Gingerbread Oats

There is nothing better than a big ol’ bowl of oatmeal during the winter.

Okay… maybe a cut of hot cocoa here and there – BUT – oatmeal is my fave way to warm up before trudging to the lib in the bitter cold. Finals season is in full swing so I need something that will keep me satiated for my study-bender. If there’s one thing we learned from our college freshman year, it’s that you can’t study on an empty stomach!

~ finals vibes ~

But the thing is, oatmeal can be B-O-R-I-N-G!!

In high school, my dad always told my brothers and me that a bowl of oatmeal topped with walnuts is the optimal breakfast before an exam. Only issue was – I had no idea how to jazz up my bowl of hot cereal. I basically added water to oatmeal, microwaved it, and topped it off with walnuts – that’s about as fun as o-chem… :’)

So, why not add a little spice to this plain-Jane bowl?

Literally!!?

Recipe

3/4 rolled oats

1 cup water

2 small drops vanilla extract

1 T maple syrup (or brown sugar)

cinnamon

nutmeg

all spice

salt

Directions

Mix all ingredients and add a couple dashes of spices in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately!

Personally, I like to dump approx. 1 lb of cinnamon to my oatmeal b/c of its delish taste, antioxidant properties, help in balancing blood sugar, and anti-inflammatory properties – BUT you can add as much or as little as you like!
Hope you enjoy!! <3
xx hails