O is for Oatmeal

Inexpensive, convenient and nutritious, oats are everywhere! You can find them in many forms:

Old-fashioned oats: they’ve been steamed and rolled
Quick-cooking oats: like old-fashioned oats, but finely cut before rolling
Steel-cut oats: these oats are run through steel blades that slice them
Instant oatmeal: these oats are partially cooked and then thinly rolled- be aware that sugar and salt are often added
Oat bran: the outer layer of the grain
Oat flour: used in baking
Oat groats: un-flattened kernels

What can oats do for you and your family? Eating just 3 grams of soluble oat fiber each day (the amount found in a bowl of oatmeal) will:
1. Lower cholesterol levels
2. Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke
3. Reduce the risk of diabetes by stabilizing blood sugar
4. Reduce the risk of certain cancers

Need inspiration for your morning oatmeal? Here some simple serving ideas:
1. Add fruit, nuts and spices to a bowl of hot oatmeal. Here are some of my favorites:

cinnamon, dried cherries, sliced almonds, brown sugar
cinnamon, shredded apple, raisins, walnuts
cinnamon, dried apricots, honey
pumpkin pie spice, pecans, maple syrup
sliced bananas, chopped dates, chopped walnuts, brown sugar
fresh, frozen or dried blueberries, sliced almonds, brown sugar

2. Make an Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie with nuts, raisins and whole wheat flour
3. Add oat bran to your favorite muffin recipe
4. Sprinkle oat bran over your favorite cereal or yogurt
5. Try my Homemade Fruit and Nut Granola. Turn it into Granola Parfaits, Peanut Butter Trail Bars or Trail Mix for quick, easy and totally portable breakfast you can feel good about.