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We love a great bowl of steamy oatmeal over here. There are countless ways you can add flavor and more texture to a bowl of oats. In this recipe I include lots of lean protein, healthy fats and flavor to get you going and to keep you going until your next meal. Apples and oats are a match made in heaven and I enjoy them whenever possible.
Last year I had the opportunity to attend a photography workshop presented by Helene Dujardin. She is full of wit, honesty and personality. Helene is the stylist and photographer behind the virtual pages of the breathtaking blog Tartelette . Her tagline is “…on the sweet side of life…” and that it is. Most of you know her lively blog. If you have not seen it, I highly suggest you take a peek now. This is the recipe I shot at the workshop.
How does this bowl of Oats define me?
Thank you to Sonia of Burp n’ Slurp for posing this questionto her readers. (In her post my Skinny Chocolate Drop Cookies are featured.)
This high energy Skillet Egg Oatmeal is happy food. It is simple in theory, but a bit more complex in the details.
- It tastes awesome. (visualize rice pudding meets custard)
- It uses whole foods.
- It offers loads of slow burn and immediate energy.
- It has a great ratio of lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats.
- It has lots of volume & lean protein from the eggs so I don’t feel cheated. Bigger is better.
- It uses easy to find ingredients that most of us all ready have on hand.
- It is inexpensive.
- My kids love it.
- It is versatile. Don’t over think it.
What is your favorite way to prepare oatmeal?
Ideas
- Your High Energy Oatmeal can be eaten for breakfast or a mini meal. If eaten for a mini meal you might want to go with half of this serving size.
- Always remember balance at each meal. If you use a full egg, perhaps cut back on the other fats (nuts, nut butters etc…) If you are using egg whites, add a little more fat somewhere else (a bit more seeds, nuts, butter, etc.) Don’t avoid the fat and protein, you won’t stay satisfied for long with just oats and fruit.
- Oats are high fiber, whole grain and full of nutrients. Oats have so many health benefits.
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Fruit and Egg Skillet Oatmeal
Ingredients
- Oats: 1 cup pre cooked Steel Cut, Old Fashioned or Coach’s Oats
- 1 Egg or 1/4 cup Egg Whites
- 1/4 cup fat free or low fat Ricotta Cheese
- pinch of Salt
- Spices: Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cloves, etc
- Sweeten to taste: Vanilla Stevia drops, English Toffee Stevia drops, pure Maple Syrup, Honey, Sucanat (un-refined cane sugar)
- Fruit: 1/2 cup diced apple, pear, peach, berries, 1/2 banana, applesauce (without added sugar), 1/4 cup dried fruit, etc
- Healthy Fat: 1-2 tablespoons nut butter, chopped nuts, cream cheese, sour cream (sounds weird, but tastes great,) sunflower seeds, unrefined coconut butter, unsweetened coconut flake, butter, cacoa nibs, etc.
Optional
- stir in some unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate version
- steep a few tea bags in your Big Batch of oats
- top with a splash of coconut milk or cream
Method
- Lightly spray and heat a non stick skillet on medium heat. Combine oatmeal, eggs, ricotta cheese and salt in a bowl. Add mixture to skillet. Heat for a few minutes stirring with a spatula frequently. The egg should be cooked through and the mixture should be hot and fluffy. Gently stir in your fruit, fats, cheese and nuts at the end to warm them up.
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For the Kids
This is a great breakfast to fuel your kids up for school. This oatmeal is quick and they will love the flavor. It will provide their bodies with great amounts of low glycemic energy to stay focused in class and active in sports. No one should start the day with an empty belly. Moods get nasty and focus goes in the gutter when we are too hungry to concentrate. Break the fast of a long night of sleep. Eating breakfast starts the day right. Besides it tastes so yummy and helps to kick start that metabolism.
Oatmeal Recipe Links
- Apple Pie Oatmeal Oh She Glows
- Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Flaxseed MarlaMeridith.com
- Banana Split Vegan Overnight Oats Oh She Glows
- Carrot Cake Oatmeal Tastespotting
- Creme Brulée Oatmeal Steamy Kitchen
- Oatmeal Bowls: 7 Ways MarlaMeridith.com
Let me start by saying this: from the first post I read on your blog – you inspired me. YES – your posts are fun, yet highly informative & educational, and your layouts are simply beautiful. I had NO idea you didn’t have eons of experience behind the lens! You definitely fooled me there. In addition, you inspire me to continue a healthy lifestyle, and search for ways to make it even better. I love healthy eating, finding new health food, new healthy recipes, and learning more about them. And I love how your posts incorporate ALL of this. There is no one missing element. You are fun, innovative, and – I’ll say it yet again – inspirational! No question – and don’t forget that!
