Breakfast

The Return of the Oats

Greetings!

I’m currently stuffing my face with this, as I get ready for work.

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Oats in a jar, where have you been all my life? I’ve missed you.

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When was the last time I’ve even had oatmeal??! Must have been weeks. I know others love to eat oatmeal year round, but for me, it’s just too darn hot in summer to eat a heavy hot breakfast! I prefer things like cold cereal, eggs and smoothies in the summer and like to save my oatmeal and nut butter days for fall and winter. That being said, some days you just need a big bowl (jar?) of carbs though to get you going.
I actually ate an Amazing Grass bar when I woke up this morning because it was 8:00 (!!) and I knew I’d be eating again in two hours before work. I beefed up my oatmeal this morning with 1/3 cup egg whites to get me going through a busy day.
What’s your favorite breakfast in the summer? Does your appetite change seasonally like mine?
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  • Dorry
    June 24, 2010 at 10:31 am

    My appetite definitely changes in the Texas summer heat but I still love oats so I’ll eat them cold – nothing keeps me full like oats for breakfast. 🙂 Hot coffee though? Pretty much out of the question!

  • Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
    June 24, 2010 at 10:31 am

    Mine changes like CRAZY with the weather. I cant do hot breakfast when its boiling out and crave veggies like crazy. But not just any veggies…raw. And grilled foods…and barbecuse sauce…and of course, ice cream 🙂

  • Becki @ HikeBikeEat
    June 24, 2010 at 10:37 am

    I’m currently on a Green Monster kick! I start with a huge one every morning, then go for a hike, then come back and have an omelette. It’s not a seasonal thing for me, it’s just whatever is easiest or whatever is in my cabinets 🙂

  • Evan Thomas
    June 24, 2010 at 10:42 am

    Even though it’s hot out, every day I crave oatmeal and yogurt for breakfast. It’s just too good!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    June 24, 2010 at 10:43 am

    I have been loving cold banana soft serve in HOT oats – it is so good!

  • Bethany @ More Fruit Please
    June 24, 2010 at 10:49 am

    I had hot oatmeal this morning for the first time in the heat and it was strange. I’m thinking of trying overnight oats now!

  • Lindsay (Summit Sandwiches)
    June 24, 2010 at 10:49 am

    My appetite definitely changes with the seasons. In the summer, I crave tons of fresh fruit and cool breakfasts like smoothies and yogurt/cereal messes. I’ve been doing lots of overnight oat batches as well, so I can get my oats in minus the sweatiness that accompanies hot oatmeal.

  • allison @ livingoneday
    June 24, 2010 at 10:50 am

    so true! in the summer i want fruit and only fruit! ive been eating fruit salad every morning and it’s just been PERFECT. havent touch my oats in months!

  • Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com
    June 24, 2010 at 10:51 am

    I pine for fruit and vegetables in the summer…other than that, my stomach does not discriminate according to the seasons. Nothing like a fat, hot bowl of oats on a balmy (haha…) 80 degree GA morning.

  • Sarah
    June 24, 2010 at 10:51 am

    My appetite definitely changes. Right now, I want wraps, salads, smoothies, and banana soft serve. But I still eat oatmeal on a occasion just because I love it so much.

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
    June 24, 2010 at 10:56 am

    My breakfast totally changes with the weather – winter = oatmeal, not summer/not winter = yogurt and cereal, summer = smoothies 😀

  • Deirdre
    June 24, 2010 at 10:56 am

    Best of luck on the camping, I am sure you will grow to love it! Best thing you can bring – large container of baby wipes! ; )

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    June 24, 2010 at 10:57 am

    I definitely eat cooler things during the summer months– I’ve had a green monster for breakfast every day for the past week!

  • Kaz
    June 24, 2010 at 11:01 am

    My appetite has changed, too. I’ve been craving cold cereal like mad!

