Behind The Butter

The Sights and Sounds of Morning

I simply cannot wake up this morning. Despite the loving sound of the trash guys slamming their truck into the dumpster directly below my apartment or the rising of the sun directly in my eyes, it’s rough.

Once I finally pulled my body out from my warm cocoon, I made some oats and some strong tea:


Stirred in 1/3 cup cottage cheese into my oatmeal this morning for an extra protein boost. I forgot how much I liked this combination!

I debated going to a power yoga class this morning but I think instead I’m going to give my legs a break and rest. Might walk on the treadmill later but I keep reminding myself just how important rest is, especially this week. I’m debating whether I want to join the Y today, actually. I tried it out last week and really, really loved it. It’s very close to my apartment (I could walk!) and it’s just nice. There’s a large indoor lap pool and the whole upstairs is filled with brand new equipment and lots of big sunny windows. Plus, Y’s in general are very affordable and I love the friendly atmosphere. I was really impressed when they gave me a tour last week. After this weekend is over I’m going to start on a new strength training plan because I’ve really missed lifting weights in the past few months. It will be good. More details on that to come.

In other news, I have a secret. Read here to find out what it is. It has to do with pigs. Vegetarians beware. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

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  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    May 19, 2010 at 8:09 am

    if you can use the Y for cheaper than normal you totally should! ours here is way expensive, but i like working out outside so much that i don’t really need a gym in the first place. rest those legs up!

  • Kristin (Salty Tooth)
    May 19, 2010 at 8:16 am

    I’ve never thought about adding cottage cheese to oatmeal, but I’m totally going to try it tomorrow!

  • Mallory
    May 19, 2010 at 8:35 am

    Will you be sharing your strength training plan? I also really need to get back into the habit. : )

  • stephanie
    May 19, 2010 at 8:42 am

    you should join! Most YMCA’s will do an income based membership to make it super affordable for you, I used to have one and it was only like $10/mo!!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    May 19, 2010 at 8:45 am

    You should join the Y! My friend just joined one and they have this new system that is connected with all of the cardio and weight machines where you just slide your card and it will tell you what to do (like how many reps/at what weight you used last time). Seems really cool!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    May 19, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Just checked out your article. Girl after my heart … I am OBSESSED with bacon. And applewood smoked is my favorite!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    May 19, 2010 at 8:53 am

    Hmmmm…as a vegetarian, I guess I won’t click on that link. 🙂

    Have a good one!

  • Evan Thomas
    May 19, 2010 at 8:54 am

    I love bacon, too 🙂 I’m now adding it to the shopping list.

  • shannon (the daily balance)
    May 19, 2010 at 8:58 am

    still need to try the proven cottage cheese mix-in! i always forget!

  • Leah @ Simply Fabulous
    May 19, 2010 at 8:59 am

    haha great article! Love the honesty 😉

  • estroJen
    May 19, 2010 at 9:01 am

    I love the article…love that you love bacon and can admit it regardless if you live healthy most times. I am from New Jersey and we eat Taylor Ham aka Pork Roll sandwiches in the morning and I will never give them up…ever ever ever!!! Thanks for sharing, love your blog 🙂

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
    May 19, 2010 at 9:03 am

    I love cottage cheese in oatmeal 🙂 I wish there was a good vegan sub…I’m yet to see vegan cottage cheese 🙁

  • Andrea (Sweet N Green)
    May 19, 2010 at 9:03 am

    Mmmm, bacon! I used to buy turkey bacon too, but there really is no comparison.

  • Jennu
    May 19, 2010 at 9:03 am

    That’s quite an article! You can have my share of bacon, I’m not that big of a fan!

  • Katherine
    May 19, 2010 at 9:14 am

    I’m dealing with gym joining decisions too. thank you for not pushing yourself; I’m trying to force myself to run on sore legs right now but you’re reminding me not to… rest is hugely important.

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    May 19, 2010 at 9:16 am

    Cottage cheese is supposedly a ‘super food’ and tastes amazingly good with so many things: pineapple, tomatoe, spinach, tuna salad–but forget to eat it, thanks for the reminder. Love bacon too but only a couple times a year. Big fan of weights–have 6.6 lb hand weights and nothing defines faster than the right repetitions with those babies. A Stanford University law professor friend who was always in top shape just swore by the local Y–she loved it.

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit
    May 19, 2010 at 9:17 am

    Ahh, rest 🙂 I’m feelin’ that today, too. It’s rainy, and I just finished my finals… time to relax.

  • Sheri
    May 19, 2010 at 9:19 am

    Loved your article and I LOVE bacon as well. I buy Applegate Farms Natural Sunday Bacon (no chemicals or nitrates etc) and I freeze it. I take a long piece of foil and roll/wrap 2 pieces at a time. When I have a craving for bacon I just unroll 2 slices and I’m good to go.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    May 19, 2010 at 9:20 am

    Cottage cheese in oats is the BEST! Makes it so creamy!

  • Rachel
    May 19, 2010 at 9:21 am

    I am a vegetarian now, but in my meat eating days, I loved bacon!! I remember trying turkey bacon once, so nasty… I was never a fan of turkey bacon, turkey burgers, it all was so gross to me. Now I weigh my personal pros and cons about it and choose not to eat it, but I’m not going to act like I hate bacon just because I don’t eat it anymore!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    May 19, 2010 at 9:36 am

    The garbage men outside my apartment think they’re my alarm, too. I’m not a fan.

