Happy Thursday, friends! How’s life treatin’ ya this morning?
I woke up a little on the groggy side this morning, thanks to two glasses of wine last night at trivia. Yes, apparently I’ve become that girl. A two beer wine queer.
Ehh, that doesn’t really go well, now does it? Ahh well. You get the gist.
I decided to hold off on an early morning workout and get right to breakfast because it was all I could think of from the minute I got up. Not that that’s any different from any other day, but you know.
Check out all of those colorful berries!
Apparently, I had a craving for them during my last shopping trip, wouldn’t ya say? Either way, I’m glad I did because today’s bowl of mixed berry oats was super yummy. To make the oats, I used
- 1/3 cup Coach’s Oats
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 scoop vanilla SunWarrior protein powder
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (<—YUM!)
- cinnamon & nutmeg
I nixed my usual banana today, since mine aren’t nearly ripe enough…and if you’ve ever tried making whipped banana oats with a non-ripe banana, then you know what I’m talkin’ about. But with all the sweetness of these berries, I didn’t even miss it.
The mixed berries (both stirred in at the end of cooking and on top) were amazingly delicious, especially when paired with a sprinkling of Love Grown Foods granola. This bowl totally had me thinking spring & summer time…don’t I wish.
I also made sure to try my new English Toffee liquid stevia in this morning’s coffee, and I’m happy to report that I am definitely a fan.
I’m pretty sure Code-man wanted in on the goods this morning, too.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off of it and even went in for a swig of coffee twice. He’s a ballzy little thing, I’ll tell ya!
*****
This afternoon, I have an appointment to get a brand new car starter installed in my car (a gift from Christmas) and I could not be more excited about it. Even though my last car had absolutely nothing power about it, it did have a car starter installed, which I just loved.
So while I’m out getting the new one put in today, there’s also plans to have a lunch date with dad. Can’t wait!
Carissa says
MMMM – those berries look fantastic! It makes it feel like summer.it’s also 80 in Orlando and I had to turn the air conditioning last night!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says
I want a car starter so bad! I am always jealous of my co-workers who can start their car from inside our office, and then leave in a warm car during the winter!
Ashlee says
For some reason I cannot eat fruit in anything! When I have fresh fruit (never frozen for me either, I am picky) I have to have it on the side of whatever else I am having.
I have had a car starter in my last 3 vehicles, when I trade my car I usually try to work one in the deal for the next one… I love it, I could not get a vehicle without one!
Have a fun lunch date with your dad that sounds fun!
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud! says
Aww, Cody looks like he is hiding in the jungle! :)
Jodi @ Southern Flavored Life says
Ha…I’ve never heard that “2 beer” saying….hilarious!
Lunch with dad= so sweet!
Molly says
I have heard of that phrase and to be honest Courtney, I was a little disappointed at your choice of words to describe how you felt like a lightweight after drinking 2 glasses of wine. I love your blog and I enjoy reading it and while I am sure you did not intentionally mean to cause any ill-feelings with your use of the word “queer”, there may have been a better way of phrasing it.
Courtney says
Hi Molly,
I’m sorry to have offended you, or anyone else for that matter, as it was certainly not my intention. It was just a lighthearted play on words that my friends and I have always made fun of ourselves with. That being said, I can see where it could come across as offensive, so it’s something that I will definitely take note of from here on out.
Thanks for being honest!
Molly says
Hi Courtney- thanks so much for your response. Much appreciated and thanks for being open to my comment.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
The garage is deemed my husband’s “room” so I demanded a remote car starter. Best thing ever! I don’t know how people in the northeast survive without them.
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
ahh aren’t berries amazing right now?! blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries were all on sale when i went to the store the other day… i wanted to buy all of them but knew i wouldn’t go through them fast enough so i settled on blackberries and strawberries. berries are my favorite!
Lindsey says
My car starter is my life saver, especially last week when it was -45 Celsius!
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
you still have snow in the capitol district. I am jealous.
Courtney says
Haha, don’t be jealous. We got a fresh coating this morning, but nothing major. Will probably be melted by tomorrow…again!
Alana says
Three questions.
1) how the HECK do you get up so early. i have to get up at 6am for subbing and i want to die
2) how do you workout so intensely on an empty stomach. i have hypoglycemia and i get very nauseous and dizzy if i do that :(
3) is stevia any less of a potential carcinogen than sucralose and artificial sweetners? i’m very weary about it even though it’s deemed all natural
thanks :)
Courtney says
Haha, hmm let’s see…
1) I didn’t get out of bed until almost 7:30 today, so that doesn’t count. Typically though, if it is a really early morning, I honestly just tell myself to suck it up and DO it. Knowing that something is out of the way so early in the day is motivation enough for me!
