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You are here: Home / Weekend / The Oatmeal Express

January 12, 2010

The Oatmeal Express

Today was so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got lost on the way to the school. Try navigating rural North Carolina roads before sunrise. Grrr. I almost got hit by a truck 🙁 But I finally made it!!!

Our goal is to have some kind of oatmeal recipe on the breakfast menu rotation – and to get the kids to eat it! So today we made oatmeal foodservice-style, which meant using a kettle and a steamer and standardizing the recipe for 50+ portions and making it kitchen-staff friendly (i.e. hands OFF!)

We decided to keep it simple and leave out the bananas, but otherwise I made typical KERF oatmeal of half milk, half water, cinnamon, salt, vanilla – plus some brown sugar 😉

The first batch went in the kettle –

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Row, row, row your boat!

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Witch’s cauldron!

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Pouring it for service when it had thickened

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Sampling!! It was awesome. Slightly sweet, cinnamony + vanillay and the kids LOVED it!!! Wish I could show your their faces!!

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We called our cart the "Oatmeal Express" as we rolled around and asked kids if they wanted to try it. Some were hesitant, but I was really surprised at how m any kids took it. We also had raisins and blueberries (frozen) for topping options.

Quote in a sweet voice: "Is the Oatmeal Express going to come back tomorrow"

Quote: "That oatmeal was AWESOME!"

One boy stuck his tongue in it and said "ewww" and I said "just try a spoonful!" I saw him a bit later and his bowl was empty. I asked him if he liked it and he sheepishly said, "Yeah, it was really good." Cute!

I hope it’s as well received at the other 34 schools in the district without the Oatmeal Express cart to increase enthusiasm.

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After breakfast was served and cleaned, I had a big bowl for myself (the coffee + sample at 7:15 tided me over till about 8:30, very surprisingly). I had raisins and banana in my oats!

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Cleaning the kettle was where we realized our problem. It was gross and sticky and a pain. So after breakfast we got started on a steamer method that would only dirty up some pans that could run through the dish machine and would be hands off. If the kitchen staff thinks the recipe is too hard to do or clean, they won’t like it.

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Four different pans for different cooking times and water vs. milk experiment

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Water vs. Milk

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No stirring for 25 minutes in the steamer (vs. the stirred once above)

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But after a nice stir, it turned out as great as the stirred mid-way one!

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Scooped in a #8 half cup scoop (my foodservice prof would be proud!)

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I had a second sample taste when the last batch came out

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The milk version was BY FAR much better – sweeter and creamier – than the water only. And more nutrient-packed too!

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We did a lot more cleaning and ended up serving our four pans of oats for LUNCH!!!!!!!! At the request of the kids! I think of about 75 4th graders they ALL took one. It was definitely a hit!

At noon my coworker and I broke for our own lunch. It was pizza + salisbury steak day and I’m not really a huge fan of either, so I did a vegetarian plate with a milk for my protein. Plus BROWN rice (steamed) and peas and an apple I brought from home.

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They had hot sauce, which I put on my rice, that was awesome

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And my coworker shared her cucs with me!

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After lunch we visited the future community garden for this school. I am a HUGE fan of community gardens for schools. I hope more and more can find the funding to put them in.

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Since I got there so early today I was able to head home a little earlier than normal – with just enough time for an afternoon run in the daylight! I pushed yoga back to tomorrow so I could seize the opportunity.

See y’all for din!

Filed Under: Weekend

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Comments

  1. Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    That is a ton of oatmeal! I’m glad it went well!

    Reply
  2. Matt says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    I want that pot for brewing beer!

    Reply
  3. Heather (The Single Dish) says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    That is too cool to see a huge batch of oatmeal made! Do most students eat the school lunch? Breakfast and lunch? I always brought my lunch to school because the food at my school didn’t look as good as this food!

    Reply
  4. Shannon (The Daily Balance) says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    what a great day! I’m sure the kids LOVED it — and you’ve created many new oatmeal fans, I’m sure!

