Living from Scratch 03 - Microwave Oatmeal

I know it's been a while since my last post, and without any warning or anything, so I apologize! 

For those of you that don't know, I run this blog solely from my 3G on my iphone4... Which isn't horrible or anything  but is also not the easiest set up. 

The Living from Scratch series is a little out of order now but at least I'm getting stuff posted. 

So here's a post about oatmeal. 

Microwave oatmeal is great, it's fast and fun and (older) kids can even make it themselves. But again it's one of those things that you're not always sure of the ingredients, and it's not always very cost effective. There's also a limited number if flavors. 

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the app Snapguide. You can access it through your computer but its a slightly different setup, however you can still access all the great guides. 

A while back I found this awesome guide on *making* microwave oatmeal by Lucy Hundall (link will be posted at the bottom of the post). 

I took her basic recipe and expanded it a little. I've also thought of a million ways to add too it, but this time didn't have a lot if what I'd like to have shown you. 

**************************************************

::::Here's the basic recipe::::

1/3c oats (I use 1minute quick oats)

1tsp brown sugar

1/4tsp cinnamon

Add all ingredients to a Baggie, label and store.

When ready to eat, follow these directions. 

-pour contents into bowl

-add 2/3c water or milk

-microwave 1minute

-stir

-microwave one minute more

-enjoy

**************************************************

You'll also need some ziplocking baggies, a storage container and your measuring utensils. 

Here I've added a few more flavorings and dried fruit. The combinations are endless. 

Some great addins are flax or chia seeds, protein powder, coconut flake, chocolate chips etc. 

For a fruit and cream flavor, use white sugar, dry milk powder and dried fruit. 

Set up your bags by folding over the ziplocking part and flattening the bottom. If you'd like you can also stand them up in cups. I started with 10 but eventually made 14. 

 

Oats into the bag.

Add your other ingredients, I made a variety of flavors: blueberry, cinnamon rains, chocolate, pumpkin pie and cinnamon and brown sugar, I added a mixed fruit combo later also. 

Roll them up and label them.

Store in an appropriate container. 

Label with the instructions. Abs that's it. It actually took me longer to write this blog than it did to make the oatmeal packs. 

A few ways to make it a bit healthier:

-Leave out the sugar and add honey or agave after microwaving. 

-Use yogurt instead of milk or water. 

-Use alternative milks, like almond milk. 

-add nuts or seeds. 

Well I hope you liked this easy recipe for cutting costs and eating healthier. I always have these things in my house anyway, all I did was add then to a bag, which I also always have, so this did not cost me anything more that what I was already spending during my regular grocery shopping. 

The fruit I used in this I dried myself also, so yay for homemade!

Leave a comment with your ideas or questions and thanks for reading! 

**the original idea for this came from Lucy Hundall, through snapguide. http://snapguide.com/guides/make-homemade-microwave-oatmeal**