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Thursday, October 11, 2007

Start Your Morning Right

I am a big believer that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. It gives you energy for the morning and gets your metabolism jump started for the day as well. It also helps ward off the desire for extra evening snacks, which sometimes take the place of the third meal when breakfast isn't included in the morning - and these snacks aren't nearly as nutritious as breakfast probably would have been.

When I was growing up I always had Cheerios for breakfast. If I don't fry up a pan of eggs from our chickens, I continue to have my Cheerios at breakfast time. Actually, we have Toastios or Tasty-o's. They are close enough but also get to be expensive. I would like to be able to eat oatmeal to still get my whole grains, but I never had it growing up and find it hard to enjoy now. Thankfully, both of my kids eat it.

In addition to the oatmeal providing whole grains for them, I also take the opportunity to fill some of their fruit requirements for the day. As I boil the water, I drop some raisins in. After I cook the oatmeal, I stir in some applesauce. Fruit and whole grains are something that I think is left out of a lot of diets, so I feel like this is a good breakfast for them, and they love it.

Adding the raisins and applesauce, however, raises the price of their breakfast. I don't want to sacrifice their nutrition for money so I set my mind on canning some applesauce this year.

We were visiting my parents on Tuesday, and they have been saving apples for me from their tree. My mom and I worked through the evening canning applesauce. We sliced the apples, cut out the bad spots, cooked them down, blended them up, and canned them.

I left the skins on the apples for added nutrients and flavor. They cooked down nicely. I chose not to add any acid to stop oxidation, but with leaving the skins on, the jars have a nice red blush to them - although the photo below doesn't catch it well.

This is the first time I have canned apples, and I am really happy with what we ended up with. The taste is incredible! Much better than store bought. Although we won't have enough for the year, the 20 pints we canned will last quite awhile. I am excited to do more next year, and I just might start eating oatmeal for breakfast myself now.

4 comments:

Robin Follette said...

The photo of the jars on the porch rain is wonderful!

Lindsie said...

That's great!! I was hoping to can applesauce this year, but Dave's parents (who usually supply the apples), their trees didn't produce well this year. There's always next year!! Enjoy the applesauce :)

I can get Griffin eating oatmeal, he and I love it, but any advice on getting husbands to eat it :) He says he doesn't like the texture :)

Unknown said...

YUM!!!

My dh won't eat store bought applesauce.. but he'll eat my home made apple sauce!!

I might add that you are most fortunate to have found apples... in the immediate area they didn't produce due to that last snow and freeze.

I found some in Indianola... got I got in a bit... but we ate too many apples when I brought them home to make much sauce. Ü

I agree with your good breakfast theory! I try to do eggs as well... or my w.w. bread. It's got a ton of good stuff in it and very filling.

daisymay said...

Your homemade bread is wonderful!!! It is always such a great treat for us. If you want some recipes from Great Grandma K - I have hers and a great whole wheat recipe from Mark.
Your garden did quite well considering the trials of trying to grow near walnut trees. The kid's smiles tells it all!!! Enjoy the fruits of your labors - and thank you for your blog - it helps close the distance gap and keeps you all close to our hearts.

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