I apologize for the long silence, I’ve been sick, I’ve been travelling, I’ve been worn down. Summer has been anything but relaxing. Because of that, for my first post back, I’m sharing one of my ultimate comfort foods: hearty oatmeal. Oatmeal that’s a meal, not just a speed bump to your morning hunger, or evening hunger for that matter. I have a shocking confession: I’m not a big a big breakfast person (I know, for shame), so most of my oatmeal eating is done in the evenings.

My main problem is, sometimes I need the comfort of breakfast for dinner, but also want to eat healthy. My answer to that has always been oatmeal, but now that I’m more aware of the nutrients I’m putting in my body I don’t want a meal of just carbs. My answer, as always, is: put an EGG in it! 😉🍳 Eggs are seriously the solution to any meal-based problem. Slap an egg on it, in it, near it, whatever, problem solved! Read on for my recipe and favorite combinations below.

Hearty Oatmeal

(Serves 1)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup milk, water, favorite milk substitute, or a combination thereof
• pinch of salt
• splash of vanilla
• 1 tbsp of sweetener of your choice (optional)

Optional Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 large or 1 small banana
• 2 tbsp diced pecans
• chia seeds
• dried fruit
• fresh fruit
• nut butter
• cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Beat together egg, milk choice, vanilla, salt, optional spices, and sweetener if using. Mix in instant oatmeal.
2. If using a banana mash a portion to be included in the oatmeal, and save a portion for coins on top.
3. Microwave mixture for 1 1/2 minutes on full power, and then mix. There will be kind of weird layer of cooked egg on top, but just try to ignore it and mix it back in.
4. Microwave for another 1 – 1 1/2 minutes.
5. Top with your favorite fruits, nut butters, or cottage cheese and enjoy! If you’re not feeling inspired look at some of my ideas below.

Banana Cheesecake (featured image):

• 1/2 large or 1 small banana mashed in oatmeal
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tbsp diced pecans
• 1/3 cup cottage cheese
• drizzling of honey

Egg-tra Protein:

• Add in second egg, and subtract 1/4 cup liquid
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 white peaches, peeled and diced
• sprinkling of cinnamon

Tropical Fiber:

• Add 1/2 tbsp chia seeds to cooking mixture
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• sprinkling of chia seeds
• chopped dried coconut