I think most people will admit to having a favourite season – do you have a favourite season? Fall is my favourite – So as the summer winds down, temperatures start to cool, and the leaves start to turn here in Vancouver, in combination with the anticipation of apple/pear season and the coming of allllll the new fall fashions – I personally can’t help but welcome the season with open arms.
Some people think I’m totally batty for dreaming about fall, when it seems to them like summer has just begun, but I can’t help it. I have always been a lover of all things related to fall and once the end of August rolls around, I am usually ready for the change of seasons, and start experiencing intense cravings of all things related to apple and pumpkin spice. {Is anybody else just counting down the days until Pumpkin Spice Lattes make their triumphant return to Starbucks??? <3<3<3 }
There is no one specific reason for why I love Fall so much- {okay so maybe I could chock my obsession with the season up to Pumpkin Spice Latte’s as the one reason} – but I would like to think that my love for fall comes from a combination of so many little things.
For instance… taking evening walks in the crisp air with Cole all bundled up in boots and scarves; Or basking in the beauty of the vibrant orange and red leaves that fill the Vancouver trees; Or that fall smell that comes from falling leaves and fresh rain; Or cozy afternoons spent cuddled up on the couch with Cole drinking hot chocolates and watching our favourite old movies; Or spending time with my mum, shopping all the latest fall fashions {and spending way too much money}; How about dressing up in plaid shirts, chunky sweaters, scarves, and cozy socks? Yup this I love; And I of course have to mention all of the baking inspiration that comes from the fall inspired flavours like apples, pears and cinnamon….
All of these reasons come together to make this season my all-time favourite. What are some of the reasons why you love fall so much?
I think most people will admit to having a favourite season – do you have a favourite season? Fall is my favourite – So as the summer winds down, temperatures start to cool, and the leaves start to turn here in Vancouver, in combination with the anticipation of apple/pear season and the coming of allllll the new fall fashions – I personally can’t help but welcome the season with open arms.
Some people think I’m totally batty for dreaming about fall, when it seems to them like summer has just begun, but I can’t help it. I have always been a lover of all things related to fall and once the end of August rolls around, I am usually ready for the change of seasons, and start experiencing intense cravings of all things related to apple and pumpkin spice. {Is anybody else just counting down the days until Pumpkin Spice Lattes make their triumphant return to Starbucks??? <3<3<3 }
There is no one specific reason for why I love Fall so much- {okay so maybe I could chock my obsession with the season up to Pumpkin Spice Latte’s as the one reason} – but I would like to think that my love for fall comes from a combination of so many little things.
For instance… taking evening walks in the crisp air with Cole all bundled up in boots and scarves; Or basking in the beauty of the vibrant orange and red leaves that fill the Vancouver trees; Or that fall smell that comes from falling leaves and fresh rain; Or cozy afternoons spent cuddled up on the couch with Cole drinking hot chocolates and watching our favourite old movies; Or spending time with my mum, shopping all the latest fall fashions {and spending way too much money}; How about dressing up in plaid shirts, chunky sweaters, scarves, and cozy socks? Yup this I love; And I of course have to mention all of the baking inspiration that comes from the fall inspired flavours like apples, pears and cinnamon….
All of these reasons come together to make this season my all-time favourite. What are some of the reasons why you love fall so much?
For those of you who know me, you know very well that I am a girl who loves her oats in the morning – I really can’t start my day without a bowl that is overflowing with all that oaty goodness. I even pack my oatmeal along with us when we go on vacation… {yup – I actually do this}
Up until recently, I would usually just create a bowl from scratch each morning for myself to enjoy, but lately I have become obsessed with making porridge mixes for myself, so that I can easily scoop some of the mix out into my bowl, heat it up on the stove and be on my way.
Making these homemade breakfast porridge mixes has been a huge time saver for me in the mornings, because between working out, showering, making myself presentable to the world, and choosing an outfit for work, I typically only have about 10 minutes leftover to grab some food before I need to be out the door. So rather than waking up ten minutes earlier in the morning – {because I really need those extra ten minutes of sleep ;p} – having a delicious oaty mixture that is ready to go in under five minutes has done wonders to help ensure I get to work on time :p
Oh and did I mention, these homemade mixes are pretty much the most delicious oatmeal/porridge that you will ever have in your life? I am on a mission to turn oatmeal haters into oatmeal lovers, because I really think there is no better way to start your day than with a bowl of oatmeal. Not only is it just so healthy for you, but it keeps you fuller longer, and it is so comforting to eat on a chilly fall morning.
So here is my recipe for a fall inspired Apple Spice Porridge Mix – basically it is a large recipe for a dry mix that you can store in your pantry and then portion out to cook fresh each morning. How awesome is that?
Apple Spice Porridge Mix
Makes: 6 cups or about 12 servings
Things you need…
Apple Spice Porridge Mix
1/2 cup large flake rolled oats
1 cup quick oats
1 cup oat bran
1/2 cup pearl barley
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp cloves
1 tsp salt
2.5 oz raisins
2.5 ounces dried apples
1/2 cup toasted pecans
How to make…
Apple Spice Porridge Mix
In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients until evenly distributed and combined. Store in an airtight container or jar in your pantry for up to 3-4 months.
** See preparation instructions below... **
Prepared Apple Spice Porridge
Makes: 1 serving
Things you need…
1/2 cup of Apple Spice Porridge Mix
1 cup water or milk or almond milk (or half and half-whatever you prefer)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp butter
Optional toppings:
Granola
1/2 of a fresh apple, sliced
Brown Sugar
Milk/Cream
How to prepare…
In a saucepan, whisk together apple spice porridge mix, with 1 cup of liquid of your choice {I love to use rice milk for this recipe, but you can use whatever you want} 1 tsp of butter and and 1/2 tsp of vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and allow to cook until thickened and cooked through.
Spoon hot porridge into a bowl, serve warm on its own or with additional toppings of your choice {I used rice milk, a sprinkle of brown sugar, fresh apples and homemade granola.} Mmmmmmmmmm – Enjoy
Like I said- I have become obsessed with these homemade porridge mixes and if you are like me and love your bowl of morning oatmeal, I’m sure that once you try this recipe out, you will be obsessed too. They are so easy to change up and customize to your taste preferences – not to mention they make breakfast on the go in the morning soooo much easier! My favourite way to store these mixes has been in using my Weck Jars – featured in the picture above.
If you are unfamiliar with these jars, but like me are obsessed with clean, airtight pantry storage – prepare to fall in love. My pantry is absolutely full of these little beauties. Here are just a few reasons why I love them so much; 1. They come in all different shapes and sizes; 2. They are adorable {clearly}; 3. They are super easy to clean; 4. They are stack-able…. I could go on and on.
I have all of my nuts, dried fruits, dried baking ingredients and more tucked away in these little jars and I have so much saved space because of how practical and downright awesome they are! You can buy them online through their website, or they are available in some retail locations {I typically get mine from West Elm , Crate & Barrel or this amazing little kitchen store in Kelowna when we visit called the Lakehouse} So if you are looking to clean up {and spruce up} your pantry- I highly recommend starting a little collection of these jars 🙂
Even if you aren’t an oatmeal nut, like myself, I hope you give this mix a try. If not for yourself, you could also make the mix for somebody in your life that you know loves oatmeal and give it to them as a little gift… {this may or may not be one of my homemade Christmas gift ideas for this year… hehehe} Did I just mention Christmas? HA – Okay, time to sign off …
Happy Fall baking lovelies,
KP xoxo
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