I’ve raved several times about this delicious oatmeal that I found at Big Lots.  The plain (Raw) has been my favorite, but this week I tried the cinnamon apple for the first time.  I added a chopped fiji before cooking the oatmeal, which made the apple pieces nice and soft.  As much as I try to avoid flavored oats due to the high added sugar content, it was nice to not add 8 ingredients before heading out the door.

Once I researched the company and looked for other places to buy their products, I couldn’t find them for less than $5.99 – and I got the whole package for $1.00!

I found some similarly exciting deals at Big Lots last night while I was killing time before spin class.  

There’s something about the cold, cold weather that makes me crave tea.  Of course it doesn’t replace my coffee, but I tend to drink a cup as soon as I get to work in the darker wintery months.  This big tea display is obviously intended to be a gift, but for $6.99 it included 8 tea bags in each of 12 flavors, including gingerbread, candy cane, holiday spice, and french vanilla.  This morning my throat is a bit sore so I’m sipping some honey lemon chamomile.  For about $.07 / bag, this tea will keep me busy for the next few months.

The next big find was Kodiak cake mix!

Kath and other bloggers have raved about this brand, but I never wanted to pay full price or shipping to try them.  I snagged this box for $3.00.

My last find was an impulse purchase – I’ve run out of my beloved Love Grown (and it isn’t sold close to me), and this granola sounded delicious.

It’s the strangest texture – very light and crispy, almost like puffed, very sweet rice cereal.  I’m thinking it will make a great streusel-type topping on muffins or bread.

Especially since I ate my last slice of pumpkin bread as a snack at work yesterday.

Last night’s post gym dinner was quick and easy, similar to the frittata I made last Thursday night.  I was excited to try the butternut squash variety of the boxed soups I purchased, hoping it was as good as the roasted red pepper variety.

Success!  It had a great flavor and creamy texture for only 130 calories per cup. 

I made that huge batch of roasted red pepper hummus on Sunday and I’m stressing out to use as much as possible before it goes bad.  I mixed equal parts of hummus and goat cheese, warmed it for a few seconds, and used it as a topping on wheat toast.

It would have been better on pita or a tortilla, but you make due when you’re starving at 8 pm! 

Dessert was a Chocolate Covered Katie cake as interpreted by Gina at Running to the Kitchen.  I won her giveway this week and I’m excited to get my sparkly Chicband in the mail!  I adapted Gina’s adaptation but used garbanzo bean flour and Splenda blend for the sugar with vanilla stevia.  My “pumpkin frosting” was almond milk, pumpkin, and cake batter protein powder with a touch of maple syrup. 

Love!

Did you make any blog recipes this week?  Are you planning to try any this weekend?

I bought a donut pan at BB&B this week and can’t wait to try some of the delicious donut recipes that have been circulating!  Wish Melissa & Colleen good luck in their half marathons this weekend!

Happy Friday, all! xox