Naturally Ella eBook- only $3.99! get

Decisions.

I pretend that I am not good at making decisions.  I waffle when asked where I want to go for dinner, what movie I want to see, or what beer I want to drink.  Often these conversations end up in a “I don’t care” war with the other person.  Yet, when it comes to making large decisions, I go for it.  I’ve always been an impulsive decision maker and for the most part it works.  On a whim I decided to apply for a job at a bakery working the front counter and eventually it lead to me baking full time.  Once I realized waking up at 3:00 in the morning wasn’t for me, I decided to apply for graduate school (in April) and got in with a full assistantship.  After that I tried to buy a coffee shop to turn in to a sustainable restaurant/bakery (I was ready-had my business plan, a chef, etc but the owner didn’t have his finances in order) and instead was offered a steady position teaching at a college.

None of this I planned.  During my last few months of college, the school paper asked a few of us where we saw ourselves in fives years.  Everyone had an answer, except me.  My (not so) clever response was, “I don’t know where I’ll be in three months let alone five years.”

And boy, was my answer spot on.  Turns out that five years after I graduated college I’ll be finishing my second year teaching college and getting ready to move on.  (I had a one year interim contract and then was hired back for a second year, but only for a second year.)

Originally my thought was to finish out my schooling by getting my doctorate.  I really think I applied to Doctoral schools out of fear (yes, I know that sounds strange.)  I was/am scared of job hunting,moving, and living in a new (more expensive) place by myself.  Yet, I have this gut feeling that more schooling is not what I am suppose to do.  I’m not ready to take that final step in my career because I’m still not sure what path I’m on.  I’m making a decision now (which at least gives me a year to prepare for what happens next.)

So, as of May 2013, I’m a free agent.  It’s kind of a refreshing feeling.  I find it’s not as scary as it once was (like finishing college.)  I have experiences behind me that will help guide where I go.  I also know, I’m not going to plan (at least not yet.)  It would be so easy for me to say that in June, I’ll move to Colorado or out west somewhere.  I’ll hopefully find a good job that would allow me to snowboard in the winter, hike during the summer, and continue cooking all year. (that’s a plan/dream.)

But as I’ve learned, planning can only get you so far.  Living in the moment and learning all I can now before I tackle my next adventure.  I really like the word adventure- it’s excitement, learning, and exploration all rolled in to one.

On a different note, I’ll be away from the computer most of the weekend.  I’m attempting to get more involved with the Garden house on campus (which I will tell you about later- it’s this whole awesome thing that I wish I would have had when I was in college.)  At any rate, I’m taking six of them up to a sustainability conference in Wisconsin (with a couple farm/co-op stops along the way.)  I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the weekend.

Since I knew my students would enjoy it, I packed homemade hummus, pita, larabars, and this bread.  I like to travel with plenty of delicious food :)    This bread came out of a “oh crap, I have pumpkin puree I need to use” moment.  I love the earthy addition of the nut oil/oatmeal add and the dark flavor the maple syrup brings to the bread.  Delicious!

Have a great weekend!

Pumpkin Oat Bread
 
Prep time

Cook time

Total time

 

Author:
Serves: 8-10

Ingredients
  • ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup crushed pecans or walnuts
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ¾ cup maple syrup
  • ⅓ cup pecan or walnut oil
  • 2 eggs
  • oatmeal and nuts to top

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350˚and generously butter/oil a 8 or 9″ loaf pan.
  2. In a food processor, pulse oats until almost flour- I still like little pieces of oats left. Pour into a large bowl and add wheat flour,spices, baking soda, and nuts.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, maple syrup, oil, and two eggs. I like to extra nuttiness the nut oil adds but you can also use melted butter or coconut oil. Pour into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined (don’t over stir!)
  4. Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle with oats and nuts. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Top should spring back lightly and when a knife is entered, it should come out clean. Let cool and slice!

 

Pin it on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via email

Related Posts

Tagged with →  
  • Jacqui

    I’m the same way about decisions and I don’t think I’ve ever had a five year plan. I guess I like living in the moment! And hear’s to quick breads, they’re my favorite!

  • Margarita

    What I wanted to do in life has always been uncertain to me and I am just a lucky person to have been offered so many opportunities. Right now, I am at a safe spot with my work visa status, but only for a year. What happens next? I feel like my future is so vague and it kinda depresses me because I want to be able to move forward but being a foreigner in this country makes it impossible. :( The only thing possible is this bread and how good it will turn out. Must make! Soon!

  • http://www.everydaymaven.com/ Alyssa (Everyday Maven)

    Erin, keep listening to your soul. It won’t steer you wrong!

  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    What a fabulous, yummy, idea! This sounds so good!