    And cottage cheese in oats? I need to try this!

  • Olivia @ Blissful Runner
    May 19, 2010 at 9:37 am

    Your Y is affordable? Mine is just as expensive as any other high-end gym in the area. 🙁

  • Cole
    May 19, 2010 at 9:53 am

    I love that mug!

  • runnerforever
    May 19, 2010 at 9:57 am

    I have heard of adding cottage cheese to oatmeal, but I worry that it will make it kinda tart or sour.

  • Camille
    May 19, 2010 at 10:04 am

    Bummer that the dumpster is under your apartment 🙁

  • Gennin
    May 19, 2010 at 10:04 am

    I too love bacon and do not eat it often enough. When I do fry it up I always seem to burn my self with the splattering grease. Boo. All of this bacon talk reminds me of one of the funniest “Office” episodes ever. When Michael burnt his foot on his George Foreman grill because he had it next to his bed so he could wake up to the smell of cooking bacon. Hilarious!

  • Marina
    May 19, 2010 at 10:06 am

    Love how your bowl of oats looks, so delicious and filling!
    Get some rest today 😉 I wish I could join a gym, but as usual, gyms in my country are crazy expensive, and I’m a poor student, so that’ll have to wait for a few years :))

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
    May 19, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Your oats look divine!

    I don’t eat bacon very often but enjoy it thoroughly when I do. 😀 And eating what you love in moderation *is* healthy living. So I still consider it part of a healthy lifestyle. 😉

  • Amanda
    May 19, 2010 at 10:16 am

    You should join. It sounds perfect! What I wouldn’t give to be able to walk to my gym.

  • Rachel
    May 19, 2010 at 10:38 am

    I miss the gym too. I’ve been running a TON lately, and my gym has been trudging on without me.

    It is supposed to storm tonight so today may be the perfect day to get back in there.

    I’m glad you enjoyed your tour at the Y. Keep us upated on your workouts! I could use a few new strength training exercises if you have any to share.

  • Sarah for Real
    May 19, 2010 at 10:49 am

    Oh… cottage cheese?! I must try that!

    I <3 bacon too!

  • Sarah (Oc2Seattle)
    May 19, 2010 at 11:02 am

    I think your “secret” is shared by many – my husband and Jeffrey Steingarten to name two . . . 😉

  • Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
    May 19, 2010 at 11:19 am

    It’s one of those days here, too. It doesn’t hurt that it’s rainy. Blah. The cottage cheese in the oats sounds amazing!

  • Samantha (Food Edu)
    May 19, 2010 at 11:26 am

    I like your bacon article! I fact all enjoy all your true/slant articles–good stuff!

  • Teresa
    May 19, 2010 at 11:41 am

    How about adding the bacon with the oatmeal in the morning? Naaah just kidding
    Applewood bacon is the best. Yesterday I had a bbq burger with hot, crispy applewood bacon with lettuce and tomatoes. Very, very good.

  • Carol
    May 19, 2010 at 11:44 am

    Your oats look wonderful and I love the pretty pink bowl. That seems like a huge bowl of oats or maybe its just the closeness of the picture.

  • Ellie
    May 19, 2010 at 11:44 am

    I found body pump workouts online and I’ve really been enjoying them for lifting weights. I actually really tend to hate lifting but this helps. Also bacon huh- more a sausage girl myself (and chicken sausage my favorite).

  • Julie
    May 19, 2010 at 11:57 am

    Bacon is awesome. All things in moderation, right?

  • hungryforbalance.wordpress.com
    May 19, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    I cant have dairy and totally miss cottage cheese- your morning combo sounds tasty!

  • Corinne (breathe and savor)
    May 19, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    OMG Jenna do I have just the thing for you! A bacon scented CANDLE! Just read your bacon article and was reminded of Aunt Sadie’s primo scented candles: http://www.auntsadiesinc.com/product/id/1483

    haha hilarious right? get into it!

  • Hayley
    May 19, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    AAAAHH, i want my lactose intolerance to go away so I can stir cottage cheese into my oatmeal just like all the normal kids. I get jealous every time I see it!

  • Jenna
    May 19, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    I thought it would be easier to wake up now that the sun is up ….I was wrong!

  • Erin
    May 19, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    It’s such an oats and coffee kinda week–where did the warm spring weather go?!

  • Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
    May 19, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    It sounds like it would be a good gym for you.

  • Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches
    May 19, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    I love the Y. I’ve been a member of one since I was little, and they really are friendly places. I’ve been using mine a lot recently just to get a break from running. I’m starting marathon training in June, so I figured it would be a good time to build up some strength before I commence on my 3 month deathmarch (lol). All the employees there know me when I come in in the mornings…it’s great. Yay for the Y!

  • Janelle
    May 19, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    I love cottage cheese in oats – it kind of makes them taste like a cheese danish and is OH so satisfying…

  • Marika
    May 20, 2010 at 4:07 am

    Haha, the dumpsters of my apartment building are also located directly below my bedroom window, so I feel your pain on that one!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
    May 20, 2010 at 6:15 am

    I love your oat bowls! 🙂