First Timer

Up until today, I’d never had an official overnight oats experience. Since, as mentioned yesterday – I had to be out of the house by 6:30 to be where I needed to be, when I needed to be there – I thought why not put the method to use and save myself having to wake up even earlier than my already up-at-the-crack-of-dawn lifestyle? I could surely whip up some oats quickly, but where I’m really slow is in the consumption. I sit and savor for at least half an hour – and helps me to not feel so full, too. I love being able to slowly eat in the morning. I just love my morning “me” time. Anybody else?

She didn’t know it at the time, but I creeped Nora’s overnight oats concoctions for the do’s and dont’s of overnight oats. I saw she’d done carrot cake overnight oats, and that being a favorite of mine, decided to go that route. I also saw she’d used steel cut oats in one, too. I had an obsession with steel cut oats for the longest time last fall, and still have a whole bag chillin’ (heh…) in my freezer. Figured I best get to work on that baby, and used it in my final execution of the famed overnight oats.

Last night, I combined

• 2 T. steel cut oats, 2 T. oat bran
• 1/2 T. coconut
• ~3/4 c. almond milk
• 1 T. chia seeds
• 1/4 of a carrot, grated
• 1/2 a thinly sliced banana
• maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg
• trail power

and let it get cozy in the tupperware for the night. I was worried it would be too thick if I used yogurt, since the chia seeds puff up so much – so I figured if it’s too thin, I could just add the yogurt in the morning, and did.

In the morning, I nuked it for a minute to take the chill off, and then I added:

• the rest of the banana
• Mae’s Tropical Toasted Coconut Butter
• Mae’s Tropical Granola
• a spoonful of greek yogurt
• and a drizzle of maple syrup

I ended up with more time than I thought I would have so I still was able to enjoy it – but I’ve gotta be honest – I think I enjoy the process of making oats every morning, and I almost didn’t appreciate this bowl because I missed out on the whole standing-over-a-simmering-pot-of-oats moment. It was just a good bowl of oats, handed to me. But, it’s good to know that it still “works” for those busy mornings!! It definitely tasted just as good as my usual bowl of oats, it just missed that extra love, ya know? haha.

I packed some snackage last night, too. First being in the form of a Luna Sunrise Bar, the continuation of Operation: Bar Stash Cleanout. I’m doing really well with this operation. I’m saving the best for last though, for sure. Otherwise I’ll never weed through the “meh…” ones. This one actually wasn’t so bad, though. I prefered it over the usual Luna bars, actually! It didn’t have that overbearing sweetness after a couple bites like I find some Lunas do. That being said, I don’t think they make these anymore, heh.

For lunch I packed a tempeh, Crofters, and spinach sammie on harvest grain bread. I love mashing and mixing the tempeh with the jam – it makes it so much easier to eat, and you get tempeh and jam with each mouthful. Maybe I’m just weird. Or, as I always say, a bad eater. My mom got a veggie, egg, and hummus wrap – we were both supervising a test at the college. I can’t remember if I said that already. But we went together. I need to brush up on my (w)rapping skills, I discovered last night. Can you believe how long I’ve gone without a veggie egg and hummus wrap, myself?! Major, major bread kick.

I also snagged some Dr. Kracker Pumpkin Cheddar Flatbreads and some agave-ginger cashews that I purchased from the co-op recently. They are killer! Very gingery – love! And then of course we each got dessert in the form of a coconut-vanilla date ball.

While we were in town we cleaned my office, and then went to look at horses, where I rode quite the variety 😛 Fun, Fun afternoon! We didn’t get back until 4:00, and up until 12:30 we were sitting in a room being as quiet as possible. It was easy money though, so I’m not complaining. It was really hard to read blogs and then not comment though, hah. I had to make mental notes to go back tonight 🙂

I also brought Veganomicon to flip through, and found tonight’s dinner inspiration, which came at an early hour. I was fine without a snack most of the afternoon even though we ended up doing quite a bit (protein packed morning!) but around 4:30 was hungry. We typically eat early dinners anyways – between 5 and 5:30 – so I figured it wasn’t even really that early to start on a pineapple-bulgur cashew stir fry.

In case you’re wondering where the cashews come into play – imagine this plate after I realized I forgot the cashews. d’uh. I made sure to right my wrong 😉

Just some bulghur wheat prepared in equal parts pineapple juice and water, and then thrown in and stir-fried with red pepper, tempeh, scallions, garlic, ginger, broc, pineapple, and basil with some soy sauce and chili powdah. And a grilled portobello on the side 🙂 This hit. the. spot. Definitely a “Jess-meal” haha.

But, now…I’m beat! Good thing I had a slow morning or I’d really be draggin’ right now, haha. We had a beautiful day here – I only wish tomorrow would be as nice!

Also; I love, loved reading everyone’s input on local vs. organic and how sometimes, they can actually be one and the same, even if farmers don’t put forth the money to get that stamp. It’s really unfortunate for local organic growers. If only something could be done and it didn’t cost them an arm and a leg, I think everyone would benefit and become more knowledgeable about the processes. I can’t wait for farmer’s markets to start up – we have a very small winter one, but as you can imagine – not much is available for a few more weeks, now!

I hope everyone has a great night, and enjoys the rest of their weekend!

What’s your quick, go-to breakfast on the run?