25 Oatmeal additions (Read 21824 times)
solotripper
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #20 - Apr 18th, 2011 at 4:00pm
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I'm going to go out and try to find some off-brand dried cranberries with the corn-syrup--the oatmeal provides some stick to the ribs, but I like to have some get-up-and-go also.


Dried fruit without any added sugar is a powerful source of energy.
Take any fruit/vegetable dry it, and the flavor/sweetness becomes more intense. Natural sugars found in fruits along with the fiber is what gives you that long term get-up-go your looking for.

Added sugar, especially corn syrup is defeating the benefit of eating dried fruit. It will give you short term/crash and burn energy, not what you need or want. It's working against not with the natural sugars already concentrated in the dried fruit. Try some dried cranberries  sans any additional sweeteners, you might be surprised how good they are.
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #21 - Apr 19th, 2011 at 3:16am
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ST, I think you might have convinced me to not put any brown sugar in with my oats this go around. I haven't all winter........just raisins and lately some dates. I usually put quite a bit of sugar in with my oats on trips.

So I guess the mix will be raisins, dates and cranberries. I tried the walnuts......it was OK I guess but I don't think they make the cut. I was hoping for something.......well, exotic. Something really different. I still need to try the powdered peanut butter in with the oats. That could be interesting. I'll be eating the same breakfast for a month........I better like it. A few variations would of been nice. Kiss
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #22 - Apr 19th, 2011 at 10:39am
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I went back through the thread and realized there was more good input than I knew if only I had paid attention. Kudos to Preacher who came up with "candied ginger". That got me googling and I stumbled upon this site which seems to be a good one. All sort of dried fruits (including cherries and other more unusual ones).

Check out their trail mixes (snacks) and power bars. My idea of a power bar has always been a snickers (which seems to do pretty darn good BTW). I haven't done much with the Cliff type bars I wonder how these stack up against them?

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Preacher
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #23 - Apr 19th, 2011 at 3:01pm
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It wasn't me, but I'll take the credit.

I think raw ginger belongs in the food bag or first aid bag.  Excellent health benefits.  If you have a cold, ginger tea will soothe.  If your tummy is queezy, ginger will calm it.  Sore throat, it's an anti-inflam.  Astingent properties promote good oral health, something often neglected by myself in the bush.
  
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jimmar
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #24 - Apr 19th, 2011 at 4:13pm
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Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter, honey and raisins. It can be a sticky mess if not packed carefully.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #25 - Apr 19th, 2011 at 4:20pm
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I tried the walnuts......it was OK I guess but I don't think they make the cut. I was hoping for something.......well, exotic.



I mix a hand full of my homemade trail mix in my morning oatmeal.
My trail mix has dried banana, mango's, papaya, pineapple along with raisins, a couple kind of nuts and sunflower seeds. I also add some smoked almonds and another dried fruit, sometimes cranberries, Mich dried dark cherries etc. The dried pineapple/mango/papaya are especially sweet. Sometimes I bring dried figs/plums. I don't know what your definition of exotic is, but if you find a good source of dried natural fruit, you should be able to put together a mix that you can " customize" daily to avoid being bored by the same old thing.
  
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Ancient_Angler
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #26 - Apr 19th, 2011 at 11:30pm
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MA...no brown sugar? Heresy!

Various comments on dried fruits, however, are well taken in my view. I make my own trail mix and though the exact contents varyl dried fruits are always a big component.
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #27 - Apr 20th, 2011 at 11:42am
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I really think I'm going to leave the sugar behind. Not so sure it's really my friend anymore.

I pulled the trigger on a variety of dehydrated fruits. Goji berries, cranberries, strawberries, peaches........I will add those into the base mix of raisins/dates. I wanted to get the crystalized ginger and some dried cherries but they had sulfur dioxide added (no thanks). I could of went dried as opposed to dehydrated but I have stuck another week on my trip and weight is now becoming an issue.

You guys also got me to bring some desserts. Every third day. I went with Spartans 2 advice and went with packit gourmet. Strawberry cheesecake, lemon cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake and banana pudding. I'll add some of the dehydrated fruit in with the desserts as per Spartans 2 advice. A little something to look forward to.  
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #28 - Apr 20th, 2011 at 1:50pm
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Crystalized Ginger

Serving Size:  41 grams
Sugars:  33 grams.

Anytime you see the word "crystalized" you can pretty much assume that it's going to be predominately sugar by weight.

If you want ginger in your oatmeal then just grate in a little fresh...or you can find freeze-dried at some grocery stores...or just use the spice form (dried ground ginger).

Several "dried fruits" are really more like candied fruits (i.e. lots of sugar to preserve them) in their most readily available forms.  Pineapple, ginger, papaya, and mango come to mind immediately.

If you'd like a healthier alternative, you can find some great freeze-dried fruits with no sugar added from here:

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I've used most of their fruits and found them to be excellent.  They even sell powdered freeze-dried fruit if you want to cut down on the bulk even more for canoe trips. 

At home, nothing beats fresh berries in oatmeal.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Oatmeal additions
Reply #29 - Apr 20th, 2011 at 3:27pm
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Several "dried fruits" are really more like candied fruits (i.e. lots of sugar to preserve them) in their most readily available forms.  Pineapple, ginger, papaya, and mango come to mind immediately.


Point well taken. I knew they were extra sweet and had sugar added but I still think they're a better alternative than brown/white sugar IF you have a need for sweet.  Your freeze dried alternative is a great choice for those of us who try to avoid sugar.

I like a little Cinnamon on my oatmeal. I also like a little hint of Cinnamon in my morning coffee. I add a few shakes of ground spice to my drip coffee. Cinnamon, like Ginger has well documented health properties. In fact compared to some other well known healthy spices, it's a Super Spice.

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