Happy Wednesday! Let’s get right to some WIAW action, shall we?! As always, thanks to Jenn for hosting WIAW. Check out what WIAW is all about over at Jenn’s blog, Peas & Crayons!
Today’s eats and events document yesterday… just FYI. 
Yesterday just happened to be the first day of spring! Hallelujah! Even though winter was pretty mild this year here in northern Utah, the warmer months are always my favorite. Spring started with a bang here bringing some gorgeous blue skies and sunny weather. It was still a little chilly, but I was glad to hear it’s supposed to warm up as the week goes on.
breakfast
I haven’t been sleeping very well for the past week. Since Tuesdays are my day to catch up on stuff at home, I didn’t set my alarm with the hope that I’d be able to catch up on some much needed sleep. I slept in until almost 7:45 AM which I haven’t done in forever. It was glorious and just what my body needed.
I started the day with an ever-so-delicious bowl of overnight oats. I used my chia seeds and absolutely love the difference they make! I mixed together 1/3 cup old fashioned oats, 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt, 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds in a tupperware container and let it set in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning I stirred in a ripe mashed banana and I topped it with a blob of peanut butter. Yum!
mid morning snack
I enjoyed a Honey Graham Clif Z-Bar for a little morning snack. It was good but the Chocolate Brownie flavor is still my favorite of the ones I’ve tried so far.
I did a bunch of cleaning around the house. The kitchen counters got scrubbed, appliances got wiped down, bathrooms were cleaned, carpets were vacuumed, floors were swept, furniture was dusted… I love a clean house!
lunch
At around 11 o’clock I headed out for a three mile run to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Our neighborhood is super hilly which makes my outdoor runs a little more challenging, but I was proud of how I finished. My Garmin ran out of battery right toward the end, so I’m guessing I finished in about 26 minutes give or take. With all the hills, I’ll take it!
I came home and re-energized with one of my favorite smoothie concoctions as of lately. Into the blender went 2 scoops CLICK Mocha Protein Powder, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds, 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, a handful of fresh spinach, and ice. It’s so creamy and delicious!
(My husband gets so disappointed whenever I use this cup… He’s a Chicago Bear’s fan and my family are Green Bay Packer fans. Good thing he wasn’t home when I was drinking this! )
mid afternoon snack
After my smoothie I was freezing! I took a hot shower but still couldn’t quite warm up, so I decided to have a mug of hot tea. I used a Lipton Black Pearl teabag that Heather sent me. It was perfect and warmed me right up!
I worked on some online personal training work for a couple clients, caught up on my emails, and did some laundry throughout the afternoon. Somewhere in there I had a delicious peanut butter + chocolate-y snack too. It involved 1/2 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon peanut flour (or PB2) and stevia mixed in, and was topped with a blob of Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread. Wowee was this good!
I decided to further enjoy the beautiful spring day and take the pups out on a two mile walk. They were happy as could be.
As was I… (rockin’ the no make up, no hair done look 
)
dinner
Cody got home right before dinner time, so we chatted for awhile until I started on dinner. We had chicken pesto panini sandwiches with steamed broccoli on the side. This is one of Cody’s favorite dinners, and it’s also incredibly simple to make! Score! I simply cut a chicken breast into thin slices, cooked it over the stove in a creamy pesto sauce, slapped it on a piece of bread with a slice of muenster cheese, and put it on the good ol’ George Foreman. It comes out as a cheesy, melty, and delicious panini sandwich!
evening snack/dessert
After dinner involved a good heart-to-heart chat with the hubby about some stuff I’m dealing with (he’s always so good at making me feel better!), and then an episode of 24 while enjoying a little evening snack. I decided to try out Julie’s Chocolate Avocado Mousse. I was a little weary of how it would turn out at first, but I ended up loving it! The only changes I made were that I halved her recipe, used regular cocoa instead of dark chocolate cocoa, and used stevia instead of honey. It truly does taste like a delicious mousse dessert! I topped mine with a little bit of peanut butter too. Apparently I was diggin’ the peanut butter + chocolate combo yesterday?! Sheesh. Although when do I NOT love that combo?
I then proceeded to face plant into bed… It was a great first day of spring indeed!
Questions:
- Was it beautiful weather where you live for the first day of spring yesterday?
- What has been one of your favorite meals and/or snacks lately?
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
SO jealous you get to see those mountains everyday!! Living in DC I see monuments, but no mountains. But it was great weather yesterday- sans the wacky and random early morning thunderstorm! My fav snack lately are the oatmeal and cashew butter balls I’ve been making- I had about 5 this morning alone
the mountains sure are gorgeous! i’m used to growing up in AZ where it’s brown and flat, so i definitely appreciate the beautiful view!
your dogs are adorable
i love how happy mine get when it’s time for a walk!
Oh yum that panini looks amazing!! Do you use store-bought pesto? I’ve been absolutely loving this Florida weather! I think I’m more of a warm weather girl at heart
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yes, i usually use store-bought pesto… mostly because of its convenience. i have made homemade pesto before, and it’s really not that hard though.
I love making overnight oats using that method..the addition of pb is the best!
I love the Packers/Bears part. My boyfriend is a huge packers fan and I am a Bears fan, but it keeps things interesting
That mountain view is gorgeous! Lately I’ve been adding pb or almond butter to plain yogurt instead of organic honey. It adds a different flavor and ups the healthy fats intake. Love it.
Great looking eats! Chocolate & peanut butter is always a good idea
! I am loving what I just ate for dinner: a Mexican quinoa bowl topped with a dippy egg–> simple yet hit the spot!
We’ve had gorgeous weather around here! The pollen is super duper high, but the beautiful weather makes it worth it!!
What an awesome day!! Those eats look super yummy
YAH for nice weather and it being spring–so exciting! Hopefully I’ll see you soon too!!
when are you guys moving out here?!
I’m always up for thet peanut butter and chocolate combo! That yogurt bowl lookes right up my alley!
Haha who doesn’t love the peanut butter/chocolate combo?!? Well my dad, but that’s because he’s allergic to peanuts. And I’m glad to hear you liked the avocado mousse, I was thinking about trying that!
ahh i would be so sad if i were allergic to peanuts! i love peanut butter way too much!
LOVE the Packers cup!!!
Have you had the Iced Oatmeal Clif Z bars??? They are insanely good. So good I’m buying them 10 at a time. Yes, that good.
I have to ask you about chia seeds–I don’t like the seeds in jam, so would I hate chia seeds mixed into anything? I know they’re really good for you so I’d like to incorporate them into my diet, but I worry I’ll ate them!
*hate, not ate. duh.
i haven’t had the iced oatmeal ones yet… i’ve heard they are good though! i’ll have to pick some up the next time i’m at the store! as for the chia seeds… i’d buy some and try it. they’re not as “seedy” when you soak them in overnight oats because they get soft. i put them in smoothies too, and i hardly taste them. ground flax has similar health benefits and it isn’t so “seedy” – have you tried that?
The weather is so nice! We actually turned on our a/c yesterday because our house was 77 degrees! My husband and I are both babies when it comes to sleeping in stuffy warm temps, so when he suggested a little air I happily agreed!
my husband and i are total whimps when it comes to the warm temps too. you’d think we’d be used to it since we both grew up in AZ, but nope!
I’m ready for some REAL spring – today’s a little bit better! I’m glad you felt better after talking with your hubby – and I hope things get better overall!
i’m just appreciative of blue skies, the sun being out, and it being a LITTLE warmer.
i’ve had enough of the gloomy and rainy weather.
I love peanut butter and chocolate, or peanut butter with anything really! ha Your puppy is so adorable!
The weather has been starting to warm up, I am loving it! We’re suppose to hit 80 here this weekend! I cannot wait!!!
oh yes, i LOVE peanut butter too!
I’ve gotta tell you, that scenery is absolutely GORGEOUS where you live! And it’s so amazing how different it is from the South Florida scene that I’m used to. Flat land all the way over here!
I love the mountains in the backgrounds of all your photos! SO pretty, compared to the suburbs here in Raleigh, NC! Haha. I like the Smores z-bars
Also, I use almost the exact same overnight oats recipe as you except 1/2 c of milk and 1 T of chia!
Your neighborhood looks so picturesque!
I’ve been enjoying the chocolate/pb combo a lot lately too!
Utah is SO gorgeous!!!!!!! UGh I want to go to the mountains
Florida is so boring haha. I love pb and chocolate combo. I actually eat pb way too often, and now you have me craving overnight oats 
I’m digging salads right now. My favorite is a spinach salad with Craisins, feta cheese, purple onions, and pecans topped with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It’s soooo good!
Btw, your views are spectacular!
yum! that salad combo sounds so good!
It sounds like you had a wonderful first day of Spring! Unfortunately it’s been raining here all week, but I can’t complain because it has been gorgeous up until now! Now I’m just enjoying cozying up inside with Craig since I’m on Spring Break
Ever since I discovered green smoothies last weekend I’ve been having them frequently
I love that picture of the mountains. So pretty!
Mmm…I want a bite (or two…or twenty) of everything in this post! My goodness, girl, you had an amazing day of eats! Those pesto chicken paninis look to die-for-delicious! And so do your overnight oats. It’s time for me to jump on board with that breakfast…I’ve been reading about them for two years now, but for some reason, I just haven’t brought myself to trying them! I guess the worst case scenario would be that I’m not a fan, in which case, I’d just add more peanut butter. Because, as we both know, peanut butter can make anything taste good!
Hope you’re having a good week and that things are okay. You’re lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive guy in your life! xoxo <3
haha very true – peanut butter can make anything taste good.
thanks girl, you’re so sweet!
It’s been 80 degrees several days in a row here (in Indiana), which is crazy for March! I think it’s supposed to cool down a little next week, so maybe it’ll feel more like spring.
go pack go!