It’s been a breakfast staple for years and pairs perfectly with raisins to make a delicious cookie – but did you know there are numerous other uses for oats?

In the home:

• Odor Neutralizer: Don’t have baking soda on hand? Sprinkle some oats in a shallow container and place in the refrigerator to neutralize unpleasant odors. They may be especially effective at counteracting cigarette odor – line ashtrays with oats to cut down on the smoky smell.

In the bathroom:

• Face Scrub: Gently exfoliate your face with a natural mixture of water, finely ground oats (a food processor works well to grind whole oats) and raw honey.
• Skin Soother: To soothe dry, irritated or itchy skin, try an oatmeal paste. Simply combine ground oats with a small amount of water to form a fine paste and apply to skin as necessary. Let the mixture dry before rinsing off.
• Bath Soak: Make your own soothing and moisturizing oatmeal soak by combining 1-2 cups of whole oats with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Scoop your oatmeal concoction into an old pair of pantyhose or a piece of cheesecloth and tie it up to make a bath bag. Hang under the faucet as the bath is filling to infuse the tub with the oatmeal and olive oil mixture.

In the kitchen:

• Breadcrumb Substitute: For a healthy breading that’s brimming with protein and fiber, use coarsely ground oats in place of breadcrumbs. Oats can also add texture and nutritional value to meatloaf, meatballs, burgers and more.
• Homemade Flour: Make your own oat flour by blending in a food processor until you get a powder-like consistency. Homemade oat flour is perfect for breads, cookies, pancakes and more. Use gluten-free oats for a quick and easy way to make gluten-free flour!