(No idea why this post was empty – grrrr – I’ll have to re-write it…)
My grandmother send me a package of doilies and linens in the mail yesterday so I decorated my breakfast to make it more refined 🙂
I slept in a bit this morning – until 6:45 – and then knocked some things off my to-do list. Around 8 I whipped up a batch of oats with trail mix. I used half water half hemp milk today instead of skim milk to see if the hemp flavor would be more pronounced. Although I do think the oats tasted great, I don’t think the difference was enough to justify doing this every day given that hemp milk is more expensive (and has more sugar) than skim milk. But my oats did turn out SUPER creamy and slightly sweeter!
I prepared the oats with 1 small banana, cooked for ultimate meltiness, with flax and trail mix on top. Note how creamy and plump the oats are – exactly how I like them!
With decorated coffee –
And a tiny stitched napkin!
This breakfast was about 485 kcal, 11 grams fiber and 15 grams protein.
I’m off to do a bit of lab prep while I digest, then it’s off to the gym for a hard workout.
Romina says
That’s so sweet of your grandma! They look so beautiful, just like your breakfast. I like the addition of chocolate chips, makes for a good Saturday morning breakfast. =)
Betsy says
the doily and napkin are just the cutest things i’ve ever seen!! when my grandmother died many years ago, we found piles of them in her cupboards, just like those. I have a few in my apartment.
my favorite thing in college was saturday morning workouts. I would get up early (well, early for college life) and spend three hours at the gym. they made me feel sooo ready for a weekend of hard studying (and having fun too 😉 )
BethT says
So cute – my mom would kill for those linens!
Have you (or anyone) ever tried sliced cucumber in your water, as opposed to sliced lemon/lime/etc? I went to a restaurant last night where it was served like this, and it was SO good! Something I’d never thought of, for sure…
bev says
One word…Charming 🙂
VeggieGirl says
Oh my goodness gracious, those doilies and linens from your grandmother are just too adorable!! They create just a lovely, “refined” place-setting for your breakfast meal :0)
Sounds like you’ve already had quite a productive morning – great! Happy Saturday!
kay says
Those are adorable!! It almost seems like you are at a Bed and Breakfast place..that the image anyways!
Your oatmeal looks so CREAMY!! When I looked at the photo, I thought it was oat bran!!
This may sound funny but do you know of any foods that help prevent wrinkles and for softer skin??
Jem says
Hi Kay,
I have heard that salmon, walnuts and other foods with omega 3s are good for skin. And the easiest, miracle cure for everything – WATER!
Allyson says
Kath-
Re: last night’s dinner post…do you generally not eat pasta? or is it specific to restaurants?? What are your thoughts on pasta in general?
Thanks again so much for your blog!
Just started taking spinning classes and i LOVE them! what a great workout!
🙂
hk says
ok, judging by the amazing creamy-ness of your oats, I need some more practice at this. I’m using 1/2 cup of rolled oats with 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup skim milk. I make them on the stove top with (adding a pinch of salt) for about 20minutes, where do I need to make an adjustment to get mine to look like yours?
yum!!
Kiala says
Doilies.
You are adorable.
the husband says
hk,
That’s pretty much exactly what we do. No salt though, but I can’t imagine that makes the huge difference. Once the liquid gets hot enough that the starches burst and begin to thicken things, I pretty much stir it until it’s done. Perhaps that’s the secret?
the husband says
Oops, meant to respond to Allyson too.
I don’t want to put too many words in Kath’s mouth but I’m pretty sure we feel the same about pasta in restaurants: I just can’t shake the feeling from the back of my mind, “I can’t believe I’m paying $20 when the pasta to make this dish cost a dime.” Also, we’ve gotten so used to eating whole wheat pasta that the taste of the white pasta last night was almost a surprise. It had so much less flavor and texture.
But occasionally something sounds delicious and you have to throw caution to the wind!
hk says
mmm, intersting…well, I’ve been stirring too, but I’ll put some more elbow grease into it and see what happens. 20 minutes is about the length of cook time on the stove-top though? mine are always cooked and tasty, just never that fluffy/creamy…I’ll keep experimenting. Yea..the salt thing was just sort of what my mom has always done..and she swears by it, so it’s habbit 🙂 perhaps I’ll stray from that and see if there’s any difference.
thanks, matt! enjoy the weekend and can’t wait to hear all about your work on monday, great news!!
