Yep, I said oatmeal. But what's so special about oatmeal, you ask? Well, nothing if it comes out of the little brown packet and gets thrown in the microwave, but when you take the time to make a big delicious pot of it and create a buffet of treats to top it with, it can become the perfect holiday breakfast buffet for your entire family.
This is especially true if you are a new mom. One it is easy entertaining at its finest, and two it is a great way to start off the morning before feasting on stuffing and cookies. So, with the holidays fast approaching I thought we should dedicate some time to the quickest, easiest, healthiest holiday breakfast option out there.
Oats for everyone: The fiber in oats helps with digestion. They stabilize blood sugar, enhance the immune system, lower cholesterol and diabetes, and help with weight management among a list of other things. They are a whole grain rich in vitamins and minerals - and provide a good amount of protein.
Oats for the breastfeeding mom: All of the above also make them perfect for new moms. Many women find oatmeal comforting and delicious, which can create a sense of relaxation (a super good thing for new moms!). Oats support the metabolism of fats and nourish the nerves, and are a very well known galactagogue (a substance that promotes lactation). They are one of the easiest and most trusted ways to boost milk production.
To make oatmeal, you just ensure you have two parts water to one part oatmeal. So, if you make two cups of dry oats, then add four cups of water. You can also use milk or almond milk (yay almonds another galactagogue!). Combine with a small pinch of salt in a pot and bring to a boil, then simmer on low, stirring occasionally until the oats have reached the desired consistency.
You can also pop your ingredients into a slow cooker the night before and set it on warm (for a newer model) or low (for an older one). Then when you wake up you've got that part done and a way to keep it hot for the late risers.
On your oatmeal buffet, you can include a variety of dried fruits, nuts, sweeteners, and spices. Here are a few of my favorite combinations. The ingredients with asterisks are particularly good choices for milk supply and nursing moms:
- Blueberries + Maple Syrup + *Chia Seeds* + *Cinnamon* + *Almonds*
- Banana + Brown Sugar + *Ground Flaxseed* + *Almond Milk*
- *Apricots* + Walnuts + *Figs* + Honey + *Ground Sesame Seeds*
- Strawberries + Chocolate Chips
- *Grass-Fed Butter* + Salt + *Nutritional Yeast* + *Brewer's Yeast* + *Garlic* + Siracha
The combos are endless here from apples to raisins to cocoa powder let everyone build their own heart healthy, satisfying holiday breakfast. It will get the day off to the right start!
Love + (De)Light,
Ali