Oatmeal

I have a slight addiction to oatmeal. Slight addiction as in eat it twice a day...every day. Like start my day and end my day with a big bowl of oatmeal. Hi, my name is Organic Amber and I am an oatmeal addict. I guess there could be worse things, right? My oat of choice is steel cut (a groat that has been chopped into three pieces utilizing a steel blade, the chewiest form). If you care to learn about the different types of oats click here. In our house, there are two ways we cook steel cut oats, one is on the stove and the second (my favorite) is in my beloved rice cooker. I love the fact that I can dump everything in, push a button, and voilà...when I come downstairs in the morning I have a big batch of hot oatmeal waiting for me! I like to "beef up" my oats with flax seed, wheat germ and chia seeds...talk about a bowl full of nutritional goodness. Want to jump on the oatmeal bandwagon with me? Check out the two recipes below and join me for a piping hot bowl of oatmeal tomorrow morning.

Steel Cut Oats (on the stove)

4 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup steel cut oats
4 cups water
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup chia seeds

Directions:

1. Add water to large pot and heat to boil.
2. Once water reaches rolling boil, add steel cut oats.
3. Return to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes stirring frequently.
4. Once oatmeal reaches creamy texture and the thickness you desire, remove from heat.
5. Add wheat germ, flaxseed and chia seeds, stir until mixed thoroughly.
6. When ready to eat, top with your choice of berries, nut butters, cinnamon, brown sugar, nuts, or whatever your heart desires.

Steel Cut Oats (in the rice cooker)

4 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup steel cut oats
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup chia seeds
4 cups water

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to rice cooker in order above, stir to combine.
2. Set rice cooker to porridge setting.
3. Once cooking cycle is complete, stir generously to be sure the ingredients are combined thorougly.
4. When ready to eat, top with your choice of berries, nut butters, cinnamon, brown sugar, nuts, or whatever your heart desires.

P.S. I put everything in the rice cooker the night before and use the timer setting programmed to cook them early in the morning before I wake up.

Hi, I am Organic Amber (OA)...nice to meet you.

Hello, I am Amber, known as ‘Organic Amber (OA)’ among my friends and loved ones. You are probably thinking by my name, that everything I do is organic. A lot is, but it is about a lot more than just being organic. It is about health...about doing the best you can with the means and knowledge you have and letting the rest go. It is about living a healthier life in the manner or manners that interest you. The manner that talks to your soul, the one that makes you say, "shit ya, I feel good." Strive each and every day to be the best you...the green juice drinking, organic apple eating, whole food you. But if you don't like apples, don't eat them. If you love apples but don't care that apples have the highest pesticide residue = carcinogenic = cancer causing residue....eat them. Matter of fact, eat lots of them...eat a dozen if you want, but you may want to think about drinking warm lemon water in the morning, or eating beets, or dry brushing (say what??). It is about education, knowledge, passion and being the best version of you possible. I live by the 80/20 rule. 80%of the time I try...I try to eat things that I know nourish my body, feed my soul and enable me to feel good about being me. The other 20% of the time, I drink beer (i love a good ipa), and do things that may not be considered so OA. But I don't beat myself up over it...I don't even think twice about it, well maybe twice but definitely not three times. I have created this space to share what I have learned, to invite you on my journey as I continue to learn and explore making small changes in my life and my family's life that enable us to (hopefully) live a healthier, longer, more enjoyable one. Hang around for awhile, you just may learn something.

P.S. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be perfect. But what I am is an ordinary human trying to make my life, my family's life and the lives of those around me a tad bit healthier. I have found things that work for us, some you may not agree with. But please don't judge...I won't judge you, you don't judge me...deal?