Simple Truths..

FINALLY!

It is November.

My birthday month.

The best month of the year. ;)

This month.. I will remember to not get overwhelmed & always be sure to make ME a priority.

My non-negotiables this month..

1.] I will.. consume no foods that have any ties to factory farms.  (Aka- dairy, meat, eggs, & the likes..)

2.] I will.. guzzle down that H20! Did you know that your brain is made up of 90% water!? Proper hydration is key for feeling energized, upbeat, thinking clearly and for keeping you skin/cells vibrant and healthy!

3.] I will.. eat a salad a day! Nom nom.. Spinach. Kale. Chard. VITAMINS. MINERALS. ANTIOXIDANTS. PHYTONUTRIENTS. Love me some leafy greens!

4.] I will.. breathe in & accept every situation that saunters my way. I am not a victim in my own life. Every trial & every triumph happens for me, not to me. Breathe in the positive, exhale the negative.

5.] I will.. weave in 15 minutes of yoga a day, minimum! There are a plethora of benefits of yoga beyond gaining strength and flexibility. (Though for me, flexibility is one of my top priorities! My flexibility is reminiscent of that of a long wooden plank.. Lacking, at best..)

6.] I will.. do an inversion a day! Inversion.. say what? Headstand, handstands, shoulder stands, etc. Whichever you choose.. inversions reverse the flow within your body, sending a flow of nutrients and oxygen up to your face & scalp, refreshed blood to your pituitary and hypothalamus glands, increased circulation & digestion.. should I keep going?

7.] I will.. radiate love! Make eye contact. Smile at people I cross paths with. It is so easy to just be kind, yet most people get too caught up in the things they need to get done to remember how impactful these simple actions can be. Everyone likes to be seen & acknowledged. The least you could do is say a quick hello or shoot a stranger a smile.

8.] I will.. be my own hero. Be true. Be real. Be me. I will not hold back from being myself and expressing my values in fear of what others might think of me. I will let the things that drive me & are important to me fuel my inspiration.

9.] I will.. just breathe. (this one is my fav!) Take time for me. Take time to release all inhibitions & just breathe. Ahh... Remaining conscious of my breath keeps me grounded & present, while also acting as an important reminder to be grateful for just being alive.


10.] I will.. remember that when the world fails me, as it often does, I can ask for divine help. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking & prayer. Never lose faith.

11.] I will.. speak the truth. Speak the truth. Speak the truth!

Raw Caramel Apples

 It has been an eventful past week.

That is for sure.

Some good.

Some bad.

So I thought it was definitely necessary to get in some baking.

Or well.. In this case, not baking.
But essentially with the same result.

Dessert.

Oh so perfect, sweet & tart dessert.

Enter, your new favorite sweet treat.

Caramel Apples.

Raw Caramel Apples.

Keeping it classy with the impromptu "sticks" for our apples..

Raw-licious Caramel Apples
4 Apples

Date Caramel Sauce

• 10 dates, depitted
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 2 heaping tsp peanut butter
• 2 tsp agave nectar

Chocolate Sauce
Note: this is a different sauce recipe than what I used! Mine was pretty thin.. So this one should be better!

• 2-3 tbsp agave nectar (or pure maple syrup)
• 2-3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2-3 tbsp peanut butter
• 3 tbsp coconut oil

Additional ingredients..

• 4 apples + 4 sticks or.. in my case, forks. Lol.
• Any toppings your pretty little heart desires! Amongst my selection, I used..
• Coconut
• Sprinkles
• Chopped almonds and pistachios
• Pretzels

Using a sharp pointed knife, cut out the stem & the blossom end of the apple. Stick each apple on a lollipop stick or a fork. Blend together the Date Caramel ingredients in a high speed blender. Stirring periodically to make sure the dates blend smoothly. (This might take a few minutes!) So be patient. The result is 100% worth it!

Spoon lickin' good.

Now get to spreading! Cover each apple sufficiently with your "caramel sauce" & cover with whatever toppings you want.

Let's just say..

We had a little bit of fun with our topping.

The adventurous one.

 The pretty one.

The quirky one.

The salty one.

Now, because a caramel and topping covered apple is just not enough.. It is time to make the chocolate drizzle.

Again, more spoon lickin' goodness!

Mix together the coconut oil, liquid sweetener, cocoa & peanut butter until smooth. Drizzle over your apples. I placed each of the apples in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up the caramel a bit, but you can dig in right away if you want.

These are the perfect healthy treat to satisfy you sweet tooth without expanding the waist band on your pants! Enjoy. :)

Spicy Chocolate Peanut Butter Tofu

This Chocolate PB Tofu is amazing. I know what you are probably thinking.. Chocolate Peanut Butter.. TOFU!? Yes friends.. & it is life changingly good. Give it a shot, you will not be disappointed.

Spicy Chocolate Peanut Butter Tofu

It is slap you in the face good

• 1 block extra-firm tofu
• 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp liquid aminos or soy sauce
• 2 tbsp organic peanut butter
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp 100% pure maple or agave syrup
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (It is quite spicy! So if you aren't a huge spice fan, tone it down a little bit. It will still turn out amazeballs. I promise.)

Before you can get to the chocolately peanuty goodness, you have to prep that tofu! Emily over at the Daily Garnish has an easy to follow "tofu tutorial" that you can go follow. Perfect golden chunks, every time.

Get your tofu browning on the stove, then it is time to get saucy. Whisk together cocoa powder, liquid aminos/soy sauce, peanut butter, syrup & cayenne in a small bowl until smooth.

Once your tofu is nice and golden brown you can add your nutty chocolate sauce mixture into the pan. Stir well to coat.

No chunk left behind.

The sauce will thicken up from the heat, then it is time to serve it up.

 I will be the first to admit.. I had my doubts.

But it is delicious.
I promise.
& Al even gave it the carnivore seal of approval.

Welp.. It is off to study some anatomy for me.

You're jealous..

I know this.

Lots of MN Love,
-Jules

Oh hey.

P.S.

I am running a 10 miler THIS SUNDAY. If you would like to receive texts to keep you up to date on my pace/how I am running during the race you can go to this link:

http://athletetracker.cloudapp.net

Just type in your cell number & search for my name to follow me!

:)

Easy Peasy Texas Caviar

Good morning my lovelies.

Summer is amazing, isn't it?

Sunshine. Fresh air. Pool time. Relaxation.

At the end of this last semester of school I was feeling completely burnt out.

Seriously, burnt out.

This is the first summer that I haven't taken summer classes so it has been such a blessing to be able to kick back, relax, & forget about school for awhile.

Easy Peasy Texas Caviar
Light & full of refreshing flavor, this salsa is perfect for any get together. It is equally as good on chips, lettuce cups, salads, wraps, etc. Plus, it's hearty body of beans, veggies, & corn will fill you up without weighing you down. What's not to love?

• 1 (16 ounce) can white Shoe Peg corn, drained
• 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained *
• 1 (16 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained *
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 3 fresh tomatoes, chopped  or 1 can chopped tomatoes, drained and rinsed
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle low-fat Italian salad dressing

*Canned items, I try to buy Eden brand because all of their cans are BPA free!
*Also, any Italian dressing would work. I noticed that almost all of the options at the grocery store had cheese in them except this one. This dressing is thicker than most Italian dressings, but it was equally delicious!

Combine the rinsed corn, beans & black-eyed peas in a large bowl. Add in chopped green pepper, onion, and tomatoes. Stir in the Italian dressing. I add it in slowly, mixing throughout so I can judge just how much to use. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, cover & preferably chill for 2 hours minimum. 

When you are finally ready to dig in, uncover, stir well again & serve with chips of choice.

I had at least 10 people ask me for this recipe at his graduation.

If that doesn't prove to you that it is good, then I don't know what will!

Texas Caviar is quick, easy, & a total crowd pleaser.

Hello?

Forth of July party recipe?

I think so.

Well, I'm off to tackle my morning workout.

Then the boyfriend & I are going to have a day date in Cedar Falls.
Love him.
Then fathers day & my niece Jaeda's birthday party tomorrow.

Whew..

Busy, Busy!

