oatmeal – Trading Paper Crowns

My lovely breakfast at work. 1/2 cup oats & craisins.

Like Goldie Locks and the three bears – eating porridge is pretty good for you!

Well, alright – oatmeal in this case. Nothing says ‘healthy’ like a big bowl of piping hot oats in the morning.

You might think it is bland – but you really can jazz it up with fruits and toppings.

Try dumping craisins into the mix (my fav) before you microwave it. Or how about adding fresh blueberries or brown sugar? The choices are really limitless. What about peanut butter for a creamy taste?

If you are gluten free, you can dig in to oatmeal! But, stick to the natural oatmeal {not the prepackaged kind}.

A recent study of adults with wheat allergies has shown that oats, despite the small amount of gluten they contain, are well-tolerated.

Oats have some great health benefits and will help keep weight gain at bay…

Oatmeal contains loads of fiber. That means that your tummy will feel fuller longer. So, you are not reaching for that snack at 10am. You can keep those hunger pangs away! These thick oats wills stick to your stomach – and you have its insoluble fiber to thank for that!

It will lower your cholesterol. MayoClinic.com recommends oatmeal as one of the top five foods to eat to improve your cholesterol numbers. So, if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol – dive in to hot bowl oatmeal.

Reduce the risk of breast cancer. A study conducted in the UK found that pre-menopausal women reduced their risk of developing breast cancer by 41 percent just by eating fiber from whole grains. The insoluble fiber is said to attack carcinogens as well as lower levels of estrogen in the body – which protects the body from the development of cancer cells.

Curb Inflammation in the body. Lab tests show that antioxidants in oats have anti-inflammatory properties. So, if you feel a little bloated, eat a ½ cup of oatmeal. Maybe it’s the lack of sugar in these little oats of power – but swapping this for your favorite sugary cereal will make you feel less puffy and more fit.

Pancakes warm your soul. I think I should trademark that as a quote. I love experimenting with various recipes to find the perfect gluten free pancake. I think I might have discovered it. These pancakes were not only filling – they were wholesome.

I felt like I was on a farm, sitting at the wooden, crude table with a glass of milk and silky bonnet on – eating breakfast before having to milk the cow!

These were fresh and mouthwatering good. I can’t remember the last time I had wheat – but honestly, I would choose these sweet pancakes over Ihop any day of the week or weekend!

You will need: 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats, 1/2 cup gluten free vanilla whey protein powder, 2 tsp. baking powder, ¼ tsp. baking soda, ¼ tsp. sea salt, 4 tbsp. coconut oil melted, 2 cage free egg, 3 tbsp. agave nectar, and 1 cup skim milk (or almond, coconut, soy).

These are simple and easy to make. In one mixing bowl, place all the dry ingredients – oats, whey protein powder, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt. Gently sift this mixture together.

In a separate bowl, add all the wet ingredients. Crack in the eggs, melted coconut oil, agave nectar and skim milk. Mix this up pretty well. Pour the dry mixture in with the wet and stir it up.

This will create your batter. On a frying pan – grease it with coconut oil (just a tablespoon). And spoon out the pancake mix (like you would with regular batter!) Flip for perfection – so it’s gold on both sides.

Bonus: to keep the pancakes warm, heat your oven to about 200 and line a cookie sheet with foil. After each pancake is done on the skillet – place them in the warm oven – and serve hot with a little light syrup!