What a wonderful pleasant surprise – it is 61* outside!!! We have had such a mild winter. Barely a half inch of snow so far. The weekend looks excellent. Hiking time! I actually have the window above my desk open right now and I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying the fresh air. I’ve actually started to get really tired of the smell of our house – we need to breathe in the earth for mental health!
I decided on oatmeal again today and because the rice cooker was still on my counter [that lucky dog!] I made it in there again so I could be hands off.
Today I used the Quick Cook setting, added milk and waited 15 minutes. It was perfectly done! I would prefer the doneness to coincide with the end of a cooking cycle (so I could program it) but since the rice cooker thinks I’m making dry rice instead of soupy oats, it’s not its fault.
In the mix:
- 1/3 cup Coach’s oats
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 banana
- Pinch salt
- Cinnamon
- Blueberries stirred in at end and closed the lid for 60 more seconds to warm them up
- Almond butter + Cookie butter on top
Wonderful!
Earl Gray because I thought it was cold outside. Never was I more wrong!
Here is a link to that awesome Smokin’ Mac recipe I made a few weeks ago!
Have a wonderful start to your weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angel7 says
I am excited, because it is finally snowing–bring on the snow!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
Yay! It looks like you found the right setting for that. I can’t wait to try that next week. Enjoy hiking time. Now I’m off to check out the mac and cheese recipe. Happy Friday!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says
Wow 61! We have had a mild winter too but it’s still 30 here in Ohio. I can’t wait for spring! I agree that sometimes the house needs some fresh air in the winter!!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I wouldn’t mind a little snow, but So Cal won’t allow for that. It is pretty warm here too. I think it’s supposed to be 75* today. Happy Friday!!
HRCK the Herald says
Looooving the warmth as well. Even though it’s accompanied by serious thunderstorms, I’m so happy about it!
Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot says
Sounds like you almost need ICED tea today! Crazy!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Happy Friday! Haha I’m having earl grey today, but it’s pretty chilly out 🙂
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
A couple of days ago it was sunny and beautiful here. Now it’s raining and dreary again. I would rather have cold and snowy over all this rain. I hope you get to enjoy the fresh air some more!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Ah so the milk was a success! Good to hear. You guys are so lucky to have mild temperatures today. We’re getting a ton of snow right now which is falling on top of freezing rain. Hope it goes away soon!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
Those oats look awesome!! I wish that rice cooker wasn’t $150.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
It’s so nice and warm here too but unfortunately it’s accompanied with a bunch of rain so we’re still stuck inside 🙁
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
I just finished a run that started in a downpour of freezing rain, which quickly turned into ice pellets and finished with white fluffy snowflakes…go figure…our wacky winter weather continues here in Southern Ontario! I do love the snow…much needed for skiing but oh, for the sweet smell of spring! Perhaps I will indulge in a bouquet of tulips to brighten up the place!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
it’s been an incredibly mild winter here in northern utah this season too! so strange, but i’m totally not complaining.
becca @ blueberry smiles says
Wow, warmer weather in the east than here in SF! Such a crazy winter this year.
Your breakfast looks delish.
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
This weather is crazy this year. I guess I need to try my rice cooker for oatmeal.
Becky @ Taste of Healthy Goodness says
Saw the Smokin’ Mac recipe yesterday. It looks delish. Great job!
Cindy Meldrum says
I love your blog! It is changing my life one day at a time. I have a question, Maybe stupid, but what is cookie butter?
KathEats says
Thanks Cindy!
Cookie butter is a spread made from gingerbread cookies sold at Trader Joe’s. It’s also like the Biscoff spread
Cait's Plate says
This week could not have ended sooner! That really does look like a lovely bowl of oats. I need to do more blueberry and banana oats – I always forget!
Andrea @FrSeed2Stomach says
Yay! You got a rice cooker. I’m going to have to back track to see if you mention which one in any of your older posts. I’m actually looking forward to the day when ours kicks the bucket, so we can upgrade. 😉 You know what helps with that stale winter air? Sage smudge sticks! I love burning a little sage and walking around the house with it. It’s said to kill negative energy and ward off evil, but I just like the way it makes the house smell and feel. And it’s all natural, unlike lots of candles and air fresheners! But, you’re totally right… fresh air is the best!
