Friday, November 23, 2012

Baked Porridge with Walnuts and Prunes and a like from Tony Bennett


Baked Porridge with Walnuts and Prunes

Hands up who needs a little bit of lower fat comfort food in their lives!!!!  No?  Really?  Believe me, if you take the time to love your body just a little bit, it will love you right back a whole lot more!!!!!  I've been nicer to my body over the last 12 months, than I have been to it for the last 10 years and it is paying off big time.  You know about the weight loss already, but I am starting to get stopped in the street as well.  A friend stopped me the other day after I had been walking towards her for a minute or so.  She told me she said to herself.  "Is that Carolyn, no it can't possibly be, but if it is, I'm going to stop her and tell her how good she looks."  I assume she means good compared to how I used to look.  I mean I am on the wrong side of 40 and we are not talking Claudia Shiffer here, but clearly after all the effort, it is starting to pay dividends.



So last Friday I got in the bath with my new happier body,  some wine and some Tony Bennett on the stereo.  I so enjoyed it, after I got out, I grabbed the phone and instagramed this shot.  Probably too much information, but that's what a few wines and a nice time will do to you. And hey, it's cheaper then therapy!!!!  The tag line was Grateful for #baths and #wine on a Friday arvo. And #tonybennett

It raised a few queries on my personal face book page and we had a laugh, basically around the fact that my shoulder is the best bit of me these days.  My mum, who recently joined face book,  balled me out, but who cares, I'm my own woman.

But on the theme of being noticed, which can often be unusual for a woman of my vintage in Australia, a funny thing happened. Because I tagged Tony Bennett, he liked the photo on instragram, or at least his people did.  Which I thought was incredibly sweet and made my day.  These days I'll take the likes where I find them, they are so few and far between. Even if they are via an over 80 year old crooner.

And the moral of the story is, if you want to be kinder to yourself, have a bath with Tony Bennett and some Rose.  Enjoy yourself, because every day above ground is a good one and I am celebrating that.  Oh and make yourself some of this fantastic baked porridge, Guaranteed to bring comfort and goodness to all who indulge in her.



Baked Porridge with Walnuts and Prunes
1.5 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
1/2 cup of pitted prunes diced
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of salt
3 tablespoons brown sugar
500ml /16 fl oz low fat milk
250 ml / 8 fl oz thickened cream, I used Philadelphia Cream for Cooking, which has 85% less fat than regular cream
Cooking oil spray for greasing.

Preheat oven to 150C/310F
Spray a medium size baking dish (big enough to hold the milk) with olive oil spray. Toss in the oats, walnuts, prunes spices, salt and vanilla.
Mix to combine
Pour over the milk and cream and stir through.
Mix through 1 tablespoon of the sugar.
Bake uncovered for 45 minutes on the top shelf.
Sprinkle with the remaining sugar and bake for a further 15 minutes.
Serve from the oven, melt into the moment and enjoy.

For my other simple baking ideas go here.


And remember what Budda said,

"The trouble is, you think you have time"

Have a great weekend  peeps.
Today I am linked up here

33 comments :

  1. Looks great Carolyn. Oh, and so does the baked oatmeal! LOL You old crooner, you! LOL

    Anne xx

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  2. What a great post!Today I met a classmate from High school and he said "Hey you look better than you looked back then!"Oh that was conforting!AriadnefromGreece!

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    Replies
    1. Well I think that's great. Improving with age is a bonus

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  3. Definitely a like from Tony Bennett! His people would have showed him FOR SURE!! That is possibly the best news all week...just reading it!

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  4. i love this post Carolyn...and so excited for you that Tony Bennett likes you too...you are truly an inspiration...I will certainly try your recipe too.
    P.s you do have a lovely shoulder :)
    Bec x

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  5. I have to admit, the pic of the baked oatmeal made me scrunch up my nose, but I bet it does taste yummy and let's be honest, who COULDN'T use a low-fat healthy comfort food in their lives?!

    Well done on your weight loss journey! I'm 9 months into mine, and 11kgs lighter for it! Makes the world of difference in so many aspects, and it's nice to have people tell you how good you look!

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  6. I am SO MAKING that baked porridge. Looks fantastic as you do too. The power of self care is so strong, good on ya. I'll be back at the gym on Monday after 4 weeks off, lifting those weights that really work for me. PLEASE don't say the wrong side of 40... it's the right side, I'm telling you... did take me a bit of time to get used to being over 45 but good to embrace it, aging has got a lot of benefits. I say this as I'm not in pain or whinging today...

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    Replies
    1. Ok from now on I'm on the right side of 40. Thanks Seana

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  7. That is hilarious...how fab that Tony Bennett liked your photo! And so he should. I am going to have to try this recipe! Loving eating healthier food too, you do feel so much better dont you. Have a great weekend!

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  8. The porridge looks fabulous and so do you!
    Not feeling the best today- too much Thanksgiving!

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    Replies
    1. Oh a Thanksgiving excuse. The first one I've seen in OZ good for you Deanne.
      Carolyn

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  9. I so love how you have styled the porridge in the enamel dish, it looks fantastic!!! xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks sweet Emma nice to see you over this way.
      Carolyn

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  10. Yum! That sounds really good!
    Congrats on the like from Tony Bennett (or his people). That would have been exciting. And congrats also on feeling good about yourself. I gave up sugar in May and as a result have lost a lot of weight, and also feel good about myself now. Makes a nice change! :)
    xx

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    Replies
    1. Yep apparently giving up sugar changes everything. I'm not quite there yet.

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  11. What a wonderful story. You look so young in the photo in the bath. What else are you
    doing besides losing weight?

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    Replies
    1. Just happy and grateful for the small things I guess

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  12. It's great when we like ourselves isn't it ?? That porridge looks great - may have to keep that recipe somewhere until winter gets here - it's too hot for porridge now.
    Have the best weekend !
    Me
    #FYBF visitor

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  13. well done on the weight loss! it must feel great.
    the porridge sounds good & i love your enamel dish.
    x

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  14. Well done Carolyn that's awesome. I have never made or ate porridge before its never really interested me to eat it.

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  15. Previously I would have screwed up my nose at porridge, particularly porridge with prunes in it. But I have embarked on my own health kick recently and have come to embrace oats for my daily breakfast - low fat and filling. So I may actually consider giving this recipe a go - thanks for sharing!

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  16. Looks yummy!

    Check out my giveaway of a month planner, meal planner and shopping list pad and pencil for the fridge. http://takeshapefitness.blogspot.com.au/

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  17. I saw "Celebrate life, and the weight loss, and not feeling bad for being on the wrong side of 40" - this from an old broad on the wrong side of 50 :)

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  18. Your recipe looks delicious and you look great. Wow! That's fantastic that Tony Bennett liked your pictures!

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  19. Oh, that porridge looks absolutely delish! And yes, it's all about comfort and goodness!
    Tony Bennett? Now that's a HUGE claim to fame! :) x

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