So for various reasons, I am relatively careful about what I eat. Partially because of health issues in older members of my family, but more because what I eat tends to affect my mental health. So meals at regular times, try not to skip meals, and try to eat healthy meals that won’t spike my blood sugar. And as we’ve all been told a million times, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to take the time in the morning.

Last year a discovered a recipe that’s pretty near perfect–as long as I remember to prepare it the night before. Irish oatmeal requires a relatively long cooking time–unless you soak it in milk. So some time between dinner and bed we put everything together, when we get up we put the tea kettle and the oatmeal on low, and by the time we’re dressed and together, breakfast is ready.

Irish Oatmeal – makes 2 servings
1/4 cup Irish/steel cut oats
1 tbsp wheat germ
1 tbsp chopped walnuts/pecans
1 tbsp chopped dates (when I can find them)
ground flax seed
dash kosher salt
ground cinnamon
1 1/8 to 1 1/4 cup milk (I used 1%)

Put everything into a small pot and place into fridge.

In the morning, place pot (uncovered) on stove on lowest setting. Stir every time you walk by. After 15-20 minutes, it should be thickened. If not, turn the heat up, stirring more frequently, and after at boils for a minute or two, should be done.

Serve with a spoonful of brown sugar and/or maple syrup.

So what about all the other stuff besides the oats?
Wheat germ – Vitamin E and Folic Acid
Flax seed – Omega 3 fatty acids
Dates – Calcium, iron and potassium, and vitamin A, B and C + yummy
Cinnamon – Good for blood sugar levels + yummy
Walnuts – Omega 3 fatty acids + yummy