Strawberry Baked Oatmeal

Anyone else have a pet who's feeling the stresses of home confinement?  My beloved weimaraner has serious separation anxiety whenever she's left alone but even she is starting to feel the effects of having us home all day --- every day.  🐶  Her usual long afternoon naps have been interrupted by --- me.  Arguably, the intermittent dog breaks in my day are more for my mental health and less for her well being.  It's amazing how a quickly my mood can change just by watching a dog chase a butterfly for a full 15 minutes.  🦋

Normally, we spell the word W-A-L-K in our house because if she hears us say it - our over eager canine runs to the door and starts whining until we put her leash on her and head outside.  I've detected a noticeable change in her attitude toward walks over the past few weeks though.  She's less eager to leave the house now that she knows we've got all evening to walk her through the neighborhood.  #toomuchtimeonourhands  

We've had some beautiful weather in Georgia, these last few weeks and that's certainly not working in my favor but not in hers.  That means more walks, more time on the tennis courts, more kayaking on the lake and bike rides around the neighborhood - all of which translates to more exercise for Mia.  The vet did say that she could stand to lose a few pounds so I'm not worried about her weight - just her attitude. 🤣

The good news is that I'm getting more exercise because being quarantined in the house is causing me to eat more than usual too.  😜 I'm discovering all kinds of new recipes that have been in my que for a while.  This Strawberry Baked Oatmeal is one of those recipes that I saw on Pinterest a long time ago but never took the time to make.  No time like a quarantine-time - am I right?  

Strawberry Baked Oatmeal
1 and 3/4 cups (420ml) milk (dairy or nondairy)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (120ml) pure maple syrup
1/4 cup (60g) unsweetened applesauce
3 cups (240g) old-fashioned whole oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 cups mixed berries, fresh or frozen (do not thaw)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts 

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9×9 inch or 11×7 inch baking pan with nonstick spray. 
Whisk all of the ingredients together in 1 large bowl.
Pour into prepared baking pan.
Top with nuts.
Bake for 35-40 minutes.
Cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Spoon or slice and serve with yogurt, if desired.
​Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Baked oatmeal is the perfect breakfast food when I want to sleep in. 😂 I put this together the night before and all I have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven.  It's so easy - I can ALMOST do it in my sleep.  😴 This oatmeal was a BIG hit with my family.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  

Ciao!

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