Yesterday morning called for something spectacular in the breakfast department.
I awoke around 6am after a sleepless night. I faintly remember beeping. Loud beeping. Shrill beeping. Our power went off a few times during the night and when it turned on again, all of our electronics starting having beeping fits. I tossed and turned most of the night…beep, beep, beep. It reminded me of being in a dorm room in university and having the fire alarm go off at 4am every weekend.
After stumbling downstairs, I decided the only thing that would make me feel human again was a breakfast so spectacular, I would not be able to think of anything else.
Banana Split Vegan Overnight Oats
Packed with delicious oats, chia seeds, almond milk, coconut, chocolate protein powder, banana, and strawberry jam…how could you go wrong? Rumour has it, this breakfast will keep you buzzing along for a solid 4 hours.
Ingredients:
Overnight Oats:
- 1/3 cup regular oats
- 3/4 cup Almond Milk
- 1/2 scoop Amazing Grass Chocolate Amazing Meal Protein Powder (adds 5 grams protein)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Directions: Mix above ingredients in a bowl and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning, give them a quick stir and add toppings + banana below.
This Chocolate Amazing Meal tastes so good in overnight oats…
Banana split:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp Unsweetened coconut
- 1 tbsp Strawberry jam
- Chocolate coconut syrup (mix 1 tbsp dark choc. chips with 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil and melt in micro)
Can you handle this? I can’t.
My heart skipped a beat when I prepared this and looked down at my masterpiece. Was I really about to eat something so delicious!?
Oh yes, yes I was.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Eric drooling over this as he pretended not to ‘like’ oatmeal. Pffffft. ;)
It kept me full for 4 blissful hours. Food did not cross my mind once all morning which is very unusual. I estimated the calories in this recipe to be about 450-500. The perfect amount of fuel for a morning on my feet.
Plans were made to make it again soon, real soon.
You can get creative with the toppings too…I could see yogurt or coconut milk being delicious as a topping or even some raw vegan chocolate chips. How fun would it be on a Sunday morning in lieu of pancakes?
Yesterday was a good day after all. :mrgreen:
An Exercise Confessional
I have been having a hard time getting back ON the exercise wagon since my break while healing my groin pull. I find it can be easy for me to blow off exercise once I have had some time off. It is almost like I get out of the habit and start to enjoy the extra hour in the day to get more work done! This week has also been super busy so I have been using that as an additional excuse not to get back into my routine. I keep saying ‘oh tomorrow I will get back into it’ and so far it hasn’t materialized.
Today’s question- Do you ever fall off the exercise wagon? Do you ever experience slumps or lack of motivation?
It definitely happens to me every now and then! I think it is normal to have certain weeks where it is hard to get into the game. I try not to let my slump go longer than a week (aside from an obvious injury that prohibits me to). I find once I do get back into it, it just comes easy. It is that first workout that is always the hardest isn’t it? Then after my first workout, I remember why I am in love with exercise. Sometimes it takes some fresh endorphins to remember though! :)
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{ 106 comments… read them below or add one }
Those banana split overnight oats look AMAZING. I am definitely going to have to try something similar!! Wow.
And in terms of falling off the exercise wagon, I think its easy when you get sidelined for an injury or have to take time off for some reason or another. When I’m in the groove I am very consistent, but I always have a hard time getting back on the wagon if I’ve been off it for a while.
I definitely have days/weeks where I would much rather do nothing–anything–than workout. Usually at school I am super motivated though. It helps with passing the time and I find that it’s when I’m super stressed that I want to workout.
It’ll be interesting to see how I manage to get my butt moving when I am not as stressed post graduation.
Your upcoming triathlon will get your butt in gear, no?
Oooh that breakfast is making me drool. Holy yum.
I have worked out consistently for over 10 years, so YES I have definitely fell off the wagon. The only thing that has worked for me? JUST DO IT. Just begin again, start that routine. It is a cycle. You work out -> feel great, confident, stress relief, etc. Sometimes changing things up and doing a workout without pressure, like walking outside helps me too. Oh, and taking time off! I have gone a few weeks without exercising and been ok with it, but I always come back!
