Yesterday, I thought the tide was turning with my flu. I had a fairly restful sleep Monday night and my symptoms had died down a bit. I was so excited because I thought that I was getting over this thing!
…and then Tuesday evening hit and the symptoms came back with a vengeance. I was up all night coughing up a storm with a tickly throat. Hopefully this thing is on its way out because I feel like I am missing out on my life!
I also did something I thought I would never do…I bought a Neti Pot!
Have you seen these crazy things before?
I first heard about them on Dr. Oz when he was saying how great they are for congestion, post nasal drip, and sinus allergies. I finally went out and got one at Shopper’s Drug Mart. You mix a warm salt water solution and then pour half of the mixture through each nostril (the water slowly pours out of the other nostril!!), while tipping your head to the side and leaning your body a bit forward.
It sounds scary, right?
But, it wasn’t bad at all. I promise…I’m the world’s biggest chicken too. It was oddly soothing in a gross way. My nose has been fairly clear and I can breathe much better when using it 2-3 times per day. I also plan to use this when my allergies kick in later this Spring and Summer.
One thing that really bites about this flu is that I can’t taste anything. Everything I eat tastes incredibly bland and my normally raging appetite is M.I.A. It is such a weird feeling.
I have been eating a lot of Vegan Overnight Oats (with orange) mixed with Strawberry Banana Soft Serve to soothe my throat.
This is always delicious…even with my lack of taste. :)
Since I was feeling a bit better yesterday, I started to get the baking itch. I was craving baked oatmeal because it just sounded so soothing, comforting, and warming on my throat.
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Fruity Baked Oatmeal with Crunchy Cinnamon Almond Topping
Yield: 4 servings
Baked Oatmeal:
- 1 cup + 1/3 cup regular rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 large banana, chopped
- 1 apple, peeled and chopped
- 1 tbsp raisins
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1.5-2 cups non-dairy milk (I used 2 cups but you might need less depending on the volume of mix ins)
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
Crunchy Cinnamon Almond Topping:
- 1/4 cup raw almonds
- 2 tbsp regular rolled oats
- 1 tbsp Sucanat (or other dry sugar)
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp non-dairy milk
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 4 cup baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, chia seeds, chopped banana, peeled and chopped apple, raisins, pinch of salt, and cinnamon. Now stir in the milk, maple syrup, and vanilla. Pour into casserole dish and set aside.
3. In a food processor, or by hand, process (or chop) the almonds. Now add in the oats, Sucanat (or sugar), Maple syrup, and milk and process until just combined. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the oatmeal mixture.
4. Bake in the oven for 26-30 minutes at 350F, uncovered. Watch closely during the last few minutes of baking so the topping doesn’t burn. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Drizzle with maple syrup. Will keep in the fridge, covered, for about 3 days. To reheat, simply, place in a bowl and add a splash of milk and heat in the microwave for a minute or so.
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When I make baked oatmeal I like to make a large batch so I can enjoy it for a few meals! It is a really quick breakfast that reheats in a flash.
This oatmeal mixture tastes really good and it was hard not to just eat it on the spot!
If you wanted to skip the whole baking thing, you could just leave this overnight in the fridge and have a big batch of VOO on your hands. :)
But baking it is amazing…as is this wonderful crunchy topping…
Sprinkle the cinnamon almond topping on the oatmeal mixture.
Bake for 26-30 minutes and gobble!
This baked oatmeal turned out WONDERFUL!
It is like a hybrid between baked oatmeal and a fruit crisp. The crunchy cinnamon almond topping really made the whole dish. I also highly recommend a drizzle of maple syrup…it tied in all the flavours very well.
In other news, Eric has been helping me with my vegetable garden beds, since I have been out of commission.
We measured our property line to see where we could put the beds.
We placed the beds in a very sunny spot that gets over 6 hours of sunlight a day.
After marking the legs, Eric dug out holes for them.
With a bit of work, we got them to sit flat.
After we got the beds in the ground, we pinned down chicken wire on the bottom layer of the bed (not shown in photo). This will help prevent gophers from digging up into the garden. Or so they say…
The second layer we put down is what you see below. This is a Landscape fabric and it prevents weeds from growing up into the beds. You can find this at most home or garden stores.