This recipe looks amazing – and reminded me that I’ve YET to use my coach’s oats you sent!! For some reason, I put them away in my recipe binder pocket, and just found them this morning as I was going through recipes. I’m a terrible foodie blogger! For shame. I can’t wait to try them, too!
Luckily – I’ve never really been an emotional eater. When I’m upset, I just get kind of quiet and busy myself with photos, playing with the animals, reading, blankly watching tv, go for a walk, that sort of thing…If it’s a nice day out, a walk is bound to make me feel better 🙂
I hope you’re feeling better – stress free Sunday, okay?
Jessica:
“I had NO idea you didn’t have eons of experience behind the lens!” Wow, now that made me feel great! You are so sweet. I love that you are gentle to yourself and take care of yourself with kindness when you are in a funk. We could all learn from you when it comes to that!
LilSis:
You guys are always so uplifting, I love visiting your blog and reading all the fun topics you share about. Thanks for the kind words.
Brittney:
I agree, changing your perspective is a great way to “get over it!” Diversion is a wonderful technique. I love Cheryl’s blog 5 Second Rule, she is a great inspiration.
Heather:
It’s amazing what our kids will eat when they are simply presented with it. No persuasion needed with this oatmeal!
Sophia:
You are a doll. Your wisdom and humor are always uplifting!
You definitely make me laugh and inspire me to eat good foods! Like that skillet oatmeal, that sounds great. I just got an SLR this past Christmas and I’m loving experimenting with all the different shutter speeds and lighting options…and yes, so much to learn! That picture taken above looks beautiful, I would’ve loved to attend that workshop!
I love this idea. I have oatmeal almost every morning, but I’m going to try this variation this morning. I have some ricotta cheese left over from another recipe and I had no idea what to do with it.
I haven’t been reading your blog for too long, but everything that I’ve seen so far, I really enjoy. Your writing style and the beautiful photos and graphics are always exceptional. My sister and I really try to focus on being positive and sharing healthy eating and fitness tips on our blog so I’ve really enjoyed everything that I’ve read here.
I also get very frustrated when I don’t understand the technical stuff, and cameras definitely fall into that category. I would not have imagined that you had any issues when it comes to photography. Your photos are always beautiful.
When I get in a funk, I don’t want to eat. I’ll head out the door for either a long walk or a bike ride. I always feel better when I get back.
I hope you’ve bounced back from whatever got ya in the funk!
I already love oats Marla, but this recipe really kicks it up a couple of notches!
I have enjoy my oats in many ways but never from a skillet! Actually I guess that’s a lie since I like oats in pancakes, but still, this is different.
I think I’ve been dealing a lot better with feelings of sadness and frustration lately. It used to be really, really bad. But now I really try to focus on finding one little thing in my day I can be proud of or just letting something make me happy. Yesterday started off full of crankiness and frustration, but by the end of the night it had certainly turned a bit, because I allowed it to!
I’m visiting your blog for the first time (found it from 5secondrule). Your tips and oatmeal suggestions are very interesting. I love oatmeal, so I’ll have to try out some of those variations. 🙂 As for stress-relief, yes, I do sometimes have to release it in physical exercise, but I also find that changing my perspective helps a lot too. I also use music and talk it out with family and close friends. Nice blog!
as a registered dietitian, i’m digging this idea! bravo, and even more so that your kids are eating [and loving] it!
cheers,
*heather*
Wonderful! That is a perfect combination! So healthy and delicious…
Cheers,
Rosa
I love reading your blog, Marla! I always leave with a smile on my face and inspiration for healthy creations…like this gorgeous bowl of oats (which happen to be my #1 fav breakfast! 😉 ). When I’m not feeling my best I like to clear my head, and I’ve found the best way for me to do that is fresh air! 🙂 That photography workshop sounds like so much fun, and your pics are beautiful!
Great post considering I had a major life disappointment yesterday. I’m still in the throws of self pity. A common cycle for me is to get ticked off, eat spoonfulls of peanut butter, and then wake up with renewed vigor to overcome and conquer things I failed at.
On a side note, I would love to attend some photography classes! That sounds like great fun.
i really enjoy your attitude, spirit, and blogging prowess–keep it up! your recipes and methods are wonderful, and this batch of oatmeal is no exception. good stuff, marla. good stuff. 🙂
How awesome for you to attend that workshop. I admire her photos so much and love her blog. Lucky you!
