Jeez, Louise! It’s raining cats and dogs tonight!
Mal took Murphy for a walk this evening and came inside totally drenched! Look at his jacket! Thank goodness for husbands!
[rewind to this afternoon]
Snack
After work, I snacked on a Chocolate Coconut Chew Larabar, which was tasty, but not super chocolaty. 
(I haven’t updated this blog post in ages, but if you want to see how I rank other Larabara flavors, check out this post.)
A little while later, I munched on a few Uncle Jerry’s Extra Dark pretzels. Love these!
Workout
When Mal got home from work, we headed over to the gym for Body Pump. (I think Mal is already hooked! 
)
As always, tonight’s class was awesome! There were a lot more 72 tracks thrown into the mix, so I was happy. I’m LOVIN’ the Kelly Clarkson-squat track! It lasts for-ever, so you get a good burn by the end.
I also went up to 23 pounds on the tricep track, which is a 5 pound increase from the beginning of the month. Yay! I’m getting stronger!
Dinner
For dinner, Mal whipped-up a wonderful tuna salad with celery, black olives, red onion, chives, and lemon juice. While he put together the tuna salad, I prepared a bunch of salads: one for me, one for Mal, and one for my lunch tomorrow.
I always make my lunch salad when I make my dinner salad. It saves me so much time in the morning. Might as well chop the veggies once, right?
I topped my salad with Mal’s tuna surprise and some black-eyed peas.
In the mix:
- Arugula
- Grape tomatoes
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Red bell pepper
- Black-eyed peas
- Black olives
- Tuna salad
It was a great salad! It had lots of delicious flavors!
For “dessert,” I enjoyed a piece of whole wheat bread with Barney Butter and cinnamon on top. It totally satisfied my sweet tooth.
After dinner, our friend, Andy, came over to see our new place. (For the person who asked if he is single, he is! ) Not surprisingly, the guys broke out the Bourbon County beer. So much for saving it until this weekend!
Again, I wasn’t planning to drink tonight, but there was no way I was going to turn down a pint of Bourbon County. It’s an amazing beer!
The guys went out to a bar, but I stayed home in my PJs. This grandma can’t hang at Thirsty Thursday anymore.
Nighttime Snacking
I’ve received quite a few questions about how to deal with nighttime snacking from the Ask Me Anything form, so I decided to respond in a blog post.
I used to be a big nighttime snacker, but over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that have helped me avoid it. The most effective strategy for me is to eat a really satisfying dinner– one with whole grains, protein, and healthy fats.
Here are some other tricks that work for me:
- Close the kitchen: If I am especially snacky, I will put a chair in the doorway of my kitchen to signal that it is “closed” for the night. Seeing a physical barrier to the food helps deter my snacking.
- Invest in some mouthwash and floss: To prevent nighttime snacking, I will floss, brush, and mouthwash my teeth right after eating dinner/dessert. The process and super minty flavor usually curb my appetite. Plus, I don’t want to re-clean my teeth, so I don’t usually snack anymore.
- Sip herbal tea: A hot mug of tea with a squirt of agave nectar or honey usually quells my cravings.
- Have a snack (with protein and carbs): When all else fails, eat something! But, make sure it’s a snack that fills you up. My recent favorites are sliced banana + walnuts + agave nectar, a Sandwich Thin + nut butter, and Greek yogurt + cereal.
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Great suggestions! I try not to eat dinner too early so I don’t feel snacky later at night. I should probably start sipping more tea rather than red wine
I have been battling with night time snacking. I found that having some Fiber 1 cereal with blueberries and a bit of milk helps me. I only use one serving of each. I was a bit worried that it might be a bad idea to have carbs before bed. I am trying to lose weight so I’m not sure if I’m on the right track or not. Do you have any insights?
This is coming from a girl that used to heat up a plate of leftover dinner as a “bedtime snack” all throughout growing up at home!
@Crystal: I’m not an expert, but from what I read, healthy carbs are not bad for you!
