Going Healthy for Breakfast with Oat Bran

Are you crazy about cream of wheat, but turned off by how unhealthy it is? If so, then you and I have something in common. When I was a kid, I cherished those special mornings when I'd wake up to a bowl of fresh cream of wheat waiting for me. But as I grew up, I became aware of how much butter and sugar there is in a single serving. Fortunately, there's an easy-to-make alternative that's actually good for you and tastes just as good: oat bran
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Oat bran has several dietary benefits. It's high in fiber, which is great for intestinal health and for helping your body absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat. Oat bran also lowers cholesterol and supports heart health. You'd think something this good for you can't taste so great, but you'd be wrong. It's delish!

Go ahead. Give it a try. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 cup skim milk. You can use almond or soy milk if you prefer.
• 1/4 cup oat bran. I recommend Bob's Red Mill Oat Bran cereal. 
• 1 tsp organic Blue Agave or brown sugar. Agave can be a good alternative to sugar but it's high in fructose, so I recommend switching up your sweetening methods if you make this recipe often.
• A pinch of cinnamon.
• A handful of blueberries. You can replace this with any fruit you enjoy, like mashed bananas, diced apples, or chopped prunes.

Here's how you'll prepare it:

1. In a small saucepan, bring milk to a boil.
2. When milk is boiling, turn the heat to low and add the oat bran. Stir constantly.
3. Continue stirring regularly on low heat until the oat bran reaches your desired consistency. (About 6 minutes.)
4. If you're adding fruit, feel free to do so about a minute before the oat bran is ready.
5. Pour the oat bran into a cereal bowl.
6. Add a teaspoon of sweetener and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix.
7. Top with a handful of blueberries.
8. Enjoy!