Oh friends. I have had so many experiences with the TSA and overnight oats over the years. While I have had to do my fair share of explaining what they are and talking through it with the TSA agents, there has only been one time that I’ve had to throw them away…until Friday. I think my overnight oats as a travel breakfast days are numbered.
I made a delicious mix that was packed with oats, chia seeds, bananas and more and topped with almond butter, bananas, strawberries and blueberries. My plan was to share it with Finn on the plane (he loves it!). In the past I was told if I could turn it upside down and it wasn’t runny, I could take it through. Friday I was told it is now subject to the 3.4 ounce rule because it’s a “gel or a paste.” I had to plaster a smile on and say “okay, I understand” while they were tossed in the trash. Oh well. We had a good run and now you know! 🙂
I ended up eating a Carrot Cake Larabar out of my bag on the plane and Finn was going crazy over it. He kept pulling my hand to his mouth and eating bites. And then I made a peanut butter and banana sandwich once I got to my grandmother’s condo. I was starving.
And continuing on the topic of food…just a few eats from last week to share.
BREAKFAST
Most mornings I had a smoothie or smoothie bowl, on this morning I had eggs scrambled in butter, a slice of carrot maple oat banana bread and strawberries and blueberries.
LUNCH
You know the drill.
DINNER
These get a little more interesting!
This dinner came together in a flash while I was doing Finn’s bedtime routine. Roasted broccoli, couscous and salmon that was topped with a mix of dijon, brown sugar and lemon juice. I seasoned the salmon with sea salt and Trader Joe’s lemon pepper grinder. I pulled a homemade hamburger bun out of the freezer to eat as a dinner roll. This dinner was simple but really good.
Leftover baked ziti (Finn LOVED this…especially the meat!) with leftover roasted broccoli.
I loved this salad/grain bowl combo. I massaged lacinto kale with olive oil, sea salt and lemon juice and then topped it with couscous, salmon, goat cheese, dried cranberries and pistachios. I warmed the couscous and salmon.
ETC
I scored a Batch Box from The Batchmaker and I’ve been making my way through this thing all week. I was out of town working in Pennsylvania on pickup day but I was so committed to finally trying a Batch Box that I had my house sitter go get it for me. #priorities
So far I have had both slices of cake and one cookie. The rest is in the freezer. All the goodies in this Batch Box were chocolate themed for Valentine’s Day. <3 There is nothing like homemade baked goods…the best!
Give me your best TSA food stories. I know this crowd has to have some good ones! 🙂
Is there a lunch that you are stuck on or repeating a lot lately?
I was traveling home for the holidays with chocolates that I made in class (culinary school) as well as a small suitcase of bread because I worked at Great Harvest. Both the bag and box of chocolates were sent through the scanner twice and the TSA employee said he needed to confiscate one of the loaves of bread when I told him what the items were.
On my way back I was told I needed to throw away an unopened jar of Nutella that my sister gave me. ?
Okay now, this is just ridiculous! I think they took the bread on purpose. I’ve taken bread through so many times.
Next time tell TSA that the food is for the baby—- they should allow any food/liquids through when it’s for a chlid/baby 🙂
Ha! I shall try this! 🙂
The trick to getting overnight oats through TSA is to soak them overnight in just the teeny tiniest amount of liquid–enough to soften the oats by they still remain really dry and individual flakes. After security, add the chia seeds in liquid (either 3.4 oz or anything bought past security) and wait a bit for the chias to gel. Add your regular toppings and eat!
You’re awesome. Thanks for the tip!
Ugh! I had the same experience with TSA and they threw away my overnight oats. I was so upset! I was definitely not as polite about it as you were.
Haha, I was biting my tongue but just remembering that “I am not special” and “it’s her job.” Haha. My belly was grumbling though and I was so sad.
When I was flying back from Austin from work, I usually brought back BBQ for my husband. It’s been hit or miss and luckily this has only happened once, but I brought back some pork that had a little too much juice one time and they made me throw it away… if I hadn’t also had some brisket with me too I would’ve been way more upset. After that I usually dump out most of the liquid when flying. It still got picked up for question, but always passes after that one time.
Oh wow! I cannot believe they would make you throw out BBQ because of “juice.” That is ridiculous!
I’ve been eating Ezekial sprouted English muffins with pb for lunch. I luckily haven’t had food thrown away by TSA, yet!
I’ve never tried those. Will have to check them out!
They’re in the frozen “healthy food” section.
Love them!! Healthy and very filling.
It’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure when my kids were babies there weren’t size restrictions on baby food and bottles as well as toddler snacks or drinks. Definitely say it’s for the babe next time!
If they are going to hold you to the gel/paste thing. You should just split it into mini containers! Let them try to stop you then 😉
I love the Batchbox idea! I wish I lived close so that I could take advantage of it!! Yumm!
I’ve had many weird experiences, it seems like it depends on their mood :). I agree with what someone else says, they usually let anything go with kids. I was traveling with my three year old this Christmas and we got yelled at because we packed his pretend power drill in his carry on suitcase. Said it looked like a gun (eye roll). I told them I would be sure to not pack his power tools in the future. :).
This past Christmas they took my unfrozen ice pack citing the same gel issue they gave you. I had just had knee surgery so needed it. They said if it was frozen it would be ok, but I said then it would have sweat all over my stuff. Anyway the funny part of that search is that they totally thought my 2 homemade blueberry breads (with a white glaze on top) were bricks of cocaine (until they opened and smelled them, lol)!!
I don’t have a food related TSA story, but once I was at JFK and there was a sudden commotion in front of me regarding the man going through and they momentarily shut down the security lines… police showed up, they pulled the man aside, and since I was close enough to hear: asked him if he knew there was an AXE in his carry on and why he had it! The poor man was thoroughly confused and when it was finally pulled out – it was plastic! He had last used the bag years ago when going to ComicCon and didn’t go through when he was in a rush that trip ?
TSA is ridiculous. every 2 weeks they change their mind. recently they took my plastic butter knife ? the same plastic knives you can get at any fast food place inside the airport. its really unfair they let anything in if you say its for kids. what about those of us with food allergies who cant eat the junk in the airport ?
I got into an early morning TSA argument over peanut butter, finding myself dying laughing at the TSA agent, and said let’s get a spoon… I think I sent him over the edge, when I asked what would happen if it was crunchy…
This made me literally laugh out loud!!!!!