We recently caught up with our friend Colleen, @servingupsimplicity, for our More Perfect Series. She is a health and fitness enthusiast doing her best to keep it simple — and we love her for that! With reports every day of new tricks, tips, and foods to avoid, she keeps it honest, simple and absolutely delicious, something that has garnered her some attention (in all the best ways, of course!). She tells us what her journey to living a balanced and healthy lifestyle throughout colleges looked like for her and ways we can make our very own more perfect breakfast bowl.

And hey, who doesn’t love a picture-perfect and nutritious breakfast bowl? If you haven’t already, check out @servingupsimplicity for some breakfast inspo!

Let’s start with your own health story – what has it been like?

My health journey has been a slow and steady journey of learning what “healthy eating” looks like for me and that one size does not fit all. I am forever grateful that I grew up with a mom who is the perfect example of health and wellness without obsession. She taught me to enjoy cooking from a young age which I’ve carried with me into adulthood! In college, I really did the typical first-year college student thing by eating way too much unhealthy cafeteria food and eating out all the time (thankfully for me, my college had a no drinking rule. ha!), which resulted in gaining some unneeded weight. After my first year, I took a look at what I felt like and realized I felt sluggish and unhappy and I wanted to make some changes. Luckily, since I had my mom to look to as an example, I knew what changes to make without overthinking or obsessing over what I was eating. I went back to my roots of cooking more for myself and enjoying experimenting in the kitchen and from there the rest is history! Plus I will say, I was into smoothies and oatmeal before it was cool! Of course, my journey is still on-going and I’m enjoying learning more about myself and continuing to experiment in the kitchen every day.

What has been the biggest challenge turned lesson you’ve learned along the way?

I’m now a firm believer in the “intuitive eating” movement and that everyone is unique and different in what their bodies need and want. One of my biggest challenges has been to discover what works for me while ignoring the noise of what’s “trendy” at that moment (sorry zoodles, I know you’re trendy but I think you’re gross).

What’s your go-to breakfast in a pinch?

Oatmeal! I legitimately ate oatmeal essentially every single day in college and I still love it! If I’m really pushed for time, I’ll just throw some quick 1-minute oats in the microwave, top it with some fruit and nut butter, and head out the door!

What is your number one piece of advice for making a balanced, yet delicious, breakfast bowl?

Experimentation! I think sometimes people assume that healthy eating is boring or doesn’t taste good, but you just have to find what you enjoy! You think oatmeal doesn’t taste good? Try mashing up half a banana to add in while you cook it or try switching out your toppings! (I love you Starbucks, but your oatmeal topping game is very sad.) The reason I could eat oatmeal every day and be happy is that there is an unlimited number of options for toppings…apple pie, peanut butter, banana, chocolate, walnuts, strawberries and cream, the list goes on!

What is your must-do self-care practice that helps you stay balanced with your busy schedule?

Drinking water! I know that doesn’t sound like anything big but I view any daily practice that improves your day to be an act of self-care! The absolute first thing I do every morning is drink a gianttttt glass of water (that’ll really get things moving if you know what I’m saying). It’s not always pleasant to drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning but it definitely improves my day if I do!

And finally, what is your favorite Perfect Bar?

Current faves are the Pumpkin Pie and the Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter!