Nothin’ on the books for today. Just me, Matt and the house. Plus grocery shopping and a bike ride. Otherwise the day is wiiiiide open. Oh yeah, and we have to deal with the clogging bathtub drain! Baking soda + vinegar + hot water to work.
Today for breakfast I pulled out a sample packet of Bob’s Red Mill‘s Gluten Free Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal that I got at the Cville Vegetarian Festival. I am one of those hoards samples but then they make my life feel cluttered. Using them up feels sooooo good.
The Mix
For TWO people
- 1/2 cup hot cereal (1 serving was 1/4 cup)
- 2 tbsp oats (to try to cream it up a bit)
- Splash milk (running low)
- 1 cup water
- Pinch salt
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup pumpkin, stirred in at end
- Cinnamon, All Spice, vanilla
- 1 tbsp flax
KERF Toppings: Ambrosial granola, coconut butter, almond butter, coconut
Ambrosial granola is new to my shop! There are three flavors in a variety pack, and they are all unique and full of fun topping potential.
Today’s was the Walnut, Date & Cashew. I’d describe this like granola trail mix! It was so chewy that it made a wonderful oatmeal topping!
The other two flavors in the bundle include a Harvest Muesli with Goji Berry, Hazelnut & Apricot (overnight oats are in the making!) and the other granola: Orange, Apricot & Cranberry. Love the flavors they combined in these bags. You can try all three for $19. (FYI, OpenSky is having a party on Black Friday – free shipping on all orders over $50, I believe
)
Today’s toppings were awesome. Just wish underneath had been creamier. I did not love the GF hot cereal. It was rather gummy 
And the coffee was extra strong.
Hope y’all have FANTASTIC Sundays full of Thanksgiving prep, Christmas music, and fun outdoors.
Alina @ Duty Free Foodie says
I love how your description on “nothing planned” actually has 4 items on it! Mostly because my idea of “nothing planned” is sleep in, make coffee, and browse Netflix.
Which is probably why my house is never *really* clean. Speaking of, Netflix is calling. Happy Sunday 🙂
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
I hope you enjoy your wiiiiide open Sunday. Days like that are too far and few between. Enjoy!!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
ick, gummy cereal?! i’ll stick with the gluten kind…hope you guys have a wonderful day with nothing going on!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I hoard samples too. Always!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
Yes, yes – Thanksgiving prep has definitely begun.
CaSaundra says
It’s nice to have a free day once and awhile..hope you get some nice relaxation in! 🙂
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
I love your long, skinny spoons. I searched for some this summer in Nashville, but I couldn’t find ones that were just right. Where do you get yours, Kath? 🙂
Kath says
These were an OpenSky find that were discontinued 🙁
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) says
Enjoy your Sunday! Sometimes it’s great to not have the whole day planned out.
Heather says
I would love to have an entire day with minimal plans – enjoy your Sunday. Looks like a beautiful day.
Are you hosting Thanksgiving?
Kath says
Yup
Christie @ Honoring Health says
I am gluten free and did not like that cereal either. I much prefer to just buy certified gluten free oats or certified gluten free oat bran.
Christine says
LOVE weekend days with no plans.
Enjoy your play day!
britt says
too bad your hot cereal was less than fabulous!! but your photos look amazing with the fall leaves peaking in. LOVE it!
Krystina says
Happy Sunday. 🙂
Vanessa says
Don’t you just love wide open Sundays?? This is my first Sunday off from work in a month! The possibilities are endless 🙂 Have a good day!!
Jackie (ananda prana) says
Lazy Sundays are the best 🙂
I’ve noticed that a lot of GF items you heat up get gummy, like GF hot cereal and GF pasta! Not sure why that is…
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Gummy oats are the worst! I made a whole batch this morning aqnd it was *so* gummy, it wouldn’t even stay on the spoon- gross! Had to start all over. Glad the toppings worked out, though! 😛
stacey-healthylife says
Lot’s of Thanksgiving prep going on in everyone’s houses. I have to go to the grocery store today and I’m a little scared.
Amy at TheSceneFromMe says
Sunday Funday!!! I am being crafty and taking a class at Archiver’s. Looking forward to this great day!
faith @ gracefulfitness says
That’s so funny, I’m a sample hoarder also! Still have a drawer full of cereal and Mary’s crackers from the Veg Fest!
