Looking for a healthy breakfast that will help to fuel your morning workout AND keep you feeling full longer? Oatmeal is the answer. Now we’re not talking about the slimy sticky stuff you may have been served decades ago in the middle school cafeteria or the bland, tasteless mound your Granny might have made (sorry Grandma), but the jazzed up, full-of-fun, slow burning flavor fest that we like to consume on the regular. 

The best part is--oatmeal is so customizable and, while the oats alone can be yummy, adding in extras make it even more delicious. 

Oatmeal is a morning staple at our house, and here’s why: Oats are relatively inexpensive to buy (especially in bulk) and easy to make! You can prep them as overnight oats on a hot day, or stick with the traditional hot stuff to warm your body and your soul.  

We recommend Old Fashioned Oats (also called rolled oats) because they don’t take as long to cook as steel cut, and they are less processed than quick oats. While they are awesome to make on the stovetop--having one more dish to wash takes this option out of the running for us. Instead, measure the oats and your liquid with a 1:2 ration (usually ½ cup oats to 1 cup of water or milk). We typically go with water but then add a splash of vanilla almond milk to help cool it down and for a bit of added flavor after it’s cooked. Pro tip - be sure to put a cover on your bowl or the extra time you were trying to save will be spent cleaning the inside of the microwave. You will likely need to heat your oatmeal for about 2 minutes to start, but if it isn’t quite hot enough, continue heating for 15 second increments until you find your perfect temperature. Next up, add some extras to your bowl. 

While the flavor combinations are endless, some of our favorites are: 

• Chia (means “strength” in Mayan) seeds: full of fiber and an instant energy boost..
• Blackberries: packed with vitamin C and helps you absorb iron.
• Blueberries: high in potassium and antioxidants (bonus if you pick them yourself).
• Almond slivers: provides additional protein to keep you satiated.

Have a selection of your favorite add-ons on hand so that you can mix up your combos each morning, and you will never be bored with breakfast again!

Want even more fun recipes, inspiring quotes, and personal reflections? Visit our new blog, the AUXO Anchor: https://www.auxocoast2coast.com/blog