Oatmeal. Who hasn’t heard of the health benefits of starting your day with oatmeal, especially if you are using steel cut oats? A recent health study found that a large bowl of oatmeal each day can protect against death from cancer.
Steel cut oats could be considered a “power food” because they are an excellent source of protein, soluble and insoluble fiber and select vitamins and minerals. They are also a bit of a pain in the butt to cook. Most of the time they take 20 – 30 minutes, which in the morning, in my opinion, is time better spent sleeping!
With kids starting school next week, a lot of people’s schedules are going to get a lot busier! I like this make-ahead version because I can make it several days in advance and leave it in the fridge. It is good cold or hot, and low in calories. This breakfast is also good if you’re on the go – you can take the mason jar with you and eat straight out of the jar. This is also good if you are trying to get your kids out the door with something nutritious in their stomachs to get their (or your) day off to the right start.
Prep time: 5 minutes; Fridge time: Overnight; Cook Time: 30 – 45 seconds
Calories: According to MyFitnessPal, 247 (almond milk); 267 (1% milk)
What you need:
- 1/4 cup steel cut oats
- 1 tbsp sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or regular milk)
- 1/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) (you can also use any fruit you like)
What you do:
- In a 250 ml mason jar
- Add steel cut oats
- Add shredded coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla
- Stir well
- Add almond milk
- Stir to mix
- Add blueberries
- Put mason jar lid on and place in fridge overnight
- The next morning, remove mason jar lid, cover and place in microwave.
- Microwave approximately 30 – 45 second on high
- Stir, enjoy
Will have to try this one. I usually use the slow cooker.
Let me know what you think Doris. I usually make a batch of these up no stick them in the fridge for the upcoming week. I’ve also made them with dried cranberries or cherries.