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Good Morning!!!
Everyone ready for Monday? Is it just me or is it really hard getting back into the routine after the holidays? The last couple weeks I worked from home due to my ankle injury. Today I’m headed back to the office. I’m curious to see how my ankle handles the added stress. Speaking of stress, it it always feels way more stressful having to get dressed in something other than yoga pants, put on makeup, pack a lunch and commute to the office.Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could all wear our workout clothes to the office? I think that’s a fashion trend that needs to be started pronto.
After being away from the office so long, I’ve been feeling a little stir crazy. I’m actually excited to see the office peeps, catch up on the latest gossip and try to remember where we left work things. And frankly, I can’t stay home any longer because that would mean Mom influencing me to shop more. I’m not hard to influence in that department especially now that I’m feeling better. But my ankle and wallet can’t afford anymore. I truly don’t know how many purses, shoes or dresses a woman needs, but my Mom never seems to have enough. Good thing she doesn’t live in Phoenix otherwise we’d always be shopping and I would never meet my financial goals this year or ever.
I’m also glad to get back to my healthy eating routine this week. I don’t know about you, but it always seems like my food and meals are all over the place during the holidays. Eating at strange times of the day, eating out, lack of food prep, etc. catches up for you. Cookies for breakfast, lunch and dinner is awesome, but after a few weeks of that I’m definitely craving more nutrients and fiber. I still need a touch of sweet though and something that will warm me up. It’s been 15-20 degrees colder in Phoenix this past week than us desert rats are used to. Since then I’ve had a constant chill and in desperate need of something to warm me up especially in the morning after swimming laps. That’s where very berry apple oatmeal came to the rescue.
This is a delicious redeux of an oldie but goodie that I made last Christmas except this time I snuck an apple in the bake. Sneaky…sneaky… If you’ve never made baked oatmeal, you really should give it a whirl. It requires very little prep to make. You could even do it in the crockpot overnight on low and wake up to a fabulous smelling house. Frozen mixed berries, an apple, gluten free oats, a little almond milk, cinnamon & sugar and I had myself some sweet warmness.
To be quite frank, it is kinda strange that I made oatmeal. I haven’t been eating much oatmeal (outside my muffins) or grains this winter. A few months back, I started researching Paleo and Whole 30 and began experimenting with eating less grains and processed foods. The idea behind both is to eat more whole, real foods and eliminate processed foods. Many grains, legumes and dairy foods are processed and difficult for our bodies to break down and digest.
I discovered my body can tolerate legumes every once in awhile, grains in small amounts but it depends on the grain (i.e. oatmeal & quinoa I’m ok with, brown rice not so much) and I can tolerate almost no dairy which I already knew. After my great food experiment, I realized how good my body felt eating that way and how much better my fitness became too. After a month of eating that way, I started sneaking a few other things back into my diet out of curiosity and as soon as I did it was like someone gave me a sleeping pill and impregnated me. Now I don’t claim to follow either of these diets strictly or any diet for that matter. I just experiment and do what makes me feel best, which I highly recommend you do for yourself. No medical or weight loss expert can do that for you.
Flavored with cinnamon, apples & berries this oatmeal is subtly sweet and packed with fiber and nutrients. Pair with greek yogurt or cottage cheese for added protein. This makes a wonderful winter breakfast or snack to warm you up on a chilly day and satisfy your sweet tooth with healthy ingredients.
- 2 cups GF rolled oats (you can used regular as well)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup baking stevia
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup almond milk (or preferred milk)
- 1 tsp almond or vanilla extract
- 2 egg whites
- 1 12 ounce package frozen mixed berries, thawed
- 1 gala apple, peeled & cut into ½ inch pieces
- Preheat oven 350 degrees
- Prepare a small glass baking dish or pan (8"x8") with cooking spray
- Combine egg whites, almond milk & almond extract in a small bowl
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine oats, baking powder, stevia & sea salt
- Add liquid mixture to dry mixture & combine
- Then add berries & apples & stir to combine
- Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish
- Place in the oven on a baking sheet to catch an spillage
- Bake 35-40 minutes until lightly browned on top
- Remove from oven, serve & enjoy
How’s your eating been over the holidays? Have you fallen off the sago or still on track? Are you ready for routine this week? What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this week?
Linking up with Meatless Monday.
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I’m so with you about being excited to go eat normally again! As much as I love travelling and the holidays, the eating part of it completely throws my system out of whack! One thing I’m looking forward to this week is taking it easy and relaxed nights at home- it’s been a busy few weeks!
I’m jealous! My nights are the opposite. I’m usually stuck in traffic until late & never get to relax at home until the weekend or the holidays. You’re lucky.
I really want to learn to like oatmeal-I really do! This looks like a great way to start. Pinned! Thanks for linking up with us again today-Happy MM! Sorry to hear about your ankle-I feel you. Still wearing the dumb boot on my foot. Happy healing for both of us!
I’m sorry to hear about your foot. I really do understand your frustration. I’ve been in & out of mine 1 year now. It’s mentally challenging for someone who’s active. Cheers to fast healing for us!
Your photos are looking amazing! I’ve never even liked oatmeal but this had me drooling!
Thank you Michele! I’ve been working at it.
I am in the same boat – I am really looking forward to getting back to my regular eating. During the holidays, I usually eat randomly at different times and I miss my routine. I do not eat a ton of grains either, but I do love oatmeal and this looks delicious!
I don’t eat oatmeal as much when I’m not training which I haven’t been in year due to my injury, but is good change for me instead of a granola bar or muffin.
Oooo this look so yummy! Perfect for a chilly morning.
I ate it cold one morning & it was still delicious.
I love how colorful this looks! My eating has been all over the place too in December so I’m looking forward to changing that now 🙂
Thank you! Good luck with the eating, I was struggling a little today. 😉
I am actually suffering from the Monday Blues today. I have no energy and overall just tired. I am hoping it’s just because I am still sore from snowboarding. Either way I am hoping I get back into the swing of things to start my week off right. Hope your foot handles work today.
Sorry to hear you’re down. Sometimes you just need a relaxed day to bounce back. Tomorrow will be better. 🙂
That looks awesome–love the pink back drop you have!!
Thanks & Happy New Year Kirtley!
This looks so good!! I am always looking for new and easy breakfast recipes I can take with me to work. This looks like the perfect thing!
Hope you get to try it! It’s good cold too.
yum yum yummmm! I need to remember about baked oatmeal more often, but I just can’t pull myself away from cereal. i did have oatmeal today though! Glad you were able to go back to working in the office today, I am sure everyone missed you! Thanks for linking up 🙂
Tina you’re missing out. Oatmeal is my favorite way to eat nut butter!
Hey girly, I just stumbled apon your blog and I absolutely love it! Skinny and fit sure is always delicious!! 😀 Also, I’m digging this big batch oatmeal recipe – I am the queen of the one bowl wonder but would totally whip this up and eat it for a few days to myself!
xx Jill
How did you stumble upon me? I’m so happy you did! Glad you liked the recipe. Hope you love it!
gorgeous! I LOVE baked oatmeal, and I love this combination of apples AND berries. Yum
Thank you, hope you enjoy it!
Hi Megan,
This looks fantastic, such flavor! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen