Mornin’ sunshine!
Or rather, mornin’ bitter cold! It was absolutely freezing on my morning Mom walk today – I even had to bust out a winter coat to keep warm! 
It’s days like this when I consult my scarf stash to select a pretty, yet functional, piece to wear for optimal warmness during the day.
I love keeping a variety of scarves on hand to quickly throw on, on my way out the door. Scarves are inexpensive, come in a variety of colors and patterns, and just kind of spice up whatever you’re wearing that day.
Most importantly, they keep you WARM! My office is usually freezing cold – I keep a space heater running under my desk to stay cozy during the day – but a scarf totally helps too. I think I’ll rock this soft, purple one today!
Breakfast is also of the purple and warm variety – Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal!
Yesterday’s BB overnight oats were so incredibly tasty, I decided to bake up a batch this morning - it’s been ages since I’ve had baked oatmeal!
In the mix:
- 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup each of water & unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
- vanilla
- 1 banana
- blueberries
- sliced almonds
Mix oats, water, almond milk and vanilla. Slice in banana, mash until chunky and gently fold in some blueberries. Bake @ 375 for 10 minutes, add sliced almonds on top, and bake for 10-15 more minutes. Ready!
OH MY…YUM!!! What a decadent baked oatmeal breakfast! Totally loving this combo! And since I actually made this last night, all I had to do this morning was re-heat it for 1.5 minutes in the microwave. Soooo creamy and sweet – with no added sugar! Love. ♥
For lunch today, I packed a very picnic-esque lunch. 
Chicken Salad Sandwich and Carrots with Almond Butter.
Greek yogurt is such a fabulous swap for mayo in this chicken salad recipe. It’s what I use for my tuna salad sandwiches, and it’s just fantastic. Mayo freaks me out a little, so I’m glad that I can still enjoy these creamy sandwiches without it!
To be piled on a soft and chewy Thin Bun.
This chicken salad is one of those things that gets better then longer it sits too. I’m anticipating an even tastier sandwich then the one I had last night!
For snackeage – Baby Carrots & Almond Butter. You didn’t think I’d forget about my beloved AB just because there’s a new player in town, did you? 
Yum, can’t wait.
This cold has me thinking it’s a Starbucks kind of a day…what do you think?
Toodles!
~~~~~
What’s your favorite sandwich? Is it hot or cold? Does it have to be on a certain kind of bread?
I am literally obsessed with my turkey, cheese & pumpkin butter sandwich on ciabatta bread. I LOVE IT! I also love a good Caprese sandwich – fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and S&P on doughy focaccia – omg.
I love using greek yogurt as mayo, too! I don’t like mayo and it is the perfect swap. I love a good grilled cheese, blt, or club sandwich.
That is quite a scarf stash!
BUT I do love me some jam + goat’s cheese, or jam and tempeh, or jam and brie…do you sense a theme!? Oh no – I forgot the best one; PB and banana!! Ultimate.
I’m not really a sandwich person
It is a total Starbucks day! It is freezing up here in Minneapolis, too. Brr!
I love warm, press sammies on a baugette or ciabatta.
My office is also always cold as well, it’s like I can’t ever enjoy my summer wardrobe.
Mmm-favorite sandwich, I think roasted veggies with a pesto spread.
I don’t really like sandwiches that much–not sure why, maybe all the bread you have to bite through to get the good stuff? But I LOVE bread… Anyway, I love chicken salad on saltines
My mom makes an awesome version too!
So I’m pretty sure I have that scarf. I got it in NYC visiting my bro last year, and I bought a teal one, too! I love those city-street-corner pashminas!
I love apples in grilled cheeses!
Your breakfast AND lunch look fabulous!! Yum!!! My favorite sandwich is also the cheese, pumpkin butter, and turkey – SO good!
Yummy looking sandwich! I have been eating those thin buns based on your recommendations and love them (have you tried the thin bagels…amazing!). But, I’m delurking today to say that I finally picked up some Chia seed at Hy-vee, and they are my new favorite food item. I put some in my oatmeal every morning and it keeps me full for twice as long.
Looove scarfs. Only thing i dont love about them is how people constantly ask all day long ” are you cold ” ” gonna stay awhile ” etc..
Favorite sandwich is a roast turkey clubhouse, no tomato , mayo on the side and a dill pickle.
Mmm that oatmeal looks good!
Any sandwich on thick chewy seedy bread is a winner in my book!
The best sandwich I have ever had was in Rome in a little cafe called Bar del Cappuccino
Please go there if you ever find yourself in Rome. Its just off the via del Argentina right by Tiber Island! Check out my blog entry about it 
November 21st 2009 entitled Paaastrami
Totally rocking a purple scarf today, too! Perfect for keepin’ me cozy at work!
