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It's National Oatmeal Month and I almost missed it. In the dead of winter, it takes more than a bowl of cornflakes to fuel our bodies, so bring on the oatmeal.

What better time to rediscover the simple grain that warms and comforts us on a gray morning. If they were handing out medals for heart-healthy, nutritional foods, oats would win a lifetime achievement award. It is high in fiber, cholesterol free, and is low in sodium, fat and carbs. Sounds like a perfect breakfast food to me. However, this heart-healthy grain can be a part of snacks, desserts and main meals as well.

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How about "dressing up" that bowl of steaming hot oatmeal for your next breakfast with this recipe.

HEARTY OATMEAL

4 c. skim or low-fat milk

2 c. quick or old-fashioned oats

1/4 t. salt (optional)

1/2 c. raisins

2 medium apples, peeled and chopped

1/4 c. unsalted sunflower seeds

1-1/2 t. cinnamon-sugar (1/2 t. cinnamon mixed with 1 t. sugar)

In a heavy 2-qt. saucepan, combine first five ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan and simmer, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. Add sunflower seeds and continue cooking 5 more minutes.

NOTE: You can substitute a granulated sugar substitute for the sugar in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

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So, you'd rather have pancakes or waffles than a bowl of oatmeal? Try this.

OATMEAL WAFFLES

1-1/2 c. flour

1 c. quick cooking oats

1 T. baking powder

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. salt (optional)

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1-1/2 c. milk

6 T. canola or vegetable oil

2 T. brown sugar

In a large mixing bowl, stir together first five ingredients; set aside.

In a small bowl, beat together rest of ingredients. Add to flour mixture stirring until blended.

Pour batter onto grids of pre-heated, lightly greased (I use pan spray.) waffle iron (amount will vary with size of waffle iron). Close lid quickly; do not open while baking. Bake 4-5 minutes or until steaming stops.

Top with favorite topping. Makes six 4-inch diameter waffles.

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I like "oven meals" in the fall and winter, such as meatloaf, along with baked potatoes. You must have a favorite meatloaf recipe, but try this one for a change.

LITTLE MEAT LOAVES

2 lbs. lean ground beef

3/4 c. quick oats

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

1 beaten egg

3 T. minced onion

3/4 c. milk

TOPPING

1 T. brown sugar

1 T. prepared mustard

1/2 c. ketchup

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except topping, mixing well. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Shape mixture into five or six small loaves; place in greased 9x13 baking pan.

Combine topping ingredients; mix well. Spread over loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until juices are no longer red when poked in center of loaf with a fork. Serves five or six.

NOTE: The meat mixture can also be baked as one loaf in a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake 55 minutes.

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This recipe came from a lady who bakes cookies for the Fairview Hospital Auxiliary bake sale. She makes about 16 dozen cookies and when they are put out on tables to sell, you'd better get there early or they'll all be gone. The original recipe makes about 16 dozen, but I've cut it down to a third of the recipe that makes about five dozen cookies. They are so good.

LOU'S OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

1 c. white sugar

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 c. shortening (use half butter and other half Crisco)

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1-1/2 c. flour

1 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1 t. cinnamon

1 c. raisins

3 c. quick oats

additional sugar

In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat sugars, shortening, eggs and vanilla until creamy. Add dry ingredients; mix well. Stir in raisins and oats (dough will be stiff).

Form dough into balls about the size of a walnut. Dip balls in sugar and put on ungreased cookie sheets, about 2-inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes. (Oven temperatures can vary, so check the crispier cookies so they don't get too brown. The chewier ones will be soft to the touch.) Remove and put on baking racks to cool. This is a crispy cookie but if you like a chewier cookie, bake them 10 minutes. Makes five dozen cookies.

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Thought for the day: Let your life be like a snowflake, which leaves a mark but not a stain.

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