Perfect oats

World class oats!!!!

How do you make the perfect bowl of oatmeal? It takes just a couple important steps.
1: Use a pot and cook them on the stove.
2: Use really good oatmeal. I use Bob's red mill.
3: Have a ratio of milk (any type) and hot water.
4: Stir and stir some more.

And that's how you get fluffy perfect oatmeal every time.

Today's mix: 1/4 cup oats, 2 TB. Bob's apple cinnamon hot cereal, organic non fat milk, hot water, 2 TB. pumpkin puree, cinnamon, sea salt, and 1/4 tsp. chia seeds.

Topped with: pure maple syrup, almond butter, and unsweetened coconut.

A classic morning

It was a classic mid week morning, sleepy and I didn't want to get up. But once up I prepared a classic breakfast of oat bran with organic non fat milk and hot water.

Topped with 1/4 of a sliced banana, all natural pb, raisins, and a dash of cinnamon.

My day's going to be pretty full with work, the gym, grocery shopping, and the delivery of my new fridge tonight. Can't wait for that. I have been living out of a cooler and then a mini fridge for the last 3 weeks. And it really sucks when your a girl who like to cook and eat. Along with all the condiments I love to have on hand. The space has been very limited.

It's time to get on the move

It's moving day.

I have snacks packed for the crazy day ahead. I like options so I brought three kinds and then I have some to share with others.

I also started the day out right with a bowl of oats and some unseen scrambled cheezy egg whites. I'm running on limited supplies due to the fact that I stayed at the old house last night, but most of the food is at the new house. But I think I made it work really well.

I don't know when I'll be back, but I will give you all the details of the house and the amazing healthy living/fitness friendly neighborhood.

Balancing life

Yesterday was such a crazy and long day. I wasn't able to make it to the gym which was disappointing because for one I love working and two it's a great stress relief. This week things are so crazy with buying a house that I could have really used that workout. But I have plans to workout today after work, can't wait.

I brought back a classic breakfast this morning with whipped banana chia oats.
In the pot:
a little less then 1/4 oat bran
2 TB. whole wheat farina hot cereal
hot water
soymilk
1/4 banana diced
1/4 tsp. chia seeds

Topped with
raspberry all fruit spread
Kashi 7 grain nuggets (yes I love these guys)

The next few days are going to be crazy and super busy. I hopefully get my keys for my new house tomorrow and then I'm moving the next three days. Wish me luck. A tip that I always stick with during these stressful times is eating healthy, getting 8 hrs. of sleep, and working out. Those three things create the perfect balance in life, at least for me.

Winning the battle

Slowly but surely I think I'm winning the battle with this cold. But I'm still sleepy this morning so I kept it simple and made quick cook oats.

Topped with
sliced banana
pinch of coconut
raspberry all fruit spread
cherry granola from the store bulk bin

Gooey toppings

Drippy toppings sure make for a delicious bowl of hot cereal.

In the pot:
1/4 cup oat bran
2 TB. wheat farina hot cereal
1 cup hot water
splash soymilk
1/4 tsp. chia seeds

Topped with:
warmed up pear sauce (one of my favorite toppings)
peanut butter
peach all fruit spread
raisins
honey cranberry almonds
Tj's low fat mixed berry granola

This was one of the best combinations that I have had in a while, yum. As soon as breakfast settles I'm going to do a bootcamp workout this morning.

It's gone

One full jar of applesauce and nearly three weeks later it is all gone. I enjoyed every delicious bite of this wonderful stuff. I should I ate it almost every day.

I made a batch of quick cook oats with a little whole wheat farina hot cereal added to it. The quick cook oats got a little watery today, yuck. I topped it with the very last dollop of warmed up applesauce, peach all fruit spread, and almond flax nut butter.

And topped with a little low fat mixed berry granola and some dark chocolate chips. I was thinking this morning that I'm really craving some homemade cranberry orange granola. I think I might need to make a batch this weekend.

Almost gone

I'm almost out of the worlds best applesauce. I love this stuff, seriously it is the best applesauce. That would be because it took 22 apples and only 2 cups of water to make two jars worth. What's a girl to do but start peeling apples and make my own once this jar is finished.

