A Breakfast Carol

Today felt like an overnight oats kind of morning. Except I didn’t make overnight oats last night. Good thing “Overnight Oats” is just a trick of a name and it could more accurately be called “Just a Few Hours Oats”.

Into a bowl at 6 AM: 1/2 a mashed banana, 1/2 c of rolled oats, 1 Tbsp of almond butter, 1 Tbsp ground flax, a tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 c of chocolate almond milk.

And a single chocolate chip because I’m rowdy like that.

I knocked the chocolate chips out of the cupboard when I was reaching for the cocoa powder and got the bright idea that it would be fun to discover a chocolate chip in the middle of breakfast.

Don’t ask me, it was 6 o’clock in the morning. I can’t tell you what Alison of Breakfast Past was thinking.

But oh no, the fun didn’t stop with my breakfast. I let a single chocolate chip frolic among the raisins of Zak’s Just a Few Hours oats.

The Man got a heaping 1/2 c of rolled oats, a tbsp or so of agave nectar, ground flax seed, cinnamon, raisins and 1 chocolate chip.

“Where’s Waldo”, chocolate chip style.

OK! Breakfast underway, it’s now time to move on to the exercise portion of the day. (And apparently the rhyming portion of the day too.) We got a few inches of snow last night and the roads are totally filled with snow and ice. Running outside in the dark and snow? No dice.

But do I really want to change into running gear and leave the warmth of my home to just to schlep myself out into this cold and dark morning to be a rat on the wheel for a half hour?

Wouldn’t it be nice to stay home in a quiet, dark living room cozily lit by the lights on the tree and do yoga in my pajamas instead?

Mmmm, holiday lights pajama yoga. That sounds so nice.

I eventually decided to brave the cold and make my way to the gym. Considering I didn’t get good and sweaty yesterday I reasoned I should tie my sneakers on today. I knew I wouldn’t come home wishing I hadn’t gone.

So off I schlepped, into the darkness and snow and cold to pound out 5 miles in 40 minutes on the treadmill with my buddies Jason DeRulo and Chris Brown. Hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t be calling Chris Brown my buddy. But if that’s the worst thing I say today then I guess I’m going to let it slide.

My Just a Few Hours Oats were ready and waiting for Alison of Breakfast Present with open (stick) arms!

Topped with the other half of the banana.

Just as I predicted, my oats had softened up perfectly by about 9 AM. You can’t fool me, overnight oats! I found my chocolate chip toward the end of my bowl. Unfortunately I have to admit that this was not nearly as exciting nor fun as I had predicted it would be at 6 AM. Maybe Alison of Breakfast Future will come up with something a little more exciting for next time.

• Chocolate Smoothies Built for Two
• When the Garmin Strikes Midnight
• Scary Spoon