Green Banana Oatmeal
It’s not as gross as it sounds! Promise!
I loved how well the frozen spinach worked in my Green Mango Smoothie yesterday, so I figured why not try it in a bowl of oats? I don’t get nearly enough veggies in my diet, so a little chopped spinach in my daily oats would be an easy, healthy addition.
I like creamy, sweet oats in the morning, and I knew that I didn’t want them tasting like spinach, so I mixed in an overripe banana to mask some of the bitterness. Overripe bananas tend to overpower a bowl of oats with their flavor, so I knew it would be a good bet.
Result: A delicious bowl of oats packed with vitamins K and A! 
Besides the appearance, my breakfast was just like a regular bowl of banana oats. I couldn’t taste the spinach at all! The texture was a little different, but not in a bad way– the chopped spinach actually seemed to make my oats smoother! I even sort of like the look of bright green spinach mixed into my oats. It looks nutritious and sort of cool! 
Approximate measurements:
- 1/2 cup dry oats
- 1/4 cup chopped frozen spinach, unfrozen
- 1/2 cup vanilla hemp milk
- 2 tbsp wheat bran
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 overripe banana, sliced
- 2 scoops of Maranatha peanut butter
Workout
Strength training: 30 minutes lower body workout
Cardio: 30 minutes elliptical
Question of the Day
What “gross” food(s) (to other people) do you enjoy eating?
Be sure to check back around lunchtime for a really great giveaway! You guys will definitely like it! 
Happy Thursday! 
Posted by: Tina 66 comments
Posted in: Uncategorized
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Hm, I don’t know if it’s gross or not, but I really enjoy eating raw pasta, especially when I’m cooking it!
And if you ask my husband, my green smoothies every morning qualify as “gross”
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 7:51 am
I bet that oatmeal was great!
I eat all kinds of stuff that my husband & kids think is gross. I think the one they comment on the most is all the stuff I mix into my oats (coconut, AB or PB, pumpkin or banana, nuts, raisins, etc). I haven’t tried spinach…that would definitely get their attention, huh? LOL!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:10 am
Everyone in my office thinks wheatgrass and green smoothies are gross, but I love them!!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:11 am
I’ve started drinking green monsters this past week and my Boyfriend and daughter have been freaking out!!!! Some days refusing to kiss me goodbye! LOL mooohahahahah!! I told my daughter I was going to put some in her sippy cup without telling her and she freaked out!!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:12 am
YAH! You discovered my new addiction of adding spinach or kale to my oats in the morning. This is the greatest addition, yes it may look gross, but I feel so much healthier, and it keeps me full for hours. I can’t even taste the spinach!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:22 am
What a fabulous idea! I’m totally going to try this! I eat pretty much anything; there’s not much I think is “gross”! Especially if it’s good for me
Some of my friends think it’s weird I’m obsessed with seaweed salad, but if they tried it they would know how amazing it is!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:27 am
That’s what my breakfast looked like yesterday, but I had strawberries and barney butter on top. I used Dani Spies’ method (http://www.danispies.com/archives/breakfast/spinach_oats.php) for my oats though. Try blending!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Mmmm Spinach…. I always try to tell people that eating peanut butter, or any nut butter really, with carrots is OUT OF THIS WORLD! But I usually just get a puzzled glance in response
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I love green oatmeal and green smoothies, and my friends were making fun of my chia seeds and flax meal this weekend. Whatever, I need to feel good and have energy for everything I need to get done!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:58 am
That bowl looks pretty! Maybe I’m strange but I love the way it looks!! I eat relatively normal foods but I LOVE eating with my fingers – I’m a slob haha
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I don’t know if I could do the spinach+oats thing!
My husband thinks it’s very gross when I dip french fries in a Frosty at Wendy’s, but I love it!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:07 am
I looooove lima beans!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:09 am
I love prunes! Everyone in my office thinks I am nuts and call me an old fart when I wip them out. I truely believe in their slogan as being “natures candy”.
I am excited for the lunch post!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I think spinach in oatmeal sounds like a fantastic idea. Hey, if we are all packing spinach and kale into our smoothies, what’s so different than putting it into a hot bowl of oats?!?!
