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!

Sweet Summertime.

Summer is in full swing! By the time I got to posting this strawberry season is already just about over. But, it is a sure sign of what beautifully delicious produce Summer brings. So this post is to share my first strawberry picking experience. I ended up with 15lbs of the juciest, sweetest strawberries I can remember.

It was a gorgeous day and got to spend some quality time with Dad. We did some catching up, so it seemed as if the strawberries picked themselves. When I would find a giant, too good to pass up strawberry that had a soft spot and wouldn't stay good for long, I made the sacrifice of gorging myself on countless of them. I mean, you can't just put it on the ground!

After all the picking, and a round of mini-golf later, the real labor started. I had to wash, prep, and store all 15 lbs of these candy-like berries. It took a good half hour or so until the job was done, but the sweet smell in the air made the job an indulgence. I filled my sink with cold water, lined a cookie sheet with a dish towel, and got my freezer bags handy. I did three batches of dumping the berries in the water, patting them dry on the towel, and chopping off the tops.

Luckily, I used a plastic cutting board, since my wooden one may have resembled the boston massacre after all the berry juice that seemed to pour out of each strawberry. I ended up with two gallon freezer bags filled to the brim, and left out enough to fill another one for instant nibbling. Let's say they didn't last long in my house. Tis' the season.

I froze the bags to save for the later months, when the New England winters leave no chance for any fruit for harvest. This is my small attempt to eat more local, and savor what's in season. Mcquesten farm, where I picked the berries is right in my home town, owned by the family for generations. Nothing compared to the likes of Barbara Kingsolver, but my homage to her lifestyle. So, get out and enjoy the sunshine! And if there is berries to be picked, you may want to indulge your self to what a strawberry REALLY tastes like!

What's your favorite fresh summer produce?