One of my favorite ways to eat oatmeal!

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I read food blogs for about a year before I started my own, and I remember Upside Down Pineapple Oatmeal was one of the first “cool” oatmeal dishes I created (inspired by Kath, obviously).  I remember serving it to the Husband and he said, “Yum! I could get used to this.”  Hehe.

 

I love the mix of banana, grilled pineapple, and creamy oatmeal.

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My oatmeal contained:

 

  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup rice milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 banana
  • Toppings: flax, cinnamon, brown sugar, almonds, and one grilled pineapple ring.

 

I grilled the pineapple ring on the George Foreman!

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An Arm Update

 

A lot of people have asked about my arm.  Thanks for the concern!  🙂 As you might know, I strained my deltoid, but I’m suppose to be swimming in an Olympic Triathlon THIS Sunday (ahh).  I strained it on February 27, and it’s gotten a lot better in the last 9 days, but not enough.

 

Since it’s not an acute injury, I know that all I need to do is rest my arm and give it time.  Unfortunately, because of the race, I have a bit of a deadline!  So, the Husband has been pulling out all the Chinese medicine stops.  Acupuncture cannot instantaneously heal a strained muscle, but it can help it heal faster.

 

Beginning on last Thursday, we’ve done an every-other-day regimen of acupuncture and cupping. Last night, he did a crazy technique called Surround the Dragon, when he stuck 5 needles all around the sore spot.  Then, we put the heating lamp near my arm for about 30 minutes.

 

It didn’t hurt (actually, it felt great).  My arm ended up being all red and splotchy, which the Husband says it a GOOD thing because it means blood is moving around.

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It looks better today!

 

So – there’s my arm update.  I know a lot of you are interested in alternative treatments so I thought I’d share.  I don’t expect to be cured overnight, but I’ve got 5 days to get in tip-top shape (I’m sure it will be fine, so I’m not panicking). 

 

Also, since I am the Queen of Injuries, I find it hysterical that I injured myself swimming.  Isn’t swimming suppose to be the ultimate injury-free sport?!  If anyone could injure themselves swimming, it’s me!

 

Breville Juicer Reminder:  Don’t forget to enter the Breville Juicer raffle!  For more information, check out this post.  Only a small number of people entered over the weekend, so the odds you’ll win this juicer are VERY good – and proceeds go to charity!

 

What blog recipes or dishes have inspired your own cooking?

{ 73 comments }

 

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine March 8, 2010, 8:17 am

    Love, love, love those oats- reminds me of the pineapple upside down cake my grandma makes, minus the rum of course 🙂 Hope your arm feels better soon!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs March 8, 2010, 8:20 am

    Amazing looking oats, what a great idea!!
    I’m sorry about your arm – I really hope it’s better by the weekend!! I’m sure with all the free therapy you’re getting, it’ll get there. Have a great day 🙂

  • nicole March 8, 2010, 8:23 am

    Thanks for the update on the arm. I know I was full of questions yesterday. It looks like you’re feeling better so I’m glad it’s working!

  • Aubrey F. March 8, 2010, 8:24 am

    That oatmeal looks really good. Hope your arm is feeling well enough for the race.

  • Catherine March 8, 2010, 8:25 am

    So sorry about your arm, but I have to say I’m quite intrigued by alternative medicine so it’s sort of cool to see pictures and have you explain cupping, etc. “Surround the Dragon” sounds pretty badass though – and sorta like a Bruce Lee movie 🙂

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 8:25 am

      HHAHA YES. My fav thing about Chinese medicine is how cool everything sounds when they translate it. Very flowery and pretty!

  • Jenn @ Livewellfit March 8, 2010, 8:26 am

    Looks like the husband it taking very good care of you! I love hearing about the alternative treatments.

    I think there are a few of us in this world who are destined to be injured. 🙂 For every single race that I have ever trained for, inevitably my body is hurtin somewhere as I walk to the starting line! I hope your arm continues to feel better!

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) March 8, 2010, 8:27 am

    I agree with you about the irony of the swimming injury. That just goes to show you what an intense workout it is and is by no means an easy sport to master.

  • jewels March 8, 2010, 8:27 am

    Don’t feel bad haha..Swimmers are very prone to shoulder injuries (and upper body)due to overuse. In college, our strength coach would have us to tons of small muscle shoulder exercise which helped so much considering almost all of us had a history of tendonitis/torn muscles/bursitis.
    Hope your feeling better soon!