What about you guys?
Any big, wild, crazy & exciting plans for the weekend?
=)

Banana Bread

Let's talk bread..

Banana bread.

No fun story behind it, really.

Just some dang good bread.

I suppose I could mention that it is healthy & low-fat too.

Nom. Nom. Nom.

I will take a slice for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Please & thank you.

Banana Bread

• 2 large very ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup brown rice syrup
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 2 cups all-purpose four
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2-4 tbsp almond milk, depending on the thickness of your batter
• Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees on the convection bake setting. Lightly spray a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan, then set aside.

You can melt your coconut oil in the microwave if you like, but I heated mine on the stovetop in a small dish placed inside a water filled pan.

Now, time to get mashing. Add your bananas to a large bowl and mash the heck out of them. I used a potato masher, but I'm sure a fork would work just fine.

Mix in brown rice syrup, applesauce, oil, and molasses. Whisk together until just incorporated.

Mix in flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.

Continue to stir the batter until all ingredients are just combined. I usually end up adding a few tablespoons of almond milk to loosen up the batter a bit. It should still be thick, but a little almond milk will keep the resulting bread from being too dense.

Now it's time to fold in the nuts, if using. Personally, whenever given the option, I always choose the bread that has nuts over it's more plain counterpart. Plus, walnuts are naturally rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, antioxidants & heathy omega 3 fatty acids. What's not to love?

Now scoop the batter into your prepared loaf pan and pop in the oven for 45-50 minutes. Until you can poke a toothpick in it and have it come out clean. 

The top should be nicely golden brown when finished baking.

Oh & in case you were wondering, the aroma is killer.

Let the bread cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring it to a cooling rack.

Once completely cooled, you can get to slicing. My favorite way to eat it is slathered with a little Earthbalance on top. Mmm. Mmm.

Perfection.

Dirty Dozen vs. Clean Fifteen

So it has come to my attention that I am very poor with time management. Well.. I am in reference to school work that is. I always seem to find a way to waste away my morning & afternoon, then have to do homework all night. This often leaves me with zero time to blog.. I'm working on reprioritizing though. ;)

However, on a very positive note..
Only FIVE WEEKS LEFT until finals!
Hallelujah! Praise Jesus. ;)

Then it's summer time, working for my daddy, & then off to Minnesota for Chiropractic school..
Wow. This (school) year has flown by.
Crazy how that always happens, isn't it?

This week has been madness. Two big exams today and numerous homework assignements earlier this week has left me with no real time to blog/cook.
Sad day..

Don't worry though. This girl has got a plethura of good info to keep you entertained until I introduce you to some new & exciting recipes in the (hopefully) not too far off future.

^ Let's discuss these guys ^

Shall we?

Let's face it.. I'm sure we all wish that we could afford to buy the best quality ingredients, all of the time. But, as unfortunate as it is.. Healthy (organic) food is not always the cheapest..

I'm a college student. I understand what it is like trying to buy the healthiest foods you can on a budget. I do buy non-GMO foods always & mostly all organic, with just a few exceptions.

Organic foods have countless benefits. They're is grown free of toxic pesticides & chemical fertilizers. Not only is this good for you to not be consuming them, but think about the people growing the food. They too don't have to be exposed to the nasty chemicals & the soil that the plants are grown in remains plush & fruitful for years to come! Eating organic means you are better sustaining the Earth & it's abilities to provide for us, as well as doing your part to more healthfully treat yourself. It also doesn't hurt that organic fruits & veggies contain more nutriets than their toxic relatives do, so if possible you should always go for organic. 

But.. Did you know that there are certain fruits & veggies that you don't necessarily need to buy organic?  It gets costly, I know. So below is a list of the fruit & veg items that you should always, always buy in the organic section & a list of the items that you don't necessarily need to always buy organic. (I do want to note that all of the non-organic items should be washed super-duper well to ensure all of the chemicals/pesticides have been washed off!)

