Delicious Oats and Zesty’s E-Book
I think I am getting the hang of the stovetop thing! I made my morning oats using the stovetop method, and they came out so incredibly delicious! 
In the mix:
- 1/2 cup dry oats
- 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup vanilla hemp milk
- 1 tsp hemp protein
- Raisins, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds
- 2 spoonfuls of peanut butter
The stovetop method (and lots of stirring) made my oats soooo creamy! The canned pumpkin and hemp milk helped, too!
Boy, I took a lot of photos of my breakfast today! 
My oats were really delicious!
Basic Training
So, last night’s Basic Training class wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I was actually rather disappointed in it, especially since Mal and I paid an extra fee to join the 12-week class. When I think “Basic Training,” I think non-stop movement and military-style drills. This class was slow-paced and not that difficult at all– I never even broke a sweat! There was, however, a small glimmer of hope that this class might be worth the money after all. Towards the end of class, we did a ton of tough core exercises and ab work. I was dying trying to keep up with the instructor! Mal and I are going to attend next week’s Basic Training class and hope for the best.
Yoga Challenge: Day 10
Luna Flow was excellent last night! I can actually notice my flexibility improving– I got my nose to my knee in a hamstring pose last night! It felt great!
This morning I did 20 minutes of Gentle Hatha Flow #2, which was the perfect audio class to awaken by body from sleep. To start my day off on the right foot, the class had a little bit of everything– stretching, strengthening, and balance. If you’re thinking about joining the 31 Day Yoga Challenge as a yoga newbie, I would highly recommend this session as a starting point.
Don’t forget: YogaDownload.com is giving all CNC readers 50% off all downloads for the month of March! The coupon code to enter at checkout is CarrotsNCake!
Zesty’s E-Cookbook
Zesty’s E-book is finally here! I checked it out yesterday, and it is awesome– very professional-looking and packed full of delicious recipes, including my Oatmeal Raisin Bars! 
A number of other food bloggers contributed their recipes, too. Be sure to check it out: Simply Zesty Recipe E-Book!
Question of the Day
What is your ultimate slice of pizza? (Feel free to discuss toppings, mom and pop recipes, restaurant specials, etc.)
VeggieGirl — March 10, 2009 @ 7:26 am
I’m in the e-book too
**Ultimate slice of pizza = LOADED with vegetables, spicy marinara sauce, tons of garlic.
zestycook — March 10, 2009 @ 7:39 am
Thanks Tina for the e-book shout out…. ultimate slice of pizza = pineapple, feta cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, and italian sausage (sliced)
zesty
Haleigh — March 10, 2009 @ 7:56 am
The Ultimate slice of pizza was a delicious pizza that I ordered at a hole in the wall restaurant called Pappa Grappa in Norrköping, Sweden!! So good!
Michelle — March 10, 2009 @ 8:06 am
Ooo ultimate slice huh?
Well I really LOVE just a plain slice with crispy cheese and lotsa sauce (but not a sloppy slice). I also love a white slice with garlicy broccoli!
mmm
Meaghen — March 10, 2009 @ 8:12 am
For sure your balsamic date pizza… that thing rocked my socks off. I dream about it daily. With a whole wheat crust and blue cheese… oh it is just delish!
Darius T. Williams — March 10, 2009 @ 8:17 am
Those oats don’t look half bad!
Elina (Healthy and Sane) — March 10, 2009 @ 8:21 am
You’re doing so great on the yoga challenge! I may have to do it next month (one challenge at a time…).
I can’t think of pizza so early in the morning 
Your questions are so random sometimes
Lee (seelivelee) — March 10, 2009 @ 8:24 am
i’ve had hawiian once and digged it, but idk if i like ham anymore? so i’d have to say top 3 are:
BBQ CHICKEN
VEGGIE
GOAT CHEESE & BASIL!
Tina — March 10, 2009 @ 8:33 am
@Lee (seelivelee): Mmmmmm… goat cheese and basil!
Kara — March 10, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Mmmm one of my favorites is a local restaurant’s buffalo chicken pizza and another’s chicken and pineapple, with nice pieces of fresh chicken. Ohhh and a pesto pizza with shrimp and crab meat! Love love love!
