Oatmeal with Apples, Raisins and Walnuts

People have been eating oatmeal for centuries, as it’s an inexpensive but healthy meal. It does not matter if it is the instant variety, old-fashioned oats or steel cut oats. It all has heart healthy high fiber and lowers your cholesterol levels. McDonald’s doesn’t have the market on making oatmeal. You can make this recipe at home very healthy and inexpensively.

According to Quaker Oats Health Institute; “Emerging research suggests that eating oats may help control appetite. The soluble fiber in oats absorbs a considerable amount of water, significantly slowing down the digestive process. The result: we feel full longer.

• The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes eat grains, beans, and starchy vegetables. Among the grains, your best choices are whole grains, such as oatmeal. Research suggests that the soluble fiber, such as is found in oatmeal, may help smooth out blood glucose levels.
• Since the late 1970’s, 18 studies have examined the relationship between dietary fiber and blood pressure. In the majority of studies on oats and blood pressure, blood pressure was significantly reduced. Reductions seem to be in response to the increase in fiber intake that came from eating oatmeal. More studies are currently underway to further assess the impact of eating oats on helping to lower blood pressure.”

Anyways, who says an oatmeal breakfast has to be boring? Not I; therefore, add some raisins, apple chunks, walnuts, stevia and top with my cinnamon sauce and you have a delicious stick to your ribs breakfast that satisfies your hunger, is vitamin packed and tastes great. If you are a diabetic simply, make the cinnamon sauce topping sugar-free using stevia in the raw.

Ingredients to make Oatmeal with Apples:

• 2 Packages of instant oatmeal; option Bob Red Mills Gluten Free Oatmeal
• 1 Fuji, Gala or Pink Lady organic apple; diced
• Handful of raisins
• Few walnuts; chopped
• Stevia for taste
• CinnamonSauce Topping

Instructions to make Oatmeal with Apples:

1. Heat the water in the teakettle or saucepan.
2. Take a bowl and pour 2 packages of instant oatmeal into it, add a touch of stevia, enough hot water to cover and stir.
3. Place in the microwave and set for 1 minute, it’s just enough time for the oats to cook, remove, and add apples, walnuts and cinnamon sauce topping. (if to thick add additional water)
4. Return to microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
5. Remove from microwave and enjoy!

If making Old Fashioned or Steel Cut Oats, the stove top method is the best. Instructions will be on the Bob Red Mills package.