Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM

Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal

Good morning! It’s almost vaca time for me! I am very much looking forward to spending time with family and friends, having time off, and lots of good food! Yipee! :D

Breakfast

There was just one slice of Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf remaining, so I decided to incorporate it into this morning’s breakfast. Breads, muffins, pastries, etc. are delicious for breakfast, but they never hold me over… unless I eat them with something else, like eggs, yogurt, or oats.

For this morning’s oat bowl, I diced-up the last piece of Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf and threw it in my usual 1/2 cup of dry oats. I then added 1/2 cup of frozen raspberries and 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk, and nuked the whole concoction for 2 minutes in the microwave. The end result was a decadent chocolate-raspberry oatmeal that was more like dessert than breakfast, but it was just as filling and delicious!

My Thanksgiving Philosophy

You guys know that I am not one to practice “food vigilance.” In fact, I indulge in dessert, bar food, and wine just about every week! With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I’d like to explain my philosophy for holiday eating. Basically, it’s why not indulge in something you love during the holidays? Personally, passing-up my favorite holiday treats (hello, eggnog!) and family-favorites (mom’s pumpkin pie) would make me feel incredibly deprived and unhappy. Of course, you want to keep a couple of things in mind when indulging during the holidays: (1) eat in moderation; (2) don’t feel guilty! I think sometimes we forget that it is okay to enjoy food and that it is not just for fuel.

Earlier this week, I posted a few ideas about how to stay on-track, be healthy, and enjoy the holiday season. (I’ve pasted these below again for your convenience! :) )

Holiday Eating: Quick Tips

  • Use a plate! In my opinion, this is the post important piece of advice for dealing with all of that wonderful holiday food. If I start picking at appetizers and platters, I never seem to stop. However, if I get myself a small plate, load it up with goodies, and enjoy it, I’m much less likely to go overboard. Once the food on my plate is gone, I know that it’s time to stop munching.
  • Only indulge in the once-a-year goodies. I wait all year for my mom’s pumpkin pie, so when Thanksgiving rolls around, I make sure to leave room for a piece. Instead of filling up on everyday appetizers and treats, like store-bought cookies, chips, cheese and crackers, etc., I save the calories for a piece of warm pumpkin pie (with ice cream). Similarly at holiday parties, I will only eat things that I really, really love or have never tried before.
  • Exercise (on the day of the holiday party). If I plan to splurge, I will make sure that I have a good workout to help balance-out any extra calories. Plus, exercising always makes me feel good and more confident about myself.
  • Don’t beat yourself up. If I indulge too much at a holiday gathering, I try not to feel guilty. I just eat lightly the next day, exercise, and get back on track. The holidays are supposed to be enjoyable, and for me, eating and drinking is the best part!

More Tips for Navigating the Festivities:

Question of the Day

Easy one for ya…

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?

I love it all, but my favorites are stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie! Can’t wait for tomorrow!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, blogland! :D

Posted by: Tina 54 comments

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54 Comments on “Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal”

  1. #1 Bridget P Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:11 am

    Pumpkin pie!! I agree with your Thanksgiving philosophy completely.

    Have a great day :)

  2. #2 Amelia Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:13 am

    Stuffing is the best! Thanks for the great holiday eating tips. I especially agree with focusing on eating the seasonal goodies. U feel like the indulgence is that much more worth it cause you only have these dishes once a year.

  3. #3 VeggieGirl Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:23 am

    AMAZING OATS!!

    **Favorite Thanksgiving food = my homemade cranberry sauce!! :-)

  4. #4 Megan Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am

    Morning- beautiful oats!

    My favorite Thanksgiving foods: My mom’s baked macaroni and cheese, My grandmother’s shrimp mirliton, and My Aunt’s string bean casserole. Scrumptious!
    Have a beautiful Wednesday :)

  5. #5 Stephanie Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am

    I love my mom’s homemade apple crisp and apple pie and lucky for me, she already sent me home with one of each that I have been snacking on all week so come Thanksgiving I wont need to overindulge on them in one sitting =) However, I personally do not think about calories etc on Thanksgiving. I workout in the morning to get a nice burn and then its all fun from there on!

  6. #6 Mara Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am

    Great looking oats!!
    Favorite thanksgiving food: Great-grandma’s stuffing recipe, grandma’s cranberry sauce, and my moms amazing roasted chestnut stuffin… and of course, turkey!

  7. #7 Sarah Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:27 am

    Mmm, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and stuffing (make mine veggie, please!) These are my faves, too!
    Happy Thanksgiving!!!
    Great advice for staying healthy with food and thoughts!

  8. #8 Mel Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Thank you for all the advice, I will be putting it to good use! :)

    My favorite foods: My dad’s homemade bread and stuffing!

