A New Adventure!

I've decided to take Mama Kenz's Homekeeper 2008 Challenge!
This is a big deal for me; I don't usually get involved in these kinds of things (usually in all my two months of blogging - Ha!), but I really think this fits with what I'm already doing, it's a good motivator for me to reflect on things I am learning in my home-making journey, AND... I can do it on any day of the week I want to!!!

So Thanks Mama Kenz! And here goes...

This is my long overdue "oatmeal" post!
I have struggled for some time with what to serve my children for breakfasts.
I have this overwhelming compunction about making them eat the same thing every day, but I also don't want to turn breakfast into another meal that involves a lot of planning and preparation.

I have worked out many ideas, and this is what I am finally settling into:

Hot cereal is a whole grain in it's natural state without preservatives, refined sugar, or dyes.
I myself have never liked oatmeal (please don't tell my children that!). My Grampa called them "Opie Nuts", and my Grama said "they'll stick to your ribs". I don't know where "Opie Nuts" came from, but it's true that they stick to your ribs!
I will eat them now-a-days, but I can only consume about a quarter cup cooked.
My children, on the other hand, have come to eat oatmeal like there's no tomorrow, and I think that's great!
Among it's other virtues, oatmeal is inexpensive, so it fills many tummy's for little cost, and even less if you buy it bulk.
Here's our favorite ways to fix it:

We like ours a little nutty, and not so soupy.
Bring your water to a boil,
then add enough oats to fill the water - in other words, so they're not floating on top.
After you add the oats, turn off burner, and cover pot.
Oatmeal should be ready to eat in about ten minutes.

W like to top our oatmeal with a little maple syrup, sucanat, or honey, then add any other combination of things:
Nuts
Raisins
Diced Banana
Blueberries
Dates
Shredded Coconut
Currants

Occasionally we peel and dice an apple to add to the boiling water along with some cinnamon.
If you want to get crazy, many other grains (such as bulgar, or millet) are fun to try for some variety!














With Sucanat (dried cane sugar), Pecans, and Raisins















With Pure Maple Syrup, and chopped Dates
















With Coconut, and Currants













With Banana, and Blueberries

(My children thought I'd had it when I began taking pictures of food!!)
We happily fix oatmeal about four times a week (Fridays being eggs, of course:-), and recently I was inspired by a friend who has trained her children to eat (and enjoy) their oatmeal with nothing on it but milk. Hmmm... more food for thought!