I love grains. They are good and good for you in so many ways. Humans have eaten them for thousands of years and many of the vitamins essential to good brain, heart and overall development come from grains. That said, I despise processed cereals, which are a blight upon the earth; ok that may be a little heavy but not inaccurate. I can say this because I spent most of my medical school life eating frosted flakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was easy and delicious. I just had no idea that it wasn't really food but sugar with a false label telling me I was getting nutrients in a bowl. After researching processed cereals several years ago, I came home and threw out all my husband's Cheerios, including the chocolate. This was an unpleasant surprise for him. We got through it.

But here's something more pleasant-a cool (literally) way go prepare oatmeal in the fridge. It can be personalized based on what dry fruit one prefers. There's no cooking and it can live in the fridge up to a week making it perfect for school day breakfasts as well. Make them in smaller mason jars and you can take them to go.

I'm using Mcann's Irish Rolled Oats here. I like currents and have recently discovered dried mulberries. These have no sugar added. You can enhance the oatmeal with additional chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, pistachios) and fresh fruits, berries or yogurt. The combinations are only limited by your imagination, As always, I encourage you to eat seasonally.

You can use a larger jar and increase the amounts--just leave some room for the oatmeal to expand a little. Your can mix all the ingredients in a bowl and divide into smaller jars for individual and to go servings

RECIPE: Summer Cold Oatmeal

In a Pint canning jar, place:

1 cup rolled oats
1/8 cup dried currants
1/8 cup dried mulberries
Add 1 and 1/2 cups of whole milk.
Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight (about 12 hours)
Spoon out about 1/3 into a bowl and enjoy as is or with the toppings of you choice.

Makes 2-3 servings

Suggestions for toppings:

Peaches, pecans and honey

Berries, almonds, yogurt and honey

Blueberries, walnuts, cinnamon and maple syrup

Bananas and brown sugar