Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal {Plus My Favorite “On The Go” Snacks}

I mentioned a few days ago that summer is my busiest time of year. Not only am I busy with work, running to meetings, teaching classes, and completing projects; summer is when some of my favorite events of the year take place. My summer wouldn’t be complete without movies in the park, days by the pool, concerts and summer road trips. And even though my life can get a bit hectic this time of year, I wouldn’t have it any other way! I feel so blessed to do what I love and get to experience all the fun things life has to offer. Since I know many of you are busy too, I thought it would be fun to share a blog post with some my favorite on the go snacks, that help keep me fueled and energized on fast paced days!

When I know I have a busy day ahead of me, starting the day with a satisfying breakfast is a must! Usually busy days mean a quick, yet hearty breakfast. Some of my go to breakfast items are smoothies, precooked hard boiled eggs or a big bowl of “loaded” oatmeal.

After breakfast, before I head out the door, I make sure my bag is packed with convenient and nutritious on the go snacks. I will be the first to admit that if I don’t eat something every couple of hours I can get, um, a bit cranky. Below are some of my favorite snacks to keep on hand for life on the go:

20+ “On the Go” Snacks:


Air Popped Popcorn
Nuts
Individual packages of yogurt
Cheese sticks
Hard boiled eggs
Whole grain crackers
Whole grain cereals
Dried fruit
Protein Bars
Carrot sticks
Cherry or grape tomatoes
Celery sticks
Cucumber slices
Oranges
Blueberries
Bananas
Apples
Grapes
Nut butters
Hummus
Cottage cheese
Smoothies
Water (in a reusable bottle that I can refill throughout the day)

Many of these items can be bought at your local store, like Walmart, and then transferred into snack size baggies or food storage containers for easy to transport, nutritious and filling snacks. One super convenient snack I like to keep on hand is protein or snack bars. Walmart offers a wide selection of protein bars, and is the exclusive retailer for Life Choice Bars, found on the cereal aisle. Life Choice Bars are affordable (especially with this Life Choice Bars coupon), come in a variety of flavors and were the inspiration for my latest oatmeal recipe.

My love for oatmeal is no surprise for long time followers of this blog! As I mentioned, it is one of my ‘go-to’ breakfast options to keep me full and fueled throughout the day. I already have an extensive oatmeal recipe collection, but decided a Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal needed to be added to the repertoire.

This oatmeal is creamy and full of peanut butter goodness. I then piled on some of my favorite toppings, like more peanut butter, peanuts, almond milk and chunks of double chocolate protein bar, for a hearty, hot breakfast, that is ready to eat in less than 10 minutes!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal
By Heather H. of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com
Printable Version
Prep Time: 3-5 minutes Cook Time: 5-8 minutes Serves: 1

Oatmeal:
¾ cup vanilla almond milk
¾ cup water
½ tablespoon creamy peanut butter
¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats

Topping:
1 Life Choice Double Chocolate Protein Bar, chopped
½-1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon peanuts
1-2 tablespoons vanilla almond milk
Drizzle of honey

Combine milk, water, and ½ tablespoon peanut butter in a medium sized sauce pan over medium-high heat. Stir until peanut butter melts into milk.

Add rolled oats and bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and oats are tender.

Serve immediately topped with chopped chocolate protein bars, ½ to 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter, peanuts, almond milk and a drizzle of honey.