My Guilty Confessions - here we go.

I have to admit…Breakfast is not one of my favorite meals to make.

I am not one of those people that is quick waker-upper in the morning. I require a little more time to wake up than my husband, who’s an early riser and literally chirping like a bird in the morning.  I usually require a cup of coffee or tea to get my engine rolling in the a.m.

There are other times when we both have get our butts in gear fast in the morning. So to make things a little more speedy, quick and efficient, I like to pull out the slow cooker and make some oatmeal. Not what you expected to hear is it? This is where I use my smaller slow cooker, that is usually hidden in a cabinet. Where is yours?

More on getting efficient.

Since we want to be fast and efficient in the A.M., I load my slow cooker the night before. I start out by placing a slow cooker liner first ( this is good if you don’t want to wash the crock) and then fill the slow cooker crock with oatmeal, diced apple, water, and cinnamon. 

I have a pretty old slow cooker that does not have a timer so my husband put an old school timer in the outlet where I plug in the slow cooker, and Ta Da…it magically turns on around 1:00 a.m. and turns off at 7:00 a.m. Cooking the oatmeal over a long period of time makes it more pudding-like and creamy and less grainy textured. Also, it tends to “blow-out” the oatmeal, so it makes more oatmeal. We use about ⅔ cup of oats to 2 to 2 1/4 cups of water. So it’s very economical in the long run because you actually end up using less oatmeal.

Also, the great thing about using the slow cooker liners is there is less cleanup. Just the bowls and spoons that go straight into the dishwasher after a quick rinse in the sink.

If you don’t want to use the liners or run out, just spray with spray cooking oil (avocado mist is the healthier option). That way the oatmeal will not stick to your crock and make for an easier cleanup.

Helpful Hint: When you wash your crock, dump out the excess oatmeal in the trash, not the sink. My plumber says that more clogs happen with oatmeal washed down the sink because it dries in the curves of the pipes and clogs them up. It literally turns into cement when it dries… So don’t do it. You’re welcome.

Houston…we have a problem

The other day, I ran out of apples and was looking around for some fun fruit to put into our oatmeal. So in the pantry I found a small peach fruit cup and put that into the oatmeal instead of the diced apples. And OMG! The oatmeal tasted just like a peach cobbler. So delicious!

When it’s time to serve the oatmeal, on most days, I like to add a splash of almond milk or coconut milk to make the oatmeal even more creamy and decadent. Tastes like peaches & cream when you do this with the peaches!

My husband likes to add pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds to his bowl to top his oatmeal. But you get the idea. Top with whatever is sounding good for you.

I feel like I’m at a buffet…ahhh!

I have to be honest…It’s so nice when to get up in the morning and have a nice warm breakfast ready to spoon into a bowl. It almost feels like the breakfast buffets that you glide through when you are staying in a hotel. Really LOVE not to have to scramble around in the morning to make breakfast. You will too!

Okay, so here’s the scoop on why oatmeal is good for YOU.

It's a whole grain that is packed with fiber, protein, and nutrients that can help you feel full, satisfied, and energized. Here are just a few of the many benefits of eating oatmeal every day for breakfast:

High in nutrition

Oatmeal is high in several vitamins and minerals, including these:1 

Weight loss: Oatmeal is a low-calorie, low-fat food that is high in fiber. This combination can help you feel full and satisfied (i.e. not hungry for hours) which can prevent overeating and weight gain. A nice side note, the fiber in oatmeal can help to keep you regular and support healthy digestion. A total win-win!

Help to lower blood pressure: Oatmeal is a good source of potassium, which is a mineral that helps to regulate blood pressure. Potassium helps to counterbalance the effects of sodium, which can cause blood pressure to rise. By including oatmeal in your diet, you can help to keep your blood pressure in check.

Lower cholesterol: Oatmeal is rich in a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels. In fact, studies have shown that eating oatmeal regularly can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by up to 23%. A great natural way to manage cholesterol levels.

Heart health: Oatmeal is a heart-healthy food that can help to reduce your risk of heart disease. The soluble fiber in oatmeal has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are two major risk factors for heart disease. In addition, the nutrients in oatmeal, such as magnesium and potassium, can also support heart health.

Energy and endurance: Oatmeal is a slow-release carbohydrate that provides a sustained source of energy. This makes it a great choice for breakfast, as it can help to fuel your body and brain throughout the morning. In addition, the protein in oatmeal can help to repair and build muscle, which can improve endurance and physical performance.

Digestive health: Oatmeal is a good source of prebiotics, which are non-digestible fibers that feed the good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics are important for maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive system, which can support overall health and well-being.

Begging for customization: One of the great things about oatmeal is that it is very easy to personalize. You can add a variety of toppings, such as nuts, fruit, honey, or spices, to give it extra flavor and nutrition. This makes it a versatile and enjoyable option for breakfast.

My friend Kim loved to top her oatmeal with sautéed onions and cheese. So for you savory fans, treat oatmeal like rice or quinoa for breakfast. It doesn’t always have to be sweet.

There are so many benefits to eating oatmeal every day for breakfast. It can help you lose weight, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, support heart health, and provide sustained energy and endurance. So give often overlooked oatmeal a try and see how it can help to improve your health and well-being.

It’s especially nice cooking it in the crockpot and makes for a super simple and really easy breakfast. 

2

5 minutes

4-6 hours

Enjoy your stress free, effortless breakfast!

Inci Jones