After watching the Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami marathon on E! yesterday (in bed with a box of Godiva Dessert Truffles leftover from my birthday last week), I decided maybe it was time for me to do something different today, and take a positive step towards living a more healthful life. Inspired by favorite Kardashian sister, Kourtney, I decided to make steel cut oats for breakfast this morning. 

Kourtney is known for her steel cut oat breakfast, which she credits for helping her lose weight after she had baby Mason and stay in amazing shape. She claims to eat it every single day and has said it is the only thing she knows how to cook.
 I shamelessly love Kourtney and her longtime boyfriend Scott, Mason’s father. I think they’re the most adorable, stylish little family! 
However, out of all the Kardashians, I relate to Rob the most – who has been portrayed as still unsettled in his life, and openly struggles with binge eating and weight loss. Kourtney, who is dedicated to health and fitness, can be seen on Kim’s Fairytale Wedding Special  trying to guide Rob to eat more healthfully. (Where did she get those kale chips? I want to try them!) So if steel cut oats are what she recommends, then that’s what I will be having.

So what are they exactly, and why can’t you just make instant oatmeal? Steel cut oats, also known as Scotch oats or Irish oats, are famous for their health benefits. They are a type of oat groats (oats that contain most of the original nutrients) that have been cut into two to three pieces and not rolled. Unlike instant oatmeal, steel cut oats take around 30 minutes to cook and are more chewy in texture. Instant oats are groats that have been precooked and dried before being rolled, and is typically dried with salt, sugar and other artificial flavors. Steel cut oats are lower on the glycemic index than instant oats, which basically means that they will keep you fuller and more satisfied for a longer period of time. Oatmeal also helps in lowering your cholesterol. 
Kourtney typically makes her oatmeal with almond milk and honey. I didn’t have these things on hand today, and I was craving baked apples so I did things a little differently. Here’s my version of steel cut oatmeal. It serves 1-2 people. If you are trying to keep your calories as low as possible, omit the pecans.

Fairytale Apple Harvest Steel Cut Oatmeal 
(Inspired by Kourtney Kardashian)
Serves 1-2
1/2 cup of steel cut oats
2 teaspoons of margarine
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of hot water
1/3 cup of 1% milk (or any kind of milk – soy, almond, etc.)
1 small apple, peeled cored and cut into chunks
Pinch of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of chopped pecans
Drizzle of sugar free Log Cabin syrup
Melt the margarine in a small saucepan. Add the steel cut oats and toast for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cinnamon and salt and stir. Add the hot water, stir well and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add the milk, apple and nutmeg and stir well. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
Serve with pecans and a drizzle of the maple syrup.
Nutritional Facts 
(For entire recipe)
452 cals, 10 grams fat, 75 grams carbs, 15 grams protein, 10 grams fiber, 16 sugar.
Enjoy! 
Thanks for the inspiration Kourtney! 🙂