Aren’t they pretty?
I’m still on the hunt for a good triple mix soil. Whenever I ask a garden centre if they have organic triple mix they give me a weird look and say ‘of course it’s organic…doesn’t get more organic than this!’ I’m not sure if they are green washing me or if it really is organic. I guess I just have to figure out the right questions to ask.
I have located a garden centre that sells certified organic and non-GMO seeds and plants so that is good news. Their plants arrive around May 7th and they are going to call me when the plants arrive. :)
My veggie wish list:
- Onions
- Spring Onions
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Garlic
- Peas
- Beets
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Herbs
I need to figure out where to plant the veggies in the beds. I need to read up on companion planting, perhaps? The most I have figured out is that the tall plants go on the North side (so they don’t cast shade on small plants), plant Marigolds around the beds to keep out pests/animals, and carrots are great to plant next to Spring onions (companion plants).
Other than that I am lost!
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{ 141 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m sorry to hear your still not feeling that great!! :-/ sending you feel better vibes asap!
Gardening makes my head spin! :)
I’ve heard great things about Neti pots, I think I need to try one because my sinuses are acting up due to the weather change.
Your veggie beds look AWESOME! I am hoping to make something very similar. Mine probably won’t be as nice, though. hehe :)
That baked oatmeal looks DELICIOUS, especially with that cinnamon almond topping- holy YUM! :D
And I’m so jealous of your veggie garden beds!! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to grow my own veggies!! Can’t wait to see how yours turn out! :)
Aww get better soon Angela!!
Oprah loves the neti pot too. I’ve been too nervous to try that thing…maybe someday.
I am having my bridal party over for a brunch on Sunday and I am definetly going to make this baked oatmeal!!!! Holy YUM!
Enjoy! :)
I love the idea of vegetables fresh from the garden. I live in an apartment but I may try my hand at some cherry tomatoes and herbs this year!
How exciting about your garden!!!
We have a Neti Pot and we love it — it does feel really soothing and I love getting all of that gunk out of my head!
Neti pots are amazing (though admittedly gross). Hope it helps you feel better soon!
Baked oats are awesome comfort food – I just did some with quinoa flakes ad fresh apples this morning.
I started a raised bed garden last summer (a 3’x3′), it was pretty small. All in all, I got most of my plants from Whole Foods, I think I did 4 different types of tomatoes (all organic heirloom), my favorite by far were the white and yellow cherry tomatoes. Looks like you have a great set-up, good job on the beds!
mmm cherry tomatoes sound delicious!
Your crunchy baked oatmeal looks delicious! It would be a great addition to these Apple “Sandwiches” – for when you’re bored with the same old bag lunch. Take an apple, granola (or this oatmeal recipe), nut butter, and raisins. Bon Appletit!
http://bread-n-chocolate.blogspot.com/2011/04/thinking-outside-bread-box.html
This looks great. Hope you feel better soon. Neti pots can be super helpful!
We are building planter boxes this weekend and I can’t wait! Zucchini, onions, an tomatoes here I come!
Ordinary saline solution, slightly warm for better results can also be dripped into the nostrils with pretty much the same results. I’ve been doing it for years and it really helps with sinus or middle ear infections. I’m a bit on the advanced side and use a syringe to shoot the saline solution up the nostrils.
I hope you get better soon, I know how frustrating flu infection can be!
Hugs, coffeeaddict
Wow that is hard core! I was wondering if you could do it without one. I think I’d probably choke it all down my throat or something, lol.
Thanks for your get well wishes :)
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now and have hardly ever commented. I gotta say I am loving your baked oatmeal, it looks incredibly delicious. And I hope you get better soon :)
Thanks Jenny!
I’ve never used a neti pot before, but the next time I’m stuffy I’ll pick one up and give it a try.
Those neti pots work wonders! However, I usually end up swallowing the gross mixture due to the sheer shock of the feeling of it going up and out my nose & mouth. So weird. I hope you’re feeling better soon! And your vegetable garden sounds a lot like mine. Be prepared for the biggest zucchini you’ve ever seen! I love it, they grow to be about 3-4 pounds and I make the most amazing zucchini parm :D I can’t wait for summer now and all the fresh, homegrown veggies!
