Whew

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Oh, Monday.  You were pretty in my face today.

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Did you have a crazy Monday, too?  We pulled a long day at the clinic, I had two conference calls, and I wrote four freelance articles.  It was nuts.  I was so rushed I completely forgot an afternoon snack and ended up starving by dinnertime.  I have a feeling the rest of the week is going to be similarly nasty… But that’s okay, right?  After all, come December 20, work sloooows down until the New Year.  I am eagerly counting down the days!

 

Remember a few months ago, when I wrote about setting daily Healthy Intentions?  Today was truly the perfect day for some simple but achievable Healthy Intentions.  Without my smaller goals, I would’ve felt totally overwhelmed (and pretty bummed that my workout got bumped).  Instead, I just focused on what I could do:  drink water, do planks behind the desk (ha!), and eat healthy, yummy foods.  Mission:  Accomplished.  Caitlin:  Satisfied.

 

Lunch:

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Take-out salad.  More in there than it appears –mixed greens, corn, chickpeas, pecans, apples, carrots.  Yum.

 

Dinner:

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A great mix of millet (here’s how to prepare millet), steamed kale, more chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and mushrooms with a yellow curry sauce (from a jar).

 

And a snack of sunflower buttah on a rice cake with a banana:

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Sunflower butter > almond butter > peanut butter.  Thoughts?

{ 64 comments }

 

  • Army Amy* December 5, 2011, 8:24 pm

    I’ve only ever had peanut butter. I REALLY considered buying almond or sunflower butter when I went grocery shopping today, but it’s so expensive! The cheap side of me beat out the health-loving side of me today.*

  • Shannon December 5, 2011, 8:26 pm

    Usually regular Peanut Butter: simpy Jif girl : )

    But lately it is:
    COOKIE BUTTER! New find at Trader Joe’s! ” A deliciously unusual spread reminiscent of gingerbread and made with crushed biscuits.” That is the description of front of jar. I think it is seasonal but so yummy on celery, apples, rice cakes that is what I have used it on so far!

  • Errign December 5, 2011, 8:27 pm

    peanut butter ftw over hereeeee 🙂

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) December 5, 2011, 8:30 pm

    Due to my little ones allergies we ONLY have sunbutter in the house…she’s peanut and tree nut allergic (among her many food allergies). So, we buy sunbutter by the case (I joke, sort of, I plan to buy cases via amazon) since we have 4 going on 6 kids!

  • Marissa C December 5, 2011, 8:35 pm

    Hehe…I spent today in labor, but ironically it was a pretty relaxed day. We’re looking forward to the arrival of our little one tonight or tomorrow!

    • Alett December 6, 2011, 7:57 am

      @Marissa C:

      OOOH! I was looking through the replies -> CONGRATULATIONS Marissa!!!!!

  • Rachel December 5, 2011, 8:45 pm

    disagree completely. peanut butter is boss.

  • Mary December 5, 2011, 8:48 pm

    I totally disagree:

    peanut butter > almond butter

    I’m not a fan of sunflower butter, not sure why. I think my tongue is expecting peanut butter because of the texture and then the taste is totally different…throws me off!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 5, 2011, 8:48 pm

    i hate to say it, but peanut butter trumps it all.

  • Katie December 5, 2011, 8:48 pm

    could not agree MORE about sunflower > almond > peanut. i used to love peanut butter, but when i started reading healthy living blogs and saw that you ladies love sunbutter i started eating that. now peanut butter tastes kind of lame in comparison!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 5, 2011, 8:49 pm

    Yay for feeling accomplished! Always a great way to end a crazy day!

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ December 5, 2011, 8:50 pm

    i like any nut butter but trader joes makes the best sunflower and peanut butter and i am pretty much a barney butter almond butter snob. i want to try cashew butter because i heard its delicious but SO expensive!!! i also love peantu butter and co flavors. sometimes they are the perfect addition to french toast!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife December 5, 2011, 8:53 pm

    Actually I think its salted almond butter > sunflower butter > cashew butter > anything else > peanut butter. Can you tell I hate PB?! THe smell makes me gag.

    Glad you did those planks nonetheless–that rocks! Hide behind a desk and do that fitness thang 🙂

  • erica December 5, 2011, 8:54 pm

    i like enjoying other nut butter from time to time, but peanut butter is the best.

  • Crystal December 5, 2011, 9:01 pm

    I’ve never tried sunflower before, but all of your talk about it has me craving some. What is the best brand?

    I LOVE almond butter, but often opt for peanut butter just because it’s cheaper.

    • Caitlin December 6, 2011, 8:24 am

      @Crystal: Sun Butter brand from trader joe’s – it has a yellow label.