LOL – I have totes been off the exercise wagon this past week also! I have a two HUGE final assignments due for my night school classes. Exercise just does not fit into my schedule of cramming to get it all done in my perfectionist style! I’m not worried about it though – I know when I get back to normal, my exercise will too!
Oh my… that breakfast is definitely drool-worthy!!!!! Defintiely going to have to dry that sometime VERY SOON!
OMG that looks like heaven in a bowl!!! I somewhat make oatmeal with similar ingredients in it every morning (major sweet tooth) — cacao nibs, chia, banana, EV coconut oil, goji etc. I look forward to my bowl of oatmeal from the second I get up :)
Angela, It is so funny that you bring this up. After I ran my 10K, My body and I were in need of an exercise break. I was worried about taking a week off because, like you, I was afraid that it would be too easy to keep blowig it off. Yesterday was my first day back on the exercise wagon and instead of running, I went for a nice bike ride and this morning I started a new strength workout. I think what helps me is switching it up with some new cardio and strength moves. That way your not going back into the same ole’ routine! Get back out there! You’re gonna feel so much better! ;)
I agree! And I was kinda waiting til I had my swimsuit pruchased so I can swim laps…well now I have it so im good to go! :)
oh, i TOTALLY get that way! for some reason finding motivation is just so hard sometimes. i wonder if this means you should heal a little more though? that’s what i found was the case with me last year when i sprained my ankle hiking…i was thinking i just wasn’t in the mood, but deep down i knew i needed to take some more time off. not sure if that’s the case with your injury, but just thought i’d throw that out there :)
it def. could be because of that…I was thinking maybe FEAR…fear that I dont want to hurt myself? I think just easing back into it will be the best.
In a way I’m lucky because my bicycle is my only means of transport so if I need to get to work or to teaching then I need to get on my bike. This way a day rarely goes by that I don’t get exercise (albeit unwillingly some days) :)
I would just start out going outside or on a treadmill, walking, then up the speed a little at a time. Once you get the endorphins pumping you won’t be able to stop yourself!
Those oats look amazing!!! I can’t wait to try them! Oh, I definitely fall off the wagon! I’m currently trying to get back on it and had to change things up completely to keep me entertained. Bought a new iPod with updated songs, got a month membership to a hip new gym, and am meeting with a personal trainer today to help me figure out something “fresh” to get me back in the game. :) We’re only human and I’m just glad that during my “slump” I still fed myself nutritious foods. It makes me feel less guilty of not working out like normal. :)
That breakfast looks amazing Angela! :)
When I’m in a routine, I do great with getting my exercise in. But when something disrupts it- pain, etc- I have so much trouble getting back into it. Honestly I find it harder to restart exercise than go for a 10 mile run.
It makes me think about how hard it is for people trying to exercise for the first time, and have sympathy for them. It’s tough!
“Honestly I find it harder to restart exercise than go for a 10 mile run” I couldnt agree more sometimes!
And that is such a great point that you brought up about people starting off for the first time!
That happened to me last month!
I had a rough cold so I took a week off. Then I took another week off because things were busy at work and after a week off it felt normal not to exercise. Then I had dental surgery and I had to take another week off. Before I knew it, I had gone a month with maybe 3 workouts in total. It’s weird – when you are working out, your body craves another workout. When you are not working out, your body craves the couch.
So that’s what happened – I got home from work every day, and I couldn’t do anything except watch 5 episodes of 24 in a row. I felt completely fatigued and I didn’t understand why. Then I took a yoga class and went on a two-day cross-border shopping trip (whole days of walking), and realized that this was the first time I didn’t feel fatigued in two weeks. Then, after missing three more days of workouts, I felt fatigued again. I finally realized that it was the workouts, and got back on the wagon.
