I”ve had a totally awesome Saturday thus far.
I woke up feeling ready to run! Set the alarm for 6:26 and was out the door by 7.
I ran the fastest I ever have (non-race, that is)!
Mile Splits:
- 9:17 (uphil –> flatl)
- 8:53 (flat)
- 8:35!!! (flat)
- 8:46 (rolling hills)
- 8:38 (rolling hills)
I’m kind of stunned by those splits! It’s like I got faster overnight. That run with AnneP must have left something with me 😉 I always run fastest first thing in the morning on an empty stomach too. Wasn’t hungry when I woke up so I went without a snack. Maybe that’s also why?
I came home to the most awesome bowl of oats in a while –
Navitas Naturals sent me raw cacao nips and chia seeds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christmas morning squeals ensued. I love their branding and logos – so clean and modern. I looked for these chia seeds at Whole Foods in Boston and couldn’t find them and almost ordered them online – Navitas shot me an email with a sample offer that very day.
Banana Chia Chocolatey Oats
In the pot on medium heat
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup soy milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 small banana
Toppings
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs
- 1 tsp flax
- Small blob Cacao Bliss
- Small blob hazelnut butter
The chia seeds made the oatmeal nice and gooey – in a pleasant way. Kinda like pudding. LOVE LOVE chia seeds. And the nibs are awesome! They remind me of chocolate espresso beans. But I looked twice at the package and realized they are raw, so I was a bit puzzled with the crunchy, roasted flavor/texture. Maybe mine got roasted in the Carolina summer heat? I love them as they are, but anyone know how they are supposed to taste!?
I was happy to have a cup of joe today too!!! Er…a cup of Marley!
I got a sample of Marley Coffee – which was started by Rohan Marley, who is the son of the legendary singer Bob Marley. From their site: “Beyond organic, Marley Coffee stands for all things ITAL- from the biodiversity our our farm, to the ethical treatment of farm workers and sustainable cultivation of coffee trees.” Love it!
I got a 5-pack sample (which is $16.99 on the site) and chose the one with "buttery caramel" to start
Kind of appropriate since "Iron, Lion, Zion" came on my iPod this morning (thanks to the SAE guys of college for ingraining that one in my brain!)
It was awesome!
This breakfast was totally enjoyed on the couch with an episode of Gossip Girl 
I am heading to the farmer’s market (guf for having to drive there) and then biking to Michelle and Ben’s for moving day, burgers and beer!
Hope your Saturdays are off to an awesome start!
Yum on the chia seeds and cacao nibs!!! Raw nibs do taste like roasted espresso beans to me, too. I guess it depends on the brand you get and freshness, but as far as I know, that is how cacao tastes in its natural state. That oatmeal looks delicious. Have fun watching GG – I’m slightly (and embarassingly) hooked on it.
Awesome run Kath! I love getting up early and pounding out fast runs 😀
Also love – Bob Marley. Have fun moving/burgering/beering today!
Holy cacao nib goodness.
Enjoy your Saturday activities!
I wish I could run that fast. I am a slow and steady runner.
Glad that I could introduce you to GG.
XOXO,
Whitney (hahah)
Love the package your chia seeds came in! I just bought some from a local “natural” store called Mother Earth’s — $14.99/lb! :shocked: I haven’t tried them yet but looking forward to it!
Jenn
I’ve wanted to try those chia seeds too! I stop and look at them every time I’m in Whole Foods!
Congrats on the splits! Those are awesome!!
I need to try chia seeds! I also have cacao nibs in the cupboard that have been there for awhile…I better get on that! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
That DOES sound like an awesome morning! I totally forgot I had chia seeds in the cupboard until I read this… thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Awesome splits, and awesome breakfast. i was feeling the chocolate for breakfast too and threw a few chips on some blueberry waffles 🙂
I’m such a sucker for pretty packaging, those are cute!
Happy Saturday, Kath! Your oats look awesome and congrats on a great run. 🙂
Fab oats!!
Total running novice question — what are splits??
I love getting a good workout in on a Saturday morning! I already taught Body Step and I feel great!!! I can really only run on an empty tummy otherwise I get major aches! Glad you had a nice one 🙂 Enjoy the burgers and beers
Dang those are some fast miles! I did an 8 mile run this morning, but nowhere near as fast as that LOL!
I love that blue bowl, too.
I’m scared to try the chia seeds, guess I should bite the bullet, so to speak.
ahhhhhhhhhhhh love Bob marley…and that coffee (buttery caramel) sounds great! Congratz on the great run!
looks like an amazing bowl of oats! I need to buy some chia seeds. How many servings are in that bag??
