Last Day of The Oatmeal Challenge

“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”

It has been a while since I have blogged a new recipe.  The past few days have been very busy and I just haven't gotten around to it yet.  I love the quote above.  I remember when I first started the oatmeal challenge I thought it was definitely the wrong time to be taking up such a challenge.  As mentioned in one post my husband even said "why did you have to choose breakfast, it's my favorite meal".  Often the husband and I go to breakfast together and I get my favorite egg white omlette while he savors his country fried steak (so jealous that guys can eat like that and not gain a pound) so I knew it would be a sacrifice becauseI would have to make sure wherever we went had oatmeal.

Savory Oatmeal

Where I'm From:

by Allison Greer
I am from matching dresses,
hair bows, and from fresh water lakes.
It smells of dirt, as the
wind blows through the old oak trees.
I'm from a one stop light,
small, quaint town.

I am from orange trees and orange blossoms,
from popsicles melting on
the old wicker swing.
From Claudia I learned
to straighten up and fly right.
I'm from cheese pizza,
from mom's red lipstick and red nail polish.

I come from follow your heart,
from dress-up clothes and dolls.
I am from Richard, that tiny
old Mason Jar and wonderful role models.
The glassy lake being broken under,

water skis that follow behind our boat.
Girls laughing on swings as the Spanish moss sways high above.

I am from heartfelt memories, scrapbooked
pictures through the years, decorated and preserved.
I'm from chicken nuggets and laundry baskets
in front of the television.
I am from magazines and sisters, who
never go to bed angry.
I'm from white sand beach front, happiness,
and pink strawberry cake.

My youngest sister wrote this poem and I love it so much. It totally describes in a completely unique way the things my 2 sisters and I were brought up around. I had to share it today instead of my typical quote.  I also had to share it because this next dish reminds me a lot of my sister.

Oatmeal Challenge Days 16 - 28

"Your heart understood mine" - Little Women

Thursday, Day 16: Boring Oatmeal
Today I was NOT feeling ambitious, I literally put oatmeal on the stove and tossed in a box of raisins and brown sugar.  It was still good but SO not creative!


Friday, Day 17: Bob Evan's Oatmeal
A few mornings a week I go to breakfast with one of the girls I mentor. This was one of those mornings and she suggested Bob Evans.  I had never tried Bob Evans and decided we'd try it out.  How have I never been there before????  The oatmeal was fabulous and came with brown sugar, raisins, dried cranberries, and pecans! What a creation!!!

Days 11-15 of the Oatmeal Challenge

All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.
John Gunther




Turquoise Polka-Dot Pitcher

 

I've gotta admit I love polka dots so I'm in love with this pitcher!  How cute is this!  I could imagine it filled with fresh lemonade, perfect for summer.  I've kept up the oatmeal challenge and wanted to update you with more creative oatmeal recipes.  I'm half way through and actually starting to enjoy oatmeal.  I hope you enjoy the new combinations!

Days 4-10 of the Oatmeal Challenge

Ruffled Bowl From Etsy

 "Eat a good breakfast - there's no better meal to help fuel a great day." - Matt Bean

Let me first admit.  This oatmeal challenge has been hard.  It's easy the first few days when I can think of awesome new recipes but then after a while my mind kind of goes blank.  Fortunately I have this blog to keep me accountable (I would feel like I let you down if I didn't eat oatmeal for the full thirty days).  I do however apologize for not keeping up with the blog posts for the past 8 days.  So this post will be longer and full of new fun oatmeal recipes I hope you enjoy.

 

Day 3 of Oatmeal Challenge... Dates are Great!

Oatmeal makes a filling, healthy breakfast.
Ruth Frechman

Lenox Chirp Plates
bedbathandbeyond.com

Today I woke up and realized I didn't have any fresh or frozen fruit for my oatmeal (yes I desperately need to go to the grocery store).  I also didn't have what I wanted to try an idea for a savory oatmeal (recipe coming soon).  So I scrummaged through my pantry to try and find something worthy of covering up the oatmeal texture I hate.  I found a package of dates I had bought a while back and came up with this recipe, and I have to admit it is my favorite so far!!! Want more info about how dates are a good source of fiber, vitamins and low in calories and fat?  Look Here  On a side note, don't you just love these dishes??  I try to find something turquoise to put on each post and I absolutely love these... too bad my kitchen/house is tuscan colors of orange/red/brown... these would definitely clash!

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal and Blueberry Apple Oatmeal

“Once we sowed wild oats, now we cook them in the microwave.”

Vera Wang for BB&B

I laughed when I read this quote and knew I had to use it for my post.  I do have to admit since starting I have not cooked my oatmeal in the microwave, granted it's only day two but please let me relish in my domesticity of using the stove :)  For those of you who don't know my sister Meredith and I decided to start a 30 day oatmeal challenge (you can see the full story here).  We're on day 2 and have cooked up some delicious concoctions to share with you!  They are both completely different in approach so hopefully it will help give you some variety if you decide to participate in the 30 day challenge also.  ENJOY!!!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal

You have to eat oatmeal or you'll dry up. Anybody knows that.

 Kay Thompson

Denby Monsoon Dinnerware

My sister and I decided to start a 30 day oatmeal challenge (see here for more info) where we would only eat oatmeal for breakfast for the next 30 days.  For those of you who don't know, I hate oatmeal, the texture just drives me nuts.   So while making my first batch this morning I told the husband "well, I may not be eating breakfast for the next 30 days" to which he replied "well that sounds like an awesome way to loose weight".  I have to admit I was quite offended at this comment :) was he implying something?  I know we are newly weds but isn't there an unspoken rule among the guys to never make diet/weight comments to your wife?  Well we both laughed it off due to the look on his face of "oh crap, why did I say that".  As for my oatmeal, it turned out really well and I actually ate about half the serving before the texture started getting to me.  The spices and combination really complimented each other well so I had to share.  Hope you enjoy and who knows maybe it will be a great diet!


Day 1: Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal