My kids love cold cereal – and who can blame them? When we walk down the cereal aisle, there are countless tasty varieties. Some colorful boxes even have puzzles and games on them for us to enjoy while we eat. However, cold cereal usually isn’t filling, it can cost a lot of money, and it usually has lots of sugar, additives, and preservatives.

Oatmeal to the rescue.

I buy oatmeal in bulk – it’s cheaper that way. Preparing oatmeal for breakfast takes a little more forethought than cereal because it takes awhile to cook, but it’s worth it. Oats have high-quality protein, minerals, and seven B vitamins. Oatmeal is cheap, and it leaves you feeling satisfied.  (For other money saving ideas, check out discount cooking magazines.)

I like to use steel cut oats for my breakfast cereal. Use a ratio of one part oats to three parts water (you can alter the amount of water depending on how thick you like your oatmeal). Bring water to a boil, add the oatmeal, and a pinch of salt. Cook for twenty to thirty minutes until the water is gone and the oatmeal is the texture you like.

Oatmeal doesn’t have to be boring. Have an “oatmeal bar” for breakfast. Set out a variety of different ingredients on the table to mix in with the oatmeal. My kids like the variety and fun of making their own unique oatmeal combination. Here are some good combinations to try:

• Honey, walnuts, and raisins
• Brown sugar and cinnamon
• Chopped apples, raisins, cinnamon, and walnuts
• Bananas, pecans, and cinnamon
• Pure maple syrup and brown sugar

Experiment with your own combinations. Breakfast can be tasty and fun without coming in a box.