Breakfast Bites: Chocolate Oatmeal & Blueberry Muffins
I love cupcake wrappers. I love oatmeal. I love blueberries. I love chocolate. And I love these breakfast muffins which brings it all together. :D
My breakfasts are smoothies, oatmeal, or dippy eggs - so I decided to shake things up with some Chocolate Oatmeal and Blueberry Muffins.
These muffins are super tasty and filling and a perfect post-run food!
I avoid muffins because they upset my tummy - so I made these muffins gluten free by making my very own oatmeal flour. And instead of buying it pre-made, I used my trusty blender and made my own flour!
The flour was perfectly soft and cooked up beautifully.**
I’ve provided both vegan and vegetarian options below the fold!
On My Nightstand: A Harry Potter Nerdette is Born
For March, I finished The Sorcerer’s Stone! I’m so glad I gave the books another chance - this is the fifth time I’ve tried to read the series.
Something clicked and I got swept up in the phenomenon - I wonder if Nigel could be my familiar with his magical powers of napping all day and snorfling all night.
Speaking of Nigel, this will be happening to him this Halloween. That’s my only complaint about the book: not enough English Bulldogs. That’s my complaint about everything though:)
I’m also obsessed with Harry Potter goods like this awesome key chain that can hopefully bring back my keys to me when I end up losing them.
And check out this lovely apron for my Harry Potter themed parties! I heart Etsy!
And how the hell do they stay healthy at Hogwarts eating all of this?
Roast beef, roast chicken, fried sausages, stew, casserole, tripe (which McGonagall ironically offers Trelawney in PA), pork chops, shepherd’s pie, steak, Cornish pasties, lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, steak and kidney pudding, steak and kidney pie, black pudding, sandwiches (chicken and ham, for Harry and Ron in CS5); bread, marshmallows and crumpets (Harry and Ron roast them over the common room fire during the Christmas holidays in PS12), baked pumpkin (at Halloween), roast potatoes, jacket potatoes, boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, chips, Yorkshire pudding, peas, sprouts, carrots, gravy, ketchup, custard tart, mint humbugs, ice cream, apple pies, treacle tart, spotted dick, chocolate éclairs, chocolate gateau, jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, jelly, and rice pudding. (Source)
HOLY PAULA DEEN’S PANTRY! Wizarding metabolism is awesome!
Even ridiculously photogenic runner guy is in on the Harry Potter! :)
Today was a full day - our power was cut off at 8am because they have been installing new electric poles and our morning routines had to be completed in the dark - it was pretty neat.
Breakfast was a bowl of simple cold oats with almond milk and a teaspoon of brown sugar!
Lunch was a sammie from Cosi: fire-roasted sammie with roasted peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, artichokes, romaine, and feta!
I had to brush my teeth because I was off to the dentist for a very successful exam and cleaning - YAY! Walking away with a whiter smile makes me feel like I went to the spa. :)
Late-afternoon, I enjoyed an iced coffee and a Kind Bar so I could be ready for my workouts once I got hone in the evening.
Dinner was a PERFECT sunny-side up egg that was dippy but well-cooked with a generous pinch of Andy Roo’s Cajun garlic seasoning. The secret is covering the eggs in the pan so that the whites set firmly.
Asparagus is in season and the organic bunches are a steal - I roasted up a new batch for us with sea salt and pepper!
See ya later, pretty peeps!
Take Me Out To The Ball Game
Since we got back from New Orleans, I’ve been surviving on one meal a day and hot chocolate. I made it to the grocery store and started my Monday with a tropical smoothie.
In the mix: almond milk, Fage Greek yogurt with mango and guanabana, small frozen banana, strawberries, and a teaspoon of sugar-free lemonade + a slice of whole wheat toast. Taste the islands peeps! :D
And here’s my first plant of summer - oregano! Oregano can be grown easily on a window sill (and can withstand mercurial temperatures) because it’s a hearty little guy.
Lunch was a large plate of mixed greens and wasabi-miso dressing, a slice of whole wheat toast, and a cheddar cheese stick.
I had a pretty great Monday - guess where I spent my evening?
John and I went to the Cubs - Brewers game at Wrigley, our first game of the season!
A partner was giving away tickets to the associates and John grabbed two last week for a fun date night!
They were giving away these awesome hats but we were too late to get one. :(
Sadly, it was a cold game and people were snuggling under blankets. I can’t wait till we got to a hot weather game!
I love this series of photographs because I never realized how specifically the pitcher turns his body when he throws the ball - it’s like a ballerina on one leg!
I love watching the Cubbies play and I love getting our dinner at the stadium - I shared this popcorn box and a pretzel with John - and came home and drank two liters of water!
(I hate the no water bottles in stadiums rule and buying the plastic bottles feels so wasteful!)
Nigel Bear was extra cuddly when we got home and was butt-wiggling all over the place.
Today’s Workout: 1 Hour, Yoga at Home (Hatha + Routines from Stiles’ book)
Hope you had a great Monday!
Easter Brunch at the Southern
Did you put on your best and celebrate Easter? Or adorable bunnies and chocolate egg day?
I decided on my “grande chapiteau” dress - always puts a smile on my face.
Saturday’s post-long run workout was a Core Restore yin yoga class and yesterday was a simple 4.5 mile walk around the city - I’m hoping all the active recovery will get me back to business today.
We are still in New Orleans mode so we were excited for our Easter brunch at The Southern.
The Southern has a cool open air bar and a great courtyard where we sat - with the sun shining down through the trees we pretended we were in NOLA.
The waiter convinced us to try these spiced doughnut holes with a coffee dipping sauce and fresh fruit. They were yummy and warm and would be perfect for fall - I loved it with the fresh fruit!
I can’t believe I eat eggs now. :) Dippy eggs and toast for me!
John went wild with the crawfish and grits and got me an order of the cheese grits to try but they were “eh” and I only had a bite. Commander’s Palace has ruined grits for me - there are no awesome grits like that in the Midwest!
The restaurant was good but not great; I think I would go back for drinks with girlfriends and the ambiance instead of the brunch food! I’m also hoping we go back for dinner and I get to try some of the Southern fare
Nigel got an Easter present from his hooman grandmother which roars when he shakes it. Nigel 1; Bear 0. :)
I Love Brunch
And there’s nothing better than a long run followed by brunch! John’s long run was on Saturday and I was more than willing to celebrate with a lovely brunch. :)
We loved our long run dinner at Francesca Forno and wanted to check out their brunch because it was even more packed!
I had been dreaming of the raspberry crespelle with riccotta, saffron honey, and toasted almonds but when I finally had a bite, it was disappointing. Ever since I started eating dippy eggs, I’ve been craving them for breakfast - instead of oatmeal-as-dessert bowls, pancakes, and other ‘sweet stuffs’ for brunch.
We left the crespelle and John got a delicious veggie omelette and smashed fingerling potatoes with green peppers (and he shared two with me!)
Beignets and Bluegrass
Beignets and coffee from Cafe Du Monde in the mornings, and the the largest street bluegrass band I’ve ever seen. The music was great but the attending baby puppy and dog were even better.
Bumble Bee on my Bowl
When John and I went to NYC to visit my fam, my mother gave us new china - specifically, dessert bowls and plates. Isn’t the bumble bee just adorable?
Why save them for special occasions? They were perfect for my ”Cold n’ Creamy, Oh So Dreamy Cold Oats.”
I don’t like the texture of overnight oats and these were prepared during my morning run - a cup of Trader Joe’s almond milk and oatmeal, Fage Greek yogurt, plus a dollop of cherry fruit spread!
Today was a rest day and my workout was an easy 3.5 mile run and an hour of yoga at home!
Post-workout, I tried to have a Twilight moment with my afternoon snack.
Here’s my Jacob. He’s a bit more wrinkly and he’s got chubbeh abs. Calm yourself ladies. :D
Strawberries & Cream Cold Oats
My cold oats floweth over!
I’ve written before how I dislike the texture of overnight oats so I call these shower-time oats! I add my oatmeal to my cold base and it softens while I’m in the shower and do my make-up.
In the bowl, I chilled almond milk, Chobani Greek yogurt with vanilla extract, pureed strawberries (courtesy of Fresh Picks!), and a full cup and a few tablespoons of water!
I keep my fridge pretty low and in the morning the mixture had an ice cream like texture and the bowl was really puffy!
I added the oatmeal in the morning, went about my routine, and a half-hour later added two tablespoons of yummy Bear Naked granola to the top which added a lovely cinnamon note.
Cold, creamy, smooth, and crunchy- Perfection!
This was the first toy Nigel got from his grandparents (John’s parents). At 10lbs he couldn’t lift it up and would push it around with his nose, get tired, and abandon it.
Now he flings it around the room.
I think shark week is here because I’m about to start crying because my dog is growing up.
Hope you are all having a great morning.
