I’m not sure why oatmeal became the de facto punishment for unthankfulness in my house when the kids were younger but, nonetheless, complaints about dinner resulted in a plate of hot food being removed the table and replaced with a lukewarm bowl of plain oatmeal. 

 

Not the good kind with apples and cinnamon or brown sugar and raisins. Plain ole mush. 

 

I suppose I was taking a page from Miss Hannigan’s playbook but it worked. My son came up with adjectives for my culinary mishaps. “This orange chicken is…unique.”

 

False enthusiasm peppered the pre-dinner meal. “Salmon and broccoli again! Yay!  We love eating healthy.” 

 

Most of the time they loved the food. I love to cook and multi-course calorie-laden meals were the norm. But every so often, I’d try a new recipe or get on a health kick and the murmuring would start. At least until the oatmeal arrived. Then it was hats off to the chef at every meal. 

 

Oatmeal shouldn’t have gotten such a bad rap in my household. They’d loved it in their high chairs. I loved it in cookies and granola bars. 

 

Oatmeal is healthy and good for you and well-deserving of its national holiday on October 29th each year. 

 

Among the many benefits of oatmeal:

 

• A bowl of oatmeal daily can lower cholesterol.

• It may reduce the risk of heart disease.

• It may reduce your risk of cancer. (According to the American Cancer Society, eating a diet high in fiber may help reduce your risk for cancer.)

• The grain is low in fat.

• Oatmeal is low in calories.

• Oatmeal is a good source of iron and fiber.

• Oatmeal can be used as an exfoliant on your skin. 

 

Have a bowl of oatmeal. Wear a bowl of oatmeal. Share your favorite recipes using oatmeal. No matter how you celebrate, be sure to use #NationalOatmealDay to post on social media. 

 

Just remember also to be thankful!