Thursday 30 June 2016

Oatmeal













Breakfast, we all know it's the most important meal of the day, yet so many people skip it or grab something on the go. It can be difficult to eat properly when you wake up late or when you have to hustle a group of people out of the house. But should it be difficult? Should it be unhealthy? So many cereals are laden with sugar and sodium and who knows what else, yet this is how many people who do eat breakfast, start their day. One would think that because it's considered the most important meal of the day (studies have shown that children who eat breakfast perform better in school) we would take the time to make sure it's nutritious and properly filling.

Oatmeal is the perfect breakfast. 1/3 cup is equal to 120 calories, but these are not empty calories like many other cereals that wear off quickly. There is no sodium (other than what you add), no sugar (other than what you add), you can control the amount of extra calories added (yogurt, milk, nuts, etc), and oatmeal keeps you filling full longer than many other breakfast foods. Oatmeal is the perfect breakfast!

This is my go-to Oatmeal recipe. The Little Man loves his oatmeal, and he has it pretty much every morning. It's full of nutrients and helps give him the energy he needs to start the day. I try to change it up daily so he doesn't get bored of it, because seriously, who wants to eat the same thing every single day. I've included some combinations that we've tried, and some that we haven't yet. As we try them, I will update the post. What other combinations have you tried?

Oatmeal - Makes 1 1/3 cups

1 1/2 cups water (You can substitute some of the water for fruit juice. I often use a 1 cup water, 1/2 cup apple juice.
2/3 cups quick rolled oats (not instant, not steel cut)
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt (optional, I never add it)

1. Pour water and vanilla (and salt) into a small saucepan. Bring to boil.
2. Slowly add oats. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes uncovered.
3. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 minute.
4. Serve and enjoy!

If you would like to make all the oatmeal the same flavour you can add your additives when you add the oats, or you can add them after. I often make it plain, then add the goodies after, that way I can change it up day to day for the Little Man.

Fruit Oatmeals

Apple Goodness



Apple Goodness: chopped apples + raisins + applesauce + yogurt + cinnamon





Berry Bonanza: any combination or berries, fresh, frozen, or dried (strawberries, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, cranberries, etc.)


Blueberry Muffin



Blueberry Muffin: fresh or frozen blueberries + lemon zest + maple flavour or maple syrup





Carrot Cake



Carrot Cake: shredded or finely chopped carrot + raisins + cinnamon + nutmeg + cream cheese





Cranapple Pie



Cranapple pie: dried cranberries + apple + applesauce







Cranberry Orange: dried cranberries + oranges

Peaches and Cream



Peaches 'n Cream: fresh or frozen peaches (I use 2 puree cubes and 1 peach slice) + cinnamon + yogurt





Pina Colada


Pina Colada: pineapple + shredded coconut + coconut milk/cream - This one is probably my favourite.






Poached Pear


Poached Pear: steamed or canned pears (I use fresh steamed pears and 1 pear puree cube) + nutmeg + allspice




Strawberries 'n Cream



Strawberries 'n Cream: fresh or frozen strawberries + yogurt






Strawberry Banana: strawberries + banana + yogurt



Tropical Delight




Tropical Delight: mango + pineapple + banana + shaved coconut






Nut Oatmeals
Banana Nut Bread




Banana Nut Bread: mashed banana + walnuts






Cherry Almond: cherries (Fresh/frozen/dried) + chopped/sliced/ground almonds


Date Square



Date square: coconut + steamed dates + apple + cinnamon + cashews + honey* + applesauce







Elvis: peanut butter + banana + bacon 

Gilgamesh: pistachios + steamed dates + cardamom (or cinnamon) + drizzle of honey + milk or yogurt

Honey Nut: chopped walnuts + drizzle of honey*

PB&J: peanut butter + fresh cooked strawberries/raspberries or jam

Peanut butter and Banana: Peanut butter + banana + touch of milk - the PB makes it really thick)


Pumpkin Pie



Pumpkin Pie: pumpkin puree + ground almonds + pumpkin pie spice** + yogurt





Raspberry Hazelnut: raspberries + chopped hazelnuts + cinnamon + yogurt

Chocolate Oatmeals
Chocolate Raspberry: chocolate chips + raspberries + yogurt

Hot Chocolate: hot chocolate powder

Other
Classic: raisins + brown sugar + milk

Gingerbread: cinnamon + cloves + ginger + allspice + molasses + brown sugar

Eggnog: rum extract + cinnamon + nutmeg + yogurt



You can add any yogurt or any milk to any of these. You also control the amount of spice and flavour in each. You can also make your own combinations. 

What combinations have you tried? As we try new combinations I will post them along with photos.



*Remember, children below the age of 12 months should not have honey.
**To make pumpkin pie spice:  combine 3 tbsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tsp nutmeg, 1½ tsp ground allspice, 1½ ground cloves