Pumpkin Oatmeal

Joining the effort to prevent childhood obesity, Manuel's preschool contracts Stretch-n-Grow to provide fitness classes for the older children. Once a week a fitness coach teaches them stretches, structured cardio activities like jumping jacks, jump roping & the names of muscles.

Their newsletter provided a recipe for Pumpkin Oatmeal. Since our family loves oatmeal, we tried it out this morning. I appreciated the ease of preparation, the healthy components (fiber, milk, Vitamin A & the control over added sugar if any).

2 cups quick or old- fashioned oats

3 cups fat-free milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1 TB raisins

Brown sugar to taste

Place oatmeal in a microwave- safe bowl & stir in milk. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Remove from microwave & stir in pumpkin, spice & cinnamon. Heat for 1 minute. Stir in raisins. Sweeten with brown sugar if necesary & enjoy.