Baby, it's cold outside

Winter is in full effect. May in Melbourne feels like a typical Canadian October, or early September on a good day. I've definitely climatized to the Aussie weather, shivering when it's 10 degrees on a cool morning or late evening (as if I've never lived through a Canadian winter in my life). How quickly I forget that I've braved -30 weather in London, Ontario. I'm a wuss. Alas, it's kinda nice to cook warm stews and wear layers again :)

I've also been enjoying my warm and cozy breakfasts as well!

Protein packed creamy-style oats

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup organic steel cut oats
• 1/2 cup almond milk + 1/4 cup water 
• 1/4 banana, sliced
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp mesquite powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional, but adds a nice nutty flavour)
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• Topping ideas: coconut, cacao nibs, a few walnuts, 1 energy ball crumbled into bits

Directions: Mix your oats and desired spices in a small pot. Add your almond milk and water and cook on medium heat. Add your sliced banana and almond butter, stirring often until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Finally, add a few toppings of your choice. I used coconut, a few cacao nibs, and one homemade protein ball (almonds, walnuts, dates, cacao). Yum. 

I enjoyed this alongside a pot of chamomile tea.

This afternoon I walked to the Melbourne Aquarium to hang with the penguins, naturally. 

Despite being born and bred in the Antartica, these little guys looked like they could use something warm. Perhaps a bowl of my oatmeal? =)

Ice cold water. Shivers.

 Alex came too. 
I kept hoping they'd slide down on on their bellies, but no such luck.

Aquariums are neat. The Sydney aquarium is much bigger, but I like Melbourne's because of the penguins and hammerhead sharks! Something different to see. 

The aquarium wasn't too busy either, which was nice. Not too many kiddies running around, pointing and smudging-up the glass with their little hands.

While I don't have the heat on (many houses here don't have heating), I'm curled up in cashmere and fuzzy socks. Send me some spring tulips, will ya? 

Least it doesn't snow ;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo