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Monday, January 10, 2011

Bronx Foodie: New Year's Resolution and Oatmeal with Maple Syrup


In honor of the New Year, I'm asking everyone to make a New Year's Resolution with me. For most people, New Year's resolutions focus on getting healthier -- like losing weight or going to the gym more often. Well, I have a better one and it will go a long way toward any health-focused goals you aspire to this year.

In 2011, try cooking half -- just 50 percent! -- of your meals yourself, instead of eating out or eating already prepared foods, like unhealthy frozen dinners. Sound too hard? Here's some tips to help you.

  •  If you don't have time to cook during the week, try cooking big batches of food on the weekend (like chilli, soup, or anything in a sauce) that you can put in separate, stay-fresh containers and eat during the week or freeze for later.
  • Invest in a slow cooker, which allows you to throw everything in a big pot and -- voila! -- you have home-cooked meals waiting for you when you come home from work.
  • If someone else cooks in your house, try to support them by going grocery shopping or by helping them while their cooking.
Cooking your own food is the best way to control portion size and ingredients. It's also a great way to eat healthier versions of the foods you would normally order at a restaurant. So here's to the New Year and to cooking your next meal at home.

Finally, here's an easy recipe for breakfast (to replace your Pop Tart or Frosted Flakes): oatmeal with bananas and maple syrup.

Follow the instructions on the box to cook the oatmeal. (I cook mine with water instead of milk, and I let it cook on the stovetop while I'm getting ready for work). Then add slices of banana, sprinkle in some cinnamon and top it off with real maple syrup (note: make sure the container lists maple syrup as an ingredient -- the real stuff is expensive, but worth it). Feel free to add any other fruits or nuts to the oatmeal. The picture above also has shredded coconut.

Enjoy!

4 comments:

  1. best of both worlds: slow cooker oatmeal! put it on before you go to bed, fresh delicious piping hot oatmeal ready for you when you wake up. house smells incredible and you can heat it up in the microwave serving by serving throughout the week! makes winter mornings so cozy

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  2. Sam's Club, Costco, and Christmas Tree Shops have bargain prices on real maple syrup. Also, a good substitute is agave syrup (Trader Joe's). Both options are better tasting and more healthful.

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  3. I strongly recommend new "Hypersonic Weight Loss" it works like a miracle, Just thought should share this good news.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great tips on the slow cooker oatmeal and where to buy real maple syrup. Thanks guys!

    ReplyDelete

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