And what better way to make a return than with an old familiar?
Carrot Cake Oatmeal:
(for two)
- 2/3 cup of oatmeal
- 2/3 cup of vanilla soy milk
- 2/3 cup of water
- 1 banana, thinly sliced
- splash of vanilla
- cinnamon
- tbsp. of ground flax
- 1/3 cup of grated carrot
- tbsp. dried cranberries (or raisins)
- tbsp. dried coconut
- tbsp. pecans (or walnuts)
- 2 tbsp. of vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp. almond butter
Start by combining oatmeal, soy milk, water, banana, vanilla and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Allow base to cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
Just before the oatmeal has reached the desired consistency, add carrot, cranberries, coconut and pecans and mix well.
When oatmeal is ready, remove from heat and scoop into two bowls. Top each bowl with a dollop of Greek yogurt and an almond butter spoon. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Serve!
While it’s impossible to solve all of my life dilemmas in 2 weeks, I did realize a few very important things during my time away. First, that I love this blog dearly. Rather than going away and feeling thankful to be free of the obligation for a while, I just thought of all the ways I can make Dining and Dishing something that I enjoy creating as much as I did when I first started, if not even more. Things change and grow in life and there’s no reason this blog shouldn’t too.
And second, that I really owe it to oatmeal. Not only because is it a delicious and comforting way to start my day. And not only because I never get tired of seeing how pretty it looks in blog pics. Who knew oatmeal could be so funny? During one of those ritual what-the-heck-am-I-doing with myself quarter life crises, a series of oatmeal inspired events made me laugh my face off.
So thank you oatmeal. And it’s good to be back my friends 
.
YAY for being back in the blogging game! And YAY for oatmeal!
Hope we can hang when you are in town for the holiday!
yes i hope so!! still waiting to hear back from allison and heather – ill keep you posted
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Hi! Welcome back. I haven’t been around in a while but hope to keep in touch with you too!
Enjoy your holiday season
SO glad you’re back, Beth!!!!
And, don’t worry, I’m going to email you back…….things have just been crazy lately. But, yes, I definitely want to get together when you’re home!!!!!!
excellent! i look fwd to it
Welcome Back!
Glad you’re back!
So glad you’re back!
awww
Yayyy! Welcome back! And how delicious does this look? The yogurt and extra cinnamon on top are wonderful touches.
I don’t think I’ve seen carrot cake oatmeal before? Me LIKE!
Welcome back!! I enjoy reading your blog and salivating at your pictures, so I’m glad to see you’re back!
hey gorgeous!! so glad you’re back!! i’ve missed you too
what a way to make an entrance
carrot cake oats!
we love you!
Welcome back to the blogging world. This is some impressive oatmeal!
I think I’m out of oatmeal. I can’t remember if I used the last of it or not! Gotta get some more so that I can make this!
Glad you’re back sister:) You were missed!
i’ve gotta try my hand at carrot cake oats someday – i always have a shredded bag in my fridge, it seems!
[...] finally, to grow and improve Dining and Dishing. I love this little blog which I spent some time talking about when I returned from my time away in December. So now that I’m back, I want to spend 2011 really [...]
[...] I digress. I made Beth’s Carrot Cake Oatmeal! And yes, I did use those oats pictured above. The boiling process cancels out the germs, [...]