Breakfast Oatmeal 101 Ways

OK, maybe not 101. Just 13 (lucky number). Since oatmeal is just about the only food I can eat in the morning these days, and it's good for me, and I do like it, I've had to get creative with it to prevent boredom. I like Quaker's Weight Control oatmeal (my favorite is the banana bread flavor), which I prepare with skim milk in order to improve the flavor and add calcium and protein. I also add 3 packets of Splenda because I like it sweet. Here is a list of suggested add-ins, with ingredient quantities for one packet of oatmeal. Note: I chop the fruit and nuts because that's the only way I can get them down, but you can slice them if you want a chunkier texture.

1. THE ELVIS
1/2 banana, chopped
2 tsp PB2 powder or peanut butter

2. THE TROPICAL
1/2 mango, peeled, pitted, and chopped
1 tbl SF coconut syrup, or a few drops of coconut extract
1 tbl flaked coconut (it's good it you toast it first, but I never think of it in advance)

3. CHOCO MONKEY
1/2 banana, chopped
2 tbl SF hot cocoa mix
2 tsp PB2 powder or peanut butter

4. APPLE PIE (Thanks for the idea, Krista!)
1/2 c. no sugar added applesauce
a dash each of cinnamon and nutmeg
optional: 1 tbl chopped walnuts, 1 tbl raisins

5. PEACH MELBA
1/4 c. chopped peaches (canned is fine)
1/4 c. raspberries (thawed frozen is fine)

6. PEACH ALMOND
1/2 c. chopped peaches (canned is fine)
1 tbl SF almond syrup, or a few drops of almond extract
1 tbl chopped almonds

7. PB&J
1 tbl PB2 powder or peanut butter
1 tbl low-sugar strawberry preserves
optional: 1 tbl chopped walnuts

8. NUTTY STRAWBERRY
1/2 c. chopped strawberries (thawed frozen is fine)
1 tbl chopped walnuts or pecans

9. CARROT CAKE
2 oz pureed carrots (1/2 of a 4-oz jar of babyfood carrots)
1/4 c. pineapple (crushed or tidbits)
1 tbl raisins
1 tbl SF vanilla syrup (or a few drops of vanilla extract)
a dash of cinnamon
optional: 1 tbl chopped walnuts

10. NUTTY CRANBERRY (This is a lot better than it sounds)
1/4 c. whole berry cranberry sauce (see the eggface website for a good recipe)
1 tbl chopped walnuts or pecans
1 tbl dried cranberries (I like the cherry flavored ones)

11. ALMOND APRICOT
1/4 c. chopped apricots (canned is fine), or 2 tbl chopped dried apricots
1 tbl chopped almonds
1 tbl SF almond syrup, or a few drops of almond extract

12. BAKED PEARS
1/2 c. chopped pears (canned is fine)
1 tbl raisins or dried cranberries
1 tbl chopped hazelnuts (or your favorite nuts)
1 dash cinnamon
1 tbl Splenda brown sugar blend

13. ORANGE PRUNE
1/4 c. chopped prunes (dried plums)
1/4 c. chopped Mandarin oranges, drained
a dash each of ground ginger & cinnamon
optional: 1 tbl chopped walnuts