The Dirty Dozen

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines
7. Grapes
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Lettuce/Kale/Collard Greens
11. Cherries
12. Pears

Clean 15

1. Asparagus
2. Avocado
3. Banana
4. Onion
5. Pineapple
6. Mango
7. Broccoli
8. Cabbage
9. Kiwi
10. Sweet Corn
11. Sweet Peas
12. Mushrooms
13. Watermelon
14. Tomatoes
15. Sweet potatoes

A good tip to remember when shopping, the most highly contaminated fruits and veggies are typically tree fruits, berries and leafy greens. As you can see though, celery doesn't fall into any of those three categories yet it still lands on the dirty dozen list. So you can't only assume these types of fruits/veggies are the only highly contaminated ones. Again I will say, if possible, always buy organic. Not only for the reasons I listed previously, but buying organic means you can be sure you are not eating GMO (genetically modified) foods. I could go on about GMO foods for days, but we shall save that for a later post.

Tomato Basil Cashew Cream Pasta

Ugh.. What a weekend. I have three, yes THREE, big exams this week (pray for me!!) so my weekend has consisted of studying, studying, a little cooking/baking, & more studying. Sounds thrilling, doesn't it? I won't complain though, I've got a batch of PB Chocolate Chip Cookies to keep me company. ;)

I've noticed a trend of dessert & sweet recipes on this blog, so I thought it was probably time for a savory dish recipe. What better than a healthy & filling pasta dish? If there is one thing I've learned in my short twenty-one years of life, it is that people love carbs. Everyone loves carbs. If you claim you don't.. You're lying. Ha. ;) 

Tomato Basil Cashew Cream Pasta

(adapted from: OhSheGlows)

Yields: 3 servings

• 1 large ripened tomato
• 1/2 cup raw cashews (i soaked mine in water for an hour or 2 beforehand so they would blend more smoothly, but it isn't necessary!)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup packed fresh basil, finely chopped
• 3 servings uncooked spaghetti (i used udon noodles, but any variety will work fine)
 

 

First fill a large pot with water and place on the stove to boil. Rough chop your tomato and add to a blender (include both the skin & seeds).

 Add in your cashews, water, & tomato paste. If you soaked your cashews beforehand, pat them dry before adding to the blender. Blend the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil & minced garlic on low, sautéing for a few minutes. Pour the sauce from the blender into the skillet, stir well, then bring to a simmer. Add in salt and pepper, let cook for 4-5 minutes or until hot. While the sauce is cooking, add your noodles to the boiling water and cook until al dente.

When your sauce is thoroughly heated, remove from heat & stir in the fresh chopped basil.

When the pasta is finished, strain out all water, then return the noodles to the pot. Add in desired amount of sauce and stir well to combine. I wouldn't add all of the sauce right away, as I had some left over afterwards. Now you're ready to enjoy!

This pasta is smooth, rich, and packed with flavor. The fresh basil & cracked pepper add a perfect bite to the otherwise creamy & mellow sauce. The cashews provide a creamy base, but unlike most "cream" pastas this one is actually healthy! This is by far my favorite pasta dish I've ever made. It tastes so decadent &... dare i say, expensive? Haha. No seriously, if you're wanting to feel like some amazing accomplished italian chef, this is the dish to make. ;)

Alright, I suppose it's back to studying for me.

Hope you're all having a great Sunday. =)

Mama Molstead's Great Granola

Nothing fills you up in the morning quite like a hearty bowl of wholesome granola. When it comes to cooking, baking, or anything food related.. Mama knows best. Everything I've learned about food & being healthy, I have learned from her.

Well, I technically cannot take credit for this granola because it is her recipe. But it is too good to not share with you guys! 

This granola has that perfect balance between the toasted oats, nuts, and seeds, all with subtle undertone of sweetness from the maple syrup, agave, & dried fruits. Providing the perfect pairing with almond milk, of course. ;)

This granola is both a blessing and a curse.. It is chock full of healthy ingredients, but when I've got a batch in the house I can't keep myself from sneaking handful after handful throughout the day. Let's just say, this is not a recipe that lasts long in this house!

I've found that most store bought boxes of granola are: 1.) EXPENSIVE & 2.) a lot of them contain puff cereal & other filler ingredients. No thank you! Give me the hearty & wholesome ingredients, please. 

I promise. This recipe does not disappoint.

