Old Fashioned Banana Nut Oatmeal

I have a great breakfast for you today. While I am not crazy about all breakfast foods, oatmeal is one that I love. In my mind it's the perfect breakfast for a fall or winter morning. It is so warm and filling and just has that stick-to-your-ribs kinda feeling. I have been hungry for oatmeal lately and been looking at all differnt variations so I'm sure I'll be sharing them with you.

The first that I decided to try was Old Fashioned Banana Nut Oatmeal. We love banana bread in our house so it seemed only fitting to be the first to try. Although it was a tough decision because I have found several that I can't wait to try!

To this recipe I added 2 Tbps milled flax seed. This is completely optional but I usually have it on hand so I added it. It adds not only an extra nutritional boost but adds excellent nutty flavor to the oatmeal.

What is flaxseed you may ask? Well, it comes from the flax plant which is an annual herb. Some consider it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There is evidence that it may reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.  While it has all sorts of healthy componets it's best known for three: 1) Omega 3s- the 'good fats'. Just one tablespoon has 3800 mg of ALNA which is the primary Omega 3. That is 10 times as much as most fish oil capsules!!! 2) Lignans- which have antioxidant qualities 3) Fiber - it contains both soluble and insoluble types. We use the milled flaxseed because it's easier for our bodies to absorb the nutirents. We add it to cereals, soups, salads, muffins, cakes, etc.

Old Fashioned  Banana Nut Oatmeal
Adapted from My Wooden Spoon

3 C milk
3 Tbsp packed brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 C Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 C mashed banana  (2 medium- ripe bananas)
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 Tbsp milled flaxseed (optional)
Pecan pieces (optional)

In saucepan, bring milk, brown sugar, and spices to a gentle boil; stir in oats. Return to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Cook 1 minute for quick oats, 5 minutes for old fashioned oats, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Remove oatmeal from heat. Stir in mashed bananas, flaxseed, vanilla and pecans.


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