Maple Almond Granola Plank Oatmeal
I received a sample of Honest Foods’ new Granola Planks in the mail and couldn’t wait to try one out on oatmeal. The planks are like giant chewy granola bars that you can easily crumble into yogurt, oatmeal, just milk, etc. or just eat out of hand. They’re about the size of two stacked checkbooks:
The nutritional profile is great – all natural with a recognizable list of ingredients. Here’s a link to the website for more info: Honest Foods Granola Planks. You do want to be aware of portion size, as the whole bar is 500 calories. It would be great for anyone who needs an quick + easy energy dense snack (Em, for your pre-skate snacks!?). Otherwise, I probably would stick to half or quarter portions for snacking.
I tried the Maple-Almond flavor this morning (1/4 of the bar, crumbled). I liked how deep and toasty it was and the maple flavor was very pronounced and sweet. I asked the husband what he thought: “Nice crumbility for putting in the oatmeal… just dry enough that you could crack it into pieces, but still had some moistness to hold together in chunks.” I like the word crumbility!
Sadly, most of our farmer’s market peaches went from unripe straight to rotten!! We salvaged two for oatmeal this morning. I NEED BANANAS!!!
Oatmeal:
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup hemp milk
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 peach (stirred in at end)
- Vanilla extract
- 1/4 a granola plank, crumbled
- Spoonful AB
The top half was great, but the bottom half was watery and missing a nice banana emulsifier.
I’ve been productive this morning:
- Walked the husband to the lightrail
- Did dishes
- Changed all bedding
- Working on 3 loads of laundry
- Spot-cleaned the floors
- Marinated lunch
- MADE DINNER!!
Now I’ve got the rest of the day to study, workout, lunch and study all afternoon for our chem lab test this evening. Tests 2 days in a row!?!?
mel says
June 3, 2008 at 8:54 amwow I feel like a waste of space! haha! I’ve only gone to the grocery today so far! kath, you are on top of your game today. when my peaches start to get ripe, I put them in the fridge and take them out right before I eat them (same with bananas). It works like a charm!
Tina says
June 3, 2008 at 9:03 amI love mornings like that! You feel so accomplished! Happy Tuesday, Kath!
P.S. When are you and Matt visiting Boston? 🙂
Carrie H says
June 3, 2008 at 9:18 amI’ve got a greedy question … I’ve seen a lot of bloggers mention free samples of yummy-looking foods. Do you get them because of your blog, or is there some “free stuff” website I don’t know about?!
You deserve all the free stuff you can get — I won’t be mad if your blog is how you get your samples!
Thanks, and good luck on your second test.
Carrie H says
June 3, 2008 at 9:20 amOh, and your husband’s description of the bars reminded me of what my husband said about kale chips the other night:
“Well, they’re good, but kind of like eating leaves off the street … ” He. It made me smile.
Kelly T says
June 3, 2008 at 9:38 am“plank” isnt the most appetizing word, but they look good.
ha, carrie h, thats funny. its true now that i think about it. eating them makes the same sound as when you step on dead leaves. no slugs, though, which is a plus.
Heather says
June 3, 2008 at 10:03 amThose planks look a lot like Nature Valley Granola Bars- the kind that come 2 to a pack. But maybe the planks are thinner?
Yea for productive mornings! I wish I could say the same 😉
Katers says
June 3, 2008 at 10:05 amKath, I love your attitude. So many times I find myself dreading or procrastinating things, when if I just DID them, I’d be so much happier. Thanks for the motivation to just DO IT!
Allison K. says
June 3, 2008 at 10:24 amI knew it would get lost in Yesterday’s post…but Happy Anniversary (plus one day). 🙂
carrie says
June 3, 2008 at 10:34 amKath, I see that you take a vitamin. Just wanted to know what kind it is. Thanks!
VeggieGirl says
June 3, 2008 at 10:51 amGranola planks?? How fun!!
Ahh, moldy peaches!! Eek!! Too bad :0(
Good luck with your tests!
Katie says
June 3, 2008 at 11:09 amThat’s really sucky about the peaches. 🙁 Boo… But the granola “planks” look very yummy and serious YAY for productive mornings!
Leah says
June 3, 2008 at 11:20 amSorry, I think this has been asked before but how come you went down to 1/3 cup of oats? Was today because of the plank?
caitlinbo says
June 3, 2008 at 11:27 amwhere’s all the commenters? 🙁
LisaR says
June 3, 2008 at 11:37 amhey kath!
