As they say in the Brady Bunch movie, it’s a Sunshine Day!!
I had a wonderful, dream-filled night’s sleep and ventured down for a fun breakfast!
Oatmeal? Cereal + Milk? Overnight oats? What IS that?
It’s a bowl of the new Organic Valley yogurt drink!
I love Organic Valley and I think they must love me because these hot guys arrived unannounced on my doorstep yesterday. I’ve been flirting with them at the grocery store lately but hadn’t put them in my cart due to outstanding relationships with yogurt and milk in my fridge.
Y’all know I’m a plain girl because I like to add sugar myself in the form of fruit, jam, etc. but I was excited to be able to try the vanilla + berry flavors, which I probably wouldn’t have bought myself for that reason. They are a bit high in sugar – 24g per serving – sweetened with agave nectar.
I eat and drink everything in my life first and foremost for the taste. But I do make secondary efforts to eat things based on nutrition (sardines (O-3, Ca, vit D), chia seeds (O-3 + fiber), organic milk (Ca, vit D), occasional red meat (iron), GREENS (phytonutrients) and……….yogurt – for Ca, vit D and probiotics. So happy was my gut to see these are filled with probiotics. Good for the immune system because they line up like warriors along your intentional tract and literally act as a barrier to prevent harmful bacteria from entering. That’s why if you take antibiotics that destroy both good and bad sometimes you get holes in your tract and harmful bacteria can get in much easier!
Nutrition Facts, FYI
We opened the vanilla first (I know I’ll like the plain because I like plain kefir a lot!). It’s flavor was subtle and it wasn’t overly sweet. Perfect, rich, yogurty taste! No sourness at all.
Trying to show you the fluidity – it’s kind of like a cross between yogurt + milk
To serve….
- 1 cup cubed cantaloupe
- 1/2 banana
- 1 cup OV vanilla yogurt
- 1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill muesli
- 1 tsp Small Measure pumpkin butter
- 1 heaping tsp Nuttzo Pf Chia Fluff
This pumpkin butter from Small Measures (at least I think that’s what it is!) was sent to me with Ashley’s book on canning & preserving, Homemade Living, a while ago. It’s simply delightful! I haven’t made any of the book’s recipes (due to internship time constraints!) but maybe someday 🙂
The yogurt cereal bowl was awesome. I don’t really like cold cereal in milk because the crunchies get soggy so fast that I gobble down the bowl and it’s gone in 2 minutes! I love yogurt cereal bowls, but since I love greek yogurt, it’s hard to mix everything throughout. What I loved about this consistency was that my ingredients sunk and got dispersed but not soggy. And the things that needed to stay on top (= nut butter) did!! Winner!
There was cantaloupe down there!
Matt made us some jelly bean shaped coffee 
Now we’re playing on our computers (well I’m working and Matt is fascinated with Mario Bros music) and later we’re going for a bike + swim journey!
Pedicure this afternoon!!!!!!!!
Gotta get out and get some of those rays!!
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
That yogurt stuff sounds lovely! We have that brand over in England but not that variety…I wonder when it will arrive!? It sounds gooood!!
Have a lovely day in the sun! There isn’t any here, BAH.
Meg says
Never seen that stuff before but it looks awesome! As your breakfasts always do, no matter what you use 🙂 Enjoy the sunshine!
SallyH @ acountablelife.wordpress.com says
Speaking of what and why we eat things (taste, nutrients, etc.), I know you’ve mentioned you are trying to eat more organic foods, so I thought I’d drop by with a link to the new Dirty Dozen fruits and veggies that have the most pesticide residue. Spinach is new to the list this year! It’s a good shopping guide.
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/332/the-new-dirty-dozen-12-foods-to-eat-organic-and-avoid-pesticide-residue.html
Kath says
A good list!! And so many pesticides 🙁
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Yogurt drink sounds like kefir! Probably great for overnight oats + smoothies. The good thing about the sugar content is that half of them are probably naturally occurring from the lactose. 🙂
Jenn
Kate says
We’ve got a rainy day here. 100% chance of thunderstorms and a “severe weather warning”. Yikes. Enjoy your sunshine and pray that our bad weather doesn’t blow east your way!
