Homey Oatmeal Recipe & Halloween 2011

A couple of you requested my oatmeal recipe so here it is. I just cannot say enough good things about oatmeal. With the addition of milk or yogurt it is a complete protein. It is low on the glucose index therefore it breaks down slowly keeping you full longer. It also helps lower your bad cholesterol AND provides much needed iron.  Depending on what you add to your morning oatmeal it can be a near perfect "superfood"!


Homey Oatmeal: (I especially like this recipe because the oatmeal is cooked in skim milk as well as water adding calcium and protein but few calories! AND this recipe makes enough for six days, at least for me.)


2 cups skim milk
1 1/2 cups water
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt (optional - I only add a dash of salt)
1 1/3 cups large-flake oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup chopped almonds
3 tbsp. sugar substitute (optional - I don't add this, I get my sweetness from adding dried fruit and/or non-fat vanilla-flavored yogurt)


In a large pot, bring milk, water, cinnamon and salt to boil.  (Watch it closely so your milk doesn't boil over - yes, I learned the hard way!) Stir in oats and wheat germ and return to boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, for about 8 minutes or until thickened. (DON'T overcook!) Stir in almonds and sugar substitute, (if desired).


Makes 4 servings. (I pour it into a tupperware container, let it cool, then slice it into 6 servings - I find 1/6th of this recipe PLENTY but then I add other stuff to it.) Store in fridge.


There is such a variety of stuff you can add to oatmeal to mix it up a little. Some of the things I add are: dried cranberries, raisins, blueberries, pomegranate arils, chopped fresh apple or applesauce, any kind of nut, flax seeds or ground flax, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, plain or flavored yogurt, you are limited only by your imagination - it can be different every day!


Your body will thank YOU!


Also by popular request - last night's Halloween costumes! I was going for a 70's vibe - long dress, long black hair, pale lipstick...Michael was the Man in Black (Johnny Cash) but wigs/hats got traded during the evening...

 This is pretty much how I looked circa 1974! (minus a few wrinkles!)

 My cowboy!

 Cowboy and friend (our "friend" turned out to be the life of the party!!

 Having TOO much fun!!

 That blonde wig made the rounds - it originated on the hostess who was dressed as Alice in Wonderland.  Now I'm wearing the cowboy hat!

 Michael rocking the "Carol Channing" look!

Taking a break from dancing to enjoy a REALLY good single malt.


Happy weekend everybody!