Starting the New Year with a Fresh Outlook (Hot Oat Bran Cereal with Apples, Oranges and Cranberries)

Warm and satisfying - a great start
to a winter day

Like most folks we rang in the New Year with good friends, great food, and a glass of champagne or two (or make that three!).  Thankfully some dancing was also involved as well as some serious cheering (sadly, followed by not cheering) during the Duke/Texas A&M game, so a few calories were spent.  But enough is enough - and as the new year dawns it is time to kick start a healthier lifestyle. 

As resolutions go, eating healthier is not unique. But a common theme last night was the fact that I should be posting to my blog more in 2014.  I will admit I've been remiss in this area for the past year; but I did agree to get back to creating and posting in 2014.  

At the same time I've also been concentrating on exercise and healthier eating via the Weight Watchers program (and have a closet full of new clothes to show for it!).  So this year I will combine the two with a goal of regularly posting a WW friendly recipe.  Most will be original or a healthy riff on a classic.  None will be tested, but should provide my followers a guide for their own creations. And I will calculate WW Points Plus values to the best of my ability.

To start things off I offer up my current go to breakfast - Hot oat bran cereal with apples, oranges and cranberries.  Warm and satisfying, this yummy concoction weighs in at just 4 WW points, including a splash of low fat milk. I make big batches on the weekend and package it up in single portions for a quick start to the day.

Here's how you do it....

Hot Oat Bran Cereal with Apples, Orange and Cranberries

Single, large portion (4WW PP Value - and loaded with power foods)

Ingredients

1/4 cup oat bran

1/2 small apple cut into small pieces  

1/2 clementine or orange cut into small pieces  

Handful of fresh cranberries

1tsp honey

5 shakes of cinnamon

1shake of ground clove

1 shake of ground ginger

Pinch of salt

1 cup water

1tsp chia seeds (optional, but this is a great source of amino acids and adds texture)

Method

Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat on medium heat until boiling, reduce heat stirring occasionally and simmer until thick and cranberries start to pop. You can help them along by smushing with a fork.

Serve with 1/4 cup of low fat or nonfat milk.

Enjoy!