Sorry for the super long essay, but I just want to say, after over a week of working out, I feel like myself again and my body wants exercise. So, I am sure that if you start again today, and just do something – anything – for five days out of the next seven – in a week you will feel super excited to work out too!
“It’s weird – when you are working out, your body craves another workout. When you are not working out, your body craves the couch.”
yes yes yes! I found the first few days while healing and off exercise were SO hard then it was as if my body adjusted and was like ok, a free hour in the day now! haha
Oh my gosh I just ate this!!! I was half way through my regular breakfast when I thought-wait I must try Angela’s new recipe!! I used greek yogurt instead of overnight oats, but boy, this breakfast baby was DIVINE!!!! I literally licked the plate clean!!
Ugh, the exercise thing. I have two different spots on each leg that hurt sometimes when I walk, but mostly when I stretch them. It’s been bothering me for a while and I’ve tried resting and then starting back again and nothing seems to work. It IS very frustrating! But really, your strength to take it easy when you know you should has inspired me just as much as any other blogger’s workout, if not more! I’m more forgiving with myself about taking days off. So Thank You!
haha so glad you like it!
I am glad that my own resting could help you too :) It is a hard thing to do at times.
Every few months I get injections in my knee that sideline me for a couple weeks. After all that resting, it’s SO hard to get back to the gym. Beforehand, it was no question something I’d be doing after work. But after the treatments it’s like I never have enough time to go!
I go through phases where I love exercise and when I hate it. I’m in the dislike phase right now but see my daily afternoon walks as more fun that working out. As long as I’m moving…
I’m sure a million people asked this (and you might have already answered) but where did you get that cute orange spoon? I think Kath has a similar one, no? I love that size and the adorable shape!
The orange spoon is from a kitchen store in Florida and I don’t know the name (sorry!), but you can also get them at Crate and Barrel too!
That looks SO good! I am going to try it this weekend =)
Yay, I’m glad it’s normal for people to fall off the wagon! I’m having exams right now and it’s hard to incorporate exercise! I try not to fall out of the exercise habit because my body has a hard time readjusting to regular exercise if I don’t exercise in a awhile.
I’m definitely going to work out today though!!
Omg, that breakfast is definitely drool worthy.
I agree that it’s harder to get back into an exercise routine after you’ve had a break. I really really didn’t want to run this morning but I just got my butt out of bed and on the road, telling myself I’ll only do half the miles I had scheduled. I ended up doing them all! The hardest part for me is just getting out there.
That has to be the most tempting oatmeal picture ever. I don’t have half the ingredients but I’m still going to go make banana oats with all sorts of delicious toppings.
As for exercise… I had to take time off after recent surgery and it has been soooo hard to get back on track. That extra hour or so in the day (from not exercising/showering/etc) really makes a difference sometimes!
OMG I’m so glad that’s strawberry jam!
At first glance I thought that was ketchup! ahaha
that would be something Eric would do if he ate oats haha
I have fallen off the wagon a bit recently. It happens when I get busy (especially on the weekends!) and I hate to blow off plans and friends for a workout. But I keep telling myself to go when I can, and eventually it will happen more frequently!
Oh my gosh — that breakfast really does look like heaven!! I’ve actually never had Chocolate Amazing Meal but have been dying to try it (hoping to win some! haha). This definitely made MY own morning bowl of banana oatmeal look so boring…
Anyway, I’ve definitely fallen off the exercise wagon more times than I can count! Whether from an injury or just from being over-trained/over-tired. And I agree — it’s so easy to not want to give up that hour of time you’ve suddenly gained. But I think it’s okay to take a break from it every once in awhile. Oftentimes, when I finally DO get my butt in gear and start moving, I find I’m much more excited about exercise (usually running) than I was before. Sometimes absence (or in this case, a little time off) does make the heart grow fonder! ;) Good luck with your workout today!!
I agree…sometimes breaks are a good thing for sure!
I am in a rut now, I have had no motivation to go to the gym. I keep trying to get motivated and it just hasn’t happened. I am aiming for 2 workouts this weekend. I can do it!
