Feeling Your Oats In January

We always knew January was really exciting, and here’s the definitive proof: It’s Oatmeal Month (according to Quaker, anyway).

Actually, the company’s sales figures show more oatmeal is consumed in January than any other month, as Americans try desperately to fill the digestive void created when the final Christmas cookies disintegrate into dust.

A few fun facts from the Quaker folks:

Baltimore and Little Rock, Ark., are tied as the top oatmeal-eating cities based on pounds purchased per person, while Atlanta is last (no word on Spokane’s showing, although Seattle tied for 10th).

People 65 and older eat the most oatmeal, an average of 65 bowls a year.

The favorite oatmeal toppings: milk, mentioned by 52 percent of the people polled; sugar, 48 percent; fruit (mostly raisins and bananas), 13 percent; butter/margarine/spreads, 11 percent, and syrup/honey, 7 percent. (Among the more unusual garnishes: whipped cream, coconut and cottage cheese.)

While most oatmeal that isn’t used in baked goods is eaten for breakfast, a surprising 12 percent is served at dinner. For dessert, no doubt.

For free oatmeal breakfast recipes, visit www.quakeroatmeal.com or send your name and address to: The Whole (Grain) Truth, P.O. Box 487, Dept. OM, Chicago, IL 60690-0487; for free baking recipe cards, write to Favorite Cookies & Muffins at the same address.

Selling like hotcakes

Around these parts, people are more prone to be whipping up pancakes for breakfast.

According to Information Resources Inc. figures recently cited in The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, Spokane is the top market in the country for pancake mix sales, at a score of 142 (with 100 being average).

Boise, by the way, ranked last in both bacon (68) and frozen waffles (55). Probably too busy with those hash browns.

Whistler’s mouthful

True connoisseurs know eating is an art form, and now the American Institute for Cancer Research has a calendar to prove it.

“The Art of Healthy Eating” features replicas of well-known paintings (such as “Whistler’s Mother”) adapted to include healthful foods, along with recipes and nutrition tips.

The calendar costs $5. For credit card orders, call (800) 843-8114, ext. 7116, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST, or send a check with your name and address to: American Institute for Cancer Research, Dept. C98, P.O. Box 97167, Washington, D.C. 20090-7167.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing

MEMO: We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.