Oatmeal Extravaganza

The possibilities with oatmeal are endless.  Which is lucky for me, because I really love oatmeal. I eat it 5 days a week.  There are plenty of reasons to eat (read: enjoy!) oatmeal, some of which include a lowered risk of heart disease, type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and even certain cancers.   If that wasn’t enough, oatmeal is a great way to help you maintain or lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived due to the high amount of soluble fiber, which if you didn’t know, absorb a considerable amount of water and effectively slows your digestive process – keeping you feeling fuller, longer.

On top of the health benefits, it’s just plain convenient. It’s so convenient in fact, that I cook fresh oats each morning while I get ready for work. Once it’s done, I throw it into a plastic container and go. Once I’m at the office I add my fixin’s and enjoy a hot, nutritious, filling breakfast.

I’m begging you not to buy pre-flavored instant packs of oatmeal though – take 5 minutes each night or morning to pack up your fixin’s and you’ll be thankful you did.  Not only do you get a larger serving of oatmeal, but you get less sodium and more real ingredients.

Need ideas on how to spruce up your oats?  All of these assume 1Cup Water and 1/2Cup Oats for a single serving breakfast. I also add a teaspoon (to my cooked oatmeal) of raw Chia Seeds and 1/4Cup Fat Free Organic Milk to all of my oatmeal, because that’s how I roll.  

• 1/2 Sliced Banana, 1/4 Cup Blueberries, 1 Tbsp Sliced Almonds (pictured)
• 1 Diced Granny Smith Apple, 1/4 tsp Cinnamon, 1 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts
• 1/2 Cup Blueberries, 1 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts, dash of Cinnamon
• 1/2 Cup Blueberries, 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup,1 Tbsp Chopped Toasted Walnuts
• 1/3 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce, dash of Cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp Apple Butter, 1 Tbsp Granola
• 1/2 Cup Sliced Strawberries, 1 Tbsp Sliced Almonds, Splash of Almond Extract
• 1/2 Cup Sliced Strawberries, 1/2 Sliced Banana, 1 Tbsp Sliced Almonds
• 1 Tbsp Honey, 1 Tbsp Better N’ Peanut Butter
• 1/2 Sliced Banana, 1 Tbsp Better N’ Peanut Butter, 2 tsp Agave Nectar, 1 Tsp Sliced Almonds 
• 2 Tbsp Apple Butter, Dash of cinnamon and Allspice (or pumpkin-pie spice), 1 Tbsp Dried Cranberries
• 1/2 Cup Diced Apple, 2 Tbsp Dried Cranberries 

The moral of the story here is to be creative!  Oatmeal is possibly the most versatile food out there. Take advantage.