Oatmeal - Goodness in a Bowl

Oatmeal is often overlooked for the incredible potential it offers for a deliciously satisfying and healthy meal. Usually eaten for breakfast, oatmeal can be enjoyed added to breads, desserts, or simply cooked and eaten as a hot cereal. Many think of oatmeal as being pasty, lacking flavor, and basically unappealing. I want to change that! There are many health benefits of eating oatmeal several times a week. Whole foods are much healthier than processed, so for the most benefit you will want to purchase whole grain oatmeal. These can be purchased in your grocery mart or you can by them in bulk at the health food store for much less. 

- Low in fat
- Great Source of Water-Soluable Fiber
- Helps Lower Blood Cholesterol - Provide Your Body with Needed Energy - You Feel Full FasterHere are some great recipes to try:

For one serving of oatmeal:
1 cup of water
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
pinch of salt *For a second serving, add 3/4 cup more water. For every serving thereafter, add 1/2 cup more water. Bring water to a boil. Add oats. Reduce to medium heat and allow to cook until water is absorbed. Watch carefully and stir often to prevent burning which would ruin the wonderful flavor.Tips for a great bowl of oatmeal:
 

- Add chopped dates while cooking to add a yummy sweetness. - Add dried fruits such as raisins, cherries, or cranberries. - Add chopped apples and a bit of cinnamon to the cooking water. - Cook your oatmeal in apple juice instead of water.Toppings for oatmeal:
- Walnuts, bananas and milk - Maple syrup and pecans - Brown sugar and raisins - Apples and cinnamon sugar - Berries of all kinds - Honey and wheat germ -Add a small bit of cream, half and half, or milk alone or along with any of the above toppings for a rich creamy cereal.Crockpot Oatmeal:
2 cups milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 T. butter, melted
1/4 t. salt
½ t. cinnamon
1 cup oats
1 cup finely chopped apple
½ cup raisins and/or dates
½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds

Grease or spray the inside of the crockpot. Put ingredients inside and mix well. Cover and turn on low heat. Cook overnight or 8-9 hours. Stir before serving. Makes 4 cups.

Oatmeal Granola Bars:
3 cups oats
1 cup flour
1 t. baking soda
2 t. vanilla
2/3 cup butter, softened
½ cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips or M&Ms
Optional: raisins, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts

In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, and baking soda. In another bowl, combine vanilla, butter, honey, and brown sugar; add to oat mixture and stir until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour into a lightly greased 9×13 pan. Lightly press mixture into the pan with the back of your spoon. Bake at 325 for 22 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

Oatmeal Muffins:
1 cup milk
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners. In a small bowl, combine milk and oats; let soak for 15 minutes. In a separate bowl, beat together egg and oil; stir in oatmeal mixture. In a third bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into wet ingredients, just until combined. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups until cups are 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Oatmeal Cherry Walnut Cookies:
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter flavored shortening
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup dried cherries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixer bowl, combine the white sugar, brown sugar and shortening. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each one. Beat mixture until well combined. Mix in the milk, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and vanilla to the egg mixture. Beat for one minute. Add the flour and mix until incorporated. Add the walnuts and mix again. Add the oats one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the dried tart cherries and mix just until they are distributed evenly. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Do not shape them, they will spread evenly during the baking process. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 12 to 13 minutes until light golden brown.

1 cup of water1/2 cup old fashioned oatspinch of salt *For a second serving, add 3/4 cup more water. For every serving thereafter, add 1/2 cup more water. 1 cup of water1/2 cup old fashioned oatspinch of salt *For a second serving, add 3/4 cup more water. For every serving thereafter, add 1/2 cup more water.

1 cup of water1/2 cup old fashioned oatspinch of salt *For a second serving, add 3/4 cup more water. For every serving thereafter, add 1/2 cup more water.