Add cinnamon and honey. Top with roasted nuts and dates, apples, butter, milk or cream, and any other fruits you enjoy such as raisins and seasonal fruits like berries.
* TIME SAVER: Soak oats in water from the recipe in a bowl overnight. In the morning transfer to cooking pan, bring to gentle boil, then go to step 2. Variety is the spice of life so don't stop trying new combinations of toppings for your oatmeal!
OTL 2010
"Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your total and LDL cholesterol. Eating 1 1/2 cups of cooked oatmeal provides 6 grams of fiber. If you add fruit, such as bananas, you'll add about 4 more grams of fiber. To mix it up a little, try steel-cut oatmeal or cold cereal made with oatmeal or oat bran." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002