    Reply
  5. The Paris Food Blague says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:27 pm

    oh my gosh! so cute! oatmeal for the masses

    Reply
  6. Holly-Claire says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    Kath,
    You looked so happy and cute! I think you are doing a great job! We need more people like you making the food they serve our kids healthier 🙂

    Reply
  7. Jessica @ How Sweet says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    That looks like so much fun!

    Reply
  8. Stef says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    community gardens for schools are such a great idea! your oat adventure sounds like a successful one!

    Reply
  9. RhodeyGirl says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    Kath, I am sorry, but oatmeal is not yours without the BANANA!!! Seriously, please find a way to make it banana oats! I used to choke down oatmeal with blueberries for health but once I found your site and learned about using banana… I eat oats EVERY.DAY in the winter. Even just 1/4 banana/serving makes a difference to me!!!

    Anyway, it is so interesting to see how you are actually using your school knowledge right now. I love that!

    Reply
    • Kath says

      January 12, 2010 at 5:48 pm

      Haha

      Reply
  10. Carrie says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    Wow, the school really makes some great food for the kids. Good job!

    Reply
  11. RhodeyGirl says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Also, our school lunches were NOTHING like this. Think cardboard pizza and warm milk. NASTY! I hated it when my mom would make me buy lunch sometimes in elementary school… unless it was ICE CREAM CART day.

    Reply
  12. Bronwyn says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Brings back memories of school… If only my school lunch program had such delicious and nutritious options!

    Reply
  13. leatitia says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    wow, that’s a lot of oatmeal! I’m glad the kids liked it and that it went well.

    Kids eat their breakfast at school? That’s new to me!

    Reply
    • Kath says

      January 12, 2010 at 5:49 pm

      I never utilized it either as a kid, but it’s a great program, esp. for those who do not get breakfast at home 🙁

      Reply
  14. Lauren says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    When I graduate in a couple of years, I’m going to be an elementary teacher and I fully plan to petition whatever school I teach at to at least let me plant a small garden for my class. Even if the kids cannot eat the food, there is so much for them to learn!

    Reply
  15. Brittany says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    I’m going to have to have some oat meal! You’ve got me craving it! ;0)

    I’m so happy schools are providing healthier food for kids!

    Reply
  16. Chelsea says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:45 pm

    Holy oatmeal!!!!! That is SO awesome that they liked it. Plus, the community garden? So.incredibly.cool.

    Reply
  17. Food Makes Fun Fuel says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    That’s so fun! I think making oatmeal for a crowd must be a blast

    Reply
  18. Jenna says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Kath your job is so cool! Looks like a ton of food making food and being able to interact with the children!
    Jenna

    Reply
  19. Christie @ Honoring Health says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    So glad the kids the liked the oatmeal!

    Reply
  20. Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    that’s SO AWESOME that the kiddos loved the oatmeal! hopefully they will develop a love of healthful food and change the world 🙂

    community gardens for schools are such a great idea, i’d love to see more of that across the country as well!

    Reply
  21. Lisa @bakebikeblog says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    Wow that is so so cool. What an awesome thing to be a part of 🙂 I bet these kids went home and asked their parents to make oatmeal hehe

    Reply
  22. Caroline says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    Your internship looks so great! I’m so impressed that the school system is so open to healthy options (and the kids are too!) I can only hope to have as fun an internship when its my turn in a few years!

    Reply
  23. Kamaile says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    That community garden looks like it’s going to be BIG!

    Reply
  24. Lauren @ Eater not a runner says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    That is so awesome! Good job getting oatmeal more fans 🙂

    Reply
  25. Sandi says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    Hi Kath, I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now and it is fabulous!! This post is amazing–I laughed out loud when I saw the picture of you pouring the whole container of quaker oats into the pot for GIANT OATMEAL 🙂 (I eat quaker oats for breakfast every morning!) And it’s great that you’re teaching children to love the (healthy) deliciousness that is oatmeal!

