It's not that there's anything wrong with a green smoothie, it's just that after eating the same thing for breakfast for about two years, I'm kinda sorta ready to mix things up a bit.
And Debby (The Healthy Librarian) reminded me that I have options. Specifically, this incredible and easy concoction of savory, cheezy, nutrient dense oatmeal. Make it once and have breakfast for 3-4 days. How nice is that?
Oatmeal seems to keep me fuller longer than my green smoothie does. So I'm seriously considering going on an oatmeal tear. It's a lot more comforting too with the cold weather just around the corner.
Ellen Darby, the Healthy Eating Specialist at my local Whole Foods has this to say about oatmeal:
"[Here] is my 32-year-49-mornings-out-of-50 OATMEAL breakfast:
For the first 29 years, I used regular Quaker Oats and for the last three years have been using steel cut oats. Either is fine – I just don’t recommend using quick oats – especially the packaged, flavored quick oats. I will share my procedure for steel cut oats: (if you choose to try, adjust the water-to-oats ratio to taste)
· I use 1-1/3 cups water. Boil water.
· Reduce to simmer . (very important step: twice I wound up with overflowing water/oats and a very tough pan to clean!)
· Add 1/3 cup steel cut oats
· Set timer for 20 minutes
· I use that time to take my shower, check my e-mail. You may choose to walk your dog.
· Remove steel cut oats from heat
· Add frozen fruit to pan (I usually rotate between blueberries and raspberries) Fresh fruit is absolutely fine!!! I choose our 365 brand frozen because I love berries, but they mold so quickly – this way I don’t have to worry about it)
· Add 1 heaping teaspoon natural peanut butter. Yes, almond butter is fine. This may sound strange at first but try it, you might love it. The nut butter gives you protein and good fat -- which leads to long lasting energy.
· Empty oats, berries and peanut butter into bowl.
· Spoon on two tsp. maple syrup.
· Put on six almonds. (I mention, ONCE AGAIN, that I am a food-a-holic. If I didn’t program myself to add SIX almonds, I would be putting on handsful!)
32 years and I still look forward to breakfast every morning. (especially when it’s the raspberry-rotation!) The combination of the salty peanut butter with the sweet maple syrup and the crunch of the almonds is just so darn delicious. Yummmm, I get excited just thinking about it. And the extra benefit is that it keeps me full for hours. Great way to start the day."
I've tried Ellen's oatmeal variation and I can say that it is awesome. PB&J in a bowl!
What is your breakfast preference these days? Are you a green smoothie devotee or an oatmeal devotee? Or is there something big I'm missing out on?
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