Yes, it’s true, my inner child longs for those salty, greasy pale yellow sticks they call French fries every once and awhile but my jaw hit the floor when I saw the commercial for Mickey D’s newest menu item: Oatmeal.
Turns out, this “wholesome bowl of goodness” is anything but. Mark Bittman wrote a humorous, albeit alarming op-ed on the subject—apparently, the oatmeal contains more sugar than a Snickers bar and is just 10 calories shy of a McDonald’s cheeseburger or Egg McMuffin. Eek!
Which is worse? Embracing their roots and strictly offering the gooey high-fat, calorie packed “food” that many Americans have grown to love or purposefully blurring the line between junk food and “wholesome goodness” to lure in a different kind of customer?
Makes me wonder what Goldilocks would do if presented with a perfectly heated bowl of the fast-food giant’s porridge. She’d probably eat it and upset baby bear, but I’m guessing baby bear’s arteries will thank her later.
Oatmeal lovers! What’s your favorite REAL oatmeal recipe?!
Charis works at MOM’s central.
MOM's Organic Market Blog 
It’s old fashioned oats with cinnamon and a little honey. Sometimes, I add blueberries if I have them.
Speaking of sugar, did you see the recent NY Times piece entitled “Is Sugar Toxic”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html
Forget HFCS. The article posits that *all* sugar is equally bad for you.
OATMEAL recipe (as requested)
Mix in a big cereal bowl:
-1/2 c rolled oats
-1 1/4 c water
-dried cranberries, raisins, sunflower seeds, candied ginger (bits, torn or chopped) to taste
Microwave for 3.33 minutes (easier to push all the same button) on full power.
Remove from microwave and add:
-a spoonful of peanut butter, stirring to melt
-a small pile of wheat germ
Return to microwave for another 3.33 on full
Eat (& no pot to wash…)
Variations:
-Use other dried fruit or nuts (chopped dates and pecans/walnuts are nice on the weekend when you have more time to chop)
-Use cut up fresh fruit instead or in addition (apples or pears nice, my mom likes with banana)
-Use almond or other butter, or none at all
-Place in thermos and bring to work to eat breakfast there, if running late
-I guess you could add salt &/or sweetener, but I never need to…