I ‘Oat’ To Get Into Shape

Sorry about that pun, but with all the oats I have just used over the past couple of days, it was really coming 😉

You remember my post from Sunday, also known as my last post to date?
You remember how it was all about my new love affair with cranberries? Well, Valentines may have come and gone, but nothing will extinguish how I feel about this gorgeous red fruit. All dried and pink, all red and round – either way, it is my new favourite 😀

210Sorry that really had nothing to do with this post – I was just once again putting out there how much those wonderful berries mean to me 🙂

Anyways let’s go back to yesterday, when all my troubles seemed so far away (that’s a lie, I am talking about Saturday ;)). I had an epiphany after seeing a post on the wonderful Averie’s site and it lef to me making a revamped version of her wonderful Blueberry Banana Microwave Oat Cakes. Why?

76Because I epiphanised (it is not a word mind you)

a)  I am going to need energy to study – ok I know I could argue that chocolate gives everyone tonnes of energy to study but honestly, a short burst of sugar isn’t going to keep me going while something with some protein and good carbs will 🙂

b)  I can’t rely on omelette every morning – Frankly this is because I detest omelettes and refuse to eat them on the weekends though I force myself through the weekdays with dripping tomato sauce!

68c)   I have my muesli bars which I love but I can’t whip them up fast for a good hit of taste and flavour without extending jeans – I need a quick solution so I have more time to focus

d)  Speaking of extending jeans, so many people get fat during their HSC because they eat, don’t exercise and study (= sitting all day) – I like my sweets A LOT and I think I make that pretty obvious(;)) but I do my exercise too! I need a snack that I can sit and eat and won’t feel pressured or stressed out about afterwards which will affect concentration 🙂

You see? I can think rationally when it comes to chocolate – though it can be truly hard sometimes not to. So then I came to the conclusion, bright and early at 5:30 on Saturday morning to make these. They are tasty, flavoursome, have oats, berries, nuts, cereals and fruit and can be zapped in the microwave in 5 minutes – tasty, healthy and almost my ultimate breakfast (with a bowl of cornflakes maybe :D)

85
Eat, share (wait don’t!) and take pleasure in it – I can’t believe I am being so… like The Thinker  and *ugh… health conscious 😉

Can’t wait till these two years go by so then I can lax out (this is where your jaws drop and you think – “this has been her rigid???” :P)

Enhanced Fruity Microwave Syrup Oat Cake
Loosely adapted from: Loves Veggies And Yoga

Makes: One serve 🙂

Ingredients

  • 5 tbs rolled oats
  • 2 tbs mixed chopped nuts
  • 2 tbs healthy cereal – prime examples are Weetbix, Cheerios, K-time, sultana bran, cornflakes and rice bubbles
  • 3 tbs mixed chopped dried fruit (cranberries of course)
  • 1/2 tbs maple/golden syrup (omit if desired)
  • 1161/2 banana, very ripe and mashed
  • Pinch of spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, chilli – if you are feeling a little crazy)
  • Dash of vanilla essence
  • 1/2 pear, very ripe, skinned, seeds removed and mashed
  • 1/4 cup frozen/fresh berries (or any fruit really – I opted for raspberries)
  • 2 tbs cocoa powder (optional to make a chocolate version – use 2 tbs brown sugar too then)
  • 1 tbs desiccated coconut (optional)

Method

  1. Mix first 9 ingredients together till well combined
  2. Add in chocolate, sugar and coconut if desired
  3. Gently stir in fruit until distributed throughout
  4. Grease a small bowl lightly with butter
  5. 48Press mixture into bowl and smooth top
  6. Microwave in 1 minute intervals or until top looks dry and oats are lightly browned (mine was done in 3.5 minutes)
  7. Let sit in plate for 2 minutes before lightly running a knife around the edges.
  8. 58Turn onto a plate and let cool 5 minutes
  9. Top with more syrup, fruit compote or eat plain and enjoy 😀

**Important Note: I forgot to say you can add chocolate chips into this cake or Nutella as well… looks like I need some help 😉

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And here are some wonderful links I have recently been included in 😀

  1. Teena from Teenz Yummy Delights hosted a wonderful Valentines Day events which featured lots of different bloggers and the recipes that made their heart (or someone special’s) heart sing 😀 – I was lucky enough to submit quite a few of my pink recipes like this one and this one – check out the whole range of gorgeous posts right there and start bookmarking for 2013 ❤
    Contests1
    2. The Communal Pantry – The Pantry Team from this awesome website has so many different tips, tricks and recipe ideas it made my head spin 🙂 – I was lucky enough to be included in one of their posts on lunchbox ideas featuring my natural sugars super chewy muesli bars – featuring a lot of delicious ideas, this is one link you simply must check out 😀 – Awesome ideas for kids and adults alike!

