I’ve gotten this question a lot: “I would love to cook non-instant oats each morning but just don’t have the time. Is it possible to make a big batch once a week and re-heat them throughout the week?”
I have assumed, but can now answer for sure, “Yes!”
Like I said yesterday, I made a triple batch of my typical cinnamon, banana Scottish Oats. I’m sure making any type would work. I cooked them, then let cool a bit, stuck in tupperware and into the fridge they went. This morning I took out 1/3 of the batch, added ~2-4T almond milk and microwaved the bowl for 2min. Then I just whisked them up with a fork and they were super creamy and delicious!
I would say the overall texture/flavor was compromised sliiightly. However, this saved at least 20min of time, between cooking + cleaning. It’s not something I will typically do, but great if you want a delicious breakfast but are short on time in the AM!
Stirred in a peach and topped with Love Grown Foods granola + my cinnamon honey peanut butter. Good as new!
I had fun grown-up things to do this morning [changing address, phone calls, etc] but got out for a THIRTY mile bike ride!! I finished in 2hrs and it was fabulous. My legs were pretty dead by the end. I came in and did 20min of yogadownload Yoga for Cyclists. It honestly makes my body feel SO much better. Lunch was consumed before I even thought about where my camera was 
Then the rest of the day was spent packing!! Soooooooooo fun. [lie]
Things are extremely boring on my end right now…so let me pick your brains!
Any good organization tips that you use at home or when moving to a new place?
Any good DIY craft projects for decorating??
Well, I do have 1 more thing to share. A full review on Glass Dharma straws!! I was SO excited to receive this complimentary box of beautiful glass straws. Look out for a giveaway soon!
LOVE the packaging. Simple + clean.
Straw #1 is small + oh so cute. It comes with a special brush for cleaning. Many of you asked how to clean these. Dharma is 1 step ahead of you! Including this brush is key!
This is a 6oz glass, just so you know the scale of this straw. It is small and best used in a juice glass like this one. I love the blue details!
Straw #2 A taller + wider straw but similar to the previous.
I haven’t encountered any issues with the straws, except they are obviously somewhat fragile. However, I did drop one in the sink and it survived!
Straw #3 is much wider and the glass is thicker than the previous 2 straws. I really love this straw. I think it is my favorite. It’s great for smoothies because the opening is larger, allowing for the thickness of the smoothie to pass through more easily.
Straw #4 has a great design. I love the bend! Also a great smoothie straw! Recently, I have come to love drinking with straws. It’s nice for smoothies because you don’t end up with smoothie on your face, when everything in the glass shifts. Also, for some reason, I end up drinking a lot more water throughout the day when I use a straw.
So pretty!!
You can better tell the size difference in this photo below.
These are great for personal use but also make a fun, unique gift! If I’m just drinking water, I wash by hand with hot soap + water. If I drink a smoothie, I use hot soap + water and run the brush through it as well. I really don’t mind the extra 30sec it takes to clean the straw. I would much rather use these than the throw away kind.
The only warning I would give is, if you’re a straw chewer, don’t bite down on these!! 
Time to get my sleep on.
Ashley
PDF 
I love those glasses and straws – beautiful!
30miles!!?? Crikey, go you!
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:29 am
Thanks Freya
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Good job on the bike ride, wow!
I love those straws
They would be perfect for me, I love drinking with straws
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Gorgeous straws!
I make rolled oats in bulk too. But recently I started making steel cut oats in the rice cooker (thanks to a rice cooker post on The Front Burner) What a game changer! I set the timer at night and in the morning I can smell the oats cooking, no stirring required!
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:29 am
Ahhh, Emily is making me want a rice cooker soooo badly!!! I think my huz will kill me if I get another big kitchen appliance though
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i love the look of the glass straws! i want one!! i always find i drink far more water when i use a straw too!!
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I am a pretty violent drinker. As in I wait till I am too thirsty to drink and I violently attack it ( can you picture this?) I would be worried about breaking the straw!!!
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:28 am
LOL!!
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When you told me the other day that you were making a big batch of oats — I was hoping you’d write about it. I never really thought to make any ahead of time — but this is such a great idea! I never have time in the morning to cook steel-cut oats. I LOVE them. So, I’m definitely going to have to give the batch thing a try. Also, younghouselove.com is a great resources for DIY home projects . . . if you’re looking for less permanent stuff, Apartment Therapy is your place to check out.
Throw pillows can do a lot to make a room look awesome, if you can’t really paint or stuff like that. And I really like using tension rods with large panels of fabric (Amy Butler fabric is my fav) to add drama to a room (like in our bedroom and kitchen) — plus, it’s only temporary. I’m going to need your address, PS.
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I want to try the glass dharma straws so badly!
