Oatmeal

One more opinion. When I think of oats, I think of Quaker rolled oats in a round container. I actually buy Grandma's brand of organic because
They are cheaper than regular Quaker where I shop. I take them home, put them in the blender, which changes the texture and makes them
"Instant" and put them back in the box.

As far as "clean" I've always wondered what that means.
I don't see how butter and yogurt can differ in how "clean" they are. Unless you think butter is cleaner, because nothing is added to milk to
Make it, and starter is added to yogurt. Or maybe salted butter isn't clean because of the salt. It seems to me processed protein powder would
Definitely be the least clean of the three, but again, what is the definition of "clean"?

One funny thing is that Quaker chose its logo basically to promote its "cleanness." Specifically (from wiki):

The Quaker Oats logo starting in 1877 had a figure of a Quaker man depicted full-length, sometimes holding a scroll with the word "Pure" written across it, that resembling the classic woodcuts of William Penn, the 17th-century philosopher and early Quaker. Quaker Oats advertising dating back to 1909 did, indeed, identify the "Quaker man" as William Penn, and referred to him as "standard bearer of the Quakers and of Quaker Oats." Today, the company states that "The 'Quaker man' does not represent an actual person. His image is that of a man dressed in Quaker garb, chosen because the Quaker faith projected the values of honesty, integrity, purity and strength."

Also (same source -- see wiki for the citations):

In 2012, the company enlisted the firm of Hornall Anderson to give the 'Quaker man' a slimmer, somewhat younger look. The man is now sometimes referred to as "Larry" by insiders at Quaker Oats....

Hearts_2015 wrote: »

nkovacs53804 wrote: »

First, never eat those instant oatmeal packets. Loads of sugar.
Here is what I do and everyone in the family, even the dedicated oatmeal haters love it.
In a slow cooker, set on low, before I go to bed:
6 cups water
2 cups steel cut oats.
2 apples, peeled and cored, diced into 1/2” size pieces
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Cinnamon to taste
1 table spoon vanilla

Just dump everything into cooker, stir it up a bit and go to bed.

You’ll awake to amazing aromas and wholesome goodness. Keeps in airtight container in frig for up to a week.

Tip..I used to buy that Irish oats in a can. Good stuff but spendy. Steel cut is steel cut so I buy mine in bulk, keeps a long time.

nkovacs53804 wrote: »

It’s amazing and no added sugar. Stores really well so the next day it can be easily warmed in microwave

@nkovacs53804 Unfortunately I've never been able to find any dried cranberries without sugar..do they exist or are they all simple made with added sugar in the processing? Please say they're out there and I just haven't come upon them yet! :laugh:

Your recipe sounds wonderful and I can imagine the aroma it gives off overnight... appreciate you sharing it.. Now back to my cranberry dilemma.

I usually use pomegranate seeds or blueberries in my oatmeal but both are now out of season. I can still find blueberries, but I don't want to pay $7.00 a pint for them!

I just bought some Craisins with reduced sugar, and 1/4 cup is 100 calories. It's still a lot of calories compared to berries--I'm not going to use 1/4 cup--I will probably use more like 1/8 or 1/16. For less than 100 calories you could put in a small banana or apple.

ETA: This whole idea of "clean" eating is just hilarious to me. I'm lactose intolerant. I can eat butter with no adverse effects. I have never tried greek yogurt, but I get intestinal distress from non-greek yogurt. So if it contains lactose, to me it is anything BUT clean!! TMI.

lucerorojo wrote: »

Hearts_2015 wrote: »

nkovacs53804 wrote: »

First, never eat those instant oatmeal packets. Loads of sugar.
Here is what I do and everyone in the family, even the dedicated oatmeal haters love it.
In a slow cooker, set on low, before I go to bed:
6 cups water
2 cups steel cut oats.
2 apples, peeled and cored, diced into 1/2” size pieces
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Cinnamon to taste
1 table spoon vanilla

Just dump everything into cooker, stir it up a bit and go to bed.

You’ll awake to amazing aromas and wholesome goodness. Keeps in airtight container in frig for up to a week.

Tip..I used to buy that Irish oats in a can. Good stuff but spendy. Steel cut is steel cut so I buy mine in bulk, keeps a long time.

nkovacs53804 wrote: »

It’s amazing and no added sugar. Stores really well so the next day it can be easily warmed in microwave

@nkovacs53804 Unfortunately I've never been able to find any dried cranberries without sugar..do they exist or are they all simple made with added sugar in the processing? Please say they're out there and I just haven't come upon them yet! :laugh:

Your recipe sounds wonderful and I can imagine the aroma it gives off overnight... appreciate you sharing it.. Now back to my cranberry dilemma.

I usually use pomegranate seeds or blueberries in my oatmeal but both are now out of season. I can still find blueberries, but I don't want to pay $7.00 a pint for them!

I just bought some Craisins with reduced sugar, and 1/4 cup is 100 calories. It's still a lot of calories compared to berries--I'm not going to use 1/4 cup--I will probably use more like 1/8 or 1/16. For less than 100 calories you could put in a small banana or apple.

ETA: This whole idea of "clean" eating is just hilarious to me. I'm lactose intolerant. I can eat butter with no adverse effects. I have never tried greek yogurt, but I get intestinal distress from non-greek yogurt. So if it contains lactose, to me it is anything BUT clean!! TMI.

Can you get frozen berries wherever you are? I find other than the height of blueberry season, frozen are cheaper than fresh. And if you don't want to cook them with your oats and turn them purple you can just rinse them under running water to thaw them out and then add them. I personally get a kick out of lavender oats

Ah, expensive berries is a bummer.

kimny72 wrote: »

Ah, expensive berries is a bummer.

Everything is expensive where I am. It's cheaper than NYC, but not by much. When people talk about the .99 dozen eggs on here and spending $100 a month on groceries, I cannot relate.

Wait?! you mean there are places where frozen blueberries aren't $6+/bag?

however- I can fully appreciate that today's glorious technology and logistics means that a $6-10 bag of blueberries is indeed available to be purchased in Buffalo in February (which, to my mind, is something to be appreciated even if not remotely in the food budget).

I use cinnamon and honey in my oatmeal.

I usually add sugar free syrup or a small amount of light brown sugar. Also, if you're okay with the extra carbs, sliced bananas are a great addition.

I don't regularly add butter to my oatmeal, but I have done it in the past - mostly because no matter how much cinnamon I dumped in plain oatmeal, I could never taste it. A little bit of butter though and BAM! the flavor comes out. Now I typically use fruit and no spices, so the butter isn't necessary.

ritzvin wrote: »

Wait?! you mean there are places where frozen blueberries aren't $6+/bag?

You can find them (365 brand) for $2.99 here (12 oz) at WF or local mainstream chain, and about 4 lb for $12 at local mainstream chain.

I buy so many frozen berries in the winter.

Also, you can try adding some pureed pumpkin and a little agave syrup or maple syrup or molasses if you want sweet oatmeal

Oatmeal is going to be for lunch today! Got to craving stir fry veggies and noodles, so that was breakfast! Makes it kinda fun for me too, switching it around.