Did you know oats were one of the last cereal grains to be domesticated? This occurred around 3,000 years ago in Europe. Oats are considered to be among one of the healthiest grains on earth. They are gluten-free, whole grain, full of minerals, fiber, they’re also an anti-oxidants and a great source of important vitamins. Oats provide many health benefits such as the ability to lower blood sugar levels, help reduce the risk of heart disease and can even help with weight loss. Not only can oats be beneficial by eating them, but it also can be used for many other things that we may not think of. Let’s dive in together and discovers 16 different ways to use oatmeal.
Are you tired of your plain oatmeal and milk, a.k.a porridge for breakfast? These strawberry oatmeal bars will not only keep you satisfied as you head to work but they also won’t hurt your waistline either.
With only 100 calories you can take your bland oatmeal and throw it out the window! Make this kick-butt breakfast recipe and never look back!
https://www.wellplated.com/strawberry-oatmeal-bars/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WELL PLATED
There are so many great snack options when it comes to oats. Getting your healthy grains into a tasty treat can be easy! Sometimes it can be hard to think of something more creative than your classic oatmeal cookie for a snack.
Satisfy all your peanut butter and chocolate lovers with this delicious recipe that even your kids will be begging you for more!
https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/healthier-chocolate-peanut-butter-oatmeal-fudge-bars/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: CHELSEA’S MESSY APRON
Don’t leave oatmeal to be just a breakfast or treat ingredient. Oatmeal can easily be integrated into your daily dinner meals. Using oats as a savory ingredient can help ensure you’re getting the extra protein it provides and will leave you satisfied with a filling meal.
Mix your oatmeal with some hearty spices and sausage chunks and top it off with a fried egg and some cheddar cheese to have a light and fulfilling meal. You can turn up the spice volume and make your oatmeal with turmeric topped with some spicy baked chickpeas for a vegan option. Maybe even go way outside the box and try a savory mushroom and herb steel cut oat risotto like this recipe here. Integrating oatmeal into your dinner just got way easier.
https://foxeslovelemons.com/savory-mushroom-and-herb-steel-cut-oat-risotto/#_a5y_p=1384135 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FOXES LOVE LEMONS
Everyone knows that eggs are a great binding agent, especially when you’re wanting to make homemade burgers for the barbeque season or maybe a hearty meatloaf. However, did you know there are other great binding agents out there? Oats can be used as a great way to bind your meat or even veggies burgers.
To begin, mix together your ingredients and substitute the egg for your oats. Some sources recommended just tossing in the oatmeal into your mixture while others recommend mixing the oatmeal with a bit of warm water first. Enjoy your next burger egg free all the while adding a little extra texture to your bite.
Another great way to use oatmeal is in your beauty products. There’s a reason why some of your favorite brands like Aveeno use oats as an important ingredient in their skincare because well, it’s great for your skin!
You can buy oat-infused face masks at your local drug store or you can even make them at home. Oats enhance your skins ability to absorb moisture. So the next time your face is feeling a little dry try applying a face mask made with oats.
Did you open your fridge recently and turn up your nose at that mysterious funky odor? Don’t be in a panic if your normal go-to baking soda isn’t on hand. Oats can be used as a great substitute.
Not only are oats great for absorbing spills such as a oil but it also can absorb strong odors. Simply place an open container of oats or pour into a bowl and leave it overnight in your fridge. Come the morning, that once stinky smell will be neutralized leaving you and anyone else in your household relieved.
Oats have great anti-itch properties to relieve things such as the chicken pox, poison oak, and poison ivy. It can also be used for dry itchy skin, a moderate burn and a bug bite or sting. To apply an ointment all you have to do is finely grind up your oats in a food processor, add cool water to the mixture and apply to the designated area. The oats will quickly relieve the itchy sensation. An alternative option to a spot ointment is a full body oatmeal bath. Like the ointment, grind up your oats (organic oats will work best) until it is a powder consistency and place in your running warm water to ensure the powder is evenly disappeared as you fill your bathtub.
Considering all the ingredients for anti-itch are all natural they are safe for your pets too! The next time your dog has a flea bite or is experiencing a food allergy followed up by an itchy flare up, soak them in an oat bath for a minimum of 10 mins. If needed afterward, follow up with spraying the area with ground powdered oatmeal mixed with warm water in a spray bottle.
Along with all the healthy nutrients, oatmeal has also been proven to help with weight loss. By consuming oatmeal first thing in the morning, you will be provided with long-lasting energy. One cup of oatmeal contains 6grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, leaving your body feeling satisfied. Since you feel full for a longer period of time you will decrease the need and want to snack at times when you shouldn’t be. So the next time you know there’s going to be a box of doughnuts in the staff lunchroom, eat your oatmeal right before work. This will help you stay on track with your weight loss goals.
With that being said, there are certain oatmeals you should lean towards and some you should stay away from when trying to lose weight. Ditch the pre-packaged oatmeal packets as their full of processed sugar. They might be tasty but they are not healthy. Instead, make your oatmeal out of steel cut oats or rolled oats as they pack the most nutrients. They may take longer to cook but they actually hold a better flavor and are a lot less processed than your average quick oats. Cooking steel cut oats may not be realistic with your hectic mornings but there are easy ways to cooking them to accommodate your lifestyle. Try making overnight oats that you can just grab and go on your way out or even try making them in a slow cooker so they’re ready by the time you wake up.
If you’re trying to make a creamy soup or hearty stew and your recipe texture turned out a runnier consistency than wanted then you can use oatmeal to solves this problem.
Use whole oats or even better ground oats. Add the oats to your soup or stew, stir and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon at a time until you have the desired consistency.
Oats can even be incorporated into your craft room for your kids. Looking for a rainy day craft with ingredients you can take from your kitchen cupboard then this is perfect for you. Making clay sculptures out of oatmeal and flour is so easy. Keep the clay it’s natural color and paint once your design dries or add food coloring for no painting needed.
You can also create a sensory activity for your kids by making play-dough out of flour, oats, and water. Play with right away or save for later.
http://loveplayandlearn.com/oatmeal-playdough-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: LOVE PLAY AND LEARN
Dealing with a sore back or sore body part can be a frustrating and painful feeling. If you don’t have a heat pack handy when the pain arises no need to worry. The simple solution is to make a DIY oat heat pack.
Use a cloth bag or small pillowcase, if you have extra time or are crafty, sew your own! Fill the bag with oats and make sure the bag is securely closed with a string. Be sure to not close your bag with anything else as it will be used in the microwave. Once your bag is ready, heat in the microwave at 30-second intervals until your heat pack is as warm as you want it. Place the heat pack on the sore area and lie down to relax.
With dairy allergies and intolerances on the rise finding a milk alternative can be easy. But how do you know which milk alternative to choose that still has all the health benefits that ordinary dairy can provide? There are so many great milk alternatives that are easily accessible to everyone and can even be made at home if so you chose.
Oat milk is a great choice for many health benefits and for the fact that it’s school safe, being nut free. In only one cup you can find 36% of your recommended daily quota of calcium. Oat milk actually contains more vitamin A than cow’s milk which is a necessity for neurological function, healthy vision and skin and so much more. It is also very high in iron and magnesium and holds great sources of vitamin B, C, D and E. All in all you are getting many nutrients out of one modest cup of milk. Lastly, oat milk is low in fat and calories and is cholesterol free. Enjoy your beverage or bowl of cereal guilt free. Find Oat milk pre-made at the grocery store or follow this simple recipe to make your own at home.
https://www.forkly.com/recipes/easy-diy-oat-milk/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Granola can sound like a very complicated thing to make. After all, don’t you always feel like it has a million ingredients when you buy a bag or box from the grocery store? It’s actually quite easy! You can make your granola as simple or as complicated as you want.
Start your granola with using oats as your base and watch yourself never want to buy store bought granola again! This recipe has a fun twist on granola including nutty ingredients like pistachios and a sweet flavor provided by dates.
https://www.garlicandzest.com/crunchy-pistachio-date-granola/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GARLIC AND ZEST
What better way to bulk up your smoothie than to add a nutrient-dense and filling ingredient like oats. If you’re on the go and a smoothie is the quickest form of breakfast you can make then be sure to add oatmeal. It is known that oats will help you feel full longer and can make your smoothie satisfy you until lunchtime.
There are so many great smoothie recipes out there that are easily accessible to you. This one is a quick and easy smoothie recipe that you can make the night before so that if you’re pinched for time in the morning you can grab, blend and go.
http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2015/05/25/almond-joy-overnight-oatmeal-smoothie/#_a5y_p=4162393 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: RUNNING WITH SPOONS
Trade your traditional pastry pie crust or graham cracker crust for an oat-based one. This tasty crust will make a great pairing for any cream pie or no-bake pies.
Adding great texture to your traditional crust this recipe guarantees to taste just like your favorite oatmeal cookie. This simple recipe, containing only 5 ingredients will have you whipping up your pies in no time.
https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/easy-oatmeal-pie-crust-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: TASTES OF LIZZY
Finding gluten-free options can seem like a daunting change if it is new to you. Maybe you or someone you know recently became allergic or intolerant to gluten and are frightened by the idea of missing out on some of your favorite and staple foods like bread. Modern day has made it easy to accommodate a vast variety of diets and intolerance. Oats are among one of the best options for someone who is seeking a gluten-free option.
Oat flour is easy to make at home in your food processor or very easily accessible at your local food market. Add oat flour to all of your baking such as cookies, cakes, and bread. This soft bread recipe will want you making sandwiches for the rest of the week.
https://www.allergyfreealaska.com/gluten-free-oatmeal-millet-bread/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: ALLERGY FREE ALASKA
