Oatmeal Craze!

I may just have found an even greater love for oatmeal. I attended a cooking class at my local grocery store tonight and the featured guest has created 75 recipes for oatmeal. It has opened a new world of possibilities. She made a few recipes of baked oatmeal. I have never had baked oatmeal before but it was divine. You can purchase her book on Amazon but here are the recipes she shared:

RASPBERRY & CREAM CHEESE BAKED OATMEAL 1 serving

½ c old-fashioned oats
¼ t baking powder
½ t vanilla extract
¼ c fresh or frozen raspberries
5 t fat-free cream cheese (cut directly into oatmeal)
1 c water
2 egg whites
sugar substitute to taste

Directions: Mix above ingredients in an oven proof bowl (2 cup Ramekin bowls work well). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Top with unsweetened Almond Milk.

(Nutritional Info: 211 calories; 3.33g fat; 34.58g carb; 5.25g fiber; 12.17g Protein)
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MAPLE PUMPKIN BAKED OATMEAL 1 serving

½ c old-fashioned oats
1 c water
¼ c pumpkin puree
¼ tsp baking powder
1-2 tsp pure maple extract (*may substitute with maple-syrup)
¼ t cinnamon
⅛ t nutmeg
3 T nonfat cottage cheese
sugar substitute to taste

Directions: Combine above ingredients in an oven proof bowl. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

(Nutritional Info: 202 calories 3.36g fat; 34.27g carb; 6.56g fiber; 11.27g protein)
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CHOCONANA BAKED OATMEAL 1 serving

⅓ c dry oats
¾ c water
5 t nonfat cottage cheese
¼ t baking powder
½ t pure vanilla extract
1 t dark chocolate baking chips
1 T sugar-free Torani chocolate syrup (may substitute with baking cocoa)
½ sliced banana
sugar substitute to taste

Directions: Mix everything except for the chocolate chips & cottage cheese. Once mixed, add dollops of cottage cheese & chips sparingly throughout oatmeal. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes.

(Nutritional Info: 307 calories; 5.5 g fat; 41.02g carb; 6g fiber; 25.87g protein)
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BANANA CREAM PIE OATMEAL 2 servings

1 c old-fashioned oats
2 c water
dash salt
½ thinly sliced banana
¼ c fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅔ c nonfat vanilla Greek Yogurt

Directions: Bring water & salt to a boil. Add oats. Let cook for up to 5 minutes or until done. Reduce heat to low. Stir in vanilla, sweetened condensed milk, and sliced bananas. Cook for an additional few minutes or until bananas turn to mush. Serve in two bowls and top with ⅓ c nonfat vanilla Greek Yogurt.

(Nutritional Info: 341 calories; 3g fat; 64.25g carb; 5g fiber; 15.59g protein)
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FRUITY ALMOND MUESLI 4 servings

1 c old-fashioned oats
½ c shredded wheat
¼ c unsweetened dried cranberries
¼ c chopped dried apricots
¼ c dried blueberries
¼ c slivered almonds
2 T ground flaxseed
2 T toasted wheat germ
1 tsp cinnamon
1 T Stevia Granular

Directions: Combine the above ingredients in a bowl. Can keep in an airtight container for up to one month.

(Nutritonal Info: 227 calories; 6.87g Fat; 35.41 g carb; 6.56 g protein)
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A Valentine's Recipe: Chocolate PB Oatmeal

Looking for a yummy yet more healthier treat for Valentine's - try this delicious creation and feel free to add your own variations:

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL (1 serving)

1/2 c uncooked oats

3/4 to 1c lowfat chocolate milk or chocolate almond milk

1t to 1 T peanut butter (whatever amount you prefer)

Microwave oats & chocolate milk approx 2 min. Stir in peanut butter and a dash of salt. May also add other toppings such as bananas. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry CHRISTmas

• Take the mass out of Christmas and you find Christ.
  


• How can I have the Spirit of Christmas? = Have the Spirit of Christ
  


• What can I give for Christmas? = What can I give for Christ?

It may be a play on words – but the meanings are profound.

Let us not get caught up with the busyness and commercialism of the season. Let us remember the reason we celebrate.

