What's for breakfast?

Healthy foodies don't skip breakfast--and don't skimp on breakfast, either. I always like a fairly hearty morning meal, but it has to be nutritious, low fat, and quick to prepare.

This is one of my longtime breakfast short-cuts: a fruit and nut mix (in metal bowl at left) that I make up in a large batch, then add a few heaping tablespoons to a bowl of oatmeal. (If you don't like oatmeal, put it in your cornflakes!) Whip this together on a Sunday afternoon or a weeknight, store in the fridge in tupperware, and all you need is the cereal and milk. The mix also freezes very well.

Ingredients:

One or two apples, cored (but not peeled), sliced and then coarsely chopped

One container fresh blueberries or 1 1/2 - 2 cups frozen berries

1/4 cup (or more) chopped walnuts or pecans

1/4 cup dried cranberries and/or golden raisins

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Brown sugar/Splenda mix or straight Splenda, to taste (I use about 6-7 packets of Splenda for this amount--you can always add more to your bowl of oatmeal after cooking)

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until well blended

Transfer to a plastic container with a tight lid (for storing)

To serve: add 3-4 heaping tablespoons to a portion of dry oatmeal -- I use 1/3 cup. Pour milk or soy milk just to cover the dry oatmeal. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, or a little more depending on your oven. Stir and add more milk until it's the consistency you like.

P.S. -- Play with the proportions and ingredients until you find your favorite combo of flavors. Try other spices, such as cardomom or nutmeg, or other fruits and nuts. After much experimentation, however, this is my fave.