It’s been a breakfast staple for years and pairs perfectly with raisins to make a delicious cookie– but did you know there are numerous other uses for oats?
In the home:
- Odor Neutralizer: Don’t have baking soda on hand? Sprinkle some oats in a shallow container and place in the refrigerator to neutralize unpleasant odors. They may be especially effective at counteracting cigarette odor–line ashtrays with oats to cut down on the smoky smell.
In the bathroom:
- Face Scrub: Gently exfoliate your face with a natural mixture of water, finely ground oats (a food processor works well to grind whole oats) and raw honey.
- Skin Soother: To soothe dry, irritated or itchy skin, try an oatmeal paste. Simply combine ground oats with a small amount of water to form a fine paste and apply to skin as necessary. Let the mixture dry before rinsing off.
- Bath Soak: Make your own soothing and moisturizing oatmeal soak by combining 1-2 cups of whole oats with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Scoop your oatmeal concoction into an old pair of pantyhose or a piece of cheesecloth and tie it up to make a bath bag. Hang under the faucet as the bath is filling to infuse the tub with the oatmeal and olive oil mixture.
In the kitchen:
- Breadcrumb Substitute: For a healthy breading that’s brimming with protein and fiber, use coarsely ground oats in place of breadcrumbs. Oats can also add texture and nutritional value to meatloaf, meatballs, burgers and more.
- Homemade Flour: Make your own oat flour by blending in a food processor until you get a powder-like consistency. Homemade oat flour is perfect for breads, cookies, pancakes and more. Use gluten-free oats for a quick and easy way to make gluten-free flour!