  • http://www.calistalee.wordpress.com/ ~ callee ~

    I don’t have a five year plan either :-}

    However, I do have a plan to make this bread – it looks amazing!!!!

  • http://fooddoodles.com/ Heidi @ Food Doodles

    I was always that person in school – I really never had a plan. Even still, career wise I have no idea where I’ll be in 5 years, and that doesn’t bother me at all :) It sounds like you’ve had so many fantastic opportunities and experiences – That’s so awesome! Your bread looks delicious. I usually just make a plain whole grain pumpkin bread, but I love the oats in yours. Must try that! :)

  • http://sensualappeal.wordpress.com/ Kammie @ Sensual Appeal

    I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award =)!
    For more details: http://sensualappeal.wordpress.com/
    :)

  • http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/ Joanne

    I wish I could be quite as free as you are…I feel like I’ve had a plan for every second of my life. Although I guess, right now, though I’m in med school…it seems like I have a plan. But practicing medicine is not what I want to do and so right now I’m kind of just biding time until i figure it all out. We’ll see. Until I do figure it out…I suppose there’s always pumpkin bread to be eaten!

    • naturallyella

      It’s liberating but I’m still worried that if I do pick something else, I won’t be able to find a job… it’s all just a giant mess :)

  • http://www.mrsgarlichead.com/ Lena

    I can really relate to all that you said. I never knew what I wanted to do when I grow up, and still, I have no plan at all.
    I love that I have so many oppurtunites and possibilities still open, to me the unknow doesn’t look scary.
    For quite some time I felt I needed to worry more about this, to find THE thing I really want to do. Mostly because people kept asking about my plans. But now I’m really happy about how things are.

    • naturallyella

      I agree! Whenever someone asks me about my “plan”, it’s always a “well…..” moment!

  • http://freshandfoodie.com/ Fresh and Foodie

    Great post. I believe that even attempting to do something big is worth celebrating, and you’ve attempted many. (Buying a coffee shop? How cool is that?) Just because they haven’t come full circle doesn’t make them any less important.

    As much as I’ve tried to carve a path for myself, it never really goes as planned. I’ve grown to appreciate the fine art of “winging it.” :)

  • http://thefigtree.blogspot.com/ Courtneyraejones

    When I was younger, I was definitely a planner. I had everything planned out. But then my early 20′s were not what I expected and I suddenly found myself lost and without plans. For a while I felt lost and did not appreciate not having any plans. But now that I am almost 30, I am starting to love relaxing and just seeing where life takes me. I love grabbing opportunities as they come and not truly knowing what’s in store. Being a bit more free has taken me to some neat places & provided me with some really memorable experiences. I’ve met some really neat & inspirational people by being more open. And I’ve discovered my passions in just letting go some of my plans.

    I wish you all the best in what you decide to do :)

  • http://www.thesweetslife.com/ natalie (thesweetslife)

    what an exciting place to be in life–can’t wait to hear about your next adventure :)

  • Pingback: My Top 5 Healthy Food Blogs — Pinch of Yum

  • Pingback: Rhubarb Oat Quick Bread | Naturally Ella

  • Pingback: pumpkin oat bread | 100 before 21

  • Pingback: Naturally Ella | What I’m Craving v.2 | Page: 1 | Naturally Ella

  • Pingback: All things pumpkin « Butterflies and Bunny Rabbits

  • http://twitter.com/healthygirlatc courtney

    will definitely be making this this fall…just pinned – thanks for sharing :)

  • Kate

    doesn’t the bread need some type of salt in order to rise correctly? Mine really didn’t rise much and seems very dense. Any suggestions?

    • elalderson

      Kate, I added salt to the ingredients list but I don’t think salt would make it so dense. My guess would be not baking it long enough or over mixing it. Hope that helps!

  • Lauren F.

    This is an excellent recipe! My bread ended up perfect and not too dense at all! I was happy to have a use for my walnut oil and fresh pumpkin puree! This was my first time trying one of your recipes. I’ll definitely try more!

  • Pingback: Pumpkin Carving Champion « The Runner's Plate

  • Angela

    I just made this today. I did substitute 1 cup persimmon puree for the pumpkin, and added a large handful of chocolate chips. It turned out terrific. I will be using this recipe again and again. It seems to be a recipe which can absorb some flexibility with ingredients and still be quite good. Thanks!

  • Pingback: lovely notepad » Tabletop Tuesday: Pumpkin Oat Bread

  • Holli

    I love this recipe. I didn’t have a few ingredients this last time I made it and my changes made for something that might fit into the dessert category. 1. I was missing the oil, so I used half canola oil and half sour cream. 2. I added coconut flakes (this made it turn out like carrot cake).3. I topped it with cream cheese frosting (oh yeah this made it turn out like carrot cake too). We love your recipes… about to make waffles for dinner! We love your waffle recipes!