Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Proat(s)

Let’s talk about the breakfast of this champion.

a delightful topping of holiday grapes, local black twig apples, bananas, and blueberry clif bar crumblies

Just as quickly as the oatshake obsession arrived, it retreated in the face of chilly morning temperatures. And, although I attempted to remedy this situation with a hot chocolate s’mores oatshake (complete with marshmallow fluff + Graham Crackerz* cereal)…

*Yes, it bothers me that they spell it with a Z. But not enough to prevent me from wanting to eat it.

WARNING VEGAN MO FO VIEWERS: THIS WAS NOT VEGAN (It is a photo from September. I'm sorry for showing it. But not that sorry.)

…I eventually gave in and settled on my constant (breakfast) companion of late:

previously frozen raspberries, fresh bananas, and local mutsu apples, plus a sprinkles of bob's red mill muesli

Proats.*

*Did I debate about putting an exclamation point to herald in their triumphant arrival? Yes. But a period makes a more definitive statement (and requires less energy) so early in the morning.

I don't even know what this is, but it looks like FROG preserves, PB2 goo, Cinnamon Sweets, and Love Grown Cocoa Goodness

(You can’t call it proatmeal, because it has oat bran in it, too.)

that amazing jar from marshalls has held everything from raw cashews to sauerkraut to oat bran. what a memoir it will write one day.

Thanks to the Quaker, and the Trader–

–although the Kroger oat bran(d) is just as good, and has a resealable bag that currently provides a nice home from the extra Joe-t bran–

–I have a new favorite breakfast.

creamsicle proats made with orange juice + vanilla protein powder, topped with pear, date pieces, peaches, and granola crumblies

Because sometimes I feel like the only photos I’m showing on Instagram are pictures of my proats, I figured it was about time to give all y’all (including our lovely proats host, Jenn) a special What I Ate Wednesday tutorial on proat preparation.I do apologize that this has nothing to do with Halloween or spooky sweets…unless you count the time I made a chocolate peanut butter proat bowl of perfection.

dark chocolate chips, PB2 goo, peanut butter granola bar crumblies, and a sprinkling of wegman's chai-spiced fiber essentials

The method is simple: first, cook up your oat and oat bran combo (the ratio and amount is really up to you, based on how many calories you need and/or want) on the stove.

I use instant oats as a compromise for making them on the stove every morning. I can barely get out of the door as it is, so waiting for regular oats to cook won't do.

Once they are creamy and delicious, stir in some of your favorite protein powder. [I only use 1/3 of a scoop, since I tend to use protein powder in different treats throughout the day.]

the day you realize you can eyeball exactly 18 grams is the day you know you've got proat-verboard

Add in extra liquid and stir it around. [This is where you can add orange juice for creamsicle proats, or cherry juice if you need some muscle recovery.] You might need to whisk it to get it come out smooth.

or you'll leave the chunks in because you were the weird kid who liked it when you found globs of hot chocolate mix in the bottom of your mug

Let it cook to the consistency you desire…and then comes the best part: TOPPINGS!

previously frozen blueberries, local crispin apples, and wegman's chai-spiced fiber essentials (which i need more of, if any of you are listening)

Really, the best part of eating proats is that you get to put so much fun stuff on ‘em.

cherry ginger proats w. bananas, shockingly delicious fall peaches, and date pieces

Fluffernutter proats were a particularly delicious creation.

peanut butter granola bars melt into a fabulously delicious 'crust'

And proats proved a perfect vehicle for some pie-spiced roasted grapes and apples.

can you tell i have a slight fixation on bulk bin date pieces? they ARE covered in OAT flour you know...

I even packed protein powder when I went to Pennsylvania for a wedding, so that I could eat them at Papa Smart’s house…

previously frozen strawberries, fresh blueberries, fiber one, and kashi cinnamon crumblie crunch crumblies (say that three times fast)

…and in a jar on the ride back home.

proats in a jar...in a car.

In fact, proats have made more than one jar-ringappearance. Usually there is no reason for it except that I just want to eat out of a jar.

those dates again...and previously frozen berries...and mutsu apples..(maybe I needed the jar to shake things up a bit?)

The only question you should have left is…what kind will I make tomorrow?

keeping it (relatively) simple with chopped apple + vega berry energy bar crumblies