The Best Breakfast EVER!

I made the most AMAZING bowl of oats today! As I said last night, breakfast was based on my #1 favorite dessert...TIRAMISU!! My Mom makes this wicked cake only once a year, at Christmas time. Sometimes we get lucky and she’ll do one at Easter, too. Of course, hers is the real deal with marscapone cheese, real whip cream, amaretto liquor and espresso soaked lady finger cookies. Here’s my oat version:

Tiramisu Oats

-1/2 cup each Quaker oats, unsweetened vanilla almond breeze & water
-1 tsp each cocoa powder & instant coffee
-dash of almond extract
-1 Weight Watchers cream cheese cup (2 Tbsp, I think!)
-tsp of agave
-1 amaretto cookie crumbled (for the top)

*bring milk, water, cocoa, coffee & almond extract to a boil
*add oats and let cook a few minutes over low heat
*once oats begin to thicken, stir in agave & cream cheese. Mix well
*pour into bowl and crumble amaretto cookie on top
*Enjoy!



I have to toot my own horn here because this was really, really good and it kept me full for a very long time! Mission accomplished!

Snacky time last night included an Activia yogurt, apple & raisin flavor, and a mitt full of chocolate, peanut butter & cinnamon chips.



The morning flew right on by which is nice. We had some really crappy weather our way, too. Rain, sleet, and some snow. By the way, I consider the word “snow” to be a swear word. The only time I like it is when I’m toasty warm inside watching it from the window. At least the forecast for Friday is looking good. All the little ghosts and goblins should have an OK trick or treating night.

I’m still not feeling 100%, but I had a really good run today. I ramped up the speed and hammered out a little over 3 miles before my half hour was up.

I brought chicken, brown rice & broccoli today for lunch, but decided while on the treadmill that I felt like soup so I brought a cup of broth back to work with me and heated it all up together.



Doesn’t look to appealing, but it did taste good and was just what I needed on this chilly day.

**NEWSFLASH** I’ve gotten a lot of requests in my comments for my co-workers cookie recipe. I talked to her about it this morning and she’s willing to do a “guest post” featuring the recipe. You can expect to see that in the near future. YIPEE!

Tuesday = swim night = quick dinner because the kids are in the pool at 6pm night! I thawed out the other half of this 3 bean and pork chili that I made in the crockpot a few weeks ago. We sprinkled some grated marble cheese on top and I also had a toasted English muffin with mine. Awesome satisfying dinner for a cold, wet night!



I tried an Honest foods bar for my sweet end tonight. I decided to split it with DD because she was all over them yesterday, too. She picked the chocolate peanut butter one.



I really liked it! The flavor was a little different than what I expected....in a good way! It was a nice dense, thick bar with lots of heft and chew to it. I didn't really taste too much peanut butter, but chocolate is my thing anyways I could sure taste that! There was also a subtle hint of fruit in the back of my throat with each bite. What a terrific way to end a meal!

Time for me to go!

Bye for now!

Treats in the Mail!

I woke up to the sound of pouring rain this morning. I find the sound of rain drops to be extremely soothing. Maybe too soothing because I almost fell back asleep! Thank goodness I was hungry because that was a real motivating factor in stumbling to the shower! The bowl of oats I made today was really yummy, but didn’t hold me over very long...only a couple of hours. Weird, but more on that in a wee bit.



-1 cup water
-1/2 cup Flax Seed Porridge
-½ mashed banana
-1/3 cup fresh raspberries
-cinnamon
-cinnamon sprinkles



I’ve gotten a few very nice compliments on my bowls, plates, etc lately and just wanted to say “THANKS!” I’m always on the lookout for new, unique pieces. My daughter loves to help me look, too! I’m going to have a very eclectic dinnerware collection to pass on someday!

So, by 10:30am I was getting an impatient belly. I tried talking myself out of being hungry, but finally gave in and ate the last Autumn Harvest muffin. We’re changing our hours around at work a bit which is a good thing. It will require me to schedule a little differently, but the end result is in our favor. This is what we’re doing; we usually work 8:30-4:30 with an hour lunch. Because we work in payroll for a school board, the employees asked that there be someone in the department over the lunch hour to answer phones. The 4 of us rotate one week at a time now for computer back up purposes at the end of the day. In keeping with this schedule, whoever is responsible for back up will work that week 8:30-4:30 with lunch at 12:30-1:30. The other 3 will work 8-4 with 2 taking lunch from 12-1 and one taking lunch from 11:30-12:30. Voila...phones are covered and 3 weeks out of 4, we start and leave earlier! This is my back up week, so lunch was later. About 45 mins before my run, I ate a small wedge of my pizza. I hate going on the treadmill hungry!



Despite the fact that my head still feels like a football, I had a good run. I ran a little slower than normal, but managed 3 miles in just a wee bit over 30mins. I was just relieved to have the energy to get back on after 4 days!

Lunch was a mish mash of leftovers. That’s what happens when you’re too lazy the night before to get a real lunch together! Ah, well…it was good none the less!



Here we have roasted butternut squash, turkey, parsnips and the last of the pizza. Filled my belly up just right. I had also packed a honey crisp apple but didn't end up eating it.



It's gonna hang out on my desk until tomorrow!

Once again, Monday = dance night. I switched my hat from payroll clerk to taxi driver and proceeded to pick up the kiddies at my parents and take DD to dance lessons. While I was doing this, my hubby BBQ’d some chicken breasts for supper. I ate mine with some steamed asparagus and roasted red peppers.



My co-worker made some more of her yumilicious cookies over the weekend and was kind enough to share (again)! She slimmed them up a bit by subbing egg whites for the eggs, nixing some of the all purpose flour for whole wheat and using half brown sugar half sucanat (I don’t know how to spell that!). Check this lovely out!



I ate this delight as my sweet end! Thanks, D! Before I picked DD up, I headed on over to our Italian specialty store for the star ingredients of tomorrow's all new breakfast recipe!. I've been dying to make it for a few days now, but have just today had time to pick up these babies!



Amaretto Biscotti!! Now, I realize that I may not look it, but I am 100% Italian. My parents originate from northern Italy. These are the types of cookies that were staples in my house as a kid and I love them to this day. They are the all star in my absolute favorite dessert which, by the way, my Mom is the Queen of making. That's the only hint I'm dishing out! You'll have to tune in tomorrow to see my creation! You won't be disappointed...

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their suggestions on my request for allergy free baking for the kid’s classes. I have some great leads to check out. I’ll be sure to post what I make...you’ll see that either Wednesday or Thursday!

Last but certainly not least, I was totally JAZZED to find these in my mailbox when I arrived home!!!!!!



The thoughtful, ever so awesome Beadie(Christie) over at whatiateyesterday sent these to me! I am SO thrilled to have the opportunity to try these because I can't find these in Canada...anywhere. And trust me when I say I have searched! I'm going to play ennie minnie miny moe tomorrow and see which one I get to eat as my sweet end! THANK YOU, BEADIE!!


Time for me to go get things in order for the morning. They're calling for snow...YIKES! I'm so excited bout my breakfast that I hope I can sleep! I know, I'm a total nerd! :)

Bye for now!