I know it’s never smart to rush time, but when the thermometer soars past 100°F, I find myself wishing for cooler days. In this heat, any outdoor plans must be wrapped up by early morning or postponed until late at night when temperatures finally dip. Sweaty clothes and stickiness become routine—part of southern summer life—and I remind myself the seasons will change soon. Until then, I crank up the air conditioning and focus on indoor projects. Today’s task: dusting.
About that air conditioning—one morning I accidentally set the thermostat too low and woke up shivering. I actually reached for my Santa pajamas and a long-sleeved T-shirt. After a brief panic over the possible spike in my power bill, I decided to enjoy the cooler moment with a bowl of warm oats. It felt like an early whisper of fall—what I wanted next were pumpkins, crunchy leaves, and maybe a scarecrow for atmosphere. A second job to cover the bill would be nice too.
I don’t eat plain oats—the texture of plain cooked oats, to me, is like warm, shredded sponge. But when you add granola for crunch and texture and a spoonful of almond or peanut butter for flavor and healthy fats, the bowl turns into a satisfying, nutritious meal that lasts through the morning.
Below is my usual method. Toppings change depending on whether I want more crunch, more creaminess, seasonal flavors, or what’s on hand. I have a jar of pumpkin butter waiting for the first truly cool weekend, and I can’t wait to use it.
- 1 cup water*
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (not instant)
- Any mix of granola, seeds, nuts, nut butter, or spices
- 1/2 banana, for extra creaminess if desired
- Ground flaxseed
1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Add the oats and reduce heat to medium.
3. Stir continuously until the oats reach your preferred consistency. I like mine slightly chewy, so I cook them briefly. Adding half a sliced banana and stirring quickly will mash it into the oats and create a creamy, whipped texture.
4. Top with your chosen mix of granola, nut butter, seeds, nuts, spices, or flaxseed.
*Some people use milk, but I find milk can make the oats slimy, so I stick with water.