A Healthy Start to your Day: Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

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Before we closed down shop in the kitchen for a couple of weeks, I snuck in to make the BF’s favorite breakfast this past Sunday: Blueberry Baked Oatmeal. Of all the breakfasts I’ve cooked, this one is by far his favorite. It’s the one he proudly talks about to his friends at parties as he boasts of my skills as a breakfast chef.

The best part is that it’s 100% healthy and extremely easy to throw together. When I have friends over for brunch, I’m always tempted to throw together an elaborate, decadent and unique dish, like Fruity Pebble Pancakes (I said elaborate…not elegant). Sometimes, however, it’s nice to cook up a warm, comforting and healthy dish for my guests. Enter Blueberry Baked Oatmeal.

Packed with fiber, this healthy comfort food breakfast draws upon the flavors of maple syrup, honey and blueberries to achieve the perfect of level of sweetness. Cook it for a group of people or simply to impress your significant other (leftovers can be reheated in a pinch!)

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Serves 6
Take your ordinary oatmeal breakfast up a notch with this healthy and easy baked dish.
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
50 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
50 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats
  2. 1 tsp salt
  3. 1 tsp baking powder
  4. 1 tbsp cinnamon
  5. 1 ½ cup Almond Milk
  6. ¼ cup egg substitute
  7. 2 tbsp lowfat melted butter (cooled)
  8. ¼ cup maple syrup
  9. ¼ cup honey
  10. 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  11. ½ cup brown sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Combine oats, salt, baking powder and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
  3. In another medium bowl, combine almond milk, egg substitute, melted butter, maple syrup and honey.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, and stir until fully mixed; gently fold in blueberries.
  5. Pour mixture into 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish (or similar) coated with cooking spray and top with brown sugar.
  6. Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.
The Sometimes Healthy Living Blog https://www.sometimeshealthylivingblog.com/
Since the New Year is all about healthy changes, and breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you might as well start with this baked oatmeal.

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Doesn’t it look positively scrumptious? I also like to test other fruity combos, such as apples and raisins, strawberries and bananas and even peaches! If you want to get a little Sometimes Healthy, you can go ahead and throw some chocolate chips into the mix…but I would NEVER do that.

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I have been working on a fun workout to share with all of you, but it’s not ready yet. So, this week you’ll just be getting a recipe from me. Feel free to checkout some of my printable workouts on the blog. By far, my “Create Your Own Bootcamp” Workouts and kickboxing workouts are the most popular on Pinterest, so maybe you should give one of them a try on this dreary Friday?

Before signing off, I wanted to share a picture that my best friend, Becca, texted me last night. She thought I might get a kick out of what her son, Brody, was having for dessert.

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Ice cream topped with Goldfish and sprinkles. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this boy is a culinary genius.

I am also very proud of the fact that my dessert choices mirror those of a 4-year-old.

On that sweet note, I’m off!

YOUR TURN:

Favorite healthy breakfast?

Favorite kiddie foods that you eat? (Mine is obviously Goldfish!)

Favorite workouts that I’ve posted?

 

 

 

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WIAW: No Oven, No Cry

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We’re doing a bit of work in the kitchen over the next few weeks, and this means limited use of my favorite room in the house. 

This week, I’ve had to make due without an oven, and I’ve actually enjoyed getting creative in the kitchen. I also got reacquainted with my old friend the Crockpot, also known as the Magical Pot. Is it just me or is it nearly impossible to mess up a Crockpot dish? 

And, for my next magic trick, I will clear out all of the vegetables in my fridge, throw them in a pot with some chicken broth, beans and seasoning and POOF, in 3 hours, you shall have a delicious and nutritious dinner. So far this week I’ve made meatloaf and last night’s veggie-packed dinner in the Crockpot. Both were magically delicious.

Before I spend an entire post talking about the wonders of a crockpot, let’s step back to breakfast for 2014’s first “What I Ate Wednesday.” (WIAW)


For breakfast, I was really craving a breakfast sandwich, but alas, I had no stove. What’s a girl to do? Well, I simply cooked up some egg beaters in the microwave and threw it on top of an english muffin in the toaster oven. I also sliced up some sweet potato and zapped that in the microwave as well.

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No oven, no problem.