    Reply
  26. Dorothy says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    Cool post! Now I’m really looking forward to hearing about your adventures in internships!

    Reply
  27. Lindsey @ Sound Eats says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    Kath, this is awesome. This post has made me so excited for my future internship(s) and job(s) one day. I just started taking pre-reqs for a secondary bachelors in dietetics and eventually a masters. It’s going to take a while (about 5 yrs) but I’m so excited to become a R.D.!

    Reply
  28. ellen eats beets says

    January 12, 2010 at 3:58 pm

    LOVE getting people to try new things, especially kids! Congrats on the winning oatmeal!

    Reply
  29. Erin says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    What a fun day — I wish oatmeal had been introduced to me as a young student.

    Reply
  30. Chloe (Naturally Frugal) says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    What a great way to let kids try new foods, I love how you named it the Oatmeal Express. Hopefully people reading this blog will realize what we can do for our school lunch system, it needs help and you are one of many trying to change it and turn it in a positive direction!

    Reply
  31. Hallie says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:05 pm

    Looks fun! I’m way impressed that the kids ate it…and enjoyed it! I made stovetop oats for my boyfriend this morning, and he wouldn’t let me put any banana in it. Splash of soymilk, cinnamon, and honey and that’s it, and while he said it was ok, he wasn’t exactly raving either…but he’s never let me make him oats before, so maybe this was a step in the right direction.

    Yes I am comparing my grown-adult boyfriend to elementary school children. I don’t think he reads KERF so I’m safe.

    Reply
  32. katey says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:11 pm

    Hey! I have a question for you! I see that you are working in a school cafeteria. I’m in college now, and I’ve always wondered how they make their eggs! I’m sure you’ve seen it in process.. do they use real eggs- that they beat and crack, powdered eggs, or egg beaters! I would looooove to know before I eat them again..

    Reply
    • Kath says

      January 12, 2010 at 5:49 pm

      I haven’t seen them with my eyeballs yet, but I’m pretty sure they are liquid, a la eggbeaters. They are definitely not cracked on site.

      Reply
  33. Mama Pea says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    That is one train I want to ride on. How much fun! I think parents, educators, society would be surprised at what kids will eat if given the chance!

    Reply
  34. Cait (Cait's Plate) says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    Looks like so much fun! I wish we had such good food offered when we were in school!

    Reply
  35. Courtney says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    What an interesting post!! Never really think about all the work that goes into this kind of thing…great to see a behind the scenes look. Can’t wait to read more about your adventures!
    My dad was a principal and I have fond memories of sneaking into the school kitchen on the weekends when we would go to school and “wowing” at the huge mixers!!!

    Courtney
    adventures in tri-ing

    Reply
  36. Angela (The Lady Loves to Eat) says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    That looked like fun! I don’t think it’s possible for anyone not to love a Kath made oatmeal!

    Reply
  37. Eileen says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    This looks like a day in heaven for you … making massive quantities of oatmeal and turning on a new generation! I’m so impressed. Whatever district you’re working with seems to have already made huge leaps in the nutritional value and quality of school lunches. What a great place to intern!

    Reply
  38. katherine says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    Such an incredible project. I’m so glad the kids responded positively to it! I’m sure it helped to have lovely staff like you to serve it up 🙂 So great to be able to make a difference one meal, one day and one school at a time. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  39. megan says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    what a fun day of oatmeal! That’s awesome that the kids loved it.

    Reply
  40. homecookedem says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    So glad the kids embraced the oatmeal express!! Kuddos to you for getting them so excited about it!! 🙂

    Reply
  41. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    I think it’s AWESOME that you are helping kids learn to love healthy, nutritious food!!! You’re showing the world that wholesome food can be fun and yummy too!

    Reply
  42. Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    SUCH a fun day Kath!!! Thanks so much for sharing it all with us! How neat that the kids really liked the oatmeal. I remember my mom making me a batch with just oats and water when I was little and hating it, but after I tried my own mix with milk and other add-ins, it really can be kid-friendly!

