Dairy and Larry Team Up for Protein Power

Do you know the name of the Quaker man on every box of Quaker Oats?  It's Larry!  In the coming weeks, you may notice that Larry is sporting a milk mustache with the hope of encouraging consumers to make their oatmeal with milk. It's a winning combination that provides a boost of protein power to start any day in the right nutritional direction!

Larry's mustache may be new but Quaker Oats has always been a staple in my pantry so to  celebrate the fact that Larry's promoting MILK, I'm planning to bake Quaker's Best Oatmeal Muffins!

Quaker's Best Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:

Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned,uncooked)

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1 cup skim Milk

1/4 cup Canola Oil

1 egg,lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

Streusel

1/3 cup Quaker Oats

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 Tablespoons butter,chilled and cut into pieces

Preparation:

Heat oven to 400 degrees. line twelve medium muffin cups with paper baking cups or spray bottoms only with cooking spray. For streusel, in small bowl, combine oats,flour and sugar; mix well. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly. Set aside. For muffins, in large bowl, combine flour,oats,sugar, and baking powder; mix well. In small bowl, combine milk,oil,egg and vanilla; blend well.

Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not over mix.) Fill muffin cups almost full. Sprinkle with reserved streusel, patting gently. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool muffins in pan on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Serve warm.  

                                               Have you had your Milk and Oatmeal today?

Whey to Go

Our dairy farm schedule doesn't permit a lot of sitting around like Miss Muffit 'eating her curds and whey' but thanks to dairy nutrition research, it is now possible to have Whey to Go!


Whey is one of the two complete high quality proteins in cow's milk that is seperated out from the casein protein during cheese making. It is used in a variety of products such as infant formulas,food supplements,sport bars, and beverages to meet the health goals for people of all ages. According to the National Dairy Council, whey protein:

• Contains all of the essential amino acids ("building blocks") for your body needs.
• Is one of the best sources of amino acids to help increase muscle protein.
• Helps increase protein synthesis,which can help the body funciton properly.

Whey protein can be consumed in an energy or meal bar, a drinking beverage with whey protein or dropping a scoop of whey powder into your milk,yogurt,cereal, or smoothies. Whey powder can boost protein intake without adding excess calories to everyday foods and can also be:

• Stirred into hot foods (not boiling) immediately after cooking
• Used as an ingredient in baked goods
• Added to ground meats before cooking
• Included in savory or sweet dips
• Stirred into hot cereal or creamy soups and sauces
• Added to peanut or other nut butters

Whey to Go is definitely an important addition to our nutritional tools regardless of age or activity level. You can find recipes and  more information about whey protein at http://www.wheyprotein.nationaldairycouncil.org.