Is it completely sappy of me to admit that reading the phrase, ‘companion plants’ brought a smile to my face and my heart. Whoever thought that plants need friends? :)
That netipot sounds similar to getting your ears syringed – not a roundly pleasant experience, but totally worth it in the end!! Hope you continue to feel better!
It is cute, isn’t it? :)
That baked oatmeal looks amazing!! :)
THE CRUNCHY topping is WHERE ITS AT!!! WOW u got gardening down! im not much of a gardner or planter or anything of that sort! FEEL better !!!
WOW! Great progress on the veggie garden – you guys have been hard at work! The oatmeal sounds amazing. I’ll take anything with cinnamon any day! I haven’t tried baked oatmeal yet because on most mornings I don’t have time to switch on the oven but I’ll save this one for a weekend!
Angela! I use the neti pot ALLLLLL the time. It is a life saver. I am using it even now because I was hit by a bad cold and cough. It is great when you can breathe. Also try some steam inhalations with eucaluptus and peppermint leaves or you can use essential oils too. It works wonders!
mmm that does sound soothing :)
Can’t wait to make that oatmeal — mm! Looks like your gardening adventure is off to a great start :)
I love my neti pot. I remember reading about them for the first time YEARS ago and thinking, yeah, right. NO WAY! But a few years ago, I found out a coworker used one regularly; after talking to someone in real life that used one nad liked it, I decided to go for it. No regrets and no going back:)
I hope you feel better soon!
I am loving reaping these gardening tips from your research/hard work. We recently had to have a tree in our backyard cut down and now it’s sunny enough that I can plant a garden! I haven’t started anything though. One question: what are those pipe-looking things on the insides of the boxes?
My boyfriend and I are doing raised bed gardening this year too. What garden centre did you find? We’re in Toronto but willing to make a drive to find the right plants.
It’s called Taylor Nursery in Milton :) http://www.taylornursery.ca/ If you call them they can put you on a call notification list!
Thanks so much! We’ve also looked into organic soil and the best advice that I can give is check the bag and make sure it has an OMRI certification label. A little more pricey but such a great start to your garden!
You come up with the best oatmeal combos!!! I have a fear of the netti pot..ewww lol too afraid to use it ;) reading this makes me realize I need to start working on my garden!
That oatmeal look awfully good, although I would be tempted to just leave it a huge batch of VOOs :) So excited to see how your vegetable garden comes out!
Neti pots are the best invention ever! I used to have sinus infections ALL the time and I haven’t had even one since I started using a neti pot several years ago. I can’t recommend it enough.
Feel better.
Me too! Once I started using a Neti pot, all my sinus problems seems to have gone away!
My boyfriend’s parents have a huge garden– and this year they decided to grow strawberries and corn! They have five pomegranate trees, and every year have tons of tomatoes. One day, we hope to have the same size of garden– once we stop living in apartments of course!
A good friend of mine had a HUGE garden and had a lot of luck with companion planting. About the soil…maybe ask if it’s ‘certified’ organic? The bake looks delicious!! So sorry about how sick you’re feeling. The flu completely knocked me out this year. I had a 101* fever for 5 days. My body aches were so bad it hurt to sit on the couch. Hope you’re feeling a little better soon!!! Oh…I have that neti pot ;)
I am offended that onions are at the top of that list ;)
I will save you the biggest ones!! bahah
Love those raised garden beds! Eric did a great job!
Looks delicious!
Angela, do you have any suggestions/recipes for a fun royal wedding breakfast? Something somewhat traditional/British but also healthy & vegan?
Thanks!!
PS – Neti pots are the best =)
I have a couple ideas up my sleeve! Im thinking scones or biscuits but I’ll have to see what I can whip up. :)
Oh and I’m SO watching!!!
My husband and I recently put in 3 huge veggie beds too! We did not do any research, but almost everything we planted is growing. We are now impatiently waiting to eat them! We are going to have kale coming out of our ears, so excited!
This oatmeal looks amazing! I think it’s the perfect breakie for this weekend; especially if this gray rainy weather continues!
How exciting about your gardens. Everything looks like it is off to a good start!
I’ve never made baked oatmeal before, but would love to try it. I just need to get a few ramekins or one-serving size Pyrex dishes.
