There is no denying that oatmeal makes a stellar breakfast food; it is filling, inexpensive and a good source of nutrients such as fiber.
If you are one of the millions of people who enjoy mixing dry oats with hot water or milk for a delicious meal, you may also be interested to know that oatmeal has many other uses that benefit your well-being.
Used either on its own or mixed with other natural ingredients, oatmeal offers creative solutions to issues affecting your body, your home and even your pets.
Learn how to integrate oatmeal into your life as far more than a comforting morning treat, in the following 10 ways.
1. Make Your Own Oatmeal Energy Bars
Boost your energy levels for a workout with no-bake energy bars made from oatmeal and other healthy ingredients. Place a layer of plastic wrap onto a baking pan, then mix together some oats, maple syrup and peanut butter.
Add in your favorite nuts and dried fruits for extra flavor, and then press the mixture into the baking pan. Let the pan chill in the refrigerator before cutting the oatmeal mixture into bar-sized pieces.
2. Use Oatmeal In Baked Goods As A Nutritious Flour Substitute
Reduce your caloric intake and add some nutritional value to your baked goods by using oatmeal flour as a substitute for traditional bleached or refined flour. Follow a recipe by swapping out the amount of flour indicated for an equal amount of oats.
Put the oats into a food processor or blender, grind them into a fine flour-like substance, and then use the fiber-rich oatmeal flour to bake treats such as cookies, bread, pancakes, crepes, muffins and much more.
3. Soothe Acne-Prone Skin With An Oatmeal Face Mask
Acne can affect people of all ages, and while the condition can be frustrating to treat, natural remedies such as an oatmeal face mask have the ability to absorb oil and clear away dead skin without the risk of further irritation. Fight against acne with a face mask made from cooked oatmeal. Follow the oatmeal brand’s cooking instructions, let the mixture cool to a lukewarm state, and then pat it onto the acne-prone areas of your skin. Rinse the oatmeal paste off with warm water after letting it soak in for at least several minutes.
4. Relax In An Oatmeal Bath To Relieve Tension And Stress
For many people, nothing relieves the stress of a long, busy day quite like a relaxing bath fortified with soothing additives. Try an oatmeal bath to moisturize and revitalize your skin in an affordable yet luxurious way.
Begin by running a lukewarm bath, and then add two or three cups of colloidal or uncooked oatmeal to the water. Pour a tablespoon of honey and a cup of milk into the bathwater as well, and then stir the mixture around for a bit before getting into the tub. Soak for a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes.
5. Take The Sting Out Of Irritated Skin With Oatmeal Paste
Oatmeal is effective in minimizing a range of skin issues, including dry skin, poison ivy, chickenpox, eczema, sunburn and other conditions that cause itching, stinging and irritation. Pamper your skin with a soothing paste made from oatmeal and water.
First, grind the oatmeal flakes into powder form, and then mix in water to your desired consistency. Apply this healing remedy to any area of your skin that is in need of treatment. You can also find a number of conventional skincare products that contain oatmeal, including lotions and moisturizers.
6. Give Your Hair And Scalp An Oatmeal Treatment
You may have heard of using dry shampoo to cleanse your hair and scalp when you don’t have the means or time to wash your hair with traditional shampoo. If you have some oatmeal on hand, the process of treating your hair to an enjoyable and convenient cleansing is even easier than having to purchase a brand-name dry shampoo.
Start by sprinkling raw oats on top of your head, and then massage them into your scalp, roots and hair strands. Use your fingers to comb the oats out of your hair once you are done.
7. Neutralize Unwanted Odors With Oatmeal
Oatmeal is not only good for your body in a number of ways, but it can also help to make your living environment more pleasant. One example is oatmeal’s ability to neutralize bothersome smells within your home, whether they are from food odors in your refrigerator, lingering cooking odors or smoke residue.
Keep your refrigerator free from unwanted aromas by adding some oatmeal flakes to a bowl and then setting the bowl within the refrigerator uncovered. You can also set out bowls of uncooked oatmeal in areas where you anticipate that temporary odors will arise.
8. Keep Your Pet’s Coat Healthy By Using An Oatmeal Rub
Dogs and cats can be prone to dry, itchy skin just like some people are, and if this is the case with your pet, try mixing a homemade oatmeal paste or shampoo to help. Start by combining oats with equal parts warm, but not hot, water. Mix it well, and then gently apply the paste to your dog’s or cat’s coat.
Let the oatmeal rub condition your pet’s skin for 10 minutes, and then use more warm water to rinse it out. Your furry friend will be free of bothersome itches and will also smell great.
9. Try Oatmeal Powder As A Soup Thickener
If you enjoy making soups but can’t seem to get their consistency thick enough for your liking, oatmeal might be just the remedy that you’re seeking. Oats work wonderfully as a thickening agent for liquid-based concoctions such as soups, sauces and stews.
Pulverize the oats thoroughly to form a powder, and then add the powder to your recipe and stir well. As a thickener, oatmeal complements a variety of soup and sauce ingredients and prevents the final product from being too watery and runny without altering the taste.
10. Absorb Oil Spills With Uncooked Oatmeal
Oil spills in your household can be quite a bother to fully clean up without leaving counter or floor surfaces greasy and hard to navigate. Fortunately, dry oatmeal works incredibly well for this purpose, as it absorbs cooking oils and mineral oils with ease.
Simply sprinkle some uncooked oatmeal onto the oil spill, taking care to cover the entire surface. Then, give the oats about five minutes to soak up the oil so that none remains on the surface where it spilled. Finish the process by sweeping up the oats with a broom and dustpan.
Another great thing about dry oatmeal is that it keeps for a very long time when stored in an airtight container to ensure freshness and dryness. You can buy a generous amount of oatmeal at one time, keep it in its original container or a lidded plastic or glass container, and use it over and over again for creative health and household purposes.
