Say it with me – TGIF! 
This is going to be a great weekend, full of fun activities and I just can’t wait to get it started! So I did…with some Apple Crisp Oatmeal!
In the mix:
- 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
- Cinnamon
- 1 stewed apple (chopped and microwaved for 2 mins with 1 tsp agave nectar, cinnamon, vanilla & a splash of water)
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- Almond slices
I actually added in about a tablespoon of vanilla whey protein powder at the end because it was kind of runny. Holy cow – it made the oatmeal taste like cookie dough! More experimentation on that one, for sure!
These apples look super orange – almost like dried apricots (I wish!) – but I assure you, they’re apples. 
Used to top oatmeal, french toast, yogurt, ice cream – they’re a great low cal, high flavor addition. Plus they make their own cinnamon syrup as they cook. To die for!
Lunch includes this Trio of Deliciousness!
Some green beans, baked beans and pulled pork.
Someone commented that they like to put their extra pulled pork on pizza crust and use BBQ sauce as the “sauce”. Umm, genius! I might have to make that happen sooner rather than later. 
So, I’ve gotten a bunch of questions over the past couple weeks that I thought I’d answer on the blog for everyone to see/read! Here goes…
You don’t seem to mention snacks. Do you not eat between meals?
I’m actually not a big snacker. I have my breakfast everyday, which you see, and then I always try and make sure there’s two or three components to my lunch so I can stretch them out over the afternoon. Occasionally, if a co-worker has brought in a treat I’ll have one of those but, for the most part, no I don’t snack during the day. I do, however, have a dessert every night around 8:00!
How did the Bare Minerals matte makeup work for you?
I’m sad to report that the Bare Minerals matte makeup totally dried my face out and I can’t use it. 
I have the world’s most sensitive skin though so, if you’re curious about it, I would recommend giving it a try yourself. If it didn’t make my face itch like crazy, I’d totally use it because my skin looked so smooth with it on! For now, I’m using HD Makeup Forever – which I’m totally in love with!
Are you a fan of “sneaking” healthy food into other foods–for example, making brownies with pureed beets or meatloaf with shredded carrots?
I’m lucky in that Ben and I both love our fruits and veggies, but there are tons of ways to “sneak” in the good stuff without picky eaters knowing. Add pureed cooked cauliflower to mashed potatoes, or cooked peas/broccoli/carrots to make mashed potatoes a fun color for kids. Add some steamed broccoli slaw to chili or stir frys. Stuff smoothies with spinach and tons of healthy fruit. Make salads that include all the veggies in your fridge, etc.
Baking is one area where I don’t try and sneak or swap out ingredients. When I’m baking, I’m looking for a fabulous indulgent treat!
Where did your Mom get her dishes?
She actually got her dishes at Kmart, believe it or not! They’re from the Martha Stewart unbreakable series.
How do you workout during lunch? Don’t you get all sweaty?
Yes I surely do! However, my gym is at my work and we also have locker rooms where I can shower up (I don’t wash my hair) before I head back to my desk. No co-workers harmed in the process.
There you go! Got any other burning questions? Just let me know!
Today is feeling like a latte kind of day. I heard Starbucks got a new toffee flavor. Does anyone know what that’s all about?
Have a great day everyone – see you this evening for a quick post before some chilly plans!
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Do you eat oatmeal? What are your favorite toppings?
I love these stewed apples – but you can NEVER go wrong with bananas and almond butter on top! 
Oh YAY for the stewed apples!! I love them as a topper too
I have a question – how many readers do you get a day!? And how long did it take you to get that many?
Oh, and do you cook with a recipe book every time you make a new dish, or are you more about making it up?
Love me some peanut butter and coconut on my oatmeal!! And I didn’t like Bare Minerals either. It felt so…’powdery’ to me.
i love oatmeal! this morning’s mix was overnight oats made with strawberry yogurt. and this morning i mashed up a banana, added peanut butter, and chopped fresh strawberries on top. AMAZING! have a wonderful friday
I’m going to Starbuck’s in about 20 minutes, I will report back on this toffee flavor (which I will def be trying if the rumors are true). Just made some shredded chicken BBQ pizza two nights ago and I would agree that it’s a great use of leftover BBQ!
I have been on an overnight oats kick lately but I also love my oatmeal! I always stir in bananas, then top it with a little bit of granola and chopped almonds… I’m going to have to try the stewed apples though….yum!!
Stewed apples are awesome!! Ok i’m just a big fan of apples in general. They are so filling and SO good for you! And yummy, the most important part!
My favorite oats topping are blueberries and almond butter!
I just stumbled upon your blog, and can I just say that I. LOVE. IT!!!!!! The humor, the pictures, the recipes, and that they’re all healthy… awesome! I follow lots of other food blogs, but they’re not on the healthy side at all, and it’s nice to finally find one similar to the way that I cook myself!
On BBQ pizza, back when I ate meat BBQ chicken pizza was my fave. Any time I had extra cooked chicken I’d shred it, add BBQ sauce, and layer a whole wheat crust with BBQ sauce, mozzarella, red onion, garlic or garlic powder, the chicken and some pineapple chunks. Absolutely amazing!!!!
