Darja Health Journal

Have you ever tried steel-cut oats as opposed to rolled oats in your oatmeal? This recipe may just turn you into a steel-cut oats fan.

Unlike rolled oats that are steamed and rolled during the manufacturing process, steel-cut oats are simply oat groats that have been chopped using very sharp blades. There is very little processing involved, which makes steel-cut oats an even less processed version of homemade oatmeal.

FEATURED VIDEO
How To Use A Knife Sharpening Steel
Now, in my opinion, any oatmeal that is made at home and is made from plain oats without any sugar, artificial flavors, or artificial ingredients is certainly better than opening a paper package of flavored oats and dumping them into a bowl. By combining plain unflavored oats with water or milk and simple flavorings such as honey or maple syrup from your own pantry, you are making a far better choice than packets of processed flavored oatmeal.

This steel-cut oats recipe combines simple ingredients and only a little bit of sugar for a great warm flavor first thing in the morning. The great thing about this recipe is that it cooks in the crock pot for 7 to 8 hours. So, if you start the crock pot right before bedtime, it should be ready right about the time you wake up in the morning. Just be careful not to sleep in or the oats get overdone! Also, do note that many crock pots cook differently, so keep an eye on the oats the last hour or two the first time you make them so that you can make sure they don't burn or run out of cooking liquid. If the oats have absorbed all of the liquid but are still not quite tender enough, simply add a 1/2 cup of water to the oats while they finish cooking.

Ingredients
2 cups water
2 cups skim milk
1 cup steel-cut oats
1/3 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

In general, omelette recipes use three eggs; you can easily whisk one whole egg with three egg whites to create a terrific omelette with about half as many calories.

Another option is to skip the fresh eggs altogether and use an egg substitute instead. If it's made mainly from egg whites, you'll save yourself a lot of calories. Experiment with different egg substitutes, and try out a mostly egg-white base in a recipe like that of a spinach omelette.

A warm and hearty bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is the perfect way to start your day. Oats are filled with both soluble and insoluble fiber. They also contain antioxidants. A bowl of nutrient-rich oatmeal contains thiamine, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iron.

This oatmeal recipe also makes for an easy and balanced breakfast. The oats are cooked in milk for added flavor and protein. Diced apple adds even more fiber as well as a fresh and delicious crunch to every bite. There is a just a hint of sweetness added to the recipe by mixing in a tablespoon of brown sugar. This can be omitted if you prefer, or you can use an equivalent amount of honey, maple syrup, agave, or sugar substitute. This powerful breakfast can help keep you fuller longer so you can avoid the temptation to snack before lunch.

FEATURED VIDEO
The Absolute Best Ways to Reheat Pizza
If you follow a gluten-free diet, oatmeal for breakfast is a great option because oats are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to check with manufacturers to ensure that their products are not made using the same equipment as other potentially contaminating grains. Of course, it is always best to purchase gluten-free products from reputable companies and read food labels carefully.

Ingredients
1 cup milk
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 medium apple, cored and chopped
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
maple syrup, garnish
walnuts or pecans, optional, garnish

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it's worth the effort to eat a balanced one! Get inspired to eat a good breakfast every day with this list of some of the best healthy breakfast recipes that pack in plenty of great flavors. From marvelous muffins, tarted up toast, and excellent eggy breakfasts to simple smoothies and overnight oats, try some (or all) of these breakfast recipes.

Waffles are great comfort food. Whether eaten at breakfast, brunch, or even dinner, the crispy crust of a waffle covered in your favorite toppings is close to unbeatable on the deliciousness scale. But with all the comfort also comes all the saturated fat and unnecessary calories that store-bought or restaurant waffles come with. Thankfully, our recipe for low-calorie waffles with blueberries is the perfect treat for a weekend morning and a great side to your brunch. Make ahead and freeze to have these tasty waffles at hand whenever you're in need of a healthy and filling breakfast.

We use ingredients that are typically stocked in most kitchens—you may have all that's needed right now in your pantry. Easy to put together, our waffles beat any regular waffle recipes when it comes to nutrition because the recipe uses high-fiber whole-wheat flour and contains only small amounts of sugar and oil, as opposed to the excessive butter and sugar content of other recipes. Use a Belgian waffle maker for added crispiness or the traditional waffle maker—both results are simply great.

FEATURED VIDEO
What are the Differences Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes?
The addition of the all-powerful blueberry, a fruit that is super high in nutrients and antioxidants, closes the deal. Just 1 cup of these berries, about 140 grams, has barely 70 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Eating a cup of blueberries will get you 79 milligrams of potassium and 3.6 milligrams of vitamin C—a great addition to your daily dietary intake.1

Ingredients
Cooking spray, for waffle iron
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup skim milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup fresh blueberries, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup blueberry syrup, optional for serving