Until recently, if I was looking for a filling breakfast, I would have taken an egg sandwich over oatmeal any day. In my mind, all oatmeal was like the package of over-flavored, over-sugared cinnamon-apple instant stuff you hydrate with hot water from the office water cooler. Fine in a pinch, but not very satisfying.
Enter: actual oatmeal. Healthy, filling, flavored to your liking. And chocolate? I’m in. This healthy breakfast takes three minutes to make, and holds me until lunch on a work day – can’t beat that! I have a little oatmeal station set up by my coffee maker {note: it was promoted to a cabinet when I moved, but you should store yours wherever is the most useful for you!} so I am not rummaging for the same ingredients every morning. If you have never enjoyed oatmeal, try this for a few days and see if you don’t change your mind as well. We will talk egg sandwiches another day!
- .5 c quick oats
- 1 c skim milk
- .5 t cinnamon
- .25 t unsweetened cocoa powder
- .5 t sugar or brown sugar or turbinado sugar (a little more if you are new to oatmeal)
- .25 c chopped fresh fruit (like mixed berries and pineapple)
- Scoop the quick oats and pour the milk into a microwave-safe bowl with at least 4 cup capacity. {I scoop the oats first and then use the same measuring cup for the milk - two half-cups of milk.}
- Place the bowl on a plate in the microwave in case it bubbles over (happens on occasion).
- Microwave for two minutes.
- After the two minutes, stir the oatmeal. If it is too runny, microwave it for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in the cinnamon and cocoa powder, making sure to break up any clumps, then stir in the sugar. Finally, add the fruit.
ok, I’m sold. That looks like a great breakfast. I’ve been on a smoothie kick for bfast but that would be great on days I want something different. Seems like a lot of milk but I guess not?
That is the ratio – 1:2. If, once you try it, the serving is too big and you want a smaller amount, just keep that ratio in mind (like 1/3 c quick oats to 2/3 c milk). This breakfast is a great way to sneak in your calcium, either way!