Today’s oatmeal was FAB!! Maybe because I haven’t had it in a few days. Or maybe because of all the pumpkin. Or because I got to make a portion for one!
Today is a brew day for Matt, so he was up before the sunrise getting ready. It’s hilarious – all the years of him getting up at 2:30AM and he just BOUNDS out of bed. Same on brew days. But on normal days the guy stays in bed for 30 minutes before waking up. I suppose that means it’s all in the attitude!
I swear oatmeal for one is better than oatmeal for two. No offense Matt! In my little tiny pot. It was FLUFFIER than usual! That might have been because I used a whole banana for one, or the cooking time change for ingredients for one. Or the extra pumpkin!!
Sarah brought this McCutcheon’s Pumpkin Butter made in Maryland to my birthday weekend. She thinks it’s better than TJs! It IS very, very good. But I think TJ’s wins. TJ’s is a bit sweeter AND a bit spicier, so it has more flavor to me.
The TJ’s is darker in color and thus, more clovey – see below. The McCutcheons tastes more like canned pumpkin. But it is very good!
The Mix
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 whole smallish brown-spotted banana
- 1/2 cup pumpkin, stirred in at end
- Vanilla, cinnamon, ground cloves, stirred in at end
- Galaxy Granola (from a sample!)
- Pumpkin butters
- Coconut
- TJ’s PB
It was also SUPER filling today! Must have been the punkin!
T-5 hours till I depart!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
I agree, cooking a smaller batch of oats tastes much better 🙂
Thats dedication by Matt to wake up so early for beer making.
Have a safe trip!
Christine says
Ohhh! What’s he brewing? Brewing looks like fun — I might have to start doing it myself!
Kath says
A Belgium something, I think. I don’t even know!
Megan (Running Foodie) says
See you in SF! 🙂
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday says
Is he brewing pumpkin beer?
You know, I tried Pumking because I saw it at the LCBO and always wanted to try pumpkin beer but I found it WAY too strong. Almost bitter tasting.
http://gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthday/2010/10/24/fall-fun-weekend/
What’s your favourite pumpkin beer?
Kath says
WHAT!? That beer is anything BUT bitter or sour!?
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday says
Maybe I just like lighter beers?
Anyone else try Pumking?
RhodeyGirl says
Can’t wait to have a glass of vino with you Kath!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Kath says
🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Haha…so funny to see him brewing beer in the early morning hours 🙂 Have a great day!
Maddie says
That looks like a great bowl of oats! I’m having your pumpkin overnight oats as we speak. Mmm I love pumpkin 🙂 Have fun at the Foodbuzz fest!
Dee says
Ooh, have fun!
That oatmeal bowl looks YUM! I need to try the TJ’s Pumpkin butter STAT.
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Have a safe trip! I love TJ’s Pumpkin butter. It’s my favorite.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I completely agree with making one serving at a time…it is just so much better. I devoured my pumpkin oats this morning and was sad when it was over…so good and perfect on a wet fall morning.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Yayyy for the Foodbuzz departure!! Can’t wait for this weekend!!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Sorry, homemade pumpkin butter is way better than TJs — and cheaper!
If I was going to brew beer I’d bound of bed early too!
Have a safe trip!
Kath says
I disagree!!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I also agree that making one serving at a time is better. Especially if it involves more than the usual amount of pumpkin!! Have a safe trip!
ilana says
I totally thought oats for more than one tasted better– but I almost never get to eat them. 🙂
Have a fantastic time in SF– it is basically my favortie place in the world.
Alina @ Duty Free Foodie says
We brew beer at our house too! I recognize a lot of the equipment. I do not bounce out of bed in the mornings, ever. Except maybe under some very exceptional circumstances involving a very exciting day ahead.
Heather says
Sadly I don’t have a TJ’s near me so I’ve never had the pumpkin butter.
I do love pumpkin in my oatmeal though!
Save travels!
Sonya says
I owe you a Thank You for introducing pumpkin butters to me! The very first jar I bought was the McCutcheon’s and later TJ’s. It’s a toss up on which I like better. Like you said, both are great. They are so addictive! It’s so strange that I’ve never been addicted to pear butter, apple butter, etc. What is it about pumpkin?! I eat it by the spoonfuls from the jars!
