HealthyBea

My Oatmeal Obsession

I will admit that I could, and often do, eat the same things consistently for months, weeks, or years. I consider this habit both a gift and a blessing because it simplifies my grocery shopping hauls, budget, and planning from week-to-week. However, because I am a self-proclaimed “foodie,” the guilt of not branching out and experimenting with flavours ate (pun intended) at me. I compromised by creating some very fun (and pretty darn delicious) versions of my staples. The best of both worlds: diversity amongst consistency. I know, I know – I am a genius.

Today’s focus is one of nature’s cheapest and healthiest sources of carbs and fiber: OATMEAL! Cold or warm, it acts as a beautiful base for an infinite number of topping and mix-in combinations, sweet or savoury. But first thing’s first, let’s start with the foundation. 

The Base

Regardless of how I prepare my oats (overnight, stovetop, or microwave), I begin with the winning combination of oats, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, water (you can swap water for milk or a nut beverage). From there we can dive into different tactics to prepare our oatmeal.

1. Overnight: If you enjoy a very dense oatmeal (my preference) vs. fluffier or more liquidy, add in equal parts water/milk (or even a touch less) and oatmeal. Pro tip: You could also add in a bit of yoghurt at this stage to achieve a creamier texture. Mix and pop in the fridge to settle overnight. 
2. Stovetop: You will need the most water for this version, so I’d probably double the water (and you may want to add in a touch more along the way). Simply mix everything in a saucepan and cook for about 5 minutes while stirring until your oats soak up the water and the combination reaches your preferred texture. 
3. Microwave: I don’t anticipate making any friends with this method, but…I prefer it to stovetop! I enjoy the thicker texture, and let’s not forget about the convenience. Throw everything in a heat-safe bowl and pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes, then let cool for 5 minutes. Done and dusted! 

The Toppings

Now onto the fun part! I could share about 1,000 topping ideas with you, but I will narrow it down to my top 5. These particular combinations work for my body because they sustain me after lifting weights while reducing the chance of a blood sugar spike (due to the sufficient level of protein). Feel free to alter based on what works for you!

1. Banana & Jam: Top oatmeal with crunchy peanut butter, sliced banana, and your favourite jam (I typically opt for cherry, raspberry, blueberry, or strawberry rhubarb).
2. Chocolate & Cherry: Add cocoa powder to your oatmeal base before cooking and top with almond butter and frozen, then warmed cherries (or fresh if you are brave enough to pit a few), a few cocoa nibs (or dark chocolate chips), and a touch of maple syrup.
3. Mango & Coconut: Add diced mango and either coconut flakes or coconut butter. If you haven’t tried coconut butter, prepare to have your mind blown. I make it by simply throwing toasted coconut in a food processor and blending until it reaches a smooth & spreadable consistency.
4. Apple & Raisin: Absolutely perfect for the fall. Dice an apple and throw it on a skillet with some water and cinnamon. Cook on medium heat until your apple absorbs the water. Place the final product on top of your oats with smooth peanut butter, raisins, and a drizzle of honey! 
5. Pumpkin: Another comforting combination for the cooler temperatures. Add a heaping tablespoon of pumpkin purée and a bit of ground nutmeg and ginger to your base before cooking, then top with walnuts, sliced banana, and a drizzle of maple syrup. 

Notes

1. I prefer adding some yoghurt to the side of my prepared oatmeal to increase the protein while reducing carbs (just a bit!)
2. I top everything off with a sprinkle of flakey sea salt. It brings all of the flavours together beautifully. Trust me, you’ll notice when you don’t add it!  
3. Option to mix your nut butter into your oatmeal base before or during cooking, instead of dolloping on top…or do both 🙂
4. If you aren’t interested in nut butter, but need a crunch and some healthy fat, toss seeds or nuts on top of your final product. I typically keep sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, and cashews on hand as options
5. If you’d like to be brave and dive into savoury oats, I would use the stovetop method using oats, water, salt, pepper, and some sort of sharp cheese (such as parmesan). Stir until the water has absorbed in the oats and the cheese is silky smooth, then top with a fried egg and some optional sautéed mushrooms! 

Congratulations! If you made your way through this post, you can now consider yourself an oatmeal expert. Enjoy your tasty meals ahead and let me know if you have any questions or recommendations for me.

Happy breakfasting!

Love,

Bea