Baked Oatmeal

1 cup dry oatmeal

1.5 cup steel cut oats or regular oatmeal

1/4 cup ground flax (optional)

1/2 cup oat bran

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tesp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/3 cranberries

1/4 raisins

1/4 chopped walnuts

 

2 cups milk

1 egg beaten

1/3 cup applesauce

1/4 cup canola oil

 Fresh chopped apple optional

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.  In a large bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients and mix.  In a small bowl, combine the last 4 ingredients and mix.  Combine all ingredients and place into the casserole dish.  Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and stir in the chopped apple.  Bake, uncovered for another 20 minutes or until top is lightly browned. 

Can be refridgerated and eaten in small portions all week.  Makes 12 servings.  Compliments of Kelly Turpin.

261 calories

8 grams of protein

40 grams of carbohydrates

9 grams of fat

163 mg of sodium

5 grams of fiber

Love Your Body

I want you to love your body.  Really, truly love it.  (If you already do, congratulations! Go grab a latte.  If not… If you blushed…shuddered when you read the first sentence, keep going. ) 

Why do I want you to love your body?  Because GOD does. That’s right.  GOD loves your body.  HE looks at you and sees a beautiful miracle.  HIS chosen child.  Created by HIM.  For HIS pleasure.  I want you to see yourself through the only eyes that matter, GOD’s.

You and I have human eyes.  Fallible.  Eyes that automatically see what is wrong with our bodies. Not what is right.  We are a visual culture.  Everywhere we look there are images of unattainable and impractical “beauty”.  ”Looks”, we are told,” are everything.  And yours just don’t measure up.”

We berate ourselves and often, each other.  Maybe we have arms that sway in the wind.  Bellies that make it through the doorway before we do.  Thighs that rub together so furiously that small fires break out. It doesn’t matter.  It is not our job to judge our bodies.  Love, honor and care for.  Yes.  Degrade and abuse.  No. 

So here is my challenge to you, ask GOD to help you love your body.  Love it like HE does.  See it for what it truly is- a masterpiece designed by a loving Creator.