Yasmin — March 10, 2009 @ 8:53 am
Beautiful oats. Favorite pizza would be with lots of sauce, goat cheese, veggies, and black olives are a MUST! Dessert pizza would be fudge-covered and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
coco — March 10, 2009 @ 8:53 am
I haven’t tried luna flow yet, but have seen it around the blog world, so I’ll give it a try.
your oatmeal looks amazing! I love how pumpkin makes it so colorful.
joyful — March 10, 2009 @ 9:09 am
My favorite slice of pizza would be any slice from up North! I got to have a few slices over Christmas but now I’m back in the South and it’s just not as good here
However, we make our own with a thin whole wheat crust and I like to put on tons of veggies and sometimes baked tofu, yum.
Julie — March 10, 2009 @ 9:18 am
I love a pizza with goat cheese, olives, tomatoes, broccoli and maybe some garlic. My favorite pizza is papa ginos and bertucci’s, I love a thin crust!
tami — March 10, 2009 @ 9:28 am
my husband makes the best thin crust pizza, the dough has tons of flax in it, he gets it paper thin, I LOVE IT. (it’s very similar to http://www.flatbreadcompany.com/ (there is one down the road from the Burlington Mall)
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) — March 10, 2009 @ 9:29 am
LOVE stovetop oats too. I cook mine slowly and let them come to a boil for about 8 or so minutes without stirring. They get AMAZINGLY creamy this way!!
Favorite pizza: Lots and lots of veggies with not a lot of cheese. I can never taste the cheese but I love all the veggies!
Katrina — March 10, 2009 @ 9:36 am
Pizza sigh…. I don’t get it very often, being gluten free and all. When I’m at home I love to make my own. I love to spread a little bit of pesto on the crust. Then I add organic pizza sauce, a little bit of cheese fresh spinach and pineapple. Soooo good!
Emily — March 10, 2009 @ 9:39 am
mmm those oats do look yummy!
I like to try different things on my pizza everytime. I have yet to find anything that i didnt like. I had a bbq chicken pizza in LA and loved it!
brandi — March 10, 2009 @ 9:44 am
love all the oat pictures!
Favorite pizza? I have to pick ONE?
Fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil is hard to beat….but I love all pizza
brandi — March 10, 2009 @ 9:44 am
oh! and I did my same routine of yoga this morning. I never got to download more yesterday with all my computer issues at work, but i’m hoping to do that today!
Sarah — March 10, 2009 @ 9:48 am
There’s a place near us where we order “Chicago-style” pizza… the crust is thick & chewy with a crunchy bottom, then the cheese is directly on top of the crust, and the thick & chunky sauce is over the cheese. There’s a ton of garlic in the sauce & a lot of herb flavor shines through too! Truly phenomenal pizza… so rich & cheesy… worth the calories.
Becca A — March 10, 2009 @ 9:53 am
It has to have a good crust. I don’t like mine super thick but also not paper thin. I usually like an assortment of veggies but I like a gourmet type slice sometimes too!
Mari — March 10, 2009 @ 9:59 am
One of my faves is the Super Supreme from Pizza Hut. But I am a NYer and nothing tastes better than a nice Cheesy slice from local pizzeria with some pepperoni and garlic powder (I seriously think I am going to have pizza today lol…mouth is watering)
Yoga: I am hoping to squeeze in atleast 20 mins of Yoga tonight when I get home. I will be taking my niece (she is 5) to her yoga class so maybe I will join in HA.
Namaste…
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday — March 10, 2009 @ 10:00 am
That is a lot of breakfast pics!! Yum!
My favorite pizza is Uno’s pizza. I just love the crust and they use really fresh toppings. I only eat it rarely because it is not even close to health food.
Leah — March 10, 2009 @ 10:05 am
I love how creamy oats get on the stove.
My fav pizza is loads of veg with goats cheese and pesto!!
jenna — March 10, 2009 @ 10:09 am
Not that I think your usual oats don’t look good, but these stove top oats seriously look so creamy and delectable!!
rhodeygirl — March 10, 2009 @ 10:27 am
for me, simple is best. a crust that is crunchy on the outside, doughy on the inside. fresh august juicy tomato slices, fragrant basil, and that soft fresh mozzarella that you can only get from a creamery.. mmmmm. and that pizza would be IN italy, or PB’s house
Dori — March 10, 2009 @ 10:27 am
Your gooey, creamy, orange mushy oats look incredible! Mmmm I am so jealous!
