So I left work a few (coughcough60minutescoughcough) minutes early yesterday. I think my little Lily is depressed. Her leggie hurts and we’ve booked her for surgery on the 25th 🙁 She also needs to be practically immobile for 7-10 days, so she’ll be boarded at the vet that first week post-op. I know she would just crrrry being here with us and not able to come out of her crate. And plus, this surgery is costing a small fortune (the things we do for our “kids”…), and I don’t want her not healing properly.
ANYWAYS, Lily and I spent the early evening cooking a lasagna for tomorrow that came highly recommended by Holly. She talked it up, and I trust my bloggie friends’ taste in food! It smelled wooonderful, I can’t wait to try it! Recipe and pictures tomorrow 🙂 We also made homemade pizza for dinner, per Mr. Prevention’s request. I put pizza on the menu for the week because Biz posted a no-rise dough recipe that I just had to try!
No Rise Pizza Dough slightly adapted from The Biggest Diabetic Loser (AKA “Biz”)
2 cups flour whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup warm water
1 packet yeast
1 tsp salt
Mix well and roll it out – add up to 1/2 cup additional flour to get the right texture. Bake for 5 minutes before adding ingredients. Yield: 8 slices
Nutrition Information (for 1/8th crust): 110 calories; 0.5 g. fat; 288 mg. sodium; 22 g. carbohydrate; 3 g. fiber; 0 g. protein
My half: mushrooms, prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and arugula
Mr. Prevention’s half: turkey pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and arugula
Mmmm!
Result: Mr. Prevention said this tasted “less whole wheat and healthy” than the store-bought whole wheat crust. I believe that’s a good thing coming from my pizza connoisseur extraordinaire 😉 But yes, easy and delicious! 😀
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OIA(plastic)J: Safe or not?
[If you’re new to blogs, or not familiar with this fad…keep your eyes peeled, it won’t take long to surface]
I’ll be honest, I don’t get the whole OIAJ (oats in a jar) trend — plastic or glass. But microwaving my oats and throwing them in an empty nut butter jar seems like an added step to oats + nut butter…and potentially hazardous (if plastic). Not all plastics are safe to come into contact with food just heated in the microwave. And please, never ever ever microwave your oats IN the plastic nut butter jar. No, no, no.
This is the logo (and plastic description) on the bottom of my Krema peanut butter jar:
Type 1 – polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
“May be safe if marked “microwave safe”, although some recommend against food contact when microwaving.”
I think this could be interpreted several ways. Is it safe? Probably. But why risk it? My jar is NOT labeled “microwave safe”, and throwing steaming hot oats into it seems like a totally avoidable potential hazard. Call me crazy!
I’m sure OIAJ are tasty, but I’ve just always scratched my head at this trend. Maybe I’m too lazy or practical to dirty a bowl and then transfer it to a jar? Or maybe I’m just hypersensitive to possible dangers or plastics and heat? I don’t know…
Question: Are you on the OIAJ train? If not, why not? Have you ever worried about the potential hazards of plastics and heat?
Be well,
Poor Lily pup 🙁 I’ll keep my fingers crossed that her recovery is swift, and it will be once she sees you both! I remember our dog Bonnie had to have leg surgery a couple of years ago, and she was sad at first but she bounced back very quickly after she realized that she could bounce around. Hugs and kisses to your little Lily xoxo
I admit, I HAVE had OIAJ before, but I only ever eat it in glass jars for the reasons you listed above. Personally, I like scraping out jars with a spoon for a hit of pure PB 🙂
Have a great day, Nicole!
lol, never really got that either…I think it’s just an economical way to scrape up every last bit of nut butter from the jar, and then someone slapped it with a cute name and suddenly it became the new fad. Never wondered if it’s bad for you, though! I think the nut butters most bloggers get would be the glass ones? Like maranatha…
Never had OIAJ. If you haven’t noticed, I don’t do many blog trends, like veggies….hahaha. 😉
Poor Lily! I hate seeing animals in pain and feeling sad. Just makes you feel so helpless. I’m sorry.
i hope lily gets well soon…
Poor puppy! 🙁 I hope she feels better soon- best wishes for a speedy recovery!!
I’ve noticed the oats thing, too… and wondered the same thing about the plastic! I’m with ya on that one!