Anytime I take more than a day break from exercise I fall off the wagon for a while … it is best for me to not take more than a day or two at the most for a break.
I definitely have my slumps! I think we often forget that time off from working out is a good thing. Our bodies need recovery time! :D
That breakfast looks so delicious!!!
Of course I experience slumps! In Jan./Feb. I got 3 chest colds, one after the other (one of the reasons having a fiance in med school sucks- he brings home so many colds now that he’s doing rotations) and I did as much as I could while I was sick- but that amount to working out once or twice a week (and doing pretty easy stuff). Of course, thanks to being sick and not expending a lot of energy, my appetite dialed down significantly and I didn’t gain weight (I lost a little, but I think it was muscle)- but it took me SO long to feel like I was in shape again.
On the other hand, I was chomping at the bit to get going again (My moods are a lot better when I’m active), so motivating myself to exercise wasn’t as hard as I was worried it would be.
I think I know what I’m having tomorrow morning!!! YOU are a genius…
I can definitely have a hard time getting into working out after some time off. You’re right, that first workout is the toughest! I do this a lot with training for races, once the race is done and I have a recovery week I just don’t feel motivated. I find that those are the weeks that I workout for vanity reasons rather than health reasons! LOL I find superficial motivation to get me through it!
Whenever I fall into a “slump”, I really feel like it’s my body’s way of telling me to take a break. As soon as my workouts seem like a chore, or I start getting little injuries I always take some time off (about 5 days or so, but up to 10)…After that I always get back to the gym feeling strong and re-energized! This is also a good way to break muscle building plateaus!
I totally agree with you about the workouts, I find it MUCH harder to start it again once I’ve been slacking off. Since I know myself well enough to know that now, I try to avoid major breaks for that very reason and now I know that I feel much better when I do work out, so that’s a motivation to keep going. If you’re feeling out of it, I say just push yourself to do it (even if you’re not excited) and you’ll quickly get back in your groove ;)
Your post is so timely! I have had a terrible week keeping my motivation to get up early and work out. This is SO unlike me. I’ve been in kind of a funk though and so finding motivation for anything has been a chore. However! I did peel myself out of bed this am and enjoyed a killer workout. I feel a million times better and am ready to attack my morning’s again!
I took 3 months off over the end of/beginning of the year to give my ankle a much needed time out. Getting back to the point I was at in October has been a wake up call as to both my physical and mental commitment to running. Having never had to take any time off (save for 2 weeks with a bruised foot) it was very tempting to just jump right back in. But then I found both my fears and my (temporarily) waning passion, plus crummy weather made even non-running workouts a challenge. I guess it’s making your mind up that you really want to do it and then taking the necessary steps (in mind and body) to make it happen. Having just one good workout can fuel you back on track! :)
I usually fall of the exercise wagon for about 1-2 weeks every 3-4 months! Once I start becoming not so motivated, I know it’s time to take a break and I usually just allow myself that 1-2 weeks off! Your body and mind need it sometimes!
I’m in the same boat as you right now…off the exercise wagon! And I’m having a heck of a time climbing back on…!!
Well, I haven’t been totally off as I’ve still been doing my kettlebell class every week and walking my puppy, however I have been off the RUNNING wagon for a whole month :S
I ran my first 10km on March 14th and I injured my foot…while it was healing I decided to listen to my body and take time off of running so as not to make the injury worse…after all, that little puppy NEEDS to walk everyday and I can’t help her out with a totally bummed foot!!