My perfect pizza is EXTRA CHEESE with onions that are cooked very well and pepperoni. Mmmmmmmmm…
Katie — March 10, 2009 @ 10:28 am
My boyfriend makes a GREAT Boboli pizza…..white or red sauce, tons of cheese, peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, and the ultimate pizza topping: broccoli! So good!
Kirsten — March 10, 2009 @ 10:28 am
I like a really doughy crust with pesto basil sauce, chicken, mushrooms, and feta chees. mmmmmmmm!
JE — March 10, 2009 @ 10:34 am
I miss the pizza for NY! DC pizza just doesn’t cut it…I’d have to say my favorite slice is chicken wing. Crispy chicken tenders in Frank’s Red Hot, ranch dressing and blue cheese crumbles. So good!
Katerina — March 10, 2009 @ 10:48 am
I am still doing the yoga, just haven’t posted in a few days. I did 30 minutes Hatha I on Saturday and 45 minutes runners yoga on Monday. And today, my bootie is sore. Hopefully a very good thing.
K — March 10, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Those oats look especially good today! My ultimate pizza is true Italian margherita pizza – oh my gosh AMAZING!
Meg — March 10, 2009 @ 11:07 am
My ultimate slice of pizza would involve Thai flavors and veggies.
Megan — March 10, 2009 @ 11:14 am
mmm oats. love it!
so sad that the basic training thing wasnt kick-butt. I took a similar type of class that was an 8 week commitment and the first two classes were so easy and lame, but after that they REALLY kicked it up a few notches and it killed me. so hopefully yours gets harder!
HangryPants — March 10, 2009 @ 11:16 am
That stinks about the class. I wonder if you can get your money back?
My brother makes THE BEST grilled pizza ever. I mean honestly, it’s the best. I love when he puts lots of tomatoes, onions and spinach for me.
Danielle — March 10, 2009 @ 11:18 am
I love pizza with a thinner crut (but a thin crispy crust) with either pineapple as a topping or just a slice of white pizza. HEAVEN!
Hallie — March 10, 2009 @ 11:19 am
I love pizza! (which is funny since I don’t like cheese otherwise) My fav totally depends on my mood. I like BBQ Chicken, pepperoni and green peppers, and good ole cheese. I agree that the pizza you get in Italy, thin and not too cheesy, is pretty amazing
Leah — March 10, 2009 @ 11:21 am
Boston: Just cheese, from Presto’s pizza in Cleveland circle near BC
Minnesota: Just cheese, from Cosetta’s in downtown St. Paul. It has been the best pizza I’ve ever had, and I’ve been a customer since I was a little girl!
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) — March 10, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Tina, so glad you’re loving stove-top oats. They really are better! My ultimate slice of pizza? I like lots of veggies and pesto. Love pesto!
sue — March 10, 2009 @ 11:30 am
my favorite pizza is the veggie gourmet at round table which has artichoke hearts, shrooms, zucchini, spinach, tomato and green onions on a creamy garlicky sauce. SO good! i can only get it when i visit my parents in CA, so i don’t feel guilty when i eat half a large pizza by myself!
Stephanie — March 10, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
That’s a toughie. Well, my ultimate slice of pizza has to be one from Santarpios in East Boston for all you Boston people. Its AMAZING. I just get cheese but there is something about their crust and sauce. YUM!
Dulcie — March 10, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
love your breakfast oatmeal this morning! looks delicious!
my fav slice of pizza: thin crust, lots of veggies, either ricotta or goat cheese or feta (ah i have difficulty choosing a specific cheese.. i LOVE cheese too much) & some red sauce
Jennifer — March 10, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
I found a better way to do the yoga sessions online- download two two minutes for free and you get a free forty! No need to use the coupon code.
Marianne — March 10, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
It’s too bad basic training wasn’t that great, because it does sound like it should be pretty hardcore. Hopefully it gets better as you get further into the class.
My fave pizza combo is chicken, bacon, and pineapple on bbq sauce. Yum!
Shelby — March 10, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
Your oatmeal looks so amazing! I could go for a bowl right now, and I just ate!!
Jaclyn — March 10, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
Oh yum the oats look great ;D I’m gonna have to try that method!
