Homemade Instant Oatmeal

September means the start of a new school year. There is anticipation of a new teacher, new classmates and sometimes a new school. I attended grades 1-8 at Gardner Elementary School then took the bus to Grandin High School, 7 miles away. It was the beginning of school consolidations that would continue to evolve to larger school districts operating today. There were 9 students in my class at Gardner Elementary and I attended with the same 9 students all 8 years! For my family, there was the annual trip to K-Mart for school supplies. It was a 20 mile journey into town and was one of the highlights of the year! The most important supply to me was the 64 count box of crayons. Not only did it have to be the big box but it had to have the sharpener! Oatmeal was a breakfast staple at our house. It was inexpensive and we all liked it. My Dad had a bowl every morning with his medication and the rest of us joined in! I make packets of Instant Oatmeal every month and it is perfect on busy work mornings! You can add ¼ tsp. cinnamon, 2 Tbsp. chopped dried apples, 1/8 tsp nutmeg or 1 Tbsp. raisins to each packet for variety.

HOMEMADE INSTANT OATMEAL
Makes 6 Bags

3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats, uncooked
6 plastic zipper snack bags

Process 1 ½ cups of the oats till powder. Spoon 3 Tbsp. powdered oats into each snack bag. Put ¼ cup of the remaining oats into each bag. Seal. Store in an airtight container.

For each serving, empty one bag into a bowl. Add ¾ cup boiling water. Stir and let stand 2 minutes. Serve with milk and sweeten to taste with sugar, brown sugar or sugar substitute.