Your garden beds look beautiful. We just have a plain fence, and don’t use raised beds. Are you planning to have any kind of fencing around the garden to prevent creatures from getting to the veggies and herbs?
Yup! We’re going to put up chicken wire around the beds once all the planting is in place.
This looks wonderful for breakfast OR dessert!
OMG.. NETTI POTS! They are my absolute savior when I am congested. You are right.. it does sound scary and gross when you first hear of what they are.. but once you try it.. it is like you have seen the light! It clears out your sinuses so quick – and it is such a relief to have clear breathing pathways.
I for one cannot STAND when I am forced to breath out of my mouth – and only my mouth. It is so uncomfortable. So I am a strong supported of Netti!
haha I can only laugh, I made almost the exact oatmeal dish yesterday. I love your topping though, I can’t wait to try it too.
You are making GREAT progress on the garden. I am so envious— I again have dogs that love veggies and digging so I think I would be out of luck. :) Let’s hope Sketchie stays far away!
:)
You don’t sound lost at all, your garden sounds right on track! The neti pot really will help, I think it makes my colds go away faster. Hopefully you will feel better soon!
Hope you feel better soon!
I love the vegetable gardens! That is definitely a goal of mine when we get our house. :-)
I’ve never tried baked oatmeal before, but this recipe is definitely begging me to make it. Apple and banana is one of my favourite oatmeal combinations (saying that just reminded me of that song… “I like to eat, eat, eat, eapples and be-nee-nees” haha :D).
Feel better soon Ange!
I think I’m coming down with a cold or something, and that oatmeal does look really comforting. I’m all about the smoothies when sick, chia pudding would be a nice choice too.
I always forget about my neti pot when I get sick, but that’s probably because I really dislike using it. I try to get used to it but – it just feels like burny water up my nose.
As for gardening and seeds, you may want to check out Blackbird Naturals, they have amazing organic heirloom seeds and could likely point you in the right direction to find out more about planting/gardening.
I had the same death flu in december for THREE weeks. I think the fact that I am pregnant added to the duration as you are naturally a bit immunosupressed when pregnant. But anywhooo back to my point. I found that I ate a lot of spicy foods with strong flavors to cut through the ick. I love peanut butter tofu for this occasion. It’s basically a soy/mirin/ginger/garlic/sriracha marinated pressed tofu cooked and then tossed with an all natural homemade satay sauce. I serve it over jalapeno brown rice when I am ill. Hope you feel so much better. I know it’s a killer.
There is a book called Square Foot Gardening that is all about raised bed gardening. It basically tells you everything you need to know including a great soil mix that is organic, I think.
I just made your sweet potato/banana oatmeal casserole, and I was in such a state of bliss from that recipe that I was hoping more baked oatmeal recipes were on the way.
I wouldn’t overuse that neti-pot though- I have friends who swear by it who are alllllwwwaaaayyyyss sick. I think they are washing away their good germs along with the bad up there.
Bummer! Feel better soon :)
Make sure you give the zucchini enough room to spread. They loooooove to stretch out. One year I planted three of them too close to eachother and they kept getting tangled. Also wear gloves when dealing with them. Their leaves and stems have a fuzzy thing that can make you itch like crazy :)
Hope you feel better!
I think someone else recommended this, too but ‘The Square Foot Garden’ is a very basic gardening guide built on the principal of saving space and making your own soil mix. It is helpful – but again, very basic. A fantastic read is Gia’s Garden. It is all about permaculture and companion planting. It really gets into it. I also like the old Victory Garden books circa the 70’s for great tips and drawings. The more I get into gardening the more I get into foraging for food, too! Lots of great books out there about the benefits of wild food. It’s amazing how edible our yards can be.
Here’s to a productive gardening season!
Jessica
Hope you feel better soon. And I’m VERY envious of your veggie plots!!! I used to have a spot in a community garden, but we moved a BIT too far away from it for us to maintain it! I’m sure you’ll grow some amazing vegetables and herbs over the summer!
Gorgeous tasty baked oatmeal! It looks amazing. And your garden beds!!! They look perfect. They look identical to the garden beds that I have in my backyard. Growing your own food is the best feeling ever, huh?! I can’t wait to see how your garden turns out! It’s so very exciting :-)
Ohh this looks so delicious! The strawberry banana soft serve is such a pretty color too. It’s funny to see Eric all dressed up in a sweatshirt and hat when I’m reading this from HOT, HOT, HOT South Carolina. I hope you get to feeling better soon girlie!
I have been using a neti pot for awhile and at first did not like the burning from the harsh salt I was getting at the pharmacy. I found Redmond RealSalt powder and its awesome. Its soft and smooth and a lot easier on your nose. I get mine from chinaberry.com
Love the way your garden is coming along. I am almost ready to plant here in Ct.
Neti Pots kick butt! I first heard about them via the Renegade Health Show, but it took me until this past winter to buy one. I’m so glad I did as it has made a huge difference. I have used it with Sea Salt as well as Epsolm Salt with great results.
I’m going to print out the recipe for your baked oatmeal and keep it on hand for the fall & winter.
Thanks for posting the pictures of your garden progress. It is so exciting to get started.
As Organic soil mix, check out this article about making/mixing your own from peat moss, vermiculite and compost – a la Square Foot Gardening method:
http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net/mels-mix/
You are off to a good start know what you do. If the plants don’t come in for another week or so then you can do more reading / researching on your garden and plants.
Glad you are starting to feel better! I’m so ecited about your garden. I have a fairly large patio, but def nothing like your pretty (and large) yard. I have a potted lemon tree & one potted herb (thyme). I’m really looking forward to planting more herbs … and looking more forward to have a vegetable garden someday.
I hear that the sinus rinse really works wonders. My husband has terrible allergy issues and he uses it when the congestion gets really bad. He says it helps more than anything (other than hot tea).
I love my sinus rinse (similar to Neti Pot but in squeeze bottle form)
I use it everyday to combat my year round allergies. Hope you feel better! Love your blog!
gardening is definitely a learn as you go kind of thing!
i make a soil mix according to square foot gardening – 1/3 each peat moss, compost and vermiculite. i buy a huge bag of vermiculite at a local pool store – they charge an arm and a leg for it at garden stores.
Here’s the thing, I’ve been sick too and discovered the up side to having diminished taste buds. You can down quite a bit of raw garlic just by adding it to your regular meals, and it kicks your illness out the door.
I blogged about it here, with a link to a lot of info. on garlic from the school of natural healing if you are interested or want to know more. http://anherballife.wordpress.com/
I LOVE my neti pot! I have the same one. I have one for my daughter too – she’s 7 and used to get sinus infections every month during the winter. She hasn’t had one on over a year since we started “cleaning her nose”. She gets really excited about it, it’s strange….I hope it helps you feel better!
Good to hear that the neti pot works! And that baked oatmeal looks delicious. A perfect breakfast to make and eat all week!!
Can’t wait to hear more about your gardening..I’d love to do it and having you as a guide will be fantastic!
Feel better!
your beds are so pretty I cant wait to see the finished result!
Oh my G-d, the Neti Pot is AMAZING. I’ve always been terrified to try it, but I get REALLY bad spring allergies and I’m pregnant right now, so I can’t take my usual arsenol of decongestants. The NP has saved me from wanting to die. I was so afraid I would feel like I was drowning, and while I did feel like the for a second the first time I used it, it’s not bad at all. I’ve been singing the NP’s praises to everyone I know.
Oh, and the oats look good, too. ;-)
I love crunchy topping on my grains! Now that I can have oats again, I have to give this a try! I usually use almonds, pecans, or walnuts… this looks SO good.
Your garden is coming together! It’s great that you were able to find a center that sells organic + non-GMO seeds. That’s so hard to find.
I too have a neti pot, and have been using it for about 3 years now, it was my mom who introduced my family to it, she has really bad allergies, and we mix up sea salt, warm water, a touch of baking soda, and a teaspoon of glycerin, which helps keep your sinuses from drying out, and it works absolutely fantastic! even my son and hubby use it and it helps relieve congestion with colds !!
I can’t wait to follow your garden progress!
Hope you feel better soon. Your oats look amazing, as usual.
I hope you get feeling better!!!
What kind of wood did you use to build the beds? And what were the dimensions?
