I went to my usual cycle class this morning. I think cycle is my favorite way to start the day (although I can’t do it more than once a week or I get sick of it) but I just love the bursts of energy and intensity it lends to the day. Our instructor today reminded me of my favorite motivator: “Because You Can.” Why get up at 5am to exercise? Because you can. Why turn the resistance up? Because you can. When you think about exercising as a privilege for being in good health, it gives it a different meaning.
I left the husband dreaming of sugar plums as he caught up on his sleep – he got 10.5 hours last night 😉
We made microwave oats again this morning. It was quite a madhouse trying to cook 2 bowls plus heating coffee milk and warming the pumpkin butter. I am 100% honest when I say that stove-top oats are easier and much less hands-on for us!
Here were all the toppings ready to be assembled –
We took the advice of some readers and soaked the oats in milk/water last night. It cut back on the cooking time, but didn’t help that much.
The mix:
- 1/3 cup oats, milk, water soaked overnight
- 1/2 teeny tiny banana
- 1/4 cup wheatberries
- 1 tbsp pumkpin butter, stirred in after being heated a bit (the last of it)
- Cinnamon sprinkle
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese (stirred in cold at the end to cool the oats down)
- 1/3 crumbled Peanut Butter Z-bar (My favorite type of bar topping are very dense chewy ones – Zbar texture! I prefer this kind to LaraBars (unfortunately) which seem to just melt away more. The Honest Foods Country Squares are also the perfect texture.)
- Some coconut butter
- Spoonful of Honey Cinnamon PB – plus a second tiny spoonful when I ran out too early!!
I had TWO cups of coffee – one as we were waiting on breakfast to cook and then a refill with my oats. I’m quite jittery now and kind of anxious feeling. Hopefully this will help me during my test!
We didn’t get a call from the Sears delivery people so we have no idea when (IF!?!?) it’s coming today. I’m hoping it’s coming at the same time as yesterday (8:15-10:15) but that means that we won’t be home from 9-10 and might miss it. GRRRR!!!
Off to get this test OVERWITH!
Charlie Hills says
Why do I post comments here? Because I can!
Hey, that is a good mantra!
Marilyn says
Hmmm… I always do my oats in the microwave, and I think they turn out perfectly. But maybe it’s because I’m used to them that way, and have developed a preference.
BTW, I have tried some of your recipes for my 3-year-old son, and he now asks for “nanner oatmeal” (“nanner” = “banana”) on a regular basis. Our version is 1/3 cup oats, 2/3 cup water, and most of a banana, sliced up. When it’s cooked, I top it with a drizzle of honey and a spoonful of all-natural peanut butter. Sooooo good!
VeggieGirl says
Great oats, as always!!
Good luck on your test!!
ashley (sweet & natural) says
Haha – I kind of used the same motivation to get me to clean my room last night. It was still a mess from my Thanksgiving packing and (not) unpacking, and I finally had some free time, so instead of sitting around, I said to myself – You should clean your room right now because you can!
hk says
best of luck on the test!! …and the stove!!
Erica says
Good luck on the test! Love that Mantra!
Lisa says
Good luck!
Megan says
Good luck on the test!
I hope you get your stove today so you can enjoy your stovetop oats again!
Shelby says
Good Luck on the Test!!!
eliza says
wow what another delicious oatmeal creation i love all your combos that coconut butter sounds amazing i need to try it, i love putting bars in oatmeal too its so good!
zestycook says
Good looking bowl of oats kath. Good luck on the test!
zesty
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
Great message. I’m going to run my first 5 miler tonight, and I know I’ll need some words of motivation.
Biz says
You’ll do fine on your test – happy Friday!
Nellie says
good luck on the test! hope the new stove comes today! (while you’re home!)
Jennifer says
I cook my microwave oatmeal for 9 min (no stirring needed) on low power (Level 3 for us). Not as good as stovetop, but when I have to be at work at 5am, it’s perfect 🙂
Hope the stove comes!!!
Mariposa says
i hope the stove comes today! i missed my furniture delivery when i bought my living room set and then had to wait two weeks!!! don’t they get we need a place to sit?
i hope sears reads this website and will hustle it over to you, i don’t know what i would do without my stove! : )
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Good luck on your test!
Jenny says
“because you can” thanks for mentioning this motivating saying today Kath! So TRUE!!!
Good luck with your stove AND test!
Jem says
I understand the frustration of waiting on appliance delivery. I once waited for more than two weeks for a refrigerator to be delivered while the store told me daily that it would be there “that day.” I called to complain about this and the store sent me a check for $100….small change compared to the cost of the fridge, but it felt like a present! Stay on top of them!
neimanmarxist steph says
“When you think about exercising as a privilege for being in good health, it gives it a different meaning.” That really spoke to me. What a great thought. Thanks Kath!
Lindsey (Mrs. LC) says
“Because you can” is SUCH an awesome motivator, thank you for sharing!! I hope you rock your test AND get your stove today!! 🙂
K says
PB zbar on oats?! YUM!
Good luck on your test!!
Heather McD (heather eats almond butter) says
I love that I can get up and exercise in the morning. We are definitely fortunate. I prefer the Honest Food Country Squares myself, but they’re hard to find in Nashville. When I see them, I stock up!
Madison Song says
Your oats still look delicious microwaved! Good luck on your test!
gina (fitnessista) says
good luck on your test!!!
