Pumpkin Oatmeal

Here's a yummy fall recipe to start off the chilly mornings...

2 Cups Old Fashioned, Rolled or Steel Cut Oats (not instant)
2 1/2 Cups water with 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar added, or 2 1/2 Cups buttermilk
2 Tbsp whole wheat flour
3/4 Cup Pumpkin puree -more or less to taste :) I actually prefer a whole cup in there
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
dash of cloves
1/2 tsp salt

Start by preparing your oats the proper way: by soaking them in an acidic liquid for at least 12 but up to 24 hours.   The flour is mixed in because oats aren't naturally high in phytase, the enzyme that breaks down the anti-nutrient phytic acid which is found in grains.  Mix your oats, acidic solution and flour in a bowl or jar and cover lightly.  Leave to rest at room temperature on the counter for 12-24 hours.  When your oats are done soaking, pour into a fine strainer and rinse them.

Mix together your oats, another 2 Cups water (or you may use milk for a richer oatmeal) pumpkin puree, vanilla, salt and spices in a saucepan.  Over medium to med-high heat and stirring often, bring the mixture to a light boil and then turn down the heat and simmer 5 minutes or until the desired consistency is reached.

Serve the oatmeal with any or all of the following: cream, milk, butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, pecans, walnuts... the possibilities are endless!

Enjoy :)

I wanna play soooo bad!

What a workout!

ROAR vs rawr.

Sometimes a rawr feels like this:

But sometimes....

                                                                                       ...a bit more like that.  Oh well.

Who Is Mr. Foster?

I assumed the inventor of the delicious dessert known as bananas foster would be Mr. Foster, but wiki has informed me otherwise.  Mr. Foster was just a friend of Owen Brennan, the actual inventor.  Not that knowing that makes it any less yummy!

That was what followed the dinner Travis and I made for my folks this evening, which was also quite good.  Salmon glazed with a spicy sweet sauce and topped with a cucumber mango salsa, buttery spinach (for me) and corn on the cob (for everyone else).  I like making dinner for my folks... I always do something very different than their "usuals".