I do hope you feel better soon! That cinnamon almond topping looks so good! I have to tell you, I was staunchly anti-oatmeal until I read your recipe for VOO. Wow, I’m completely transformed into a oat loving maniac. I seriously can not get enough. I love it!!!
I hope you feel better soon! It’s really taking a long time, you poor thing…
That oatmeal seems great though.
vegetable garden beds look great…I can see Eric is hard at work. Better him than you :) Can’t wait to see what you guys plant and how things go!
Neti pots. Yes, life changing. Husband’s chronic sinus infections and issue, gone after a lifetime 30+ yrs of issues after regular neti pot use. And then he stopped doing the neti for 6 mos and it all came back. So yes, they work. A little gross and weird at first, but worth it I think!
And the baked crunchy topping.. That’s where it’s at for me. That’s really all I need. Perfection right there!
Here’s a great tip for planting carrots: plant radishes mixed in with them, even if you don’t really want them. Radishes grow much faster, repel pests naturally, and ‘loosen’ the soil for the slower and more delicate carrots. You’ll be pulling out radishes right when the carrots are old enough to survive on their own.
Also, try to get ‘pelleted’ carrot seeds. They seem more expensive at first, but since the seeds are so miniscule you’ll waste far, far fewer of them, and they come in their own little balls of fertilizer as well. :)
Email me anytime for veggie garden tips!
My Mom insists the marigold thing is a myth. I think it works! Good luck on your garden and hope you feel better soon!
i just bought the same neti pot last week. it has helped tremendously… except for today. i am so congested the water wont even go through – ew :(
good luck with the garden beds! it looks like youre off to a great start!
Have you checked out the Square Foot Gardening book by Mel Bartholomew? It is a great way to get started with raised beds. My husband and I just finished making ours and I planted the seeds just a week or so ago and things are already sprouting. I think it will help you a lot. Good Luck.
I bought my first neti pot dealie with my last cold, and while I wouldn’t say I enjoy using it, it’s better than a hot poker in the eye. Not that that’s a good cold remedy solution.
Either way, I hope you feel better soon. This has gone on long enough!!!
Your veggie beds look great! Hope they’ll provide you with plenty of organic vegetables.
I am so jealous of your upcoming garden! I want one so much…and hope to have when soon when I get out of apartment living.
Did you check out any organic nonGMO online seed stores. I’ve ordered my seeds, but still missing some green kale and fennel. Everyone’s out of fennel :’-(
You always make me want to eat oatmeal :) and from a fellow Neti pot user….it does help out quite nicely during allergy season. Garden is looking good :)
I have a netty pot too lol! I have never even met any one else who knew what they were! I use it all the time when I’m sick! Like you said…its kind of gross and takes a little time to get used to but it WORKS! :)
Veggie patch looks good! My mum spent last weekend planting spring onions, peppers, beetroot,garlic, courgettes and tomatoes, so hopefully we’ll be getting our own veg too!
I’ve been ‘patio gardening’ for the last couple of years… As much as it’s easier on the weeding side, it’s not the same as a real garden because the soil dries out much faster and I constantly have to water the plants… out of a rain barrel of course!
One gardening trick that my mother taught me is to plant garlic between your tomatoes to scare away the pesky worms.
My dad and I made a vegetable garden last summer and it looks almost identical to your – they are SO much fun! All the fresh fruits and veggies will be great in all of your amazing recipes… I have GOT to try this baked oatmeal – it looks so good and I love that there is a little crunch added on top – YUMMYNESS :)
your oats and soft serve look fantastic!
i’m sorry that your not feeling too hot and hope you start feeling better!
I’ve been wanting to buy a Neti Pot for a very long time, but I guess I’m just not brave enough :)
I swear by Oil of Oregano for when I start to feel sick in ANY way! You can (of course!) find it at Whole Foods. All you do is place two drops down your throat (wait a minute until you dont feel like dry heaving anymore from the strong sensation) and then it is like a miracle. Try it!
PS…this is the first time that I have ever left a comment on your blog! you inspire me to try new recipes and I am forever grateful!
Thanks so much!
Melissa :)
http://lessonplansos.blogspot.com/
I was a neti hater for quite some time and wouldn’t even try it out- but on a desperate bad allergy day I gave it a shot- I’m converted :)
My soon to be sister in law turned me onto your blog today and I have to say I am a forever follower! I attended an organic and all natural herb and vegetable garden seminar this evening and was so happy to have been handed an herb and vegetable companion planting handbook!! This will be my second year with a personal garden and have to admit that aside from my two boys and my husband is the light of my life! I enjoy every second I am in it and love to see all the amazing things I can grow!!
If you have any issues with locating a companion chart I would me more than happy to post one that matches your vegie wish list!
Hope you feel better soon!
Sommer
Recipe looks awesome! Definitely added it to my “things to try asap” list!
Get better soon! xo
I loooove my neti pot. I use it every morning during allergy season and when I get colds in the winter. It took me a while to get the angle right so I wasn’t either swallowing the solution or tearing up, but ever since I got it figured out it’s been a lifesaver.
Can you believe I can even get my 5 year old to use a neti pot? No complaints because it WORKS!
I’ve always loved Neti pots since my mom introduced me to them several years ago! Just don’t forget to add the salt. That hurts. ;)
That looks delicious! I’ll have to try it!
So sorry you are sick. I absolutely swear by the neti-pot, despite the grossness factor…. it works!
I am so excited to see your garden when everything is blooming.
Hope you feel better soon. Neti pots are the best!!! Weird, scary and the best.
My bf used a Neti Pot for the first time a few months ago and said it really seemed to help!
Feel better soon!
I was thinking about starting my first garden this year, as well. I have big plans and want to plan a ton of stuff, but it’s hard just like you said! There are so many specifics to worry about! Good luck! I hope we succeed! Your boxes look really great too! :-)
I have wanted to try a Neti Pot, but have not bought one yet. I have heard how well they work, though.
Your gardens are really coming along. I will have to follow your gardening posts to get all the information on the how-to’s of what to do. My dad is a gardener, but I have never tried it, but really want to.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Oooh sounds delicious! I’m going to make this for breakfast tomorrow!!
I really want a neti pot right now….my friend has one and loves it!
I never tried the neti pot. I’ve heard only good things about it. I hope you feel better soon!
Angela, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Neti Pot. I suffer from hayfever, and even resorted to taking Claritin D (of course, I had to get it from the pharmacist, and give them my driver’s license so that they could enter it into the system, etc.). Then my husband mentioned hearing about Neti Pots on Paul Harvey one morning. He said that it gets rid of all the crap that gets caught in our sinuses. He said that when he went snorkeling in Hawaii once, several hours later, his sinuses drained and he could breath really well. So I tried it, and have been using it ever since whenever I feel my hayfever symptoms starting up, or when I feel a cold coming. It gets rid of the allergy symptoms (no more Claritan D), and stops the cold in it’s tracks. I was actually going to recommend to you to try it a couple of days ago, but didn’t get around to commenting. I’m glad you’re trying it, I hope it works for you. Be sure to use warm water (that seems to break up the gunk the best), and use Neti pot salt (I think there’s something about the iodine they put in table salt that’s not so good for your sinuses).
Ok first of all- thank you for the yummy recipe! THIS will be on our weekend breakfast agenda after we do our 4 mile walk on Sunday. YES! Second- holy neti-pot! I looove mine! Hubby refuses to use it… LOL. And third- YYAAAAYYY for garden beds!! We don’t have a raised bed, but my sister does. We’ve started our plants (some of them) indoors- sprouts are a-comin!!
Mmm baked oatmeal sounds so warm and comforting!
I want to make this oatmeal for a brunch! And I wish I had the yard for vegetable beds-I’ll just envy yours until I have my own yard.
Hey Angela! What are those pipe-type structures in the sides of the planter boxes? I’m building boxes this weekend and need all the advice I can get!
The neti pot is addictingly good. I may have the same flu. My taste has left. I miss it. That baked oatmeal is the first thing that has looked good to me other then soup all week. Feel better
So glad you’re liking the neti pot! Get better soon!
