Time to Feed the Machine

With the kids finally out of school and summer holidays just creeping around the corner, you're going to need a lot more energy to get through your days. One of the Health industry's staples for breakfast is oatmeal, but personally, I find oatmeal quite boring. That was until berries and walnuts took over my bowl and kept me going until the wee hours of the afternoon.

We all underestimate how important a hearty breakfast is, especially with our training picking up (marathoners and halfers). You need your carbs to keep your energy up, especially on those weekend long runs. Here's a recipe that'll keep you and your followers going all day (picked up from my new favorite blog enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com).

"Amped up Oatmeal":
1 cup 1% lowfat milk (or soy, rice or almond milk)
1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup quick OR old fashioned oats, uncooked
1 medium-size ripe banana, mashed (about 3/4 cup)
1 and 1/2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
1 tablespoon dried cranberries or blueberries
Optional: lowfat vanilla yogurt

In a small saucepan, bring milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon to a simmer (watch carefully); stir in oats. Return to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Cook 1 minute for quick oats, 5 minutes for old fashioned oats, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.Remove oatmeal from heat. Stir in mashed banana, flaxseed and vanilla.

Spoon oatmeal into two bowls. Top with nuts, dried fruit and (if desired) vanilla yogurt. Makes 2 servings.

Nutrition per Serving (1/2 of the oatmeal):
Calories 249; Fat 7.9g Protein 8.8g; Carbohydrate 38.4g;

Enjoy!