Water Cube Wonder!

The Water Cube, Beijing

I'm completely transfixed by the "Water Cube", the structure where the diving and swimming events for the 2008 Olympics will take place.  Tomorrow I'll be watching the Opening Ceremonies enjoying a Chinese feast (Dark and Stormys with Ginger Beer, Jasmine Green Tea, Brown Rice, Buckwheat Noodles with Veggie and Tofu Stirfy and Mango Ginger Frozen Yogurt). Can't wait! 

favorite...instant oatmeal

One of my oldest friends, always jokes with me about how in junior high I would extol the virtues of breakfast as the "most important meal of the day." (What a wholesome, teenager, I sound like!) Even today, I'm adamant about eating it and can't imagine getting through the day if I didn't.

Any of my friends who've gone out to have breakfast with me, know that 9 out of 10 times I'm ordering oatmeal. If it's not oatmeal, then I'm indulging by having some kind of pancakes (all the better if they have bananas, blueberries, pumpkin -- in them). While I don't consider myself a picky eater, I just can't behind eggs. I love everything that would be served in omelet (spinach, goat cheese), but something about the texture I just find so unappealing.

If I'm at home - it's oatmeal too. What can I say, I'm passionate about oatmeal! I've tried lots of different brands, but my favorite bar none is Whole Foods own brand, "365 Organic Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal". The flavors include Oats & Flax, Maple Spice, Apple Cinnamon, and Cinnamon & Spice. The sleeper hit of the box is definitely Oats & Flax. I know it sounds like eating a forest but its got just right about of sweetness without being cloying. Just add a little bit of water, microwave for 1.5 minutes and you're good to go. I like to add frozen berries and a little milk.

I'm not alone in my oatmeal obsession! Cranky Bert from Sesame Street loved the stuff (he also really liked pigeons, if I remember, which is where we part ways). In fact there was a 1983 book called "Don't Forget the Oatmeal", in which Bert ties some string around his finger to remember to buy the oatmeal and then gets distracted by Cookie who goes on a cookie binge throughout the store. Did anyone read this gem as a kid?

These are a few of my favorite things...

Welcome to Brown Paper Packages! Like, the infamous song from "The Sound of Music" on this blog, I'll highlight a few of my favorite things, be it home decor, fashion, music, films or books. Enjoy!