Hello February, also known as National Heart Health month. I was inspired by this post and thought I would take this timely opportunity to brush up on my oatmeal eating habits. I'm not as organized as they are, but I will eat oatmeal for at least one meal each day of the month. Did you know that oatmeal...
- Contains a special strand of fiber called beta-glucan that helps to reduce cholesterol by up to 23% and the risk of heart disease by 50% if you eat a small bowl every day!
- This fiber strand also helps to pump up our immune system.
- Special antioxidants in oatmeal, avenanthramides, protects our bodies good cholesterol which lowers our chances for cardiovascular disease.
- Prevents mid-afternoon crashes by helping to stabilize our blood sugar throughout the day.
- Contains high amounts of magnesium which helps our body properly use glucose and secrete insulin. This can drastically decrease your chances of developing type 2 diabetes!
- The fiber from the whole grains in oatmeal can protect women from breast cancer by up to 41%.
- Oatmeal is gluten friendly! Although it contains small amounts, in studies it has been tolerated by those with celiacs.
Why not eat a bowl? It's so good for you and your heart! Joe and I will just be starting off with plain oatmeal and oatmeal with brown sugar sprinkled on the top, but does anyone else have any great oatmeal recipes or tricks? We are open to trying anything!
2 comments:
My new favorite snack is this granola recipe with a few chocolate chips. I have a big bowl on my counter and grab a handful throughout the day. Love it!
Peanut Butter Granola
Ingredients:
Makes four ¼ c servings
2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp. honey
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. oats
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Combine peanut butter and honey in a bowl and microwave until peanut butter melts (approximately 20 seconds). Stir.
Stir cinnamon and vanilla into peanut butter and honey mixture. Add oats and stir until oats are completely covered in peanut butter mixture. Spread out oat mixture onto prepared cookie sheet and bake for 7 -8 minutes until granola is slightly browned. Let cool until granola is crunchy.
how's this going? you still eating a bowl a day?! I am impressed. And this post makes me want oatmeal right now.
Here are some recipe ideas I like:
1. brown sugar and banana slices.
2. chopped granny smith apple chunks, cranberries, and cinnamon/brown sugar. (cook the fruit in)
3. top it with blueberries & walnuts
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