Pumpkin Banana Oatmeal

That 5 a.m. alarm sure came early this morning!

After getting out of our normal early-morning workout routine for the past couple of weeks, it honestly felt good to be working out before the sun came up.

There’s just something about checking my workout off my to-do list first thing in the morning that sets my day in motion in a positive way. It’s those endorphins, I’m tellin’ ya.

Some unforeseen great news? Our drive to the gym only took us 11 minutes! That’s nine less than we initially predicted!

Workout

My workout began with 20 minutes on the elliptical beside Ryan. We laughed because we both felt more fatigued than usual. I guess skipping 5 a.m. workouts for a few weeks will do that to you. (Side note: If you want to be a morning gym-goer but can’t seem to get yourself out of bed, you may enjoy this past PBF post: How to Work Out in the Morning.)

After our time on the elliptical, Ryan and I split up to do our own weights workouts.

My session included three sets of 15 repetitions of the following:

• Leg extensions
• Hamstring curls
• Tricep pulldowns
• Chest press
• One-legged leg extensions
• Super set: Bicep curls + Front shoulder raises
• Super set: Push ups (on my knees) + 30 bridges 
• Ab work on exercise ball

Breakfast

When we came home from the gym, I made us a hot breakfast. It sure feels good to have access to not only a legitimate kitchen but also all of my usual kitchen supplies.

Since it’s almost September, I figured a fall favorite – pumpkin oatmeal – was appropriate.

I changed up my usual pumpkin protein oats a bit and made pumpkin banana oatmeal for us to enjoy.

Pumpkin Banana Oatmeal

Serves 2

Prep time: 3 minutes

Cook time: 6 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal
• 1 large banana, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/3 cup pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Nutmeg, to taste

Instructions:

• Boil 1 3/4 cup water
• Add oats and reduce to medium heat
• Allow oats to cook for three minutes
• Add half of the banana slices and brown sugar to the oats and continue to cook on medium heat for another minute
• Stir in pumpkin and cinnamon
• Allow to cook until oats thicken, about two to three more minutes
• Pour oats into a bowl, top with remaining banana slices and sprinkle with nutmeg

This breakfast tasted like fall in a bowl.

And speaking of fall, I am so over the heat in Florida right now. As Ryan and I were moving a bunch of boxes into our new rental house yesterday, it was in the 90s and we were dripping sweat. I cannot wait for the days of scarfs, boots and cuddling on the couch wrapped in a blanket. We have a good two months to go before that happens in Ocala…

Question of the Morning

• What is your favorite season? Why?

When I lived in Illinois I loved summer. Now that I live in Florida, I’m all about the fall! I love the beginning of the holiday season and I feel like fall just has a certain coziness to it that I adore.