Oatmeal in the Morning

I could never understand how people wake up and start their day without breakfast in their belly. How do you function without morning nourishment? Better yet, how do you stay alert, calm and content? Personally, without an A.M. meal, I become quite cantankerous (i.e. difficult to deal with). To stave off a bad attitude, my go-to food happens to be a piece of fruit and a bowl of oatmeal. These fiber-rich carbohydrates kick start the day by releasing serotonin (your feel-good chemical). Oatmeal, along with whole grain and whole wheat breads, take longer to break down, leaving your stomach happy and your mind more content. Eat a strong breakfast, and notice your mood boost!

Ideas of what to add to your oats:

• Dried fruits: cherries, raisins, cranberries, blueberries, apricots, plums
• Fresh fruits: banana's, apples, figs (yum!), peaches, pears, berries
• Nut-butters: peanut, almond, cashew
• Dried nuts: Walnuts, slivered almonds, chopped hazelnuts
• Crunchy granola (softens a bit and adds a really nice texture)
• Sweetener: honey, agave, brown rice syrup, molasses
• Dried Spice: Cinnamon (regular or spicy), nutmeg
• Pinch of sea salt