10 ways to make oatmeal...

Everyone's heard the hype about oatmeal... high in fiber, low in calories, high in satiation... and oatmeal has gotten popular again with the kiddos with Quaker Mix Ins and other similar varieties... but here's what you should do, for your health and your budget. Make your own!

Since I am unsure I could actually rank my top ten, I will list all my favorites in no particular order except possibly how they enter my brain.

All you need is a 1/3 cup of Old Fashioned Oats - they have a little more nutrients than quick cooking oats and are generally less expensive, but you can still make them in the microwave! 1/3 cup of oats only has 100 calories!

1. Banana, Raisin, Cinnamon, Peanut Butter Delight - Add half a banana and 1/2 tbsp. of The Peanut Butter Co. Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter to 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal. Total Calories = 200. If you want it a little sweeter add Splenda or real sugar but it will add to your calories.

2. Triple Berry with Honey - Add 2 sliced strawberries, 10 blueberries, 5 raspberries and 1/2 tablespoon of honey to 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal. Total calories = 150.

3. Pumpkin Pie - Add 1/2 cup pure canned pumpkin, 1/2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice, baking Splenda or other artificial sweetener and 7 chopped almonds to 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal. Total calories = 200.

4. Baked Apples - Dice up one half of a small apple. Add raw apple, 1-2 tsp. cinnamon, and baking Splenda to 1/3 cup uncooked oatmeal. Total calories = 130.

5. Chocolate Peanut Butter - Need a chocolate fix? Add 1 tbsp. of Nestle peanut butter and milk chocolate chips to 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal. Total calories = 170.

6. Maple Nut - Add 2 tbsp. sugar free maple syrup (should have 35 calories for 1/4 cup serving) and 7 chopped almonds to 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal. Total calories = 170.

7. Cinnamon Raisin - Add 15 raisins, 1-2 tsp. of cinnamon to 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal. Total calories = 120.

8. Apple Raisin Nut - Add 15 raisins, 1/2 small apple - diced, 7 chopped almonds, 1-2 tsp. cinnamon and Splenda to taste. Total calories = 200.

9. Honey Nut - Add 7 chopped almonds and 1 tbsp. honey to 1/3 cup cooked oatmeal. Total calories = 200.

10. Plain - Sometimes, you just want the taste of oatmeal. Add a few tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk and some Splenda and it's pure warmth. 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal = 150 calories.