Mornings brought to you by Oatmeal

Kalimera readers. I have had the craziest week and I'm so sorry I've been neglecting you all. I was at the office even yesterday, of all things (overtime on a Saturday, I know)!

I finally had a moment to breathe and as I sat eating my Sunday brunch, I came up with the perfect topic for a lazy morning post: breakfast. It sounds vague, but I can sum up nearly every morning in a single category. As much as I love sampling a variety of fresh Mediterranean cuisine, my mornings always start the same way: with oatmeal. I'm positive that I owe a significant portion of my weight loss (down two more pounds!) and good health to this rockstar breakfast food.

Here are a few quick facts:

I eat around half a cup of cooked oats every morning. This small portion amounts to nearly 4 grams of soluble fibre. We know that fibre is good for us, but why? It lowers the 'bad cholesterol' as well as your blood pressure, keeping your hearts cheerful while they pump away. {This is completely true, by the way, my nutritionist was delighted to report that I have essentially negative readings of the 'bad stuff ^~' Thanks, Quaker!} As a digestive tool, Oatmeal also helps to absorb extra fat and flushes it out of your system instead of letting it deposit right on your problem areas. It helps your stomach empty properly too and helps you to feel sated longer - also promoting healthy weight loss. Having read all of this I hope you're halfway to your local grocery store to buy your way into this weight-loss secret. But whatever you do, don't you dare buy those disgusting artificial packets! The sugars and preservatives negate so many of the great qualities found in natural oatmeal. Go organic, it's worth the extra pennies and trust me, by the time I'm through you won't want to touch those horrible bits of cardboard again!

I eat my oatmeal in three forms: The good ol' fashioned bowl of porridge, In a delish fruit smoothie or in pancakes

Miss' Herculean Oatmeal

1/2c Large Flake Organic Oats

1 Cup Water

Sprinkling of Salt

2 tbsp Fresh Applesauce

1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon to Taste

Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, bananas, blueberries, etc; pick your favorite garnishes

Place oats in pot filled with warm water in a 2:1 ratio water:oatmeal. Heat to a boil with a pinch of salt. As soon as the oats begin boiling remove from the heat and simmer, stirring constantly until you reach the desired consistency.

Add fresh applesauce, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir well and place in your bowl If you don't have any fresh applesauce on hand you can cut a large apple into small chunks and bake it in your microwave for 1min with a little bit of water. You can then put this in a blender and smooth it out, but I usually omit the blending as a love my oatmeal when it's chunky and rustic. Top with a light sprinkling of your favorite fruit and nuts & voila!

Picture Credit: By Becky Lulgard-Stayner via Cooking Light

Miss' Oatmeal Supersmoothie

I love to run in the mornings but I always find that after a lovely jog I couldn't be less interested in eating. Oatmeal stepped in to solve my breakfast dilemma in the form of this delicious, nutritious breakfast smoothie:

{makes two, one for you and one for your jogging buddy ^~}

1 cup lite vanilla soy milk

1/2 cup large flake organic oats

1 banana

Your frozen fruit of choice! I generally rock a peach/mango combo or a berry blend. Mm!

Optional: 1 handful almonds. (I like to throw this in if I'm drinking it post-run for the extra protein)

I don't really feel as though I need to give you instructions on how to make this, but in case you were worried about incorporating the oats/nuts, here goes: Put the oats and nuts in your blender first and blend until powdery. Then add the rest of your ingredients. You can adjust to your desired consistency by adding more fruit/soy milk. You can also make this with yoghurt or juice if either tickle your fancy.

Picture Credit: Kal at mybodyzone

Miss' Oatmeal Pancakes

When I was little I loved the occasional pancake treat. When I grew up, and sadly, grew weight-conscious, I gave up one of my favorite breakfasts altogether. One morning, sorely tempted by the delicious blueberry pancake aroma wafting up from Constantine's breakfast, my envious stomach asked this brilliant question: why not try a pancake made primarily of my beloved oats? The rest, as they say.. ^~

1/3 cup large flake organic oats

1/2 tbsp of organic honey

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

2 egg whites

optional: 1/2 cup fresh applesauce or 1/2 mashed banana

small sprinkling of salt

1/2 cup fresh blueberries to garnish

They're very easy to make:

First process the dry ingredients in a blender, then add the wet ingredients and until combined (careful not to over-process). Cook over medium-medium high heat until nicely browned. I don't like to garnish mine with maple syrup, I eat them with a pile of blueberries and an extra sprinkling of cinnamon.

I adapted this great recipe from Kath Eats. These are delicious as well as fabulously guilt-free. If you find you're still jealous of your boyfriend's Bisquick, don't despair! I promise that soon your taste buds will come to their senses and delight in this breakfast treat.

Have wonderful Sundays and be sure to try one of these combinations tomorrow morning :) It may just be the start you need on a Monday.

Enjoy!

❤ Miss