Starting the Week Right

Is it just me, but after a gloriously relaxing weekend, Mondays can seem a little difficult to negotiate, especially in the mornings. There is no time for slow brewed coffee and lazy breakfasts until half ten. So, it being a Monday morning, I thought that I would put up a breakfast recipe that is both tasty and nutritious. It will give you the energy you need to start the day (and the week) well and since it is well balanced, will leave you feeling light but sustained throughout the morning. And is a perfect way of getting at least one of your fruit servings in for the day.

Breakfast oats may seem like a something for winter mornings, but I love them and eat them all year round. For those in summer now, add summer fruit, like I have added papaya to mine, but for those of you whose January means being in the mist of the coldest months, use apples or pears, which work eaqually well in this recipe. You can make your oats in the microwave if you are in a hurry, but I like to make mine on the stove, because this way they definitely come out creamier. Adjust the recipe for however many family members you're making it for. Also these quantities are just a guideline so use any cup size according to what you can manage eating in the morning.

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup water
Pinch of salt
2 dried peaches
1/4 cup low fat milk or soya milk
2 teaspoons flaxseed oil
Flaked almonds

1/2 a papya peeled and cubed                                       

Honey for drizzling.                                                     

Put the oats, water and pinch of salt into a bowl and microwave or microwave oats as per product instrucstions.

Alternatively, bring the water to the boil in a saucepan on the stove. Add the pinch of salt and then the oats. Stir so that the oats become creamy.


Using the kitchen sissors, cut the dried peaches into the oats and at the same time add the flaxseed oil and almond flakes. Stir well.

Add the milk. And stir again.

If you've been doing this on the stove, then dish into individual bowls and add the fruit to the top. Drizzle over the honey and if you are really mad about almonds, then spinkle some of those ontop as well.

For an even more comprehensive breakfast you can add a dollop or two of low-fat Bulgarian yoghurt onto your fruit or ontop of the oats before you add the fruit. Also try with mango.

If you're doing the wintery version with pear or apple you can grate this fruit over the top. For a little more wintery comfort, which we all need on those dark mornings, serve with chopped peacan or wallnuts and drizzle you honey over this.

Enjoy with your favourite morning blend.