I haven’t tried many larabars but I’m going to check your thoughts on them. Since I’ve grown to love coconut, maybe I’d like their coconut flavors
I like having a snack with good fat because it keeps me full.
So glad you’re loving the pump! I’m teaching a big mix up right now including 71, 72, 53 &42! Its a real butt kicker. What a fabulous dinner Mal put together. Love your snacking tips- especially the one about closing the kitchen. I hope you two have a great weekend
I’ve never tried the actual physical obstacle to the kitchen! I’ll have to give that one a try…I’m a nototious night-time snacker
Great post! I, too, struggle with late night snacking. If I can get myself to drink a hot mug of herbal tea before reaching for food, I’m usually good to go. It’s just so tempting to reach for peanut butter and chocolate chips!
Snacking in general is a problem for me! But I am getting better! i love the idea of putting a chair in the doorway of the kitchen! Good idea!
The rain is CRAZY here on Cape Cod…insane wind too!
those are great tips! i definitely brush my teeth and sip some good naturally sweet hot tea when i get really snacky…or just go to sleep! that’s so awesome that mal loves body pump, and way to go on the weight increase! it’s working!
Great suggestions! It’s important to remember that if you’re feeling snacky because you’re physically hungry, then you should EAT! But if you’re just snacking out of boredom or habit or something like that, then it’s worthwhile to try to avoid it.
I’m the worst when it comes to nighttime snacking! I was feeling snacky myself tonight, but after reading your post I may just opt for tea instead!
Poor Hunni is getting ready to take the puppers for a walk. They have coats and he had a hood but they are going to get soaked.
I could not agree more (as I’m sitting here drinking my tea for the evening
). If your body is asking for something a bit sweet, try fluids first. If you can tell that only food will satisfy the craving, I always make sure there is a bit of protein + carbs because that is the perfect combo for me to feel truly satisfied.
I love your late night tips… I can eat perfectly every day but get in the habit of having a ‘midnight snack’ I had late night snacks as a little girl and it’s a bad habit that stuck!
You’re up to the big plate, eh? I’m still stuck on one medium and two small…I’ve been there for a few months now. Triceps are so hard!
I love that you like PB and cinnamon too! My husband thinks I’m crazy when I put PB and cinnamon on my apple. I really enjoy your blog because the more I get to know you, I realize the more we have in common. So nice!
I am DYING to try those Uncle’s Jerry’s Extra Dark. I just had the regular Uncle Jerry’s for the first time and fell in love, and I’ve always loved when pretzels have a nice burnt taste. Maybe that can be your next giveaway
Uncle Jerry, are you listening?
i always have to have a little something right before bed – lately it’s been hot chocolate!
Love the closed kitchen one. I have a tiny kitchen so this would be so easy.
You definitely inspire me to keep increasing my body pump weights. I actually made it to 28 pounds for my triceps today but then my arms were so sore I had to cut way back for the biceps track. Ooops….
Great suggestions. Late night is not usually my issue because I don’t get to eat dinner until 9. Then it’s just a matter of making sure I get to bed on time…
Brushing and flossing my teeth always help. It’s no fun eating with the toothpaste flavor in your mouth.
that’s such a good tip for salads! they deter me b/c of the time in the morning, but now i can make them at night!
Great tips — I usually brush my teeth after eating dinner so I’m not tempted to snack. It’s been hard here in Australia eating smaller dinners than normal and waking up STARVING in the morning. :/
Ugh, I’ve been struggling with night-time snacking lately. Thanks for the tips. Fortunately, my fridge is basically empty [grocery run tmrw!], so hopefully I’ll keep the munching to a minimum tonight.
I’ve never had tuna before, but it looks rather delectable the way you prepared it!
Eating well then brushing my teeth is my trick, too.
The weather in Mass this week has been crazy! It’s definitely been a struggle to get my butt to class on time
These are some nice snacking tips–the floss trick is one of my favorites.
