Quick and Healthy Ways to Flavor Your Morning Oatmeal

In today's busy society, it is hard to find the time in your day for a healthy breakfast. We run out of the house with a cup of joe and little else. There is a way even in your demanding schedule to eat a healthy breakfast, without breaking the bank, and without taking up too much of your time. Oatmeal. Yes I know, in its most basic form, oatmeal is not the tastiest thing you can think of. "Pop-tart please?" Before you give up on this amazing powerhouse of nutrients and complex carbohydrates consider this: In less than a few minutes, you can turn this bland breakfast food into the most delicious meal of the day. Let's get started.

The best tasting oatmeal is always the old-fashioned kind but if you're pressed for time instant is fine. No matter what your final addition is to your bowl, a tasty way to start is to add your choice of butter, margarine or butter substitute. (There are very different ideas as to which is the healthiest way to go. Personally I use regular butter, in a small amount.) Next add enough milk to make the oatmeal a little thin but not soupy. I suggest 2% organic milk. The reason for this is that organic milk is void of artificial hormones and antibiotics. The reason for 2% is that it is lower in fat than whole milk, but still has more of the vitamins and nutrients than skim. Now it is time to sweeten.

A sweetener like stevia or honey that is more natural than sweet 'n ' low and less fattening than sugar is nice.

Now that you have a good start to your oatmeal, some ideas for more diverse flavor are: (and feel free to mix and match these into different flavors!) Blueberries which are high in antioxidants, strawberries which are also high in antioxidants but also vitamin C. Cinnamon, nutmeg and/or pumpkin pie spice are are all-natural ways to flavor, as well as adding a little vanilla or almond extract while still cooking. Organic brown sugar, bananas which are high in potassium, mango that is high in antioxidants and iron, almond butter which is heart healthy and can help lower cholesterol. Dried fruits also are good, anything from cranberries to apricots can be used. Get creative!