Great job on the run this morning! And what a fun breakfast with some new items!
Great job on your run!
Chia seeds are wonderful in oatmeal and in yogurt! It turns them both so thick and pudding like!
Love cacao nibs. Personally I think they taste kind of earthy and chocolatey at the same time!
Hey Kath. I received some Navitas Naturals product samples a while back and that’s how my cacao nibs tasted as well. The website says the cacao beans are processed at a low temp to maximize nutrient retention so that;s probably why they taste roasted. I’ve had other brands and it’s been similar so I think that’s just the way they taste!
Your oatmeal looks fantastic. Have a great weekend!
what an awesome run!
i love those cacao nibs– your bfast looks amazing
enjoy the rest of your weekend <3
Your run times are awesome and inspiring! IAm working on speed
During my runs as of late. Your breakfast is totally making me hungry, too.
This post combines three of my favorite things: coffee, awesome oats, and gossip girl!
Your cocoa nibs are definitely the right flavor. Cocoa nibs are delicious in trail mixes and I bet it’s delicious on the oatmeal! My whole foods has a mix in their bulk section: raw cashews, pistachios, goji berries, mulberries, golden raisins, and raw cocoa nibs. Amazing!
Yum! I love free delish food 🙂
Congrats on the awesome split times! When we were doing the 6 miler in Boston I knew you were fast! 🙂
I’m loving the bowl combination today! Chia seeds and cacao nibs sounds like two great additions! Way to go with that run 🙂
I;m not surprised because you were trucking it last sunday!
Lovin’ today’s oat combo…. gonna have to try these infamous chia seeds, altough I am sure the boyfriend will come up with some smart aleck remark of how I am goin’ to turn into a chia pet or something though ha!!!
Mmm those sound and look delicious. I wanna try ’em now!
You are a speed demon! I was very impressed on the run in Boston.
LOVE cacao nibs! The ones that I’ve had were a little crunchy too, so I think that’s how they’re supposed to taste.
You are fast! I need to work on speed.
I think it’s time for me to jump on the chia bandwagon. Too many yummy chia concoctions out there!
Have a great Saturday!
How do u ever run on empty?? Wow!
Oatmeal looks good.. i used to hate it cos i always had it plain…. now reading ur blog, i may try it again..
I actually saw those at my WF. I’m thinking about buying some the next time I go now that I’ve used them and love them. So lucky to get samples!
GREAT splits on that run. I ran 6 miles in about 61 mins…my route is mostly downhill first half and uphill 2nd half. Not my best time, but I also did it on an empty stomach. I think I do a little better with food in me, but not recent food. Which is why mornings are pretty tough. Anyway, it’s my first long run in three weeks, and I am envious of those splits.
Oatmeal looks awesome!
I HATE ALLERGIES!!
Excellent run, wow! That Marley Coffee sounds great. Enjoy your day! 🙂
glad you’re having a wonderful saturday thus far. that breakfast looks absolutely amazing – have got to try chia seeds!!!
hip, hip, hooray for chia seeds! nice run chica!
MMM those coca nibs look awesome! i bet they were amazing in your oats! 🙂
Did the cacao nibs melt at all? That might be a fun addition to 1 of the ota.bar varieties. Their packaging IS awesome! Will have to check out their stuff!
Glad you’re having a great day! Have fun at the Farmers Market!
Re. Running,
I can’t believe you Summiters thought I was fast last weekend. I have NEVER been fast – Matt always complains about how slow I am. Guess practice helps a lot 🙂
Whitney ,
Hooked for life!!
Marisa ,
I could be using the term wrong, but I think it’s the mile times. Like where the time “splits”?
Brittany ,
Thanks for the info!
Ashley ,
They did not really melt – I bet they’d be great in ota.bars!
K
I have been eyeing Navitas Naturals products for a while, they have all these great products that I want to try but they are kind of a luxury item for me right now so I have to look but don’t touch. It’s good to hear that they are great though.
ooh, cacao nibs! I’ve never tried them, but they sound great!
Banana Chia Chocolatey Oats! Looks soo good 🙂
Yes! The crazy characters are gone!!! 🙂
So glad you liked the cacao and chia! Your morning bowl looks totally delish! If you want more recipes using these two superfoods, we have a huge collection (with pics too!) on our website. Check em out . . .
CHIA: http://www.navitasnaturals.com/recipes/chia-recipes.html
CACAO: http://www.navitasnaturals.com/recipes/cacao-recipes.html
Enjoy! 🙂