I first started eating oatmeal out of the little microwaved flavoured packages. But those things are loaded with artificial sweetners and sugar! So, in an effort to make it a little healthier, I started buying plain quick cooking oats, and mixed in my own sweetners. For me, at the time, that meant adding brown sugar and chocolate chips.
Still, I wanted to eliminate the refined sugar from my breakfast. Brown sugar and chocolate chips may taste yummy, but they really do nothing nutritionally for my body. So I started incorporating fresh fruit. Adding in some pure maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg, I realized there's really no need for refined sugar or chocolate chips at all! This breakfast is sweet enough. Add in a little bit of pure vanilla and some crushed walnut pieces, and it's like a mini dessert. Bye-Bye empty calories from brown sugar and chocolate chips!
For my breakfast I used peaches because they are currently in season. But you could use any fruit of your choice, really. Apples would also go really well with the cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. If you decide to use peaches like I did, a really easy way to peel them is to blanch them. | To do this, put fresh peaches in a pot of boiling water for 30 seconds. Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water for 30 seconds. After that, use a paring knife to peel the peaches. The peelings will come off very easily. This works best with very ripe peaches. |
Directions:
Protein Option: If you want to round out your meal and add in some protein, add a tbsp or two of plain Greek yogurt, or enjoy your meal with a fresh glass of whole milk. |