Lisa @ early morning run says
wow, looks delicious! I haven’t seen the pumpkin butter at our TJ’s, but I’ll look for it next time!
Krystina says
I like cooking smaller batches of oats, too! Actually, I enjoy “for one” recipes. They’re perfectly portioned and always seem to come out wonderfully.
barefootgirl says
I still need to try pumpkin butter… perhaps a Tj’s trip is in order…
have a safe trip!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
It all depends on whether you want your pumpkin butter sweet or not, I guess! It’s nice there are so many options!
Amanda @ HopeHasAPlace says
I missed my bowl of oats this morning in favor of something else… but now you’re making me craaave it!
I usually don’t put in that much fruit (e.g. banana and pumpkin) in proportion to my oats, but the fluffiness sounds so delightful! I’ll give it a go.
And I still have a jar of apple butter to use up before I move on to pumpkin butter! Too bad I don’t have a TJs nearby. 🙁
Have fun this weekend!
Meg says
Have SO much fun in San Fran 😀
Lindsay Perrone says
I literally had to throw a close to full TJ’s pumpkin butter away the other day bc I was eating it by the spoonful. Straight from the jar. I cannot be trusted with it.
Amy K. @ onehealthypeanut says
Double pumpkin butter, yummm! I agree, the more spice the better! Safe travels!!!
K says
Not to be rude or nosy but I realize you make money blogging so you are not without income……it’s just that Matt hasn’t been working and it seems like your lifestyle hasn’t changed much…(?) PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE peolple I am not jealous, mean, insecure or a Kath hater! I am just generally curious how one can get by financially these days the way you (Kath) seem to be doing it.
Kath says
I think you are underestimating my business as a blogger + freelance writer
Kath says
Also, he has been working. Pretty hard at getting all the legalities of opening a small business running. Unfortunately we are at a standstill until the lawyers finish their work and construction can begin, which likely won’t happen until after January. This is not ideal!
Natalia - a side of simple says
I agree, making oatmeal (or anything I think for that matter) for one is much better. Maybe it’s the satisfaction that you get to eat it all yourself? (And I totally don’t mean that in a selfish or rude way!!) 🙂
Kiran says
Matt is adventurous! What is he brewing???
Why or why isn’t there any Trader’s Joe in Orlando? I want some pumpkin buttah, thanks to Kath 😀
Kiran says
And oh, happy and safe travels 🙂
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
pumpkin butter is amazing. Have a great trip!
[email protected] says
I could not agree more!! I love making oats just for myself. My husband gets weirded out when I add egg whites, pumpkin and too much cinnamon, but I love it!
rebecca lustig says
oh no. that’s what i forgot when i was at TJ’s yesterday.. the pumpkin butter!!!
guess i’ll have to go back.. shame.
havea s afe trip! 🙂
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
I wish you could make oats for me, Kath! Yours always looks so good!
Happy travels!
Camille says
Matt’s not going with on your travels?
Have a fun solo trip!
Kath says
He’s flying out Sunday
Emily says
I always love my breakfasts for one, too 🙂 Something about making that little pot just for me makes it better…just how I like it! Happy travels!!
lisasfoods says
Have a great trip to the conference. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it…
I love TJ’s pumpkin butter, but haven’t bought any this year. I’m on a mission to make all of my own pumpkin, squash, and apple butters. (Have only made squash butter and apple butter so far.) I like deciding how much sugar and spices to use. And the homemade factor.
Charlie says
I gave you the One Lovely Blog Award!
http://www.sweetsaltyspicy.net/2010/11/one-lovely-blog-award.html
Kath says
Thank you!
Jen @ Jen is Green says
mmm pumpkin butter! I tried TJ’s pumpkin butter for the first time and I’m in love with it…I may just have to eat all year round!! I also just recently made my own, super easy! 🙂
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
The oats looks so good! All the toppings make it look really pretty!
Have a safe trip!