Poor Lily! I feel so bad for her.
I do OIAB. I make them in a bowl! Never done the OIAJ thing, never will. I eat my breakfast at work, and I don’t have random nut butters around. And we don’t have a microwave at home 😉
I’ve never felt drawn to the whole OIAJ thing. The concept isn’t that appealing to me.
Yum, the pizza sounds GREAT! And, it looks beautiful. you and Lily did a wonderful job 🙂
I am not into OIAJ either. I think it’s…dumb. Yeah, I said it. I tried it once and I was less than thrilled, and like you I felt it was more work than it was worth. I hadn’t even thought about the potential dangers! Very good point. I guess I would stick to the glass jars, if I ever did it again (maybe for my kids one day?? They would probably think it was fun!).
The pizza looks so fresh and delicious!
I’ll admit to being a fan of OIAJ – I just make sure my stovetop oats cool down for a few minutes before spooning them into an almost-empty plastic nut butter jar.
I’m sending feel-better vibes to Lily.
Aw, poor Lilly. 🙁 I hope she gets better! I’ve never tried OIAJ but I just almost-finished a pb jar and was going to try. Whew, glad you wrote this. I didn’t even think of the plastic issue!
I totally agree with you on the oatmeal in a jar. It makes me uneasy to see steaming hot food in plastic containers. The extra pb you get from scraping the jar is just not worth it.
Never heard of it….BUT the cinnamon raisin swirl PB looks freakin’ awesome!! Where can I find me some of that ;)??
Aww poor lily girl. Hope she gets happier soon.
I’m an OIAJ girl but only with glass containers. I don’t really like the idea of adding steamy oats to a plastic jar – no way!
Did my reply about sorrel come to your email? I never know if they do. If not here it is! Sorrel is a green leaf vegetable. It’s similar to spinach but has a huge lemon taste. If you can’t find it at a local farmer’s market you could try substituting spinach in with about 2 tsp lemon juice added.
I like OIAJ… for some reason I think it brings out the kid in me when getting to eat my breakfast out of something that isn’t dishware…
But I do prefer using the glass jars over the plastic ones.
I’m afraid of trying OIAJ specifically for the heating plastic reason. It makes me nervous!
lol– I don’t do oats in a jar either…mainly because I’m too lazy 🙂
I completely agree – why not just scrape out the PB and spoon it into a bowl?! I have so many half-full PB jars I feel like I never throw one away anyway!
Wishing Miss Lily a very speedy recovery. Poor girl!
I’ve never understood the oats in a jar thing either. I love PB, but it just seems like a lot of work to make this whole concoction and then dump it in there to get the last few scrapes out.
I have never made OIAJ (really because it seems like an extra step). And yes, I’m worried about plastic, and try to not use it in the microwave or with hot foods. It can’t be always avoided, but I think it’s really important to limit our exposure; we are exposed to way too much plastic, and all the trace amounts that may be leaking can add up quickly, especially in children.
LOVE your pizza! Biz’s dough is on my “must make” list!
Uhh, yeah, I never understood that. I like mine in a bowl with peanut butter stirred in. Safe and delicious. 😉 Besides, if it’s #1, it means it shouldn’t be reused because the plastic can start degrading and possibly release toxins, so it’s definitely not smart to put something hot in it which I imagine would only worsen the effect.
I hope Lily feels better. 🙁
Ahh, poor Lily, get better soon!
I’ll be the first to admit that I LOVE OIAJ. Yes, same concept as oatmeal with nut butter, but to me, the best part about it being in a jar is scraping out the nooks and crannies. Just my opinion. 🙂
Have a good day!
I’m glad I’m not alone with the whole oats in a jar thing. I’ve never done it and doubt I will. Especially with this warning you posted!
I make my oats in a glass jar for ease of transporting them to work. I actually usually cook my oatmeal on the weekend and then put it in glass jars with fruit and sometimes almond butter for the work week. Take the metal lid off, microwave for a minute and I have breakfast. I wouldn’t do that with a plastic jar, I guess I’m lucky that mine are all glass.
I have never had OIAJ but have seen it everywhere lately. To be honest, I never even thought about any potential hazard it may cause. Glad you posted about this.
