How could I not when I get to wake up to this crazy face…
"It's Monday!!! AHHH!"
Every day is a good day for Sadie. 😀
Anyway, back to my fickle love for Monday mornings…
Sure it’s tough to know that five long days of work await, but after a weekend of all-over-the-place eating, I sometimes welcome the routine and normalcy of the workweek.
For instance, when I spend a weekend at my parents’ house, it’s commonplace for me to prepare my breakfast while eating a serving of homemade bread pudding or, even more commonly, a couple of large spoonfuls of ice cream. (Ice cream for breakfast!? Yes. See why I cannot keep ice cream in our house?) This little habit of mine often puts me into sugar overdrive for the rest of the day.
Today I was determined to begin the week on a healthy note and headed to the gym with Ryan for a workout.
It felt fantastic to feel the burn in my muscles during BodyPump and I loved sweatin’ it out on the elliptical for 25 minutes with the latest issue of O, the Oprah magazine. Yes, I am 50 years old at heart. I have also been known to read Parenting and Family Circle magazines at the gym. I now have some great ideas for handling the temper tantrums of a two-year-old.
Walk + Breakfast
After the gym, I headed home to take Sadie on a walk around the lake. It was just me and the pup this morning because Ryan’s work schedule is returning to normal. (He was able to go in around 8 a.m. rather than 7 a.m. for the past two months because he wound up at the office until 8 p.m. many nights because of a big project that is finally d-o-n-e. Hallelujah!)
Sadie and I walked while I listened to the Dave Matthews station on Pandora (thanks to Holly for this idea!). Before I knew it our 40-minute walk was over and it was time for breakfast.
On the menu was a protein-packed bowl of oatmeal.
I used a packet of bananas ‘n’ cream instant oatmeal that I snagged from my parents’ pantry and prepared it with milk and a scoop of All the Whey chocolate peanut butter cup protein powder.
Bananas & Cream
Dry Ingredients
For those of you who have asked, I purchased all of my All the Whey protein powder through Nutraplanet.com a while ago. They seem to have sold out of a lot of the flavors I enjoy. I bought really large tubs of the flavors I like, so I’ve had most of my protein powders for more than a year. Hopefully they’ll re-stock soon!
Dig In!
The combination of chocolate, peanut butter and banana flavors in this bowl of oats was fantastic.
Thick and Creamy
Scoop it Up!
Monday morning breakfast success!
Now for that work thang…
Of Possible Interest
- My Guest Post on Janetha’s Blog: Rock it Out! (mealsandmoves.wordpress.com)
- For Vizsla Lovers: An Adorable Blog about an Adorable Vizsla (PetroneBaloney.blogspot.com)
- 5 Healthy Stew Recipes (FitSugar.com)
- Healthy Recipes for Your Favorite Comfort Foods (Shape.com)
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I love that photo of Sadie! That’s kind of how I feel this morning too haha! 🙂 Have a great Monday Julie!
I actually like Mondays too… I don’t love getting up early again but I like the return to my weekly routine 🙂
Looks like someone DOESN’T have a case of the Monday’s! Sadie is ridiculously cute.
Julie, I think we may be soulmates 🙂
You’re not the only one that “sometimes” welcomes Mondays. 🙂 I had friends in town this weekend and there was a lot of eating, going out, and staying up late. I don’t want them to leave, but I need my routine back! LOL! Happy Monday!
hahaha If sadie were my dog I would love waking up to a crazy face like that too! haha she is so adorable
Yummmy! 🙂
I’m hungry right now! I was thinking oatmeal and banana too (but last night)
Oh and of course, Sadie looks super cute! She must have a whole lot of energy 100% of the time!
I’m so afraid of the taste of whey protein.. somehow I always put too much and end up with super chalky oats. I’ll have to try All the Whey if they re-stock soon!
I can TOTALLY relate about eating sweets for breakfast. I cant keep ice cream in the house either, that and granola bars (random I know). It sets me up to want sugar all day!! Love how honest you are–totally makes me feel better about my eating habits! Ha!
thats how i almost always eat my oatmeal too… choc protein powder, way too much pb to be considered healthy, and then banana when we have them in the house. tasty.
Oh that face! I dont really mind Monday all that much…once i’m up I’m good to go!
I definitely welcome Mondays when I eat like crazy over the weekends, too- I like getting back in my routine!
That face would be hard to resist in the morning!
Love DMB!
I don’t really mind Mondays too much because I work at least one day on the weekend. I love that picture of Sadie! She is so cute 🙂
I don’t mind Mondays, either- I think Tuesdays are the worst because the new-week, off the weekend excitement has worn down and it’s still sooo long till the next weekend. Hope you have a great day!
YES! Tuesdays are always the hardest for me.
I know those weekends all too well! It always feels good to get back to routine.
Haha…. awww Sadie. ;D
Honestly, I secretly enjoy Monday’s as well. After my one “rest” day on Sunday, I am always ready to jump back into a good workout, and oddly enough, I am happy when my alarm goes off at 5:15! Thanks for setting such a good example for us Julie!
what time do you have to be at work? i wake up at 530 and go to the gym, but i dont have enough time to do anything else except get ready (barely) and make breakfast and lunch. i know that my pooch would love it if i could give her a walk in the am… just not enough time!
you may see my morning routine here: https://www.pbfingers.com/2010/04/30/streamlining-your-morning-routine/
I wish I had your schedule!! My work schedule does not allow me to work out in the morning, I always have to go after work!