Was this a free sample that you got in the mail?? If so I’d love to know how you got it!? I went to that link but there was nothing about free samples there. I like free samples 🙂
Chelsea says
June 3, 2008 at 11:47 amWe’ve had a very similar morning! 🙂 I had peach oatmeal with AB as well but I peeled and cooked the peaches in the oatmeal the entire time-Yum. I thought about putting granola on top but didn’t think my shrinking stomach could eat all of that-I was right! I missed my banana too. I had a very vivid dream that I had one left and when I went to the kitchen this morning I was very sad 🙁
I also did dishes, spot cleaned the floors, and cleaned the kitchen. Oh and walked to the train. Now, I’m at work. WOO HOO for productiveness.
Chelsea says
June 3, 2008 at 11:50 amOh and I did laundry last night-Crazy I tell ya!
Kiala says
June 3, 2008 at 12:23 pmI haven’t cleaned anything yet. Or walked anywhere. Or blogged.
I’m a failure as a human being.
ILikeVegetables says
June 3, 2008 at 12:45 pmHello, Kath!
I love your blog and read it almost every day.
Anyway, I was wondering what camera/camera setting you use to achieve that wonderful, glowing look in all of your pictures! Thanks!
~M
Kelly L. says
June 3, 2008 at 12:59 pmHubby Breakfast help!
Does anyone have any good breakfast ideas that my husband can eat in the morning? He works a labor intensive job and needs a stick to your ribs meal. He usually has a bowl of cereal (frosted mini wheats, corn pops, or frosted flakes) and a banana. He says it doesn’t fill him up. DUH?! It’s sugar and carbs. He said cereal just doesn’t fill him up, which I agree it doesn’t for some people. He thinks oatmeal has the consistency of snot and boogers (sorry). He likes kolaches (not healthy) and eggo waffles (again not nutritional value). Any ideas would be great! Thanks!
mel says
June 3, 2008 at 1:05 pmkelly, how about kashi blueberry or plain waffles- so good!! or 2 scrambled eggs and whole grain toast and fruit, or a healthy cereal with lots of fruit and a yogurt or homemade muffins with fruit and such
Kath says
June 3, 2008 at 1:06 pmTina,
In August! I’m coming for sure – I don’t know when we’re coming together. Maybe me in Aug. and him in the Fall?
Carrie H and Lisa R ,
Yes, it was a blog-related sample. Sorry 🙁
Heather ,
The planks are way bigger (and better!) than Nature Vally bars. Maybe 2-3 times the size?
Katers ,
Thanks! I think my “just do it” attitude stems from the fact that the husband has a NIKE swoosh in his leg hair. I guess I should post a photo of it …. it’s pretty cool!
carrie ,
Harris Teeter Brand One A Day for Women.
Leah ,
I use 1/3 a cup oats if I’m planning to add a grain as a mix-in like wheatberries or granola, which I usually add by the 1/4 cup.
Chelsea ,
We’re twins, remember!?
ILikeVegetables ,
Thanks! I have a Sony Cybershot and just use the macro setting. It helps to have natural indirect light as well 🙂
Kelly L.,
People who think oatmeal is mucusy have not have whipped banana oatmeal 🙂
What about smoothies? PB&J sandwich? PB&J anything? Egg muffins (https://www.katheats.com/?p=3506), whole wheat muffins. A combo of the above?
Kath
Mema says
June 3, 2008 at 1:18 pmKelly L.,
I have the same issue with my boyfriend (we live together). He has his own landscaping business, which means 10-12 hours of manual labor every day. He often doesn’t have time to break for lunch, either. He, too, hates oatmeal (yes, even with bananas!). Hates the texture, hates the taste. And it doesn’t fill him up. Anyway, the main issue is that he generally wants unhealthy breakfasts, but I try so hard to eat healthy and want him to, too. Sometimes he eats his “boy” breakfasts which consist of several eggs (like 3-5…although I’m trying to talk him into subbing egg whites for some of those!), some breakfast meat (usually bacon or ham), toast, and fruit. But he also really likes smoothies and they fill him up pretty well. He makes them pretty big, with lots of fruit, milk, and yogurt. And sometimes ice cream 🙂 He also really likes pancakes (I make whole wheat ones) and granola. All stuff that I eat, too, but he’ll just eat MORE of it. Once I made him a bowl with plain yogurt, sliced fruit, and almonds, and he LOVED it. And then sometimes I’ll pack snacks like trail mix or granola bars or clif bars or something that he can eat quickly while he’s working.
JessieP says
June 3, 2008 at 4:46 pmEveryone asking about samples:
go to mysavings.com, you can get a TON of food samples for free!
Moldy peaches (the food) = nasty
Moldy peaches (the band) = rockin!
Katers says
June 4, 2008 at 9:14 amHahah, shoosh in leg hair? Oh man, let’s see!