Oatmeal Monday, popularly known as Meal Monday, is celebrated on the second Monday in February and this year will be observed on February 10. It started as a University holiday in Scotland over 300 years ago. This meal is celebrated for good reason as they are fast to whip up, highly nutritious, and a great source of energy. This meal is loved for its versatility, with different inventive flavors. It can be served cold and light with berries and fruits for breakfast or piping hot with milk and almonds for dinner. There are over 800 different ways oats can be made and the meal has been there for many university students on hungry nights.
History of Oatmeal Monday
Oatmeal Monday is a traditional celebration of Scotland that dates back to the 17th Century. In the earliest days of formal education, students at the Scottish University were required to carry their fuel and food to the campus. With no canteen and cooks at their disposal, students cooked their meals. Their sustenance depended largely on simple and quick recipes like porridge and soup.
As their reserves started to run dry after a week or two, the university announced long weekend holidays as an opportunity for them to replenish their stock. The Mondays after these weekends were recognized as Oatmeal Monday, as students returned to campus with fresh supplies. Each Oatmeal Monday, a congregation was held in an open area to celebrate their safe return with the sourced bounty. In the early 18th Century, long weekends were a frequent occurrence. The universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow continued to celebrate Oatmeal Monday for the entire stretch of the 19th Century. As the procurement of food became easier, the observation remained largely based on the celebration of students preparing their meals together.
Universities all around Scotland reserved a Monday of each month to celebrate the day. This changed after intervention in 1896 when the University of Edinburgh proclaimed the second Monday of February as the official Oatmeal Monday. What was once a monthly celebration is now an annual observation. On the second Monday of February, we come together to express our gratitude for the availability and access to food and eat a bowl of porridge in the process.
Oatmeal Monday timeline
Some findings trace the first origins of this grain meal to Egypt’s 12th Dynasty.
Oats, a Scotland staple, is introduced to the western world by Scottish settlers.
It is claimed around this time Scottish students carry oats among other supplies as part of their school provisions.
Oats harvest relapses as farmers shift their resources to barley production after the legalization of whiskey.
Universities across Scotland observe Meal Mondays on the first Monday of every month.
The University of Edinburgh announces the second Monday of February as the official celebration of Oatmeal Monday.
The Quaker Brand makes claims that oats help to lower saturated fats, lower cholesterol and generally decrease the risk of heart disease.
Oatmeal Monday FAQs
What is oatmeal called in Scotland?
The Scots refer to oatmeal as brose, which is a form of raw porridge. Oatmeal is the most popular choice of breakfast for the Scots. It is prepared with salt, butter, buttermilk, or milk.
What is the difference between oatmeal and oats?
Oats are cylinder-shaped whole grains in their raw form. Oatmeal is a processed version of oats, cut and rolled to fasten the preparation time. Oatmeal is processed for human consumption, whereas oats are generally used as livestock feed.
Can you eat Oatmeal every day?
Generally, you can eat one serving of oats every day, however, if you would like to eat oats every day, that ultimately comes down to the type of oats and the type of your diet.
Are oats gluten-free?
Naturally, oats are gluten-free, but during production, they can come in contact with other grains that contain gluten such as wheat, rye, or barley.
How long can they be stored?
In their natural dried form, they can be preserved for up to nine months in a cool dry place. can be kept in the fridge for 36 hours depending on the toppings added.
Oatmeal Monday Activities
Have an oatmeal dessert party
There are so many different flavors that can be infused into a bowl of oatmeal, some come a little sweet and some come a little spicy. You and your friends can have a taste-off after dinner.
Plan a trip to Scotland
Scotland is one of the premium tourist destinations in the world. A land of culture, history, and, of course, whiskey. Experience the joy of waking up in the countryside with the fragrance of freshly made porridge filling up your Airbag.
Distribute cookies to your local school
What better time to distribute cookies (and love) than February? Take a batch of chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, and go knock on some school doors. If you are an alumnus, you get extra karma points.
5 Things You Didn't Know About Oats
It’s great for your skin
Oats are excellent moisturizers and help to balance your skin pH.
Oatmeal is great for weight loss
With its very rich nutritious value and low-calorie count, this meal makes an excellent choice for people trying to shed some kilos
Oats are packed with nutrients
Starting your day with oats gives you a powerful dose of proteins and fiber, not to mention all the nutrients, antioxidants, and enzymes it contains.
They make excellent crafting tools
If you add a little flour and a little water, you've got yourself D.I.Y. clay.
It helps with heart conditions
Recent compelling studies show that oats lower cholesterol and L.D.L. in cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Why We Love Oatmeal Monday
Relive old traditions
The cause of the celebration of Oatmeal Monday sits in contrast with the abundance of food in the 21st Century. Oatmeal Monday, a festival that goes back to the 17th Century, gives you a chance to relive the old days of Scottish glory, which includes the struggles faced by the intellectuals of that period.
Reintroduce the brotherhood
Oatmeal Monday gives us a chance to come together as a community and prepare food. As 17th Century Scots came together in their melancholy and limited means, we also seek to cross the barriers and seek power in our brotherhood and belonging.
Revive the love for oatmeal
Not a lot of food items can claim to be as nutritious and affordable as our good old oatmeal. Daily inclusion of oatmeal in your diet is a great leap toward a healthy body, without punching a hole in your pocket.
Oatmeal Monday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | February 14 | Monday |
| 2023 | February 13 | Monday |
| 2024 | February 12 | Monday |
| 2025 | February 10 | Monday |
| 2026 | February 9 | Monday |
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