MAMA MOLSTEAD'S GREAT GRANOLA

Subtly sweet & full of robust flavor. This granola will keep you full for hours & ready for anything your day decides to throw at you.

• 6 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup shelled hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 cup raw almonds, sliced
• 1 cup raw walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup raw pepitas
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 cup coconut, unsweetened
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup honey
• Recommended Mix In Options: Dried cranberries, raisins, blueberries, etc. Let that imagination run wild! =)

Mix together dry ingredients (excluding any mix-ins!) in a large bowl- set aside. In a saucepan, mix together the oil, syrup, agave, and apple juice- bring to a boil. Pour wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients & stir until well coated. Spread mixture onto 2 rimmed cookie sheets & bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. (can also place onto a few dehydrator sheets & dehydrate until crisp!) 

Make sure to open the oven and stir the granola every 5-10 minutes. Add in raisins, cranberries, blueberries, etc. in the last 5-10 minutes of baking. 

Pour into a container or bowl & get munchin'!

Almond Milk- The perfect partner in crime.

So, what does 100 calories really look like?

Whew.. I'm thinking it is time for a little break from the sweet recipes for awhile, don't you? While S'more Cakes In A Jar and Cinnamon Roll Waffles are a delight to the taste buds, it is always good to find that perfect balance between eating healthfully and letting yourself indulge. My philosophy is that if you are eating nutritious foods the majority of the time, you can allow yourself to eat dessert. Because seriously, how could you live without dessert?!

Most people are well aware that it is much more beneficial to snack on fruits & veggies than to snack on candy. Plant foods contain fiber and other nutients that help you to feel satisfied, full of energy, and they lend you the ability to consume more for less calories in comparison to highly processed items you'd find in the vending machine. But just how much bang can you get for your buck by consuming plant-based foods?


What does 100 calories really look like?
(all photos via: Fitsugar.com)

30 asparagus = 99 calories, per 30 spears asparagus contains 100 milligrams of calcium
(can you imagine how bad your pee would stink if you ate that many though?!...)

1+3/4 cups apples slices = 99 calories, adding 4.6 grams of fiber

1 medium banana = 105 calories, and who could forget the 422 milligrams of potassium

10 cups... 10 TIGHTLY PACKED cups of romain lettuce = 100 calories!

1+1/4 cups blueberries = 103 calories, plus 4.4 grams of fiber

18 medium stalks of celery = 101 calories, nibbling on this many would also mean consuming 1,872 milligrams of potassium & 288 milligrams of calcium.

60 Green Beans = 102 calories, plus you'd get 6 grams of protein and 11.2 grams of fiber

2 kiwis = 93 calories, & 1.7 grams of protein (i know, i'm surprised too)

1 medium pear = 98 calories, plus 5.1 grams of fiber

You'd have to munch on 70 radishes = just 101 calories! Radishes are a good source of potassium, if you ate this many you'd gain 1,468 milligrams! (that's a lot, a good lot)

10 cups of baby spinach = 101 calories! That massive quantity also packs 10 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein. Though when spinach is cooked, it shrinks drastically. Making it easier to consume more of that leafy green goodness!

2 cups of sliced strawberries = 105 calories, and more than 500 milligrams of potassium (that's more than a banana!)

3 zucchini's weigh in at just 94 calories. Zucchini is another great source of potassium- 1,541 milligrams per 100 calories

3 large juicy tomatoes = 98 calories, they also pack 6.6 grams of fiber

2+1/4 cups watermelon = 103 calories, plus 2.1 grams of protein! (again, I too am shocked)

So go ahead and give your body the things it really needs/wants! Healthy choices now make way for more benefits down the road.

Creamy Dreamy Pumpkin Pie Oats

Hi Guys!

Oh boy, what a day.. My morning started at 5:30AM today... That's just the way it goes when you're too tired to stay up and finish your school work the night before. I am 100% a morning person. I would much rather be in bed early and out of bed at the crack of dawn then stay up late like a normal college student. Seriously, I think I've successfully pulled just one all nighter, ever.

It's kind of sad, I know this.

Well.. Let's just say my physics II homework decided to Judo Chop me in the face this morning & hit me with a round house kick tonight. Ugh.. I can't escape it. We get weekly homework assignments and lab reports that are due every Wednesday by 5PM & of course, given that I am a master procrastinator, I usually wait until a day or two before they're due to start them.

(Note to self: learn to stop procrastinating... starting tomorrow)

Tomorrow I have a physics exam too. Meaning there is a long night of studying in my future. Gosh I love college.. ;)

I did take action this morning though friends. I knew there was an super packed/stressful day ahead of me, hence why I started my morning with a big 'ole bowl of this warm & creamy goodness.

Dreamy Pumpkin Pie Oats. Uber simple, uber healthy, and.. you guessed it, uber delicious. (& yes, I do realize the word uber came and went in the 80's. But what can ya do.)

You'll probably think this sounds weird but.. It seriously bothers/concerns me when people skimp out on breakfast. Actually, it bothers me if people skip meals period. Bear with me here. You're body is your source of energy; the thing that gets you to and from where you need to be daily & it helps you perform whatever tasks are asked of you. It is YOUR TEMPLE.

Now how do you expect your body to run properly if you aren't filling it with adaquate amounts of food or with the things it yearns for? The answer is simple. You can't.

Think of your car for example. If you want your car to get you from point A to point B, what do you do? You fill it with gas. & if you want your car to run the best that it can, you certainly wouldn't fill it with bad gasoline now would you? You're body works the same way. You fill it with the things that are good for it and it is no secret as to how it will respond. You'll feel less tired, your skin will clear up, you'll lose those last few pounds that you just can't seem to get rid of, etc. You will just feel GOOD.

Trust me, I've been there. I used to eat the Standard American Diet, or what I like to refer to as the SAD Diet, too. Ribs. Burgers. Highly processed empty carbs. All of it. It wasn't until my Sophomore year of high school that I decided to really focus on eating healthier and treating my body the way it deserved to be treated. I lose +15lbs, my skin was acne free, & I felt great. Light as a feather. Then just over two years ago I made the huge decision to turn vegan & there ain't no turning back!

Now my goal is not to turn all of my readers into VegHeds like myself. In a perfect world, maybe. Ha! ;) But I do want to encourage you guys to make positive changes for yourself. Your health goes way beyond just you. Think about how it affects your family both now and in the future. Do you want to indulge and live an unhealthy life now, and 10-20 years down the road be overweight and getting winded while trying to play with your kids? I sure don't!

Come on this journey with me. Make little changes to improve your life, improve your health, and hopefully grow to be a happier you. =) Are you with me!?

Okay, that is enough preaching for tonight. Now would you like a healthy & quick breakfast recipe you can whip up in under 10 minutes?

CREAMY DREAMY PUMPKIN PIE OATS

These oats are thick & full of pumpkiny flavor. They are packed with protein and carbs to keep you full and energized all morning. Plus, getting a serving of (delicious) veggies in your breakfast?! Fist bump.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (don't use pumpkin pie filling!)
• 3/4 cup water or almond milk
• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (Though I typically use 1tsp cinnamon + 1/2tsp pumpkin pie spice, it is all up to personal preference!)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch or 2 of sea salt
• 1 (heaping) Tbsp pure maple syrup (could also substitute with brown sugar)
• Add ins & toppings: raisins, chopped walnuts, coconut shreds, dark chocolate chips, etc. & I always top mine with either a drizzle of maple syrup & some more cinnamon or cinnamon brown sugar. Mmm.

Are you ready for the cooking instructions? It's very complicated..

You put everything in a pot on medium-low, stir, & enjoy. =) Make sure you stir it periodically to ensure that the oats are getting heated thoroughly & not just cooking in the bottom of the pan. You can tell they are ready to go when they start getting nice, thick & creamy.

Pour them into a bowl (don't forget your toppings!) & dig in.

Well loves, I am off to the gym for a late night run. I'm not big on going to the gym at night time.. I'm usually not nearly as awake/motivated & I find being the only girl amongst an outstanding number of  bulky men in cutoffs to be slightly creepy.. Wish me luck.