Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Summer Breakfast and Summer Reading

For the past two years my breakfast has included a bowl of oatmeal with yogurt, pumpkin (or berries, or sweet potato), and almond butter. Even last summer I couldn't give up my hot oatmeal breakfast. This summer, however, I have finally given up the hot oats and have switched to a cooler, higher protein breakfast......


Every morning, after my coffee (I'm down to only 2 cups, or about 250mg caffeine!!!) and my workout, I grab a bowl and load it with the following; ~1 cup plain Greek yogurt and regular yogurt (combined), ~ 1/2 cup frozen blueberries or fresh strawberries, ~ 1/4 cup homemade granola, ~ 1 T unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 packet natural, calorie and sugar-free sweetener.

Delicious. This keeps me full for a couple hours, and I look forward to it just as much as my oats!

I believe the key to a good breakfast is to include about 10-20 grams of protein, some whole grains, and a fruit or vegetable (hmmmm, sounds like MyPlate, right?!). But of course, anything is better than nothing (well, maybe...), so if you aren't eating breakfast I encourage you to start small, and build up to a nice hearty and healthy breakfast. Do you know how long it takes me to throw together the above creation? About 3 minutes. No excuses.


QUESTION: Have you changed your breakfast lately? Or, have you been eating the same thing for a while now?


Are you a reader? I didn't used to be, but over the last three or four years I've probably read over fifty books (for me, that's unheard of). Summertime is a great opportunity to grab a great book, sit outside with some cold iced tea and relax. I recently read this book;



This book kept me entertained, which is always an indication of a good book (my ADD kicks in if the book is boring and uninteresting). It's about two sisters who have quite an interesting, yet loving relationship. Their mom passed away several years ago and there is some speculation that their father had something to do with her death. The sisters now live far apart from one another but Thanksgiving and their ill father brings them together for a couple weeks. While the situation is quite awkward at first, it ends up being a very memorable holiday. Overall I rate this book a 7.5 out of 10. It was a quick read with a unique story and well-developed characters.


Two other books I've read this summer include Speak No Evil and The Swimming Pool. Click on the links to read more about them. Currently I'm reading Gaining, which is about life after eating disorders. I'm learning more about myself and my past than I ever could have imagined. I have shed a few tears and had a few epiphanies along the way. I plan on writing an autobiography one day, because I think it would be good therapy for me to write out my whole life story. I never thought my story was very unique, but I'm finding that it actually is. I mean, a dietitian with a history of an eating disorder?! Come on! And, you'll soon find out that my becoming a dietitian actually helped me escape my ED. At first it fueled it, but in the end, it was a lifesaver.


QUESTION: Do you have any suggestions for some good summer (or anytime!) books?



20 comments :

  1. These are wonderful book reviews. I have been busy with work this summer so unfortunately havent raed as much as I would like, but these are going on my list!

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  2. I would love to read your book! I can relate.. I also am a dietitian with a past history of anorexia and know 3 people that I was in treatment with that are also dietitians / becoming dietitians. I completely agree that at first my desire to study it was fueled by the eating disorder, but then it became one of my strongest motivations for recovery. One good book that I reccomend is eating in the light of the moon.

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  3. I love breakfast but I go through phases. I'll eat bagels for awhile, then switch to oats for months. Right now I'm on a cereal kick.

    I LOVE reading. I always have a book by my side along with an audio book in my car. I can't get enough.

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  4. My "usual" breakfast is oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and walnuts. While I was on my trip, I ate bread, cheese, tomatoes, and a plain yogurt for breakfast. Now I'm ready to juice again and eat more raw fruits and veggies. It'll be nice to experiment a bit...

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  5. To my surprise, I haven't craved hot oats once this summer. Overnight oats or cereal all the way!

    Thanks for the great book reviews. I'm always on the lookout for new books to read especially before school starts. These are going on my list. I recommend The Passage by Justin Cronin. It's pretty epic.

    I'd love to read your autobiography by the way.

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  6. I love yogurt and fruit combos. Have you tried overnight oats yet?

    Just finished Water for Elephants. I highly recommend it to anyone!

