Oats

The rules for developing a Love of Oats…

• Buy the oats

  • I buy 32 oz. canisters of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats, but store brand works well also
  • I pour the oats into a slightly larger canister, so that I can keep a 1/2 cup measuring cup in the container of oats

• Cinnamonize the oats

  • I LOVE cinnamon.  To save me some time each morning & for better distribution, I take the lid off the oatmeal canister, add in about a 1/4 bottle of ground cinnamon, replace the lid, and shake vigorously

• Cook the oats

  • Scoop 1/2 cup of oats into microwavable-safe bowl
  • Add in 2/3 cup of water OR milk - I eyeball my liquid amount so this isn’t an exact science.  You will learn what liquid amount creates the best consistency for you.  I don’t like my oatmeal soupy (my dad does), but I don’t like it real thicky/dry either (my mom does), I like it right in the middle ~ to each their own!
  • Fruit mix-in (optional):
    • Frozen fruit – Add in frozen fruit to the uncooked bowl of oats.  You may need to add an extra minute or so to your oatmeal cooking time to allow for the fruit to defrost & warm up.  I usually gauge it and stir it half way through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly, which also turns your oats into the color of the fruit.
    • Canned unsweetened pumpkin – stir in a couple tablespoons full of canned (unsweetened) pumpkin until well combined.  See it here & here & here.
    • Sliced apples – Add in half of a apple, cut into small pieces.  Add more cinnamon & a touch of brown sugar prior to cooking.  It will taste like a healthier version of apple pie for breakfast like this one.
    • Sliced bananas – if you like the natural sweetness and creaminess that bananas provide, add half a sliced banana into your uncooked bowl of oatmeal and stir around.  I like to add the other half of the sliced banana after cooking for a cold + hot combination.
  • Cook on 50% power for 2-3 minutes, depending on your microwave power, to simulate slow-cooking stove top oats.  If I’m in a real rush, I will just pop it in the microwave on full power for 1.5 – 2 minutes.  It comes out a little bit thicker/drier when it’s cooked on full power, but still delicious.

• Decorate the oats (you MUST add at least one topping)

  • Healthy Fat
    • Ground flaxseed – sprinkle a tsp or so of ground flaxseed on top.  You can buy the seeds and grind them yourself in a coffee grinder or food processor OR purchase them already ground at your supermarket.  Bob’s Red Mill is a great brand.
  • Protein
    • Whey Isolate Protein powder – If I eat oatmeal after a tough workout, sometimes, I will mix in half a scoop of chocolate whey isolate protein powder.  You have to like the taste of protein, so I’m warning you, it’s not for everyone.  I love mixing in bananas when I do this to create “monkey oats”, which can be seen here & here.  I’ve also created it with blueberries.
    • Peanut / Almond Butter
    • Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds
  • Crunch
    • Grape Nuts
    • Fiber One
    • Granola, Honest Foods Plank
    • Trail Mix
  • Sweetness
    • Fresh Fruit:  Bananas, Blueberries, Strawberries, Pom Seeds, Raisins, Cranberries, etc.
    • Preserves
    • Lil bit of:  Maple Syrup, Honey, Brown Sugar, or Chocolate Chips

Now, go eat & LOVE your delicious bowl of oats!!