I like to eat my meals more spaced out- I love my snacks
The last new thing I tried was tempeh!
Great site! I just stumbled across you this afternoon and have been browsing ever since.
I spread my later day meals out like that. My mornings are pretty busy with gym time, errands and homeschooling, so I do better with a large-ish morning meal + post-workout shake.
I’m so jealous of your TJ’s! I’m in Southern Louisiana and we don’t have them in the state! It should be a crime.
I hate when things are too salty because I usually wake up all night long feeling incredibly thirsty. Doesn’t make for a good night’s sleep.
Today I actually tried to space out my meals and snacks too, because I’ve become quite the snacker and it shows. Which is obviously not good. Trying to get back into good eating habits when you get out of them is tough. :-/
I am currently obsessed with the mini crunchy oatmeal raisin cookies from TJ’s. They are so good, and you get, like, 15 of them for less than 150 cals. Those buckets of cookies are the best, I will have to try the animal crackers next!
Those buckets will be the death of me – I LOVE THEM! Definitely not over my addiction of the mini chocolate chip cookies, but looking forward to trying the oatmeal choco chip ones too!
That’s the same rice that I buy but somehow you’ve cooked yours so that it looks like real rice…mine becomes a sticky mass and I always sear half of it to the bottom of the pot. What’s your rice-cooking method?
I always use a 2-to-1 ratio of water to rice. I let the water come to a boil, add the rice, put on a tight fitting lid, then lower the heat down to med-low. Let it cook for about 15 minutes (for one serving,) or until you don’t see any water left when you look inside the lid. Perfect every time! You can also sneak tastes when you think it’s ready – to see if the kernels are cooked.
Count me as one of the few who can’t eat 6 mini meals. I usually have my breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and supper. Granted, I may grab a little something here or there (one pb mini tonight after supper, for example) but usually I stick to that schedule. I find that the whole “eating all day” turns into “binging all day” for me.
The last new things I tried were Target brand (Archer Farms) trail mixes – the blueberry antioxidant one and the coffee/chocolate one – they were fantastic and delicious!!!
The last new thing was plain greek yogurt with honey and granola. Love it.
I always space things out when I eat. Its mostly like snacking all day!
Where is your new website???
Coming this month!!
Can’t wait to see your new site, give us a sneak peek!!!
And don’t you just love brown basmati?? My most fave, but it takes forever to cook, like an hour. At least my organic brand did! ;-(
Okay, in Germany they make everything with curry! Currywurst, french fries, schnitzel…I do not like it! Give me ketchup instead.
The latest new thing I tried: Pepperidge Farms Captiva chocolate brownie cookies. I never buy packaged cookies, this was a total whim. They totally suck. 
Maybe that means I won’t eat so many of them!!
When I’m counting calories I very much space out several small meals like you did. When I’m not, I eat whenever I feel like it……hehe.
I’m definitely a grazer! I never see anyone at work eating, but I’m constantly nibbling on something.
I recently switched over to 5-6 mini meals a day and I have lost over 40lbs since last July. Along with a steady exercise routine and picking out healthier food options, I’m sure this way of eating has contributed to my success. It def keeps your energy steady throughout the day and I think more physically prepared for workouts. The last new thing I tried was plain greek yogurt with cinnamon and PB2 (powdered PB w 85% less cal).
I eat like this too (as of lately) and I really love it! I love eating mini meals throughout the day because I’m never starving and i’ve noticed im actually in a better mood throughout the day. I try to eat 5-6 mini meals all day, I think it really works. Thanks for sharing this!
Sorry about the chicken tenders! I hate when that happens especially if a product is expensive! I’m glad to know that the Basmati Rice is good! I have never tried Basmati rice. I like the packaging that it comes in!
The last new thing I tried was a Healthy Choice frozen entree for lunch yesterday. It was the Portabella Risotto. I have to say that it was pretty good!
Holy Cow!!!! Did you read that Whole Foods is coming to Des Moines! That is awesome
My boss told me that – I’m freaking!!!!! I probably won’t buy things from there, like, ever, but I could wander around for DAYS!
Why wouldn’t you buy things from Whole Foods?!? It’s the best store ever!
Wouldn’t a “bath” in vegetable broth just ADD salt?
It’s just a little too much for my budget.
I added water to the veggie broth too!
I’m voting for a mountain lion on that last animal cracker!
I love your eating schedule! I love to snack, however I am usually starving by the time I get home, to the point of no return! I may give your schedule a whirl!
Love this post. I’m glad you don’t sugarcoat foods you don’t like. My latest food as everything in Paris. Muy bien to those french pastry’s!
Did you hear that West Des Moines is getting a Whole Foods? I am so excited!
The last new thing I tried was coconut butter. It was totally awesome over my smoothie dessert bowl! When you pour it over cold things it hardens like that ‘magic shell’ ice cream stuff. Cool.
I am two hours away from TJ, which devastates me. I was just thinking you should do a post on all your absolute Favs from TJ’s. I am always like a kid in a candy store when I am there and end up not thinking about all the cool things they might have there. Also, where do you find your reviews for TJ products? Love the blog too BTW!
Do you buy your produce at the Farmer’s Market? Make sure to stop by to check out my homeboy Larry Cleverley when you’re there this Saturday. He has his produce at 2nd and Court. (http://cleverleyfarms.com)
I am definitely an eat throughout the day kind of girl. I love eating! So why not spread my meals out during the day and enjoy it during more of the day! I eat about every 2 hrs…no joke.
I think you can return anything you don’t like to Trader Joe’s…no questions asked. At least, that’s the policy at the one we go to in Minnesota.
You are so totally right about the push-ups!!!! I’m going to do some more now…
Great tip on the chicken tenders. I’ll skip that one. I sooo love TJ’s. I’m hooked on the quinoa mango salad!
Those chicken tenders are literally making my mouth water! Yum!!
Prob the last new thing I’ve tried is a leave in conditioner thing. It works well-I love it!
I just started spreading my meals out too! & I’ve had the same pleasant experiences you are having. I did it to try to boost my metabolism (which seems to be working!), but I also really like eating more frequently.
I always space out my food/meals. I like to eat too much to have to wait such a long time between them! Plus, I have low blood sugar so it really helps me control that. And truth be told, who doesn’t love eating!
yep…that is a lactating cat! ha! new thing was probably the mediterarian salmon fillet that Fareway sells. SUPER GOOD! i cook it on the grill on top of sprayed foil till nice & crispy on the bottom. i have no idea what the nutritional stats are, but it sure is good!
I like to snack throughout the day so I aim to spread it out…Yet somehow, mysteriously, it all ends up being eaten by like 2:00 usually…hmmm.
Sad about the TJ chicken! But at least the rice was good
The last new thing I tried was this Vietnamese restaurant around the corner. I got this bottomless bowl of noodle soup. It hit the spot!
I HATE FRUIT but I tried mangoes this past week and loved them! Of course, they were covered in custard and angel food cake so…
C’est la vie!
I am a total grazer. I teach grade three and am always on-the-go so I grab whatever I can, when I can. Also, since I live in the Middle East and the food here is quite different, I find myself making “full meals” out of things like: pretzels, popcorn, cans of green beans, two granola bars… things that should be “sides” become my meals.
I eat small, healthy snacks every few hours, and it is sooo the way to go! Glad you are on board. I never feel sluggish, and I think I can actually TASTE the food more! Hope it works for ya