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Looking for something not too sweet, good for you and easy? Oatmeal Banana Bites are perfect! They are made with two main ingredients….Oatmeal and Bananas. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or snack. It’s easy to make them your own by using your favorite add-ins. Anything works. Whatever you’d put in oatmeal or like in an oatmeal cookie can be added. That’s the beauty of oatmeal….a superfood and versatile.

How many other foods can you think of that can be eaten as a hot cereal, used in a side dish or made into cookies AND still be good for you?

Oats come in many forms…old fashioned rolled oats, quick cook, instant oatmeal and for those who prefer less “mush”….steel cut. Research has shown all varieties have the same health benefits, which seem to be practically endless. Oats have been shown to have cholesterol-reducing properties, improve blood pressure control, and help with Type 2 diabetes.

As if that weren’t enough, oats can also be used as a topical treatment for things like rashes, burns and eczema. I know we have used it frequently to combat poison ivy. All that and it tastes great! It’s hard to believe oats were once considered a weed that threatened wheat and barley crops.

Oats are an inexpensive way to feed your family something good for them and (as my mom would say) it “sticks to your ribs”. What that means is it’s filling and helps keep you from snacking between meals.

I like to stock up at Sam’s Club. They make it easy to get everything you need to stay healthy and energized.

We enjoy oats in Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes, Baked Oatmeal, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars and now Oatmeal Banana Bites.

Here’s the Recipe:

2 large bananas (over ripe work great)

1 cup oats (rolled or quick cook but DO NOT use steel cut)

Optional Mix-ins:

cinnamon

vanilla

chopped pecans or walnuts

raisins

mini chocolate chips

honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spray baking sheet with non stick cooking spray

If using rolled oats it’s best to chop in the blender a little, but should NOT be finely ground.

This helps the dough to stick together

In a medium bowl, mix together banana and oats

Add mix-ins. I used…

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp vanilla

a few chopped pecans

about 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips

I think when I do them again I’ll ad about a tablespoon of honey

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto prepared baking sheet

Makes about 12

Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes

Best when eaten right out of the oven

Read more about the health benefits of oats and find great recipes at Superfood Spotlight and

Find more tips for healthy living at Healthy Living Made Simple Magazine