Breakfast was very filling so, I was able to work through lunch without even needing to grab a snack. This never happens. I am a snacker, and I usually eat at least 2 snacks before lunch. Gotta keep that metabolism revved up! Continue Reading →

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Things I’m Loving: The New Year’s Resolution Edition

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Do you ever feel like you’re constantly behind in life?

Who am I kidding? We all feel that way most of the time. The older you get, the more responsibilities you have, and the more responsibilities you have, the more you need to be what they call an “adult” and prioritize, AND the more your prioritize certain things, the more other things go on the back burner and become the “I’ll get back to that when I have the time” things. Such is life.

I’m fairly certain that the last time I didn’t feel behind was in 6th grade where the most stressful thing on my agenda was choreographing my Bryan Adams lip synching skit for the talent show. (Yes, that happened. It was a “dramatic interpretation of the hit ballad “Everything I Do, I Do it for You,” and I absolutely received a standing ovation).

Anyway, here we are in the second week of January, and I have yet to get started on formulating my New Year’s Resolutions. I realize that resolutions aren’t for everyone, but, if you haven’t noticed from some of my posts, my life has been a bit out of sorts for the last few months. I could definitely use an excuse to start getting my s*** together.

Alas, I find myself behind. I’m not ready to put the pen to the paper yet, so instead, I’ve been packing my Pinterest board with healthy recipes, workouts, organizational ideas and other items that will help me be a better “me” in 2014.

According to a Harris Poll, here are the top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Americans:

Resolutions

None of these resolutions are too surprising, and I myself identify with each and every one of them, except for #1 and #7. In fact, I’m sure they’ll be on my list in some shape or form. So, in the spirit of the most common resolutions, this “Things I’m Loving” Edition is dedicated to items geared towards helping us out in these ever-popular self-improvement categories. Get ready to “Pin” away!

Let’s start with my favorite resolution of all…. Continue Reading →

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Strawberry Wine Cake Truffles + Create Your Own Bootcamp Workout (Part Deux)

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An official (snowy) Happy 2014 from the Sometimes Healthy Living Blog!

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(My gorgeous view this AM)

What better way to welcome the new year than with booze, sweets and, of course, a workout. The workout is adapted from my most popular Pinterest workout to-date, and I think those of you with fitness resolutions for 2014 will really enjoy the freedom of creating your own bootcamp workout.

As for the recipe, well, I debated kicking the year off with a healthier recipe, but as you may recall, on New Year’s Eve, I promised a recipe for champagne cake truffles.

And, I always keep my word.

Well, sort of. Continue Reading →

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Boozy Baking + A New Years Countdown Workout

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Just wanted to check in quickly before 2013 draws to a close. Apologies for the lack of posts, but I’ve been taking the holiday season to figure out a few things going on in my life right now.

I planned on sharing a recipe for Champagne Cake Truffles with you, but unfortunately, there was a slight mishap with the batter. Hopefully I can share with you later this week, as it will be perfect for Valentine’s Day as well!

Here’s a quick preview.

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And for those that are interested in baking with champagne: Simply take any cake mix (though the white cake mix bases allow the champagne flavor to cook through more), mix with 1.5 cups of any ol’ champagne and bake according to package instructions.

Warning, batter will be bubbly, seriously. You might also consider adding a touch of Chambord for a little raspberry kick. Next, consider mixing some canned pink frosting with a touch of champagne, and you’ve got yourself a nice little boozy cake for New Year’s Eve.

The best part? You can just drink the rest of the champagne while you bake. Look for the full recipe later this week!

Hopefully, this fun countdown workout will make up for the absentee cake truffle balls.

New Year Workout

Ya don’t have to yell “Happy New Year!” at the end, but personally, I find that it’s more fun that way.

I hope to make some big changes in the New Year and eventually be able to share them with all of you. I may even make a few resolutions (hey, why not?)!

In the meantime, I’m off to the gym to bust out this countdown workout before the festivities begin. Wishing you a healthy, happy AND safe New Year!

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Posted in: workouts

Peppermint Gingerbread Truffles + A Jingle Bell Rockin’ Workout

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“Twas 6 nights before Christmas, and all through the house,”

The smell of chocolate was everywhere, and the dog was staring like a hungry mouse…”

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“The gingerbread treats were formed, covered in peppermint chocolate, and sprinkled with care,”

In hopes that this second batch would have the right amount of holiday flair.”

