Fuel Up Wednesday: Overnight oatmeal

It's amazing what a mason jar and a few hours can do.

Andy and I have discovered a treasure trove of DIY food delights using mason jars, from escabeche to yogurt. On winter mornings, however, my favorite mason jar recipe is a working-woman's lifesaver: overnight oatmeal.

Whole oats are much more filling (and arguably more healthy) than most instant oatmeal, but who has time to slave over the stove in the morning? Instead, before going to bed, just toss a 1/2 cup of whole rolled oats into a jar, add 1 cup of water, cover, and place the jar in the fridge overnight. 

In the morning, heat the jar in the microwave on high for 1 minute, or until oats are thoroughly heated. Drain off any excess water, and then add honey, cinnamon, fruit, or any topping of your choosing.

It's a quick and filling breakfast for both work mornings and dawn patrol — and if you're running late, just throw the jar in your bag and go!

Adventure Friday: Traveling with grief and a budget

Today, Andy and I are finishing up our second crosscountry road trip from the east coast to Salt Lake City. Although we followed the exact same route both times, these road trips are wildly different from each other.

Traveling with Grief

When we first did the trip in October 2011, we were driving Andy's tiny Nissan Sentra, overpacked and loaded down with Andy's life belongings. This week, we're driving a zippy Volkswagen Passat, just purchased from a family member and my first ever car. In October 2011, we were giddy with the excitement of Andy's new job and new life. We were awed by the stretches of country we had never seen. This week, although our eyes still saw the beauty of endless blue sky and scrappy pine bluffs, we also felt the burdens of anxiety and sadness. Worries about work, money, family, self, and loss lurked somewhere within the hum of the tires, the vibrations of the engine, the gusting of wind. 

Eating on a Budget

One difference that I've really enjoyed is our approach to food this week. In 2011, we mostly ate at restaurants along the road. We're pretty broke this time, so we packed all of our food with us: instant oatmeal, peanut butter, bread, trail mix, cheese, beer, Red Bull, and a huge batch of spaghetti with homemade sauce. We wash our reusable bowls and utensils with Dr. Brauner's liquid soap in the hotel sinks, and we refill our big coffee mugs at each hotel breakfast.

Let me tell you, at the end of a long driving day, there are few things more comforting than those spaghetti leftovers.

Love begins with 'W'

One thing that has stayed the same is my love for wind turbines and Wyoming. I think my mom would have liked both, too.

Fuel Up Wednesday: Comforting corn chowder

I mentioned in my first Fuel Up Wednesday blog post that I loved the corn chowder from Two Peas & Their Pod. Apparently, so does my family.

Please pardon the poor lighting

I first made this chowder for my dad and brother when I was in Connecticut for Christmas. Last week, when I was aching to do some therapy cooking, my dad requested this dish again.

While the chowder cooks, I use a separate pan to brown a pound of sliced chicken sausage. When the chowder is almost finished, I add the sausage and a dash of red pepper flakes. It's a rich, hearty, comforting meal—and wonderful therapy cooking.

Fuel Up Wednesday: Cheese, cheese, cheese

Today's dish is an old favorite from Emily Bites, a blog featuring recipes that are Weight Watchers friendly and tempting to even the most picky man or child.

This is not your average rice-and-beans dish. Emily calls it "Amazing Cheesy Mexi-Rice," and caramelized cheese is the star of the show. If you like the smokey taste of crispy cheese, this is more than worth the stir-time. Vegetarians and meat-lovers rejoice: it can be made with or without meat. Pair it with a salad for a well-rounded meal, or indulge in a hearty bowl-full. I won't tell.

Fuel Up Wednesday: My favorite food blogs

A tiny New York kitchen

Let's be honest. The "Local Wednesday" post idea never worked very well. While the theme was initiated with good intentions, I am too  spontaneous (or too disorganized) to successfully post on local outdoorsy events before they happen. Heck, after they happen.

Instead, let's turn to the other passion in my life: food. 

I'm not a health nut and I'm not a master chef. I do love to cook, though, and the food I put in my body changes with the seasons and the activities of my life. In all its delicious and complex glory, food is fuel.

A number of fantastic food bloggers inspire my cooking, and I'm looking forward to featuring them on Wednesdays. After all, what better way to get through a rough week than a comforting meal? 

Emily Bites

This healthy blog features American-style Italian and Tex-Mex cooking, perfect for feeding families and husbands. Think buffalo sauces, pasta casseroles, chicken bakes, and football food -- but with a Weight Watcher's twist.

Green Kitchen Stories

When I want to challenge myself with an elaborate and time-consuming dish, I go here. These elegant vegetarian recipes, crafted by two young artistic parents in Stockholm, are not for the timid or unadventurous. I am in love with their beet bourguignon (yes, beet with a 't') and no-rice risotto with chard.

Love and Lemons

Now that I'm writing about this blog, I don't think I've actually made any of their recipes yet! But the pictures are absolutely beautiful, and I read every post.

Oh She Glows

Monstrously green but oh so yummy!

My inner vegan has a crush on this blogger. Although I'm not faithful vegan myself, I love experimenting with her recipes. They are delicious, refreshing, and fun. This blog is also the source of my dangerous Green Monster addiction.

Peas and Thank You

This was the the first food blog I ever followed religiously. Try her Summer Succotash Quesadillas with Nacho Mmmm Sauce or her Noodle Salad with Peanut Mmmm Sauce, and you'll understand how she wooed me.

Pioneer Woman Cooks

With a wonderfully organized labeling system that includes categories like "Cowboy Meals," "16-minute meals," and "canning," this blog offers awesome down-home do-it-yourself resources.

Santa Fe chicken a la Skinny Taste

Skinny Taste

Gina's recipes always hit the spot. From breakfasts and smoothies to slow cooker meals and easy weeknight dinners, Skinny Taste has an amazing range of delicious recipes.

Two Peas and Their Pod

I can't remember how I stumbled across this blog, but I was very excited when I re-discovered that this family lives in Utah! It's fun to cook along with someone who also shops at Utah farmer's markets — our veggie seasons are in sync! Their corn chowder recipe inspired a slow cooker spin off of my own.

What food blogs do you follow? Where do you find your cooking inspiration?