We are going to talk about oatmeal this morning. Oatmeal is not very photogenic - I just want to get that out of the way up front.
I know in order for me to succeed at any weightloss effort it has to be easy. I can't be whipping up a salad with ten ingredients for lunch or standing over a stove first thing in the morning.
In order to address breakfast I thought I would get Trader Joe's frozen steel cut oatmeal to have on hand. I wanted to find out the nutritional information first (in case they were loaded with sugar or syrups) and while I was searching the interwebs I came across this blog post:
http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2011/11/oatmeal-freezer-pucks.html
Now is that genius or what?
Basically you just make your oatmeal and then freeze it in a muffin tin. I made six servings of oatmeal and it divided up perfectly among the six muffins in a large muffin tin. I froze it over night and them popped them out of tin.
I have a Food Saver gizmo but if you are going to be eating them within a week I think ziplock bags would work just fine.
You can pull them out of the freezer when ever you want and heat them in a bowl in the microwave. I microwaved mine for 2 minutes 45 seconds (stirring after two minutes) but depending on your microwave it make take more or less time.
I used regular rolled oats (not instant) but you could do this with steel cut oatmeal as well.
(See what I mean - not a very glamourous food shot, is it?)
Well........I think it's a great idea, and I intend to give this a go myself. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kathleen | January 04, 2012 at 11:33 PM
You can do the old fashoned oatmeal in a large measuring cup (I think I use a 4 cup pyrex one as it kind of foams up while cooking) - one cup water, 1/4 cup oatmeal, microwave for 2 1/2 minutes and it is done and fresh every morning. Sometimes I add raisins before I cook it. A little brown sugar Splenda and skim milk and you are all set! Seems easier than freezing it...
Posted by: Audrey | January 05, 2012 at 07:17 AM
Hmmm, that's an interesting idea. I think it would be a great idea for a young family who is always so busy on school mornings. Now that you've done it for a couple of days, what do you think?
Posted by: Christine Thomas | January 05, 2012 at 07:25 AM
Hi! I just found your blog via your sister's! And I think your oatmeal idea is genius! I am going to have to try it! :O) Can't wait to check out your blog! Looks like fun!!! :O)
Posted by: Bari Jo | January 06, 2012 at 03:00 PM
Oops, I made an error in my directions in my last comment. You need to put in 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Oats with 1 cup of water!
Posted by: Audrey | January 07, 2012 at 04:23 AM