Oatmeal with Peanut Butter & Banana

There's just something about a yummy breakfast that makes the day start rolling a little easier. This oatmeal is one of those combos. This recipe is a whole different thing from the pre-fab packets of flavored oatmeal. If you like the following ingredients separately, give this a try. Oatmeal with peanut butter and banana also seems to be a good breakfast for sustained energy. Maybe it's the carb/protein and potassium (from the banana) combo? I hope you enjoy the recipe (it's really good!)

Oatmeal with Peanut Butter & Banana
1-2 C Milk
1-2 C Oatmeal
1 banana (ripe and smashed with a fork)
2 T peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1-2 T brown sugar (or Splenda brown sugar) optional

Add your milk to a pan and heat. Add the same amount of oatmeal, as milk, to the pan and stir to combine. (It's okay to put a little more oatmeal than milk. If there's more milk than oatmeal the oatmeal will be runnier.) Cook the oatmeal on medium to medium/low for 5-10 minutes (watch the pan so the mixture doesn't boil over) and then take the pan off the heat. This makes 1-2 servings.

For each serving: smash a banana in the serving bowl, add a serving of oatmeal and stir to combine. Stir in 1-2 T peanut butter and add brown sugar if you want. This makes a great breakfast if you need to pack it to-go with you.

Enjoy your breakfast!

Suz

Frozen Lemonade

It's been in the high 90's and cold drinks are becoming a highly sought after treat--but going out for them adds up ($$$). We were out in the heat a lot yesterday and this drink saved the day!

Frozen Lemonade

2-3 C ice

1/3-1/2 can lemonade concentrate

1+ C water

Frozen Lemonade (Light)

2-3 C ice

2/3 can sugar free lemonade

2-3 T lemonade concentrate

1-2 T lemon juice (fresh squeezed)

Add the ingredients to your blender and blend on high. If the blender is just spinning and not blending, try adding a little more water  and shake down the ice so the pocket of air created at the bottom is gone. If the mixture is too liquid-y add more ice. Once blended taste the slush to make sure it's lemony enough. If not, add another spoonful (or two) of lemonade concentrate and/or squeeze fresh lemon juice in (to taste). Serve in an insulated travel mug (so it won't melt as fast) with a milkshake spoon and a straw.

Source: Me. Inspiration? Beans and Brew.

Suzanne
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