  • Kristin December 5, 2011, 9:05 pm

    Peanut Butter & Co. Peanut butter 🙂

  • Laura December 5, 2011, 9:18 pm

    It must have been one of those days, I’ve read several blogs about crazy Mondays!

    I have to admit, I’ve never tried any nut butter other than peanut. I really need to branch out!

  • Tamara December 5, 2011, 9:38 pm

    I haven’t had peanut butter in a while. I think some people kept bad-mouthing it (because peanuts apparently are not the “best” nut to eat).
    I like almond butter, but I don’t love it. I do love sunflower butter.
    I think I’m going to start eating PB a LOT more from now on though. I think almond butter irritates my stomach.

    That’s the good thing about Peanut Butter – it is so neutral and smooth and I miss it because it didn’t seem to affect my stomach like a lot of almond butter can do to me.

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb December 5, 2011, 9:54 pm

    almond butter is tops on my list. but to be fair, i’ve never had sunflower butter. i’m gonna go ahead and say they are all 100% delicious!

  • steph December 5, 2011, 10:03 pm

    i hatesunflower butter and it smells bad too haha. in my opinion cashew butter > peanut butter > almond butter

  • CheezyK December 5, 2011, 10:08 pm

    Oh my, Monday kicked me to the curb big time – my poor husband kept getting texts about how I want to quit work NOW. Fortunately I’m now more than half way through Tuesday and it’s been a much, much better day (although if I can work out how to afford to leave work I still wouldn’t say no 🙂 )

    • Caitlin December 6, 2011, 8:24 am

      @CheezyK: awww im sorry. take a day off!!!!

      • CheezyK December 6, 2011, 8:50 pm

        @Caitlin:
        I wish! For the moment I’m just reminding myself that it’s only 11.5 more working days until Chrissy hols start …

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) December 5, 2011, 10:08 pm

    Pecan butter wins over anything! I love sunflower butter, but it was for sure an acquired taste. I hated it the first time I had it!

  • Mandy December 5, 2011, 10:09 pm

    I’m glad you stayed calm in this holiday craziness! I know I get super busy around this time because it’s finals week at school and I have a ton of papers due too! I usually manage to fit a workout in the mornings, but when my boyfriend can’t fit a workout in he gets up from his desk and maxes out pushups every hour! Pushups are great because they work almost your whole body! Maybe you could do this with planks? Lol and scissor kicks, lunges, fire hydrants, and those back-kick booty exercises are awesome too! You could totally have a full workout by the end of the day! Keep it up Tiger 🙂

  • Tamicka December 5, 2011, 10:10 pm

    I get tired of peanut butter and almond butter but never sunflower butter. It just always hits the spot. I think I’ll have some now 🙂

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats December 5, 2011, 10:14 pm

    I don’t get the love for other nut butters. Peanut butter will always have my heart.

  • Kath December 5, 2011, 10:16 pm

    AGREED!! Sunflower is the best.

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed December 5, 2011, 10:20 pm

    I’m not that into peanut butter… unless it’s with chocolate! I recently picked up some pumpkin butter from TJ’s and it’s SO tasty!

  • Khushboo December 5, 2011, 10:37 pm

    Waaaait a minute there: peanut butter will always be #1!

  • Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} December 5, 2011, 10:47 pm

    Nothing beats peanut butter. Nothing. Almond butter is number 2 and sunflower butter a distant third. In my humble opinion, of course. 😉

  • Kelly December 5, 2011, 10:57 pm

    I COMPLETELY agree – that’s how I rank the popular nut butters as well. And i also think “nut butter” sounds a little dirty.

    • Caitlin December 6, 2011, 8:25 am

      @Kelly: bawhahaha

  • peacebeme December 5, 2011, 11:04 pm

    No, PB is the best! And NOT the natural kind, good old Jif or Skippy, etc. 😉

    I am jealous you are busy! I am unemployed and would give anything for that.

  • Laura @ She Eats Well December 5, 2011, 11:09 pm

    I can’t get used to the taste of Sunflower Butter. I will always be a faithful Almond Butter lover…specifically the raw, creamy Trader Joes version. Get in my belly!

  • Elisabeth December 5, 2011, 11:42 pm

    I say peanut butter (especially Smucker’s Natural!) > sunflower butter > almond butter (I don’t care much for AB)

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing December 5, 2011, 11:56 pm

    I WANT to like sunflower butter but it just has a weird taste to me :/ But Barney Butter?! My absolute FAVORITE.