KathEats says
Never heard of those!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Hot blueberries are the best – I love how plump and juicy they get! Happy Friday!
Maria @ Sinfully Nutritious says
I love this warm winter. today it will be nearly 60 here in PA. I feel a difference when it is not so cold. I feel more energy and happier. Although, I still tend to work in my cozy pj’s most of the day. It is a bad work at home habit. Walking my daughter to school helps me get dressed in proper clothes, sometime. Your oats look perfect.
Christine @ BookishlyB says
It’s really warm in Southern CA right now too, which is nice, but I’m a little worried about there being a water shortage this summer. Forever the realist 🙂
Chris says
I’m having a problem with your oatmeal – it’s so good and I love the almond butter sooo much it doesn’t seem to last very long in my house…will power problem. Loving this warm weather too but stuck inside with worker men rehabbing my ceilings, breathing plaster dust. I guess I have 2 problems today!!
KathEats says
🙂
Kori says
The first picture of your oatmeal is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love how clear the blueberries are!! Have a great Friday, Kath!!!
[email protected] Flying ONION says
I have that bowl and love it. Perfect for a blueberry morning. 😀
Karen says
I love that that first picture! And, I’m jealous of your window opening temps, but our 40 degree prediction is decent by January in Chicago standards. Most importantly, we have glorious sunshine, always a mood brightner!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
Okay, THAT bowl of oatmeal looks rockin. I love warm blueberries- it doesn’t get much better than that! I saw on the news this morning that it was in the 60s down by you (and in DC, which is about 45 min south of me), and it was 39 at my house. And POURING. This weather will not make up it’s mind! It’s warm one day and cold the next- and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be this weekend!
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
I am not very happy about this mild winter – I am a teacher and need a snow day!
Thanks for the recipe! Those blueberries look delicious. I’m planning on making some cookies featuring blueberries tonight!
Hannah @ eat, drink, and save money says
Yum gouda! I add that to my grits, but have never done mac and cheese. Thanks for the link!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I’m jealous of all the nice weather on yours and Caitlin’s blog!!
Mom says
I love that hotter colder game. I just put it in the children’s church book I’m writing!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
Bah this weather is so amazing!! Last weekend my friend and I were laughing as we walked around freezing cold DC about spring coming soon but it looks like it actually did! 🙂
Jules @ La Petite Maison Verte says
Warm or cold out, oatmeal always does the trick to get the day started right. It’s so much more satisfying than cold cereal for breakfast, I think! Have a great weekend!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
Wahoo!! It’s the weekend!!!!!
Deirdre @ Oh Well Whatever says
I have so been wanting a rice cooker, I didn’t even think that you could cook other stuff in it. Very cool.
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
We threw our doors open today– I agree about the fresh air!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
LOVE the rustiness of the first photo — gorgeous weather always warrants for a great breakfast experience 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
ahhh your oats look so good!!! nice and fluffy!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
I love putting blueberries in my oatmeal and the way it turns it purple. 😉
Khushboo says
I ‘save’ my oatmeal for Sundays when I really have the time to make and savour my breakfast…Mmm!
Emily @ The Swallow Flies says
I am dying for spring – and am therefore quite jealous of your weather today! I’ve been opening my windows a little crack (even though it’s like 20 degrees!) just because I need some fresh air, too.
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
61* and an open window?? Lucky dog! Enjoy 🙂 Can’t wait to try the smokin mac — YUM!
Ellen says
I found your blog through HTP and I LOVE IT! It’s a new favorite. Just one question…how do you get your oats to be so voluminous? When I make mine with 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup milk, the serving looks so small and too watery. Yours never look watery. I also have been adding in the banana WHILE the oats are cooking like you showed in your oatmeal video. That helps a little, but still, if I don’t add a bit more oats to that much liquid, it’s too runny!
KathEats says
welcome ellen!!
I’m not sure what my secret is. I use 1/3 cup oats, 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup milk, half banana and CHIA SEEDS in my usual bowls. The chia seeds to add a little bit of volume.
The bowl above was Coach’s Oats (quick cooking steel cut) made in my rice cooker – perhaps that was the secret to their volume?
Kristin says
I LOVE oatmeal. It is incredible healthy and keeps you full for the morning. That is a good idea to add almond butter and cookie butter. I want to try this!