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  7. I love reading, I've been reading since I was 4. Unfortunately... I haven't been able to read much lately. I need good book recommendations too.

    That's exciting that you're considering writing your own book! I for one would definitely be interesting in reading your full story. :-)

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  8. Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day! I typically eat a bowl of Kellogg's FiberPlus(R) cereal, some sort of fresh fruit, a little yogurt, and a cup of coffee. I change it up on occasion, but really like having a regular routine each morning so I know my day will start off right.

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  9. I've been eating more at breakfast lately!! I'm focusing more on having a protein/carb/fat in each meal :)

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  10. If you haven't read Harry Potter, jump on the bandwagon. They are so good! I just read them two years ago and I loved every second of it. So much better than the movies, honestly. Another great book is My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I literally could not put this book down. I read one other book by her and also liked it, but can't remember the title. For a hilarious, light series - try the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Hysterical!

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  11. Oh and yes, I've come off the oatmeal/nut butter wagon. I've been eating smoothies (preferably plain greek yogurt with frozen bananas) or fruit with nut butter instead. Or sometimes, I'll still have oatmeal but have it with just fruit (and up the amount of oatmeal to keep me full).

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  12. That's so good to hear. As someone who can only relate to obesity and over-eating, it makes sense to me that someone with a history with an ED can also be helped by entering the nutrition field. I know you were talking about that book when I saw you and I still think it sounds good :)

    Your oats sound good, too! I've been craving oats and they're on the schedule for tomorrow ;)

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  13. HI Gina, I really go in phases...and have quite the mix of "go to" breakfasts. Lately, I'm into greek yogurt and fruit, but other times, I go through egg wrap phases as well as toast and almond butter with a banana... I hang my head, I haven't read anything stellar in a while. I'm into more "fluffy" books and magazines these days. Oh well..at least I'm reading. Have a great day.

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  14. oh my god your autobiography post was AMAZING :) you're such an inspiration and over the time i've known you you've always stayed true to yourself. WHEN IS NICK GOING TO PROPOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    hahaha anyways i haven't had oats in 3 days! i'm obsessed with quinoa & egg whites and smoothies right now. cold oats are my weekend treat!

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  15. I generally do a smoothie or eggs but rotate what is in them. I am a fan of protein in the morning. Fifty books that evokes pangs of guilt in me (not your intention or fault) I used to read a lot and now read the paper, magazines and things for work. I really liked Poser by Claire Dederer. Would love you read your story, i'm sure it would be great.

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  16. Your beast looks great Gina! I usually mix things up every morning, but, like you, get a balance of protein & whole (gluten-free) grains. I also make sure to include some fat to keep me full and at least a couple servings of fruits and veggies. Oh, and coffee always :-). I love to read, but gog in and out of it...right bow I'm in to a book called The Thirteenth Tale-I highly recommend it! I think that would be great if you wrote an autobiography, and would love to read it!

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  17. I'm always swtiching up breakfast but I am usually most satisfied if there is a good amount of protein (greek yogurt and almond butter) something sweet, like berries. So I'm with you on that front.
    I love to read but do not get the time to anymore. I really liked 'One Day' by David Nicholls. I think it's light enough for a summer read and it's still smartly written and not too fluffy. The movie comes out this fall which I am dying to see!

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  18. Gina, it's been so long since we've been in touch, and it's great to find you again! Lately, I've been enjoying whole wheat bagels with light cream cheese or fiber one caramel delight with a sliced banana and almond milk. As far as books, I agree with the previous comment regarding Harry Potter. My husband kept trying to get me to read them and I finally did earlier this year. They are such fun reads! I also absolutely loved "A Dog's Purpose." If you are an animal person, you will love this book. I hope you are doing well, and I hope we stay in touch this time! :)

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  19. Your summer breakfast looks so delicious! I have been on corn + yogurt combo since I arrive shanghai 1.5 months ago and can't get enough of them!
    but I also find the yogurt + corn flakes to be quite good as I ate it in the hotel the last three days! i forgot how good it is! :)

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  20. oh that looks so good!!! i am loving yogurt always but esp in the summer time! its cool creamy and delicious! i love it mixed with quinoa, nut butter and some unsweetened cocoa powder!!

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