Most people think that my foods are “gross.” I had one of my co-workers try tempeh the other day, and her immediate response was “ewww, gross!”
Can’t wait for lunch!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:19 am
I’m so glad to hear the frozen spinach works just as well in smoothies and oatmeal!! I’ve only used fresh because I was afraid to try frozen but now I will – thanks Tina =).
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:19 am
alot of my *non blog* friends are disgusted by my green smoothies and breakfast over night oats..they say it looks like barf lol
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Hi Tina! Great bowl of oats! Glad it turned out for you!
I don’t know if this is gross or not but my father and I used to eat scallions (green onions) right out of the garden with some salt. Sensory overload! haha
Speaking of giveaways- check mine out! Some great Canadian goods
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Lol… I love spinach so I don’t mind it at all… Maybe if you blended the spinach+banana beforehand you’d end up with less of texture change? But then that’s extra stuff to wash, so maybe not lol.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:25 am
I had tried fresh spinach in my oats and loved that I could not taste them! Any of my “green” foods seem weird to people, along with many of the vegetarian options (even though I’m not vegetarian). I like tempeh, almond milk, etc.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:28 am
That oatmeal actually looks delicious. I’ll have to try that!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I’ve added orange veggies like carrots, sweet potato, and pumpkin to oats, but never spinach! Maybe I’ll try it.
What do I eat that’s gross to other people? Marinara sauce on broccoli. Freaks my friend Amy out. Don’t know why.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:39 am
I am embarrassed to admit I love banana and cheese sandwiches!
I love your oats this morning – the mixture of colours looks really good.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Interesting mix for sure!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:49 am
spinach, prunes, and tofu are some of my favorite foods! my boyfriend likes prunes too – we’re a funny pair
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Haha I think that actually looks good. Some people think it’s gross that I’ll take canned pumpkin and add some cinnamon/pumpkin pie spice, chocolate chips or cocoa powder, whipped cream, and sprinkles. I think it’s good, though! It’s like pumpkin pie without the crust.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:53 am
The first time I had a green smoothie, both my parents’ reactions were something along the lines of “that looks disgusting!” My dad refused to try a bit, but my mum had some and she actually liked it. I keep telling my dad you can’t actually taste the spinach, but he’s having none of it!
Tofu is anything thing my parents and friends think I’m mad for eating.
smallchangesaddup.wordpress.com
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I can’t believe you couldn’t taste the spinach! I may have to give this a try!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I never would have thought of that!! But it looks kind of interesting! I’ll have to give it a shot!
-A
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Green Monsters are my ‘gross’ food! No one else in this house will try one haha
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I don’t think I ever, even in my most experimental, would have thought of that one! I am just trying to imagine my partner’s face upon realizing that I slipped some spinach into his oatmeal! Love it. Thanks for the great idea.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 10:24 am
“Gross” or not, your breakfast sounds good to me!
I don’t think anything I eat is gross, although my family sure seems to think so. I’m a vegan and they are all omnivores, and some of my vegan food seems weird to them.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Your oatmeal could now pass for any meal. I don’t think it looks gross, just an interesting combo.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I don’t really eat anything that other people consider “gross.” That said, though, a lot of my family thinks that my eating behaviors are eccentric (eating breakfast every day! protein shakes! no white pasta! gasp!).
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Awesome breakfast! I love sneaking veggies into meals.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:02 am
That bowl of oats looks great!! A lot of people look at me strangely when I mix up my own salad dressings out to eat… vinegar and spicy mustard with a little salt and pepper! But it’s less calories than those creamy dressings and I think it tastes good!!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:06 am
yum! that looks like green eggs and ham (minus the ham and add the oatmeal)
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:12 am
All my green things (smoothies, oats) and anything hemp really freaks people out.
HelpMeghanRun.com
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:17 am
One of my favorite foods is grilled octopus, which some people find really gross.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I love drinking milk with pizza, chinese food, steak, basically any meal, and my hubby thinks that is nasty.
