Sunday, October 30, 2011

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!



13 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a blast!

    Judy

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  2. I love your costumes. I also love when you share pictures. You can just feel how much fun you guys are having.

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  3. you look REALLY good with long black hair!!! :)! Looked like a blast!

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  4. great costumes! a real blast from the past!
    I love oatmeal but I can't eat it unfortunately.

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  5. Looks like a fantastic party and you certainly had a great time I can see! Thanks for the oatmeal recipe, I've copied it out and will be trying this in the near future.

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  6. You look good in that wig and costume! I bet Michael made you wear it to the after party "party"?
    m.

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  7. Jane,
    Thank-you soooo much for the recipe.
    I'm making this on Tuesday and can hardly wait. I go back to work Wed. so I'll have breakfast made for the week.
    You guys looked great all dressed up in your Halloween costumes. I honestly didn't recognize you.
    I'm so glad you had a great time.
    Halloween is so darn fun, when else can you dress up as who ever and
    transform into that character for the day.

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  8. Well, if I'd read your blog first, I'd have known the whole story of your FB picture. Did that make sense!
    Love the outfits!

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  9. Have you tried your recipe with steel cut oats?

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  10. Love the costumes!! You all looked like you had a blast. And thanks for sharing the oatmeal recipe.

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  11. Oh, you so pretty! I am going to try your oats recipe.

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  12. wow it took 4 of us - me and 3 employees - at Target to find wheat germ! I was impressd with the staff - very professional -and all 3 walked over to see whre I'd found it and none took off until it was found! The deli lady was extremely knowledgeable too. I need to find a way to contact them and let them know but unfortunately I don't remember names but I can name the location!oh btw - it wasn't with the hot cereal or flour and such - it was in the middle of the cold cereal aisle between some boxes of organic cereal and froot loops!

    Susanna

    Susanna

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  13. You both are yummy and your food is hot. Wait I got that backwards but you get me, don't you?

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