    Reply
  43. Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    That oatmeal looks SO good! Love the idea of a garden at school for kids!! That’s an awesome idea on so many levels! 🙂

    Jenn

    Reply
  44. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    That is so cute!!! Looks like a great day. I bet those little kids will be hooked on oatmeal for life 🙂

    Reply
  45. Sharon @ What Is Sharon Doing Now?! says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    So neat to see you in action.

    Do you think this school district’s food is healthier than most or about the norm?

    Reply
    • Kath says

      January 12, 2010 at 5:50 pm

      Absolutely. I think they are way ahead of the game.

      Reply
  46. Lisa says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    What a great idea! It’s great to see some of the programs I’ve read about illustrated.

    Reply
  47. Kori says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    I just wanted to congratulate you on such a tremendous job that you are doing. I hope to one day be able to make a positive impact on others through the use of healthy, delicious food too. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kath says

      January 12, 2010 at 5:50 pm

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  48. mary ann says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    you are the cutest cafeteria lady EVAHHHHHHH!!
    I hope quaker is paying you lots for your advertisement!
    MA lilpauladean.wordpress.com

    Reply
    • Kath says

      January 12, 2010 at 5:51 pm

      Haha – thanks!

      Reply
  49. Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    Awesome job on getting the kids to eat nutritious! School systems around here really need to get revamped! Way too much unhealthy food is being served!

    Reply
  50. Karla says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    I’ve always wanted to make HUGE amounts of food like that! It looks kind of fun!

    Reply
  51. Mae @ OhhMay says

    January 12, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    Congrats on the sucess of your oatmeal! How exciting!!! 😀

    Reply
  52. Simply Life says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    wow, getting kids to love oatmeal – way to go! That’s GREAT!!!

    Reply
  53. Victoria says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    Congratulations on your oatmeal success, you’ve certainly encouraged me to have some with raisins tomorrow morning for breakfast! Your dedication and passion really shows, it’s wonderful to see 🙂 xxx

    Reply
  54. Sarah (OC2Seattle) says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:11 pm

    Congrats on your oatmeal success! Those kids are set if they learn to like oatmeal!

    Reply
  55. lynn (The Actors Diet) says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    wow if those kids only knew that the oatmeal cream was making their breakfasts!

    Reply
  56. Estela @ Weekly Bite says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    Ahhh the memories of an internship 🙂 Looks like fun!!

    Reply
  57. Mandy @ University Cooking says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    I really wish my school had had the kind of food you’re serving up. Makes me pretty jealous. But i’m glad the kids are getting a nutritious meal. I know first hand that most cafeterias like to sell what’s easy and will make the most profit 🙁

    Reply
  58. Veronica says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    I’m in foodservice class right now and we just started the “standardizing recipes” section, this was fun to see!! I’m so glad your oatmel express was such a big hit!

    Reply
  59. Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says

    January 12, 2010 at 6:07 pm

    Your spreading some major KERF oatmeal JOY!! I wish I had you to make me some oatmeal when I was little!

    Reply
  60. Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com says

    January 12, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    Oh my gosh, a huge vat of oatmeal; that’s what dreams are made of! I wish my old shcool and served stuff like that – we just had dry bread and jam if we needed breakfast 🙁 looks like you had an awesome day anyway!!

    Reply
  61. lo says

    January 12, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    Heh. What fun you’re having with those vats of oatmeal 🙂
    Seriously — looks like a blast. And to think I spent my day extracting data… yeesh.

    Reply
  62. Penny says

    January 12, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    How cool to see you make a gigantic pot of oatmeal and feed it to children that actually liked it. 🙂
    You looked totally in your element. 🙂

    Reply
  63. Mary (Food Fit & Fun) says

    January 12, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    That is amazing. It looks like your placement at this school is going to be so much fun! I am jealous. What lucky kids to have such a clean/healthy cafeteria! I am in the field of education and man, I would never eat in any of the cafeterias I have seen!

