I am going to start off with a most cliched line..”It seems yesterday ” but then here I am with my 50th post! I started into this journey of food blogging, thanks to many wonderful bloggers out there, keeping my fingers crossed, wondering if I would be noticed, apprehensive if I will be given that much needed boost…But I realize now that I need not have been. I have made one hell of a bunch of talented ppl as friends and if at all, I look back and think, is it 3 months already, the credit goes to you all More to come from me…

Oats are perhaps the most nutritious of all the grains. A quick gist on Oats is as below

1. Oat Bran helps to reduce blood cholesterol when taken regularly with dramatic results
2. Oats are fiber rich. They contain Vit E and some B Vit, as well as iron, calcium,magnesium,phosphorous and potassium.

Oats are available rolled,flakes, as oatmeal and oatbran. Whole oats are unprocessed, so their nutritious bran and germ remain intact. Oat groats are the hulled whole kernel while rolled oats are made from groats that have been heated and pressed flat. Quick Cooking rolled oats have been pre-cooked in water and then dried which diminishes their nutritional value.

Tips and Usage

1. Medium Oatmeal is best in cakes and Breads
2. Fine oats are good for pancakes, and fruits and milk shakes.
3. Oat flour is gluten free and has to be mixed with other flours that contain gluten to make leavened bread.
4. Oat Bran can be sprinkled over breakfast cereals and mixed to make smoothies.

“Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. ”
—- Adelle Davis

How true is that. Nothing beats the feeling of having a fulfilling breakfast ( read: Not heavy but filling )- a breakfast so rich in nutrients that it makes us feel, in one word, Healthy. I am among those who try to take the food pyramid very seriously and try to incorporate the same studiously in day to day meals. Talking so much about Oats would have made it obvious that the recipe that I am going to post is with Oats ( duh! ). My simple and healthy recipe is Oats Porridge with dried fruits and apple.

Beyond the usual need for a good diet it is equally important to make sure that enough vitamin and minerals are taken. Many of the required nutrients can be found in dried fruit. Apple a Day keeps the doctor away was not said without a reason and also rolled Oats helps to strengthen the nerves, help prevent *insomnia and reduce the effect of sudden mood changes produced by hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy. Combine all of it together and You have a complete package.

Method

Heat a pan and spray Butter flavored PAM spray generously ( thats to cut out the butter ). Add rolled oats and stir for 2-3 min.

Now add dried fruits, milk and water and let it come to a boil.

3.Add cinnamon and simmer till soft and mushy.

Switch off. Now either you can refrigerate for a while or then straightaway add the chopped apples and mix it thoroughly.

5. Mostly there is sweetness from dried fruits,cinnamon and apples. But if you want to add some more, reach out for the healthier Maple Syrup instead of Sugar. I assure you that you won’t find a difference and a little will go a long way.

( The above was taken today early morning with the sun’s first rays creeping through our window while I was pouring out my maple syrup on my porridge )

Now wasn’t that simple. A complete health Package in matter of less than 10min..What better way is there to start a day!

This is my contribution to :

• Lathamma of Yum Blog for AFAM – Dry fruits
• Sunita’s Think Spice – Cinnamon Event
• Marta’s Fresh Produce Of the Month – Apples Event
• Ec’s Food During Pregnancy Event

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