{Steel-cut Oats}

I must admit, my dad makes the best steel-cut oat concoction. He has been making it for at least five years now. I LOVE when he visits or when we go to visit them b/c he makes this for us a few times. Not only this, but he makes a wonderful egg concoction too! I swear, he was a chef in another life. My oats just don't compare to my dad's. Part of it is b/c he puts a lot of TLC into making it. You think i put TLC into my cooking? Well, you should meet my dad. :) Anyway, i learned how to put this together from him. :) There are many things he puts in his oats that i don't have in mine. We have been eating steel-cut oats around here for a few years. We love em! Also, just so you know, steel-cut oats are so much better for you than regular oatmeal. They contain double the fiber and protein of that of regular oats. Yup. AND they taste BETTER! :) It does take more time, but it's worth it.

Directions:

About half way through the process of letting your steel-cut oats simmer, when you notice it's starting to thicken, i throw in raisins, chopped apples, and walnuts. By doing this, It allows the raisins to get juicy and plump and it also lets the apples get a little soft. When i notice my oats are just about done i throw in about a tablespoon of flaxseed, which is also AWESOME for you and i also put some honey in it. Use honey for a sweetener instead of sugar. You don't need any sugar as long as you get a raisin in each bite. The raisins are so sweet allowing you to feel like there is sugar already in it. So yummy! One tip: Cook your steel-cut oats until the water disappears and it's kind of creamy, not too thick or dry. You can eat your steel-cut oats however thick or creamy you want. This is just the way i like mine. :)

ENJOY! This is a great kick-start breakfast for your day! Breakfast is the most important meal of your day and by eating a breakfast full of fiber and protein it will curb your cravings for sweets later in the day. Not only that, but protein and fiber keep you full longer. So by avoiding simple carbs and sugars for breakfast your are avoiding being hungry nearly 1 1/2 hours later! Your body will love you for this!