I have to say, though, I don’t think I can ever sign on to the spinach oats. I’m fine with blending them into a smoothie, but seeing the chunks of spinach in hot oats makes me kinda want to retch!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:27 am
A lot of people think I’m gross for doing the green smoothies, greek yogurt, hummus, falafel, you name it. My husband pretty much gags every time I go into the kitchen to cook something for myself, ha ha.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I really love sourkraut. Most people think it is disgusting and stinks. I like it on rueben sandwiches. Yum….
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Wow, that is taking the green smoothie to a whole new level!!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
amazing!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
those oats actually look really appetizing!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I really need to try your oats one day! I made a green monster and my boyfriend thought I was insane! He also thinks I’m gross when I try to make him eat tofu!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
That is the ugliest bowl of oats I have ever seen. How could you put that in your mouth?
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
@anon: It was easy!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
i really want to jump on this “green” bandwagon. Green smoothies, green oats (probably can thank heather at heatereatsalmond butter for that haha).
question for you Tina– I’m trying to quit my slpenda addiciton! I know you use stevia for your coffee. Does it taste different than sugar??
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
It’s not the spinach that troubles me, it’s the banana! I really detest the taste of banana mixed into recipes (but i do like banana bread and raw bananas…i’m weird i guess). I feel like the flavor is too overwhelming and masks other flavors.
I would say that most of the food us foodies/bloggers eat is considered weird by 90% of Americans. sad.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
people are always very curious about what my husband and i eat… nothing too weird, but even medjool dates seem odd to some of our friends!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
@Mel (www.sherunsbrooklyn.wordpress.com): In my opinion, stevia is nasty. Have you tried agave nectar as a sweetener?
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
great idea! people think the green smoothies are gross, but there’s another girl in my office that drinks them, too, so that makes it a bit better.
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
to be honest I kind if agree with the anonymous poster! I am such a visual eater I don’t think I’d be able to do it even if I couldn’t taste the spinach. We should design a bowl with a cover and only a little slot for the spoon so you can’t see how green it is hahahaha! I WILL try it though, I believe you that you can’t taste it!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
P.S. THE FARMER’S MARKET LOOKED AWESOME!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Tina today is international sushi day! Eat up! YUMO!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
interesting.. i haven’t. i wonder if i can find some at whole foods. i imagine it has similar nutritional stats to honey?
Thanks for your response!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Tina,
Quick question: how did you get used to using agave in your coffee? Is it very different from sugar? I recently gave up diet coke as my caffeine choice and want to add coffee in, but don’t want to use my usual sugar. How did you do it? Thanks!
Oh yeah, and I’m proud of you for mixing spinach into your oats….it looks good (though spinach is admittedly not my favorite green veggie). Take care!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
@Brooke: It didn’t really take getting used to– it’s sweet and natural tasting. You should try it!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
My boyfriend thinks it’s disgusting when I put cottage cheese on my sandwiches. I say he would never really know unless he tried it. (That’s not happening anytime soon).
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I think that might be too much for me in the morning:) Glad you tried it and liked it though! My dad thinks hummus tastes like dirt, but I love it!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I’m definitely going to have to try it — good idea using a super ripe banana to negate any of the spinachy flavor!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I think I would totally blend up the oats to make them a uniform green, only because I think it would be so pretty that way. I do have some frozen spinach I should look at using up before I move, so I’m just have to try it out.
As for “gross” foods, the first thing that came to mind was calamari. My sister thinks it is the most repulsive thing, with the tentacles and all, so I make sure to taunt her with it when I have it
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I eat greens in my oats too – except I make ‘em savory instead, with some parm cheese sprinkled in.
A lot of Chinese food I grew up with is considered “gross.” But to me, it’s homecooking!!!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I don’t know if this is gross, but lots of people find it a little odd. I love to break crunchy granola bars (like Nature Valley) into hot chocolate. Let it soak a little, and it makes a divine treat!
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I like baking a protein cake with whey and water and then mashing up my sweet potatoes in it
on Jun 21st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I top my egg whites and veggie spaghetti with cottage cheese…it may not look pretty but its really good!