I recently started making baked oatmeal for Sunday breakfast and it has reduced my stress so much on Sunday mornings that I thought I would share it with you. 

I was previously rushing around fetching milk for cereal, buttering toast, and frying eggs while also trying to convince a toddler that she does in fact need underwear under her leggings and trying to find socks for another child, all with an eye on the clock and trying to make it to church on time.

Now it's been such a relief to have a hot sit-down breakfast together before church.

I've also recently been learning that toddler meltdowns can be triggered by blood sugar crashes- which can happen when children eat a meal that's high in carbs without enough fat or protein.  That's certainly something I want to avoid on a Sunday morning! The eggs, milk, butter, and flaxseed in this recipe boost the fat and protein, and topping it with whole milk yogurt and heating up some chicken sausage with it make this a very filling breakfast.

What I love about this recipe:

• My whole family likes it (no complaining!).
• It's brainless for me to prepare (since I make the same thing every week).
• It's filling (no blood sugar crashes).

Baked Oatmeal

Serves 2 adults plus 3 small children

• 1 cup quick oats or rolled oats
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 T lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• 2 eggs
• 2 T. honey or maple syrup
• 2 T. melted butter
• 2 T. ground flaxseed
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 chopped apple, a handful of raisins, or a handful of blueberries

The night before:

Combine the oats, milk, and lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.  Cover and leave at room temperature.  This makes the oatmeal easily digestible and breaks down the phytic acid that blocks essential minerals from being absorbed.

The next morning:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Add the rest of the ingredients accept the fruit and stir until combined.  Fold the fruit into the mixture.  Pour into a small greased glass pan (I use a 6x8 pyrex).  Sprinkle the top with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until the center is set.

While the oatmeal is baking, prepare the sausage:

• Amylu chicken breakfast sausage links (available at Costco)
• A pat of butter

Place the sausages and butter in a small glass dish and heat for about 10 minutes in the oven while the oatmeal is baking. 

To prepare the yogurt:

Stir a few drops of stevia extract and vanilla into plain whole fat yogurt.

Serve and enjoy!