Tag Archives: Oats

Lazy Girl’s Slow Cooker Berry Banana Oatmeal

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I wouldn’t really call myself “lazy” as a general rule of thumb. But you better believe, if I can find a shortcut way to do something and still have it come out halfway decent, then I’m definitely “lazy”!

I usually make a big pot of slow cooker oatmeal ever week and my husband and I eat off of it for our breakfasts. I usually have to add all the “fixin’s” to it in the morning. So, why not make it one time with the fixin’s already added? Ah hah! I spy “lazy girl”!  Here’s my solution – a all natural, no sugar, vegan breakfast that is filling and a healthy way to start your day!

Berry Banana Slow Cooker Oats

Slow Cooker Berry Banana Oatmeal

Serves 4.

  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 3 cups water
  • 3-5 dates (depending on how sweet you prefer your oatmeal. I used 3, but I don’t like my oats overly sweet)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen berries
  • 1 ripe banana, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal (optional)
  • 1 tea cinnamon
  • Dash of salt
  1. Put half the water and all the dates in a blender or food processor. Puree the dates until they are fully integrated into the water.
  2. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook 3-5 hours until the oats are completely done and it’s all warm and bubbly.
  3. Serve immediately or put it in the fridge and scoop a bit out every day to reheat for breakfast.
  4. If you’d like, top with additional fresh berries and slivered almonds.

Vegetarian Lentil Loaf and Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

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Lentil Loaf

When I’m in need of some real ‘comfort’ food – something with sustenance and will make me feel full and satisfied, I almost always turn to this easy, ‘meaty’ recipe for vegetarian lentil loaf (‘meatloaf’) with mashed cauliflower  “potatoes”. With its high protein and fiber, combined with low calorie content and tons of flavor, what’s not to like? Even my meat eating husband will make a meal out of this lovely little loaf (thanks, mom, for showing me the recipe!). Serve it up with some steamed green beans and you have the perfect all-American dinner. Plus, it makes great leftovers (a sandwich, maybe?). I even think it might taste better after sitting overnight after the flavors have really mixed. Try it out and enjoy!

Vegetarian Lentil (“Meat”) Loaf

Serves 8

  • 2 cups water
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 cup lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup oats
  • 3/4 cup lowfat cheese (2% cheddar or mixed), shredded
  • 2 egg whites (or 1 egg), lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce (I usually use Trader Joe’s “traditional” marinara sauce)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp barbecue sauce (I use Trader Joe’s)
  • 2 Tbsp ketchup
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Bring water and a dash of salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add lentils and simmer, covered, 25-30 minutes, until lentils are soft and most of the water is evaporated. Drain and lightly mash lentils
  3. Stir in onions, oats and cheese. Add egg, marinara sauce, garlic powder, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Spread mixture into a non-stick or greased loaf pan. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Mix barbecue sauce and catchup together and spread over the top of the loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes until edges look dry, firm and golden brown.
  5. Cool for about 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of the pan, slice and serve.

Nutrition: 190 cal, 5g fat, 27g carb, 9g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 11.5g protein

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (“Potatoes”)

Serves 8

  • 2 heads cauliflower florets (approx 4 cups)
  • 3 Tbsp fat free sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp fat free milk (plus more as needed)
  • 2 Tbsp fat free cream cheese
  • 1 Tbsp light butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  1. Place cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle water over the top and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave 5-7 minutes, until very soft.
  2. Drain and use a paper towel to press out access moisture, taking care as the cauliflower will be very hot.
  3. Place cauliflower in a food processor with garlic. Process until lightly pureed. Add sour cream, milk, cream cheese and butter. Continue to process adding additional milk as needed until they reach a desirable consistency.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition: 35 cal, 1g fat, 5g carb, 1.5g fiber, 2g sugars, 2.5g protein

The Wonderous Oat Bran – 2 ways

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Holy Addiction!

I was introduced to Oat Bran by my friend and fellow food blogger, Faith of I Pray to Gouda. Without making myself like a mad woman, I’ll say it simply – I’m addicted. This stuff is so good and you can do all kinds of things with it making it taste all kinds of goodness. Ahhh… So so yummy. You really do need to try it. (See? Now I’m a oat bran ‘pusher’!) Plus, it’s so easy, you have no excuses.

I can whip up a quick oat bran breakfast for myself in about 3 mins, so it’s a great on the go meal. It also works well to bring to work with me because I can throw the oat bran, sweetener and cinnamon in a tupperwear container and just add the water and microwave it there. Easy, peasy!

And in honor of Valentine’s Day, here are a pair of  MY favorite ways to make oat bran. (FYI – I used two mini bowls and half the recipe for each for presentation purposes, but you’ll want to use bigger bowls)

Step 1: Assemble Ingredients.

  • 1/4 cup Oat Bran (I use Toasted Oat Bran from Trader Joe’s)
  • 3/4 cup Water
  • Dash of salt
  • Sweetener of your choosing, to taste (Agave Nectar, Sugar, Stevia, Splenda, etc)

Strawberries n Cream:

  • Freeze dried , unsweetened strawberries (Trader Joe’s them and I’m ashamed to admit I have found yet another addiction. These little guys are awesome morsels of crunchy “yum”. They also have freeze dried mango, blueberries and banana chips – all unsweetened. You MUST try them!)
  • 1/8 c (2 Tbsp) Nonfat, plain greek yogurt (I use 0% Fage that I buy in bulk at Costco)

Banana Cinnamon:

  • Cinnamon (I like a lot. I usually use 1 t. or more)
  • 1/2 of a ripe banana, sliced and warmed in the microwaved for about 30 seconds to make it warm, gooshy and caramelized

Step 2: Cook Oat Bran.

In a microwave safe bowl with some extra room for boiling up (so it doesn’t run over), stir together the oat bran, water, salt and sweetener. Microwave for 1 minute. Take out and stir.

For Strawberries n Cream: Add your strawberries at this time and stir.

Microwave for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute until it just begins to boil. Watching CAREFULLY (aka – do not take your eyes off the bowl. The moment you do, it WILL boil over and create a mess. You don’t want that to happen. And don’t say I didn’t warn you… ha!). Stir again and continue microwaving for 15 seconds at a time until your preferred consistency is reached.

Step 3: Add the Fixin’s.

For Strawberries n Cream: Add greek yogurt and mix together well. Top with a few more strawberries if you feel fancy.

For Banana Cinnamon: Add cinnamon and mix together well. Top with warmed bananas.

Step 4: Eat.

‘Nuff said.