Sadie is soo cute!
That bowl of oatmeal looks awesome! Makes me wish that they sold instant flavored oatmeal here….
hahaha!! that picture of Sadie had me laughing out of my chair, so cute
Your weekend with your family sounded so fabulous. There really is no place like home! I loved your guest post on Meals And Moves about workout playlists. I’ve got my second half marathon coming up, so I’ve been bulking up the ol’ playlist. Have you checked out the song “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros? It’s my new favorite workout song and I think you’ll like it! 🙂 Happy Monday!
I have chocolate PB banana protein oats this morning, too!! That is one killer combo. 🙂 And you know, I like Mondays as well. It’s nice to get back into the school week and what not- I don’t really care for having a lot of downtime on the weekends!
Question: I used the Whole Foods brand vanilla whey powder, and I love it in smoothies. I’ve tried using it to make muffins, pancakes, and as a cottage cheese mix-in with DISASTROUS results. I am not one to throw out food, but I could not stand to eat any of those items. Think there’s a chance it would taste better in my oatmeal?? I don’t know what my problem is, but I’m looking for a better variety of ways to get more protein in!
Aww…Sadie looks like she likes mornings! My puppy hates getting up before 9:00!
Your breakfast looks delicious!
I pretty much died laughing at the first photo of Sadie! She’s such a funny dog.
I love the normalcy of weekdays too–I live for normal eating schedules! hah
Tuesdays are definitely harder than Mondays. Then again, that’s probably because I don’t work on Mondays, but my husband does so I get to miss him.
Yum! Those oats look fantastic!
I’m totally with you on the Monday thing. After a weekend full of wreckless eating and not much working out, I’m hankering for a bowl of oats and a good, hard workout on Monday morning. And it’s good to hear that other foodies share that same perspective too…makes me feel a little less crazy.
Hope you’re having a lovely Monday! Always enjoy your blog,
Dana
I love and hate Mondays. Sometimes they can be bad other times they can be really bad.
I think I dread Mondays more than is necessary. They’re not THAT bad!
That picture of Sadie is darling. I wish I had your same take on Mondays..it would make waking up much easier. 🙂
I know! What is it about being home at the parents’ house and not having any food self control? I’m a mess there.
I love magazines like Family Circle and Parenting. Woman’s Day is pretty good too! lol I may only be 20, but there are still some useful tips in those magazines!!
re: workout playlists:
have you listened to girl talk? the new album, all day, is my new go-to/favorite workout mix. just listen to the album straight through. it’s amazing.
I was having such a rough day–until I saw that picture of Sadie!! Put the first real smile of the day on my face!! She seems like as much of a clown as our dog is!
Loving your blog! Just discovered it! Excited to explore more 🙂
i love getting back into my routine too!! such a comforting feeling … esp with warm oats!
I keep forgetting I can add protein powder to my oats! I have to remember that.
I know you do like mini meals like 5 to 6 times a day but I always findmy self to be famished after all night not eating and then working out in the morning.
Dont you ever feel like going crazy? Or at least having a banana or fruit to tie you over well?
if i’m starving, i eat!! a peanut butter finger or two helps a lot!
Too funny about not being able to keep ice cream in your house. Since giving up sweets for the month of January I’ve been toying with the idea of not having them ‘in’ the house but instead indulging when I am out. Is that what you do?
I feel the same way about Monday mornings. The kids are back to school and I like to eat as healthfully as I can to start the week out right!
I have the same sentiments as you. I actually like Mondays! I welcome the return of normalcy and routine if I’ve had a whirlwind weekend. It’s nice to know what’s comin’ up next.
Also, we let Happy sleep with us… and I just loooove waking up to her smiling, carefree face every morning. Nothing beats that, imo.
I love your “fresh” Monday attitude! Sometimes even just saying that you are looking forward to it is enough to make you actually look forward to it! I love taking on Monday with a great outlook!
Good to know that I am not the only person who enjoys a little routine. I am not sure I had ever admitted that out loud before.
I also thought it was funny that you blogged about that amazing red velvet cupcake at brunch because I just tried red velvet for the first time on Saturday and now it’s my wedding cake flavor!! So pumped about that!
Bahaha. you have THE cutest dog! His personality shines through your photos 🙂 I came across your blog and thought I’d say hello and tell you how yummy your food looks and how cute your dog is…in case you didn’t know already 😉
I agree with you on Mondays. I love getting back into my routine of healthy eating. I don’t really go overboard on the weekends, but I still like how being on a schedule during the week makes it so much easier to eat healthy.
And by the way, after your post where you mentioned eating quail I went to a restaurant with my family and they had quail on the menu. I ordered it and am so glad I did because I LOVED it. I wouldn’t have ordered it if I hadn’t seen your post on how much you enjoyed it. So thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Congrats to you and Ryan! My fiance and I will be celebrating our 6.5 year anniversary on Feb. 12th – we’ll be getting married just after our 7 year anniversary!