The never-ending oat combos!

Hi friends!
Here's a question for you:
Firstly, I'm going to make a generalisation (*gasp*) about the majority of my readers being either blog writers themselves, healthy living blog writers, avid blog readers and probably avid healthy living blog readers. If not- you have surprised me- well done ;)

I'm also going to make the generalisation that the majority of you have or even regularly cook oats and share my love for them (if not, that's cool, I'm sure there's another healthy living blogger stereotype you fit :)

Anywho, my question!
Before you guys found your love of creating delicious bowls of oats with all kinds of add-ins and flavours, did you ever think oatmeal was just plain boring old sachets of mush that you had to either cover in sugar or honey? I know I did.

I had no idea about rolled oats and steel cut oats and oat bran and cooking them on a stove tops and adding berries/ bananas/ apples/ pumpkin/ chocolate/ vanilla etc. I would simply pour in a measly serving size sachet (yes! Alliteration :)) add some milk, cook it in the microwave (more often than not causing a messy microwave explosion) and top with honey.

Then I began reading blogs.
The world changed forever!
At first it was adding a sliced banana to the oats after cooking.
Then it was mashing a banana in a bowl and microwaving it after I microwaved the oats and then mixing them together.
Then microwaving together.
Then- magic! Stove top oats and all the never-ending possibilities!

Some early oat bowls:

Yep.

I was scrolling through my pictures from the previous week and was astounded at the vast array of flavours in my oats I enjoy over a week- how the times have changed!

First of all I made some overnight pumpkin oats in an almost-empty-jar of mixed nut butter- which was awesome! (with a side of berry fro-yo - forzen berries + greek yoghurt, whazzed)

Into the jar went 1/2 cup rolled oats + 1/2 cup steamed, mashed and cooled pumpkin + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + dash of nut meg + sprinkle of chia seeds + 1 cup almond milk, all stirred up together and left in the fridge overnight:

Up next I was feeling something warmer, comforting and CHOCOLATE!

Enter chocolate protein steel cut oats!

Into a saucepan went 1/2-3/4 cup steel cut oats + 1 scoop choc protein powder (I use this one) + a few big dashes of cinnamon + 1 sliced banana + 1 cup almond milk + 1 cup water- heated on medium heat for 20 mins and let to sit for another 10 mins to cool.

With some cashew butter hidden on the bottom, half the oats poured in, a little more PB in the middle, rest of the oats and topped with a tad more peanut butter- so good!

Then I was feeling something a little fresher, a little fruity, a little tangy!

Some mixed berry cheesecake oats!

This was 1 cup rolled oats + 1 sliced banana + 1 handful mixed frozen berries + 1 cup almond milk + 1/2 cup water, heated on medium heat for around 10 mins until all the liquid was absorbed and then let sit to cool for another 10 mins before stirring in a couple of scoops of greek yoghurt.

Into a bowl (you know there was some extra nut butter hidden throughout it) and topped with some mixed nut butter

That was just from one week of breakfasts!

I love experimenting with my oats and the possibilities really are never-ending (I haven't quite become brave enough to try savoury oats, or to add egg whites to my oats- apparently it makes the texture better) and I can't wait to experiment further and enjoy some awesome bowls (or mugs, or cups) of oats!

Your turn:
Did you ever have quick oat sachets?
What did your first bowls of oats look like? Mine were not photo-worthy that's for sure!

Current favourite flavour combo in your oats?

That's it from me today folks! Anyone else got a sudden hankering for oats? Just me? Ahh well there's a cure for that one! ;) Have a fabulous day and I'll be back tomorrow! Bye friends! :D

Preparation made easy!

Hidy-ho folks!
How's the week been treating you so far?
Mines been pretty decent. Decent food (we all know that's a lie- AWESOME food!) Decent school days, decent amount of homework, decent amount of time to relax...
Ok- they're all lies! I'm not saying school is bad, I'm saying the amount of work we tackle each day is almost comical. Almost. And the level of homework can only be described as horrendous and what even is relaxation? It's probably hanging out somewhere with the life that left me after starting year 11. Sigh.
One would think with all that complaining, I have no time to even butter a piece of bread let alone cook my breakfasts, lunches and dinners, right?

Wrong.

Food is one area in my life that I take very seriously, because I know how I can feel if I let my nutrition slip. Not good. So even though it takes a little extra effort and time- I do it. Planning ahead is my saviour, so here are a few of my sneaky tricks:

Egg bakes:

An egg bake is so easy to whip up and make ahead. It lasts well and tatses even better cold the next day anyway!
My typical recipe goes a little something like this:
2 eggs
1 heaped cup veggies (chopped capsicum, mushrooms, zucchini, eggplant, corn, peas, kale, onion- whatever I have on hand really)
1/4 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon garlic
optional- spices (I alternate between mexican spices and simply paprika, or cumin, stuff like that)

Whisked altogether and then poured into two ramekins to bake in the oven (180 degrees celsius) for 30 mins- until set.

Hello lunch!

Seeing as you already have the oven on, you may as well prepare something for brekky the following day, too!
Baked oatmeal is my friend!

So simple to make and perfect for a make-in-advance meal!
I simply place my ingredients for making oatmeal (this was choc oatmeal)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 teapsoon chia seeds
1 scoop choc protein powder
1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
1 thinly sliced banana
a few big dashes of cinnamon
1 cup almond milk
into a saucepan on medium heat, stirring continuously until most of the liquid has been absorbed and then pouring into a greased ramekin/ mini loaf pan and baking for 45 mins at 180 degrees celsius until firm. Remove from ramekin, leave to cool completely and then place in container in the fridge until required.
Required:

I heated my chocolatey bake up in the microwave for 30 seconds with some peanut butter... :)

Done and done:

Roasted veggies are always a really awesome way to prep ahead and ensure a tasty lunch the following day:

Super-simple, yet again, chopped potato, white sweet potato, baby carrots, beetroot, parsnip and pumpkin drizzled in oil and roasted at 180 degrees celsius for 45mins-1 hour.

Whacked into a container with some spinach and garlic tofu- job done!!
Lastly, another make-ahead brekky that just tastes so good!
Make ahead truffles:

Sorry about the side ways pic... tilt your head to the left and it should be fine!

These particular truffles were fudgey, banana-y, almond butter-y balls of epic-ness. yep.
Throw into a bowl:
1/2 cup muesli
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1/2 mashed banana (freeze other half)

Melt together in microwave for 20 seconds, then add to bowl:

1-2 tablespoons almond butter (I did closer to two ;)
2 tablespoons milk (I used almond milk)

Wet your hands, roll-y roll and place in a container for the freezer:

When ready to eat, remove from freezer for 20-30 mins and then enjoy!

I had mine after a long run with some banana fro-yo (1/2 the leftover frozen banana+ 3 big scoops greek yoghurt) and it hit. the. spot!

:)

That is how I manage to get through each day ensuring my meals are filled with all the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients my hectic lifestyle requires! Also, I wouldn't be happy with a Vegemite sandwich for lunch and a bowl of cereal for brekky.... that's another reason I have to prep in advance! Standards people!

What about you?
Do you ever have to prep in advance?
Awesome things that last overnight/ longer?
Fan of baked oatmeal? It took me a while to get on the baked oatmeal train... but now I love it!


That's it from me today folks (gotta run! As usual!) so I hope I have gifted you with some inspiration if you're ever in a time pickle and want need something tasty. Have a fabulous day! Bye! :D

Me complaining.. Again.

You're probably getting sick of me complaining about having zilch/ naught/nada/no time.
So with that in mind.....
I HAVE NO TIME!
I feel like it is a very typical teenager complaint (and probably an adult one too... I'm not sure, I'll have to wait until I become an adult ;) but trying to squish in school, homework, extracurricular school activities, flute lessons, acrobatics, a job, a blog and a social life (remind me again what that is?) leaves very little hours in the day. Unless I give up sleeping. Hmmm...

 Ok, sleep can stay. For now. ;P
Any who, where does a girl-full-of-beans who wants needs to burn off all her buzzing energy, find the time to run for her desired 1 hour and 30 minutes?
Why she wakes up before the sun has even considered stirring, laces up her running shoes and pounds that pavement! (It sounds so much cooler put like that!)
Even then- that early in the morning- leaves roughly 30 seconds to prepare breakfast. Enter pre-prepared deliciousness:

These round spherical objects that appear sort of white (however they are simply icy) are vanilla peanut butter protein balls, defrosting slightly from their overnight stay in the freezer.
They are so good for quick throw-in-your-gob brekky, made the night before and simply left out for around 15-20 mins to soften= perfect!

