Stuck in a Rut?
I felt like I needed to jazz-up my oats this morning. I wanted something new and different, but also hearty and filling. I mentally inventoried the ingredients in our cupboards and refrigerator, and what I came up with was liquid egg whites!
When the blog first started, I used to add egg whites to my oatmeal every morning for some extra protein and staying-power. I’m not sure why I nixed this addition, but I’m glad it’s back!
In the mix:
- 1/3 cup dry oats
- 1/4 cup liquid egg whites
- 1/2 cup Zoe’s granola
- 1 cup vanilla soy milk
- 2 scoops of Barney Butter
I’d love to hear what you guys add to your oats. What are your favorite oatmeal ingredients and add-ins?
Treadmill Rut
The other day, I received a question from a reader about my treadmill runs; I thought I should share my response on the blog.
Q: “How do you run on the treadmill for so long and not get bored? I would get bored so easily!”
A: I rarely get bored on the treadmill. To keep me interested while running/walking, a few things come to mind…
- Have a plan: I almost always utilize some sort of cardio workout to guide my treadmlll run. I use fitness magazine workouts all of the time. Of course, running/walking workouts work best, but other cardio workouts work well, too. Some of my favorites:
- Interval workouts! Similar to above, change-up speeds and inclines to keep it interesting! Interval workouts also increase your caloric burn!
- Play games: You can assign a distance, time, intensity, or speed to just about anything. For instance:
- Try rolling a dice before heading to the gym; the number you roll is the number of miles you run/walk.
- Base your run/walk duration on the time you arrive at the gym or begin your workout. For example, if you start exercising at 5:47 PM, your workout will be 52 minutes (5+47). (Of course, this game doesn’t always work, but it’s fun when it does!)
- If you have access to a TV while on the treadmill, pick up the pace during commercials with music, a jingle, or theme song.
- Schedule your workout around your favorite TV show: Set a specific time to hop on the treadmill to watch your favorite TV drama or sitcom. Television shows work great because they are 30 or 60 minutes– the perfect amount of time for a treadmill workout!
Tags: egg whites, granola
Shelby — January 8, 2009 @ 7:55 am
Favorite Oat add ins? Pumpkin Puree, Cinnamon, Chocolate Protein powder, and soy yogurt. YUM!
justjen — January 8, 2009 @ 7:57 am
1. Thanks for the treadmill workout ideas – I’ve been going to the gym lately and do tend to get bored on the treadmill, I’ll try one of those later today!
2. Oatmeal add ons – chopped apple and raisins with walnuts, apple sauce, big banana and peanut butter or almond butter, trail mix – I’m pretty boring!
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) — January 8, 2009 @ 8:04 am
Yay for protein in the oats! I like to add Jay Robb whey protein powder and cottage cheese to my oats for some added protein. I’ll have to try egg whites. I also always add something for extra crunch – either dry cereal or nuts. Then I top everything off with a heaping spoonful of almond butta – YUM!
I CANNOT run on the treadmill unless I mix it up a bit. My first choice would be to run outside, but when that is impossible, I’ll hit up the treadmill for 30 minutes of intense speed intervals…really revs up my metabolism for the day. Love it!
Alexia — January 8, 2009 @ 8:05 am
Great treadmill ideas! I get so bored on it even my I am watching a great show, that’s why I haven’t touched it in 3+ months
I am going to start back though. Thatnks for the ideas!!!
ashley (sweet & natural) — January 8, 2009 @ 8:07 am
Awesome treadmill ideas! And it comes at perfect timing b/c I’ve recently been in love with the treadmill and running – hope that lasts! – and I don’t want to get bored of it.
Ashley — January 8, 2009 @ 8:18 am
Thanks for the great treadmill ideas! i think that theyre perfect because i can’t run steady for a long time on the treadmill, and intervals are suppsoed to be great for you! They make me feel like the workout goes by so much quicker!