  9. #9 Amy Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:30 am

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    I love your food philosophy. It’s so healthy and realistic. :)

    My fave Turkey Day food is my grandmother’s mashed turnip and carrots. It’s so simple and healthy but it’s my favorite part of Thanksgiving. Mmmmmmmm I’m not crazy about a lot of the other foods that are served so that definitely tops the chart.

  10. #10 Amanda Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am

    Thanks so much for posting your thoughts on Thanksgiving. I completely agree with you – if I try to restrict myself, I will most likely end up overeating and then feeling really guilty. I feel like food should not be the main focus of Thanksgiving and it should not be what makes or breaks my day!!

    I really love sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie :)

  11. #11 Miss Marie Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    Great times. And delicious looking oatmeal!

  12. #12 Megan Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:39 am

    Yummy oats!

    My favorite is the sweet potato casserole!

  13. #13 Lisa Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:40 am

    Usually its my mom’s homemade pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream! But this year I’m going to spend tgiving with the bf’s family and his mom makes the most amazing decadent sweet potato casserole thats like eating dessert! It has pecans and cinamon and brown sugar. No marshmallows, I’m not a huge fan of marshmallows (uness i’m making smores) so I think thats why I love her recipe.

  14. #14 The Healthy Hostess Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:44 am

    I love the mashed potatoes best!
    Have a great week!

  15. #15 Meg C. Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:49 am

    I’ll be happy this thanksgiving with just turkey, some green vegetable, and PUMPKIN PIE! really, it’s just all about the pie. I’m willing to save the majority of my calories just for that.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

  16. #16 Tina Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:50 am

    Meg C.,

    I completely agree! It’s ALL about the PIE! :)

  17. #17 Amanda Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am

    AMEN! I just wrote about the same thing, enjoy the day don’t stress about it.

  18. #18 ttfn300 Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:03 am

    great tips :) my fav part… the day-after turkey sandwiches and mom’s pumpkin chiffon pie!!

  19. #19 Bridget Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am

    Hands down favorite is STUFFING!!! I also really love this brocolli cauliflower gratin thing my grandmother makes…mmmm! Various pie slivers with lots of freshly whipped cream!!

  20. #20 Erica Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am

    Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Probably cranberry sauce mmm!

  21. #21 Jill Will Run Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am

    I’m looking forward to the sweet potatoes! I’m scared of the pumpkin pie, just because it’s the first time I’ve made it myself AND I’m taking it to a gathering with a bunch of people… Perhaps if I’d had more time before I could have made a test pie, but I just learned that was my responsibility two days ago!

  22. #22 Lacey Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am

    Thanks so much for reading + commenting on my blog :) My faaaaave thanksgiving food is the green bean casserole mmm and SQUASH acorn or butternut or both!

  23. #23 Angie Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am

    Favorite Thanksgiving food is sweet potatoes, ham and spinach dip with Hawaiian bread (I know, I know LOL).

    Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels for the two of you.

  24. #24 coco Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am

    fab brekkie!!! such a great way to begin the day with quasi-dessert!
    Can’t be more agree with your philosophy #3, good food is part of our life’s joy!

  25. #25 Melissa P. Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am

    Appetizers- my mom makes a fabulous blue cheese ball and stuffed mushrooms.
    Desserts- I love the homemade whipped creams on top and a cup of decaf coffee with bailey’s.

  26. #26 K Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    Decadent breakfast and great tips!

    My favorites are stuffing and green bean casserole!! I pretty much eat only those two things :)

  27. #27 BeeBeeRab Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    I totally agree with all your points! I am definitely following tip #3 – exercise! 2 months ago, I signed up for a Turkey Trot on the morning of Thanksgiving. I figure if I run 10k tomorrow morning, I shouldn’t feel too guilty about eating some of my favorite foods like pumpkin pie!!!

  28. #28 chandra Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving to you too!! My family on my mom’s side had a “family recipe” for this meat stuffing that we just HAVE to make every year. It isn’t my favorite of all the foods we make, but I do love that it is required every year. :)

  29. #29 livingfit Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    I agree with your tips. Also, the best way to get a holiday workout in is to sign up for something, like tomorrow’s 5K turkey trot that I’m all geared to do. In terms of favorite Thanksgiving foods – so hard to choose – but I’m going with green bean casserole, stuffing and cranberry sauce. yum. yum.

  30. #30 Marianne Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

    Stuffing! Always stuffing. And it has to be my mom’s stuffing – nothing else ever matches her stuffing.

  31. #31 Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    Your oatmeal combo sounds delicious!

    My favorites are cranberry sauce and apple pie!

  32. #32 Krista Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    My mom’s stuffing, homemade from scratch! Nothing compares!