I’m not a pizza girl myself but the occasional slice of vegetarian can hit the spot!
Sister — March 10, 2009 @ 3:12 pm
Im a huge fan of plain cheese
Im still doing yoga and I am proud of myself for sticking with it. I need to find a new one to do though.
junghwa — March 10, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
i’m loving this challenge!
I did 70min of Vinyasa Flow right after I woke up. I actually did this outside on my patio with my yoga mat. it was really nice with sun-shine and everything!
Kara — March 10, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
My body is starting to really feel the daily yoga. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad. I had class today and it wasn’t too challenging, thankfully. A lot of grounding poses. I’m ready for a nap, though!
angelcubbie — March 10, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
There’s a place down the street from me that does the BEST pizza. It’s all on WW thin crust, and they have this potato pizza (I know sounds strange but SO good) and this eggplant/goat cheese pizza that is to die for! Also, I admit to having a soft spot for piping hot stuffed crust pizza for Pizza Hut (hides head shamefully)
CDM — March 10, 2009 @ 8:32 pm
I’m not a big oatmeal fan, but have been trying to come up with creative ways lately to try to incorporate it into my diet. Your pumpkin oatmeal looks delicious!
rebecca (unintuitiveeating) — March 10, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
i don’t think i could pick for favorite pizza. favorite pizza place yes.. http://www.lillyspizza.com
do you cook your pumpkin with the oats on the stove or stir it in at the end? i’ve heated it separately but never cooked it in, although i’ve only had pumpkin in oatmeal once or twice. i keep forgetting about it… i am going to pick up some pumpkin at the store next time i go…
Tina — March 10, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
@rebecca (unintuitiveeating): Cook it right into the oats.
Beth P — March 10, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
I just finished my 20 minutes of yoga – Namaste balancing the energies of both sides of the body. This is probably my favorite one. The flows feel natural to me. I felt good doing this today but I sitll need to work on my concentration and being in the moment of my yoga experience so that I can really improve.
noodlegirl — March 11, 2009 @ 12:02 am
I missed my yoga yesterday due to pure laziness! Today I did 20 min detox yoga then I did 20 min on my Fire yoga DVD. I always seem to shut down after I do 3 days continuous of any exercise do any of you experience that?
Sarah — March 11, 2009 @ 10:50 am
Yesterday I randomly chose the Detox yoga before bed. I should probably go back and read past experiences when I choose! I really enjoyed it but some of it is just super hard still. The Downward Dog Twist!! Ouch! If I had actually done that pose for as long as they wanted me to, I’m pretty sure I would have fallen on my face. I actually felt as though the spinal twists had released toxins during this practice. As I was laying in bed, my stomach was churning a little. It was kind of odd but interesting to think about what kind of total body benefits I’m getting out of practicing yoga this month.
Katie — March 11, 2009 @ 10:55 am
For my dday 10 of yoga, I did 20 minutes of Gentle Hartha #2! It was GREEEEEEEAT! I am definitely liking Gentle Hatha more than the Lunar flow….I felt so stretched out, even now, the next day! Funny thing was, I was sooo tired all day, I tried to sleep on the couch, and my mind was all over the place, so I decided to try and calm it with yoga, and it totally did the trick! I was awake, especially after the warrior poses! I’ll be doing this one again today!
MB — March 11, 2009 @ 9:03 pm
I love any type of pizza with any veggies except mushrooms. My favorite local pizza is the Sicilian Zazza at Caruso’s in Melrose. It is a divy hole in the wall but the pizza is great.
Dom Michelle (the owner who sometimes sings old Italian songs) uses fresh whole tomatoes, basil, garlic and a combination of cheeses on a thick Sicilian crust. MMMMmmm … Zazza …. mmmm.
You should check it out if you’ve never been there.
Yowsahs! – Carrots ‘N’ Cake — March 16, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
[...] because the day totally flies by! I’m happy to be home now, and I’m looking forward to Basic Training later tonight. (Hopefully, it will be more challenging this [...]
Backtracking – Carrots ‘N’ Cake — March 24, 2009 @ 7:30 am
[...] my breakfast post, I have a little blog backtracking to do. Basic Training ran late last night, so by the time I got showered, ready for bed, and settled, I didn’t have [...]