March 10, 2014
A few weeks ago I decided I'd give oatmeal for breakfast a real chance. I've always liked the idea of it and every once in a great while I'd have a bowl, but the habit never stuck. And now? I cannot get enough. I've been having oatmeal every morning for a whole month and I find myself wanting it for a late night snack, too! It's really helping me stay full all morning, even while nursing Casper. What made me start loving hot oatmeal was changing the texture. I discovered a new method and I don't know if I'll ever go back.


I grew up thinking Cream of Wheat was something really special. I didn't know it was only a quick and cheap hot cereal, I only knew that we didn't have it everyday, and I loved the creamy texture. Plus, it looked like the "mush" I saw in my favorite book: Goodnight Moon. I thought if I could make oats a little more like that, I'd be hooked. So, I started grinding my rolled oats in the food processor a bit before cooking them, and the result is a delightfully thick and creamy oat porridge, not as fine as cream of wheat and not at all soupy or thin, but just right. And I just realized I sound like Goldilocks. So, these are essentially steel cut oats, but I'm starting with rolled oats instead of oat groats, and they only take a few minutes to cook! Now I have a quick and easy hot cereal that is nutrient dense and super satisfying.

With this new breakfast routine, we are blowing through a bag of oats pretty quickly. And finding gluten-free oats for a good price is hard! When I have the money saved up, I like to buy these gluten-free sprouted rolled oats from To Your Health Sprouted Flour Co in bulk, because sprouted = more nutrients available to your body. But, I also just stocked up on some plain (still gluten-free) rolled oats on Vitacost. They have some on sale for 49% off right now! Hurry over if you need some. And here's my latest favorite way to cook and dress them up:


This makes enough to share :) Oooh, you guys have to try stirring a drop or two of almond extract into your oatmeal. It adds a bit of richness and depth to the flavor. So yummy. I like to prepare a whole bunch of these cut oats at one time and keep them in a jar so they're ready to go every morning.

Pictured alongside this pot of oatmeal is my favorite hot beverage lately: a Dandy Blend latte. Dandy Blend + hot coconut milk and water + raw honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. mmm. Anyway, if you're an oatmeal-eater, I'd love to hear your best methods! I'm taking all recommendations and super excited to branch out with my new oatmeal love.

6 comments:

Christina said...

I love steel cut oats! I'll have to give this a try since our Costco hasn't had steel cut oats for months. Also, I've recently gotten hooked on overnight oats. (My current favorite is 1/3 cup vanilla greek yogurt, 1/3 cup of milk, 1/2 tbsp. chia seeds, 1/2 cup old fashioned oats, and two chopped strawberries, all mixed together in a jar and left overnight in the fridge.) The texture is much more pleasant than normal cooked oats.

Unknown said...

i'm so happy that you discovered a new way to enjoy oats! this may sound a little strange but i love cooking mine with soy milk and once it's cooked, i add a big spoonful of peanut butter and a little drizzle of honey and another splash of soy milk. so good! x

Kirra said...

I've been cooking them overnight- so bringing them to a boil- then covering & leaving all night- the next morning they are ready to just be slightly warmed up. Letting all those flavors come together overnight is so yummy. Do you think I could try that even with pulsing the oats like this? Sounds so yummy- thanks for sharing. Oh & my fav lately has been honey & cinnamon with whatever fresh fruit I have on hand. So good.

A Place to Reside said...

Yum! I'm such an oatmeal fanatic. My co-workers think it's a bit odd, but I bring it to eat for lunch. :) I love taking a break with a creamy bowl of goodness.

Meadow Walk said...

I make my oatmeal the night before and leave it in the fridge. I mix Greek yogurt, a bit of peanut or nut butter, and some honey together to a nice paste. Add raw oats. Slice a banana or add strawberries, blueberries, black berries, whatever I have. I might add dried fruit or some chopped almonds instead but I do love fresh fruit. Then I top it up with coconut milk or almond milk. Today I added a splash of dark chocolate almond milk. Shake it really well. Leave in fridge overnight or for a few hours. If I want it warm I can heat it in the microwave.

So then I get oats, protein, good fat, sweetener, fresh fruit all in one. Filling and delicious!

Meadow Walk said...

Oh and cinnamon! I always add cinnamon!

So today I have the peanut butter, the cinnamon, a fresh banana, and some chocolate almond milk (just a bit mixed with coconut milk for flavor) all together with my oats.

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about this blog

Hello, I'm Summer. A people-loving introvert whose hope and life is in Jesus. His promises are my passion and my ministry is homelife. This blog is a place for me to write about everyday things. Especially food. My favorite thing to do is sit around a table, lingering over a long meal with good conversation. I live with my husband and our 2 littles. We like blizzards, thrifting, grammar, guacamole, cheerful hearts, nice manners, good movies, and making simple, real, nutrient-dense food.

"If Christ be anything, He must be everything."
-C.H. Spurgeon

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