I never really liked oatmeal until I was in my 30s. It was bland, sticky, and no matter how hard I try, I could not find a good flavor using old recipes. The instant stuff was delicious, but it was processed and full of sugar. I had tried it with raisins and cinnamon like my mother taught me, and while it kept me satiated, it was no my favorite breakfast. My how things have changed! Maybe it was all the nutrition knowledge I gained in grad school, or maybe it was the need to eat a healthy breakfast even when I was on the go, or maybe I just decided to experiment until I found a great recipe, but no matter the reason why, oatmeal is now one of my favorite quick breakfasts. I love the fiber in it, and the versatility. Instead of seeing it as a sticky, bland, boring breakfast, NOW I use the dish as a carrier for as many super foods as I can fit in it, and yes, it is delicious. Here's one of my tried and true recipes.
1/2 c dried old fashioned rolled oats
1 Tablespoon of coconut oil
1-1/2 Tablespoons dried goji berries*
1/4 cup of walnuts**
1 teaspoon of chia seed, flax seed, or hemp seed***
1-1/2 Tablespoons of honey****
3/4 cup boiling water
This is the convenient breakfast that can be prepared the night before. Simply put all ingredients EXCEPT the water in a bowl. You can carry this with you anywhere and add water when you are ready to eat. Most work places have a hot boiling water tap attached to the water cooler or a hot bun water filter. If not, you can "brew" water in a coffee maker by sending it through the coffee machine without the coffee grounds. This will also get the water hot enough. Add the water to the oatmeal, stirring thoroughly to mix in the coconut oil as it melts while you stir in the hot water. Cover and let steep for 3-5 minutes until majority of the water is absorbed. Eat hot.
* You can get these from most high quality grocery stores, but I also like dried unsweetened cranberries or raisins
** You can use any nut you wish to add protein. I found that whole pistachios are not as good as other nuts.
*** Feel free to try 1 Tablespoon of this blend in place of the above. This can be purchased at Whole foods or online. https://www.thenatural.com/barleans-flax-chia-coconut-organic-raw-superfood-blend-12-oz-powder.html?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&scid=scplp4869091
**** Feel free to substitute maple syrup in place of honey, or you can use Stevia leaf to taste for less calories, or skip sweetener altogether.