Jtine says
Kath and/or Husband,
That oatmeal looks delicious! Did you make or buy the trail mix, and what’s in it?
Sharon says
Quick question…Where in the world do you find miso? I know the origin etc just can’t find it at the grocery. There aren’t any asian markets where I live either. You have inspired me with kale and puree. I’m going to try out some of the thicken soups this weekend!!
If you have any suggestions about the miso or a substitute? It’s not an asian soup or anything just need a tsp.
Thanks.
Laurel says
Hi Kath,
I tried oatmeal for breakfast the other day (just some quick-rolled oats in the microwave with a splash of milk, a teaspoon of natural peanut butter and some sugar free maple syrup). They were very unappetizing (I think the sf syrup made me queasy). I’ll have to try your recipe, it sounds more flavorful.
I’ve been running into the same problem a lot lately with food–I’ll pack snacks and lunch for the workday and then when it’s time to eat them they’re so unappetizing that I can’t bring myself to eat them. There’s only so much room in the fridge at work, and no time to go out for a meal at lunch. Any advice?
I also wonder if you can recommend healthy, portable snacks and meals. Sometimes I have to eat in the car on the way from work to school and need something I can eat easily and preferably quickly.
When you refer to kcals, are those the same as calories (cals)?
Also, do you have any organization tips for linen closets? It’s almost time for spring cleaning!
Thanks again for all your great work! I visit your blog daily and love it.
BethT says
Sharon, do you have a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods? I see Miso there.
Sharon says
I wish…
Sharon says
substitutions?
BethT says
Sharon, I found this online:
There is no substitute for the pure flavor of miso. If you just need a small amount for a recipe try substituting sesame paste or tahini.
Kath says
BethT,
I have had cuc in water, but I’m not crazy about them in general so I didn’t really like it after the first 3-4 sips. But if you love cuc, then I bet that would be a great way to drink more H2O.
Kay,
I don’t think there are any miracle wrinkle reducing foods, but the best thing you can do is eat plenty of antioxidant-filled fruits and veggies like all the colorful berries and beans as well as spices and herbs. And drinking lots of water never caused a wrinkle!
Allyson,
I like pasta, but it’s never been a big craving food for me (like bread!!). I don’t usually order it in restaurants because it’s usually 3-4 times the serving size and covered in a caloric sauce – salads, seafoods and dry meats are usually less. But sometimes I do get it when I’m in the mood and when the dish seems to be out of this world. The husband’s last night sure was!
HK,
I think the stirring of the oats does have something to do with it and the more banana we add the creamier they get. This morning’s had 2 small bananas (about 6 oz) and was really creamy. I cut the banana into bite-sized chunks and did a lot of stirring. Add a medium sized one and stir a lot the next time you make it and see what happens.
Jtine,
It’s the Bear Naked High Sierra Mix – we got it at Costco. I threw in a few dried raspberries from a Trader Joe’s mix as well. TJ’s has great trial mixes that are pretty inexpensive. Or you can always make your own!
Sharon,
I’ve seen miso at my grocery store in the ethnic section. I would just ask customer service to show you where it is. Or you could just leave it out! Kale is great prepared in all different ways. Mmmmm….kallleee…..
Laurel,
First off, I hate sugar-free syrup – it’s too fake tasting! Sounds like your oatmeal needs more mixins. Some of my favorites are cinnamon, vanilla, nuts, raisins, banana, walnuts, sliced toasted almonds. Also, did you prepare the oats with milk? I think they taste way bette prepared with half milk than with just water. Give ’em a few more tries and add more fun stuff!
My favorite on-the-go snacks are trail mix, LaraBars, Nectar bars, the new ClifZ bars I found, mixed nuts, hand-held fruit, mini boxes of raisins, dry cereal, just to name a few. I think Jenna at http://www.eatliverun.com has a list of her favorite snacks in the FAQs too.
Kcal are calories, yes. The “calories” that we know are technically kilocalories. I picked up the abbreviation from the nutrition world 🙂
As for linen closets, a nice airfreshener and some good folding are my best tips. I also keep mine very UNDERcrowded. Anything I don’t use on a regular basis goes to the attic or GoodWill.
Kath
Wow says
wow. You know you exhibit OCD tendencies when someone comes on your food blog and asks how to organize a linen closet.