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“The hard-working baker was far from ready for bed,

As visions of the Snowball Pizza from earlier that night danced in her head.”

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“She pulled the treats from the fridge and felt oh so merry,

Red, green, white and delicious, they had certainly been blessed by the holiday fairy.”

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Continue Reading →

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WIAW: Let it Snow

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Happy “What I Ate Wednesday” (WIAW) to all! I’m looking forward to exploring all of the healthy living eats across the blogosphere in between my freelance PR work today. 

I’ll jump into my eats, but first, please enjoy the view from my gym yesterday.

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Seems like the entire country, including upstate NY, is coated in mountains of snow! On my Monday post about beating the Winter Gym Boredom Blues , one reader asked if getting outside counted as a way an option? Wellllll….yes, my reader friend, but unfortunately sometimes Mother Nature literally won’t allow it – and that’s why it’s helpful to have a few tactics for enjoying your winter time in the gym!

And with that, let’s hop into breakfast. With the snow pounding down outside, I wanted a no-frills comfort food breakfast. After considerable thought (yes I generally but a lot of thought into breakfast…it is my favorite meal of the day after all!), I decided upon a healthified breakfast sandwich with a side of apples and honey.

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Continue Reading →

Posted in: WIAW

5 Sometimes Healthy Ways to Beat Winter Gym Boredom Blues

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You wouldn’t know it if you looked at me, but I’m definitely your quintessential gym rat. I may not have bulging biceps, carry around a giant milk jug filled with protein powder or grunt when I lift weights, but I am most certainly as close to a gym rat a woman can be. As I mentioned in last week’s post, other than the kitchen, it’s sort of my happy place.

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So, it’s not surprising that most cold winter days, you can find me warming up at the gym with one of my circuit workouts. Over the years, I feel like I’ve perfected the art of getting myself to the gym whether it’s below zero or blizzard conditions. Some people complain that the gym bores them, so that’s why I use a few tricks to ensure that I’m never bored at the gym during those frigid, snowy winter months where exercising outside just isn’t an option.

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(I’m freezing my a** off…he’s getting exercise. Lucky dog.)

5 Sometimes Healthy Ways to Beat Winter Gym Boredom Blues 

1. Plan Your Entertainment: Sometimes all you need to make the time go by at the gym is some simple entertainment. For some, that may mean a good trashy magazine and a date with the elliptical machine. When I go to the gym, I like to read one of my favorite healthy living magazines, such as SELF and Shape, while I’m on the elliptical. I’ve also been known to schedule my workouts during primetime tv shows. Biggest Loser is a GREAT motivator for running ya’ll. It’s like having a trainer in your ear for free! Finally, if your gym has internet, bring your hand-dandy iPad and catch up on your favorite healthy living blogs (especially mine!). If it’s fast internet, you can catch up on your Netflix/Hulu shows OR, you can download a couple shows to your iPad through iTunes. While this does cost money, you can ask for an iTunes giftcard as a holiday gift or stocking stuffer!

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(Food Network Magazine and The Voice are great gym time entertainment)

Currently, I’m barreling my way through Parenthood on the ol’ iPad on the stairmill. I’m glad that I sweat so much on that machine because then people do not notice the buckets of tears that usually fall from me during every single episode. Continue Reading →

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Baked Challah Egg Nog French Toast + the BS Workout

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I have been waiting to share today’s recipe with you for almost an entire week, and anyone who knows me well knows that patience is not necessarily one of my virtues.

I love this new recipe for Baked Challah Eggnog French Toast for many reasons:

1 – It is topped with a  delicious Cranberry Strawberry Compote that takes the festive dish to another level

2 – It has just enough eggnog flavor to be sweet and tasty, without being too overpowering.

3 – It combines 2 great foods from different religious customs: us Jewish people eat “Challah” bread on Shabbat and special holidays, and of course, the entire world drinks copious amounts of eggnog to celebrate Christmas (or make lots of holiday family time a bit more tolerable). Indeed, it’s a Chrismukkah miracle dish!

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Baked french toast is one of my favorite dishes to make when I have friends over for brunch or guests in the house. There’s nothing quite like waking up to the aromatic scent of maple syrup and baked bread. Well, add to that the scent of nutmeg, cinnamon and cranberries, plop it on top of sweet egg bread, doused in eggnog, and you’ve got yourself a pretty irresistible breakfast. In the spirit of Sometimes Healthy, I used lowfat ingredients as well. Merry Christmas!

