Apples 'n' Cinnamon Oatmeal

Original: Instant Quaker Oatmeal

Packet oatmeal is easy and it's not bad for you, but it's fun to make your own oatmeal, not to mention fast and even cheaper than the packet stuff.

Ingredients
5 c water
3 small (or 1 large) apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/3 c brown sugar
~3 c quick oats (do not substitute rolled oats)

1. Add water, apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar to 3 qt saucepan.
2. Bring to boil.
3. Sprinkle in oats while stirring in order to avoid lumpy oatmeal. You decide how many oats you want. More for thick, pasty oatmeal; fewer for a thinner consistency. 
4. Cook one minute. Done! Fool proof, I promise.

Notes: 
This makes enough oatmeal for a family. Make half or less for two people.
I chop the apples in a food processor and immediately add them to the water to keep them from turning brown.
You can add a bit of salt (~ 1/2 tsp or so) to the boiling water before adding the oats. Salt-free is best for your blood pressure, though.
Once it's in my bowl, I usually thin down the oatmeal with some skim milk and extra brown sugar. You can add a butter pat, too, but that kinda ruins the healthiness of the oatmeal. Just sayin...