Lee (seelivelee) — January 8, 2009 @ 8:26 am
I wonder how egg whites taste in oats. Do they add that “eggy” taste? I had some pumpkin french toast this morning, which had egg and it was YUMMY! Tina, you should try adding pumpkin to oats-it is heaven and makes the oats heartier, more filling and all that more delicious. also try cinnamon and nutmeg. for toppings, i love z bars and nuts. and butterscotch chips is a new obsession
Kate — January 8, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Haha! I like your treadmill game idea! I love any time of organic chocolate or PB cereal and cold yogurt on top of my hot oats! (aka my breakfast today:P)
Do you taste the egg whites in the yogurt???
SmA033 — January 8, 2009 @ 8:37 am
this website gives some good ideas for oatmeal choices:
http://livewell360.com/2008/11/30-day-oatmeal-challenge/
Jenny — January 8, 2009 @ 8:44 am
I love your oatmeal mix! Obviously nut butters and banana are at the top of my list, but I have a newfound respect for granola toppings as well
Also, I’ve been using some of your treadmill plans, they are GREAT to combat boredom!
Ninette — January 8, 2009 @ 8:47 am
I started eating oatmeal again this week.
I love this combo-oatmeal,lots of defrosted wild blueberries and a spoonful of crunchy organic p.b. (sometimes some toasted almond slivers as well)
The juice from the blueberries after I microwave them adds yummy flavour and a bit of liquid to it, so I don’t need anything else to sweeten it or any milk!
A simple version, but I am telling you the blueberries sweeten it so nicely and the pb is just the right crunch !
Ninette — January 8, 2009 @ 8:50 am
PS
When you are doing the 45 min treadmill how do you keep track of the rapid incline/sped changes-do you have it written on a little piece of paper?Thanks,I am going to write it down and take it to the gym with me tomorrow.Not sure if I am in good enough shape for it,but will attempt the walking version.Much appreciated!
K — January 8, 2009 @ 8:58 am
When I do eat oatmeal, which isn’t very often, my add ins are so boring: Kashi Crunch or a banana. I need to get a cue from your comments above!!
Tina — January 8, 2009 @ 8:59 am
@Kate: A little, but it’s not too obvious. It blends well with the oats and the other add-ins.
Tina — January 8, 2009 @ 9:00 am
@Ninette: Yep, I print out the workout and bring it with me. The 45-minute treadmill workout is a huge favorite of mine, so that one is actually glued to cardboard and laminated! I use it a lot!
Amanda — January 8, 2009 @ 9:01 am
Ahh fun oatmeal post this morning – I desperately need to go groc. shopping so I was scrounging for add-ins this morning!!
I really like adding either pure pumpkin or cottage cheese to bulk up my oats. ALWAYS have half a banana! I like frozen blueberries stirred in and heated through. AND I need some kind of crunch so I either top with nuts, fiber one, or today I chopped up part of a carrot cake clif bar. I really enjoy a little sugar free maple syrup too, in addition to cinnamon/pumpkin pie spice!
Have a great day
Tina — January 8, 2009 @ 9:01 am
@Lee (seelivelee): Not too eggy– the other ingredients usually overwhelm the egg flavor. I keep my egg white addition to about 1/4 cup, so it’s not too much.
Rose — January 8, 2009 @ 9:13 am
Wow! These tips were so good. I am definitely stuck in a treadmill rut – I get seriously bored and usually only run about 3 miles. This is great advice!
Do you make your oatmeal on the stovetop or microwave? Do you just mix the egg whites right in? Just curious.
My favorite oatmeal toppings: walnuts, peanut butter, any sort of fruit, granola planks (on occasion)
Leah — January 8, 2009 @ 9:15 am
I like classic add-ins: raisins, bananas, soy milk.
Unfortunately I’ve made a conclusion: I am not an oatmeal person, unless I buy the low sugar added instant oatmeal packets from Quaker!
