BIG NEWS!

Pin It This week has been crazy for me...  One night I finally admitted to myself that I was in the wrong major.  The next I was furiously researching and trying to figure out what in the world I wanted to do with my life.  Then I found realized Winona doesn't have the major I want...hence more frantic researching trying to find a school I could transfer to.  I was an emotional wreck at this point and felt totally lost.  Why didn't I realize I was in the wrong major two years ago? How could I waste so much money?  Would I ever find a subleaser for my apartment next year?  How could I just pick up and leave all the friends I love in Winona?  What in the world did God have planned for me?!?!  All I knew is that I had to change my major.  I could not be a Health and P.E. teacher the rest of my life. It just didn't say "This is Kara."  For those of you who know me even a little can probably guess what I changed my career path to... it's practically the definition of who I am.  For those of you who haven't figured it out already, I am a nutrition freak/fanatic/guru/whatever else you want to call it.   I am going to be a Registered Dietitian!
The best news of this whole ordeal is that I don't actually have to transfer like I originally thought!  Today was a good day let me tell you.  I was so relieved to learn I didn't have to transfer this morning after my meeting with my advisor.  My plan is to finish my degree in Health Promotion here, graduate next year, go to graduate school and get a masters degree in Human Nutritional Science, and then do my internship to become a Registered Dietitian.  It's a lot of school, but I am so excited!  I can't wait to share more of my nutrition knowledge with you guys. :)  :)
So in honor of my big decision, I am going to share some of my latest peanut butter creations.   Peanut butter + Nutrition + Giraffes = <3 

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER MICROWAVE CAKE

I'm sorry to report that I will not be sharing the recipe of this one today.  It still needs a little tweaking to get it just right.  I will give you a sneak peak at one of the secret ingredients though!...Buckwheat flour!  It gives the cake a little more protein than the average chocolate cake.  Stay tuned for this recipe!

OIAJ (OATS IN A JAR)

Have you ever gotten frustrated with all the little streaks of precious peanut butter left over in you jar?  Personally, it drives me crazy.  The jar it too small for me to reach my tongue in there and take care of it (my mom loves when I like my bowls clean...but hey its good stuff!) and I hate sticking my hand in there because then the peanut butter gets all over the back of my hand and it ends up getting wasted anyways.  I first heard of this idea on a few of my favorite blogs, so I thought I'd give it a whirl of my own (adding a few healthy Kara tweaks of course). 

PB2 OIAJ

The first two OIAJ pictures are two different jars of peanut butter in case you were wondering...I can easily finish off a jar a week.  YUM. 

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Old Fashioned Oats

1-2 tbsps PB2

1/2-1 packet Stevia

Dash vanilla extract

1/4-1/3 scoop Vanilla whey protein powder (optional but highly recommened being as protein is a great way to start your day =])

1/2 - 3/4 cup Water (depending on how thick you like your oatmeal)

1 almost empty Natural peanut butter jar

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a microwavable bowl (make sure the bowl is BPA free!).

2. Microwave for 1 minute and stir.

3. Microwave for another 1-2 minutes stirring occasionally and keeping an eye on it so it doesn't overflow the bowl.

4. Pour into peanut butter jar and dig in!  The peanut butter will easily wipe right off the sides with the warm oatmeal.  My mouth is watering...

Nutrition Facts:

Will vary depending on ingredients used and amount of peanut butter left in the jar.

CHOCOLATE OIAJ

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Old Fashioned Oats

1 tbsp Unsweetened cocoa powder

1 packet Stevia

Dash vanilla extract

1/4-1/3 scoop Chocolate or vanilla protein powder (optional)

1/2 - 3/4 cup Water (depending on how thick you like your oatmeal)

1 almost empty Natural peanut butter jar

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a microwavable bowl (make sure the bowl is BPA free!).

2. Microwave for 1 minute and stir.

3. Microwave for another 1-2 minutes stirring occasionally and keeping an eye on it so it doesn't overflow the bowl.

4. Pour into peanut butter jar and dig in! 

Nutrition Facts:

Will vary depending on ingredients used and amount of peanut butter left in the jar.

CHIA PBJ OIAJ

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Frozen strawberries

1/2 cup Milk

1/2 cup Water (or more milk)

1/2 tbsp Agave (or stevia/preferred sweetener)

2 tbsp Chia seeds

Vanilla protein powder (I didn't use any in mine, but it might make a nice addition)

1 almost empty Natural peanut butter jar

Directions:

1. Mix up berries, milk, water, agave, and chia seeds in a small bowl the night before.

2. Cover and place in fridge.  If you are able to give it another stir in the next half hour or hour that would be best, otherwise the chia seeds tend to clump at the bottom.

3. Let sit in the fridge overnight as the chia seeds swell up and create a pudding like texture (kind of like tapioca). 

4. In the morning, pour half or all of the chia pudding into the peanut butter jar and enjoy a protein packed breakfast!

Makes 1-2 servings.

Nutrition Facts:

Will vary depending on ingredients used and amount of peanut butter left in the jar.

THE END RESULT?

Whats your favorite kind of oatmeal?