Baked Oatmeal with Bananas and Berries

A little over 5 months ago, I started this blog.  I didn't really expect anyone to read it outside of my friends and family, but they had been begging me to start one to share my recipes.  So I gave it a try!  Since then, avocado has become such a fun little big project!   It's been a creative outlet, providing me with a forum to discuss the areas of nutrition I find most fascinating.  Hearing positive feedback from friends and family (and friends of friends and family!) is sooo incredibly rewarding.  It's impossible to put into words how good those compliments make me feel.  And surprisingly, the blog has been a neat way to keep up with old friends I  may never have spoken too again if it weren't for the blog.  Watching my readership grow has been particularly gratifying, especially because I've done nothing to market it other than sharing on facebook and pinterest.

Part of the reason I haven't promoted the blog more is simply not having enough time.  Okay, if I'm being honest, not making enough time.  Part of it too was that I wanted to make sure this whole blogging thing was something I could commit to, and not a passing hobby.  But mostly, it's because I have no friggin' clue where to start!  Blogging to me is like email to your 90 year old grandpa.  I feel like I'm in the stone age when it comes to blog lingo!  SEO....RSS....whaaaat???  I've googled tips for growing your blog, but all the suggestions seem to be for growing a blog from a big to even bigger venture.  I'm content just getting on the map!  Other tips seem a little desperate...I can't see myself groveling to other bloggers for a comment on my site!  So, I've simply shared my posts of facebook, hoping for traffic to increase. 

A few weeks ago in my yoga class, we discussed the concept of dharma.  It's a complicated concept, but what stood out to me was the importance of building your life around your strengths and the activities that make you happy.  I kept thinking about dharma after class and ways to incorporate these principles into my life, but my mind kept wandering back to the blog.  That's when it hit me - I realized how much happiness this little blog has brought to my life and how it's displayed and developed my strengths.

So, this is where I ask for your help.  If you've been following my blog, please, pass it on to anyone you think might be interested.  Just have them enter their email address under the subscribe button on the top right corner, and each post will be sent directly to their mailbox.  Also, I would love to get your feedback on how I could improve the blog - topics you'd like to read about, other ways to subscribe, types of recipes...whatever!

To any fellow bloggers, I would greatly appreciate any advice you have on how you promoted your blog (that doesn't involve harassing other bloggers or a degree in computer science!).  If you know of any blogging communities, please tell me about them!  And if you want to take a break from blogging for a few days, I would be more than happy to write a guest post for you.

It's fitting that today's post is from the first food blog I ever subscribed to, 101cookbooks.com.  I started reading Heidi's blog right after I became a dietitian.  Her recipes have been such an inspiration.  You might think cooking is built into a dietitian's curriculum, but sadly, it's not.  I learned how to use many natural ingredients through Heidi's blog, which focuses on natural, vegetarian recipes.  She always seems to find the perfect balance between health and taste, which is something I aspire to.

Baked Oatmeal with Bananas and Berries

serves 6 or 12 if part of a large breakfast/brunch spread

Adapted from Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson

Switch up this recipe with different berries, or even different fruits.  I bet figs would be a delicious addition!  I substituted 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder for anise (anus - hehe!) powder, but it's pretty difficult to find.  Next time, I think I'll mix in toasted coconut flakes.

2 cups oats
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups 2% milk, unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk (not the canned kind - too thick for this recipe)
1 large egg
1 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas, sliced into 1/2 in rounds
1 1/2 cups raspberries, fresh or frozen

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray the inside of an 8-inch baking dish with oil.

In a bowl, mix together oats, half the walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  In another bowl, mix together the maple syrup, milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract and whisk until combined.

Layer slices of banana on the bottom of the baking dish.  Sprinkle 1 cup of berries over the bananas.  Cover the fruit with the oat mixture.  Carefully pour the milk mixture over the oats, giving the baking dish a good tap to make sure it settles in.  Sprinkle the remaining berries and walnuts over the top.

Bake for 35-45 minutes until set with a golden brown crust.  Remove and let cool slightly before slicing.