Spiced Chocolate Banana Nut Oatmeal

This is one of my favorite oatmeal recipes to make for a warm, filling breakfast, or healthy dessert! It's gluten free, refined sugar free, vegan, and most importantly, delicious!

Growing up, I used to shove toast or cereal down my throat while packing my lunch and rushing to get ready for school. Then in my first two years of college, I started eating granola bars or bananas while walking to class. Not only would my day start off on a stressed and frazzled note, but I would be ready for a second breakfast like an hour later! 

Last year, I began including some mindfulness practices in my daily routine, and taking time for myself each morning is one of the many practices that I still do today. I started waking up a little earlier than I needed to and I actually had time to sit down and eat a warm, healthy breakfast. Waking up 10-15 minutes earlier has made such a huge difference in my life!! Now I can't imagine starting my day without a warm and tasty breakfast that I made mindfully and without rushing!

Out of all of the oatmeal combos I've made--and I've made a LOT--my favorite is my spiced chocolate banana nut oatmeal. This spiced breakfast is especially comforting on a chilly fall day, and the fact that it's warm and chocolatey makes it all the more better. I make old-fashioned oats the way I normally would, then I add almond butter, a mashed banana, a little honey or maple syrup (if I'm feeling something super sweet), cinnamon, ginger, cocoa powder, and occasionally, some collagen powder as well. It's refined sugar free, and can easily be made vegan if you don't use the honey (you can sub in maple syrup if you want, but even just the banana makes it perfectly sweet in my opinion)!

I used to make something similar with peanut butter, banana, brown sugar, and chocolate chips back when I wasn't allergic to pb *sigh*, but I think I kinda like this new, healthier, refined sugar free version even more!

Spiced Chocolate Banana Nut Oatmeal Recipe

• 1 cup nut milk (or water)
• 1 large, ripe banana
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tbs honey (or maple syrup)*
• 1 tbs almond butter 
• A dash of cinnamon and ginger
• 1/2 - 1 scoop of collagen powder**
• 1/2 cup gf old-fashioned oats
• Cacao nibs or chocolate chips

* (Optional) Feel free to use maple syrup if vegan, and to leave this out until the end and only add if you feel it's needed!

** (Optional) You can add as much collagen as you'd like; I usually use about 1/2 -1 scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen.

Mash about 1/2 of the banana. Combine all ingredients except for the oats on high in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; then lower heat to medium, add in the oats, and occasionally stir until it's reached your desired thickness and consistency. Sweeten as desired, and slice up the rest of the banana and add to your oats. I also like to add a small handful of cacao nibs, sliced strawberries, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, but add whatever you'd like!

I hope you enjoy!!

Xoxo,
Anastasia