Oat to Joy

I was going to get up and make a yummy brunch, but I was almost finished with an awesome murder mystery (Deeper than the Dead by Tami Hoag. Read it.) and couldn't put it down long enough to make anything.

Instead, I went with my breakfast standby for when I don't have the time or desire to cook: Oatmeal. I'm not talking the colorless sludge you'd find in continental breakfasts at three-star hotels, I mean scrumdidilyumptious, dessert-inspired oats that pack an energy punch.

Chocolate cherry oats

I love oatmeal because it's cheap, filling, nutritious, and above all, versatile. I just mix one part oats with two parts water, nuke it for a minute or so, then play with mix-ins. I almost always sweeten my oats with agave, stevia, or non-gmo xylitol and I add a little almond milk it I want it creamier. Here are some of my favorite combos:

Cinnamon roll oats: raisins (cooked with oats), cinnamon, a swirl of agave (not mixed in) and a dollop of whipped cream (or cashew cream, or coconut cream...)

Reese's oats: cocoa, a big scoop of peanut butter, and sometimes chocolate chips

Almond Joy oats: cocoa, chopped almonds, shredded coconut, Artisana coconut butter (optional)

Cookie Dough Oats: vanilla, chocolate chips (optional) and chunks of Raw Vegan Cookie Dough Bites (recipe later)

Trail Mix oats: Dried fruit (cooked with oats), chopped nuts

Banana nut oats: banana (sliced on top or mashed and cooked with oats), chopped nuts, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Tropical Oats: Sliced banana and other tropical fruits, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, cinnamon.

These are only a few of the amazing combos I come up with, but oatmeal is my breakfast probably four days a week. Try these out and come up with your own. If you get any more great ideas, let me know!

Happy last day of spring break :(

Kella