Split Personality

Prepare to have your breakfast mind blown. So you thought peanut butter cup oats, and almond joy oatmeal was pushing it between dessert and breakfast. You ain't seen nothin' yet. I guess I should just start calling these bresserts. The perfect combo of breakfast and dessert. IS there a better way to start your day?!

Ok so this magical concoction came to me with a craving for what else but ice cream. I know, ice for breakfast?? Only in every 6 year old's dream and in Home Alone. Stay with me though...

Of course the cold weather gives us all something to complain about and wish for something better. Don't lie to me. I've heard you say "I wish it were Summer soo bad right now". Oh you never said that? That's not what your facebook status said. Boom.

Where was I? Oh yes, wishing for Summer made me think of what better ice cream invention then the banana split. At least once every Summer as a kid, I would skip dinner and get a big ol' banana split for myself instead. And ate every last bit of it. Finding a healthier way to get my split fix, especially first thing when I wake up led to my latest creation of Banana Split Oats!

I really can't say it enough how much this really tastes like the real thing. I could eat this every morning. No lie. Cool, creamy, with a bit of crunchy sweet chocolatey goodness...If you are not bringing your computer to the kitchen to make this now, I believe you are not an actual person..Just sayin' they're THAT good.

Overnight Banana Split Oats
serves 1
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 banana, sliced and divided
3 frozen strawberries, thawed in fridge overnight
1 T chopped walnuts
1 tsp sweetener
chocolate syrup
whipped cream (i mean, it's only appropriate)

Start by combining the oats, milk, yogurt, vanilla, and half of your banana (so that is a quarter of a banana) in a bowl. Set in the fridge overnight.

When you put your oats in the fridge, place 3-4 frozen strawberries in a small bowl and stick next to your oats. If you have fresh, of course you can skip this part.

The next morning, "loosen up" your oats by adding a couple splashes of water or milk, and stir in your sweetener.

Microwave your strawberries for about 15 seconds and mash with your spoon. This becomes your strawberry sauce and is a must for me. Frozen strawberries work really well since they release a lot more juice when they are defrosted, but let me know if you use fresh.

Next, add your strawberry sauce to your oats, the remaining banana, chopped walnuts, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce, (and optional whipped cream).

Get ready for a delightfully confused mouth. "Ice cream for breakfast?! But it's oatmeal?! What!?"

Exactly. Happy Weekend!

Bananas In Pajamas

Who remembers that show?! I don't know if I actually watched an episode, but I clearly remember singing the theme song. "Bananas in pajamas are coming down the stairs..."

Ok that's all I remember. At least kid's shows "back then" were promoting healthy eating with giant bananas! Nowadays they look like this...

An acid trip. At least they're promoting the comeback of the jheri curl. Where was I going again???

Right. Bananas. Bananas have often been my least favorite fruit, but have come to love it recently. They make for great alternative sweetener in oatmeal and cereal, and my new found love of pb sauce aka banana jam, aka whatever I feel like calling it today.

The fall inspires baking and all sorts of yummy dishes to warm the soul. Since here in Montgomery, these October days are a frigid 85 degrees, I can't help but crank up the oven and bake the days away. Not.

Despite the full swing Summer temperatures, my love of fall and fall dishes has not been deterred. I have already made banana bread muffins, so I was inspired to make yet again another oatmeal recipe. Join in on the oatmeal love.

 Banana Bread Oatmeal
serves 1
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 banana, sliced
1 tsp cinnamon
1 T chopped nuts
cream cheese (optional)

Start by combining the oats, milk, water, and half of the banana in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often.

Once it has come to the desired consistency (I like mine pretty thick, which took about 5 minutes), removed from the heat and add in vanilla, cinnamon, and rest of the banana.

Transfer to a bowl and top with chopped nuts and optional cream cheese.

Cream cheese?! I know, a bit out of the ordinary, but I have grown up topping both my banana and pumpkin bread with a good schmeer of cream cheese, so decided to give it a try here. I personally would have preferred peanut butter, but the cream cheese wasn't bad. It's still better on the actual bread, which I encourage you to try.

Any plans for the weekend???

Raindrops on roses...

and whiskers on kittens! You know it. Don't lie. Sound of music is right up there with Bridesmaids as your favorite movie.

Anyways, this segways into "My Favorite Things":

1.) Fall ( my head is spinning from all my pumpkin-related pinning) so witty, i know
2.) Yoga pants. When will they invent biz-casual yoga pants?! Get with it victoria's secret!!
3.) Peanut Butter. Literally on anything. Literally in my mouth....literally.
4.) The french word "Parapluie" meaning umbrella. And yes, every french word must be italicized.

Ok i think that was the most random list of favorite things I could come up with. But they are legit.

I've been meaning to put this recipe up for a while now, but alas my hunger and lack of ambition has prevailed. Don't fret! I have finally dedicated my 3.5 seconds to take a picture of one of my go-to favorite breakfasts for you to try. It's not quite a parfait, but more than a cereal. Mind-boggling goodness is what it is.

Shredded Wheat Breakfast Bowl
serves 1

1 1/4 cups unfrosted shredded wheat
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 banana, sliced
cinnamon to taste

Simply combine everything in a bowl, and mix until combined. If you prefer vanilla yogurt, you can of course use that and leave out the extra vanilla. I added 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds to mine this morning to help thicken it up, since I ran out of yogurt.

I like to top mine with another favorite of mine, which I call peanut butter sauce:

Start by slicing half a banana (frozen slices work best), and heat a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute, until the banana is "melty" and warm.

