Eating oats to enhance good health is not something new but has been practice through time. Oats is a very simple ingredient with far reaching positive effects and benefits. 

Oats within a diet plan provides a wide range of important health benefits which cannot be duplicated by any other food item singularly. Being a significant dietary fiber source, oats consists of soluble and half soluble fibers which help to keep blood cholesterol levels effectively under control. 

Some of the areas where oats has been known to be beneficial are in improving heart conditions, regulating blood sugar levels, functioning as anti cancer fighters, keeping blood pressure under control, maintaining regular and healthy bowel functions, helping in weight control, boosting athletic performances, and in general health and longevity. 

Oats is also a food item that is rather hardy and can be grown in poor soil conditions which is of course another plus in terms of its availability. The various processes that the oat has to be subjected to before it reaches the dining table does not cause its nutritional value to decrease rather it is able to maintain its concentrated high fiber and nutrient base. 

Oats can be a great day starter in the form of a piping bowl of oatmeal which can be more flavorful with the addition of fresh fruits, nuts or the dried fruits variety. It can also be used to make oat meal cookies which are usually a huge hit with kids and adults alike. Breads and muffins can also have the addition of healthy oats to it as with poultry stuffing too. 

The Golden Honey Oat Bread Recipe 

Ingredients 

1 1/4 cups and 2 tablespoons water, room temperature (70 to 90F.) 

1/2 cup rolled oats or barley flakes 

1/4 cup flax seed cracked 

2 cups unbleached flour 

3/4 cup whole wheat flour 

2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten 

1 tablespoon powdered milk - 13 - 

2 tablespoons honey 

1 1/8 teaspoon instant yeast 

2 1/2 tablespoons canola oil 

2 teaspoons salt 

Directions

In the bread machine container, combine water, oats, and cracked flax and mix to moisten. Then let sit covered for a minimum of 15 minutes. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, gluten, powdered milk, and yeast. 

Add the honey, and oil to the oat mixture and then the flour mixture. Mix 3 minutes and allow to rest for 20. If your bread machine always restarts with a 3 minute mix allow it to do so while adding the salt and then go into the kneading cycle for 4 minutes. If it starts with the kneading cycle also run it for 4 minutes, adding the salt at the beginning of the kneading cycle.