If you're still eating the pre-packaged oatmeal with 3 tsp. of added sugar, it's time to up your oatmeal game. While that's a quick, convenient breakfast, it's less expensive and more delicious to make your own.

I received a few sample packages of Arctic® Apples | Distinctly Nonbrowning Apples this week, which are a genetically engineered apple.

They were Golden Delicious and Granny Smith varieties in individual pouches. This makes it easy to grab and go for snacks.Before you get upset about GMOs, know the facts.

GMOS are genetically modified organisms. Scientists modify plants by transferring a beneficial trait from one plant to another plant. One example would be insect resistance. The products undergo several years of testing for health and safety, including allergy testing. Read more about them here:

GMO Answers | GMO Facts - Everything to Know About GMOsTo date, there are 10 GMO crops including alfalfa sprouts, soybeans, corn, sugar beets, canola, summer squash, potato, papaya, cotton and a few varieties of apples.

If a food contains a GMO crop, it will be labeled bioengineered food. Any food that is 100% organic will not contain any ingredients that are GMO. GMOs are used globally to help reduce crop waste, hunger and prevent malnutrition.In the case of Arctic apples, which are labeled bioengineered, the producers "knock out" the enzyme polyphenol oxidase, an enzyme that makes the apple turn brown when it's exposed to air.

This engineering makes the apple more shelf stable once cut and helps to reduce food waste. Consumers tend to be more likely to toss out apples or other fruit (such as avocado) once they start to brown.What I liked about these apples was both the taste and texture.

Like regular Granny Smith apples- Arctic apples were tart and somewhat firm. They chopped up easily and added some great color to my otherwise beige breakfast.The recipe below is better known as "loaded oatmeal" in my house.

I like to throw everything but the kitchen sink into my cereal to boost the taste, texture and nutritional value. You can use chia seeds if you don't have ground flaxseeds and any chopped nut will do.

Ingredients:1

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon1 tsp. ground flaxseed

1/2 Granny Smith Arctic apple

1 tsp. chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. Place rolled oats in a microwave safe bowl.

2. Add cinnamon, flaxseed, apples and chopped walnuts.

3. Add 1 cup water and mix ingredients together.

4. Cover the bowl with a glass or other microwave safe lid and microwave for 2 mintues.

5. Mix and serve.

Makes 1 large serving.