  • Laura March 8, 2010, 8:31 am

    If it’s any consolation I twisted my knee the other week and I’m pretty sure swimming had something to do with it!! It’s probably more to do with my bad technique than the actual swimming though!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet March 8, 2010, 8:32 am

    That oatmeal looks amazing! I’m sure your arm will be up to par with your hubby helping ya. 🙂

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday March 8, 2010, 8:37 am
  • megan March 8, 2010, 8:39 am

    hope your arm feels better quickly! how convenient that someone so injury prone is married to someone who is going to be a doctor of oriental medicine (or whatever it’s called). 🙂

  • Maya March 8, 2010, 8:40 am

    I just made a donation! Do I have to email you about my donation information for the raffle, or do you just look at your donation page and the amount and automatically enter people in the raffle?

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 8:45 am

      thank you! i’ll handle it from here on out – i got all your info 🙂

  • Emily Eats March 8, 2010, 8:42 am

    Hmmm, I think I have to come to your house for breakfast one day – that sounds so good!
    I find different forms of medicine so interesting. I love the idea of getting blood to move around. Good luck with healing!
    I tend to go to Gena’s site if I want recipe inspiration, as I’m eating more and more raw dishes, and hers are practical as well as tasty 🙂

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place March 8, 2010, 8:50 am

    I hope your arm feels better in time for the race! It is really funny that you injured yourself swimming…lol…I think you are the first person I’ve heard of that’s done that .

  • Christie @ Honoring Health March 8, 2010, 9:01 am

    Love that place mat 😀

    I am glad your arm is doing better. Here is to hoping you will be 100% by your tri.

  • Cecilia March 8, 2010, 9:02 am

    Unfortunately, even though swimming is considered to be gentle on the body, there are still a number of injuries connected with the sport, such as shoulder injuries, and I myself got well acquainted with swimmer’s knee when I was swimming for a team. But it really is a bummer that you got injured so close to the race, I’m keeping all my fingers crossed that you’ll be better by Sunday, which I’m sure you will, and I’m also convinced that you’ll kick ass in the triathlon!

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 9:04 am

      OK i totally had to google Swimmers Knee. FML!! LOL

  • Carolyn March 8, 2010, 9:03 am

    Good luck with your arm!!

  • Andrea (canyoustayfordinner.com) March 8, 2010, 9:05 am

    Thanks for the update! I love reading about the alternative medicine treatments, I really believe in them most times. I hope it heals in time for your big day!

  • Sabrina March 8, 2010, 9:06 am

    When I was on my high school swim team I sprained my TOE while swimming.

    I can relate to random injuries!

    Hope your arm feels better!

    I will always feel indebted to Kath and Calorie King for teaching me to put bananas and peanut butter in my oatmeal!!!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg March 8, 2010, 9:09 am

    Ohhh, I LOVE pineapple! So summery! Yum!

  • Lauren @ Eater not a runner March 8, 2010, 9:21 am

    I never thought there were so many ways to make oatmeal until I started reading food blogs!

    Hope the arm feels better 🙂

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing March 8, 2010, 9:26 am

    I keep forgetting to enter the raffle… WILL do. I want that juicer so badly!! And since it’s for a good cause…

    Good luck with the arm girl! That is funny the way you injured it though… sounds like something i’d do! ha

    Kath has inspired me in SO many ways. Hers was the first blog that I started reading and at that point, I was terrified of food. She helped me to see what actual nutritionally balanced meals looked like and what a healthy lifestyle was all about.
    And you inspired me in a BIG way. I took up running after reading your blog.. I think at the time I started reading, you were coming off of your running hiatus? I believe. And it gave me the encouragement to start running, which absolutely changed my life. So thank you!

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 9:26 am

      thank you 🙂

  • Nicci March 8, 2010, 9:30 am

    I first came upon blogging after finding your page and seeing all the oatmeal and dinner recipes. Seeing how easy it was inspired me to get in the kitchen.

  • Shayna @ Cuts and Curves March 8, 2010, 9:37 am

    Your arm looks like it’s so sore! I hope it ends up being ok for your race!

    I used to do IMS, a treatment similar to acupuncture. It’s amazing.

  • Retta @ RunRettaRun March 8, 2010, 9:49 am

    Though I’ve been creative w/ recipes in the past, I think blogs have made me branch out more. I know I never tried certain veggies (like parsnips) until I started reading blogs. Woohoo for adventure haha!

    So glad your arm is doing better!!

  • Keri March 8, 2010, 9:50 am

    Good luck with your arm! I’m sure you will be better in time for the triathlon. I have gotten hurt close to a race before and it ended up being a blessing in disguise because I rested the entire week before and ended up kicking butt in the actual race. I’m sure you will too 🙂

  • Joanne March 8, 2010, 9:55 am

    Sorry about the arm. Hope it doesn’t get twice as painful after the tri this coming weekend. Take care.

