We’ve got one heck of a wind storm going on right now! Gusts up to 26MPH, dad says. The wind blew all night long, and I wondered if a hurricane had suddenly come ashore!
Given the cold, windy climate, I had a warm, cozy bowl of oats today!
I brought some rolled oats pre-mixed with chia seeds, cinnamon and kosher salt to make in the microwave here.
I added half a banana, about a quarter cup of 2% milk and water to the top of the bowl and microwaved for about 4 minutes at power level 5, stirring a few times. The key to microwave oats (if you must) is a lower power setting and longer cooking time. That way they slow cook instead of overheat and overflow.
Topped with the inn’s granola and a few almonds
And another stowaway from home
Some juicy fruit on the side
And a mostly decaf french press
We are bundling up to take a bike ride and beach walk in the wind and have plans for a Dave Farmar podcast later today. And lots of reading!
I Scream
Last night Karen filled her ice cream bowl too high and offered me the rest, which I gladly accepted and raved over every chocolaty vanilla bean bite. Andrew asked if I was going to blog this dish and I told him I would just for him. I do post most of everything I eat and usually wait until the kitchen is closed to blog, but sometimes after my evening post goes up I do have a little something and it’s not worth doing a separate post to document some late night treat. FYI 
Gather Your Thoughts
My final post on Gather: Choose Warm + Fuzzy
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Happy Monday!
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Lol, I love that you bring jars of nut butters on trips(now I don’t feel so crazy when I do it myself
)
You inspired me to bring my own jar of nut butters on my last trip. It was great when the “complimentary breakfast” was just bananas and prepackaged sticky buns. ick.
I always micro my oats at power 5. I’ve had way way way too many overflow accidents resulting in an icky micro and a sacrificed bowl of oats
I think I eat too much after the kitchen is closed that escapes the blog. Maybe it’ll be one of the resolutions as night snacking has become quite a habit.
i admire you for posting as much foodie pics as you do! i feel like 50% of what i eat doesn’t make it on my blog!
Your breakfast is so neat, clean and complete! It makesmy mouth water!
wow, crazy wind! good job on the healthy breakfast. I did not do so well at that on my Christmas break. Thanks for the inspiration
The mini-french press is too cute!
Mmmmm- your oats look really yummy. I don’t often prep my oats in the micro, but love yout pre-packaged oats – so cool!
One of my health resolutions for the coming year is to set a kitchen closing time – I do way too much late evening snacking (and by late- I mean after nine-thirty – we don’t normally get dinner before eight!).
Thank you for the tutorial! Now I really know how to cook oats the lazy way
and make them good! Hopefully as stellar as yours…. but that’s just wishful thinking.
Ooh keep safe from that wind, girl!
love that lil stowaway!!
Breakfast looks great! Have a great day with the chili weather!
Jenna
I always feel weird bringing food with me on a trip but it’s kind of a good idea!
Cozy food is always the best whenever it’s windy and chilly out.
Thanks for the microwave oatmeal tip. I always used to overflow my oats all over our office microwave- oops.
Sounds like y’all are having fun!!
Praise God you included that shot of your empty ice cream bowl. You should have devoted at least 1,000 words to it. This is Earth shattering stuff.
Once again, love love love your ability to plan ahead and bring your own delicious favorites with you. And we all deserve an ice cream treat now and then… sounds fabulous!
Thats a good idea- bringing oats with all the toppings in a bag. There’s def been late night snacks I haven’t posted
I woke up this morning freezing and was so happy for a giant bowl of oats. Happiness in a bowl.
Now I want some ice cream.
i’m freezing here but i want some ice cream now
Thanks for divulging the secret to microwave oats – mine have always overflowed – no more!
Your trip looks like it’s been so much fun!! Glad you and your fam are enjoying the holidays all together :O)
Is that a mini Barney I spy? Too cute!
Seems like you’ve been having a great time with the fam – ya’ll are a fun crew.
The oats look perfect for the cold, windy weather! Stay warm!
Looks like such a fun time!
I especially love that you had a book club over The Road. Wish I could have been there…I agree, it’s a fascinating book. I’m only 1/2 way done it, but it’s definitely a noteworthy read. 
Keep on having fun!!
chia seeds are on my list of thigns to try. stay warm and don’t get blown away!
Oooh, I’m glad you got your oats!!! I am missing mine today! I totally know what you mean about being on vaca and not having the normal routine breakfast. It can really throw you off. Time to scour craigslist and then get back to the house! [no internet yet...at starbucks, hehe]
Looks like a delicious breakfast….and ice cream is always a good plan!
I was away for the weekend and forgot to bring my nut butter… it was sad
oatmeal on Saturday.
I think it’s perfectly A-OK to leave a few post-posting desserts/snacks to yourself ; )
Yummy stowaways
I always have plenty of stow-aways of my own when I travel!
Great tip on the microwave oats…I’ll be bringing my own the next time I travel somewhere where the food might be sketch
Great tips about microwaving oats. Definitely not the preferred method, but stirring a few times throughout the cooking is also very helpful
I do the same thing! It’s so hard when I get hungry after my night post, but I have a little something and don’t feel like posting a “Oh, by the way last night I..” and then moving onto the day. I totally understand.
I’ve found that microwave oats are also better if you add in 1.5 times the water that you do for stovetop and cook longer. They get thicker and creamier that way!
Thanks for the idea of bringing a pre-mixed bag of oats and spices when traveling. I figured I would make myself some oatmeal when at my in-laws, but they just had the instant kind which wasn’t so appealing – with this idea I would always have oatmeal “on the go”
Sounds like you’re having a wonderful vacation with your family. Hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your time together.