Early on in our marriage, the Hubby was hired by Holland America, as a dentist to care for their crew.  Of course, if a passenger was in pain or had a problem, he took care of them, but primarily, he was hired to take care of the dental needs for their crew, mostly from Indonesia and the Philippines.  In return, he could bring all of us, he had the port days off and they paid him a daily wage.  Great gig to have early on, when cruising just wasn’t part of the budget.  We saw so many incredible places and we were able to take our children who learned so much through this experience.  Prior to the Holland American experience, the only cruising I had done was a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Song of America with a Martha Cook friend, Barb Middleton (Hagan now) and then our honeymoon on the Carnival (the fun ships back then) Celebration.  That Holland American experience that lasted for about 9 years (about 2-4 weeks per year) was  the beginning of something really fun.  Holland America eventually eliminated the program and we moved onto trying our different ship, shopping for the best deals at the most reasonable times to sail.  It was on that first Holland America trip that we took, departing out of Tampa for the Western Caribbean that I tried a dish that just happens to be today’s Marvelous Monday, Bircher Muesli.  A little background on the dish first.  In the early 1900’s in Switzerland, Dr. Bircher-Benner and his wife were hiking in the Alps.  They stopped for a meal and this dish of ‘Mush’ Muesli was served to them as an evening meal.  At the time, Dr. Bircher-Benner was working in a small hospital/chalet caring for patients recovering from Tuberculous (that’s the story I was told).  He felt that a good diet was part of recovery so when he thought to the alpine hike and the delicious healthy evening meal he and his wife were served, he decided to serve that meal to his patients and recommend that upon dismissal from the chalet/hospital continue to make Bircher’s Muesli part of their diet since it was high in fiber, fruits and with the yogurt, contained some protein, a perfect meal or snack.  Bircher-Muesli is served on most cruise ships for breakfast in the morning near the yogurt, cottage cheese and fresh fruits.

Stella and Eva like muesli.

Once you look over the basic recipe, tailor it to suit your likes/dislikes or those foods you are unable to eat or what you have on hand.  I am thinking that many of you will have most of the ingredients on hand…even better and easier to mix this up to enjoy whenever you wish. Make it the night before and make ENOUGH to have in the fridge for a few days…My prediction is that you will frequently have this on hand for yourself, and your People to enjoy for breakfast, a snack, or for supper, as the Swiss, Austrian or Germans who subscribe to Dr. Bircher’s prescription to healthy eating do…It’s a Great Day Friends 🍽

Have the muesli on hand in the fridge and add the fruits you like most

Ingredients

-2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

-1 cup strained/Greek yogurt

-1 cup of your choice of milk

-2 apples grated

-1 cup fresh blueberries washed and dried with a towel or paper towel

-4 Tablespoons dried fruit (dates, cherries or apricots)

-4 Tablespoons chopped pecans (if you do not have a nut allergy)

-1/2 banana, sliced, as a garnish, on top

-1/2 cup of fresh strawberries for garnish

-maple syrup to drizzle atop before serving (about 1/2 teaspoon per

serving)

  1. Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl or container except for strawberries, bananas and maple syrup.
  2. Stir, cover and store in the fridge, over night or a couple of hours.
  3. Spoon into bowls, add strawberries and maple syrup.  If necessary, add additional milk to cover oat mixture before adding garnish ingredients, or to your liking.
  4. Adjust recipe to fit your favorite ingredients or ingredients you are not allergic to.
  5. Store in the fridge covered for a few day and enjoy as a meal or a quick snack.
  6. Yum!! I predict, that you will make this one of your FAV items to mix up to have on hand for your People…It’s a Great Day 🍽
  7. My book is available through here at itsagreatdayto.com