Can’t wait for you to make the lasagna. It looked really good on Holly’s blog the other day. May have to make that pizza crust sometime soon….looks awesome!
I hope Lily starts feeling better soon!
And I have tried OIAJ a few times, but I am starting to think more about the hazards from heating plastics. I wish there was more solid research on BPA so we knew for sure the negative effects it may be causing since it’s in a lot of canned foods, etc.
Poor Lily! I hope she feels better soon!
I have honestly never heard of OIAJ. It doesn’t sound like something I would do though. If the container I’m using doesn’t expressly say “microwave safe” I’m not putting it in the microwave.
I’ve never had OIAJ before and never totally understood it. I always just assumed that it was in a glass jar. I hope your dog gets well soon–it just breaks my heart when they get sick/injured because they can’t communicate their pain. Oh, and your pizza looks great! I love leafy things on top of my pizza also!
I am with you…I usually won’t do oats in a jar in the microwave. We don’t use plastic at all (even to store our food…always glass)Typically I will make my oatmeal first and then pour it into the glass almond butter jar and do it that way.
Oh, no – I hope Lily feels better. 🙁 It’s so hard to see doggies (or any animal) in pain. I think because they can’t talk about how they’re feeling…it’s just so sad.
I’m SO glad you’re trying the lasagna! I really hope you like it – I loved it and it was just a nice change from the normal lasagna, ya know?
Honestly, I haven’t tried OIAJ because a. I always forget and throw the jar in the recycling bin right away and b. I don’t like to waste a dirty dish, either! I’m weird, though, in that I like my almond butter on my spoon as I eat my oatmeal. That way a little bit gets in each bite. So….maybe I’ll pass on OIAJ for now. 🙂
Oh no, I hope your little Lilly begins to feel better soon. Ah, I would be so sad if I had a pet that was not doing so hot.
I often wonder when I have OIAJ if it is safe or not… but for some reason I still continue to have them.. oh well. Coming from a girl who use to make food in Styrofoam bowls during highschool… i do not think one more OIAJ will kill me.
I try not to microwave things in plastic either, so have never done OIAJ. I guess when I get to the bottom of a jar of nut butter, I just scrape it out and put it in my bowl! That and I buy my but butters at Costco usually, so reaching in there with a spoon is messy with those giant jars.
Pizza look awesome!
Ha! I love that you addressed the OIAJ craze!
I will admit I like it for a few reasons:
1. I’m cheap and like to get every little bit out of my nut butter jar.
2. I never microwave oats, I always make them on the stove top so for me it does mean washing one less thing 🙂
3. If I have to go anywhere (ie. take a meal to go), jars don’t leak. I’m known to save empty jars to use as to go containers since I’m too cheap to buy tupperware.
I’ve noticed my jars are usually glass, but I can see the weariness in using plastic containers.
I also have a large fear of microwaving in plastic – in fact, I don’t do it. I have collected enough glass containers, that I almost never even store food in plastic containers.
I did do the oats in a jar once – however, I used cream of wheat and cooled it down slightly before adding it to my jar…
I have never thought about the plastic and heat honestly. I had my first OIAJ just last week. I liked it as a way to get to the last bit of nutbutter, but the extra step of dirtying a bowl and getting the oats into the jar without making a mess was kind of pointless to me. I don’t know if I would make them again, but they sure were good to get some extra pb in there. 🙂
Poor Lily 🙁 Drake, Luna and I will keep her in our thoughts, if their walnut brains can 😛
I have done oats in a jar twice, glass jar, end of jar and I cooked the oats stove top (which I always do) and dumped them in, I only did it to get all of the yummy peanut butter out and it worked well for that.
I do the whole OIAJ thing because I like getting those little bits of nut butter that I can’t seem to scrape out otherwise. But I’ve honestly never thought about the plastic thing before! Now I don’t microwave my oats, I make them on the stove top and then just transfer them to the plastic container? Does that make a difference?
My best to you and lily. Hoping for a swift recovery.
Cheers!
Now that you mention it, I agree with the food safety aspect. I think it may depend on all the variables. Another one that drives me nuts is eating rice that has been left out, which is a high carrier (or developer) of bacteria. I know some people who leave it overnight in the rice cooker and let it get room temp. It doesn’t take long for the bacteria to start breeding there. Sorry to hear Lily will be away from you for the recovery, but I agree it is a good idea because after shelling out all that money you want her to heal the right way.