I enjoyed my bowl of quick cook oats so much the other day I decided to have it again. I added 2 TB. of whole wheat farina hot cereal to add a nice texture.
Topped off with a big scoop of that applesauce warmed up and a smidge of coconut on top.

And for a little crunch topped with some Tj's low fat mixed berry granola.

I have a busy day planned today with a full morning of work, followed by a trip to the gym, and then shopping and a dinner date with a friend tonight. Great way to breakup the week and have a little fun.

Back to work

Why are Monday's so difficult, especially after a three day weekend. I finally pulled my butt out of bed this morning and decided breakfast was going to be something easy.

So I grabbed the quick cook oats, added a little dash of Bob's apple cinnamon hot cereal, some hot water, stirred it up, and got moving on the toppings.

I first topped it with a few very thin slices of banana, some peach all fruit spread, dried cranberries, and peanut butter.

I then added some crunch with a little bit of Tj's vanilla almond low fat granola.

And then I thought a few of these vanilla almond puffs would go nicely.

It turned out to be a pretty darn good bowl of oats. Off to work I go with the rest of the world. I'm taking today as a rest day from working out. I knew I would not want to get up at the butt crack of dawn to workout this morning. So I planned ahead and did my workout yesterday.

Christmas granola

For Christmas presents I made some cranberry orange granola. Cranberry orange is one of my favorites because it has the most flavor. I reserved one little bag for myself to enjoy. But then I forgot about it until I stumbled upon it in the cupboard last night. But this morning I got to enjoy it.

I made a quick and easy bowl of quick cook oats and topped it with sliced banana, drizzle of raw honey, and some of the cranberry orange granola. A perfect pairing if you ask me.

I just need to get through the work day today. Then it's a three day holiday weekend and I have some fun plans for tonight, can't wait.

Power of light

Thank goodness for lights. We lost power last night around midnight and it was very windy. We were not prepared at all with our winter preparations for such an event. Luckily by the time I got up this morning the power was back.

Which is good because my first thought after I found out the power was out was that I would have to get dressed and do my makeup with a flashlight, not fun. And I would have to have cold cereal for breakfast, also made and eaten in the dark with no hot tea.

Luckily it all turned around.
In the bowl:
1/4 cup quick oats
2 Tb. Bob's spice n nice hot cereal
3/4 cup hot water
dash soymilk
heated in the microwave for about 30 sec.
Topped with
pear sauce
peach all fruit spread
almond flax nut butter
dark chocolate chips
Yogi walnut spice granola
vanilla almond puffins

All while sipping on a cup of peppermint green tea. I'm so glad I got to have a hot breakfast.

Another party down

Tis the season for holiday parties. Last night I attended another party. It was a good time had by all, but I was the only one who didn't get a gift from my secret Santa. My Santa didn't show up. There was also some mis communication about the cookie exchange. No one else brought cookie's but me. We are re scheduling the cookie exchange and everyone loved the peanut butter balls.

I planned ahead and took today as my rest day from working out. I knew I would be sleepy and would be out late the night before. Even so I am very sleepy this morning and needed to fix breakfast quickly.

So I pulled out the quick cook oats again.

Topped with
warmed up pear sauce
the last of the Justin's chocolate peanut butter
Tj's low fat mixed berry granola

Lazy

Today was a short cut lazy breakfast. I haven't had quick cook oats in a very long time. But today I wanted oatmeal but with out the cooking and clean up.

In the bowl:
1/4 cup quick cook oats
3/4 cup hot water from the instant hot
mix together

Topped with
warmed up pear sauce
Justin's chocolate peanut butter
dark chocolate chips (why not)
Yogi walnut spice granola

Enjoyed with a cup of peppermint green tea. The quick cook oats aren't as good as regular one's but it had a nice and creamy, but a little blah in flavor.

Seasonal flavors

This morning's oatmeal was inspired by holiday flavors.
In the pot:
a little less then a 1/4 cup of oat bran
1 TB. Bob's apple cinnamon hot cereal
splash soymilk
1 cup hot water

Topped with holiday cheer
Tj's cranberry orange relish
peach all fruit spread
peanut butter
unsweetened coconut
Yogi walnut spice granola
A merry of seasonal flavors.

In a little bit I'm heading to dancers workout and kickboxing. I love Wednesday's, it's by far the most challenging workout, but also the most fun.

