Beyond Instagram: What I Really Eat in A Day

By Amanda Paa – Updated January 12, 2021

This post is sponsored by Lorissa’s Kitchen, a year long partner of Heartbeet Kitchen. 

The recipes I share with you on this blog and Instagram are some of my favorite things to eat. But when it comes to every day meals and how my day flows, I have a rhythm just like you.

What I eat often comes together unplanned (I don’t meal plan, and often wish I did), digging through the refrigerator or pantry.
Or picking something up when I’m running errands.
My food doesn’t always look “pretty” or artistic. That’s not to say I never style some of what I eat because sometimes I want it to be special, and it makes me feel good.

But overall, we’re more alike thank you’d think. Here’s what I eat in a day.

Heartbeet Kitchen breakfast

Breakfast:

I need it (especially some protein). And never a go a day without. Typically it’s a scrambled egg, peanut butter banana toast (with salt), and a few pieces of Lorissa’s Kitchen. Because sure, I’d like to have bacon every day, but clean-up and time, no thanks. We’ll save that for weekends. My other standbys are oatmeal, and cereal (ranging from Cheerios, to Peanut Butter Panda Puffs, and sprouted corn flakes.)

I take my coffee with milk and honey, and brew it pour-over style. Or I head to my favorite local coffee shop, Astoria Cafe.

Breakfast at a desk.

Lunch:

Because I work from home, it can be easy to eat lunch and multi-task, attached to the computer and other things that need to get done. In an attempt to take a break, I find that running errands over lunch and stopping somewhere casual to eat is helpful.

I do this once a week, and popped into AgraCulture last time for a harvest salad with lots of yummy ingredients like roasted cauliflower and squash, beets, kale, quinoa, candied walnuts, and cheese. Water helps to keep me hydrated, and save money.

AgraCulture Edina lunch

Dinner:

It really depends on the day. Sometimes I’m too tired from cooking and shooting that the last thing I want to do is prepare a meal. Other days I can’t wait to make a new recipe. And often it’s leftovers from previous work. Yes, we do eat everything that I make for the blog! I feel that’s an especially important connection to have.

Last night it was a bowl of chorizo sweet potato chili, tortilla chips, and creme fraiche for good measure. I had made a large batch earlier this fall and froze it for future quick meals. And I’m so happy I did. It’s a recipe I hope to share with you in the future. Spicy, hearty, and lots of vegetables.

Chili with Tortilla Chips

Snacks, and everything in between:

My body and brain runs best when I snack between meals.

I have one green smoothie that’s a regular — banana, spinach, milk, frozen cauliflower, collagen powder, and peanut butter. And then there’s pink one you see above, with cherries, raspberries, coconut milk, and honey.

When I’m craving something savory and need a boost of protein, I reach for Lorissa’s Kitchen, usually the Korean Barbecue or Sweet Chili (all flavors are gluten-free). I like that the pieces are tender and flavorful, not dry and tough like others I’ve tried. And perhaps most important, come from responsibly raised animals.

Lorissa's Kitchen

And without a doubt, I have a sweet tooth. You probably know that already. ☺️ There isn’t a day that goes by without dessert. And guess what? That helps my brain function best too, throwing rules and guilt out the window, and instead following a “living means enjoyment” type of mentality.

Cookies and dark chocolate, you get me.
And hopefully you, as reader friends, get me a little bit better too. ❤️

p.s. Do you have favorite recipes for meal prep? Leave them below, I’d love to start that in the new year.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Did you make this?

tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen

November 30, 2017

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17 comments

  1. Marie Nyberg

    Can you share where you got your light blue mug and plate in your breakfast photo? I am drawn to the color and shape. Thanks!

    • amandapaa

      Hi Marie! The mug is from a ceramist in Winnipeg, Canada: Mud & Stone. The plate was purchased in Paris.

  2. christine / my natural kitchen

    I always love to hear about what people eat! That sweet chili jerky is my husband’s favourite actually! I don’t meal prep regularly, but sometimes on a Sunday afternoon I’ll roast up a tray of sweet potatoes with smoked paprika and garlic powder, which I add to the salads I take to work to help bulk them up. I also like to have a homemade salad dressing on hand, and sometimes I’ll make up some brown rice so that we can do burrito-style bowls either Monday or Tuesday for dinner. Baking salmon is another Sunday thing, so that I can have leftovers to bring to work. And also a treat or two – usually bliss balls or some quick raw chocolate. I don’t get to it every week but when I do, I feel SO on top of things and meals really do come together more easily for the first few days of the week. I’d love to see what you end up doing with meal prep in the new year!

    • amandapaa

      I need to be better at making homemade sauces and dressings to have on hand! I usually just olive oil and lemon juice or balsamic, but that gets boring. And yes, definitely makes me feel organized when I am able to meal prep! Thanks for sharing your everyday meals too. xo

  3. Emily

    What a great idea for a post! So fun and I can relate to so much of what you wrote about. Totally envious of your lunchtime salad- I wish we had an AgraCulture in Michigan!

    • amandapaa

      It is such a great restaurant! They have fresh juices, healthy meals that fit gluten-free, vegetarian, paleo, you name it! Thanks for reading, Emily. xo

  4. Randy P

    Such an excellent article. I wish you would prepare chicken Parmesan or show me how to make it the way you are. You are the greatest.

    • amandapaa

      Awesome! That’s the next dinner we’ll make together, dad.

  5. Cathy @ Noble Pig

    Picking the right things and staying healthy as a blogger is hard and requires mindful eating. I love to fill in the blanks with Lorissa’s Kitchen too…just discovered them this past year. Such great snacking food.

    • amandapaa

      Oh so great that your a Lorissa’s fan too!

  6. Ruby

    Beautiful, simple photos of your day! Loved seeing and reading this. I, too, am trying to become a better meal-prepper, but so far that only seems to mean batch roasting vegetables whenever I remember and making large amounts of hummus. It’s a start, I suppose! xo

  7. Mary Mirelez

    Cooking three styled meals a day is quite a time consumer! I’m glad I’m not alone in taking breaks, and letting some stuff go. Also, yay for the guilt free sweet tooth, breakfast toast, oatmeal and gf cereal!! Ah, so much freedom in doing what works for us as individuals. :) Loved this post! xoxo

    • amandapaa

      Yes, everyone beats to their own drum! And that’s the wonderful thing about food – we like what we like. :) Cereal and all. xo

  8. Tori//Gringalicious.com

    Wow, I have to admit that I’m secretly always fascinated by knowing what other bloggers actually eat behind the blog. Thanks for sharing such a personal post!

    • amandapaa

      Aw, I’m glad it’s interesting to you! Thanks for reading. xo

  9. Abby @ Heart of a Baker

    I love these glimpses into everyday life! I also find that I never break for lunch, but I need to get into a better habit of it :)

    • amandapaa

      It’s hard to stop the habit! But when you’re aware of it, I think it gets easier. And the clear mind is so welcome when you head back into the afternoon.