Apple Raisin Crisp Oats
I’m running behind today! I woke up bright and early at 5:05 AM, exercised, showered, made breakfast, etc., etc., but for some reason, I’ve been running late all morning. It’s like I am in slow motion! Don’t ya hate that?
There was some leftover apple crisp in the fridge that needed to be eaten ASAP or tossed in the garbage. You guys know how I really don’t like to waste food, soooooo in it went to my morning bowl of oats!
In the mix:
- 1/3 cup apple crisp
- 1/3 cup dry oats
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
- 1 tbsp raisins
- 2 scoops of Barney Butter
And, for your viewing pleasure, a 3rd shot of my apple raisin crisp oats, which turned out great! Very filling! 
I arrived (late) to work a little while ago, but as soon as I walked in the door, I brewed myself a cup of Sumatra with vanilla soy milk… but no agave nectar today– it didn’t need it. Weird? I guess I’m not feeling sweet this morning.
Workout
For obvious reasons, I wasn’t able to exercise yesterday… well, I probably could have, but I just wasn’t in any shape to do so. I have to work at Healthworks this evening, so my only option for squeezing in a workout today was early this morning. I’m still “technically” training to improve my 5k time (even though I fell off the training bandwagon last week), so I did some speedwork this morning.
7 X 400 Speedwork:
- 5 minute warm up (walking + slow jog)
- 400 meters hard (7.5 – 8.5 mph on the treadmill)
- Recover by walking approximately 400 meters
- Repeat 400 m + recovery for a total of 7
- Cool down (slow jog)
Run stats:
- Distance: 4.05 miles
- Time: 40:48
- Pace: 10:01 min/mile
- Calories: 399
Stevia
Over the weekend, I received a question from a reader about stevia. Even though I attended a Sugar Solutions workshop a couple of months ago that deemed stevia a safe sugar alternative, I recently read a different take on it in Self magazine (November 2008). I just wanted to share what Self had to say about it.
Is stevia a safe sweetener?
It’s unclear. This zero-calorie sugar alternative is all natural (it’s made from a South American shrub), but the FDA has not granted it “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) status. The reason? Research on stevia has raised concerns about its effect on the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. The Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C., agrees with the FDA and has called for more testing. But recent human studies indicate that stevia may lower blood pressure and benefit people with diabetes. I have a hunch that the FDA may soon approve one stevia-derived product called Truvia. It is made with rebiana, a purified component of stevia, and is produced by two mega foodmakers, Cargill and The Coca-Cola Company. If Truvia is deemed GRAS, and you like the flavor (some say stevia tastes like licorice), consider using it, but when it comes to stevia in other forms (it’s sold as a supplement in health food stores), your best bet is to wait for the green light from the FDA.
Question of the Day
Most of us have crazy-busy lives, and with the holidays right around the corner (and everything that comes along with them), how do you simplify your life?
Posted by: Tina 23 comments
Posted in: Uncategorized
Tags: apple crisp
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Hope you’re able to move in “fast-motion” soon!!
LOOOOVE THE BREAKFAST!!
My life is on-the-go, so I just embrace the crazy-busyness – it’s part of who I am!!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
your apple raisin crisp oats looks delicious and healthy.
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Thanks for the info on Stevia. You use agave nectar, correct? Which can be found at a healthfood store as well?
Anyways….great post! Apple crisp oats..my mother would LOVE that!! I wonder if you will try any post-thanksgiving pie oats!?!? Hmmmmm YUM!!
As a college student, I am still in the works of figuring out how to simplify everything. I tried using a planner, to-do lists, which come in handy every now and then. But usually I just listen to my gut and follow that as a compass. I’m a work in progress!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Lee,
Yep, you can buy agave nectar at Whole Foods, TJ’s, etc. Stop & Shop is even carrying it now! It’s usually found with the honey and maple syrup. I’m obsessed with it– you should give it a try!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 10:51 am
yummy sounding oats! and sounds like you got a great workout, despite your weekend drinking
you always get back on track girl!
i like planning, making lists, keeping a calendar/planner with me, and blogging. it all helps to keep me in check and up-to-date with my college-student obligations like school work, appointments, etc.
lee….leftover pumpkin pie in the oats… OH NO! stop me now!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 10:55 am
That breakfast looks awesome. I love apple crisp!
I’m working full time and taking three night classes to get ready for nursing school so things get pretty hectic! To simplify my life I just take everything step by step and don’t get too far ahead of myself. I also only let myself schedule one day of fun a week – typically that’s on Saturday night after school. I don’t see my friends as much as I’d like but right now school has to come first because these grades affect whether I get into the BS/MS in Nursing program next fall. As the holidays come up, I’ll probably use lunch breaks to do my holiday shopping or to study for finals. Breaking everything into little chunks helps a lot!
I think keeping structure is what keeps me sane. I stick to a regular workout, work, homework schedule that really seems to work for me. Unfortunately sometimes workouts get cut out if I’m too tired in the morning but I’m working to make it more of a priority.
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Love the trio of oat pics!
As for life, it’s calmer now, but when it was hectic, lots of lists and I lived out of my planner!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:00 am
i have tried rebiana before…let me tell you this stuff is extremely potent! The smallest amount (1/8th tsp) was way too powerful for my morning oatmeal…i sprinkle a little bit on my oatmeal, and i do think it tastes much better than stevia. It doesn’t leave as much as an aftertaste as stevia does either. Though i can’t vouch that it tastes exactly like sugar, i can say that it is an improvement over stevia
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Yum! Apple crisp in oatmeal! Thanks for the stevia info! I just started using stevia, but I use agave too!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Monday is always hard to get to the usual pace! But you still managed to have great breakfast and workout!~~~~
thanks for the info about stevia. I think we’d better go for safe products before risking our healthy, a little more cal- won’t hurt ^_^
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Sounds like a super productive morning to me! All I’ve managed to do still (it’s 8:30) is wake up, dress, and go to work. I haven’t even had brekkie yet! I’m impressed at how much you can do in the mornings!
The way I simplify my life is by stripping it down to bare essentials. I can’t be bothered with decorations, fancy cake decorations, fancy cards to send, buying new clothes, etc. Just great friends, simple food, and some wine. I mean, in the end, that’s all that matters. No matter how pretty you wrap a box, they’re just gonna throw it away.
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Yoga. Well, when I have time that is!
Left you something on my blog…
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Yumm! I totally agree, never waste- Those fancy oats are looking mighty fine! I mean, apple crisp is basically oatmeal anyway, right?!
I am a major procrastinator, so I need all the visual stimulation and reminders I can get! I keep a dry-erase board on my Fridge for my “To-do’s”, I set alarm’s on my Iphone to keep me in check, and as keep an organized Bookmark Bar for gifts ideas, recipes, daily vices, etc!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am
The oats sound scrumptious!
To simplify my life I’m a firm believer in lists. I prioritize everything and mark my deadlines on it. I also make sure I have at least some “me-time” once a week. Without it I think I would probably go crazy!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
What a creative oats combo!
The holidays can be stressful but I am trying to embrace them….getting plenty of sleep really helps me stay sane and allows me to accomplish the long list of cheer
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Im totally loving your oatmeal concoction this morning! *YUM*
thanks for posting Self’s take on stevia. I use it, but in moderation<- I think of most things.
as for the crazy schedule (which I totally have year round) its about prioritizing what REALLY matters and making a schedule in advance for me.
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
this is just my opinion but….
the FDA has no clue what they are talking about. case in point: BPA in water bottles (they deemed BPA-laced water bottles “safe” after reading two company-sponsered reports that contradict 1000 of other reports). the FDA has deemed stevia a safe “food supplement” but not a “food additive” under pressure from companies like sweet and low.
the FDA is crap!
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Tina, your new haircut is super cute!
I live and breathe by my day planner. I also print out lists of tasks that have to get done everyday instead of making a new to-do list every day (setting out workout clothes before bed, watering the plants, etc etc). I have a nightly routine now that I’ve been doing it for a few months and it goes quickly with minimal thought.
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
structure and planning ahead. our days are very very simple. often we don’t go out if we don’t need to. the kids enjoy playing at home just as much as going here or there. last friday we didn’t get out of our pj’s until 5pm when we decided to go out to eat (this normally works out ok for me if i go to the gym in the morning since i already “got out of the house”
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I simplify my life by focusing on my family. My husband and I do not see them at all, other than holidays. We both focus on just enjoying our time together. We don’t let the “stress to impress” get to us. It’s much easier to just go with the flow.
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Great training ideas. I might use those this week! I’ve got a great 4 mile loop I like to run but I never to any speed work. It’s good to switch it up, right?
on Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:34 am
haha..soo funny…I was the one that wrote into Self and asked that question…I still use the Stevia—I took Splenda and all of those other terrible sweetners out of my life and only use Stevia—it’s natural and from a plant!
on Nov 18th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Amie,
No kidding! That’s so cool that you got your question answered by Self!