To make simply place about 1/3 cup rolled oats, 2 big tablespoon flax flakes (or some crumbled cereal of choice), sprinkle of chia seeds, scoop of vanilla protein powder, dash of cinnamon and some wholegrain cheerios (optional... but sort of not:) in a bowl and stir to combine.
Heat a heaped tablespoon of peanut butter in a small container with 2 tablespoons of milk of choice (I used macadamia milk) in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir into dry mix. Add more milk if necessary and form into balls. Place on a plate lined with baking paper and pop in the freezer until required.
So simple- which is why I didn't bother creating a proper recipe. :D

However, for some unforeseen reason, I awoke extremely early this particular morning and managed to make it back in time to make a little extra something to go with these awesome protein bites.

Yep- I made some strawberry banana ice cream and it was... majestic.

Simply 1 chopped frozen banana and a small handful of frozen strawberries whazzed up together in a food processor until, smooth and creamy and luscious. Yes, this ice creamy was both majestic and luscious. I may have been slightly over hungry. Either way it was good!

Perfect post-run brekky:

Check out how pretty the ice cream looks:

Starting to think I have a small fetish towards this ice cream. No shame.

I thought as I was chomping through these rich and fudgey bites that I should take a pic of the inside, so I took a bite, flicked on my camera, peered through the eye piece thingo and...

Hello Mr cheerio!

The best part about this brekky is just how filling and nutritionally beneficial it is. It packs a powerful punch in every aspect- which is great for fast refueling after an intense workout. You've got complex carbs, healthy fats, nutritious fruits and so. much. yumminess!

In case you were interested in what I whip up when I have slightly longer than 30 seconds, like on the weekend, then here you go:

A huge, delicious smoothy bowl.
And if you think about it, it's quite similkar to my quick brekky, just prepared differently. The oats (and cheerios!) are rubbed with pb and then baked in the oven for 15 mins, the fruit (frozen banana and frozen mango) is whazzed up with some spinach, kale, greek yoghurt, chia seeds and water and then they are both plonked together in a bowl.

I always crave the smoothies and ice cream (banana ice cream that is;) after my runs and then I realise I'm quite hungry so I throw in the oat aspect!

Nom!

And then I also realise I've overestimated the capacity of my bowl...

Boy, that was a close one!

What about you?
Do you wake up early to fit in a workout?
Do you prepare food in advance for busy days or just grab convenience foods?
Cheerios- thoughts? I love cheerios :)

Now, what other things do I need to get done before my free time runs out once again! TA-TA for now! :D

WIAW #44

Hello, hello and happy Wednesday! Feeling like the weeks dragging? (I don't see how, my time seems to be running away from me!) Need something to carry you over the hump? How about this picture?

You're feeling better already, right? Good! Well in true Wednesday fashion- WIAW! Thanks as always to Peas and Crayons fro this awesome weekly link-up! Who wants to see some eats??

Breakfast: 
After 2 dates at 6:00am and a 90 minute run, I quickly hurried around getting organised for school and then managed to scarf down some oats in a jar with a banana:

 Hmmm, that nut butter looks a bit off!! (Oh boy, I'm so funny!)

 1/2 cup oats+ 2 big tablespoons flax flakes + 1 cup almond milk + 3 scoops greek yoghurt+ lots of cinnamon+ sprinkle of chia seeds- stirred up and left in the fridge overnight:

 Filling, delicious... quick!! Perfect.

 Couldn't fit the banana in so I fit the oats on top instead!!

Snack:
You've seen the pot of peas many times. And I forgot a picture. Oh yeah.
Lunch: 1:00pm
By lunch the running hunger was yelling and I gratefully wolfed down my roasted veg and peas and corn and tofu salad:

 Roasted potato, sweet potato, beetroot and swede with spinach steamed peas and corn and chili tofu.

 Again, filling and delicious (and prepared the night before for maximal quickness and easiness in the morning!

Snack: 4:00pm 
After a tiring day at school (learning tires you out people! So do tests!) I needed a little snack-attack and chopped up some yummy fruit!

 And soy milk to satisfy the hunger for a while.

 Chopped apple and deliciously sweet and crisp green grapes.

Dinner:  6:45pm
Mexican night!!

 Pita-pockets stuffed with hommus, Mexican seasoned beans and lentils and a fresh crunchy salsa with tomatoes, capsicum, coriander, lemon juice, chili and avocado, with a side of steamed pumpkin and parsnip:

 Y.U.M!

 Happy days.
That's what I ate. I gotta run (busy, busy, busy) keep eating, keep smiling and head on over to Peas and Crayons if you wanna check out what other people have been eating this Wednesday!

Bye! :D