Project Oatmeal

And just like that, I became an everyday oatmeal eater

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Listen, I've always wanted to be more of an oatmeal eater

Some of my favorite people love oatmeal, are really, they're great people to know.  Especially if you like to eat breakfast, and particularly if you like to eat things that are warm, comforting, and infinitely adaptable

And yet, for the longest time, eggs lured me away.  I blame simple egg sandwiches, with a touch of Miracle Whip and ketchup for dipping.  But either way, here we are

My love of eggs has been an ongoing affair for nearly a decade

Around the time I turned forty, I learned a million things about myself, but one of the most important was the realization that my days were far more calm, peaceful and encouraging when I wasn't fueling my body with junk food.  I started making changes to my diet and incorporating easy and incorporating eggs seemed like the easiest place to start

But

Strawberry Rhubarb Oatmeal

Last fall I moved to a new apartment.  With all of the related expenses and general life uncertainty, I found myself wanting to be really careful with my money.  Those eight-dollar martinis at the charming dive bar downtown and the fifteen-dollar salad at the trendy new cafe could really add up

It reminded me of other times in my life when I was keeping a closer eye on what I spent

Like the time I was traveling and missed my ride back to the hotel.  It was late, so I'd taken a taxi and pretty soon ten dollars just became twenty-five.  While it was a good decision, because safety is more important than money, I'd still found myself over-budget

Or the time I ordered the soup, while friends ordered prime rib and a bottle of wine.  Then came the moment when it was time for the check and I hated to make anything awkward, so I paid $30 toward the event.  In either case, I found myself thinking of ways to eat inexpensively for the rest of the week

Peanut butter and jelly can only get you so far

In an effort to combat my introverted tendencies and discover some cool places in this new town I called home .. I started projects that didn't cost a lot of money.  They turned out to be some of the funnest things(!)

On the weekends, I challenged myself to find something I could do for $20 or less.  Was there a museum nearby that had a free day?  A $5 second-run movie theater?  Odd hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants to try?  Used bookstores to browse for vintage cookbooks or board games?

All of which led me to listen to a Turkish storyteller at the library, cocktails in a jazz den and aimless bike rides just heading in a general direction.  During the warmer months, I took walks almost every evening.  Looking at the houses, gardens, and trees, and hoping I'd get to pet a pug

Of course, my project extended to the kitchen.  How could I get creative with inexpensive staples like lentils, rice, beans, a large bag of potatoes and ..

oatmeal

Photo Credit – Instagram – @gemmacorrell

Mostly, I grew to love oatmeal because it pushed all the buttons I like breakfast to push

It's quick, easy, cheap, nutritious, low-calorie, and a blank slate for any direction I wanted it to go.  It can be sweet, but not too sweet.  Filling but not too filling.  The kind of meal that makes me feel virtuous about eating maple syrup and butter.  At the same time, it can easily satisfy my taste for something savory.

Some of the favorite combinations I discovered during my project?  Those that make oatmeal live up to its fullest, most delicious potential?

( to be continued .. )

Big hugs to you and wishes for a happy weekend ahead

xoxo

~ Adapted from Food Faith Fitness

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~ Adapted from Forks Over Knives