Runeatrepeat says
Maybe I’m weird but I like microwaved oats better than stovetop. I always make them explode a little so the volume is pretty high on micro-ed ones.
claire says
“because you can.” That’s a great one liner to encourage for to run more than I’m used to runnning
Allison K says
Good Luck on your Test, and Good Luck with Sears!
Jennifer says
FYI just want to let you know that your 5.5-6 mile run yesterday inspired me to haul my ass to the gym after work last night and run on random inclines for nearly 7 miles in an hour. I also downloaded Sandstorm. So while my workout finished at 11 p.m., it still ROCKED.
Oh and has anyone tried apples nuked in micro on top of oatmeal? I tried it this morning and am so NOT a fan. I gotta get me some bananas from TJ’s!
Courtney says
Great way to think about exercise! It is a blessing to have healthy bodies. Have a great day and good luck with tests!
michelle says
Hi Kath,
Great great manta to live by!!! Just awesome!
Also your oats look amazing!! I will be trying the Zbar crumbled into the oats for sure!!
Thanks for all you do!!
Sam says
I like that mantra for working out a lot! I usually work out because I wont to be able to do the same activities I do now when I’m older. Also I love the placemat this morning!
http://westtoeastcoast.wordpress.com/
Michaela says
quick question..when you were losing weight, how many calories did you typically aim for?
caroline F. says
Oh man, I find micro oats to be such a hassle! WAY more than stovetop! Im with you girl! Good luck on your test, and Ill keep my fingers crossed for your stove 🙂
-C
runjess says
Yeah, I guess microwaving oats would be more difficult with two bowls and with all your additions.
Oh She Glows says
Gosh that is so frustrating when they don’t call to let you know what is going on! Argh. I feel for you. I hope it comes soon!
I love the mantra ‘because you can’…I often tell myself a similar thing in my head. I say I am LUCKY to be in good health, to have two working limbs, etc. Some people don’t have this luxury. We often take our health for granted and just focus on how hard working out can be. Thanks for the reminder 😀
Angela
www.ohsheglows.com
Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming) says
man, I hope your stove comes today! It’s very frustrating that they are lagging on that! Don’t they realize that a stove is kind of um…. important?
I love the quote from your cycle instructor “because you can!” sometimes I have to remind the mantra “I think I can I think I can” in my mind on hard days, and it woks!
Have you ever tried eating oats uncooked? I like to just mix mine with vanilla yogurt, PB, and maybe a banana if I’m feeling un-lazy. It’s really good!
karla says
good luck! almost done with chem!!
halie says
I will remember that: “Because you can” I love it!
Do well on your test!
Hil says
I so admire your motivation when it comest to exercise. Whenever I tell myself “because I can,” my brain becomes very contrary and spits out a list of other things that I can do and could be doing instead! 🙂
DLA in OKC says
I love microwave oats because I can cook them while I’m in the shower. I use an eight cup pyrex measuring cup, and use one cup of rolled oats and 2 cups of water (2 servings.) I nuke at 70% power for 12 minutes. The 70% power thing makes the micro cycle on and off, so they don’t boil over. Sitting time lets them firm up. Then it’s on to toppings!
Tina says
Good luck on your exam!
Hope the stove comes TODAY!
Mel says
Sending good vibes your way for the test and your stove! 🙂
Maggie says
Love the smartspin containers 😉
sophia says
Guys, how can you complain about furniture delivery then not be there to accept it??? Give me a break. Not having a couch to sit on is not the stores problem, right? Sounds like you have to stay more on top of yourself, not them.
Sam says
Great oats as always. By the way I love the new picture you look very pretty!
Moran says
Hope that you already have it by now!
Cess says
you can also make oats in a rice cooker…the fancy models let you set a timer very nice to wake up to
Mara says
¡Buena suerte en su exámen! (Good luck on your test!)
coco says
hope you get your stove soon!
Melissa says
MMM yummy oats. I need to try z-bars in my oatmeal! I love them in my yogurt so I’m sure it will be a winner. In fast, 2 boxes just arrived for me from drugstore.com 🙂
www.missymaintains.blogspot.com
Christina says
Microwaving oatmeal makes me extremely nervous. There’s nothing I hate more than to have to clean a bowl of overrun hot oats from the bowl and the surface!
Chelsea says
Good luck on the test!
nhuy says
Any opinions on coconut butter? I am tempted to try it. It looks flaky..but does it have that texture?
Thanks!
Rose-Anne says
I love the new picture of you and Matt up at the top right corner! He’s a tall one, that husband of yours 😉
Oh, my heart is breaking for you in your stoveless condition! I love my stove and can only imagine how miserable I’d be without it, especially in December. I hope your new one gets delivered today.
You seem like a creature of routine, so I wonder if the microwave thing is driving you nuts in part because it has broken your morning routine, not just because the oatmeal is turning out a little differently. Just a little food for thought 🙂
Kath says
Marilyn ,
‘Nanner oatmeal’ = so cute!
Jennifer,
Thanks for the lower power tip!! Looks like we might be using it more often this weekend 🙁 Figures you’d perfect a scientific slow cook solution 😉
Michaela ,
The same as now – go check the FAQ page.
nhuy ,
The coconut butter is really awesome. It’s hard and waxy like a candle but I shave it into the oats with the spoon tip and it melts in. It’s really good!
Rose-Anne,
No, I am just short!!
And you’re right about my routine. I think more than the cooking it’s the broken stove that is just sitting there cluttering up my kitchen that is driving me nuts!
K