So…now I’ve signed up for my second 10km (a trail run) in July and I need to get back in the running game…
HELP!! I need motivation!! :)
I always yell this outloud (and make Eric laugh)
FEED THE WARRIOR!!!!!!!!
haha
I fall on and off the exercise wagon quite frequently now. There was a period of time (hmmm, say 7 years?) where I ran everyday because I had to for high school and college. I tore my hamstring in college and it still bugs me on a weekly, maybe monthly basis, so I’ll give it a few rest days. But, just like you, I get used to having that extra time in my day and I don’t want to start up again. I fell off the wagon this week because I’m so overwhelmed with my Master’s thesis, teaching full time, part time job and Trader Joe’s, and maintaing relationships with family and boyfriend. I’m just so exhausted at the end of the day and too tired in the morning to get to the gym at 5 like I normally would. I’m not stressing though. I know exercise is a big part of my life and I know as soon as normalcy returns, I will be right back to it. Until then, I get out and walk when I have a spare 15 minutes and I continue to eat (and eat…and eat…) yummy healthy food!!
what a fun creative breakfast! looks fantastic.
Those oats look spectacular!!!
I have definitely fallen off the exercise wagon. It usually happens when my body hits its breaking point from exercising too much, and then I have everyone telling me to take a break and let my body rest…then I start enjoying the rest too much :(
Yum! Breakfast looks delicious and decadent (plus healthy!)
Have a great morning!
This looks sooooo YUMMY! It is definitely on my list to make this weekend!
That just looks amazing. I haven’t tried the overnight oats yet but when I do this weekend this is definitely how I will try them.
I hit a workout slump two weeks ago and I gain weight so quickly that I’m having a hard time bouncing back from that right now.
But in a way I needed the break mentally, because I’m really revved up now to get on that bike and ride1
That breakfast looks more like dessert! Yum!
Oh yes, let’s talk about falling off the wagon. A few years ago I was hitting the gym hard, loving it, feeling great and looking the best that I ever have in my LIFE. A friend got married, and at her wedding reception I got drunk and twisted my ankle really bad on my super high heels. It was bruised, and I could barely walk for a couple of weeks, let alone work out. That was the end of that. Now, I am motivated to get back to that point so I started running. ANDDDD…. hurt my knee. But I really don’t want to lose this feeling, so I am elliptical-ing until it gets better. Injuries really, really suck.
yes they do…sorry to hear about yours. I wish you a fast recovery!
That breakfast looks AMAZING! Very happy to say I never get in exercise slumps. Sometimes, I start feeling a little burned out because I wake up SO early for my workouts. When that happens, I’ll just take a week off and get right back at it the next!
What a way to start your Friday morning! I’m glad that it cheered you right up :D
As for falling off the exercise wagon, I must say, I’m pretty new to the “regular exercise” game. I don’t run, I don’t swim, I don’t do much, I just WALK. I guess that says a lot about my fitness, but I’ve never been much of a runner, and I walk fast ;) It’s nice to enjoy the scenery around me slowly… when I’m running all I can think about is when to stop! I can’t even run a mile without feeling like dying :(
Happy Friday! :D
Wei-Wei
There is nothing wrong with walking at all! :)
unfortunately, off the exercise wagon for over a year now :(
u r genuis with food…it looks to beautiful to eat :)
I do the exact same thing! I’ll go through weeks, sometimes months of getting at least 5 days of exercise a week…then I have finals or something and I fall off the wagon. It’s like taking that first step to get back in is the hardest and I start out feeling like the workout is going to suck, but then it’s my best yet! Then I’m HOOKED all over again…at least until the next interruption, whether it be tests at school, family obligations, or just life. I’m glad I’m not the only one. As much as I love exercising, sometimes it’s easy to get in a non-exercise rut. Happy Friday Angela!
I had trouble getting into cardio this week. My weight-training, on the other hand, is going really well.
*wipes drool off keyboard*
That look amazing! I absolutely love your breakfast creativity- never will I be able to perform so well in the kitchen at breaky hour!
I totally relate to the exercise breaks and finding it really hard to get back on it. Whenever I get a sports-related injury that prevents me from doing a certain exercise I try and do a different form of exercise so my body doesn’t get into lazy mode. For example, if my Achilles heel is bothering me from excessive running I’ll do Yoga and maybe the hated eliptical. I’ve read a lot of running articles that suggest temporarily taking a break of certain exercise in exchange for a new one to keep it exciting and keep you on track with your goals. Good luck on getting back into it!