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For the finale – The wonderful Ambreen of the delicious Simply Sweet ‘n’ Savory has tagged me 😀
A fun idea for sure and you all simply must go and devour every picture on her blog – Thanks for this chance my friend!

The Rules:
1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself in the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you’ve tagged them.

12 Things You Didn’t Know About Me:
1. I get very OCD about cleanliness when I am baking in the kitchen – an orderly kitchen is a kitchen in which I can find my ingredients!
2. I am a huge huge huge fan of One Direction (I love you!) – And guess whose coming to Australia…
3. I am a little bit of a nerd but very proud of it – I am a Dr Who fanatic and am in love with Asterix and Obelix and Tintin 😉
4. If I had to choose between chocolate ice cream and chocolate cake, I would always choose ice cream!
5. I have an hour glass in my room which makes me feel Egyptian 😀
6. I cannot stomach a lot of salt unless a rare occasion
7. I prefer rain to sunshine
8. I have a huge horror movie/book love (Dracula is my hero)
9. I enjoy writing ancient history essays (shhh… there is that nerdiness again)
10. I want to be an interior designer and continue French in university
11. I am kind of nervous about my upcoming senior years – something I loathe to admit!
12. I love that you guys support me so much and make me feel happy 😀

Ambreen’s Questions :

  1. Describe yourself in 3 words? Relaxed, food-addicted and a little lazy 😉
  2. If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Chocolate (no kidding :D)
  3. What is your favorite movie? I don’t know for all time but right now, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (and not because of the beautiful James Franco!)
  4. What is your favorite type of cuisine? A cross between Mexican and Italian, though I do love my Desi Indian…
  5. What scares you the most? Spiders!
  6. Coffee, tea, or neither? Neither (hot chocolate forever!)
  7. What is your favorite place you have ever visited? New Zealand
  8. Are you a sweet tooth or savory tooth? Sweet Sweet SWEET
  9. What is your favorite song? Too hard so my favourite rhyme is ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’
  10. If you could change just one thing about yourself, what would it be? Not to hold any grudges
  11. What’s one goal you have for this year? Learn a bit of savoury 😉
  12. What is your most favorite post on your blog? My Best Blogs page – where I have links to heaven 😀

My Questions:
1. Why do you blog?
2. Are you a social butterfly or do you like solitary weekends?
3. What is your dream job?
4. If you could have any kitchen superpower, what would it be?
5. What is your most prized cooking possession?
6. ‘When in doubt turn left’ – do you believe this?
7. If you were stranded on a tropical dessert and had the choice 3 dishes to eat for the rest of your life, what would they be?
8. What is your worst kitchen nightmare?
9. Do you think the Oscars were deserved this year?
10. What is your dream car?
11. Name one wonderful childhood memory involving food 🙂
12. If you could travel to anywhere in the universe, where would you go?

Who Am I Tagging?

Go guys and spread your words around 😀
Also, from my part, twelve is a lot so I am giving compensation to do 6 if you wish – Enjoy and have a great day to all!

80 Comments

  4. Willow says:

    Yum! Sounds like a good breakfast boost to me. 🙂
    I love zapping a bowl of oatmeal in the microwave with some fruit and nuts, but never would have thought about turnning it into a patty like that. What a great idea!

    Like

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  5. NerdyBaker says:

    I have a new found love of cranberries too. Ever since my Apple Cranberry Muffins, I really believe that I have been underestimating my whole existence. What a shame. I also really like them in my Oatmeal applesauce cookies. This looks like a great breakfast for sure!