I love that Organic Vallery yogurt. Great company, great product. I just found it at Whole Foods about a month ago. I agree – it reminds me of kefir. It’s perfect for smoothies!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
I grew up drinking yogurt drinks, and have been toying with picking some up for a while now. I hate how sweetened most of them are though!
Have a great Sunshiney day!
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks says
Ooo, I’m getting a pedicure tomorrow. They’re the best! I hope you choose a fun, springy color — last time I got grassy green toes =)
jaclyn@todays lady says
Yum that breaky looks so good right now!!! Especially since I’m going out for breakfast soon and am starving!!!! I should probably stop myself from looking at more blogs before I go because I’m just torturing myself!!!
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
That is high in sugar, but I’m glad to see it’s agave! That definitely works better for my body.
LOL I remember when the Brady Bunch went musical. Fun times.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
It’s such a gorgeous day–I have my sundress on, SPF 45 and am ready to get outside!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
That yogurt sounds awesome!
Jenny says
Mmm I love pumpkin butter- I have to get back out there and look for some, could it be hiding from me at the stores?
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Sounds like a great day!
I picked that yogurt up when it was on sale at Whole Foods a while back and I really loved it!! It was a nice change from my normal Greek yogurt.
Evelyn @ cheers2healthy says
I haven’t seen the Organic Valley yogurt drinks but maybe I haven’t been looking hard enough! I’ll have to check it out. I’m a huge fan of yogurt drinks.
Camille says
I used to live off of “drink yogurt” when I was little. I’m sure the kind I used to have was purely sugar though… much be why it is so darn delicious!
Danielle (Coffee Run) says
Ahh thanks for the Brady Bunch flashback 😀
Have a good Saturday!
Ann @ Appalachian Appetites says
Oh…thanks for the info on Ashley’s book. Looks like something I might try 🙂
Heather says
Thanks for the info on the yogurt/milk – I have been eyeing them in the grocery store as well and think I may pick up the vanilla one now.
Enjoy your workout and pedicure – I looked at my toes this morning and thought how nice a pedicure would be!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m obsessed with mario music too – it’s my brother’s ringtone for when he calls b/c that’s what we played together growing up….has matt ever heard the orchestra version? so good!
i’ve used kefir in my overnight oats before but they were especially fantastic in whole wheat pancakes. i have a recipe on my site:
http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/lynn-monday-bloody-monday/
SentimentsbyDenise says
I discovered the pourable yogurts about a month ago and have been enjoying them in smoothies, overnight oats, and just mixed with some fresh berries and granola. Such a great treat!
If your readers go to the site you linked for Organic Valley, they can find some printable coupons! Whole Foods sells this brand – love their cheese, too!
Amber K says
I hate it when cereal gets soggy, too. That’s why I measure out some almond milk on the side and add it throughout the process so I can eat as slowly as I like without soggy grossness!
hemp jogger says
lame announcement: i used to be so obsessed w/ that movie in H.S., and sang that song daily! no clue why i thought those brady movies were so hysterical…i still watch them when they’re on the tube. ‘sunshine day’ is fantastic, as is ‘shanana’ from the other movie. 🙂
what a cool product! might have to hunt that down. enjoy the sun; i know i will be, w/ that tune in my head!
