This is literally what I make for breakfast at least 3 times per week. The kids devour it and it stays with them throughout the a.m. - unlike when they have boxed cold cereal and are already asking for more food on the way to school. The shredded apple is a little extra touch that I think adds a nice bit of texture and sweetness. The kids definitely eat more of it when I add the apples. Cooking the nuts and dried fruit with the oats also helps to plump up the raisins and soften the nuts.
Oatmeal is full of soluble fiber which actually binds with cholesterol in the digestive track and lets it hitch a ride out of the body, which in turn, can help to decrease serum cholesterol levels.
Cinnamon is also great for anyone dealing with having to control their blood sugar. Studies have found that daily cinnamon may actually help to stabilize blood sugar.
Everyday Oatmeal
original Your Nutritionista recipe
Yields 1 large or 2 small servings
½ cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup water
¼ teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons raisins or dates
2 tablespoon walnuts or pecans (I just break them into small pieces with my hands).
¼ medium apple, shredded with the large holes of a box grater
Combine all above ingredients and microwave for 1-4 minutes, depending on your microwave.
If you prefer not to nuke your food, you can also cook this on a stovetop. Just boil the water in a small saucepan, then carefully add the remaining ingredients and cook for about 5 minutes or until at desired consistency. Don’t forget to stir occasionally while its cooking on the stovetop!
Monday, April 26, 2010
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Thanks for a different way to cook oatmeal! I love adding pureed banana or canned pumpkin for a pumpkin pie flavor! Keep up the recipes, I love it! :}
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you mentioned microwaves here. I was wondering what you know about microwaved food. We got rid of our microwave years ago because we heard it takes all the nutritional parts out of the food, of course anytime you over cook vegetables this can happen. Just curious what your thoughts were.
Lief
Thanks for your comment/question about microwaves, Lief! I'm definitely not an expert on mircrowave ovens, but I tried to find some reasearch on them and couldn't find much. I know there has been some controversy over warming milk in the microwave for infants. It seems that a lot of the concerns about microwave radiation leakage have been eased (or at least downplayed) in recent years.
ReplyDeleteAs I understand it, one of the benefits of microwave cooking (besides being a quick heating method) is the fact that you can steam items quickly, which actually allows for more nutrient retention vs. over cooking, which you already know. I haven't heard or read anything about it leaching the nutrients from the food. I'd be curious to see any information on this, as it is new to me. If you could share any info, that would be great!
Personally I'm a bit more concerned about what is being put INTO the microwave. For instance there has been some concern about heating plastics in the microwave because the heat may cause toxins from the plastics to leach into food. If you are going to reheat items in a microwave, I'd be sure to do it in a "microwave safe" container, and use wax paper instead of plastic wrap to cover items.
Microwaves often heat items unevenly too, so you have to be careful of hotspots, and thoroughly mix items once they come out, so that the heat can dissipate more evenly.
But that's the little info I have to share. Maybe another reader will be able to provide more insight. If I come across more info, I'll be sure to pass it along. :)