2) I don’t usually work out on an empty stomach – my favorite pre-workout snack early in the morning is a Clif Z Bar. They’re perfect for me!
3) I don’t know all that much about the carcinogens in the various artificial sweeteners that are out there, so I’m not quite sure I can comment on this one. I do know that sweeteners from the stevia plant are said to be much better for you than, say, splenda. But that’s just what I’ve read on my own. Perhaps there’s someone else out there that might know more?
Nicki says
Alana and Courtney:
Here’s a link that may help (it’s linked from the USDA site and I use it when a lot of my clients have questions regarding sugar substitutes).
http://www.foodinsight.org/Portals/0/pdf/May-09-Food-Insight.pdf
Angela @ Health Happiness & Harmony says
Hi girls! I was just recently diagnosed with hypoglycemia also, and my doctors said that Stevia is extremely safe and is excellent for hypoglycemics and diabetics with zero carbs and a zero GI. Hope that helps. :)
Courtney says
Thanks girls!! :)
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Colorful berries make the winter a better place!
I *love* almond extract- in fact I throw a splash in with some water and pineapple juice and have a delicios drink! Mmmmm!
Corinne says
Those berries look awesome, just don’t compare to the frozen bag I have been buying! Car starter, fancy!! Wish I could do that buy I’m in a high rise, don’t think that would work lol
Linda says
I got a remote starter for my new car for Christmas too! I have had them on my last 2 cars and I told my hubby I can never be without it again! I live in Upstate NY too so they are a necessity! LOL
Lena @Fit on the Rocks says
Oooh a car starter would be so nice! I haven’t been wanting one as much this winter because my current apartment has an attached garage, so my car stays dry and relatively “warm”.
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
A car starter sounds right up my alley! I always go out & start my car like 15 minutes before I leave for work in the morning!
Strawberries are sooo good right now!
Ruthie Hart says
I wish I could eat your breakfasts!! I allow myself about 2 minutes to eat before work and its usually a bowl of cereal unless my husband gets up to make me eggs!
Christine @ Oatmeal Bowl says
Those look delicious! I LOVE Coach’s Oats. And have been wanting to try that sun warrior protein powder. Gives me a good excuse to buy some. :)
Brandi @ Faith Fitness and Laughter says
Oatmeal and berries=happy dance! Looks super yummy! :)
Lol! Cody has got to be the cutest cat…..next to mine of course. Ghost, my oldest, paws at my food every time I go to put it into my mouth. Especially chicken. Lil turkey.
Have a great lunch date with your dad!
Khushboo says
I had a day off today and boy was it nice to eat breakfast before working out…it’s the little things :)
Tara Burner says
yummmmmy looking! love oats and berries :)
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
wow you guys have so much snow!!..your breakfast looks delicious! I haven’t been buying fresh berries lately but I’ve been using frozen which I surprisingly really like!
Angela @ Health Happiness & Harmony says
Your breakfast looks delicious! My doctor recently put me on a hypoglycemic diet, so I am to use Stevia (never have before). What other flavors do you like/do you use it to flavor other things besides your coffee? Have a great lunch date! :)
Courtney says
I’ve tried vanilla and cocoa bean – both yummy!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I’m so envious of your berries because I ran out ther other day – I’m going to the store after school to get some more!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Yum! Your oatmeal looks so good! I want to try Love grown Foods granola, but I can’t find it anywhere near me, I even have coupons that they sent to me. Coaches Oats are the best! I am addicted to it!!
jayme says
Do you use Coaches oats when you make overnight oats? I can’t decide if they expand the way regular oats do. Your berry oatmeal looks tasty…I made something very similar but with frozen berries and peanut butter. yum!
Courtney says
I have used them when making overnight oats, and I didn’t notice too much of a difference?
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I had a car starter on my car in high school … a ’93 Achieva. ;) The car starter was the only thing cool about that car!!
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
I’ve also been eating lots of berries to remind me of summer. I am definitely counting down – it’s only 17 weeks away! (At least for me – I am counting summer as when my school gets out).
Shannon says
That combination looks SO good! I love strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, and somewhat blackberries. I guess I’m a bit of a berries girl!
Toni37 says
The picture looks so delicious that makes my mouth water for berries and oats. Thank you for sharing this recipe. This is a perfect breakfast tomorrow…
Kate says
Your breakfast looks delicious! I just stopped on my way home from getting my daughters to buy some peanut butter Cheerios, I haven’t stopped thinking about them since you mentioned them. I can’t wait to try them!
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness says
I love how you are always incorporating delicious things into your everyday meals. The toffee drops is so genius to me! One of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments for sure. I love your blog girl!
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