You may notice there's something missing from this week's meal plan: no breakfast on Monday or Wednesday. Keen eye. I get a lot of questions about different ways of eating, and in order to be best informed I do as much background reading as possible and usually try out eating that way for a time. Several people asked me about intermittent fasting, so I did some background reading and then decided to give it a try. Monday and Wednesday are my 'fast' days, and I prefer to eat just two light meals.
The doubled up smoothie / overnight oats breakfasts are because I've been finding now that I'm back to lunch hour swims, I need a second breakfast / snack before I swim. By the time I'm back at my desk and ready to eat lunch it's often 2:30pm, and that's a long time to go on just a smoothie, especially with a workout in the mix. On Tuesday I've got a dinner / business meeting with a friend who is gluten intolerant, so I thought I'd try out a baked risotto. Thursday is a trip to Ikea / dinner / business meeting with another friend, so we'll need something quick and easy. And since I'm going to be solo on Friday (I'm actually going to be solo all week as Paul is in Brazil on business) I'm going to treat myself to a cheeky single lady takeout dinner and many, many episodes of Grey's Anatomy.
You guys are getting the recipe for those chipotle hummus wraps on Tuesday!
1. More good news on turmeric: Brain repair may be boosted by curry spice.
2. Is butter really back? This is a looooong but very informative post on dietary fats from the Harvard School of Public Health.
3. Elevating dinner for one. Beautiful article by Tamar Adler.
4. It's flu season! Boost your immune system with exercise. And, how physical exercise protects the brain from stress-induced depression. Get moving!
5. So, this guy has replaced his gut microbiome with that of a hunter gatherer. Fascinating read (warning, lots of poop talk) and it'll be interesting to see where this goes.
Erika
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on intermittent fasting! I tried it for a bit but found that ultimately I ended up overeating later in the day. Your link round up is so relevant and awesome, as usual. In the midst of midterms, I know that I still have to get a workout in here or there lest the tickle in my throat turn into a devastating cold/virus. Thanks for sharing, as always!!
Katie Trant
Yup, you gotta move! It's funny, trying to eat low carb or gluten free always goes that way for me, I end up on a massive, out of control carb binge later in the day or week. The intermittent fasting really works for me. I don't find the fast days difficult, and I might even look forward to them. I am used to pretty lean eating during the week, and I always eat light in the evenings, so for me it's just the early part of the day that's a challenge. Once I get past that I'm fine. And I drink a lot lot lot of water and tea.
mihran
Wonderful post I appreciate it!!
Katie Trant
Thank you!
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen
Very interesting on the fasting, I've heard tons of positive views on it for body healing. Love all of these reads! Will be sifting through this weekend.
Katie Trant
Yeah, the body healing components are very interesting. Amazing what your body can do when it isn't using up resources on digestion.
Alissa
I've been wondering about intermittent fasting. My brother did that for a while and got very lean...I keep telling myself I've got to try it but I'm always so hungry in the morning! I'm interested to hear how it works out for you.
Katie Trant
Leanness aside there are many health benefits to this way of eating, which is what has me intrigued. I did tinker with it for a while before the summer and was surprised at how good I felt on fast days. I may dedicate a post to this topic at some point!
Anne Titcomb
I love the cooking for one - I need more - does she have a cook book??
Anne
Katie Trant
Not that I know of, but she did write a wonderful book a couple of years ago called An Everlasting Meal which had several recipes in it. A great food read, I highly recommend.
Bam's Kitchen
It sure is a long time between breakfast and lunch with just a green smoothie on board and a hearty swim too. I am certain I would loose weight with your recipe plan as my hungry teenage boys would be eating my meals too...
Katie Trant
It is a long time, but my late morning snack / second breakfast of overnight oats really sticks to my ribs and fuels my swim!
Cammy
But butter is so goooooooooood!
Katie Trant
Sure is! I love butter. Everything in moderation.