WIAW: A Day of Firsts
Mother Nature must have known I planned on writing a post about firsts because she just sent us our first snow storm on the season. Every winter, I whine that “I hate it here and I’m moving!” I hate being cold and I hate driving in the cold even more. And I have to be at work early in the morning. In other words, kill me now.
But no more complaining. It’s all about the WIAW partay.
This would mark the first WIAW where I’ve posted super early. In fact, it’s Tuesday night as I’m writing this. It was either super early or super late tomorrow and since I’m usually late, I thought I’d surprise everyone (myself included) and be early this once 😛
Breakfast First:
First time microwaving my oatmeal.
I’ve been sleeping like a log lately! I always set an alarm and never sleep long enough to need it, but the past few days I’m in such a deep sleep until my alarm goes off. No idea why that’s been happening! To make a long story short, I got a slow start this morning and by the time I got back from my run for breakfast, it was late and I wanted to eat fast. Solution: the microwave. I feel like it’s taboo to cook oatmeal in the microwave, but you gotta do what you gotta do right?
Microwaved pumpkin oatmeal.
Topped with chocolate chips, peanuts and peanut butter.
Aka current favorite combo.
Lunch First:
First tempeh parmesan sandwich.
Herb crusted tempeh on a toasted bun with melted cheese and marinara.
Grilled zucchini on the side.
Dinner First:
First time cooking beans.
I never cook my beans, I just buy cooked canned ones, but I was making chili with cranberry beans (??) and we could only find dry ones. I don’t know why I’ve never cooked my own beans before, it was so easy! Time consuming maybe and you have to be able to plan ahead, but maybe I should try cooking them from now on?
Cranberry Bean Chili with Winter Squash and Swiss Chard
Unpictured tortilla chips on the side.
Fact: I love chili.
And it was the perfect day to make it, given the weather. Insert grumbling.
Now I’m finally going to bed!
As always, thanks to Jenn of Peas and Crayons for hosting the WIAW party and for doing it early so I don’t have to wake up any earlier tomorrow 🙂
**************************************
Have you had snow where you live yet?
Have you ever cooked your own beans?
What’s your favorite cold weather comfort food?
Lauren Loves Good Food 
WOOOAAHHH I’m still reeling from the fact that “snow storm” was in the first sentence of this post. I literally read it like 4 times, then double checked the date on the post to make sure I wasn’t making some mistake, then read it again. Holy. Cow. I am such a winter wimp, the thought of snow at this time of year makes me terrified. You are so brave.
I took pictures to prove it!
I’ve made lentil and split pea soup before — it was SO good!!! 😀
Why am I such a sucker for breakfast pictures?! Because your’s is driving me CRAZY!!! 😀
I’m a sucker for breakfast pictures too 🙂
Hi Lauren! I cook my own beans all the time. It’s so inexpensive and I always have a basic ingredient ready in the fridge to cook with. In the past year I’ve discoverd the joy of cooking my beans in the crock pot, in fact I just put a batch in at 6am. Most bags of beans these days give you the directions, but if you’d like, e-mail me and I’ll tell you what to do! Happy WIAW!!
Emailing you!
Looks delicious!!!
Oh noon snow is indeed coming soon 😦 This makes me a bit sad to be honest! We have some predicted for Thursday night as a matter of fact
Great eats today Lauren 🙂
Thanks, Tessa! Be safe when your snow comes!
That sandwich looks amazing! I have never tried tempeh outside of a restaurant…
Tempeh is really intimidating, but once you get familiar with it, it can be great!
hehee! i use the microwave every weekday morning for the very same reason! weekends – the pan comes out 🙂
My family cooks beans all the time! It definetly saves us alot of money because we go through them verrry fast! Haha, great eats and happy WIAW 🙂
There’s a chance of snow here tomorrow…I’m not ready for that yet!!
My favorite cold weather comfort food is tomato basil soup with bread for dipping of course…I just never seem to get sick of it and it always warms me up!
Tomato basil soup is such a classic! And no soup is complete without some dipping bread.
I actually looooooove the snow…at least, until about February. Then I’m over it. Until then though, it always seems so festive and magical! I’m such a dork sometimes…haha. I’m totally with you on microwaving oatmeal. It always seems like the “cheaters” way of making oatmeal. I tried it once, and it just wasn’t as good as the stovetop variety. When you’re pressed for time though, it works well enough. 🙂
Microwaved oatmeal certainly isn’t as good! Maybe if I was better at winter sports I would enjoy the snow more.