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Sometimes Healthy Friday without a little workout to take into your ridiculously busy pre-holiday weekend. Over the past week, I’ve had the pleasure of knocking off a lot of my workouts with my best friend, Becca. She seems to like my workouts, and I love having company when I work out! The other day, she mentioned to me that she really enjoys my workouts but doesn’t think she would want to do them on her own. As a working mother of two, she’s one busy woman, and while she does a great job of squeezing in that 45 minutes to an hour to work out, when she does, she wants to do what she likes! So, my dear friend Becca S. (BS ya’ll), this workout is for you. I know you like your cardio, so I kept this circuit workout to 15 minutes, so that you can squeeze in at least 30 minutes of straight cardio!

Let’s start with the long-awaited recipe.

Baked Eggnog French Toast with Cranberry Strawberry Compote
Serves 15
A sweet and hearty simple french toast casserole that brings together some of the holiday season's best flavors and places them on top of sweet Challah (egg) bread.
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Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr 5 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr 5 min
French Toast
  1. 1 loaf Challah Bread
  2. 1 1/2 cups Egg Beaters
  3. 2 cups lowfat eggnog
  4. 1/2 cup fat free half and half
  5. 3/4 cups sugar
  6. 2 TBSP vanilla extract
  7. 1 TBSP ground nutmeg
  8. 1 TBSP cinnamon
  9. pinch of salt
Cranberry Strawberry Compote
  1. 1 bag fresh cranberries
  2. 2 cups strawberries, diced
  3. 1 cup sugar
  4. 1 cup water
  5. 1/4 cup lemon juice
  6. 1 TBSP cinnamon
  7. 1/2 TBSP nutmeg
For French Toast
  1. Slice Challah Bread into 15 slices, about 1 inch thick.
  2. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and arrange slices in 2 rows, overlapping.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the Egg Beaters, eggnog, half and half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and whisk until blended.
  4. Pour mixture over bread, ensuring all pieces of bread are covered evenly; spoon mixture between slices as well.
  5. Cover and refrigerate overnight (2 -3 hours will be sufficient).
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees the next morning, and bake for 45 minutes, until french toast is set and slightly golden.
For Cranberry-Strawberry Compote
  1. While french toast is cooking (or the night before), pour cranberries, water, sugar, lemon juice and spices in a medium saucepan and cook on medium high until cranberries begin to burst.
  2. Stir cranberry mixture and add in diced strawberries.
  3. Cook on medium to medium-high, stirring occasionally, until fruit is cooked down but still a little chunky, about 10 - 12 minutes
  4. Remove from stove and serve warm or, if prepping the night before, cover and keep in refrigerator.
Notes
  1. It is not necessary to steep bread overnight; if making early in the morning, 2-3 hours should be sufficient.
The Sometimes Healthy Living Blog https://www.sometimeshealthylivingblog.com/
I probably could have eaten the entire dish of french toast, if given the time. It was just THAT good. And, it was even better when topped with bananas and whipped cream. Continue Reading →

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WIAW: Never too Cold for Ice Cream

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Good morning! Lots to do today and not a lot of time, as I am leaving for New York tomorrow. Thus, this post will be mostly pictures of food and less mindless rambling. Welcome to another edition of “What I Ate Wednesday,”  (hosted by Jen from Peas and Crayons) where hundreds of healthy living bloggers across the country share their wacky, random and occasionally disgusting eats from the previous day. When I first started blogging, I had no desire to become involved with this “party,” but now I’m hooked! I enjoy chronicling my eats (for one day only – more than that feels like way too much work) and sharing them with the world (or the small audience that reads my blog..).

Breakfast was leftover Challah Egg Nog French Toast from my snow day holiday bakefest on Sunday. 

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The Strawberry Cranberry Compote definitely takes this recipe from good to great! The nutmeg, cinnamon, egg nog and cranberries combine for a little taste of Christmas for breakfast! This would be the perfect dish to make for holiday brunch or the morning after a holiday party.  And guess what, you lucky readers you: I’ll be sharing the recipe this Friday! Continue Reading →

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