Oatmeal: Healthy, Natural, Delicious and CHEAP

Oatmeal is one of my favorite foods because not only is it nutritious and natural, it is so versatile. You can eat it hot or pour cold milk in it. You can bake it into cookies. You can eat it any time of day. You can even use it for non-food recipes such as facial masks to soften your skin. Oatmeal is one of the best foods for increasing your milk supply if you are breastfeeding. Unlike cereal, you do not need to add expensive and hormone-filled milk to your oatmeal. It is vegetarian, so it requires fewer resources to produce and is better for the environment. You can even make it vegan.

Avoid buying the processed individually packaged oatmeal from the store. Also, try not to buy quick oats if at all possible. They are not as nutritious as regular oatmeal. I buy the large canisters of 100% whole grain old-fashioned oatmeal at the store and get the store brand for about $2-3. Old-fashioned oatmeal has a delicious taste and is not mushy like the individually packaged oatmeals.

To prepare one large serving of old-fashioned oatmeal, boil one one and one half cups water and reduce to a simmer. Add 1/8 teaspoon salt and 3/4 cup oatmeal. Simmer a few minutes until the oatmeal reaches the desired thickness. If you are adding raisins to your oatmeal, add them when you first add the oatmeal to soften them.

Optional Ingredients:
honey
sugar
brown sugar
milk (condensed, fresh, or dry)
cream
berries
raisins
cinnamon
vanilla
apples
pears
peaches
chocolate chips
jelly/jam/preserves