Ahh…breakfast in the morning….such a relaxing time. I spend time preparing a delicious, hot breakfast and then relax on my balcony, sipping hot tea, eating decadent scones with jam and just relaxing while preparing myself to face my day. Wait…..you didn’t fall for that did you? Because the last time I did that, was, well, never. I mean, I don’t even have a balcony and if I did, I surely wouldn’t be eating my breakfast on it for fear that one of my children would think it was funny to see how far they could jump.
Most mornings have me scrambling to get the kids downstairs as fast as they possibly can after a treacherous half hour (or more) pleading with my middle daughter to “please just pick an outfit” and running after my son as he darts in and out of every room quicker than I can say good morning. When we finally arrive downstairs, I am usually sweating, shocked that I am this tired and it is only 7:30 am, and in my usual mom uniform of sweats, t-shirt and headband because, let’s face it, we spend a lot of time making sure they look presentable, but that usually leaves little time to make sure I do (cue the shirt with cereal thrown by my son and not noticed until someone else does and by then, it’s too late). Then, my kids expect me to make them breakfast. I know, right? Rude. 🙂 Well anyways, cereal, cereal bars, bagel and cream cheese, fruit, yogurt or frozen waffles (the healthy kind) is usually on the menu. These are all great options and I love starting the kids off with a balanced breakfast but I got to thinking how nice it would be to have a hot breakfast once in awhile. Remember a long time ago (a really long time ago) when you would wake up to the smell of breakfast. You knew it was going to be a good morning when breakfast was waiting for you, hot and ready to go. Thanks Mom! Ok, so now I am that person that should be doing that, so when this recipe came to my attention, I jumped on it. Breakfast that I can make the night before and have it hot and ready in the morning with no effort? Sign me up! When the kids and I got up the other morning to the smell of cinnamon, there were no outfit arguments and everyone was smiling. This breakfast can do that for you too. Give it a try. It may just solve your morning problems!
Overnight Crockpot Oatmeal
8 cups of water
2 cups steel cut oats *
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup golden raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. In the slow cooker, combine all the ingredients and stir. Cook on low for 7 hours. Stir well before serving. Serve with assorted fruits, nuts, milk and extra brown sugar. ** YUM!
*Make sure you use Steel Cut Oats. You can find them right by the regular oats. These steel cut oats are even better for you, but most importantly, they stand up in the slow cooker.
**I prepped my oatmeal toppings the night before as well and portioned them in little bowls. Therefore the morning breakfast was easily set up and the kids got to load up their oatmeal with walnuts, blueberries and extra brown sugar and milk. They called it an “oatmeal bar” and now they are asking when I am going to make it again. I hope it is a big hit in your house too!
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