What to do with Oatmeal?

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More Than Just Food

The healthiest type of oatmeal is made from whole-grain, steel-cut oats, also known as coarse-cut or Irish oats, because they retain more of the nutritious (though tough) bran layer. The more common "rolled oats" are steamed, flattened and lightly toasted. "Instant" oatmeal is pre-cooked and usually has sweeteners and flavors added. You're definitely better off buying unsweetened, and adding a touch of honey, maple syrup or fruits.

Oats are an excellent source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, iron, beta-glucan (which may help regulate blood sugar) and the antioxidants known as avenanthramides (which may help promote healthy circulation). Oatmeal is also believed to help reduce harmful cholesterol levels and it may boost the immune system.

But what happens when you have too much of a good thing, or you just don't get around to eating it and your oatmeal gets old and stale in your cupboard? Don't throw it out! It has many great uses besides filling up your family.

Treat Acne

Many people swear by oatmeal as a natural remedy to acne. One easy recipe is to cook up some of the stuff, let cool until lukewarm, then apply to the affected areas. Let stand for several minutes, then rinse.

Some people prefer to use oatmeal-based scrubs. Others bathe with "colloidal oatmeal," which is made by mixing oatmeal that has been ground into a very fine powder in water.

Neutralize Odors 

Few realize that oatmeal can help absorb odors. Try placing an open container of the stuff in your fridge. Some people use oatmeal to line ashtrays, and claim the flakes help neutralize the smell of smoke.

Soothe dry or irritated skin 

Oatmeal can promote healthy, beautiful skin - and provide soothing relief from sunburn, poison ivy or other irritations, and heal open pores. Many moisturizers and beauty products contain oatmeal, sometimes ground up and sometimes in flake form.

Pamper Yourself in the Tub

A soothing way to unwind at the end of a long day is to take a bath with oatmeal. While running a lukewarm bath, add one cup of milk, two cups of uncooked oatmeal and a tablespoon of honey. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes, and your skin will be moisturized and rejuvenated. How relaxing! Note that some folks like to use colloidal oatmeal for the task.

DIY Body Scrub

Make your own scrub by grinding two tablespoons of oatmeal into a grainy consistency in a blender or food processor. Add one teaspoon baking soda and very small amounts of water until the mixture has the consistency of paste. Spread that on your cleansed and dry face. Leave on for 10 minutes and gently remove with cool water.

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Turn It into Modeling Clay

You can also turn old oatmeal into a nontoxic crafting "clay" that delights kids and gets their creative energies flowing. The Playdough-like clay stays moist for hours, but hardens overnight, making it good for sculpting figurines, bowls, beads and other goodies you can think of. Combine one cup of instant or rolled oats with flour and a little water. You can also add food coloring for a rainbow of possibilities.

Go Beyond Breakfast Cooking

Here's a tip: Replace regular flour with homemade oat flour (simply grind oats in a processor), and use that for baking pancakes and breads. You get twice the fiber, so you feel fuller, but fewer calories.

Oatmeal is well known for imparting a yummy heartiness to breads, cookies and some beers. But it also works great in crusts, for meats as well as cobblers, and is a binding agent.

~Thanks to Brian Clark Howard