    Like

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha, the pun was definitely a bit of a long stretch 😉
      But I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe so bursting with berries!
      Trust me, this took me a recorded 6 minutes to make so while it it not 2 second cereal, it definitely beats the 40 minute french toast – I am sure you can do it 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      It is definitely best of both worlds 🙂
      And I promise it is sleep-in friendly (took me a total of 6 minutes – I checked – to make!) so take your time!
      And thank you very much for the pin 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

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  13. Deeps @ Naughty Curry says:

    its like a bowl packed with all things good & nutritious, what a lovely way to begin the day! Thankyou so much for thinking of me & sharing the lovely award with me! loved reading more about u, we are so similar in our love for chocolate & everything sweet! 😀

    Like

    « Reply
    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      It most certainly is and thank you 🙂
      It was my pleasure to share this tag with you – can’t wait to know more about you – and anyone who shares a love of sweets like me is definitely a soul sister/brother 😉
      Nice one!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

      « Reply
    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you 🙂
      And I do prefer cranberries in, let me put it, more sugary things too but sometimes that just isn’t possible (and I do not count scones as unhealthy :P)

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

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  16. Ambreen says:

    This sounds so yummy & healthy. Aw, thank you for such sweet words! You’re such a sweet girl, nice to know more about you. It looks like we have a similar goal for 2012 🙂

    Like

    « Reply
    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thanks 🙂
      And you deserve every word!! It was a great feeling being tagged and I really enjoyed connectivity like this with bloggers! Lets aspire to keep our goals by mentally clinking glasses filled with fanta 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

      « Reply
  21. Charles says:

    Those look awesome – like little oaty, fruity, energy-packed patties. Stick them between two pancakes and you’ve got a “burger” 😀 Yummy – I never saw something like it before… great idea! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for dropping by my site earlier!

    Like

    « Reply
    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you and I agree – this is a recipe which gives great results without over butter/sugaring anything 🙂
      I really enjoyed your blog and definitely will visit again!!! Hope you can say the same 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

      « Reply
  29. thoughtsappear says:

    I’d always choose chocolate ice cream over chocolate cake, too, and I love horror movies.

    I’m OCD about the kitchen cleaniness, too. I’m always cleaning up the kitchen after my roommates. Leave a mess in any room except the kitchen!

    Like

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  31. Simply Tia says:

    Those oat cakes divine and I will definitely be trying them out. They look and sound so healthy and at this point in the year, I’m all about that! Yum!!!

    Thanks for tagging me. I still haven’t gotten around to writing posts about the several web awards I’ve been given. I’m such a bad girl! So please forgive me if I don’t exactly “play” by the rules. One day, I’ll get around to it. I will definitely put a link to your site in on my E-Buddies page because you make such wonderful goodies! I’m really happy I found your blog!

    Like

    « Reply
    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you very much 😀
      And I too am attempting to be as healthy as possible as long as it lasts 😉

      And there is no pressure whatsoever on you – it can be hard to keep up with everything from the blogging world 🙂
      It is most sweet of you to do this, I appreciate it enormously! And I too am ecstatic to visit your delicious blog 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

      « Reply
  33. Tina@flourtrader says:

    Glad to pop in and find more out about you-funny about the hourglass thing!
    The microwave method is a good one when you are short on time and I like the fruit and oats in this treat. More whole grains says the doctor, so I have every reason to make this! Delicious post.

    Like

    « Reply
    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha because I am such an interesting person right 😉 😛
      I am glad this recipe is for you – If one must put healthy stuff in their body why not do it in the yummiest way possible 😀
      Hope you enjoy!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

      « Reply
  34. Parsley Sage says:

    Who doesn’t like a good epiphany?! This dish looks super yummy. Admittedly, I think of oats as horse food so I’m usually a little hesitant to fuss with them. This looks delicious though, maybe a converter!

    Like

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  35. Nava Krishnan says:

    I too need my burst of energy for the stress and pressured work I go through esp during this time. Wow!! great idea to use the microwave and these are simply healthy and will keep my going for my energy and my preferred choice rather then heavily stuffed desserts.

    Like

    « Reply
    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      I thought these might appeal to you my healthy friend 🙂
      They certainly are a de-stresser, filling and simple – the microwave idea is what initially drew me to them 😀
      Thank you and enjoy!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Like

      « Reply
  39. Medeja says:

    Cranberries can make anything better 🙂 I believe in that..though I don’t know when I used them for the last time 😛

    And thanks heaps for tagging me ! I will work on that this weekend, I’m just to do it during the week!

    Like

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