Crock Pot Oatmeal

Oh breakfast! Every morning I wake up and I dread that time of the day. It's either fill your family up on the sweet sugary goodness of Pop-Tarts and cereal or turn on the stove and possibly chance catching your kitchen on fire because you have not had your morning coffee. Now, some mornings I wake up and I feel like Cinderella when her fairy Godmother brought her that dress. But not blond Cinderella....this Cinderella. 

I mean how can you go wrong with Whitney Houston as your Godmother...HELLO! 

Now out of 365 days in a year I wake up like this no more than 62. That means all the rest of the mornings I wake up looking and feeling like Gargamel from the Smurfs. So on my Gargamel days it is my mission to make sure my family thinks I woke up feeling like I just went to a ball. The answer for breakfast is Crock Pot Oatmeal. Now this taste sensation is actually really good for you. It utilizes steel cut oats. These oats are not rolled oats! They are whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into pieces. They are not as processed which means you are getting a lot more health bang for your buck! They have a nuttier flavor and a chewier texture. But, these are hearty and will keep your family full till lunch time. They take longer to cook. They can be done on the stove but why do that when your perfectly good Crock Pot will do. You can use any fruit you like (I love peaches or apples) and you can purchase them frozen, use fresh, or even dried! 

Overnight Crock Pot Oatmeal

1 - cup steel cut oats

4 - cups water or half water half milk (2+2)

(if using a slow cooker liner decrease the water to 3 1/2 cups)

1 - cup fruit of choice, optional chopped into bite size pieces

(apples, raisins, peaches, apricots etc)

1/4 - cup brown sugar

1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

1-2 TBS of cinnamon

cooking oil (I prefer coconut oil) to coat crock pot

Step one: Coat the crock-pot with a thin layer of oil!!! SERIOUSLY, do not skip this step. You will have oatmeal stick to the sides of your pot if you don't use a liner and it will be extra stuck if you don't oil the sides and bottom! You have been warned! (Don't oil if using liner....cheater)

Step two: Add all your dry ingredients to the crock pot then add your liquid. Stir.

Step three: Say it with me studio audience: SET IT AND FORGET IT! Okay wait I heard that on an infomercial and it may be copyrighted! Put the lid on your crock pot set it on low and go to bed. Really...go to bed. The magic happens overnight! 

Step four: Wake up to the delicious smell of cinnamon and try not to jump out of bed thinking a candle is burning. It is your families breakfast and it is ready for you! 

Step five: Feel free to take them out of the crock pot and make them look all pretty! Or just have the family dig in. It is seriously the best. You  may have to add a little more or less sweetener depending on how you like it. Then pat yourself on the back for saving yourself some time and providing a nutritious breakfast. 

P.S. If you have left overs, put them in the fridge. Next morning add a little milk and nuke them.... Back to deliciousness! XOXO