Oatmeal with Dates

Oatmeal with Dates & Walnuts from bonapetit.com

Recently, I have been trying new food groups which is a good tradition and good for you. I am finding everywhere that what was once old is now new again.  Not long ago, I read a book called "Thrive"  by Brendan Brazier. In it, he describes "The Vegan Nutrition Guide for Optimal Performance in Sports and Life." To my surprise, a lot of these facts I learned as a child from my mom and dad. I now have a clear view of how smart, energetic and stress-free my ancestors were.

Here, I share with you my oatmeal recipe. It is simple, quick and fulfilling.

Ingredients:

		Chopped almonds
		Pitted Chopped Dates without Sugar
		Dried Cranberries
1/2	Cup	Apple, chopped
		Fresh Blueberries
		Walnuts, chopped
		Instant Plain Original Organic Oatmeal,
		no flavor & without sugar
1/2	Cup	Water or Milk

How to Prepare:

1. Empty contents from single serving packet into a bowl. 
2. Add half a cup of milk of your choice.
3. Add any or all of the ingredients listed above with dates.
4. Microwave for one or one and half minutes.
5. Enjoy! 

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment! I love to hear from my readers!

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This Week's Healthy Tip

The Health Benefits of Oatmeal

From care2.com

1. Low calorie food; stops cravings.

A cup is only 130 calories!  It also stays in your stomach longer, making you feel full longer.  You will have less hunger and cravings.

2. Provides high levels of fiber, low levels of fat, and high levels of protein.

It’s on the short list for the highest protein levels of any grain.

3. Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces risk of diabetes (type 2)

The high fiber and complex carbohydrates slow down the conversion of this whole food to simple sugars. The high levels of magnesium nourish the body’s proper use of glucose and insulin secretion.

4. Removes your bad cholesterol (without affecting your good cholesterol).

Many studies have shown that the unique fiber in oatmeal called beta-glucan, has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels

5. Gluten-free safe.

I am gluten sensitive and have no problem with oatmeal.  If you are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease there is some cause for concern. Oats lack many of the prolamines (proteins) found in wheat (gluten) but oats do contain avenin.  Avenin is a prolamine that is considered toxic to the intestinal mucosa of avenin-sensitive individuals.  Oats can also contain gluten from nearby wheat field contamination and processing facilities.  Many studies have shown that many celiacs can consume wheat free oats with no problems.

6. Contains lignans which protect against heart disease and cancer.

Oatmeal, like many whole grains, contains plant lignans, which are converted by intestinal flora into mammalian lignans.  One lignan, called enterolactone, is thought to protect against breast and other hormone-dependent cancers as well as heart disease.

7. Contains unique antioxidants beneficial for heart disease.

A study at Tufts University shows that the unique antioxidants in oatmeal called called avenanthramides, help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

8. Protects against heart failure.

A Harvard  study on 21,000 participants over 19 years showed that found that men who enjoyed a daily morning bowl of whole grain (but not refined) cereal had a 29 percent lower risk of heart failure.

Guess what grain is most easily found and prepared unrefined – oats.

9.  Enhances immune response to disease. The unique fiber in oatmeal called beta-gluten also has been shown to helps neutrophils travel to the site of an infection more quickly and  it also enhances their ability to eliminate the bacteria they find there

10. It tastes GOOD!

All oats whether in flakes or groats form have gone through a heat process which gives them their rich nutty flavor.  This keeps them from spoiling. They have also been hulled.  This process does not strip away all the bran and germ allowing them to retain a concentrated source of  fiber and nutrients .

This means however, that oats are not raw and will not sprout.