That looks AMAZING. And, yes I do fall off the exercise wagon. For me, early morning workouts is the only way I can go, but some times, like this whole week to be exact, my bed has felt too too good! Of course my allergies have been hassling me, and I have a 6 month old, that wakes up as soon as I move, but still. I’m going to use this fabulous breakfast you posted as bait to get me back into the swing of things. Unfortunately it will have to wait til Sunday. However, I will go to the gym pumped, ready to train, and then come home to this delicious breakfast! I can hardly wait, Im so excited. Yes, it’s that first workout one must get over to get back into the swing of things.
Yummy looking breakfast! Bananas seem to be the way of the world in the blogosphere today.
Yes, I do have trouble keeping my motivation 100% of the time. But who doesn’t?
I have a hard time balancing social life and exercise. I sometimes have to choose exercise instead of socializing with friends and that can be disappointing.
Other times there just isn’t enough time in the day after work and taking care of my animals to fit in a workout and get some quality time in with my boyfriend!
Its a ebb and flow I feel. Some weeks I work out 5 days out of the week, other weeks its onlt 2. But, I figure I’m at least staying active! There is NEVER a week where I don’t workout at all, and I think that is impressive.
I think everyone experiences lack of motivation at times… And as everyone also knows, those are the times when it’s the hardest to push through. For me, it helps to not plan a ‘super woman’ work out… start out small and work up, until it becomes a habbit again and I start to crave that endorphin rush again.
GUILTY! :)
Totally guilty. I used to beat myself up when I would take too long of an exercise break and especially if I had no desire to exercise. What I’ve realized is that this reality is part of the ebb and flow to life!
Sometimes our bodies need to slow down for whatever reason, even if it feels longer than normal! Rather than feel guilty, I try to enjoy the relaxation and slowly start back up again!
I agree…I find that by looking at things long term helps put a week off here and there in perspective!
we’re all guilty of this from time to time. sometimes i enjoy being lazy.. othertimes i gotta tell myself to suck it up and just get back on.. otherwise i feel crappy and not myself. xox
Yup! I am right there with you… and a lot of other people it seems. I have skipped the gym all week and am having a hard time getting back into the groove. Once I get out of the habit I find plenty of ways to fill that time. But I know this beast and I have the cure (for me anyway): instead of beating myself up I say “okay self, no gym for you till Monday.” Now I know I will want to go to spin class or something this weekend but I have already made other plans, come Monday after work I will be dying to hit the gym, do my routine, and feel that wonderful energy rush. It will be a treat and will keep me going back all next week. That’s what works for me anyway!
Good trick!
I absolutely have exercise slumps! It’s true that the first day back into it is THE hardest…and really sucks…but I try to remember that the first day can be easy. “as long as I get out there and DO it”, I tell myself. That usually gives me enough motivation to really kick butt the next day and feel like my normal self again!
Oh my goodness yes! I am currently deep into a slump! I have basically not exercised since my Mexico vacation in mid- Feb! Ugh I can tell it’s taking it’s toll both physically and mentally. I am forcing myself to yoga tonight to get going again!
Wow it must be delicious breakfast day in food blog world! This looks like a breakfast dessert! Ah-Maz-Ing!!!
I feel like slacking on the exercise when my schedule gets super busy and also when I don’t have anything to train for. I’m so motivated when I have a race or event coming up!
Usually after going a few days without exercise…I’m going absolutely stir crazy! I usually can’t wait to get back into it and burn off my extra energy.
im usually that way too but I think now because I do physical work on my feet all day I burn off the energy that way, so I dont notice it as much!
Is that breakfast for dessert? It looks wonderful!
I never fall off the exercise wagon. I am so worried about “falling out of the habit” that I try REALLY hard not to do that. I’ve been lucky not to have any serious injuries (knock on wood) that made working out impossible. After my Shamrock Run I had a bit of a sore ankle so I just went easy on the workouts and focused on swimming instead of running.
