preparation is important!

I want to be sure that I get a good start to the day in preparation for the New Year's Eve revellery that will begin this evening. Friends have arrived from Portland, OR and Randy will be spinning the decks at Justin & Veda's dance-dance party. My pretty pink dancing shoes are ready for some boogie-woogie and I've got to be full prepared, inside and out! Breakfast this morning had to be hearty and warm -- the perfect base in preparation for all the sloshing about that would no doubt occur. Happy New Year's everybody!

After viewing Zen Foodism's recipe for cranberry almond oatmeal, I realized that it had been awhile since I've made this breakfast standard. I changed the ingredients somewhat to reflect what I had in the cupboard and it made a lovely and delicious hot breakfast.

cranberry walnut oatmeal
4 cups water
1/4 t salt
1-3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup oat bran (I used all oats)
1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
4 T maple syrup (I used only 2 T)
1/4 cup sliced almonds (walnuts)
1/4 t cinnamon (1/2 t vanilla instead)

Boil the water in a small saucepan. Then add the salt, oats, oat bran, and cranberries. Lower heat and simmer for about 10-12 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve immediately.

* Recipe totally nicked from Zen Foodism (well, I changed the title!)