So, how do you feel about oatmeal? Recently, when I posted a comment about Oatmeal on Facebook, some said it’s like eating mush or that it’s boring while others said they enjoy a bowl now and then. Now before you get ready to send me your grain free view… Yes, I am aware of the blogs and doctors who suggest eliminating all grains is healthy.  Again, there are choices to be made and you must choose your own path. I’m also aware of those who cannot eat gluten. (For gluten free oatmeal check out Bob’s Red Mill and GF Harvest). There are also blogs and doctors who suggest eating a bowl of oats is nutritious and helpful in a balanced diet. Although I don’t depend on oatmeal for all my fiber (which can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream) I have enjoyed it at least 4-5 times a week for more than a year. 

The Mayo Clinic and other heart centers across the country suggest 5-10 grams of soluble fiber a day decreases your total and LDL cholesterol. By eating 1 – 1 1/2  cups of cooked oatmeal you will consume 6 grams of fiber. If you add fruit as suggested in my recipe you’ll add another 4 grams. Do you have to eat oatmeal? No, but I’d say for some it has its benefits. 

I use McCann’s steel cut oatmeal. Steel cut oats are a little more al dente but if cooked longer will become softer.

Also, I use a medium pot and a wooden spoon. A wooden spoon you say? Yes, I don’t like the sound of a metal spoon in the pot while I’m stirring. So if you want this to be a most pleasurable experience, please use a wooden spoon.

Ingredients

• Water
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Pick 2 or 3 fresh fruit (apple, banana, blueberries, pear, strawberries, nectarine)
• Cinnamon
• Unsweetened coconut
• Ground flaxseed
• Raw unsalted nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts)
• Honey *optional
• Mccann’s steel cut oatmeal

Let’s get started…

1. Bring 1.5 Cups of water to a boil
2. Add 1/2 cup of oats and turn to medium heat stirring occasionally.  After a couple minutes turn to medium low and cook for about 10-15 minutes. You may need to add a little water (i add unsweetened almond milk) toward the end to get the right consistency. You can also use mccann’s quick & easy steel cut oats which are ready in just 5 minutes.
3. Add 1/2 crisp apple cut into bite size pieces about 1/2 way through the cooking time. You can also add 1/2 banana cut into small pieces. Or you may choose to wait and add the fruit at the end if you like. This is your choice. Mix up the fruit however you like. In fact, sometimes i add three different fruits. Be creative!
4. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon *i sprinkle some while cooking and more at the very end
5. Add 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut
6. Add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed. (Bob’s red mill brand)

Flaxseed has health benefits because of its high fiber and omega-3 fatty acids as well as phytochemicals called lignans. In fact one tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains 2 grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids and 2 grams of dietary fiber. It’s worth noting that flaxseed may also help lower total blood cholesterol and ldl which may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Once your oatmeal is ready to eat you may choose to add a bit of unsweetened almond milk.

I also add a few chopped nuts. Use raw nuts like almonds, cashews, walnuts or pecans. Make sure there is no added salt.

When i first started eating oatmeal i used a teaspoon of honey to sweeten. However, i now enjoy the way the fruit naturally sweetens the oatmeal.

Enjoy: One Bite At A Time.