OK, I have a rule that I try to follow (we all cheat now and again) that you can’t have junk food unless you make it yourself. My reasoning for this is that it might be less than healthy but at least I know what every ingredient in it is.

A also love convenient foods (who doesn’t) but I am a food snob and won’t compromise on taste. There are those Sunday mornings when I just want that extra 15 minutes of sleep. These are the mornings I love instant oatmeal. My 10 year old can heat up water in the microwave and make his and his siblings breakfast. (What can I say I am a lazy mom)

Plus oatmeal is cheap even the organic stuff. And if you lucky you might even be able to get local oats. So here’s how it works. You need 3 cups of instant oats (I always make a double batch). Take one cup and grind it up in a food processor or blender until it is powder. I then add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 TBSP salt and 1/4 cup cinnamon. Blend this together in with the grown oats in the blender. Now there are two options:

First you can package this into individual bags with 1/4 cup instant oats and 2 TBSP of the powdered mixture.  To make just add to 1/2 cup hot water and let stand for a minute.

Second, You can put the powdered mixture in a container and the instant oats in another and tape instructions to the top.

I normally use the second method mostly because I don’t want to pay for the baggies or do the extra work. But I do occasionally package it up for things like camping. You decide what works best for your family.

There are also all sorts of variations. Try adding nuts, dried fruits or other seasonings.  Have fun and enjoy your Sunday morning.

BedZED

Originally uploaded by telex4

This is another interesting series from Big Ideas That Changed The World. A very interesting look at Consumerism.

Here’s a link to BedZed information too.

Calzones are a great leftovers meal. When I make pizza on Friday nights I usually have some dough left over. I like to save it in the fridge and it makes quick work of calzones for lunch.

I recommend fresh motzerella with suace and leftover veggies. My kids on the other hand always go for the pepperoni (of course you can hid veggies in calzones too). My kids usually don’t see things inside like they do on top. Yummy!