Haha, that is so funny! I have a draft that I started to day called “How do you motivate yourself?”
I agree, it is harder than heck to start again after a break and I usually find that about 5 days into it is when my mettle is really tested. But, I have all the faith in the world that you’ll be back to your running, stretching, workout-y (made it up, you like it?) self in no time! :)
im going swimming tonight with hubby- whohoo!
That looks delicious!
And I definitely have trouble getting back into workouts once I have taken time off. Even after a rest day it is hard to get back in the swing of things sometimes. The worst was after my competition. I could not get myself to the gym for almost two months!! Luckily that lack of motivation worked in my benefit since I was supposed to be putting on weight too to help with trying to conceive. :D
The last few months I have really fallen off the fitness wagon. Sometimes I am truly tired and will skip a work out, and sometimes I’m lazy but convince myself that I’m tired, and I will skip a workout. It’s becoming harder and harder to convince myself to just get out and do it….I hope it’s a slump and nothing more!
It can be so hard getting back into working out. For me the key is to just put on my work out clothes and go. I can’t think about it or I just won’t do it.
Oh dear, your breakfast looks absolutely amazing! i’m loving all of the pictures you take!
I am in the middle of an exercise slump now. :( I’ll get back into it tonight though. If not tonight, then tomorrow most definitely. *shame*
No shame in it…it happens!
Can someone answer this for me? Can you use instant oats for overnight oats? I have two whole giant cans of Quaker 1-min instant oats and I don’t want them to go to waste.
On that note.. are the overnight recipes for steel-cut, rolled, what kind of oats? I’m trying to graduate from instant so I’m overwhelmed.
I’m not sure on that- maybe someone else can help!
I’ve used them before when I was in the same situation, and I find that it works the same but the taste is a little less robust than that of steal cut oats, if that makes any sense :) I use the same liquid/oat ratio for instant as I do for steal cut/rolled oats. Hope this was at all helpful to you :)
It was. Thank you Jess :)
Mmmm… you had me at banana split! ;)
I find it hard to get back on the exercise wagon as well- usually when I am super busy and exhausted and I haven’t exercised for a while. But when I push myself to do it, I am ALWAYS happy I did!!
xo
K
goooodness graaaaaacious. you are a breakfast queeeeen!
holy yum. delish looking, ang!
Your variations of overnight oats always look super tasty. You are one crative cookie! This might be a silly question, but I was wondering what are the nutritional benefits to creating overnight oats? They are just normal everyday oats right?
All I can say is…Oh.My.God. BANANAS! haha :)
love that banana goodness..yum!
I know sometimes my motivation to go to the gym fades completely and I try to figure out if I’m self-sabotaging or if my body is physically tired. When I start going again all that motivation rushes right back..and more!
I don’t look at it as loss of motivation/falling off the wagon- that immediately brings up GUILT. I look at it from the perpective of “do I feel like exercising today? will it make me feel better or worse?” I just listen to my body, and I usually choose to exercise because I know it will make me feel better. Some days, I know it’s not a smart decision, so I don’t exercise. I’m NOT being lazy- I’m listening to my body! Simple as that! ;)
I tried your vegan overnight oats yesterday morning and was so surprised about how sweet they were compared to my usual stovetop oats with the same stevia pack! They were tasty for sure and loved the hardened coconut oil/maple topping. I definitely will be switching my treat breakfast this weekend (pancakes…but really every day is a treat with my oats…) with this banana split with oats!
Wow…I know exactly how you feel about workout ruts…I have had so many running injuries and its a combo of fear and just disinterest that comes about. I feel like once you break it, you just get back into the groove of working out. My job is freelance, wardrobe for film, and I find that it just is entirely not possible for me to workout after shopping/being on set for 12-14 hour days. Then when I am done with a film, etc. I am just so rundown. I wish that I could find a good medium but am sure I will as it progresses!
That banana split looks crazy tasty! But can you just clarify what, if any, liquid you used in the overnight mix?