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
For me ‘n my oats, more banana always=more fluff!!!
Happy travels!
love ya,
cathy b.
Christin L. says
Have a great and safe trip!
Erin @ A Girl & Her Mutt says
Sometimes less is more…especially when it comes to making oatmeal! I love fluffy oatmeal. 🙂
Enjoy your trip!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
TJ’s pumpkin butter is beyond fabulous – I’m picking up a jar today! squeeeeal!
Tab - Just Weighing In says
I have to thank you for the pumpkin butter idea – I bought some recently from Trader Joe’s and I LOVE it! Had it with cream cheese this morning on a bagel. Yum!
Ashley says
SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!!!!!! IN DENVER!!!!!!
Laura says
I want you to make oatmeal for me! It looks soooo good!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
i like oatmeal for one just because i get to use the ingredients i like:-) i’ve never noticed a difference in the finished product though if the ingredients are the same
Felicity says
It never occurred to me to add nut butters to oatmeal until I saw your blog. Now i’ve been adding cashew butter to steel cut oats and it is seriously so, so good!!
Have a fun trip. : )
Paige @Running Around Normal says
That’s awesome that Matt can wake up in a snap! I’m quite the morning person too 🙂
The battle of the pumpkin butters – guaranteed to be a good bowl!!
Sarah-Mae @ Eat, Run, Knit says
Haha, yesterday was my sailorman`s brew day and he too was up FAR earlier than normal with far less grumpiness than normal! There`s something about boys and their brew that leads to almost as much excitement in the air as Christmas morning!
Kath says
Love that you called him your sailorman!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Excitement! Have a good trip 🙂
lauri (redheadrecipes.com) says
I LOVE TJ’s pumpkin Butter, but I actually think Barefoot Contessa’s pumpkin butter from Crate&Barrel is even BETTER! Pure Pumpkin Heaven I tell ya!!
I mashed 1/2 banana and a couple spoonfuls of pumpkin together to top my french toast this am–> SO YUMMY! Gonna try it in oats tomorrow!! Looks like today is a day for pumpkin (But so is everyday!)
See ya Friday- have a safe trip!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I like TJ’s pumpkin butter, but it’s way too sweet for me. I think I need to find another variety!
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair says
I totally agree. I ALWAYS make oatmeal for one and I definitely think it tastes better 🙂
Nicole W. says
I would love to learn more about Matt’s brewing. I’m going to get my hubby into brewing as well (figure- we drink it enough, lets make it). Perhaps, as we go along with this venture, you and Matt would be open to a little Q&A?
Kath says
We’re hoping to make a video!
Natalie says
My husband very rarely gets up early unless he’s brewing beer with his dad. On those mornings he’s just like a little kid!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Love a big bowl of pumpkin oats!! I can’t get enough!
stacey-healthylife says
I love the combination. I find the Tj’s a little too spicy. I might like the other better.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
My mom’s on a trip in the US and she picked up some TJ’s pumpkin butter for me! I’m so excited to try it when she gets back! 😀
Stephanie says
I can’t believe I haven’t picked up pumpkin butter this year yet?! And I was at TJ’s on Sunday… what am I doingggg?!
Alyssa says
I have a hilarious story about Amtrak, which I will now share since your ride went well…I was in the 6th grade and the ride to DC was fine, but the ride back…let’s just say, sitting in someone else’s urine and having no one believe you takes its toll on your sanity…I’m still scarred. Yuck!
Hannah says
Maybe oatmeal for one is better because, psychologically, you know that you’re making it completely to your own tastes and don’t have to worry about anyone else’s opinion? Looks fantastic!
Kate says
Hi, Kath 🙂 I’ve never had TJ’s pumpkin butter, so I can’t say how it compares, but I’m obsessed with Amish Wedding Foods’ Pumpkin Butter (http://www.troyerscountrymarket.com/pumpkinbutter16oz.aspx) I put it in everything! You should absolutely try some! If you don’t feel like ordering it, I’d be happy to send you a starter jar (I love it so much I buy it in bulk…haha). Have a great time on your trip! 🙂