The clerk at the grocery store stares at my two huge bags of oatmeal and inquires why I felt the need to empty out the oatmeal from the bulk bins. Could I possibly eat that much? I look her square in the eye and announce that I have three boys and a little girl at home. And yes, I’ll be back in a few weeks for more.

We’ve already been making wagers on our food budget needs once they reach the teen years. They seem to be bottomless pits and my oldest is only 9.5 years old. Since they eat so much, I’ve felt it doubly important to involve them in the process and teach them how to prepare food themselves. It is fun to cook with them and I’m seeing the payoff now when I can send them downstairs to prepare a hot breakfast while I get the toddler ready…

In the morning I have a few goals when it comes to breakfast:

Frugal – We have four kids and a very limited budget.

Nourishing – I’m not just looking for calories. I want to make them count.

Satiating – I need these boys of mine fueled for the long haul so they don’t crash and burn mid-morning.

Easy – Mornings are busy times, and I need something that they can make themselves with little to no help. Plus, I want to involve them in the process.

Enter our family favorite:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal

{Enough to feed 4 voracious eaters – adjust as needed}

• 6.5 cups water

• 5 cups oatmeal (if gluten-free, be sure to use certified GF oats)

• 3 Tbs peanut butter {Almond Butter or Sun Butter substitute nicely}

• 2-3 Tbs cocoa powder

• 3 Tbs Black Strap Molasses {adds a nice dose of iron}

• 2-3 Tbs Honey {add more if you like your oatmeal really sweet}

Bring water to a boil. Add all ingredients. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Optional toppings

• Milk {we use rice milk over here} added to taste afterwards

• Sliced bananas

Your kids will think they had dessert for breakfast and the morning will be rescued from the post-cereal sugar crash…

 

Have you heard the saying “oatmeal will stick to your ribs?” We like to do before breakfast and after breakfast flexing. My boys are sure that they look stronger after consuming this kind of breakfast! Can’t you tell?

For more from this mama of super-heroes stop by my blog, Cultivated Lives.