Amber K says
Yeah if you don’t have to eat GF, the price and taste of some products isn’t worth it. But, without too many other options, I do what I can!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I have wondered about that hot cereal. I am always scared to try that stuff out…in other news, while I thought I was a true lover of quick oats, after my mother-in-law gave me a ton of rolled oats, I have really fallen in love with the texture! I am such a texture girl with my food. Your toppings look great! Have a great day Kath!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
we’ve got a sleet-y gray day here…but who cares when it’s cozy inside and there’s company coming for dinner. 🙂
love,
cathy B. @ brightbakes
P.S. your oatmeal pictures never get old! Gorgeous!
Natalia - a side of simple says
I’m usually a fan of Bob’s GF products but I’ve never tried this cereal. “Gummy” does not sound too appetizing, though! I am, however, a big fan of that bowl. The color is such a stark contrast to the fall colors 🙂
Claire (Low Impact Fashionista) says
Your description of a fantastic day is the same as mine!
hippierunner says
Any day that involves not much more than a bike ride sounds like a great day to me!
ilana says
I do like the BRM 10 grain hot cereal, but I’ve never had that one. Thought of you today Kath, cuz I opened up my lingonberries (!) that I purchased a while ago. 🙂 Have a Sunday funday! I must do some laundry . . . 😉
Dorry says
Glad to know about the OpenSky deal on Black Friday. Billy and I have a similar day planned with holiday prep and a bike ride (strategically scheduled between football games). I’m loving my Trek 7.2 FX – thanks for being a great bike resource!
Susan says
I hoard samples, too. Beauty products and fancy hotel toiletries.
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) says
Sundays are great when they’re “wide open!” Unfortunately, I’ve got finals to prep for…but after that, nothing until January! I’ll probably wind down today to some christmas music. Thanks for reminding me!!
hungryforbalance.wordpress.com says
I’ve had the Bob’s Gluten free cereal and didn’t love it either. For anyone with gluten allegies Bob’s Red Mill makes certified GF oats so you don’t have to go without your oatmeal 😉 I love your bowl by the way. Where did you find it?
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I wish I had wide open Sundays like you! Even if my weekends aren’t filled with plans, they’re usually still filled with school work. 😛 Enjoy your day!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
Walnut, date, and cashew sounds like a perfect fit!
Alaina says
I love those days where you can just get stuff done around the house. It’s beautiful up here in MA. Cold, but beautiful.
Have a great day!! 🙂
Sana says
Enjoy your day with Matt!
Toni says
Today is wide opened for us also! It’s a great feeling isn’t it! Have a great Sunday!
Aly says
Wow! That Venetian Vineyard granola looks fab-U-lous! Can you provide the nutritional stats? I even went to their website; however, they are not posted. They do note that there is no added oil but I’d still like to know the calorie count and fat grams before I order. I am currently ADDICTED to the Galaxy Granola per your recommendation. Thanks and keep ’em coming!
Kath says
I think I found the nutr. info here (hope the link works!) I went through Buy Now and then more info.
http://www.ambrosialgranola.com/venetian-vineyard-organic-granola.html
Julie @ Honey B. says
Too bad it wasn’t as good as it certainly LOOKED! I LOVE the sound of that granola – sounds like it is lighter on the grains and a little heavier on the nuts, which is a good thing in my book.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I loooooooved that cereal until I found out I couldn’t eat corn products. I miss it – sorry you didn’t like it!
Hannah says
I love how you use autumn leaves as decoration 🙂 I also love the idea of date and cashe granola. I just made a peanut butter and banana granola, but this is next on my list for flavour ideas!
Lorin says
I was just wondering since you eat granola (albeit as a topping), do you think it is better than just whole grain cereal as a choice to have for breakfast. Because it seems like most of granolas have a lot of added sugar to it and I don’t know much benefits from granola besides fiber and depending what kind you get, certain vitamins.
Kath says
I wouldn’t say it’s better. I’m sure a sugar-less whole wheat cereal would be more wholesome. But most of the granolas I use aren’t that high in sugar per serving. And you’re right that I use it more as a topping so I rarely have an entire serving size.
maya @ finding balance in tokyo says
I’m a total hoarder, too. It’s annoying and a habit I have been trying to break, but with limited success so far. I actually brought a ton of small sample sized products back with me from the US in June, but haven’t touched the majority of them even though I will be going for a visit soon and could theoretically get more of what i like. >_<
Beth says
Sounds like an awesome sunday to me! Does the vinegar, baking soda and hot water combo really work? I’ve got the same issue.