Top This One-bowl Breakfast With Berries

Waimanalo resident Ruby Hayasaka has devoted her entire life to healthy living. She is the cofounder of Sweet Annie, a nonprofit dedicated to making it easier for individuals and families to live a healthy lifestyle.

Ruby knew she wanted to become a dietitian early on in life, when at age 11 she was inspired by a youth counselor at a girls club called Pathfinders. She learned to bake whole-grain breads, plan healthy meals, and enjoy an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

Her passion for studying, learning and sharing nutrition has grown in the 40 years since she completed her education as a registered dietitian.

She currently is president of Hawaii Dietetic Association, an organization that focuses on optimizing the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands through food and nutrition.

Ruby states: “I am very grateful to work as food service director at Castle Medical Center, where our mission is ‘Caring for our Community, Sharing God’s Love.’ Castle Medical Center president Kathy Raethel and other executives each model healthy lifestyles and support providing the freshest and healthiest foods available.”

Ruby shares with MidWeek readers this healthy, easy-to-make, one-bowl breakfast that can be made the night before. Try topping it with fresh strawberries. If you don’t like strawberries then take a look on naturessunshine.com to find out what other berries are extremely good for your health and would go wonderfully on top of your breakfast.

Strawberries tend to develop mold quickly if they get wet, so what I do to keep them fresh is remove them from the plastic container, place them on a paper towel, and put them in a large container in a single layer. Cover with plastic wrap, or cover with the lid of the container.

Do not wash them until ready to eat.

I buy organic strawberries to avoid pesticides.

Take advantage of strawberry season to freeze fresh berries for smoothies, baking or cereals. They may be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

Strawberries contain no fat, cholesterol, or sodium, and are a good source of potassium and vitamin C.

Muesli

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (soaked overnight in 2 cups water)
• 1/2 cup nonfat milk
• 1/4 teaspoon condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons chopped walnuts and pecans
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh apple tossed with 2 scant teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

For Topping:
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries

The night before, soak oats in water. In the morning, drain off water. Mix soaked oats with remaining ingredients. Top each serving with your favorite berries. Makes one serving. May be doubled, tripled, etc. Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories: 170 Fat: 4.5 grams Cholesterol: 0 milligrams Sodium: 45 milligrams Fiber: 4 grams