Fast Breakfast on a Cold Day.-Oatmeal with a twist!

Want something super easy, super healthy and warm on these chilly winter mornings? Try oatmeal.

Yeah, yeah, I know, mornings suck. But even with my fire drill mornings, to shower, get 3 people motivated to get out of bed, sock chasing and train catching marathons, I still know breakfast is the most important meal. 

Last Christmas, while shopping, I found this tiny $5.00- 5 cup crock pot at Walmart (yes, I can break away from Target..). I couldn't resist. It was the foodie version of a woman finding a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps for $5.00. Even if they are a size too small, she's buying them. Just out of principal.

Anyway, this thing rocks! I've made rice, oatmeal, chili, this list goes on.

So, I toss all my ingredient in right before bed and turn it on. When I get up, yummy, thick, fragrant oatmeal, ready to scoop and go.. Pennies on the dollar compared to the store and healthier cause you can control the sugar.

Here's a great boost that I discovered. Lemon Zest. Just a hint goes a long way and adds this incredible taste to the oatmeal.

Try it one morning and let me know how it works for you.

Prep: 5 mins

Cook Time: Overnight.

Ingredients:

• Steel Cut or Instant Rolled Oats. Plain.
• (I prefer steel cut to rolled as they are not as mushy, have a bit more fiber and have a lower glycemic index than instant, which causes a lesser spike in blood sugar.
• Cinnamon to taste
• Brown Sugar to taste
• Pinch of lemon zest
• Milk ( quantity will depend on manufacturer's instructions) 
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Pam cooking spray
• Optional ingredients:  Apples (raw), Rasins, Almonds, Chocolate Chips.. anything you want basically.

Directions

• Spray entire inside of pot with cooking spray. This prevents any oatmeal from sticking to sides.
• Select serving size on back of Oats package.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions for oats, milk and salt. Add about 1/4 more milk then directions stay
• Cinnamon to taste. If including fruit, add it in the beginning. If including sugar, add it when cooked.
• Stir
• Turn crock pot on low for 8-9 hours. 

Enjoy.

Thumbs up from Jake and Charlotte.

Work Friendly Breakfast: Egg Sandwich- Don't over pay again!

Here's something I bet you didn't know: In a pinch you can cook a pretty decent batch of scrambled eggs in the microwave! Not only is it fast, and work friendly you can save about $2.00 every morning and make it yourself rather then buying it from the guy with the cart. Yes, yes, I know we should all be encouraging the economy, but I would rather save my $2.00 at the cart and use it to spend on the movies, or a new pair of shoes.

Here's what you need at work:

Paper cup or microwave safe mug or bowl. I prefer the cups so I don't have to clean a dish..(apparently this post is neither environmental or economy boosting friendly).

Ingredients:

• 
  
  1-2 eggs
• 
  
  salt and pepper (optional)
• 
  
  2 slices of toast, kaiser roll, wrap or croissant.
• 
  
  splash of milk
• 
  
  Add favorite fixings: Tomato, cheese, bacon, etc.

Prep: 5 mins

• 
  
  Crack eggs into cup
• 
  
  add pinch of salt and pepper
• 
  
  Add milk
• 
  
  Stir with fork
• 
  
  Cook in microwave in 45 seconds. If egg is still watery, cook for an additional 10 seconds.
• 
  
  Sandwich on your favorite bread with favorite fixings.

**Prep tip: short on time in the office? you could crack egg into small sealed storage container and bring to work to cook, it will stay safe to eat for the trip into the office. You could also toast bread ahead of time and wrap in tin foil.

Enjoy!

When Mother's Cupboard is bare..

Earlier this year, when the weather turned warm and the flowers began to bloom, I had gotten the itch to start working on our yard. It's pretty barren. Years of neglect from the previous owners, a major renovation and two busy parents has only added to the problem. My husband and I are trying our best, well we were, to chip away in a very DIY style, at making it look like the oasis we know it can be.

How far did we get? Not far. In fact, despite my motivation most of our plants in the front of the house have dried to a crisp with our scorching summer. We will have to try again.

BUT, I did have some success with 4 little plants in the back yard (lavender, rosemary, basil and some daisies), and since then, I have a liking to the survivors and forgotten about my hydrangeas. I hope both of my kids end up to be strong, would hate to have to cultivate one and not the other.. Just kidding. :)

 

So, with my itty-bitty plants, I water and pluck and taste my bounty as often as I can.

 

Now that it's high season for tomatoes and such, I turn to my "garden" and find a quick and tasty lunch option that can be thrown together on the way out the door and whipped up at work. Not only is its fresh easy and tasty, it's cheap and my co-workers think I am a culinary genius.

I present...

Work Friendly-Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Paninis on french baguette.
 Needed work equipment: Toaster Oven
 Ingredients

• 2-4 slices of crusty bread
• 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves (6-10 leaves)
• 1 Roma or plum tomatoes ( any tomato will do, but plum/Roma are less messy and juicy)
• 3-4 slices of fresh mozzarella
• Optional: cooking spray (can be added to bread before you leave the house)

1. Set toaster to 350 degrees
2. Layer all ingredients on one side of bread with cheese on top- so it melts nicely and anchors the other fixings.
3. Toast for 5 mins or until cheese is melted and toast is golden brown.

Enjoy!