Friday, June 1, 2012

FAST Microwave Oatmeal

I used to buy those little packets of oatmeal in the store and tear them open, dump them in a bowl, add water, and then throw them in the microwave.  Many times the water I added would be too much and it would overflow the bowl.  I finally realized that I could just make this myself for SO much cheaper (especially since I had a 25 pound bag of oats to use up!)
I make my oatmeal in the microwave because it's fast and easy.  I'm busy in the mornings. It keeps me full until lunch (especially if I eat a banana on the side) and it's just over 100 calories (breakdown at the end).

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Quick Oats
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon-Sugar (or just cinnamon, if you wish)
1 Tablespoon Honey (I actually was comparing online on My Fitness Pal and using brown sugar is less calories because you don't need as much of it. I use 2 teaspoons of brown sugar as a replacement for honey.)
Small handful of crasins
1/2 cup water
I keep the baking stuff all in one cupboard, so I don't have to open and close a bunch of cupboards.
 Sprinkle cinnamon on top of oats.
 Add honey or brown sugar. (I don't actually measure.  That takes too long and dirties dishes.)
 Throw in some crasins (or raisins, coconut, almonds, apple pieces, whatever you like in your oatmeal.)
 Measure 1/2 cup of water and pour it in on top (then put it right back in the drawer because it only had water on it.)
 I don't even stir it before putting it in the microwave for one minute on high. (Use that minute to put on makeup or take care of something else.)
Unstirred straight out of the microwave.
 When it comes out it's still a little runny, so if you have something else to do for two or three minutes, now is the perfect time.
Many times, I make this just after I get out of the shower when I'm still in my robe and go get dressed while it cooks.
Nicely thickened, just the way I like.  If you add milk or anything else, do it now.
 Now is also when my toddler comes over and tries to make me share my breakfast.
YUM!
1/4 cup Oatmeal 37 calories
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon 1 calorie
1 Tablespoon Honey 64 calories (or 2 teaspoons Brown Sugar 30 calories)
1/12 cup Crasins 33 calories
1/2 cup Water  0 calories

Oatmeal with Honey option = 135 Calories
Oatmeal with Brown Sugar option = 101 Calories
 

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