Oatmeal Enthusiasts: Meet Charlotte!

We're nearly a week into May, and I still haven't wrapped my head around it. Where has this year gone? For this month's Oatmeal Enthusiast, I am thrilled to finally introduce you to Charlotte. I've been enjoying her lovely photos on Instagram and was so excited to ask her to post as an Enthusiast.
Hello everyone!

Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to thank Lauren for everything she has done for me. Not only has she picked me to be The Oatmeal Enthusiast of May, but her blog has also been a big inspiration to me for the last few years.

I have struggled with an eating disorder for 8 long years, but it got very bad in 2011. My anorexia took over my life, and I was no longer able to enjoy food. I found Lauren’s blog in 2012, and even though I was still very much in denial and did not want to get better at all, there was something about those delicious looking oatmeal recipes that caught my attention! I suddenly had an interest in food again, which was both scary and exciting. I started experimenting with my breakfasts, and although I was too afraid to follow the actual recipes, it was still a step in the right direction.

I went inpatient for 4 months in the summer of 2012, and as I was getting better all I could think about was going home and finally be able to try all of the recipes on The Oatmeal Artist’s blog. Unfortunately I had a very bad relapse, but even through that relapse I continued to eat oatmeal almost every single morning, and that was without a doubt one of the reasons I made it through. Today I consider myself recovered, and Lauren’s blog has definitely helped me get to where I am now.

Now allow me to introduce myself! My name is Charlotte and I’m a vegan yogi, runner, and pole dancer.  I live in Denmark but I don’t see myself living here for the rest of my life. I am currently not studying or working; I’m simply taking some time off to figure out what I want to do with my life. Ever since I was a child I’ve dreamed about becoming an actress, but now that I’m older I have discovered a passion for helping and “fixing” people so I’m also considering becoming a doctor.

My passion for health and good food started about a year ago when I decided to start treating my body with kindness instead of abusing it. I was not exactly a super healthy child. I was a very picky eater and I would often refuse to even try things I thought I wouldn’t like. I was a meat and pasta (or fries) kind of gal, and I would sometimes skip breakfast and lunch and eat ice cream or cookies instead. I also hated any kind of exercise unless it was gymnastics or badminton and I would usually just sit on the couch all day long.

That has certainly changed now! I make it a priority to move my body, keep it hydrated and feed it well.
I became vegan in September last year and it’s probably the best decision I have ever made. I feel so much more connected with nature, and it has done amazing things for my body. I recently decided to try the 801010/rawtill4 lifestyle, and even though I feel incredible eating this way, I may have to give it up because of some stomach issues I have developed (caused by my eating disorder).

Now let’s talk oatmeal!

I was just a baby when I had oatmeal for the first time. Back then the only toppings I got were milk and sugar, but that was more than enough to make my tummy smile. I stopped eating oatmeal for quite a long time because it was just easier to eat toast in the mornings before school.

I rediscovered oatmeal in 2012 when I went inpatient. It was one of the breakfast options, and I still remember the first bite. I expected it to be bland and boring, but it was far from it. It was nothing exciting, just oats cooked in water with raisins, a pinch of salt and drowned in milk, but at the time that was the most delicious breakfast creation I had ever eaten. From that moment I was sold. I had oatmeal every single morning throughout the 4 months I was inpatient.

I discovered Lauren’s blog at the end of my hospital admission. I was looking up oatmeal recipes and accidentally clicked on a link that took me to theoatmealartist.blogspot.com. Seeing all of the different ingredients and toppings blew my mind! I never knew oatmeal could be so versatile! I started to experiment with different spices and fruits, and that’s also when I developed my love for bananas and nut butters, especially peanut butter. I add mashed banana and some kind of nut butter to almost all of my oatmeal creations; it’s just not the same without it! [TOA: I agree!!!]

I started to really experiment with oatmeal in the fall of 2013, and I have even managed to come up with a few savory kinds like pizza, Mexican and curry style oatmeal. My oatmeal journey is far from over, and if I ever have kids they will be served oatmeal every single morning!

Here is my week of oatmeal goodness:

Monday:  Overnight Apple Pie Oatmeal

This is so easy to prepare and it’s perfect for a busy morning. I layered it with banana coins, apple slices and fresh dates. I topped it with almonds and peanut butter!

Tuesday: Baked strawberry and chocolate oatmeal

I love baked oatmeal because it means I can have cake for breakfast! I went all in on the chocolate and topped it with both a chocolate and peanut sauce, cacao nibs AND chocolate chips!

Wednesday: Spicy pear and banana oatmeal

This is one of my all time favorites! It’s sweet because of the banana, but the cayenne pepper is what makes it pop!

Thursday: Vanilla and cinnamon oatcakes

This is very much inspired by Lauren herself! I shared one with my brother but I had the rest all to myself. They are delicious!

Friday:  Kiwi and pear oatmeal

I had never tried this combination before but it was surprisingly good, and the pecans added a very nice flavor as well.

Saturday: Berry and coconut oatmeal

What makes this oatmeal so good is without a doubt the coconut aroma, and it goes so well with berries!

Sunday: Vanilla and dried fig oatmeal

I decided to get fancy and make something extraordinary since it was Sunday so I topped it with a hazelnut and coconut sugar crusted caramelized banana – yum!

If you want to see more of my pictures I have an instagram and it’s @capturingcharlotte. I will also be creating a recipe blog and there will be a link to that on my instagram. I have a Tumblr blog as well and I will be more than happy to give you the URL to that if you send an email to citahscharlotte@hotmail.com!

[Editor's Note: If you're interested in becoming my next Oatmeal Enthusiast, be sure to show your enthusiasm by tagging your oatmeal pictures with #oatmealartist on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! Thank you for all your love and support!]

**You can also find hundreds of other oatmeal recipes (as well as tons of other meatless recipes) on my Pinterest account!  You can also like The Oatmeal Artist on Facebook. Thanks!