  33. #33 Kristie Lynn Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    Not going to lie… green bean casserole is what I live for during the Holiday season :) When I was younger I used to just have a plate-full of it for my dinner because I thought it was so much better than anything else we had. Weird, I know.

  34. #34 Meghann Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Happy Thanksgiving to you! Is it weird my favorite part of Thanksgiving is the Ham? We’ve always had both Turkey and Ham and ham was always my fave go to choice.

  35. #35 zestycook Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

    Oats look amazing!! I have to say – cranberry sauce, stuffing and sweet potatoes are my favorites

    zesty

  36. #36 Lee (seelivelee) Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    my favorite would have to be the gravy, the PECAN PIE AND the Roast Turkey !!! Yummy oats today, Tina! You will be happy to know I am home with my sister now and we are planning to cook up that pumpkin loaf today!!

  37. #37 jess Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    My favorite thanksgiving food are actually the roasted vegetables! Something about a good long time in an oven really feels like fall- especially when cauliflower and brussel sprouts are in order.

  38. #38 Runeatrepeat Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

    I have the SAME philosophy for Thanksgiving. I actually just posted about it on Capessa last night. Ha! I am glad I’m not the only one who feels this way!

  39. #39 Michelle Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    I love turkey! It’s my favorite! We make it for Christmas too! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

  40. #40 Caroline F Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

    First and foremost, those oats are crazy good looking girl! And secondly, favorite tofurky day food would have to be my Aunt’s wild rice salad! It is so good, cranberries, almonds, and possibly crack- its that good!
    -C

  41. #41 Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming) Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    Awesome tips!
    I can’t really think of only 1 favorite thanks giving food. But I like cranberry sauce! (and the best cranberry sauce is one ocean spray can mixed with one can crushed pineapples = heaven!) I also love all the pumpkin pie filling (not the crust), and sweet potatoes! :) yummmmmm

  42. #42 Justy2003 Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    I think my favorite is sweet potato casserole. I’d never even tried it until a couple years ago (too scared??) and I can’t believe I’d been missing out on that for all these years! And I also love pumpkin bars…with the cream cheese frosting! YUM! Actually, I’m about to go make some now since I’m supposed to take them for tomorrow!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

  43. #43 Becca A Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Stuffing and cranberry sauce :)

  44. #44 Allison K Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

    I don’t know if this is “traditional” thanksgiving food..but growing up my mom ALWAYS made pea salad…so now I make it, cause holidays just aren’t the same without it. I posted the recipe on my blog today, incase anyone needs a last minute veggie. I’m not making it until tomorrow…I’m going to repost the recipe with pictures when I do!
    httppp://path-to-health.blogspot.com

  45. #45 sirenjess Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    I’m excited about sweet potato casserole because I have never really had it and discovered this past year that I love sweet potatoes. I love the dessert, stuffing and rolls. I’m not really into the turkey. I use to love the green bean and broccoli casseroles but they got old.

  46. #46 Susan Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 7:00 pm

    Though it isn’t healthy, any casserole smothered in a “cream of” soup is mighty tasty.

  47. #47 Kelly Olexa Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    First of all, that breakfast looks awesome. Second of all, I love your approach on holiday eating. This is the first year that I am entering into the “season” with a more reasonable, sensible approach as opposed to total fear of eating one ounce of “bad” food. I feel MUCH better now and I like the way you expressed the sentiment!

    ;-) Happy Thanksgiving!

    K

  48. #48 katie Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    those oats are so creative, and chocolate/raspberry is easily my favorite combo! I’d have to say sweet potatoes are my all time favorite thanksgiving dish!

  49. #49 sarah Reply to this comment
    on Nov 27th, 2008 at 8:48 am

    i love your philosophy.

    my personal favorite is the WHIPPED CREAM that tops the pumpkin (or pecan) pie. it has to be freshly whipped, maybe with a hint of bourbon or vanilla. MMM, decadent and delicious.

  50. #50 Jo Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2009 at 12:09 am

    Great advice on what to splurge on.

  51. #51 Susan ( All Things In Moderation ) Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2009 at 7:11 am

    I think that , hands-down, stuffing is my favorite thing ! I never eat it , but for this one day a year , and I look forward to it !

  52. #52 Michelle Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am

    wow i love your advice!
    thanks so much! :)

  53. #53 Sagan Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2009 at 11:59 am

    I’m totally with you on that philosophy. Also your oats sound delicious! I LOVE loaves, but like you, they don’t fill me up at all. Hence why I can eat half a loaf of banana bread over the course of a single morning :D

  54. #54 Christina Reply to this comment
    on Nov 26th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Fabulous tips for enjoying treats without going overboard, I’m with you on those and definately do the same things!

    My favorite is my moms sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie/pumpkin treats! All this talk about American thanksgiving has me wishing we could do ours over again, have a great one!

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