Get your antioxidants here!

Just finished shoveling what looks like about a foot or more of snow. The thermometer says -1 and with the wind chill all I can say is DAMN it’s cold out there!

Blueberry & pomegranate oatmeal. The trick is cooking the oats in some Pom! Boy is it yummy!!

Blueberry Oatmeal with Toasted Coconut

I try not to eat “out of season” but the blueberries at the market were screaming my name today!

Ginger Snap Oatmeal

With that cold sting in the air I needed the heat of ginger! I also wanted some creaminess so this morning I topped with a little yogurt and some crystallized ginger!

I’m putting together more traditionally laid out recipes but here’s the gist of today’s oatmeal.

GingerSnap Oatmeal:  Serves 1

• 1/2 C. Oatmeal*
• 1 C.  Apple cider
• About a 1/4 tsp. of each: ginger, cinnamon & coca powder
• About an 1/8 tsp. of cloves
• 1 tsp. Molasses
• Crystalized ginger for garnish and for inside the oatmeal if you want a really gingery  kick!

Method:

• Bring the cider, spices, cocoa and molasses to a boil.
• Stir in the oats and cook for 5 minutes, stirring enough to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• I like my oatmeal “al dente” so I keep cooking till most of the moisture has been absorbed.
• Top with a Tbs. of plain or vanilla yogurt and a scattering of chopped crystalized ginger.

*Note: I use Quaker rolled oats because I’m on a budget but feel free to use your favorite brand and cook longer if required

Five Spiced Pear Oatmeal

Five Spiced Pear Oatmeal:  Serves 1

• 1/2 C. Oatmeal*
• 1 C.  Pear Juice**
• 1/2 tsp. Chinese 5-spice powder (less if you like a lighter flavor)
• 2 Tbs. Roasted Pear, diced
• Garnish: Roasted pear, dash of 5-spice powder (I also added some toasted walnuts and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds for added crunch)

Method:

• Bring the juice, spice, and diced pear to a boil
• Stir in the oats and cook for 5 minutes, stirring enough to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan
• I like my oatmeal “al dente” so I keep cooking till most of the moisture has been absorbed.
• Top with the roasted pear, 5-spice powder and anything else that makes your oatmeal uniquely yours!

Notes: *I use Quaker rolled oats because I’m on a budget but feel free to use your favorite brand and cook longer if required.  **When buying fruit juices to cook with you want them to be as natural as possible. Sometimes I make my own by pureeing fruit that’s in season and ripe and blending it with water till it’s the consistency I want.