I was in New Orleans for a conference a few weeks ago and ate at this snazzy restaurant for breakfast. My colleague, Jenny, and I were in search for a coffee shop kind of a breakfast spot with Oatmeal, or Yogurt/Granola, good coffee and a nice, peaceful space to start our day.  I Yelped around and found a spot that looked nice: Josephine Estelle. (What a name!) It had good reviews. When we walked the 1/2 a mile to get there, we arrived at a restaurant and realized that it was housed in the bottom of the Ace Hotel.  It was a lovely, vintage building.  But we couldn’t decide if it was too fancy for our quick, affordable breakfast before our conference sessions.  Because we were too far in to bolt, we stayed. It was a beautiful space and not too expensive, but not the Fid0-like vibe we were expecting. (One of Nashville’s best coffee/breakfast spots.)

I was debating between the Oatmeal with Fruit & the Yogurt with Fruit and Granola. (If it wasn’t obnoxious- I would have ordered both.) I decided on the Yogurt because it was made in-house, which sounded special.

I ended up loving the yogurt.  I couldn’t decide if it was because it was homemade or because it was full-fat dairy.  It was almost like mousse.  No wonder it was superior to my zero fat, grocery purchased, greek yogurt at home.

I came home and inspired by the yogurt, attempted to make homemade yogurt. Attempt #1 failed but attempt #2 was a success! I don’t have great photos to share or tips yet….I’m still working on it, but I think it is fun and cheap! (Though Dave continues to remind me that yogurt is available for purchase at the grocery so why go to the trouble. True, but still- how cool is it that you can MAKE YOGURT in your crockpot!?)  Here is the recipe I followed for making it in the Crock Pot. It’s milk + a little yogurt for a starter + heat + time.

So with these jars of treasured homemade yogurt I was tempted to put it on everything! I decided to merge two of my breakfast go-tos: a bowl of oatmeal with my yogurt/fruit/nuts (parfait) I made a bowl of oatmeal and added a blob of greek yogurt, drizzled it with honey and topped it with fruit and nuts.  It is de.li.cious.

The yogurt adds a nice creamy addition to the oats and results in a very hearty, nutrient-packed, satisfying, and QUICK breakfast before I head out the door. (I can make it start to finish in 5 minutes.) I’m a fan.

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

a generous sprinkle of flax seed and 1 cup water

microwaved for 90 seconds

topped with a blob of greek plain yogurt

drizzle generously with honey

add nuts & fruit of your choice

Here’s how I do it:

• Place 1/2 cup old fashion oats and a generous sprinkle of flax seed in a dish.
• Add 1 cup water and a sprinkle of salt and stir.
• Cook in Microwave for 90 seconds, Stir. Let sit with a lid/pan covering it for 2 minutes while I prep my fruit. (Or of course you can do this stove-top, I have just been trying to save myself a second dish to clean.)
• Remove cover, stir, add a blob of plain greek yogurt.
• Drizzle generously with honey.
• Top with nuts and fruit of your choice.

Enjoy! Chock full of yummy fuel for your day!