Stir in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, until mixture is combined. Add cinnamon if you please.

I can't wait to try this with pumpkin with fall coming up, and even applesauce. In the words of Will Ferrell, it's gunna be "scrumtrulesant"!

Plain ol' shredded wheat is just as it seems by itself. Cardboard. But once you make this bowl, you will think twice about it's deceptively sweet counterparts. The mixture is thick, creamy, and the perfect amount of sweet. Give the wheat a try!

Warm and gooey peanut butter sauce.  Oh, yes.

I'm compiling an extensive list of fall recipes to try, which could take me a while. Some I plan on posting are Banana Bread oatmeal, yeast-free cinnamon rolls, and a veggie stew!



What are some of your favorite fall time treats?

5 More Weeks.

Yes. Only 5 more weeks left until graduation. Quite frankly one of the hardest things to believe, that I will be finished college in just over a month. Exciting? Yes. Bittersweet? Yes. Scary as hell? Capital Y-E-S. While I am excited for the next chapter in my life, it's quite a bit scary to pop the bubble of student life, and enter adult full-time, no month vacation-land. But it is coming regardless if I am ready or not, so I am trying to spend these last weeks doing all of the things I possibly can to enjoy myself. These include things to do in Keene, New Hampshire since I do not plan on regularly, actually ever coming back here. I've spent my time here, and four years is more than enough time to see what Keene has to offer. I'll sum it up in three statements: Pumpkinfest. Dollar Drinks. Small-town feel = Keene in a nutshell.

In the meantime, here's a quick and easy recipe for a new use for leftovers. I know WAY back in your fridge, in the land of forgotten foods, you have a container of leftover rice awaiting it's finally destiny to the garbage. But wait! There's hope! How about rice for breakfast?! I know, crazy talk. But really, I am one who hates to waste any food, and this is a new and rather tasty way to use up the last of your leftover rice for a quick change to your breakfast routine.

Brown Rice Breakfast Bowl
serves 1


1 cup cooked brown rice
1/3 milk
1/2 banana, sliced
1 1/2 T sunflower seeds, or nut of choice
1 T dried cranberries, or raisins
1/2 t vanilla extract
dash of cinnamon
drizzle of maple syrup

I just start my combining the rice, vanilla, and milk in a bowl and heating it up in the microwave for a minute or so, just to take the chill off and bring the rice back to life! I don't like it this really hot, but just bringing it to room temperature tastes best.

After that, just add the banana, sunflower seeds, cranberries and stir to combine. Top with a drizzle of maple syrup and cinnamon and enjoy! Your rice will thank you.

What's your favorite leftover food?

Sweet Memories.

Well I'm officially on Spring Break. Cancun here I come!! And by Cancun I mean working every single day of break. Lucky me. I'm actually not too upset since it's only from 3-5:30, and I otherwise have no major plans in the making. I did take the opportunity to visit home for a few days, primarily for my Mom's birthday and trying on bridesmaids dresses..or in my case, Maid 'O Honor dress. Now Katie is not your typical bride, so we of course don't have your typical bridesmaids dresses either.

Sherri, Katie, Kelly, and yours truly

Ok totally kidding! Just having/making fun with the array of clearance dresses they had. Mine had a "bat wing" proven by the description on the price tag. We of course picked out the real dresses, but I'll keep you in suspense. After a day of dress fittings, Panera, and a luau (yes a luau in 30 degree weather), I would call it a successful visit home. 

A trip back home also inspired me with another twist on a classic dish, if you can even call it that. My childhood or rather high school years consisted of lots and lots of sandwiches. I can honestly say that I religiously ate PB&J everyday after school for a good year or so. I don't think I have actually had one since! I think I ate enough back in the day to not have a craving for one for another couple of years. To mix it up a bit, I would also have my other obsession of PB& Banana sandwiches. This was culinary genius when I was a kid. I didn't know something so delicious could be made with three ingredients! Of course it consists of a good helping of peanut butter, after all it is me we're talking about. Having grown up a bit (and by a bit I mean nearly none at all), I still love this combo but felt the need to sophisticate the sandwich for my adapted palette. It took a long time to develop, but I think the effort truly paid off. Be sure to take a good chunk out of your day to prepare this, as I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

PBBP (Peanut Butter Banana Pretzel) 'Wich

serves 1

2 slices bread ( I prefer whole wheat)

1 T Peanut Butter 

1/2 medium banana, sliced

2-3 Pretzels

dash cinnamon 

dash honey

PBBP. Say it. Kinda fun, huh? Well it should be, because if you couldn't already tell I'm a bit sarcastic. Just sayin'. But really, this sandwich has so much going for it. Creamy. Sweet. Salty. Crunchy. Warm. Easy. Every kind of goodness in one sandwich. The pretzels really add a salty crunch that my "developed palette" loves.

Simply slather the PB on bith pieces of bread (for maximum stick-age). Top one slice with the banana, pretzels, cinnamon, and honey. Top with the other slice and dig in! I went the extra 2 minutes and heated my sandwich in a skillet over medium-heat for the extra crunchy warm factor. Well worth it in my opinion.

I suggest slipping on some feety pajamas, watching Clarissa Explains It All, and playing Girl Talk while enjoying this sandwich. But that's just me. Enjoy this classically (is that actually a word??) twisted sandwich, as I can assure you I did.

Creamy, Crunchy Goodness.

What was your favorite kind of food as a kid?