Before Marilyn Bruner joined The City Paper as a news reporter, she served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay. Every Monday she'll share herbal and medicinal tips she gathered from her experience
Add extras to oats
By Marilyn Bruner, mbruner@nashvillecitypaper.com
February 16, 2004
Before Marilyn Bruner joined The City Paper as a news reporter, she served in the Peace Corps in Paraguay. Every Monday she'll share herbal and medicinal tips she gathered from her experience.
Cereal is an American staple, which may not occur to you until you are out of the country and can't find the cereal aisle at the grocery store. You may ask, "where's the cereal?" to a grocery store attendant who's never seen cereal in her life.
Living a cereal-less life was a sad reality for me during the Peace Corps. I was lost without my crunchy granola bits, the chewy dried fruits or clusters of nuts.
Being a self-proclaimed cereal fanatic, I adjusted to buying plain oatmeal in Paraguay, the country I served. Occasionally I found a box of imported bran flakes. But as luck would have it, I finally spooned up some ideas through my morning bowls.
We have the power to change the bland bran flakes and dry oatmeal. It is actually a healthier and cheaper way. Some of the cereal blends are more processed than their plainer versions and more expensive.
You can add extras right on top of the oats or flakes in your bowl with the common kitchen condiments you have on hand. You can also add according to the vitamins you may need in your diet.
I have a list of simple cereal toppers that you can combine as you wish. Give a dash here and there until you find the right mixture. You can find most of these in individual packages at the grocery store.
Cereal/oatmeal toppers:
Cinnamon: helps to stimulate blood, a morning plus for a still sleepy body, may help with diabetes
Anise seeds: has a sweet taste and works as a natural antacid, said to enhance memory and aids the production of milk in lactating mothers
Nutmeg: gives a nutty, wholesome taste, also aids digestion
Flax seeds: provides essential Omega 3 fatty acids and fiber
Sunflower seeds: provides Vitamin E, which can improve dry skin during the winter
Almonds: are also rich in nutrients and antioxidants
