Dr. Michelle Jorgensen

When my kids were little, we made oatmeal every day for breakfast.

Every day!

At the time we had a woman that came to our home to help with the little ones during the day, and she was amazed that my kids would eat it. I always wondered what was so bad about oatmeal that some kids don’t like it…

This has always been a mission of mine- to teach kids about good food.

It started with my mom.

She fed us “adult food” and then complained that we never wanted to eat from the kid’s menu at restaurants!

My kids were the same.

People ask how I got so lucky to have kids that aren’t picky and that will eat anything I cook. Quite, simply, it’s not luck…it’s hard work and consistency and commitment.

One of my favorite things to ask is, “do you think Chinese kids like Chinese food…?”

Of course the answer is yes! Why do they like it? Because it’s the food and the flavors they have been fed since they were old enough to eat.

Your family will eat what you feed them. It’s that simple.

If you have been offering processed foods (breakfast cereal and other things that come in boxes and bags), they are full of three things that are quite addictive

1. Sugar

2. Fat

3. Salt

Taste buds raised on sugar, fat, and salt will grow to love those things and will taste bland and boring or downright yucky.

Right now, I encourage you to start cooking real food.

Use a baking tray to toast nuts and seeds for a healthy and delicious addition to your meals.

You have the time, it certainly can help your wallet, and it will help your immune system be stronger.

Will everyone like it from day one? Maybe not, but there are ways to make real, healthy food taste great as well.

I’ve included a recipe for oatmeal that we have been using for years. It’s simple, and you can make it taste great. You can also use wheat, rye, buckwheat, rice, amaranth and other grains for a delicious, nutritious hot cereal.

I have a box that is commonly used for spices in Indian cooking called a “Tiffin Box”. I have one for Indian spices, but I turned the second box into a “topping” box for oatmeal and other hot cereals.

You can find it here on Amazon: Tiffin Box for Toppings

I have little cups full of Raisins, Craisins, Sunflower seeds, Coconut shreds, Cinnamon, Ginger, and Cardamom.

Each family member can choose to spice their cereal the way they like. We top it with coconut or almond milk and a little real maple syrup.

Yum!  I dare that box of cereal to top that!

Have a great day and make sure to start your morning off right!

Love,

Dr. Michelle Jorgensen

Living Well with Dr. Michelle

Morning Hot Cereal With Seeds and Nuts

Recipe by Dr. Michelle Jorgensen

Course: Breakfast     /         Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Old Fashioned rolled Oats (or other grain- cooking time will vary)

• 2 Cup Water

• Dash of salt

• Toppings

  • Fresh or dried fruits (banana, berries, apple, raisins, craisins, coconut)

  • Nuts and seeds (Almonds, walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. You can also do any nut butter or seed butter)

  • Spices (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, ginger)

  • Sweetener (maple syrup, honey)

  • Milk (coconut, almond, hemp, rice)

Instructions

• Heat the water and salt until it reaches a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium.

• Add oatmeal, stirring constantly to prevent it from boiling over.

• Cook in Medium-Low, stirring every minute until cooked and thick. It will take about 5 minutes.

• Serve with toppings and enjoy!

  

Notes

When I make the oatmeal I usually just leave it on the stove and let each person go and dish their oatmeal up and add their own individual toppings.