I would never survive if I hadn’t discovered that oats could be microwaved! All the foods looks great! 🙂 Happy WIAW!
It’s a great trick when you’re short on time. Thanks!
Looks like your oatmeal came out great! I’ve never cooked beans but I recently cooked lentils for the first time, which I think it easier than beans. I should buy dry beans actually so I don’t eat out of cans so much…
I try not to buy canned stuff, but beans and tomatoes are the exception. I’m proud of myself for cooking lentils and never buying canned ones, although I’m certainly tempted 🙂
My Denver counterparts were complaining there might be snow…October is a weeee bit early. We are due for 75 today =P
Fave cold weather meal is most definitely chili!
It was 75 all week and is supposed to be in the 70’s this weekend. Crazy CO weather!
I have swiss chard in my freezer. In an almost-rotten panic I didn’t know what to do other than freeze it. I wonder if I could salvage it by throwing it in some chili because yours looks goood!
I’ll move with you, because I never want to see snow ever again!
If you’re stirring it into chili or soup and it’s going to wither anyways, I’d think it would probably work!
Well you obviously know that I have no chance of a storm storm……like ever! But I am so sorry that you are battling the snow so early 😦
I have a confession to make…..I microwave oats nearly every morning. I just do not have time to cook them with two kids and myself to get to work/school now. I know it is like a food sin but I buy the quick oats, pop them in the microwave, and eat up right before I dash out of the door!
Hey, that’s okay with me! With two little ones, I would be amazed if you had time to babysit a pot on the stove too!
wait you had snow???? What??? London had its first rain storm in awhile today. My feet were chilly in their canvas shoes.
I don’t know how I feel about microwaving my oats. I love the volume you get from slow cooking them. And soaking them overnight.
tempeh parm sounds good. I’m not keen on tempeh but that looks darn good.
So you like the soaked beans better than the tinned ones? I usually buy mine tinned but could get dry ones from our student coop. Try worthy?
I, too, love chili. Got some in the fridge!
cold weather = tea!
The beans tasted the same as canned, but canned things are usually loaded with salt to preserve them and dried are cheaper. If you have the time, cooking them yourself is worth the try!
I always cook my oats in the microwave. I forgot people actually did it the other way. It still looks super delicious even from the microwave.
I can’t believe you’re getting snow. Someone tell Mother Nature we’re not ready!
I was SO not ready for snow. Luckily, it’s back to 70’s this weekend. With some pumpkin mixed in, I couldn’t tell the difference between stove-cooked and microwaved oats.
I’m SO jealous of your snow! I’m making a trip to NYC this December just to get a taste/feel of it myself! oh, the joys of California and summer-all-day-every-day haha. Your food looks so good, especially those veggies! Looking forward to more posts 🙂
Yay, thanks for stopping by! I’ve *always* wanted to go to NYC in December. Go ice-skating at an outdoor rink for me 🙂
Chocolate + Peanuts = the best oatmeal combo! amazing way to start the day! 😀
No snow here in Melbourne.. but it’s be nice to wake up and see the white snow! But during winter.. my fave comfort ‘food’ would be hot chocolate and marshmallow!
I don’t mind waking up to snow if I can stay in all day 🙂 Hot chocolate sounds delicious right now.
I live in Florida, so I’ve never even seen snow! I do love chili though, I actually just had it for dinner!
Happy WIAW!
I wish I lived somewhere without snow! It’s pretty, but I’d rather just see pictures of it 😛
Cooking your own beans is definitely cheaper, but I’ve never done it. One day I’ll use the bags of beans taking up space in my pantry though 😉
No snow yet, I’m in Michigan, so I know it’s only a matter of time.
Snow already??? Ugh, I’d be planning a move, too. Or I’d be crying 😀 And I’ve never…not…microwaved my oatmeal, I certainly hope it’s not taboo, haha. Discovered beans from scratch early last year–I’m never going back to canned! And if you have a slow cooker, it solves that whole “time” issue, just stick ’em in in the morning, they’re done when you get home.
ive never thought about combining peanut butter and chocolate, thats such a great idea! and i agree, i always say im moving when the weather gets cold… it’s so hard to get out of bed in the morning!