There’s a chill in the air – let’s have oatmeal for breakfast!

I don’t know about you, but the Fall is a great time to have hot cereal for breakfast. There’s something about going for a morning run in the cool 40-degree temperatures with the leaves falling on the ground, coming back and sitting down for a nice hot bowl of oat meal. Ah…yes…it’s the simple pleasures…You can make simple, easy, fast, delicious, and healthy oatmeal…the Hauser Diet way. So what does that mean?

5 tips for making spectacular Hauser Diet oatmeal:

  1. Buy real oatmeal, not pre-packaged, sugar-laden oatmeal.
  2. Make your oatmeal on top of the stove, not in the microwave.
  3. Add your own fresh Hauser Diet-specific ingredients to spice up your oatmeal!
  4. Think outside the box—try something out of the ordinary! Make a new concoction and/or combination!
  5. Add other grains to your oatmeal, such as wheat bran, flax seeds, corn meal, or even couscous!

Oatmeal packed with nutrients for Lions/Otters:

Remember, Lions and Otters need protein and fat to make high fiber, plain oatmeal an acceptable side dish!

Ingredients:

  • Nitrate-free Bacon, 4 slices, chopped
  • Oatmeal, 1 cup
  • Water, 2 cups
  • Butter, 2 Tbsp
  • Salt, 1 tsp
  • Cinnamon, 1 tsp
  • Vanilla extract, 1 Tbsp
  • Flax seeds, 2 Tbsp
  • Chopped nuts, ½ cup
  • Dollop of full fat Greek yogurt

What to do:

  1. Chop bacon into small pieces. Cook in saucepan over medium heat until done.
  2. Add oatmeal and water to cooked bacon in saucepan. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until thick.
  3. Add butter, salt, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and flaxseeds. Continue to cook and stir frequently.
  4. Stir in ½ cup nuts (we like slivered almonds, walnuts, or pecans.)
  5. Serve with a spoonful of full-fat yogurt topped with chopped nuts. Serve with a side of meat such as organic breakfast sausage.
  6. Serves 4.

Apple Almond Oatmeal for Bears:

Remember it’s all about balance…Bears mix protein, fat, and carbohydrates to make a delicious balanced bowl!

Ingredients:

  • Butter, 2 Tbsp
  • 1 apple, chopped
  • Oatmeal, 1 cup
  • Water, 2 cups
  • Salt, 1 tsp
  • Cinnamon, 1 tsp
  • Vanilla extract, 1 Tbsp
  • Honey, 1 Tbsp
  • Slivered almonds, ¼ cup
  • Dried cranberries, ¼ cup
  • Dollop of 2% plain Greek yogurt

What to do:

  1. Melt butter in saucepan on top of stove. Saute chopped apple in butter until soft.
  2. Add oatmeal and water to cooked apples in saucepan. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until thick.
  3. Add salt, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and honey. Continue to cook and stir frequently.
  4. Stir in almonds and dried cranberries.
  5. Top with plain 2% Greek yogurt and a dash of cinnamon and cranberries. Serve with a poached egg.
  6. Serves 4.

Cranberry Date Oatmeal for Monkeys/Giraffes:

Remember, this end of the Hauser Diet spectrum needs fruits, veggies, and grains! Add some fruity flavors to make this a healthy delicious main breakfast meal for Monkeys and Giraffes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 apple, chopped
  • Oatmeal, 1 cup
  • Water, 2 cups
  • Salt, 1 tsp
  • Cinnamon, 1 tsp
  • Vanilla extract, 1 Tbsp
  • Honey, 1 Tbsp
  • 100% pure maple syrup, 2 Tbsp
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup chopped dates
  • Low fat vanilla soy milk

What to do:

  1. Melt 1 Tbsp butter in saucepan on top of stove. Saute chopped apple in butter until soft.
  2. Add 1 cup oatmeal and 2 cups water to cooked apples in saucepan. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until thick.
  3. Add salt, cinnamon, vanilla extract, honey, and maple syrup. Continue to cook and stir frequently.
  4. Stir in dried cranberries and dates.
  5. Top with vanilla soy milk. Serve with a side of sliced tomatoes.
  6. Serves 4.

Great additions!

  • For more protein, add tofu chunks, ham, or cottage cheese.
  • To get more fiber add fruits/veggies, such as chopped zucchini, shredded carrots (goes great with raisins), sliced asparagus, or pineapple chunks.
  • For something a little different, substitute ½ couscous or corn meal for ½ of the oatmeal.
  • Add shredded cheese, such as cheddar or asiago for added zip!
  • Add a dash of hot sauce to spice things up!

We love making new breakfast concoctions in the morning! Give it a try! Oatmeal for breakfast does not have to be boring or loaded with chemicals and sweeteners and can be eaten the Hauser Diet way!