One of my many, many issues is that I’m fixated on
betterment. This extends far beyond my own personal habits and diet.
Truthfully, there are no limits. You think a certain hotel is amazing? I will have
some ideas to make it better. You liked a book? I’ll explain how it could be
tweaked and improved. My boys may ask me to check a math problem. Perhaps they
got the correct answer but their handwriting? You get the picture. If I didn’t
balance this exhausting tendency out with also being an avid complimenter
nobody would want to come near me.
Sometimes I gather improvement ideas from others. Last
month, I interviewed the inspiring Tricia Williams (perhaps you’ll recall her
healthy donuts). She mentioned she enjoys “savory oatmeal with spinach, onions
and shitakes”. Oatmeal is typically
sugar laden with maple or brown sugar, fruit, dried fruit or all of the
above…but it doesn’t have to be. Your first meal of the really sets the tone
for cravings and I encourage clients to curtail the sweetness. This means plain
yogurt instead of flavored, smoothies with 1 fruit versus 3 but savory oatmeal?
Genius.
Unlike Tricia, I’m a little too lazy and time-strapped (in
her defense she saves this breakfast for the weekend) to sauté onions in the AM
so I tried my hand at easy savory oatmeal options. First I paired 1 serving of
oats with truffle salt, grated carrots (slightly sweet but not with the
ingredients it was hanging with) and Kerrygold butter (photo above). I was sold
Then I bought this “cooking matcha” at Palais de Thes.
Joanna, of office “snack queen” asked, “how is that different than regular
matcha?” My reply “I have no idea but the tea lady sold me on it.” So into the
oats went matcha, coconut oil and Himalayan salt. I tasted it and it needed more flavor- so I
minced some fresh ginger “sprinkles” and it was really good.
In our upcoming “Carb Riff” newsletter we’ll tell you about
another exciting oatmeal to try but until then…savory oats it is. I’ll be
tweaking my combos to make sure they get better and better.
Do you have “better”
issues too? With all things or just certain things? Are you an oatmeal eater?
Have you tried savory oats?
I am not the hugest oatmeal person so when I do eat it I like it really simple with some maple syrup. Haven't gone the savory route but why not?
ReplyDeleteAnd the math problem / handwriting thing? I thought it was just me!
This looks amazing! I don't like sweet breakfasts usually so this is perfect for me. Any oat brands you recommend?
ReplyDeleteI love savory oatmeal! My favorite way to do it is to add baby spinach, scallions, and an egg on top. Sometimes I'll stir in some nutritional yeast and at a drizzle of tahini on top. Love it.
ReplyDeleteHaha wow, my spelling/grammar must be taking a holiday even though I had to work today. You have no idea how many times I re-typed that comment and I still managed to write "at" instead of "add!"
ReplyDeletelove the egg on top- we saw a "sexy oatmeal" recipe that did that, just saying. Tahini- good one.
ReplyDeleteAt Foodtrainers we say grammar takes a back seat to nutrition. I didn't notice, I was to busy contemplating tahini.
ReplyDeleteAny g-free oats work. And you have to hear the "brand" we're excited about (but I can't tell you yet).
ReplyDeleteOh Ameena, it's not just you. And "why not" doesn't sound so enthusiastic- no oaty enthusiasm?
ReplyDeleteI've never tried savory oats, but you have me sold to try them! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the baked oatmeal idea, I make "baked" on weekends and it usually gets gobbled up the gang. Never enough veggies, right Jen?
ReplyDeleteLet me know Andrea, I think you'll probably put your own delicious spin on them.
ReplyDelete