This post got an update on 11/4/21

I do apologize for my lack of posts lately. April is my busiest time of year at work. There is a lot of planning and management that I do for our biggest volunteer event of the year, and that’s on top of my normal work duties. Although I cook just as often, getting the photos and recipes together is a challenge when I’m short on time.

Oatmeal: Wholesome Energy

Something that keeps me sane during all this craziness is exercising regularly. I would not have enough energy to exercise if it were not for good, wholesome breakfasts. I get up pretty early, have breakfast, putter around and read, and then set off for a run or a bike ride. I think I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I absolutely love oats, and that if I were an animal, I would probably be a horse so I could eat oats all the time. I could have them every morning for breakfast, and I often do in the form of granola or oatmeal or oatmeal bread. My latest oat recipe that makes me swoon is Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal. It. Is. So. Good. There’s something about the combination of peanut butter and bananas that wins me over, and then when you add in oats, it’s the best.

Choosing Wholesome Ingredients

I like to get fair trade bananas which ensures that the workers in other countries who harvest the bananas get paid a fair wage. Bananas are so cheap to begin with that the fair trade version is still affordable.Bananas are a rich source of potassium, which helps maintain normal blood pressure and heart function. Bananas may also help your body absorb calcium.

For peanut butter, it’s best to choose a brand that has no added oils or sugars. Just peanuts and salt. Peanut butter is a source of healthy fat, which helps regulate your appetite and keep you full for longer. Peanut butter is a good source of protein when combined with whole grains, such as oats. It is full of heart healthy fats, vitamin E, and niacin (a type of B vitamin that helps convert food into energy). If you can’t do peanuts, just choose another nut butter that you like.

Oats can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease, and they’re packed with fiber. However, oats should be soaked overnight first in order to reduce the phytates and make the nutrients more available to your body. It’s important to always eat soaked oatmeal with healthy fats such as grass fed butter, raw cream, or raw yogurt. This helps the body absorb the nutrients present in oatmeal.

When to Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

I like to make this breakfast when I plan to go for a long run or have a big day ahead of me. It’s filling and it lasts, so I don’t get hungry an hour later. Another plus for runners: it’s packed with enough fiber to get you ready for the big race, if you know what I mean.

This is also a great recipe to make for company. A big pot of warm oatmeal is cheap and filling, and the peanut butter and banana make it it special enough to serve to guests.

Ok, enough about nutrition. Try out this recipe, and taste how good it is!

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time.

Rebekah

Other Delicious Oat Breakfasts

Low Histamine Almond Cookies: Are they cookies, or are they breakfast? You decide. These Low Histamine Almond Cookies can please anyone, whether they have a histamine intolerance or not.
Perfect Overnight Oatmeal: A classic version, with raisins, cinnamon, and cream.
Maple and Olive Oil Granola: Another crowd favorite, this granola is perfect with raw yogurt and fresh or dried fruit.

Rebekah Kuk