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I’ve done this before with Steel Cut oats and it works well with them too! I just made a quadruple batch on the weekend and had my oats to enjoy all week. Nothing ever comes as good as the real stove top, but this is such a great alternative for those busy mornings.
I love these straws!
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Those straws are awesome – I definitely need some for when I’m drinking my monsters!!!
The oats look great! I’m probably going to do that in the winter months when I can’t do the overnight oats anymore!
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I love glass straws!! I am a straw chewer… so I’d have to be careful with these
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i was wondering how they got really clean! love that they include a brush…good job glass dharma!
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A 30 mile bike ride sounds wonderful. I really need to get my hiney out on my book more instead of relying on spin class for my cycling training.
I love the straws, but I bet I would manage to break them 2 hot seconds after owning them.
My organization tip for moving would be to get rid of anything I haven’t used in the last year. My hubby can tend to be a pack rat so this can be a challenge. It’s just so liberating to me to get rid of “stuff.”
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C.J. @ Just Gotta Tri Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 6:24 am
“book” should be “bike.” I really need to learn to edit before hitting submit.
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:28 am
We are really good at lightening the load and getting rid of what we don’t use/need. We go through our clothes every 6 months!
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great job on the bike ride! thats awesome!
those straws are beautiful, they kind of remind me of something out of chemistry lab haha
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:26 am
Thank you
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You can cook Scottish Oats in the microwave anyway. They only take about 2 minutes. But you have to stop and stir frequently.
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:26 am
Really, in 2 minutes?? Wow! Because they take so much longer on the stove and rolled oats in the microwave always explode
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For those of you concerned about braking the glass straws, 7-11 sells huge metal straws for use with their slurpies. I have 2 of them and they’re big enough for me to drink the smoothie right out of my blender (What?!?! – It saves me time from having to wash an extra item!). They don’t have a brush or anything, but I find that if I rinse them out as soon as I’m done, they’re good to go. Also, I stick them in the dishwasher when I can, too.
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:26 am
Great tip…thanks!
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Taylor Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I have been interested in those straws for a while and recently looked into purchasing some. Id just like to note to all of those who are concerned with the fragility of the straws that according to the website they are made of borosilicate tubing which is the strongest glass commercially available and are covered with a lifetime guarantee against breakage-meaning that if they ever break, they’ll replace them – free (must pay shipping). Also here is a link to there faq section if your curious- http://glassdharma.com/faq.html
I assure you im not a rep for them just think they have a great product and wanted to clear up some misconceptions. Thanks
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Ashley Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Thanks Taylor!! That is such great information. I’ll mention that when I do the giveaway!
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How weird is the straw thing with increased water consumption throughout the day!! I bought my cheapo $2 version of the camelbak water bottles that has a straw and I drink sooooo much more water with it! It’s wonderful. Hydration has always been a huge downfall for me!
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James makes a crockpot full of steel cut oats on the weekends, and says the texture is great. He just reheats his portion every morning.
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So glad to hear reheated oats works. I will definitely be needing to do that once my grad classes begin!
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i have wanted some glass dharma straws!! too exciting you’ll be doing a giveaway! i use the long brush that is part of a Camelback cleaning kit to wash out my Starbucks straws, cause even if you rinse them, drinking tea, smoothies and sometimes a Frapp, gets them all schmutzy and that just breeds germs, euyh!
oftentimes we make too much oatmeal or the Bob’s Red Mill GF hot cereal and I just save it for the next day. if you add some liquid it almost always is just about good as fresh and saves time! I made Overnight OAIJ last night w/frozen naners, oats, chopped dried cherries & figs, chopped raw cashews, cinnamon flax seed oil, & pumpkin pie spice, cardamom, more cinnamon,vanilla and a big forkful of almond butter. Today i’m going to top it w/blueberries, apple, and hempseeds. yum!
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stampylisa Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 7:06 am
oh and almond milk. Left that out
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
I love that you said “schmutzy.” Reminds me of something my grandma would say
Your OAIJ sounds completely incredible!
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Sunshine@The Culinary vampire Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:19 am
Totally right on cleaning out the tools. I do have a brush, but I got it from my science lab, which I don’t think too many people have access to.
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Cheftools.com has stainless bendy straws too if you prefer that over glass:
http://www.cheftools.com/RSVP-Endurance-Stainless-Steel-Drink-Straws-Set-of-4/productinfo/03%2D0181/
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
Those look really fun!
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I’ve not had great luck with reheating oatmeal, but I’m also not that experienced in making good oatmeal to begin with.
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:24 am
Have you seen my Encyclopedia of Oats post? If not, you can find it at the bottom of my recipe page. I tried to be as detailed as possible on how to make a variety of different oats!