  • Courtney @ 3 Months
    June 24, 2010 at 11:03 am

    I have that same jar in my fridge – and it’s almost ready for oats in a jar! I’d say that my preference for different types of foods doesn’t change too much throughout the year. Give me a Thanksgiving dinner right now & I’d eat it! 😉

  • Kelly
    June 24, 2010 at 11:04 am

    I tend to eat the same breakfast all year round..but lunches and dinners definitely change! I love a heavy, warm dinner in the winter, but in the summer we are just too hot and eat lots of salads! 🙂

  • Kellie
    June 24, 2010 at 11:05 am

    I eat oats no matter what the weather. I just love them!

  • Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
    June 24, 2010 at 11:06 am

    I’ve definitely been eating cold cereal instead of oatmeal this summer! It’s too warm. Also I’ve been making iced coffee instead of sipping on the hot stuff.

  • Angela
    June 24, 2010 at 11:22 am

    Right now I am overly fond of vanilla yogurt with 1/4 cup organic cherry vanilla granola mixed in. Divine!

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople
    June 24, 2010 at 11:25 am

    I had overnight oats this morning. Perfect because I get my oatmeal in and it is cold so I don’t have to worry about getting too hot!

  • Nichole
    June 24, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Glad to see you and the oats are bffs again. I am on a greek yogurt with fresh fruit, bc now we have all the yummy fruit in season. Summer can spoil you that way!

  • Therese
    June 24, 2010 at 11:32 am

    My tastes definitely change to lighter fare in the summer time and comfort food in the winter. This year my hot oats, like a lot of other readers here apparently, have been traded in for overnight oats or yogurt.

    I agree, bring baby wipes and try finding some dry shampoo to bring with you!

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
    June 24, 2010 at 11:32 am

    Love the first OIAJ pic! I do eat seasonally, but since it’s basically 54* here year round – the sky is white right now! – hot oats never go out of style. Have a good day at workkk, missy.

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
    June 24, 2010 at 11:35 am

    I go through spurts! Sometimes I’ll crave a cold bowl of cereal in the summer and then other times I just want a big ol’ bowl of hot, steamy oats. 😀

  • Kristina @goodnweird
    June 24, 2010 at 11:36 am

    My biggest hot to cold change is WINE. I love red wine in the fall and winter while I crave the crispness of white wine in the spring and summer. I’m weird like that. Forget food pairings. I’m all about weather wine pairings.

  • Koren
    June 24, 2010 at 11:40 am

    I eat hot oats all winter, but then when it gets warm I switch to cereal/granola with yogurt and fruit – blueberries are plentiful right now, I’ve been eating them every morning for weeks!

  • Claire
    June 24, 2010 at 11:44 am

    I have been eating oats cause it keeps me full longest on crazy days! I have some creamy raw almond butter from TJ’s almost ready for some OIAJ!

  • Jess
    June 24, 2010 at 11:46 am

    I go through spurts too! Right now I’m having a spinach smoothie EVERY day. Sometimes it’s Overnight OIAJ for a week straight. (Yes, I have that many jars of nut butter)

  • Sarah (Oc2Seattle)
    June 24, 2010 at 11:50 am

    I totally agree with you re oatmeal in hot weather. When the heat hits I want cool things, yogurt with fruit and granola for breakfast, and sushi, salads and seafood for lunch/dinner.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    June 24, 2010 at 11:56 am

    it totally changes seasonally for me…i’m a huge fan of all kinds of smoothies in the summer months! especially bulked-up GMs…heavenly!

  • Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
    June 24, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    nmy appetite dfinitely changes with the seasons….I’m always wanting fruit smoothies and egg white-veggie omelets for breakfast in the summer but in the winter I like the heartier things like oats with nut butter etc.

  • Krystina
    June 24, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    Oh, TJ’s nut butters, how I miss you.

  • Kristen @ Change of Pace
    June 24, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    I agree with you on oats. They sit so heavy in my stomache! I like that feeling when it’s cold but when it’s hot outside it’s not a good feeling!

  • Sweet Mama Jane
    June 24, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    it’s so weird, all i want these days in the AM are eggs… breakfast burrito style in a flax/oat joseph’s tortilla… even when it is 80 degrees out!

  • Karen
    June 24, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    french toast made with 9 grain bread, smothered with vanilla yogurt and granola….don’t even miss the syrup…..not sure if it’s a summertime thing but it gets me going.

  • Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
    June 24, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    Mine changes seasonally a little. Like today it was hot this morning, so I had cereal instead of oats.

  • crunchy granola gal
    June 24, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    hot ‘n’ heavy ain’t always a bad thing, except when it comes to summer breakfasts. word.

  • Robyn @ Frugal 'n' Fit!
    June 24, 2010 at 12:28 pm

    seasonal fruit with greek yogurt (wishfully Siggi’s!!!), some granola or cereal, and a spoonful of almond butter.

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine
    June 24, 2010 at 12:28 pm

    I eat a lot of hot oats in the winter for lunch, to warm me up halfway through a cold day. My favorite breakfast is cereal though, no matter what time of year!

  • Meg
    June 24, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    I eat oats all the time. Even in the summer…not sure why but they’re just always appetizing 🙂 Especially with topped with nut butter/in a jar 😉

  • Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama
    June 24, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    I love oatmeal, too. But for some reason it never keeps me full. Now I can drink a shake with almond milk and fruit/spinach and it keeps me full all morning long. Strange…

  • Alycia @ Fit n Fresh
    June 24, 2010 at 12:44 pm

    So I’ve never even thought of adding egg whites to my oatmeal? Seriously awesome idea girl!

  • jenn
    June 24, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    you know, i love oats, but for some reason i cannot get the wonderful taste i want out of them… are they supposed to be bland even with toppings? Maybe I should try making them in a jar? I don’t know, but please help!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog)
    June 24, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    I seem to be able to eat oats all year round!!!

  • elizabeth
    June 24, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    Jenna, How do you make the egg whites in your oatmeal?

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
    June 24, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    I am definitely one of those people who can eat oatmeal all year round…but it does taste better in the cooler months. Kind of like coffee. I still drink it in the summer but it tastes a lot better when it is 40 degrees outside versus 104! ha!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes)
    June 24, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    I like berries and almond butter wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla for breakfast when it is really hot.

  • Heather Rose
    June 24, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    Cereal and soy or almond milk in the summer is a winner…toast in the winter (don’t know why though).

    I’m more likely to eat more salads in the summer b/c they don’t involve turning on a hot oven!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    June 24, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    I’m one of the people who eats oats all year round. It’s so easy to make at work with only a microwave at my disposal. Plus, a hot breakfast is nice what with the subzero temps at my office.

  • Jennu
    June 24, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    I know what you mean! I eat lighter in the summer but those carbs are so darn appetizing!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    June 24, 2010 at 5:39 pm

    I always crave cereal and yogurt messes in the summer… with random oat cravings. OR the best of both worlds, overnight oats!

  • The Rabbit Runner
    June 24, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    I really need to stop buying so many nut butters so I can make that delicious meal again.
    Have you tried baked oats? SO good.
    my preference for breakie changes…daily to be honest. One day Im all for oats, another its all about cereal.

  • Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
    June 24, 2010 at 6:22 pm

    The discovery of cold oats has been a lifesaver for me – delish.

  • Kelly
    June 24, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    I’m definitely like that with foods. I have trouble with oatmeal in the summer too. I recently decided that I like ice cream more in the winter which is weird I know- but in summer I prefer popsicles or sorbet, random.

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie
    June 24, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    haha I had this moment not long ago. SO glad I came back to oatmeal. It’s truly some of the best breakfast food out there.

  • Kait
    June 24, 2010 at 8:08 pm

    I haven’t had oats in forever either…my appetite definitely changes with the seasons. In the summer I just don’t crave hot, heavy meals because I already feel hot all the time from the weather. Those OIAJ looks delish though!

  • Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog)
    June 25, 2010 at 2:27 am

    Mmmm… I haven’t had OIAJ in awhile, but I have several jars that are contenders for the position. hehe

    Jenn

  • Rachel @ Balance and Blueberries
    June 25, 2010 at 6:15 am

    I definitely can’t do oatmeal in the summer time. It’s just too hot and heavy. I much prefer an egg with toast, or a bowl of yogurt and fruit.