Overnight Apple Oatmeal

I bought the Fix It and Forget BIG Cookbook a couple of weeks ago. Its the first crock pot cookbook I have ever seen that actually has some good looking recipes in it. It is filled with tons of ideas. I found this recipe in it and decided to give it a go. I am also posting this for the ladies on the fitness blog that I am a part of. If you are interested in joining the fitness blog for accountability, please visit Sandy. We've got some great members and Sandy is the best "coach". She would like me to post a healthy recipe once a week. I am going to try to do that, but it WILL be a challenge for me...y'all know how much I love me some butter and sugar! My plan is to post the "good for you" recipe on Fridays.

This recipe for oatmeal is definitely easy. Its nice to wake up to breakfast already made. Now..I must say..I didn't think it was anything to do flips over...it wasn't outstanding, but it sure beats a pack of nabs or even having absolutely nothing for breakfast. Its true that breakfast is our most important meal of the day. I decided to post it because someone might want to give it a try and possibly play around with it, adding different ingredients.



Overnight Apple Oatmeal

2 cups low fat milk
2 Tbsp. honey or 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup dry rolled oats
1 cup apples, chopped
1/2 cup raisins, optional
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup fat free half and half

Spray inside of slow cooker with non fat cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except half and half. Pour into cooker. Cover and cook on LOW overnight, ideally 6-8 hours. Stir in the half and half just before stirring.

A few tips..I used the honey instead of the brown sugar..I didn't think it was sweet enough..so I just added a packet of splenda to my bowl. You may want to experience with the brown sugar. You probably could just use more low fat milk before serving instead of the half and half as well. I had that on hand so I used it. (1/2 & 1/2)I set mine to cook for 7 hours and I think that was a little too much. Go for 6 hours!





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Ambrosia? Fruit Salad?

While at my great friend Bonnie's , I ate this yummy, low fat dish she made. I called the other day and she couldn't remember the recipe. We think it was a take on Ambrosia, and she knew that it had Dannon vanilla yogurt in it. So I went by the grocery store today and came home and whipped it up. Sandy will be so glad that I am posting something healthy and light! So..it could be called Ambrosia or just fruit salad..doesn't really matter, but its very good! I love the tangy hint from the vanilla yogurt.


3/4 cup dannon light and fit vanilla yogurt (I suppose any would work..this was the lowest in fat, compared to yoplait)

2 bananas, sliced

1 15 oz can mandarin oranges, drained

1 lg can pineapple chunks, drained

maraschino cherries

coconut

Combine all ingredients and chill. I did not add the coconut to mine. My husband doesn't like it, so I just sprinkled some sweetened flaked coconut on my own serving. Put as many cherries in as you like.

Yummy!