Microwave Oatmeal, Walnuts, Banana and Milk makes a good breakfast, but start with whole old-fashioned oats.
Microwaved oatmeal with toasted walnuts. Yum.
Microwave Oatmeal, Walnuts, Banana and Milk is my healing breakfast.
If you have read my story, you know that I eat Oatmeal just about every day. I am not a nutritionist or trained medical adviser. I simply know what happened to me, and I am absolutely sure that Oatmeal and Walnuts, for me, have healing properties.
My Gut Story
Several years ago, due to both work and personal situations, my body was in a constant state of stress and high inflammation. I suffered a "moderate" heart attack. The stents, medicines, exercise and slow change in diet helped me recover from the heart problem. But since I still didn't reduce my stress, my body said, "Hey! Why didn't you pay attention when I gave you that heart attack?" And my body started to "agree" to let bad bacteria and disease create havoc.
I was stricken with both Clostridium Difficile (or c.diff.), a highly contagious intestinal disease, and MRSA, the antibiotic resistant staff infection (thankfully, not at the same time). Consequently, I endured several courses of antibiotics, effectively killing off all my good gut bacteria.
Step 1: Figuring Out the Problem
I continued to have a high level of inflammation in my joints, and pain when I moved. I had tons of digestive issues and I was hypersensitive to physical touch, reacting as if tickled when someone touched me. My body thought I was feeding it poison.
I found that gluten and dairy products were huge triggers for my inflammation and other symptoms. Although I didn't test allergic to gluten, if I ate it, two or three days later I would spend half a day in the bathroom. If I had a piece of cheese, within the hour I could barely walk due to the pain in my joints. So my body was on high alert for anything it considered poison to my system.
I paid attention and eliminated problem foods. And I began to feel better.
Step 2: Add More Fiber and Whole Grains
I started to eat oatmeal just about every day. I seemed to have no negative reaction to oatmeal, even if it was not labeled "gluten free" (i.e., packaged without cross contamination). I used whole, rolled oats. I learned to make them in the microwave because I can more easily control the amount of doneness, and I like my oatmeal to be quite chewy. I find that cooking it on top of the stove results in a softer, mushier oatmeal, don't you?
I love bananas, which contain lots of potassium, so I added a banana. Then, because I was getting hungry mid-morning, I thought, " Hmmm. Probably too many carbs for you, Miss Diabetic Woman."
Oatmeal with walnuts, bananas and milk.
But instead of eliminating the banana or only eating a half of one, I added one-quarter cup toasted walnuts, which are also known for their healthful properties. For awhile, I substituted Oat Milk for regular milk.
I found the meal satisfying and long lasting. It has terrific nutrition, including protein, healthy fats, good vitamins and just about the right amount of carbs per meal (according to my endocrinologist, 45-60g per meal). The full nutrition label follows below after the recipe.
Step 3: Add Whole A2 Milk
In the late 1980s the push was to reduce fat in the diet. I followed the trend, and gained a pound or two every year. I think this was because I substituted more carbs and sugar for the fat I wasn't getting in the rest of my diet.
I went from hypoglycemic to pre-diabetic to diabetic in the next 30 years. When I went from drinking whole milk to the supposedly "more healthy alternatives" of two-percent, one-percent or skim, I gave up drinking milk because I didn't like the taste. I used milk on my cereal, but I no longer drank my one or two glasses of milk a day as I had all my life. In my 50s, I was diagnosed with a bit of a bone mass loss and told to take calcium pills and a prescription medicine to prevent osteoporosis.
Then, a few years ago I found out about the different proteins in A2 Milk, discovered a place to get it, and tested whether I could drink it without pain. When it didn't cause pain, I thought I was in heaven. Oh! To be able to drink fresh, whole milk again without pain!
I grew up drinking straight-from-the-farm, unpasteurized Guernsey cow milk, which I imagine at that time had not been cross-bread with A1 Holsteins (which produce greater volume, but less fatty milk). There are other types of cows that produce A2 milk, but the cows of my childhood are Guernseys.
Now, instead of Oat Milk, I use certified A2 Milk on my cereal. I'm so thankful I am able to get it. Over the last few years, A2 milk became available in grocery store chains.
I believe my daily dose of Oatmeal, Walnuts, Banana and whole A2 Milk helped me heal.
I also added a daily probiotic, Vitamins B6 and B12 (both inflammation fighters), and Vitamin D. I do yoga and occasionally, cardio and strength training. I'm thankful my stress load has greatly reduced, and my gut is healed. If possible, I still avoid eating gluten and A1 dairy products—at least I don't get sick when I go out to eat now! I find that if I eat gluten sparingly, I do not return to my hyper-ticklish state. I know, weird symptom. But it's true. Gluten makes me super ticklish. I'm glad to avoid this problem so I seldom eat gluten.
The Process
Making oatmeal is easy. With supervision, most kids can make it on top of the stove by the time they are 8 years old by simply following the directions on the box. Making oatmeal in the microwave is a process. Every microwave works a bit differently. Be sure to put a plate underneath your bowl to catch the mess if it overflows.
I microwave it for about 1 ½ minutes. Then wait a few seconds, and microwave for 30 seconds. Wait a couple seconds. Microwave for 30 seconds, and it should be done. It has taken me awhile to figure out the best process. I don't recommend this method for kids because they are likely to be impatient and make the oatmeal overflow in the bowl.
Do let me know how the microwave process works for you.
What You Need
I like to use a Pyrex bowl that is about 3 times the size of my oatmeal and water blend. Other than a bowl, you need measuring cups, a microwave, and a toaster oven for toasting the walnuts.
Microwave Oatmeal with Walnuts, Banana and Milk
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked oatmeal
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup shelled walnuts
- 1 banana sliced
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- In a 3-cup microwavable bowl, place the oatmeal and the water.
- Microwave uncovered on high for 1-½ minutes.
- Wait a few seconds; microwave on high 30 seconds.
- Wait a few seconds, microwave on high 30 seconds. By now, all of the water should be gone.
- Broil or toast the walnuts for about 1-2 minutes until starting to brown. Be careful; they burn easily.
- Serve with sliced banana and milk.
Notes
Nutrition
More Breakfast Recipes To Try
- Basted Eggs
- How to Make a Fried Egg
- Soft Boiled Egg
- How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs
- Hard Cooked Eggs Florentine
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.