And I LOVE oatmeal! I usually do it pretty plain, with a Tbsp of honey in it. But often on weekends I like to make baked oatmeal with blueberries which my husband and I LOVE!!!
Your oatmeal always looks so good… But I can only do oatmeal once a week at the most! I love cereal and savory breakfast items (omelets, bagel thins(NEW- like sandwich thins) , turkey bacon, etc)
I wish we had a gym at work! I would totally use it during my lunch break!
Loving the oatmeal! I try everything on top of mine….but I love the simple addition of brown sugar and cinnamon.
I love oatmeal but usually stick to fruit and/or yogurt for breakfast. On the weekends when I have more time I might make some eggs.
That is super convenient about your gym. I like banana, pb, and jelly best on top of oats. And cinnamon!
For some reason your oatmeal always look soooo much better than mine.. Jealous of your gym being at your work!
I love peanut butter and some sort of dried fruit in my oatmeal. Have it almost every morning and can never get sick of it. Yum!
And ditto to not sneaking stuff in baked goods. I’m with you that when baking it is meant to be a treat!
BBQ pizza is amazing. I’ve used pork (from leftover ribs) and chicken. Red onions make it really delicious and if you feel like splurging, try bacon that’s been cooked to a crisp on top. As you say, TDF.
The first thing I thought on this post was: is she really putting dried apricots in her oats? Weird that the apples look orange
I’m also noticing canned green beans; I’m so glad someone else eats them!! (although I eat them straight from the can… haha)
I love oatmeal…funny thing that I didn’t start eating it until about 2 years ago! My favorite toppings are banana, apple and peanut butter. Mmmm!
Your oatmeal always DOES look so good!!!! About the green beans-I can only eat canned ones (actually prefer the taste) or fresh-the frozen taste waxy and rubbery.
How do you get away with not washing your hair? My hair is a greasy mess after working out.
Where do you buy your chia seeds??? I have been wanting to get some for a while but cannot find them anywhere!
Gosh your pictures are gorgeous! I use Bare Minerals sometimes and my face has been extra dry lately..now I’m wondering if that’s why!
I’m pretty sure Starbies has had Toffee Nut for quite a while! I’ve yet to try it out though. My friend used to swear on a caramel macchiato but with toffee nut syrup instead of vanilla. That DOES sound delicious!
I go crazy with oatmeal toppings. I love to have crunch, so cereal or granola is a must. And nut butters. And even cream cheese is delicious. And cinnamon chips – I’ve used those in pumpkin oatmeal before and it was a to-die-for combo!
I love oatmeal with flax and pumpkin….yummm
It sounds like you’ve found some makeup that works for you, but I HAVE to suggest Aveda! I’ve been using all of their makeup (and fantastic hair care products) for several years. I also have sensitive skin and I will not use anything else! I’ve even got my husband using their men’s shampoo. They’re all about natural products and sustainable packaging. Try it! http://www.aveda.com
I know this is late but better late than never….
I know yesterday you talked about bananas and them being brown, well I am exact opposite…I will let this SIT forever and get all brown and mushy then i slice them and freeze them and eat them over cereal the next day….
as far as oatmeal, when i bake it I add frozen cranberries to the mix…the tartness is good.
Lately I’ve been loving toasted pecans, coconut and some chopped dates. Sometimes I’ll add a little granola as well. I can’t seem to get enough of that combination!
I love all the things you do with oatmeal. What a wonderfully versatile food!
I noticed you like pancakes too…. I wonder how these would be:
http://vegetariancuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/oatmeal_pancakes_recipe
Oatmeal Pancakes!
ooh the cookie dough oats sound Amazing!! I think it’s awesome you go for lunch time workouts- I’m most energized at noon!!
LOVE oatmeal! Fave toppings: Sunbutter and wheat germ.
Mmmmm…canned green beans! I LOVE them. I prefer the whole ones. Also the frozen ones. Don’t care for the fresh ones so much though. They seem to get too big & tough & stringy….like eating hair! Yuk!
Favorite oatmeal: PB, raisins, cinnamon, splash of vanilla and some sea salt sprinkled on top. It’s like an oatmeal raisin cookie – especially if I had some vanilla protein powder.
Yesterday, my hubby walked in the kitchen as I was telling a banana, “Sorry, you have too many brown spots. Time for you to go in the freezer.” I think he thought I had lost it.
My favorite is pumpkin with apples and a little bit of cinnamon. Everyday I put at least two good things in my oatmeal. Part of the time I also throw some wheatgerm into the mix.
where oh where do you get chia seeds from?
I’m interested in getting some but i’m not sure if stores carry them where i’m from…….
I love oatmeal … my favourite toppings are pretty standard – PB&J!
That’s interesting about the bare mineral makeup. I’ve been trying to go more natural with my skin care and have been using mineral makeup by Physician’s Formula. I really like it!
I’m definitely a snacker … I like to bring a lot of little things in my lunch during the week so that I can have something throughout the day. I don’t usually have a huge breakfast, so I just make sure my calories are consistent throughout the week. Though some days I can get really snacky! It’s usually the day after a long run that that happens.
K