Five surprising uses for leftover oatmeal

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iStockPhoto)

You may think of oatmeal as on the bland side of the food aisle, as something that your doctor told you to eat but that you're not thrilled about. Or maybe it's something you take only with a lot of cream and sugar.

But even if you already love oatmeal, you might not know that you can use it to save money and get crafty, as well as get healthier. Don't throw out any excess!

The healthiest type of oatmeal is made from whole-grain, steel-cut oats, also known as coarse-cut or Irish oats, because they retain more of the nutritious (though tough) bran layer. The more common "rolled oats" are steamed, flattened, and lightly toasted. "Instant" oatmeal is precooked and usually has sweeteners and flavors added. Nutritionists say you're better off buying unsweetened and adding a touch of honey, maple syrup, agave, or other flavoring yourself.

Oats are an excellent source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, iron, beta-glucan (which may help regulate blood sugar), and the antioxidants known as avenanthramides (which may help promote healthy circulation). Oatmeal is also believed to help reduce harmful cholesterol levels, and it may boost the immune system and help prevent cancer.

But what happens when you have too much of a good thing, or you just don't get around to eating all the oatmeal and it gets old and stale in your cupboard? Don't throw it out! It has many great uses besides filling up your family (in some cases you really can put food on your family)...

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Treat acne

Many people swear by oatmeal as a natural remedy to acne. One easy recipe is to cook up some of the stuff, let cool until lukewarm, then apply to the affected areas. Let stand for several minutes, then rinse.

Some people prefer to use oatmeal-based scrubs (see below). Others bathe with "colloidal oatmeal," which is made by mixing oatmeal that has been ground into a very fine powder in water.

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Neutralize odors

Few realize that oatmeal can help absorb odors. Try placing an open container of the stuff in your fridge. Some people use oatmeal to line ashtrays and claim the flakes help neutralize the smell of smoke.

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Soothe dry or irritated skin

People have been using oatmeal to promote healthy, beautiful skin for a long time. It can provide soothing relief from sunburn, poison ivy, or other irritations and is said to heal skin and open pores.

In fact, many moisturizers and beauty products on store shelves contain oatmeal for its benefits, sometimes ground up and sometimes in flake form.

It's also easy to make a home remedy to soothe your dog's itchy, dry skin. All it takes is oatmeal, an old sock, a washcloth, and some aluminum foil. Get the recipe from Small Dog's Paradise.

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Pamper yourself

A soothing way to unwind at the end of a long day is to take a bath with oatmeal. Here's a simple recipe from AltUse: While running a lukewarm bath, add one cup of milk, two cups of uncooked oatmeal and a tablespoon of honey. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes, and your skin will be moisturized and rejuvenated. How relaxing!

Make your own scrub by grinding two tablespoons of oatmeal into a grainy consistency in a blender or food processor. Add one teaspoon baking soda and very small amounts of water until the mixture has the consistency of paste. Spread that on your cleansed and dry face. Leave on for 10 minutes and gently remove with cool water.

It also isn't difficult to make your own oatmeal soap (which makes nice gifts).

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Turn it into modeling clay

You can also turn old oatmeal into a non-toxic crafting "clay" that delights kids and gets their creative energies flowing. The Play-Doh-like clay stays moist for hours, but hardens overnight, making it good for sculpting figurines, bowls, beads, and other goodies you can think of.

Use Disney Family Fun's simple recipe to combine one cup of instant or rolled oats with flour and a little water. You can also add food coloring for a rainbow of possibilities.

In fact, oatmeal can be used in an array of crafts that's limited only by your imagination. One parent suggests making an "oatmeal octopus." It's easy: pour some oatmeal in a sandwich bag, then add a tablespoon of powdered paint. Have your child shake it up. Then draw out patterns in glue on paper or cardboard (it needn't necessarily be of an octopus of course). Sprinkle on the colored oatmeal for a unique project.

So now you know how versatile oatmeal can be, and not just in the kitchen. Now you've got some permission to play with your food!

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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc

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