I asked my kids to make me a healthy dinner (as a SUPER FUN experiment). I expected…well, to be honest, I don’t know what I expected. I unleashed my three children aged six, five, and three into the kitchen to make me dinner COMPLETELY WITHOUT MY HELP.
Yes, I made sure they were safe. And yes, my husband was out of town.
Twinkly-eyed, I watched as they sat together at the table, NOT FIGHTING, coming up with a plan to make me a really healthy dinner. Guys-they even did a little cheer: “GO TEAM DINNER!” And I got it on video! ADORABLE, right?
Let’s start with what they made for dinner. Impressive, right?
My three year-old daughter began chopping up carrots and cucumber (we have safe choppers for little hands). Great! Vegetables! I never saw those again. Although, I’m pretty sure the dogs were happy.
My five year-old son made toast. And he buttered it. Lucky me, he told me I got extra butter because it was a “special day.” Three pieces!
My oldest son (six), made me an egg. He’s done this before so I wasn’t worried. Until he stopped cooking the egg about… oh… it was raw.
The plate was adorned with nuts, berries and a side salad-delicious! I was impressed… oh wait.
What did they make to drink?
A smoothie! Amazing. These kids DO KNOW about health and…
Well, two out of three ain’t bad.
All in all, it ended up being REALLY FUN. Especially after the kids helped me eat and I got to clean up the kitchen. Woohoo! But really, how awesome that they even wanted to do it, right? I do love having my kids in the kitchen. But wow, we have to talk about clean up.
The best part? Now they ask to make every single meal for me! Yayyyyyyyy……
FYI: I DO NOT recommend this “fun experiment” if you are at all OCD. My husband audibly cringed over the phone, just hearing about it. I did this so you don’t have to.
Did you wake up with good intentions this morning?
The good intentions to eat right, and start your day off with the mighty-fine whole grain goodness of steel-cut oats? I don't blame you! These oats are better than the rest. They are minimally processed so your body takes longer to digest them, keeping you fuller, longer. Plus they're full of fibre, protein and iron. They should be called Powerhouse Oats. You're pumped!
And then you read the box. Simmer for 25 minutes?! F*** that. I'll just have coffee. AM I RIGHT?
Well prepare to be dazzled because you're going to wake up to a whole new you tomorrow! I'm going to let you in on the secret to the easiest steel-cut oats you'll ever make.
Ingredients
1 cup steel-cut oats (also known as Irish oats)
4 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
Directions
THE NIGHT BEFORE (I usually do this on a Sunday and have oats for the week)
Put all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil.
Let simmer for THREE minutes. You read that right, three.
Take off the heat.
Put on the lid.
Go to bed.
Wake up to delicious and perfectly cooked steel-cut oats. You can warm it up again on the stove if your whole family is going to eat them. Or take out a scoop and portion the rest for your week.
Makes four servings.
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