Do you ever have one of those days that feels like a slow start? No matter how much sleep you’ve had or how early you got up and got ready for the day, you just can’t seem to get much done? Well, 2016 has been a little like that for me… a slow start. But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about all of you! I recently earned my Culinary Nutrition Expert certification where plant-based, healing, ‘wow’ ingredients and cooking were the focus. One of my favorite parts of the program was transforming everyday, not-always-healthy foods into powerhouse recipes that give your body powerful nutrients and keep your taste buds happy. Today I’m sharing one of those culinary creations with you!

Cold, wintery days call for warm, comforting foods. Oatmeal is a breakfast favorite, but can be boring and lack diversity of nutrients, especially protein. I’ve created a delicious way to bring a bowl of warmth to your breakfast table that will give your body a variety of super foods (think: quinoa, maca, hemp seeds, blueberries) to start your day off right. It’s my Green Breakfast Bowl and here’s how it goes:

Start with one cup of just cooked, hot oatmeal (I like Bob’s Red Mill gluten free oats). Add in one cup of cooked quinoa (I use leftovers from a previous meal).

Then, under low heat, (because the idea is to warm the ingredients together, not cook them) add:

½ cup of almond milk

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp maca

1 tsp raw honey

1 tbsp hemp seeds

and ¼ cup organic blueberries (you can use frozen in the off season)

Gently combine until warmed through, then remove from heat and…

mix in ¼ cup fresh, lightly chopped spinach (yes, greens in your oatmeal!). Place into two serving bowls, top each with a ½ tsp of cacao nibs and serve.

Don’t let the spinach scare you from trying this recipe! You can’t taste it and it gives you fresh greens, iron, fiber and vitamin A. For those of you brave enough to try it let me know how you liked it!

Have a happy, healthy day!

{Printable Recipe Here – Green Breakfast Bowl}