Healthy Instant Oatmeal Packets

INGREDIENTS

Basic Ingredients (Per Serving)

• 1/3 cup rolled oats (instant or quick); old fashioned oats may be used for microwave and refrigerator oatmeal
• 1 tsp chia seeds or ground flaxseed (optional)
• 2 tsp oat bran (or wheat germ/bran)
• 2 tsp powdered milk (omit for non-dairy, vegan)
• 1 to 3 tsp brown/maple sugar or other sweetener
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt

10 FLAVOR VARIATIONS (use the basic ingredients, plus these additions)

• Apple Cinnamon Maple -- 2 Tbsp dried or 1/4 cup freeze-dried chopped apples; additional 1/4 tsp cinnamon; use maple sugar for sweetener
• Blueberry -- 2 Tbsp dried or 1/4 cup freeze-dried blueberries.
• Cherry Almond -- 2 Tbsp dried or 1/4 Tbsp freeze-dried cherries; 1 Tbsp sliced or slivered almonds.
• Apricot Ginger -- 2 Tbsp chopped dried apricots; 1 tsp minced crystallized ginger.
• Cranberry Orange Pecan -- 2 Tbsp dried cranberries, 1 tsp dried orange peel bits, 1 Tbsp chopped pecans.
• Pineapple Coconut -- 2 Tbsp dried or 1/4 cup freeze-dried chopped dried pineapple, 1 Tbsp freeze-dried coconut
• Raspberry Vanilla Bean-- 2 Tbsp dried or 1/4 cup freeze-dried raspberries, 1/4 tsp ground vanilla powder
• Peach (or Mango) Macademia Nut -- 2 Tbsp chopped dried peaches (or mangos), 1 Tbsp chopped macadamia nuts
• Cocoa Banana -- 1/4 cup chopped freeze-dried bananas (dried banana chips not recommended), 2 tsps cocoa powder
• Peanut Butter Banana -- 1/4 cup chopped freeze-dried bananas (dried banana chips not recommended), 1 Tbsp PB2 peanut butter powder

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine basic recipe ingredients in individual zip top bags. Add additional flavor ingredients, if desired--see suggestions below.
2. BOILING WATER METHOD (not recommended for old fashioned oats):
   1. Add 1 oatmeal packet to mug or bowl.
   2. Pour in 2/3 cups boiling water and stir.
   3. Let instant oats stand for 3-4 minutes to soften and thicken; stir, and they are ready to eat.
   4. Quick oats may need to soften an additional minute or two.
   MICROWAVE METHOD:
   1. Add 1 oatmeal packet and 3/4 cup cold water to microwave safe mug or bowl. (The container needs to be large enough to allow for mixture to expand while it cooks. It can bubble up and double in size in the microwave.)
   2. For instant oats, cook uncovered on high for 1 minute; stir, and it's ready to eat.
   3. For quick oats, cook on high for 2 minutes, let stand 2 minutes, stir, and it's ready to heat.
   4. NOTE: Microwave power and cooking times can vary; adjust cooking time if necessary.
3. To prepare 1 serving of refrigerator oatmeal: Add one oatmeal packet to a pint or half-pint jar (or other covered container). Pour in 1/2 cup cold water, add 1/4 cup yogurt, cover tightly, and shake vigorously until well mixed. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight, or up to 3 days.