    As for blog recipes, I’m always inspired by Vegan recipes. The alternatives for eggs and dairy are amazing to me and also the fact that they turn out so good.

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers March 8, 2010, 10:07 am

    I LOVE grilled pineapple! I love hearing about alternative medicine strategies, especially for treating injuries. There’s only so many times you can get an x-ray and take advil haha.

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) March 8, 2010, 10:08 am

    If I saw your arm, I would think it was in serious pain, but I’m glad to hear it’s actually feeling much better! 😀

    Oatmeals all over blogland have inspired my own. I love all the topping ideas that people creatively come up with. 😀

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople March 8, 2010, 10:17 am

    I wish I could come up with a good one you’ve never heard of, but in reality YOUR blog is the one that has truly inspired me to try new things, (hello pumpkin yogurt, and grilled fruit sandwiches) and even start recording some of my meals in picture form on my blog with Sparkpeople.

    I think my husband even knows you by name. Although I don’t think he understands why I read food blogs. =)

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 10:23 am

      aww thanks! my husband knows bloggers by name, too!

  • Lisa March 8, 2010, 10:27 am

    Those oats look truly decadent–yum! And I don’t even like oats. But adding pineapple to something never hurts 🙂

    I really hope your arm startings feeling better. You’re lucky you’ve got an amazing Hubs who knows all he does and is willing to do everything he can to get you back into tip top shape!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) March 8, 2010, 10:38 am

    really all of kath’s oatmeal recipes have inspired my own return to oats 🙂 BUT i got the idea to add oats to my green monsters from YOU! so good, and it stays with me for a long time too!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing March 8, 2010, 10:41 am

    My first blog inspired recipe was definitely Kath’s oatmeal! I remember reading the blog for the first time and then coming home and making oatmeal for dinner…ha!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) March 8, 2010, 10:47 am

    Aww, I hope your arm feels great by the time the tri gets here! Good idea to rest it.

  • PippaPatchwork March 8, 2010, 10:56 am

    That oatmeal is amazing. Pineapple upsidedown cake is one of few desserts that I’ll order over chocolate.

    Sorry about your arm!I hope it feels better soon!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) March 8, 2010, 11:06 am

    That does look like a pretty spectacular oatmeal display.. I am just a bit intimidated to slice a pineapple haha perhaps you could provide a how-to? 😉 Have a great day!

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 11:08 am

      it was canned 🙂

  • Emily Eats and Exercises March 8, 2010, 11:07 am

    Oatmeal looks great. Is that a canned pineapple ring or fresh? I love the idea of grilling fruit on the Foreman.

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 11:08 am

      it was canned! 🙂 i like fresh pineapple more though.

  • Shellybean March 8, 2010, 11:12 am

    Aside from food blogs like smitten kitchen and simply recipes- I’ve gotten a lot of cooking inspiration from Jenna at Eat Live Run- I LOVE her enchiladas! I also drink a lot of green monsters thanks to Angela at Oh She Glows. I also pick up a lot of recipes from Tina at Carrots N’ Cake.

  • Tyler Ramey March 8, 2010, 11:14 am

    Sorry about the arm sister. Those oats are looking killer. I think all the bloggers need to get together at some point and create a huge cookbook of Oat inspired recipes. That bad boy would be huge!

  • Joey March 8, 2010, 11:17 am

    Hope your arm gets better in time for this weekend’s big race! I’m starting to think about acupuncture as an infertility treatment method… Any thoughts? Also, did you get my entries for the juicer? I should have 4 entires! 🙂

  • Anne March 8, 2010, 11:28 am

    Hey, Caitlin, I just entered the raffle, but I chose to be listed as anonymous on your page when I made the donation. Can you still see me anywhere, or should I have selected to put my name on the page in order to be entered into the raffle?

    • Caitlin March 8, 2010, 1:25 pm

      i can tell who you are! no worries 🙂 thank you for entering!

  • Anna March 8, 2010, 11:31 am

    Your oatmeal makes me want the summer to hurry up and get to DC!

    I think it’s so cool that your husband has all these useful, helpful remedies thanks to his studies. And, I’m sure you make a good opportunity to practice. 🙂

  • Beth @ fatbustermack March 8, 2010, 11:34 am

    Don’t feel bad about getting injured while swimming. Swimming injuries are actually really common. In high school we were swimming 23 hours a week and had a dedicated “gimp squad” of shoulder injured people. There were between 5-10 people out of the water at all times tending to shoulder injuries. Unfortunately, I did major damage to mine and I am not allowed to swim anymore. Good thing you are taking care of your self and not swimming through the pain!