I think I’m going to make your oatmeal raisin bars to use up the rest of my quick oats. But when it comes down to it I’m a turkey bacon/egg whites/smoothie/cold breakfast cereal kind of girl. I tried Tina! Haha
Melissa — January 8, 2009 @ 9:18 am
Thanks for the shout out! I totally agree with all your running tips, variety is the spice of the treadmill. Unfortunately the tvs are so close to the treadmills in my gym, it makes it kind of dangerous to watch them while running because you have to crane your neck to look up. two days till the weekend!
VeggieGirl — January 8, 2009 @ 9:19 am
I ALWAYS have Banana-Nut Butter oatmeal – I switch it up between almond-butter, hazelnut-butter, pumpkin-seed-butter, sunflower-seed-butter, and crunchy-style almond-hazelnut-butter
Caroline F — January 8, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Banana is a MUST! But my favorite trick is tea bags! Easy way to kick up flavor!
Tina — January 8, 2009 @ 9:28 am
@Rose: Microwave. I added everything in a bowl (egg whites included) and nuked it in the microwave for 2 minutes.
Tina — January 8, 2009 @ 9:29 am
@Leah: Haha! Leah, you are too funny! Definitely try the oatmeal bar– they’re SO GOOD and they travel well!
Tina — January 8, 2009 @ 9:29 am
@Caroline F: Tea bags??? Tell me more!
Mel — January 8, 2009 @ 9:31 am
I love dried cranberries in my oats. Actually I think that is why I eat oats.
Thanks for treadmill tricks, I’ll have try them. Before I moved, the owner of the last gym I was apart used to laugh at me because I found ways (magazines) to stay on the treadmill forever
zestycook — January 8, 2009 @ 9:35 am
Tina great tips on the treadmill runs! I am in the rut! I love protein… great addition to the oatmeal. What i like to add to my oatmeal is pretty boring… but it is blueberries. Have a great morning!
Lori — January 8, 2009 @ 9:38 am
I love canned pumpkin stirred into my oats with some pumpkin pie spice. I will top it with toasted nuts, a bit of brown sugar – or home made cranberry sauce. Yum!
BethT — January 8, 2009 @ 10:04 am
Chopped dried apricots and toasted almonds…. MMMMM!
Lacey — January 8, 2009 @ 10:05 am
I’ll be writing about my last-night’s treadmill run on my blog today. i have a LOT of trouble staying on the treadmill for more than 3-4 miles if i’m running at the same pace straight through, but last night i was able to do NINE miles (treadmill distance PR) because i warmed up 2miles, did 5 miles of 800 repeats (totally kept me entertained! aka just focusing on the number repeat i was on instead of total mileage), and then cooled down with 2 miles! = 9!!!! it seems so far but when broken down it isn’t. my FAVE OATS: banana, blueberries, walnuts, and some fiber 1 on top
the banana cooked in w/ a few slices saved to put on top and the blueberries mixed in really bulks up the oats. plus fiber 1 on top and walnuts for crunch, sorta a compromise between oats and cold cereal 
Missy (Missy Maintains) — January 8, 2009 @ 10:09 am
I always add cinnamon and half a banana. I love to add granola, z-bars and peanut butter to mix it up!
Great treadmill tips! I am always getting bored. I will print these out and bring them with me!
http://www.missymaintains.blogspot.com
Melissa — January 8, 2009 @ 10:28 am
Good idea with the egg whites in the oatmeal!! I see a lot of people do it but I havent’ yet…..maybe this weekend!
Scott — January 8, 2009 @ 10:34 am
I primarily run outside now, but I used to be a ‘miller. For even short 30 minute runs on the treadmill I would always mix it up with 1-2 minute intervals, or the pre-programmed hill workout on the treadmill. Intervals made the run go by so fast, it kept me focused on my workout, and I was getting great fitness results because of it.
tami — January 8, 2009 @ 10:51 am
i enjoy listening to podcasts as well, 60 minutes is on itunes, 45 minutes goes by fast when you are listening to something interesting i find.
HangryPants — January 8, 2009 @ 10:53 am
I love banana and pumpkin in oatmeal w/ some cinnamon.