Getting back on the bandwagon- it helps me if my first “workout” is disguised as something else- a hike, for example! I go out to “explore nature” and then get my cardio high and want more!
That breakfast looks perfect!!
I get in slumps where I would just rather not exercise. I try not to force myself, but I do find that if I take one day off, its easy to take another, and then another. After that first day back though, I remember how much I love it, and how much I missed my routine.
I just had overnight oats this morning for the first time. They turned out great. I think I will try your recipe it looks really good.
Oh! This week was definitely a slacker week for me! I had a rough week with sinus headaches, belly aches, hormones, you name it. But, I just went for 5 mile run and a 1 mile walk with a good friend. I feel great and I know I’ll wake up ready to work out again! I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who goes through slumps!!!!
After my month in africa it was really hard to get back into it! I have been back for just over 2 weeks and I am finally back into my routine.
Yes, I have absolutely fallen of the wagon (and have in fact yet to get back on). Mine was the result of an injury – hip and knee from overuse. I still feel bad about it, as I had a great routine going with a long walk in the morning, followed by breakfast and thesis writing, then yoga in the afternoon from a TV program. I was getting so much done.
When I injured myself I was devastated – I was in pain just walking around the house and getting up from a chair. Part of me doesn’t want to get back into the routine for fear that might happen again, and then there’s the lure of extra sleep, especially as it starts to get darker and colder here.
I’ll figure out some way around it! For now I’m trying to get in a little bodyweight strength training each day, just to keep me from being completely inactive.
I don’t take time off unless i am forced to due to a schedule conflict, so I don’t find it hard to stay on the bandwagon. I also know how quickly one loses their muscle/fitness once they are off exercising for awhile, so I don’t take breaks.
I’ve fallen off the exercse wagon so often that I can’t remember how many times it has been in total. This is the first time in my life when I’m actually having exercise on a regular basis for 4 months straight and I’m very proud of myself :D
I’m in a slump right now!! I took a few days off because my body started acting whacky (cold virus, with a few bad dizzy spells). Once I was feeling better, I had a hard time getting back into it. So all week I’ve been trying to switch it up to keep myself interested. Started going to a different gym to lift weights, ran outside in the freezing cold instead of on the treadmill, and I’ve been going to tons of exercise classes! Those are the greatest because they’re harder to blow off when they’re at a set time, plus the group atmosphere is always fun :)
Just spending the weekend catching up on your blog. I had a hard time getting back into the exercising groove after I spent three weeks recovering from pneumonia. My doc recommended taking it easy even after my lungs came back clear so I had to ease back into school and work. I wasn’t even thinking about exercising at that point.
Five years have passed since then and I’m slowly starting to exercise again. I’ve started lifting weights again though not as strenuously as I did back then, to my dismay. It’s a bit heart-breaking actually. I saw my weight increase and my health deteriorate a little overall, but in the past 5 years I’ve battled other issues (IBS, allergies to chicken and shellfish) that have forced me to eat healthy.
I’m almost back to my initial weight with no exercise and so I’m sure that once I get back into the swing of things, I’ll be back at same weight I was five years ago. I’m not that concerned about it though–I tend to think that the hips I gained as a result are more womanly and naturally just a part of me. BTW, your breakfast looks freakin’ amazing! And where do you purchase your Amazing Grass from?
Thanks so much for the recipe.
Now I’m a little confused, You have mentioned you need Almond milk, but it does not say anywhere in the recipe (Well, Nothing that I can see anyways, That doesn’t mean anything, hehe)
Are you putting the almond milk in with the oats overnight?
Sorry for the confusion.
I definitely have trouble getting back into the swing of exercising, ESPECIALLY when I’m really busy because it’s the easiest thing to NOT do! I still have to go to work, etc, but it’s a piece of cake to say “well I have a lot to do so I won’t go to the gym” SIGH!
This looks delicious! Can I use Steel Cut Oats for the vegan overnight oats recipes? Thanks :)