Pear's are amazing

Another day, another bowl of oatmeal. But wait this isn't just any oatmeal, oh no it's not.
In the pot:
1/4 cup oats
2 TB. Bob's hot cereal random mix
1/4 tsp. chia seeds (I'm trying to remember to use these guys more often)
1 cup hot water
splash soymilk
1/2 of a diced pear mixed in at the end

Topped with
a few crumbles of a pear hazelnut scone
(I picked this scone up at the holiday market over the weekend. I ate about half there and have been saving the rest for breakfast toppings.)
Justin's chocolate peanut butter
homemade raisin chocolate chip granola
drizzle of raw honey

Just like another bowl of oatmeal it's another day of work, and off I go.

Life changing

Crunchy icy snow is still here. Last night I went to a friends house and we watched Eat, Pray, Love. It was an AMAZING movie. I can totally relate to it. Where my life is at the moment and the personal things I'm going through. I highly recommend this movie. I know the book is also amazing so I'm going to pick that up and give it a read. It was strange how much I could relate to it. It was like my life being outlined.

On to breakfast.

It's only 20 degree's this morning. I better bundle up before heading to the gym.

In the pot:
1/4 cup oats
1 TB. Bob's muesli
1 TB. Bob's spice n nice hot cereal
1/4 tsp. chia seeds
1 cup hot water
splash soymilk

Topped with
sliced banana
Tj's sunflower nut butter
drizzle of raw honey
I later added some of my homemade cherry almond granola

Today is dancers workout (a mix of ballet and pilates) and kickboxing. What a great workout the day before Thanksgiving. Should be a lot of fun.

Another yummy breakfast

I got a nice treat from my mom yesterday, thanks mom.

I snacked on a small end piece while preparing breakfast. This is some tasty bread. It says it's a non fat banana grapenut bread. I will try to get the recipe to share with you. I love the use of the grapenuts, it provided a nice texture.

Today's oats were very classic.

In the pot:
1/4 cup oats
2 TB. Bob's spice n nice hot cereal
1 cup hot water
few splashes soymilk
1/4 of a diced and peeled honey crisp apple that I microwaved for 30 sec. before adding to the pot
Topped with
pure maple syrup
sprinkle of Tj's low fat almond vanilla granola
a few raisins
scoop of peanut butter

Classic and delicious.

Saying goodbye to fall

Daylight savings has occurred yet still no light in the morning, what's up with that. I'm going to have to get my self some vitamin D pretty soon.

Today's oatmeal was a last reminder of fall as we move closer into winter.
In the pot:
1/4 cup oats
2 TB. Bob's spice n nice hot cereal
1.5 cups hot water
splash soymilk
1/2 of a very ripe and delicious Bartlett pear stirred in at the end

Topped with
raw white honey (the best local honey around)
sprinkle of unsweetened coconut
a few chunks of that delicious Great Harvest pumpkin muffin

Pears and pumpkin, what's not to love. Enjoyed with a mug of Teavana pear luna white tea.

I'm heading to dancers workout and kickboxing this morning. I haven't been in a few weeks due to work. So today will probably kick my butt and I will be feeling it tomorrow for sure.

It's a pear

Sleeping in and pancakes on a Saturday morning will just have to wait. I got called into work so I'm off, but not before enjoying a good bowl of oatmeal.
In the pot:
1/4 cup oats
2 TB. Bob's spice n nice hot cereal
1.5 cups hot water
splash soymilk

Topped with
white raw honey
almond flax nut butter
diced suckle pear (perfect size for toppings)
dried cherries

Paired with some pear white tea.

Coconut bliss

Coconut black tea infused oatmeal
In one cup of hot water steep 2 tsp. coconut black tea for 4 min.
In a pot mix 1/4 cup oats and 2 TB. oat bran
add tea to pot and cook for 5-10 min.
Some milk would have been good in this also.

It was bright and early this morning. So these pictures don't do this creation the justice it deserves. But trust me it was amazing.

Topped with
unsweetened coconut
coconut butter
a few slices of banana
cranberries
drizzle of raw white honey

It was like coconut bliss, so delicious. Tea infused oats adds so much flavor, you could also experiment with different teas.