Food for Reflection 

“Life takes us all through a different process, how we choose to persevere determines the product of our character.” -Marisa

 

Benefits of Oatmeal 

In my house oatmeal is a quick, easy,  go-to breakfast option. On some evenings when I don’t feel like having a large meal for dinner, oatmeal satisfies my taste for something comforting, nutritious, and indulgent.  This Berry Nutty Oatmeal is one of my favorite recipes. The creamy texture of the oats combined with the crunch of the nuts and sweetness of the fruits makes every bite so yummy. 

Oats are considered a superfood and contain high levels of antioxidants specifically avenanthramides which are a type of antioxidant that exists almost exclusively in oats. These antioxidants can be found in the outer layers of oats and carry the benefit of reducing inflammation which contributes to a number of health problems, including obesity, cancer, and heart disease. Although oatmeal is processed in different ways (i.e. steel-cut vs. rolled)  the bran and germ remain intact which means you still get all the whole-grain goodness! 

 

Ingredients 

• 1/2 cup organic rolled oats (not instant)
• 1 cup Oatly oat milk (full fat) or any non-dairy milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (Madagascar is the best!)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Maple syrup to taste

 

Toppings 

• Walnuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Raisins
• Blueberries
• Mango chunks

 

Directions 

To start, bring the liquid to a boil in a small saucepan. Then reduce the heat to low and pour in the oats. Allow oats to cook until it has thickened, stirring frequently. This will take about 5 minutes. Allow to cool and then transfer to a blender. Blend oatmeal until it has reached the desired creamy consistency. Transfer to a serving bowl and top off with blueberries, mango chunks, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and raisins. Enjoy!