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
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| 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.)
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| Blueberry Muffin |
Blueberry Muffin: fresh or frozen blueberries + lemon zest + maple flavour or maple syrup
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| Carrot Cake |
Carrot Cake: shredded or finely chopped carrot + raisins + cinnamon + nutmeg + cream cheese
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| Cranapple Pie |
Cranapple pie: dried cranberries + apple + applesauce
Cranberry Orange: dried cranberries + oranges
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| Peaches and Cream |
Peaches 'n Cream: fresh or frozen peaches (I use 2 puree cubes and 1 peach slice) + cinnamon + yogurt
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| Pina Colada |
Pina Colada: pineapple + shredded coconut + coconut milk/cream - This one is probably my favourite.
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| Poached Pear |
Poached Pear: steamed or canned pears (I use fresh steamed pears and 1 pear puree cube) + nutmeg + allspice
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| Strawberries 'n Cream |
Strawberries 'n Cream: fresh or frozen strawberries + yogurt
Strawberry Banana: strawberries + banana + yogurt
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| Tropical Delight |
Tropical Delight: mango + pineapple + banana + shaved coconut
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| Banana Nut Bread |
Banana Nut Bread: mashed banana + walnuts
Cherry Almond: cherries (Fresh/frozen/dried) + chopped/sliced/ground almonds
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| 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)
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| 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
