Since I’m currently undergoing chemotherapy following breast cancer surgery, I’ve cleaned up my act where my diet is concerned. No one can guarantee that a certain food, or diet plan, will prevent, cure, or even help with cancer treatment – but healthy foods are never a bad idea.
On the days right after my treatment, I take joy in preparing my meals, and it helps my appetite (which chemo suppresses) too. In the interest of sharing – and hopefully helping other people looking for healthy, simple, and tasty recipes, I’m going to share a few of my favorites in the weeks to come.
Today: blueberry-cinnamon oatmeal with chia seeds.
Blueberries are high in antioxidants, delicious, and naturally sweet. Oatmeal has fiber to aid digestion and possibly improve heart health. Cinnamon . . . well, that’s just tasty.
My recipe:
1/3 to 1/2 cup rolled oats (I use Trader Joe’s organic toasted rolled oats, but any quick-cooking oats will do).
1 to 1.25 cups water
1 package of blueberries, washed (note: you can substitute raspberries, too, if you prefer them)
2 tsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp cinnamon
dash of salt
OPTIONAL:
1/4 cup chopped, toasted walnuts
1/2 to 1 tsp honey
In a 1-quart (small) saucepan, bring the water, salt, and cinnamon to a boil. (Also add the honey at this point if you’re using any.) Add the chia seeds, rolled oats, and 1/5 of the blueberries (I just grab a handful and approximate). Cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook 3 minutes. Add the rest of the blueberries, stir, replace the lid on the pot and cook (covered) for an additional 2-3 minutes.
After that, stir the oatmeal (and add in the walnuts, if you want them) and simmer if necessary to reduce the mixture to your preferred thickness.
Enjoy!
Note: I’m not eating refined sugar during chemotherapy, so this recipe uses only honey for sweetener. Personally, I like it without the honey – the blueberries alone provide enough sweetness for me, but use the honey if you like your oatmeal sweet or if you normally would use sugar.
Here’s a photo that shows it with walnuts:
Walnuts add extra protein (and fat) as well as Omega-3, which is important for people (like me) who can’t eat fish. Chia adds fantastic nutrients, as well as a slightly crunchy textural element missing from normal oatmeal.
I hope you enjoy it! I certainly do.