Quick and healthy small-batch oatmeal

Here’s one of my favorite breakfasts this week. I liked it so much that I threw together a batch as fridge oatmeal (see below) to enjoy throughout the rest of the week without having to prepare and cook it each morning.

Ingredients:　
1 cup of water
½ cup old-fashioned oats
1-2 T. pure maple syrup
¼ cup or so of fruit: I used peeled/chopped Braeburn apple, homemade canned unsweetened pears and raisins. Add more or less if desired
½ T. flax seeds

Directions:
Heat water and maple syrup in saucepan. Add oats, raisins, apples and flax seeds and cook as directed on oats package. Add pears before removing from heat as directed on package.
Serve hot. I like to top mine with yogurt, or mix in some milk. I love mine with a nice whole-grain toast :)

Serves 1-2


Refrigerator Oatmeal is something that is new to me, but has been around for a long time with different names. I’ve tried it with a few different varieties and loved them all. Basically, however you like your oatmeal you can do it ahead of time and enjoy on the go. This is especially great if everybody in your home likes their oatmeal different ways. Kids will enjoy assembling their own cups, and everybody gets what they want without messing with store-bought flavored packets.  Enjoy cold or heat it in the microwave and you’ve got a speedy wholesome breakfast!

Guilt-free chocolate chip oatmeal cookies

Yesterday, my 2 year old (which will be lovingly referred to as DD - dear daughter - on this blog) randomly decided she wanted cookies. Of course she does.. because we're out of cookies. I usually am not up for making cookies because I tend to not have the patience for baking. I over- or under-cook a lot of things. I knew we had everything we needed to make cookies, though, and figured I could find a "healthy" recipe.

I looked through my Jessica Seinfeld cookbook but didn't have the chickpeas I'd need, so I went to Pinterest. I found these: World's Healthiest Chocolate Chip Cookies.  (Also I'm pretty sure Chocolate Covered Katie is going to become a new favorite food blog!  Healthy desserts?  I'm sold!)

Because I don't want to inadvertently claim credit for this - or any - recipe by reposting on my blog, click the link above for the original recipe. Here is how I made the cookies:

I used 1/4c. whole wheat flour and 1/3c. unbleached all-purpose flour
I didn't measure how much chocolate chips I used, I just poured my bag of mini chocolate chips until it looked like enough
I used brown sugar, white sugar and melted Best Life Buttery Spread
I also added about a tablespoon of flax seed and a handful (1/3c?) of old-fashioned oats.

I made 9 cookies.

I didn't chill the dough but the cookies still came out soft and delicious.  Even my picky husband loves these!

Nutrional Info*
Guilt-free Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Calories: 98
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Sodium: 81mg
Potassium: 17mgCarbs: 17g
Fiber: >1g
Sugars: 9g
Protein: 2g