I love my homemade version of the turkey artichoke panini at Panera. Get an asiago roll (they have them at my grocery store), & hollow out the doughy inside. Spread each side with a layer of creamy spinach dip, top with artichoke hearts & turkey, & pop it into the panini press (or skillet + heaviest object in the kitchen, of course!). So super yummy!
I’ve never heard the word Caprese, but years ago when I owned a bar & grill I did pretty much all of the cooking. In the summer I would make grilled tomato & mozzerella sandwichs with my own homegrown mayters & they were yummy & a big seller! They were not on the menu so you had to be “in the know”! Ha! I’ve tried making them at home & ya know…it’s just not the same! I think it was that well seasoned 50 year old grill that made them so tasty! And the other day I had a toasted Italian sub from Arby’s…and it was pretty darn good for Arbys! Better than Subway for sure! My favorite would have to be the tuna salad & lettuce on Asiago cheese bagel from CJ’S Bagel Shop in Ankeny.
ooh turkey, cheese and pumpkin butter?! Crazy. I like it.
I am a massive fan of a bacon sandwich back home: soft white bread, thick danish bacon, butter and HP brown sauce. Perfection, lemme tell you.
I also LOVE cheese and pickle/chutney; so good!
I love a good pastrami and swiss on rye with spicy mustard.
I used to wear a scarf everyday when I taught because my classroom was always freezing.
My absolute favorite sandwich is the random thing I made of a toasted bagel thin, lots of garlic hummus, sliced english cucumber and parmesan cheese. Cripy and chewy all at the same time.
Wow, you have a lot of scarfs! I only have 2. Except I live in AZ…and they aren’t really in high demand here.
My favorite sandwich has to be my old standby and all time classic: chunky PB and strawberry jelly.
What do you store your scarves on? Whatever it was looked pretty organized!
That is quite a scarf stash! I have a few scarves myself, but never end up wearing them because I don’t think they look good on me. But they look great on you! And delicious looking oats this morning if I do say so myself!
I like that you bring portions of side/snack items to work rather than a multi-day stash. I do the same because eliminates the mindless snacking risk.
I don’t have a go-to sandwich, but I do get awfully excited for turkey sandwiches with homemade cranberry sauce as the condiment after Thanksgiving.
This just in: Trader Joes is coming to Omaha! So exciting
Hooray for scarves! It looks like you have quite the selection!
I love the tofu hoagie from Mellow Mushroom! Tofu, satueed mushrooms, peppers & onions, lettuce, tomato, & mustard all on a warm wheat sub roll…so good!
I love scarves too, they are the best!
I love sandwiches
Especially tuna! And PB&J of course.
You’re inspiring me to break out my one and only fashion scarf I have. I have warm ones for winter, but just one cute one I should get use out of before it gets too warm!!
Favorite sandwich would definitely be either one of 3:
1. Pulled BBQ chicken
2. “Plymouth Rock” from Safeway – Turkey + cranberry sauce + havarti cheese
3. “California Dreamin” from Safeway – turkey, avocado, and ranch spread
Lovely scarves, Kristin!
Loved the stash
Delicious eats, as always!
Have a great night!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
My new favorite combo is raspberry jam + sharp white cheddar + baby spinach – it’s tasty I tell ya!
Where did you get that little dish you baked your breakfast in? I want to make this, and even bought the ingredients last night but need something small like that to cook it in.. I was looking for like ramekin type bowls. Am I on the right track??
Im in Omaha, and we are getting a Trader Joe’s. I have been there before, and just cannot wait! I want some PJ filled prezels!
My favorite sandwich is pretty much a Caprese Sandwich, but its from this cute little Italian diner in my town and she adds artichoke hearts, lettuce and a big portobello mushroom cap. Its so yummy!
Also I love your scarf stash
I have one similar…my boyfriend says I can’t buy anymore because its taking over our closet 
[...] other news, remember when you told me what your favorite sandwich was? I was completely inspired by your ideas, but reader Melissa’s comment caught my attention [...]
thanks for all the info. I able to save this link for later.
o my goodness… that oatmeal was incredible!! i used frozen blueberries and just water and it was SOOOO good! i can’t wait for my hubby to try the leftovers
Looks delishhhh!:) About how many people will this feed?
Just wanted to say this was amazingly delicious! My 18 month old and 5 year old boy loved it! Thanks so much for the recipe!
[...] Iowa Girl Eats – Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal [...]