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

Grilled Apples

Ice cream is delicious on its own, but when added to enhance something you've grilled, it's like magic!

       I have grown up loving everything grilled, maybe it's because of my summers spent on Pelee Island at the cottage (we don't have an oven there, just a BBQ and a campfire) and my family was pretty adventurous when it came to creating meals. We didn't just eat the rudimentary hot dogs, hamburgers, and sausages (although those were a pretty big staple), my parents were pretty experimental when it came to what could and couldn't be grilled. Let me tell you, there isn't much that cannot be grilled. My feelings are, if you can bake it in an oven, fry it on a stove, then you can cook it on the BBQ.

      One of my favourite items to grill, other than meat, is fruit. "Fruit?" you ask, "Seriously?". Yes, fruit. You only need a few ingredients and it's super simple, and quick to prepare. Pineapple is a very popular fruit to grill, as the sweet juices caramelize quickly and it adds a nice smoky flavour, especially when added to a salad or a burger. (I've never grilled pineapple, but I've read in multiple places that this is the case). Peaches and pears are also excellent fruits to grill, (this is from experience).

How to Grill Stone Fruits
       A stone fruit (such as a peach) is very sweet and must be monitored carefully with the lid open when on the grill.

1. Wash the fruit (make sure it's a firm one. A soft fruit will have too many sugars and might get too mushy too fast.)
2. Quarter the fruit, removing the pit. Or, if you're talented, cut it in half horizontally, remove the pit and slice into rings.
3. Coat the fruit with a mixture of cinnamon and butter.
4. Preheat the grill to about 350°F (Let's be honest, you're already grilling, so whatever temperature you've got the grill at should be fine)
5. Place the peaches on the grill and leave them for about 3 minutes. DO NOT turn them or move them or check them. You want the natural sugars to caramelize, which will give you great grill marks.
6. Flip them and repeat 5 for each side. (If you've cut it into rings, you might notice them getting mushy faster, if so, flip them earlier and remove earlier)
7. Serve with ice cream or eat without and enjoy!

How to Grill Pome Fruits

      A pome fruit (such as an apple or pear) is crunchy and sweet and generally needs a little longer on the grill compared to a stone fruit. The steps to grill them are the same, but you will want to grill them for about 5-6 minutes a side rather than 3 minutes.

How to do Grilled (Baked) Apples

      Now that you've experimented with grilling fruit, you want to try something a little more adventurous. 

Grilled Magic!

1. Choose an apple that stands straight without rocking and wash your apple.
2. Core the apple, but make sure don't go all of the way through the bottom (leave about an inch).
3. In a small bowl, mix some brown sugar, cinnamon and butter together. 
4. Stuff this mixture into the apple where the core used to be. Do not rub this on the skin around the outside of the the apple, if some is on it, it's okay, but try to be neat.
5. Preheat the grill to about 350°F (Let's be honest, you're already grilling, so whatever temperature you've got the grill at should be fine)
6. Place the apple on a pie plate on the BBQ and pour about an ounce of spiced rum over the fruit, and into the pie plate. 
7. Close the lid and wait. Obviously you'll be checking whatever else is on the grill, so you can check the apples at the same time.
8. When you notice that the rum has been burned off of the pie plate remove the apple, dispose of the plate and place the apple directly on the grill.
9. Close the lid and wait. It should take about 30 minutes from the time you put it on the grill for it to be finished. If you notice that it is getting really soft, it's okay to remove it earlier.
10. Add a scoop of ice cream, and maybe some caramel sauce, and enjoy!