hi pretty people :)
I’ve been in a wicked oatmeal mood lately, which is weird because I’ve never been the biggest fan of oatmeal. I mean, I always loved the sugary packaged kind before I went vegan… you know, the strawberries and cream, or maple brown sugar… or the one with the dinosaur eggs that hatch while you eat it – hahaha. I’m such a sucker for that stuff.
Basically, if it was sugary oatmeal, I was good with it. The first time I had rolled oats prepared without sugar… oof! Not into it. But thankfully, my taste buds have adjusted over time, and I have found ways to prepare oatmeal without all the crazy sugar and additives. One of my favorite ways to do this is with good ‘ol peanut butter. Aside from sweetening it up, it is also that boost of protein that I need to kick off my day. Two tbs is about 8 grams of protein – perfect.
So my new favorite way to prepare rolled oats is with peanut butter, banana, and cinnamon. It almost tastes like dessert for breakfast, except it is totally good for you. The addition of cinnamon definitely gives us that dessert edge, while providing its own nutritional benefits. In case you didn’t know, cinnamon is a powder anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial. Powerful stuff, worth looking into.
Recipe
You will need:
- 1 cup water (or non-dairy milk if you prefer creamy)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbs peanut butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1 tbs raw sugar (optional for additional sweetness, only about 15 extra calories)
To make:
- Bring 1 cup of water to a boil over high heat.
- Stir in 1/2 cup oats, reduce heat to medium and cook for about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for about 2-3 minutes.
- Uncover, and stir in dash of salt, 2 tbs peanut butter, cinnamon, 1/2 of your banana slices, and raw sugar (if you need a little more sweetness).
- Top with remaining bananas, sprinkle cinnamon, and enjoy.
Oatmeal really isn’t all that bad once you find your groove and figure out what you like and don’t like. Fortunately for me, peanut butter was the saving grace. I also love adding organic jam, berries, almonds, granola, and even shaved coconut. Hey, sometimes if you are feeling like you really need extra sweetness, a handful of chocolate chips won’t kill ya.
What are some of your favorite additions to homemade oatmeal? I could use some suggestions, so please don’t hesitate to share.
Have a wonderful day, and thanks for sticking around. Love sharing my thoughts with you. xx bianca
