The Whole Grains Council declared that oats are the grain of the month for January.

Did you know that traces of wild oats were found in a cave occupied by hunters over 32,000 years ago?

Types of oats:

1. Instant Oats: Whole oats that have been pre-cooked, dried, then thinly rolled to achieve their speedy cook time.
2. Steel-Cut Oats: Oat groats (when the husk is removed from the oat kernel, the kernel is called an oat groat) that are sliced or chopped, not steamed or flattened. These oats take longer to cook and have a chewier texture and a nuttier flavor.
3. Rolled Oats: Groats that have been steamed and flattened with huge rollers to form large flakes.

Benefits of oats:

1. Eating oats has shown to keep you fuller longer.
2. Oats contain high levels of protein and healthy fats.
3. Oats can help lower bad cholesterol and control blood pressure,
4. Oats contain polyphenols which have antioxidant, anti-itching, and anti-inflammatory properties.

To top off the topic of oats, here’s a yummy recipe for you to make: Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. (Kids will never know you snuck a vegetable in the cookie!)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Old-Fashioned Oats
• 1 cup shredded and blotted Zucchini
• 1 cup all-purpose Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Butter, softened
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated Sugar
• 1 large Egg
• 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1. Whisk the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Beat butter and both sugars together on medium speed until creamy (about 2 minutes). Add the egg, maple syrup, and vanilla, and mix until combined (about 1 minute).
3. Add the dry ingredients and zucchini. Mix on low speed until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto baking sheet, approximately three inches apart. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cookies will stay fresh at room temperature for up to five days.

Nancy Roe
Award-Winning Author

NancyRoeAuthor.com

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