May we have the spirit of CHRISTmas in our hearts all year long.

Happy Holidays!

Tis that season again where time rushes by and all the holidays come and go. Halloween was pretty low key this year but still fun. I went to a Halloween party Saturday and yesterday a friend and I carved pumpkins. Mine is the confusing one on the right (it is supposed to be a turkey. "Ah..." you say, now you see it!) Carving pumpkins with templates are more fun but definitely more tedious.

I love this time of year. I always get excited around the holidays. There is just something magical about the winter holidays. I guess it just reminds me of all the good times spent with family throughout the years. And this year will be no exception. I'm especially excited to be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas in sunny St. George. Can't beat that! My favorite holidays and warmer weather (at least no snow).

On a different note - I will be moving next month. All of 0.75 miles from where I currently reside. My roommate who owns the townhouse I live in is getting married. Hence, the reason for my move. This will definitely be a busy season: Thanksgiving, move, attend two friends weddings, and Christmas. I think I've got my weekends planned for awhile!

A Clock, a Lock and a Box

Getting up in the mornings has been a struggle for me. I've really been wanting to wake up early and exercise before work but I just couldn't pass the hurdle of snoozing. A few months ago my brother Spencer told me how he wakes up. He locks his alarm in a box and has the key in a separate room. I used to think that that was just too impossible. But now it's gotten to the point that I've embraced the idea.

So I bought a box and a padlock with a key. I have an old cell phone with an alarm that vibrates while ringing very loudly. In the evenings I set the alarm, lock it in the box and put the key downstairs in the kitchen. Thus, in the mornings I am forced to get up, walk downstairs and get the key to unlock the box to turn the alarm off. Ingenious. I am awake. Not that I'm not tempted to go back to sleep - but I'm awake and conscious of my decisions. It's only been 3 days - but so far I've had great success and have accomplished so much in the mornings. Thank you dear brother for a great - if not unusual - idea!

Summer Days

I know – it’s been far too long since I’ve posted anything. I have been keeping pretty busy and life has a way of flying. I remember a story my dad once told about his granddad. Every 4th of July they would all be gathered together for the holiday and every year his granddad would say something to the effect of “Well…here we are again on the 4th of July and…the summer is all shot to hell.” That pretty much sums it up – just before you know it time has come and gone.

I just got back from a short but fun trip to San Diego. My friend Jessica and I drove there on a Friday and got back the following Monday evening. We went to the San Diego temple and did a session. Sadly they were remodeling the exterior, so it was covered in scaffolding and the windows were covered with paper. So I did not get to experience the temple’s full beauty. But I still enjoyed it. We then barely made it to the Mormon Battallion Visitor’s Center before closing time to get the “quick tour” (about 20 minutes). If you ever go to San Diego make sure you make plenty of time to go – it’s well worth it. Even your kids (if you have kids) will love it! And if you want authentic Mexican food be sure to stop at Old Town Mexican Café afterwards – delicious!

On Saturday, Jessica’s uncle took us kayaking at La Jolla Cove where we saw about 30 seals napping on the rocks. One seal even swam right by us and surfaced to say hello (it was more a snorty sound –but I interpreted it as “hello”). It was a little overcast though, so no sun at the beach. Afterwards we went to Balboa Park to check out some of the gardens and museums. Very pretty area – wish I had more time to spend exploring. Wish I also had time to drive across the bridge to Coronado – but not enough time. Instead we stopped at the Little Italy district and ate at Fillipi’s and had gelato at another café. The rest of the trip was spent at Jessica’s aunt & uncle’s home in San Marcos attending church, taking naps etc. It was a fun weekend in California – but surprisingly cold. I don’t think it ever got warmer than 67 degrees – and the night’s reminded me of Idaho summer evenings- but cooler. Haha.

And now it’s August. What happened to June and July? Great granddad was right about summer. Too fast. I’m enjoying life though. I have some great roommates – I’m so blessed to have them in my life. I still go running – but sadly not as often as I used to. Summers get too warm and I get too busy and need to control my schedule a bit more. But last Wednesday evening my roommate and I went running in the canyons and it was pretty fun and not too hot – especially by the waterfalls.