Ive never had OIAJ so I cant really comment much – but Im totally worried about plastic in the microwave. My dad has grilled that into my mind since I was little.
I hope Lily feels better! Keeping them down after surgery SUCKS. Lexie was spayed in the summer (they told us she already was when we got her – that was a FUN surprise) and it wound up being quite an intense surgery. 3 tumors and a cyst were removed.
The first day was alright since she was so drugged up, then halfway through the second she started being herself again. That was HARD. I agree with your reasoning for keeping Lily at the vets for the first bit. It will make things easier for all of you.
ya know I never even thought about it being dangerous! I have done it before and it was ok, but I am not a huge oats fan so I don’t do it too often.
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I tried one no-rise pizza dough recipe, and it was just AWFUL! It tasted like cardboard.
As soon as I replace my broken pizza stone, I’ll have to try this. I have it bookmarked now!
the oatmeal and the peanut just melt together, you need to try it. we use teddie bear pb so it’s a glass jar. you add the hot water, oatmeal, in the jar, no mess and no clean up really…no microwave needed
If I cooked my oatmeal I’d try the OIAJ thing. I think you’re right it may not be the safest thing to do but since they’re probably not doing it that often probably take quite awhile before it kills them
🙂
I just said a little prayer for Lily.
I love OIAJ because it’s a great way to get PB all melty around my oats! But I haven’t ever thought about the safety. Good point you brought up… I guess I’ll stick to glass jars from now on. Thanks!
First of all, the draw of OIAJ is the fact that you get to scrape excess nut butter off the sides of the jar, thus leaving you with more nut buttery goodness in every bite =) Not to mention it’s just a fun way to eat oatmeal! I didn’t understand why OIAJ was so popular until I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago. I’ve got to say – I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Also – I don’t cook the oats in the microwave. I cook them stove-top then put them into the jar. The only time I’ve used a plastic jar was when I put “yoatgurt” (yet another blogging trend, haha) in there, which was about room temperature. With that being said, I’m *really* glad you brought this up. I actually didn’t know that people cooked the OIAJ in the microwave, which is definitely NOT safe. I make it a point to avoid any and all plastic in the microwave, actually!
I agree with Gracie’s comment above.
At first, I thought OIAJ was a little silly or whatever – then I tried ’em! I’ve mostly used glass jars, though. Once I used a plastic jar (from a Nuttzo jar) but I don’t cook the oats in the microwave or even put the jar in the microwave at all. I mostly eat steel-cut oats and I just transfer ’em from the pot to the jar. And the hot oats helps melt all the nut butter from the bottom and sides of the jar that are usually so hard to scrape out with just a spoon.
I DO agree with you on the plastic and microwave, etc.
But a lot of bloggers are also enjoying SIAJ (smoothies in a jar)! So, you don’t have to worry about heating there. 😉
Oh, poor Lily!! I hope everything works out ok for her!!
I’ve never even heard of this OIAJ stuff before…how very interesting (and odd, I must say!)!
i always use glass jars when i make my oats in a jar!
I’m not on the oat train. In a jar or not. I wish I liked oatmeal. It looks good on other people’s blog.
I’m actually not a huge fan of OIAJ. Tried it once or twice. It’s “okay” like a good way to scrap up pb but really, I hardly taste it anyways.
I had no idea some people actually microwave their oats for OIAJ. I thought the whole point is to use overnight oats, as in cold! Like Angela’s (oh she glows) vegan overnight oats. Nice and cold!
As per Amber’s comment, I also thought OIAJ were supposed to be cold, like a good muesli.
Most of the OIAJ i see in blogs is for OVERNIGHT OATS. it’s NOT for microwaving.
Basically, you combine equal parts of raw oats, milk, and greek yogurt. from there, you can mix in your choice of add-ins like chia seeds, sliced banana, nut butters, honey, etc. Cover the glass jar and put in the fridge overnight. Typically, you don’t microwave it, just eat it as is. So good!
xx
Finally someone mentioned OVERNIGHT OATS in a jar after so many microwaved posts. Yes in fact, no questions about safety arise when in glass jars, and no heating/cookingis required. Just an easy way for us to store/eat/plan fit meals.