  • Dominique December 5, 2011, 11:58 pm

    I have a small jar of sunflower butter but haven’t gotten around to tasting it yet. I was going to use it in cookies but have been lazy. Now that you reminded me of it, I might have some tomorrow on some rice cakes too.

  • Joanna@DrizzleofSunshine December 6, 2011, 12:01 am

    I honestly love it all! I used to teach at a school that only served sunflower butter so I got used to it. It was nice that they had something different for those students with allergies.

  • Kelly December 6, 2011, 2:05 am

    Peanut butter will always have my heart!

  • Tiffany December 6, 2011, 2:07 am

    I need to try sunflower butter!! What does it taste like? Do you know of any kind that is pure sunflower no added sugar or oil?

    Also, is the curry sauce you used for Trader Joe’s? I use the red/orange one but do you know the difference between that and the one that is green?

    • Caitlin December 6, 2011, 8:26 am

      @Tiffany: Mine is called ‘yellow curry sauce.’ I think the other ones have fish in it?

  • yolie @ practising wellness December 6, 2011, 3:31 am

    Mmm…what a delicious and healthful day of eats! 🙂 Your mission was definitely accomplished! And writing FOUR freelance articles is incredible! Well done you! Hmm…i’ve never had sunflower seed nutter but have had pumpkin seed butter…it’s green! Almond butter is my firm fave <3 Take care and be proud of yourself, you deserve to be! 😉 xyx

  • ~Jessica~ December 6, 2011, 4:31 am

    Sunflower butter > everything. Shame it’s like gold dust in the UK!

    xxx

  • Billie December 6, 2011, 5:39 am

    James has ‘cheese eyes…’ I know that look well. x

  • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) December 6, 2011, 7:17 am

    My all time favorite is Maranatha almond butter. But it just depends on the day for me – some days I’m in the mood for peanut, sun flower, etc. Your dinner looks awesome!

  • Joanne December 6, 2011, 7:33 am

    I’m all peanut butter. There are some almond butters I like but they don’t seem to have as much flavor as PB.

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION December 6, 2011, 7:58 am

    Oh gosh, I go through my spurts. Right now I’m all about almond butter. Give me a week and I’ll be all about peanut butter. 😉

  • Alett December 6, 2011, 7:59 am

    You are really making me want to try Sunflower butter. I currently have Almond butter on the shelf and “Skippy” peanut butter for the dogs (makes it easier to give them medications).

    🙂

    safe travels!!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 6, 2011, 8:39 am

    I’m allergic to peanut butter, so for me it’s soy nut butter > sunflower seed butter > almond butter. 😀

  • Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous December 6, 2011, 8:43 am

    I love any nut butter, but right now I’m hooked on sunflower seed!

  • Laura @ My Pink Thumb December 6, 2011, 9:12 am

    I’ve always wanted to try sunflower butter, but have yet to see it in any stores around here unfortunately. I bet it’s awesome!

  • Dana @ the Big Fat Skinny December 6, 2011, 9:18 am

    I love all nut butters, but for me theres nothing like good old chunky peanut butter. I generally use almond butter because its the healthier choice, but PB will always be my favorite 🙂

  • Allison December 6, 2011, 9:41 am

    Rice cakes topped with jelly + cottage cheese are one of my favorite snacks! Hm, peanut butter all the way [but never have tried sunflower butter] 🙂

  • Sara December 6, 2011, 9:58 am

    It seems almond butter reigns supreme in the blog world, but I’m natural peanut butter all day, all the time. 😉 PB has more flavor to me.

  • stephchows December 6, 2011, 10:02 am

    I don’t know where my Monday went it flew past me! I’m a PB girl to heart, but cashew butter is a close second!

  • Johanna B December 6, 2011, 10:15 am

    Nut butters (any/all of them) are ok in my book.

  • Emily December 6, 2011, 10:47 am

    Ugh. Today is like that for me. Yesterday was ok, today is really tough.

  • Miranda @ Living One Bite at a Time December 6, 2011, 11:29 am

    It’s weird that you should mention about the nut butters. I literally JUST tried Almond Butter for the first time yesterday. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally take the trip to Trader Joe’s to buy some. I was actually surprised that I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. I’ve never had Sunflower Butter, so I guess the winner for me will always be Teddie Creamy Peanut Butter. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

    Although I did get a jar of Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter yesterday and I’m a little bit in heaven.

  • Amber K December 6, 2011, 1:11 pm

    Peanut butter will always be number one to me. Then sunflower seed butter. And I can’t eat almond butter, but it’s tastier than sunflower seed butter.

  • Kim December 6, 2011, 1:18 pm

    PB&Co’s flavored PBs (no affiliation) > sunflower butter > normal peanut butter > almond butter

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