  • Nicole, RD March 8, 2010, 11:37 am

    It looks so painful! But so long as it’s helping! : )

    Funny about your mom having a sponge phobia, too — those suckers are GROSS!!!

  • Bronwyn March 8, 2010, 11:59 am

    I need to get out and buy a tonne of different things to put on my oatmeal! I’ve never thought of pineapple on oatmeal, but that could be really good. Especially if it’s grilled.hmmmm yum.

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly March 8, 2010, 12:02 pm

    That oatmeal looks wonderful…I am definitely going to have to try that out!

  • Lauren March 8, 2010, 12:06 pm

    Aw it’s not so hard to injure yourself while swimming. When I was first ‘learning’ how to swim (well), I managed to bang my head against the side of the pool. I had a huge sore spot on my head for a week. Not to mention the embarrassment factor or being *that girl* who hits her head on the pool.

    Hope your arm feels better! It sounds like your husband knows all the right treatments for you.

  • Leo @ cupcakes in Paris March 8, 2010, 12:36 pm

    I think kath has inspired a lot of us! I also look up beantown baker, lucullian delights, a good appetite! Or try to remember my mother in law’s dishes. She is such a good cook!
    Hope you feel better today!

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething March 8, 2010, 12:42 pm

    First of all your oatmeal looks great. I love the idea of grilling pineapple. It seems like you have had some pineapple in a few dishes lately. Did you read about the benefits in the new runners world like I did?
    Of course all of the blog food has motivated me-oats in a jar, greem monsters, kabocha-love it!
    I am so jeolous that you live with an acupunturist/holistic guy-wow!!!! what a resource of knowledge.
    Have a great day!

  • Madison March 8, 2010, 12:48 pm

    Groooovy placemat!

  • Gracie (complicated day) March 8, 2010, 12:58 pm

    Why can’t we give all medical procedures fun names? Like we could call getting an MRI periscoping.

  • D March 8, 2010, 1:16 pm

    Calling yoursef the queen of injuries might be a self-fulfilling prophecy…think about putting a more positive title into the universe!

  • Trainerpack March 8, 2010, 1:17 pm

    You are a trooper!

  • Amanda @ Cakes and Ale March 8, 2010, 1:26 pm

    Definitely hummus as salad dressing and pumpkin oats came from blog reading… and I’ve benefit greatly from it!

  • Ellen March 8, 2010, 1:32 pm

    Mmm, pineapple makes everything better. I recently saw a tutorial on a blog about how to make an egg puff. I tried it this weekend, and it was pretty good! I love eggs, so if I can make them quickly without having to wash a pan, even better. Ohh and your egg pizza looked delish–I’m planning on making my own version soon!

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Leah @ Simply Fabulous March 8, 2010, 1:57 pm

    You aren’t the only one who injured herself swimming. My MIL was doing her physical therapy in the pool (after knee surgery) and they think she slipped a disc in her back… she was in the hospital for almost two weeks! Went straight from the pool to the hospital bed. NUTS.

  • skinnyrunner March 8, 2010, 2:02 pm

    i learned how to make and fall in love with roasted vegetables from food blogs. not that its hard and complicated but i had never done it before.

  • Cara March 8, 2010, 2:13 pm

    I am inspired daily for new foods to try because this huge food blogger community. I love it!

  • Rachel- No Preservatives Added March 8, 2010, 3:04 pm

    ooo, that oatmeal would definately be a hit with the hubby. Thanks for the recipe!

  • Liz March 8, 2010, 4:50 pm

    Tofu. I never once even thought of cooking tofu until reading blogs. Now its my favorite food in the world. Thank you food blogs.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) March 8, 2010, 8:02 pm

    Your oatmeal inspired me to start experimenting with my oatmeal, and now I love it!

  • Andrea March 10, 2010, 4:12 am

    A great way to help with pain (like in your arm) is floating! It is like floating in the Dead Sea, but in a warm salt water pod. So relaxing and great for aches and pains. http://www.floatspasandiego.com

  • Stina @ Girl Can March 10, 2010, 2:20 pm

    I’ve got a pineapple sitting on my counter at home. I think this oatmeal is in order for breakfast tomorrow! Oatmeal is actually one food I didn’t start eating until after I started blogging/ reading blogs. I always thought I didn’t like oatmeal until I saw all the awesome things bloggers do with it!

    I had many an injury from swimming when I was swimming competitively. Some of my joints (shoulders, elbows, knees) still aren’t “right” from so many years of hardcore swimming.

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