One thing I do on the treadmill when I am getting bored near the end is play a game where I try to make the end number of the time and miles the same – ie. both end in a 0 or both end in a 5. It’s interesting because you have to play with the pace a little sometimes.
Have a super day, Tina!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) — January 8, 2009 @ 11:19 am
I am all about eggs in oats. It is much easier to pull off in the microwave, but now that I have tried stovetop oats, its a little trickier, but I’ll never go back to the microwave
Here’s a link to how I make mine on the stove with the egg whites:
http://lovinmytummy.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/pump-up-the-volume/
I always play games with myself on the treadmill, either by trying to get my fastest “X” (1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, mile, etc.) or by setting a distance goal and trying to reach it before my designated time is up. My trainer recently recommended that I walk backwards on an incline on my treadmill to work on those glutes and hammies, but it was far too dangerous for me. I don’t know how those Fat Boy Slim guys did it!!!
Have a great day, thanks once again for the great info!
rhodeygirl — January 8, 2009 @ 12:05 pm
tina have you tried adding shredded coconut to your oats? makes them AMAZING!
rhodeygirl — January 8, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
also, I LOVE playing games on the dreadmill. thanks for some new tips~!
Julie — January 8, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
I love adding in cottage cheese, cinnamon, raisin, pumpkin butter and especially bananas. I put a banana in every batch! For toppings nothing beats granola.
I get bored on the treadmill sometimes, so watching TV is a huge help. I’m usually there when the news comes on and you can’t beat that. Another thing I alwasy do is put my sweatshirt over the top of the treadmill so I don’t see how long I’ve been on. If I know I’ve only done 5 minutes, but it feels like forever, I’m more inclined to stop.
Tina — January 8, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
@rhodeygirl: Yep, I had shredded coconut in my oats yesterday! Yummy!
Allison K — January 8, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
I don’t know if I can pic my favorit combo! I think it would have to be the classic banana with a nut butter combo.
Can’t beat it!
Andrea (Andrea's Eats) — January 8, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
I need to try the egg whites in the oatmeal.
I find that by changing up the speed and incline on the treadmill the less boring I find it. if I stay at the same exact speed and incline for 45mins I get very bored!
Marianne — January 8, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
Fave oatmeal add-ins are definitely coconut, cranberries, and peanut butter.
Kim — January 8, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
My new current oatmeal faves are banana, dark chocolate chips & maple syrup.. It’s like pancakes but WAY more filling!
Dori — January 8, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
Thanks for the treadmill workouts – the only time I don’t get bored is when I am into a TV show! My current obsessions for mixing are pumpkin butter (don’t know how I ever lived without it), EnviroKids Koala organic peanut butter cereal and cut up persimmon!
Angie — January 8, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Favorite oatmeal ingredient is peanut butter.
Great treadmill info. I can’t wait to try some of your suggestions. I prefer the Elliptical because I do get bored on the treadmill. I can’t run so I have to change it up by doing inclines and stuff. Wish I had one at home so I could do it while watching all of my favorite Reality TV shows. I would burn a lot of calories LOL
Lara — January 8, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
I cannot have oats without bananas–it’s just the way it is!
Thanks for the treadmill ideas. I particularly like the 45 min one. I missed it the first time around so now that I have the link I will definitely be trying it out
Cassidy — January 8, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
My favorite oatmeal combos are:
pumpkin, raisins, and walnuts
mashed banana, almonds, and dried cranberries
apples and pecans
mashed banana, peanutbutter and chopped banana
Jasmine — January 8, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
recently i love to experiment with adding extracts to my oatmeal… vanilla extract, almond extract, raspberry…. its all amazing and gives such a good punch of flavor
bobbi — January 9, 2009 @ 1:29 am
favorite add ins, pumpkin,banana,AB,PB, Cranberries, and chocolate chips!
Extraordinary People » Blog Archive » Through the Winter With 4 Workouts — November 17, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
[...] almost always utilize some sort of cardio workout to guide my time on the treadmill—either I create my own workouts or tear out a plan I found in a [...]
Nikki — January 19, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Definately raisins are a key oatmeal topper!