Oatmeal! Something to Ponder While Waiting for the Chinese Wedding Post

Oatmeal! Can't get anymore mundane than this. Actually, when I was a kid I loved oatmeal, and could, and often would eat it everyday on the cold days of winter. My mom used to make it for me boiling the oats with a little salt in the water. She knew that how to add just so much milk and sugar to give it that sweet creamy taste I like, with just a hint of salty flavor underneath.

I still love oatmeal, but have generally just too lazy to make it in the morning. Actually, for more years than I care to remember, a cup of coffee was my breakfast, and if really hungry, a couple of pieces of toast, or a quick stop at Mickey D's for a bacon egg and cheese biscuit. ( a side note, if Hardee's could combine Micky D's bacon with their egg and cheese biscuit, they would own the bacon-egg-cheese biscuit market-at least for those of us who prefer crispy bacon, but I digress!)

This summer I took a little trip with my family and when we would stop and get breakfast, my brother Jay would get a bowl of oatmeal and one or two boiled eggs. I knew that after "finding" 20lbs over the last year, I had to figure out a way to "lose" them and maybe a couple more of their buddies who have decided to hang out with me over the years. I have read and heard so many times how a good breakfast is key to a healthy diet, and would help you to not be so hungry during the rest of the day.

So, I have determined that I would begin everyday with breakfast, and have chosen the oatmeal and boiled eggs to be my main staple. Just so you know, I am one of those people who can go all Elvis on a meal, meaning I can eat the same thing almost every day and not get tired of it. Elvis would go on a kick and have his chef make him the same meals for weeks on end. (Think fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches) I discovered the same affinity for pizza while working for Domino's Pizza. People would ask, don't you get tired of pizza? Unfortunately, my answer was no, never!

In China, you can't drink the water out the tap, so everyone has a water pot to boil water quickly. I have discovered that is a perfect way to make real Quaker Oatmeal (yes, I get them in China)as quick as any instant.

I still make it mostly the same way my mom did, but instead of sugar, I use some honey. So here is my recipe: I pour about a cup of oats into the bowl, sprinkle about a teaspoon of salt over the top and then squirt about 2 teaspoons of honey over the top. When the water is done boiling I pour enough in to cook the oats and leave it with just a little creamy texture. I no longer use the milk, but I do have that lightly sweet taste with a hint of saltiness underneath. This seems to be working for me. Since I have been back I have "lost" a couple of those pounds who had found me.

So, Here is my question for you, Do you like oatmeal, and if so, how do you like to prepare it for yourself? Let me know in the comments. Like I said, I could eat the same thing for weeks on end, but a little variety never hurts. Until the next time...