Wei-Wei says
The only kind of yogurt there really is here in China is drink yogurt. I don’t really like it… it’s too runny and tastes a little too sugary. I’d kill to have some nice, tart Greek yogurt on hand! But it’s dang expensive 🙁
That does sound good though, with the cantaloupe… Mmm love cantaloupe! 😀
Have a great day! 🙂
Wei-Wei
Laura says
Wei-Wei- why don’t you try making your own? You could either use some from a greek yoghurt container or drinkable yogurt (maybe 1-2 tablespoons (or else the contents of a couple of probiotic capsules)), mixed with about 500ml of semi skimmed milk (2.5%) that you briefly heated to boiling point earlier, and left to cool to 35-40C (check using a thermometer) in a CLEAN container, then plop it in a nice, moderately warm place- about 37C ish is what you should be aiming for- I don’t know how hot it is where you are, so maybe on a tabletop, or an airing cupboard… leave for 14-20 hours to incubate, then you should have your own yogurt! To make it thicker- add a couple of tbs of milk powder, or for Greek yogurt, strain it through some muslim. Try it- its so fun to do + really, really cheap! Then you can flavour it yourself 😉
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
We’re having a sunshine day here too 😀 Thank you for getting that song stuck in my head, lol.
Yummmm…I still haven’t tried Kefir, but I need to!
Meg @ Be Fit Be Full says
I’m pretty sure I’m going to have that song in my head all day now! It’s ok though, I like it 🙂 Jealous of your pedicure! Have fun!
Laura says
Probiotics are so cool! I had one patient who had recurrent C. diff infections post antibiotic regimens (6 times !!!), then started having a yogurt a day- no more C diff! Hope you have a lovely, springy day 😉
Kath says
Ahhhh I see C.diff at work all the time. Wish hospitals could serve really good yogurts.
jen trinque @ recipes for creativity says
Enjoy the sunshine – I just got back from a hot and sweaty walk in it and it was great! Got my Vitamin D for the day, I hope.
mary ann says
I have a tendency towards high blood sugar levels, so for awhile i was a little hesitant towards buying any dairy. Then I remembered learning back in HS chem that lactose is a natural sugar in dairy and it doesnt seem to have any effect on my blood sugar. I now deduct a good 17 or so grams from the nutritional info to figure out how much added sugar im really getting. going on this completely non-scientific assumption, i dont think those kefirs are all that high after all.
Happy MAY!!
MA
Daniel says
Sounds like quite the interesting breakfast… except for the canteloupe, I just can’t picture eating that in oatmeal… though maybe it would mask the taste and texture more and I’d be able to handle it. 😛
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Oh, I hate soggy cereal, too! I always just have a bowl of cereal and then a glass of milk on the side so that doesn’t happen!
The yogurt drinks look good! Glad you liked the vanilla one! That’s awesome that it had a subtle flavor and wasn’t too sweet!
Have a great afternoon! Enjoy the sunshine!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
Wow, I’ve never seen that stuff but it looks really good 🙂
Have a great day Kath!
Brittany says
I haven’t seen the Organic Valley Yogurt Drink in stores yet, but it looks quite interesting. Although, I still need to try kerfir – I’m behind on that one as well.
Have a lovely sunshine day Kath!!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
Hahaha Love the Brady video..
Kelly says
I’m so jealous! You get the best stuff to try! But they should definitely send you free stuff because I know I often seek out the stuff you mention that you really like. It saves the rest of us from wasting money on sub-par health food. Thanks for your reviews!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
That just gave me a great idea to make some overnight oats tonight for tomorrow morning. Thanks Kath.
Hannah says
That’s a little amazing that the nut butter doesn’t sink… I would’ve thought its weight and density woudl make it disappear into the liquidy depth immediately. Definitely a win there…
Lisa says
uh, yum!! i totally want to try that yogurt. ive always been hesistant to try the “liquid” yogurts, or kefir. i hear they are good tho- now ill have to try it!
i like Organic Valley’s single serve milk boxes. strawberries the best! 🙂
-Lisa
Kim says
Thank you for mentioning the Pumpkin Butter and linking to the book. I just checked out her blog and the book on Amazon.
I just started buying canning jars to store my bulk bin purchases (sturdy, good looking and inexpensive jars) and each time I buy them I look at the actual canning equipment and then place the equipment back on the shelf assuming that canning would be too difficult, too time consuming, too everything. Now I am going to take a good look at canning and I think Ashley’s book may be just what I am looking for!
Thanks Kath and thanks Ashley!