Keep your healthy choices handy!

I have read many times that I should keep our flaxseed meal in the refrigerator.  But you know what?  For most of the two years we have been partaking of flaxseed meal I have been keeping it on the counter in a clear glass jar.  Well, about two cups of it--the rest goes into the deep freeze until I need to refill the jar.  This works for us because we use it everyday.  We use it everyday because it is sitting right there on the counter.  We use it up fast enough that it doesn't go rancid.  Isn't that cool?
I found that keeping it in the fridge resulted in the flaxseed meal getting lost behind other stuff.  When the flaxseed meal is not handy--I don't remember to use it.

Flaxseed Meal 

Another handy item I like to use a lot and keep right there on the counter is Chia Seeds.  Same deal--I use them in a lot of everything because they are handy and really good for us.  Virtually tasteless by the way but packed with protein.

Chia Seeds

Now that fall is in the air, I keep a topping mix for oatmeal that includes these items.  Here is my recipe for jazzing up your morning oatmeal without making you late for work:

Topping Mix for Oatmeal, (use a spoonful of the mix over each bowl of oatmeal)
This will be enough for about 18 bowls of hot cereal (two teaspoons each).

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
2 tablespoons date sugar
1 tablespoon roasted sunflower seeds
3 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts

Mix this together and keep in an airtight container next to your oats.  

Topping mix for hot cereal

Oat meal with topping mix and dried blueberries.  How can your day not be most excellent?