Baked Oatmeal and Breakfast Veggies

Saturdays are really the only day that I ever have spare time to make a meal worthy of a restaurant. This weekend I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with my parents who taught me everything I know! Its my absolute favorite thing sitting around the table with my family eating good food and laughing about memories from days gone by. Today's creation would be perfect for a slow morning at home with the fam. It is really simple, and SO delicious you wont want to stop eating, even when you're full!

BREAKFAST VEGGIES

2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and sliced in quarter inch chunks

3 T butter

2 T olive oil

2 heaping teaspoons chopped garlic

2 medium zucchinis

8 ounces mushrooms sliced

1 1/2 cups chopped kale

1 cup ham, chopped into small pieces

1 T dry or fresh chives

salt and pepper to taste

Sliced avocado

Place butter and olive oil in large frying pan over medium heat.  When the butter is melted, add sweet potatoes and saute stirring often for about 5 minutes.  Add garlic, zucchini, and mushrooms and continue cooking until sweet potatoes and zucchini are tender.  Add kale, ham, chives, salt, and pepper and cook another minute.  Serve with slices of avocado.

 

 BAKED OATMEAL

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups of any kind of milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1 small ripe banana, mashed
1/4 pure maple syrup
1/3 ground flax seed
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen berries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
Optional for serving: coconut milk, yogurt, or cream

Preheat oven to 350*.  Mix ingredients all together and pour into a prepared 9x13 baking dish. Bake 25-30 minutes depending on desired firmness.  Serve with any desired toppings.

Families are a prehistoric organization that are meant for us to be raised in an establishment of nurturing guidance and exponential learning of how to "life" in a safe environment. Unfortunately, some of us don't come from a home full of love and motivating parents/siblings who encourage and accept you for who you choose to be. 

However, the ultimate power of an individual is the ability of choice. You choose the person you are going to be. The way you were raised and what you are surrounded by obviously is going to impact who you become, but you choose. We can all do this and increase the quality of of life as we follow these simple principles;

1. Live every moment of your life as if it matters, because it does.

2. Live as if you have an important mission, because you do.

3. See struggles as adventures, and setbacks as life lessons.

I respect beyond words those that come from a less fortunate past but choose to look past the flaws of others and extend love to us fallen humans that might not always deserve it. As hard as life can get, there is someone in your life that loves you. So my challenge for this week is to think of someone you are truly grateful for, but have never thanked. Write a one page paper to them, then find them and read it out loud to them. As awkward as it sounds, its one of the most meaningful moments I've ever had, and I know it can be the same for you.

Remember, what matters most is not the prize at the end, but how the hero was changed in the process.