Taste Life Blog

I LOVE oatmeal! I have fond memories of eating it almost daily in grade school. All five of us would wake up to a “Good Morning” from mom and a big pot of oatmeal on the stove. To our delight we topped it off with in gobs of real butter. (Remember we lived in Wisconsin the dairy state!)  If I close my eyes I can still feel those mornings and taste the oatmeal. Thank you mom!  Fast forward fifty years later and I still love oatmeal. Here are two great ways you can easily put oatmeal in your life.

Cindy’s Oatmeal

My friend Cindy loves having this oatmeal mix on hand.

• 5 cups instant oats
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tsp. cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1/3 tsp salt
• ½ package of dried blueberries (Cindy uses blueberry flavored Craisins)
• 5 Tbsp. ground flax seed
• ½ cup pecans, chopped

Mix together and store in airtight container.

To Cook: Add one part oatmeal to two parts milk/ water or to desired consistency. Microwave for one minute, and thirty seconds.

For multiple people: Measure into a crockpot the evening before. Set to low all night!

Here is Cindy with Brody her nine year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She says Brody is her soul mate with fur and four legs. Cindy cooks him steamed salmon, broccoli, carrots, green beans and sweet potatoes. He gobbles this up along with his kibble in the morning. In the evening she gives him a tablespoon of plain yogurt in his kibble.  How lucky is Brody!

McDonalds Fruit and Maple Oatmeal

On the days I am out and about and want to eat healthy I head to one place…to McDonalds for their Fruit and Maple Oatmeal with a cup of decafe coffee.

It provides two full servings of 100% natural whole grain oats, and is loaded with red and green apples, dried cranberries and two varieties of raisins. And, you can have it just like you want it with or without brown sugar. I would recommend adding a cup of 1% low fat milk.  My take as a Registered Dietitian, the 390 calories (oatmeal with brown sugar and 1% milk), are reasonable for breakfast and you get protein, vitamin C, calcium, fiber, Vitamin A and iron too.  The fruit makes this meal absolutely eye-appealing and delicious! McDonald’s is working hard at offering a variety of food and beverage choices to meet all of their customers needs. Check out the nutrition. Meet you at McDonalds for a breakfast coaching session!