    Reply
  64. Heather @ Side of Sneakers says

    January 12, 2010 at 6:43 pm

    KERF oats x gigantic!!! Kids are SO cute- glad they liked your oatmeal 🙂

    Reply
  65. Marissa says

    January 12, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    Look at all that glorious oatmeal!!!!

    Reply
  66. Deanna - The Unnatural Mother says

    January 12, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    I love it!!! Especially since I have a child in Kindergarten, if you could get him to try anything other than pizza, nuggets, or pasta, I’ll give you my life savings!!!

    Reply
  67. Gracie @ Girl Meets Health says

    January 12, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    That is awesome, Kath. I wish I would’ve had someone like you to show me how delicious oatmeal can be, haha! Seriously, when I was a kid I *despised* oatmeal. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized I was MAJORLY missing out. Now I eat oats all the time….for dinner, even 🙂 I’m sure you converted a ton of little kids that were just like me 😉

    Reply
  68. Mom says

    January 12, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    My daughter the oatmeal expert! What a wonderful post!

    Reply
  69. Nicole says

    January 12, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    I’m totally impressed with how clean that huge kitchen is. There wasn’t a single finger print on all of that lovely stainless cookware. Plus I love the idea of a community garden for the school. I guess that’s one of the perks of living in such a warm climate.

    Reply
  70. Becky says

    January 12, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    That looks like too much fun! Maybe that is how I should make my batch for the week:)

    Reply
  71. Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) says

    January 12, 2010 at 8:01 pm

    This post made me smile so much!!!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  72. Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says

    January 12, 2010 at 8:12 pm

    That’s so exciting that the kiddies loved the oats!

    Reply
  73. lauri Watson says

    January 12, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    Wow- you really lucked out with your food service rotation! That looks REALLY cool! I’m glad the kids liked it!

    Reply
  74. Angela (Oh She Glows) says

    January 12, 2010 at 8:34 pm

    So proud of you!!!!!!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  75. Alison says

    January 12, 2010 at 8:46 pm

    what a fun day! you are the perf person to make the kiddies some oatmeal. glad they liked it.

    Reply
  76. Pam (IIN Health Counselor) says

    January 12, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    So glad your oatmeal was a hit with the kids!! I just love it when people enjoy healthy foods.
    That is soo awesome that the school will have a community garden. I plan on getting involved with local schools in my area. What a great concept, it teaches the kids so much, helps them connect with nature and healthy living.
    Great job 🙂

    Reply
  77. michelle says

    January 12, 2010 at 8:52 pm

    Oh Kath- I’m SO HAPPY to see you working with kiddos. I’m a teacher and I eat my breakfast in front of my middle school crew every morning. (I have to eat at school as the commute is so long and I’m marathon training). One girl asked her mom for greek yogurt instead of school breakfast because she sees me eat it all of the time. BOTTOM LINE- Kids will eat good food if it’s offered!!! I’m SO SICK of seeing my kids at school eat “sausage” wrapped with pancake dipped in high fructose corn syrup “syrup” and crashing 10 minutes later. Children deserve the best – food, teachers, and lives. Go out there and make a difference! 🙂

    Reply
  78. Diana says

    January 12, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    way to spread the love of oatmeal to the kiddos!

    i love the story of the little boy who thought he’d hate it but ended up eating the whole bowl!

    🙂 Diana

    Reply
  79. Jayce says

    January 12, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Wow, it looks like it turned out yummy and amazing! That’s awesome that the kids loved it! When do you find out if it makes it onto the menu?

    Reply
  80. Sarah Snacks says

    January 12, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    LOVE the oatmeal express!! I’m enjoying reading about your internship- I’m really looking forward to mine now! (which won’t be for a couple of years though since I’m just in my 2nd semester, LOL)

    Reply
  81. AnnQ says

    January 12, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    Holy gi-normous vat of yummy oatmeal! 🙂

    Reply
  82. Cynthia (It All Changes) says

    January 12, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    Making food fun and easy is key with kids. Good job Kath!