Mmmm, that beer looks SO good! I love a dark beer!
The squat track in Body Pump #72 is my favorite! I loved that Kelly Clarkson song when her CD came out, and it really gets me “pumped” and motivated for what’s a pretty hard track for me.
Thanks for the nightime snacking tips! I am definitely guilty and am always looking for new tips & tricks.
THANKS!
~Christie
Awesome tips in this post — why have I never thought of making my lunch salad while making my dinner salad??? And I like your nighttime snacky tips. Sometimes it can be a problem for me! :/
Great tips! I am a huge proponent of drinking tea/Pero/Teeccino at night to beat those sweet cravings and fill you up. Of course the only problem with 4 cups of tea before bet is the obvious middle of the night interruption :p
everything you wrote clicks! making lunch the night before = a+, nighttime snacking avoidance techniques = a+… i just need to learn to say no when chocolate/ice cream calls to me softly at night…
Greek yogurt and cereal – best snack ever! That NEVER fails to satisfy hunger, and is healthy too! I’d definetly give that one a thumbs up
Haha poor Mal and Murphy re the rain!! I’m sure they enjoyed it on some level
That’s probably one of my least favourite Larabar flavours – though interestingly enough I do love the Cocoa Mole one! Still, I think I’d pass even that up for some tuna surprise
Great tips on the nighttime snacking!
That Larabar flavour is actually one of my favourites! Just goes to show how tastes differ.
Mal and Murphy both look equally adorable
Love the blog!
~Jess~
I have pretty much broken my night time snacking habit as well but for the nights I am feeling munchy but not hungry, I do the hot tea thing. Occasionally, I do get legit hungry after dinner and I have a bowl of puffed brown rice (brown rice is the only ingredient, no sugar) with unsweetened rice milk and that seems filling enough to get me through until bed time.
Thank for for the late night snack attack tips. My nibbling inclinations tend to go into overdrive at night, and every time I pass the kitchen I become tempted. I’ve found the tooth-brushing trick in the past, I think it’s time to start incorporating it again.
That whole wheat bread looks so hearty, fresh, and delicious!
I totally agree with the sipping tea to get rid of night time cravings! Plus it hydrates and helps you relax!
I use the herbal tea trick too. I make a pot after dinner and sip on it all night.
The rain is crazy! I’m with you on the mouthwash/floss trick
I don’t really have a problem with night time snacking unless I have a glass of wine, hehe oops! Other than that, I can usually calm the craving with a class of tea or water.
I eat dinner around 5 because I have a little one and she’s hungry around then. Since I eat dinner so early I know I’ll need a snack before bed. I just compensate with my dinner calories to allow myself to have a snack. Even if I don’t eat dinner early, I guess out of habit, I still want a snack
I think “closing the kitchen,” while it sounds a little extreme, actually does work and is a great idea. I used to do something similar in college before I went out with friends and knew I would be drinking and coming home hungry–I’d actually tape the fridge shut to remind myself not to snack. OK that does sound a little weird, but it worked!
@Erica: Our instructor threw in that Veruca Salt (“Baby I’m ready to go”) squat track from 52 or 54 (I think?) on Wednesday and I about died. I LOVE when they mix it up.
I like the idea of closing the kitchen with a chair ! I might have to try that out.
Wow…great job on the workout! That’s a whole lot of weight to be lifting, so you should definitely feel proud.
Hope you’re staying dry and warm in the crazy weather!
One of the most important things for me for night time snacking is checking to see if I’m really hungry. If I eat dinner by 6:30, it’s a good couple hours before bed, so it makes sense I might be hungry. A small filling snack like the ones you suggested realllllly help!!
Tina, I see you say you add a “squirt of agave nectar” often, and was wondering if you could estimate how much is actually in that squirt? I find that mine are often at least a tablespoon! I like my coffee sweet! I now am realizing how much my “squirts” add up calorie wise.
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