What an amazing, awesome message!! If you didn’t follow that good advice about write even when you don’t feel like it then we would all miss this insightful, real, honest and VERY inspirational post. Love the questions and answers about what drives and defines you. I am now in deep thought about what drives and defines me. One thing for me as an artist is to bring beauty to the people and world around me. Sounds like you are onto that too, with the photography workshop. Your deep artistic roots and wonderful creativity come through beautifully with each and every posting. Creativity in pictures, writing, and recipes alike. You are doing great!! Loving all that you bring to the table… pun intended. The oatmeal recipe looks really yummy too! 😉 xo, Andrea
I love your blog and can’t believe you’ve made it so great within such a short amount of time! Impressive!
The pictures look great! I love that you started out using your iphone…look how far you’ve come in just one year! I had a great time chatting with you at the workshop! Hang in there, your inspiration/energy will come! 🙂
Firstly, I agree with Jessica — your pictures are stunning! I admire your photography! Share your tips!! Some of my photos are downright embarrassing!
I already received some oats (thank you!), so I will leave others to win this giveaway : )
When I’m emotionally BLAH, I am not good to myself…I eat too much and obviously for all the wrong reasons. And I don’t choose wise choices, either. I do, however, tend to workout lots more!!! : )
I am totally in awe of your beautiful blog, your gorgeous photos, and your inspiring words! At the end of a long day, your positive outlook lifted my spirits – thank you!
I’m also incredibly excited about fixing your oatmeal recipe for breakfast tomorrow morning! 🙂
Look at those GORGEOUS pictures! And of oatmeal no less! 🙂
Your comments my friends are so uplifting. I enjoy your friendship and I can’t wait to meet many you in person at upcoming blogger conventions, seminars, workshops etc! Your positive attitudes and gratitude is so inspirational! xo
Hey, I just stumbled upon your site and I love it! My New Years resolution is to eat healthier. Not cut out sugar or fat or carbs or whatever, just simply eating healthier.
From browsing online, I have seen so many healthy food blogs that look awful! The food looks like rabbit feed and tastes like cardboard. I love your recipes! They look wonderful and tasty. And I love how you leave them open to adjust to each person’s tastes. Before, I was almost dreading each healthy change I made thinking I was giving up taste in favor of good sense eating, now I know I’m not! Thank you so much!
Hey you inspiring girl, don’t feel down..you always inspire me to eat healthier and I’m half/half- half good/half naughty…and your photos wow I love them..I really need to get to know my camera also. I love your blog always colorful and always great recipes!!
Hi Marla 🙂 I’ve given you an award because your blog and recipes help keep my hips in check and inspire me when I feel like going on a mindless binge. Here’s the link – hope you take a look and accept!
http://quickiesonthedinnertable.yolasite.com/recipes/my-first-award-yay-
Marla, I wasn’t bulling about what I said at my Challenge Round-up! You ARE fun, educational, inspiring, enjoyable, and hell YES you make healthy food look and taste AMAZING! And the best part? You are so balanced. You don’t rule out any major food groups. I get annoyed when I see “healthy living” blogs and they are piling on the protein and fearing carbs, or going low-fat everything. instead, you use REAL, wholesome ingredients…and you include all food groups, everything that a human body needs. You exude the feeling that you are not ruling out anything…you are INDULGING us with nutritious, delicious food.
No diet here…just pure, blissful, healthy indulgence!
Oats are definitely the way to start a day off right! This bowl looks fantastic.
I’m like you, I feel so out of sorts whenever I eat “bad” foods…just puts me off course for the rest of the day. Better to eat good and healthy things like this!
Marla your pictures always look amazing!
I’m totally hooked into egg white oats, they keep me full and energized.
LOVE you, love your blog, love these oats!! It’s amazing that a year ago you hadn’t seen a blog — now you have one of the most vibrant and interesting ones out there. I love your recipes and ideas, your insights, your encouragement. And I think the pics are good too!
I’m not an emotional eater, really. Not to say I don’t love my treats and cheats, I do! But that’s just not the cure for me when I’m feeling blue. For me it’s a long run outside, or a movie, or a good book — just some time alone to sort it all out.
I thought I knew every which way to cook my beloved oats — but I’ve never tried anything like these skillet oats! They sound so delicious, I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks, as always, for the inspiration!
Marla says:
That’s the way to do it girl! Positive stuff when you are feeling blue is so much more uplifting than overstuffing the body with too many calories!! I think you will love these oats with all the training you have been doing.
i actually just started eating oatmeal so your post comes at a great time. your pics are really beautiful:)
so yummy.thanks for sharing.