Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

Here is a peek into my oven this morning:

I must have made breakfast too early this morning, or maybe I just didn't eat enough, Because this delightful dish came out of the oven at about 10:30 this morning.  Yes, that's right, I had baked oatmeal at 10:30 in the morning.  I chalk it up to being one of the perks of being a stay at home mom, no one tells me when I can take a break  & indulge in something so amazing. 

I first saw the recipe here: Inspired Taste

The first time I made this I added the orange zest that it originally called for, but this time I didn't.  I just didn't care for the flavor, but maybe you will.  I also cut out the butter, since it didn't do much for me other than add calories.

So here is how I did it:

Mix all of these dry ingredients together in your baking dish.

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup chocolate chips (because chocolate chips are so high in calories I tried to use the least amount I could and still get a good covering of them on the oatmeal).

Add these over the top and push some of them down in a ways.
3/4 cup sliced strawberries- I use frozen, some were sliced, a few were whole. 
1 sliced banana

Whisk these 3 things together and pour over the top.
2 cups milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon homemade vanilla

Baked at 350 for 35ish minutes.

Yummm!

For leftovers:  Since we don't use a microwave, I scoop what I want into a small pan and heat it up on the stovetop.  It only takes about 3 minutes and it's heated evenly and stays warmer longer than if it were nuked.

And The Winner Is....

The WINNER of the 100th Blogpost Giveaway is:

TANYA!! 

Thank you to all who entered to win via the comments and Survey Monkey, I greatly enjoyed reading the responses!

Tanya, I will be sending you an e-mail to get your shipping information & the book will be on it's way to you very soon! 

Monday Madness: Visit Your Local Library

Monday Madness

As if Mondays aren’t busy enough, let me add one more thing for you to consider adding to your “to-do” list.

Take time this week to visit your local library.  If you don’t have a library card, sign up for one.  If you enjoy your visit make a plan to go back the next week also.  You can spend anywhere from 5 minutes to a couple of hours there.  Our local library carries books for all ages, VHS tapes, DVD’s, CD’s, books on CD, even coloring pages for the kids and games. 

If you have extra books sitting around that you wouldn’t mind donating take them in and ask the librarian if they could use them. 

Recipe: Spinach & Strawberries Drink

One afternoon I was eating my healthy spinach leaves topped with some frozen strawberries that were slowly thawing.  I enjoy eating, but this poking the leaves & the strawberries being too frozen to bite through stuff was just getting boring!  I just wasn’t in the mood to struggle with my food.  I had already had a huge work out that morning and was starving!

So I grabbed my beloved blender and put the spinach and strawberries in it.  I then added plenty of water & flipped the switch on.

The results:  Not too bad, but it was a little tangy tasting.  Adding a small scoop of yogurt or a banana would mellow this flavor out easily.   However, I’ve had this a few times since and it is very do-able if you’re counting calories and just need a little something to get you through. 

Calorie Break down:

3 C. Spinach: 20 calories

½ C. Strawberries: 25 Calories

Total: 45 calories & It’s packed with vitamin A & C.  Bonus, you’re also getting extra water. I added 3-4 cups of water when all was said and done.

As a discloser I will show you the blended version.  If you're eating to impress someone stick to the pretty green leaves and vibrant colored strawberries.  But if it's just you, & you're eating to get some nutrition, go ahead and enjoy this greenish colored drink.  Who knows, maybe you like this shade of green?  I don't- But I do like the simplicity, vitamins, and convenience of this drink.

Flowers For Valentines Day

Just a reminder that the BOOK GIVEAWAY ends in 3 days!  If you haven't signed up yet, you still have time!  I added a survey monkey option for those that don't want to post their e-mail address in the comments.  The theme for the next giveaway is "games".  The number of entries in this book giveaway will determine how big the next giveaway will be. ;)   So follow my blog or check back often if you want to be updated on that as well. 


& Just for fun, I wanted to show off what my hubby did for me for Valentines day.  He knows I'm watching what I eat so he avoided giving me a great big box of my favorite chocolates (although I would have made an exception- then complained later when my weight went up).  He instead made these adorable celery and strawberry flowers, he also bought me carrots, he is so practical.  And then he melted chocolate for the kids to dip their fruit into for the occasion & didn't even give me a dirty look when I started dipping my strawberries in there too.  He's pretty much perfect!