Monkey Oatmeal

My husband bought me Hungry Girl's latest cookbook, 200 Under 200, for Christmas, and so far I really love it. It's full of great breakfast, lunch, and snack ideas that are actually filling but guiltless.


This yummy little oatmeal dish actually seemed like a treat! I think I may have used too much chocolate, though; I have only a canister and not individual packets. I followed the can's instructions for a single serving, but it seemed like a lot. I would definitely cut back next time.


As I'm sure you can imagine, Ryan was pretty sold on this breakfast from the title alone. I doubled it for the two of us, and he actually ended up eating more than I did! He has requested it several times since.


Ingredients

• 1/3 cup regular oatmeal (not instant)
• 1 25-calorie packet diet hot cocoa mix
• 1/2 medium-sized banana, squashed
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1 no-calorie packet Splenda
• dash salt

Pour hot cocoa mix into glass with cinnamon, sweetener, and salt. Add 1/4 cup hot water and stir thoroughly. Once cocoa has dissolved, add 1/4 cup cold water and stir. Place in refrigerator to chill (note: I totally skipped this step and it was fine). Combine with mashed banana and oats in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, and mix well. Microwave for 2 1/2-3 minutes. Give it a stir, and then allow oatmeal to cool and thicken.

Crockpot Apple Oatmeal

First off all, I'd like to introduce the newest member of our family:

For our 5th anniversary, my grandmother gave us some money and we used it to buy this beauty. I am so excited to be able to use the digital-ness (that is SO a word), plus be able to make larger portions. YAY!

(Any crockpot cookbook recommendations??)

The crock's maiden dish was a Creamy Apple Oatmeal from the expert herself - the Crockpot Lady.

I intended to use this for grab-and-go breakfasts for me and Ryan this week. It's pretty good, except that I had to add a TON more milk at the end because it was crazy dry.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup of oats
• 2 cups of milk
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 1 chopped apple
  

Add oats, chopped apple and milk to stoneware, and then put in brown sugar, vanilla and pinch of salt; stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for 2-3. Check consistency of oatmeal and add milk as needed; garnish with cinnamon.