It’s a rarity that when I wake up on weekdays, I eat breakfast at home. I run out of the house in a rush and I usually have a cup of coffee at my desk when I arrive. Breakfast is some kind of a ‘nutritious’ cereal (I call it “sticks and twigs) or a yogurt. And while they’re both good for me and tasty, I kind of want something even less processed.

From early childhood days, I’ve been a huge oatmeal fan. I would lace mine with raisins and honey and sprinkle liberal amounts of cinnamon. Sometimes I would get creative and put berries or bananas in it. And when I was sick, I would just eat it plain – its texture gave me comfort and filled up my belly.

Well, KS has been buying us an oatmeal blend that I like to call oatmeal-with-a-kick, or oatmeal-plus – because not only do you get oatmeal, but also barley, flax seeds, triticale and rye. How’s that for a hot cereal? Five grains to give you sustenance, nutrition and energy. It takes 6 minutes on a stove (not including time to boil the water) and it’s delicious. It tastes even better than regular, steel-cut oatmeal, because the other grains make it more filling, more feels-good-for-you kind of a sensation. I love eating it and it makes me feel really good afterwards.

And on weekends when we go to the gym in the mornings, I don’t leave my workouts ravenous. KS tells me this is because the carbs we’re consuming are slow burning – those with a lower glycemic load – and he’s probably right. These grains feel more “meaty” than “carby” if that makes any sense to you.

While KS likes to dress his oatmeal up with maple syrup, raisins and nuts, I am enjoying pears on mine at the moment. I add a little maple syrup to give it some sweetness and sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top. And as fall drops temperatures further, a warm breakfast will be something of a must!

1 3/4 cups water
1/4 tsp of salt (optional)
1 cup oatmeal
1 pear, thinly sliced
1 tsp maple syrup
Dash of cinnamon

Boil water and salt together, add oatmeal and cook over low heat, stirring frequently for 6 minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately garnished with sliced pear, maple syrup and cinnamon. Enjoy!

Makes 2 servings.

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