My Oatmeal Obsession

Okay, so yes, it's my third post of the day (technically speaking) but the thing is, I'm just playing catch-up. I have a whole slew of recipes I've made from about a week ago, and that I haven't shared, and I want to get this blog off the ground and full of delicious-ness! So, without further ado, the recipes: (since I have nothing else to say. I've exhausted my stories)

OATMEAL!

I love oatmeal. It's definitely on my list of top 10 favorite foods for its versatility, staying power, heart-warming qualities, and simplicity. What more could you ask for? I eat it for breakfast (most) days, so the variations are steady and I'm learning how to get more creative. (with the help of Lauren, the Oatmeal Artist. I discovered her blog about 2 days ago and it's fantastic! This recipe closely resembles her Blueberry Cashew Oatmeal, minus the nuts, so I guess great minds DO think alike!) My last few attempts are pretty standard, but of course, we all know what went in to them. Any guesses? Bueller? Bueller?

That's right... BLUEBERRIES! They just never run out, do they? Along with my odd personality and ability/ inclination to take terrible pictures. But it tasted good!

Here's the key to really good oatmeal that has taken me far too long to learn, sadly. Make it on the stove! It absorbs so much more water that way and leaves you with much fluffier oats that are also quite a bit more voluminous and filling. Plus, when you take pictures of the cooking, they look really pretty! (The blueberries bleed out and the oatmeal turns purple! It's a freaking miracle!)

Berry Overload Oatmeal

1/2 Cup Rolled Oats

1 and 1/4 Water/Coconut Milk Mix 

(I used 3/4 water, 1/2 milk. You can also use any type of milk you like, or all milk, or all water. It changes the flavor slightly, but you pick!)

Handful Blueberries

Handful Blackberries

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 Packet Sweetener or  2 drops Stevia, or more/less to taste

1. Heat water/milk to boiling in medium stovepot. Add oats and stir once, then allow to cook for about 3 minutes until they begin to get very fluffy and most of liquid is absorbed. Stir it up!
2. Add berries and stir again. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 1-2 minutes until berry juices start to seep out and color the oatmeal.
3. Remove from heat and add vanilla and sweetener to taste.
4.  Dish into a little bowl, because it just looks so much better, and ENJOY!

Another Gorgeous View of this Purple Passion!

Blueberry Peach Oatmeal

(A Variation of Berry Overload Oatmeal)

Follow Instructions for Berry Overload Oatmeal, except substituting 1/2 cup thawed frozen peaches for the blackberries. Or in addition if you wish. Also add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, and VOILA... you have now transformed it into THIS!

Connections on the Blogosphere

Well, I'm starting to get my blog out there, and MAN it feels great. I pretty much squealed in delight when I got my first comment and then went for a 5 minute dance rave... which my poor sister had to witness. I think she's scarred for life. But a special thanks to Rachel for being the person behind that comment. You will forever hold a special place among my 'blends' (I am now picking up on blogging slang, this particular term meaning blogging friends. Oh, I am in way over my head...AHHH).

Today's run, sadly, was back to the old routine mostly because of insufferable heat (I'm a wimp) and an overwhelming desire to return to the computer and get on with all my little blogging endeavors. I don't think I've ever done something 'halfway', and this is proof. Later today I plan on taking my little doggy for a walk just to be sure I get enough fresh air. I think, sadly, at this point I would take a laptop computer on a walk with me if A) I had one and B) I could type and walk at the same time. There simply are never enough hours in the day for everything I want to do. I don't know what's going to happen when school rolls around next week.

An Empty Bowl Awaiting Today's Recipe.... Pretty Bowls Make Everything Taste Better!

Today's breakfast consisted of a slight adaptation of Katie's Peach Breakfast Bake. An update on the status of our fridge/freezer: still not working. The repairman finally got a chance to come yesterday and it turns out we'll have to order a new part and then he'll have to return to install it. So, out came all of our frozen foods, and I am trying my hardest to be as not-wasteful as possible when it comes to them. Frozen peaches that were dethawed already? Check. Time for some peachy-keen recipes, then! (The other sad thing is nothing keeps, so I've been trying to make single-serve things. And although Katie's recipe supposedly serves 3 people, I adapted it to my needs for... 1. I mean, it only came to about 400 calories total after my modifications, so I think it was justified...Maybe.)

Here's A Picture of Mine

Hi-Ho CHEERIO PEACH COBBLER

*For the Peaches*

2.5 Cups Sliced Peaches (Thawed, from frozen bag. Or slice your own)

1 T. Brown Sugar

1/2 T. Cornstarch

1/2 T. Lemon Juice

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

Dash Nutmeg

Dash Ginger

*For the Topping*

1 Cup. Cinnamon Cheerios, crushed a little bit

1 T. Coconut Butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients for peaches in small bowl.
3. Top with slightly-crushed cheerios (you will want some to remain as whole O's)
4. Drizzle entire dish with butter
5. Bake for 45 minutes
6. ENJOY! I like it better served cold, actually, but it is good warm too. You can combine it with yogurt, whipped cream, ice cream, fro-yo, or pudding. I also might recommend some vanilla protein oat pudding!

*Note, I ate this whole bake. It wasn't too incredibly filling, I would say, so for a big fruity breakfast you might do the same. Or eat half as a small pre-workout meal and the rest at the end for your post-workout recovery snack. In any case, enjoy it how you like!

*In my recipe, entire dish, yes EVERYTHING totals up to be: 405 calories, 75g carbs (Don't freak out-most are natural sugars from the peaches or whole grains from the cereal!), 6g fat

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

What is your favorite dessert flavor/indulgent dessert, specifically? Mine would have to be peanut butter chocolate pretzel. All together. MMMMMM. I plan to make some awesome adaptations of healthy things with your ideas, so keep me posted!