Recipe Share - Spiffed Up Protein Packed Oatmeal

I hated oatmeal as a kid. When I got a little older I was ok with the flavored oatmeal packet, apple cinnamon being a favorite. As an adult, the more I learned about food and ingredients it became apparent that those little oatmeal packets were often filled with unnecessary, unhealthy ingredients.

A few years back my friend Missy turned me on to Irish Steel Cut Oatmeal. I was in love at first bite. You could keep it simple or add a complexity of nutrient packed goodies to it. (Also true for regular oats, but there's something about the texture of Irish oatmeal I love).

I thought I would share this morning's Irish oatmeal concoction.

I was making a double serving so I boiled 1 1/2 cups water and added 1/2 cup of Irish Oats. I threw in whatever delicious power foods I had in the house. This included:

A spoonful of chia seeds

A spoonful of ground flax seed

A dash of organic honey

A pinch of cinnamon

And a half a handful of shredded coconut.

After stirring and low-boiling for about 5 minutes I added a splash or two of almond milk and let it simmer just a minute or two longer (any milk will do although I stay away from dairy. Coconut milk and almond milk are my favorites).

Viola! Dish into a bowl and throw some blueberries on top to add that little bit of tang that makes oatmeal more exciting!

The chia seeds add fiber, unsaturated fats, and high quality protein. 

The flax seeds add fiber and Omega-3's.

Not to mention all the fiber you get from oatmeal along with it being a low calorie food.

My youngest loves this oatmeal. He was feeling creative and wanted to mix his with Greek yogurt. Unfortunately it was a fail :-(

He settled on plain vanilla Greek yogurt with blueberries.

Let me know if you try it and what other tasty ingredients you decide to toss in!

Happy, healthy eats!

Back on the Path

Just over two years ago I was making footprints on a new but familiar path. I had visited the path before but didn't stay long. This time I was determined. I was eating healthy, learning about super foods and listening to my body about what it needed. My walks around my neighborhood turned into jogs with my dog, Dolly. She was losing weight, I was losing weight and it was exciting. I could see and feel the progress. I felt productive and in control. I was doing things for me! I was fitting into clothes that hadn't been worn in a few years. 

It all came to a halt when a decade old hip fracture became worse after all the jogging and no treatment. It was time to stop ignoring it and do something about it. After a nasty hip repair surgery that did more harm than good, a second surgery to remove the hardware to swap it it for smaller hardware and bone cement, I am now, almost two years later, able to handle walks and even the tiniest bit of jogging on soft surfaces. 

It's like a part of my life is starting all over again. As an Aries, (a newborn in a sense) the feeling of rebirth or newness brings much joy. My healing journey isn't done, but it is at its last stages. The tiniest bit of my fracture remains. I am no longer held captive by crutches. Lots of physical therapy is helping to get this violated thigh muscle back in the shape it deserves to be in. 

During these surgeries, I gained weight, my muscles felt lazy, and I was feeling let down most of the time. Limping around at age 35 and working through recovery was not what I wanted, but it became my journey. It is better to embrace it and take all I can from what the universe threw my way. 

So here I am now, ready to lose weight, ready to get this leg where it needs to be, slow and steady. It starts with little triumps. I can walk around the mall now, I can attend activities that require lots of walking or sitting. I can exercise!

Too much pizza and fast food has crept in the last two weeks, something I typically try to stay away from. My stomach is a mess! Today is a fresh start! No dairy (just doesn't sit well with me) and I plan on minimizing what meat I eat. Anytime I have ditched meat from my diet I feel better inside and out, plus I seem to lose weight faster without meat.

The plan is mornings beginning with lemon water and yoga. My reward is my cup of coffee. For now in walking on my treadmill as it is a softer surface. I should be free to run on cement after I see the surgeon in the Summer.  I'm planning some Just Dance as well, fun!

I bought some Saucony running shoes, most comfortable and supportive shoe I have owned as of yet!

It's time to focus on me and this leg in a positive light for once. I've been so limited for so long that it doesn't always feel real yet that all this improvement has taken place, but I am ready to bask in it. 

I opened up my new yoga mat this morning to find a quote printed on the center.

It caught me by surprise as I didn't know there were words on the mat. It was a nice reminder, to hold on. Hold onto improvement, hold on to doing things for myself, and hold onto my personal goals and plans, if I don't let go of them they are always with me.

I'd love to hear some of your healthy recipes, routines, and forms of exercise. Comment below to share!

Cheets to a new year of personal improvement for us all. Do for you! Use your determination as a shield against negativity. Get rid of feelings of obligation to anyone, feel obligated to yourself.

Namaste.