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Those straws are so pretty, but I’m such a klutz that I know I would break them on day one.
I love making a big batch of steel cut oats in the crockpot on the weekends and then using during the week. It’s a great thing to have working while I’m on my butt watching football each weekend
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:24 am
Great idea!
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Those straws are beautiful, I want me some! I am a straw chewer though
so hopefully I wouldn’t kill myself with one of these.
If you’re looking for good organization tips and DIY ideas, go check out http://www.younghouselove.com –but be careful, because you may end up going and spend like 5 hours browsing through the site, it’s quite dangerous.
Whenever I’m moving anywhere, I try to really think about what is worth bringing with me, if I haven’t used it in a few months–chances are I’m not gonna use it again (this applies to everything but kitchenware
). Does Colorado have the Container Store? It’s quite awesome.
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:24 am
hahaha, I’ve been to that site and know what you mean! Oh yes, we definitely got rid of a TON. We sold what we could, donated most of it, and threw out the rest. We’re pretty good at letting go of things. Yes, we have the container store and I’ve never been there! That will have to change!
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those straws are seriously gorgeous! haha as if straws could be gorgeous but they totally are
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LOVE those straws. i’m a straw person for sure, but i don’t have any fancy ones like those. i always use straws because for some reason i have a hard time drinking anything without one. which is weird i know hehe.
the oats look delish as always, good to know you can make batches ahead of time.
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Pretty straws!
Here’s my handy, dandy moving tip. Make a special bedding box with a set of sheets, pillows, blankets etc and label it clearly – brightly – whatever so that you can find that box. Nothing like being exhausted and only being able to find hand towels for bedding. If nothing else, you can sleep well that first night. Same with any other essentials – breakfast things, toothbrushes etc. Whatever you know you will want sooner rather then later, pack together and decorate that box. Then tell the movers to put those boxes somewhere obvious so that you really can find them. Saves a lot of sanity that way.
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:22 am
What a great idea! We’re the movers, so we should be able to keep track of the important boxes
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Wow, that’s great oat info! School’s starting soon, so I’m trying to make homemade waffles + pancakes beforehand and freezing them so I have more time (to play with toppings, that is
) and it’s great to know that I can do the same with oats.
Thanks a bunch! ~ Em
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:22 am
Oh my. That is a great idea as well!!!
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Haven’t even attempted the long-cooking oats because I’m so impatient in the morning – this might be the perfect fix
Yay for 30 miles!! We both survived – meaning, obviously, we’ll have to tackle 35-40 at some point. I hear Ft Collins has good riding roads…just sayin’…
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I’m always up for a challenge!!!!!!!
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I often make a big batch of steel cut oatmeal over the weekend and just reheat throughout the week as well! Maybe not quite as good as when it is fresh but still really good!
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I have always wanted to try those straws
I made steel cut oats in the slow cooker and throw some in the fridge and some in the freezer!
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haha I AM a straw chewer–but they are SO georgeous! I think I could give up that habit for some of those straws
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Mm, oatmeal looks so good. I can’t wait to have a bowl tomorrow morning. Ah, those straws look lovely! I’ve always wanted one
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Wow! That is a long bike ride! I was tired from riding back and forth to school (2 miles each way) after not riding all summer lol then again my bike is just a cruiser without any gears:)
I have wanted one of those straws for awhile! I always use the straw from my reusable starbucks cup but since its green its hard to tell if its 100% clean:/
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I need those glass straws! Badly!!!
Also love prepping oatmeal ahead of time and just browning it on a dry skillet to make it oatmeal finger food for something different (or something to go!) too!
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Ashley Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Well, watch out next week for the giveaway!!
Whoa oatmeal finger food?? mmmm
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Love glass straws!! We have a few of them, they just make everything taste better, haha
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Those straws are super cute. I just worry about them breaking.
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I dont really like eating instant oats they are too mushy for me, but I don’t have the time to make Irish Oats every morning. I generally make a big batch on Sunday and eat them throughout the week. They aren’t as good as fresh off the stove (not as creamy) but with fruit and nut butter they are more than filling for the upcoming day.
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i love that the beautiful part is also functional. the colored bead that is fused on them keeps them from rolling off your counter. if you live in a slightly tilty house like I do, things roll when you put them down.;)
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Ashley Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Never thought of that
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do you like the glass or the plastic bettttah??
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Ashley Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Glass!!! They are so pretty!! And apparently if they break they will replace them!
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Wow. Those straws are super beautiful ANDDDD they are environmentally friendly and economical!
LOVE it when we can justify shopping. (0:
PS- Not sure if I have ever commented here yet but I adore your blog and your recipes and pictures and….anyway I love it!
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Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for saying hi and for your sweet compliments
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