    Reply
  83. Christy says

    January 12, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    Omg! How cool!!! What a fun experience! That’s an oat-lovers dream 😛

    Reply
  84. Jil says

    January 12, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    Awww, of course they loved your oats!!! Sounds delish!

    Reply
  85. Julie @savvyeats says

    January 12, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    How awesome that you, of all people, gets to work on the Oatmeal Express!

    Reply
  86. La says

    January 12, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    My favorite food at summer camp was always the oatmeal… This post is so cute. Kids are so fun to work with, especiallly when they discover they like something they didn’t think they would like, and you helped introduce it to them.

    Reply
  87. Lorin says

    January 12, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    Wow, their food looks good! I remember that elementary school was the best food, but in high school it gets worse. However, I do have to say we have decent food (yogurt, egg sandwhich) just not as good as that elementary schools.

    Reply
  88. Christina says

    January 13, 2010 at 1:18 am

    Great to see good food at schools!
    Perhaps this is naive of me but I am blown away by all the disposable plates, cups and cutlery. It doesn’t make for consistent messaging to the kids.

    Reply
  89. liz says

    January 13, 2010 at 7:14 am

    That is awesome (bringing healthy options to kids at school). I work in a middle school and sometimes the food is just plain scary! You are doing great things for those kids (possibly inspiring future food experimenters like yourself!)! Keep up the GREAT work!

    Reply
  90. Shannon says

    January 13, 2010 at 7:44 am

    The greatest compliment you can get is when a kid likes your cooking! So glad you got to share such a healthy favorite with the kids. I wish my old school district served such healthy meals. Kids perform so much better when they are well fed!

    Reply
  91. Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says

    January 13, 2010 at 10:12 am

    I think oatmeal is a great option for the breakfasts at school! My kids love oatmeal and seriously, nutrition has to be fun or no one would do it. That’s why looking at other peoples idea of exotic oats always makes me try different things. I have a suggestion though…I know that oatmeal is completely different when you make it with milk, but for those kids that can’t have dairy, wouldn’t it be better to not use the milk. From a girl that can’t have dairy or soy, it is always depressing to go out for breakfast and not be able to at least eat the oatmeal or grits for that matter.

    Reply
  92. Nicole (dishin') says

    January 13, 2010 at 10:27 am

    How fun! That is A LOT of oatmeal but it looks delicious. I’m sure your days are really interesting, especially with the kids reactions 🙂

    Reply
  93. Alicia says

    January 13, 2010 at 3:41 pm

    Cool post, I love all the experimenting! I know I never had all these healthy options for school lunch when I was a kid. These school lunches (and breakfasts) are probably more healthy than what some of these kids get at home.

    Reply
  94. Anne P says

    January 13, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    How cool! I love reading about this, it gets me excited to do my RD internships 🙂

    Reply
  95. Danielle says

    January 15, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    “Oatmeal Express” – LOVE IT!

    I think it’s great how the school district that you’re working with is really trying to incorporate healthy food choices in the cafeteria. Ours could use some cleaning up, but I’m hopeful after seeing your experience.

    Reply
  96. NIna says

    September 2, 2010 at 8:13 pm

    Hey!
    What were the measurements of water and milk you used for the whole container of oatmeal???
    Believe it or not, I’m cooking on a canteen tommorow to serve breakfast to 75 people in a shelter for Hurricane Earl and stumbled across this sight.
    I know measurements are important, just wondering how you figured out the water and milk measurements..I have never cooked that much oatmeal before.
    You can email me at [email protected] 🙂 Thank you sooo much!

    Reply
    • Kath says

      September 2, 2010 at 8:15 pm

      Nina,

      Equal parts oatmeal, milk and water!

      Reply

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    hi! Im Kath.

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