Hi there,
I’ve been keeping tabs on your gardening plans/thoughts. Love the raised beds. This will be easy for weeding purposes and you can pack more in a square than a row. My sister owns a CSA farm here in Wisconsin, this is her 3rd year. The land has been pesticide free for 30+ years. The first year she just started planting, so if you can get some dirt that doesn’t have any chemicals in it (your back yard, or a neighbor’s) that’s really all you need. Then in the fall, I would suggest finding a local farm that is pesticide free (pesticide free is easier to find than organic here and is basically the same) and get yourself some manure to lay on top thru-out the winter. So, if you plant it, it will grow (in theory:)) It’s always trial and error in each growing zone. Good luck and I can’t wait to see the fresh veggies this summer!
this is in my oven baking as we speak :) Can’t wait to taste it!
yum! I love fruit oats! Strawberries or blueberries are my favorite!
I’m jealous of your garden beds!
I love the Nettipot!! It’s one of my favorite!
Your beds are SO beautiful! I’m so envious! I can’t wait to see the progress. I’ve been making my own compost with worm bins and a compost spin bin, I wish I could ship it to you because I’m not even using it (I belive I’ve mentioned my brown thumbs!).
I just made this this morning and it is absolutely wonderful. Once again, another OSG staple in my recipe box! Thanks so much! Being a new vegetarian / vegan, your recipes have often helped me out! I hope you get better soon and keep it up with the Neti Pot, it does wonders!
You might try http://www.amazon.com/Soil-Mates-Sara-Alway/dp/1594744459/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304027029&sr=8-1 for companion planting info, apparently it is actually a readable book!
Can’t wait to see how you do with your garden!
I tried the planting mix “recipe” from The Square Foot Garden book this year and it seriously ROCKS. It is equal parts blended organic compost (I mixed together good old fashioned cow manure plus mushroom compost), vermiculite, and peat moss. I mixed it up in a bucket for my little herb garden, but you could use a big tarp or a wheelbarrow for the large beds. The end mix is light and has perfect drainage. This was the first time I tried it and my herbs are going CRAZY. I can picture their little roots stretching out and going “aaahhhh”.
Bonus: With the compost mixed in, no need for any fertilizer at all. All I add are sunshine and water.
Yay to gardens! I LOVE gardening!
Looks just like the one my boyfriend and I built last year!
http://www.whatrunslori.com/2010/03/eight-steps-to-building-a-raised-bed-garden/
:)
Check out Renees garden, somewhere in there she has diagrams of how to plant your gardens use to be very helpful to me when I was gardening. (www.reneesgarden.com)
Have I told you how much I LOVE your recipes! :D
aww thanks!
The neti pot is a life saver. My husband used to get sinus infections, respiratory infections and horrible allergies like crazy until he started using it. It cleared his sinuses so that they never get infected and then the infection never dropped to the lungs so he hasn’t had a single one since.
Also, again, you garden is exciting me beyond belief. I can’t WAIT to see how it pans out.
I used dark chocolate almond milk. Like dessert for breakfast!
Ooooh I hate when you can’t taste with the flu…that is the worst!! I have been suggested a nettipot but it does seem…scary. I hope you start feeling better soon! I’m super jealous of your garden beds, my parents did something the exact same in their backyard, I wish i didn’t live in an apartment!
WOW! Those raised beds look GREAT! I really want some when we get a place with a yard! And what a great veggie list!
Also, great that you got a netti pot. I got mine a few years ago and it saves me every spring during allergy season!
Hi Angela! I just made this and it is currently in the oven, but after reading back through the recipe, I can’t see cinnamon listed in the topping ingredients section. I’m sure mine will still be just as yummy :)
Thanks for pointing that out Carly! I added it in- I think it was about 1/4 tsp :)
Hi Angela,
My hubby and I are just getting started on a Vegan lifestyle. Your website is extremely helpful!!!
I’d love to give this recipe a try, but have a quick question…. Have you ever tried making it without the banana? Any ideas on a banana substitute? (The taste of banana makes my hubby sick to his stomach… so weird!)
Thanks
What a lovely bowl of comforting baked oatmeal! I reduced the recipe by half since it was just for me this morning – though I still have ample leftovers and will save it for VOO for the rest of the week! I also added walnuts for a little extra crunch. Thanks Angela! :)
Jess
I just made and added blueberries and ground flax seed – sprinkled coconut on top – heavenly. Another great recipe.
Thank you!!!
Would this work the same with gluten free oats? Thanks!
Hey Stacy, yes GF oats should work just fine!