I woke up today with a start. Something was not right. It sounded like water was gushing outside, flooding the streets. It sounded like everything was about to be swept away. I snuck out of bed, careful not to wake the sleeping baby lying next to me to peek outside. Surely, it could not be raining. It has been so warm and sunny, it is not fall yet! Sure enough, as soon as I peaked out the window I could see the slick and glossy color of wet pavement. It was raining! And not just a drizzle, really raining!
All day today has been rainy, gloomy, cloudy, and cold. I have not felt such a dramatic turn of seasons in a very long time. Yesterday it was Summer, today Fall. I am not happy about the turn of seasons, I will miss my sunny warm weather. This bowl of oatmeal, however, perked up my attitude and reminded me about all the great things that come with fall: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, apples, pumpkins, vegan hot chocolate, fires by the fireplace, I could go on and on. Instead, I will leave you with happy thoughts of the season to come and a recipe for Pumpkin Oatmeal.
Pumpkin Oatmeal
Vegan, Dairy Free, Soy Free, can be made Gluten Free
Makes 4-5 Servings
1 cup Irish Steel Cut Oats (or use gluten free oats or another hot cereal of choice)
4 Cups water
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 can pumpkin puree
Stevia or other sweetener to taste (I used 4 teaspoons stevia)
2 teaspoons cinammon
For each serving you will need:
1 banana
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1. Make the chia oatmeal by boiling steel cut oats with water. As soon as it starts to boil turn off the heat and slowly pour the chia seeds into the pot while stirring vigorously (otherwise the chia seeds will clump).
2. Let the oatmeal sit over night. In the morning stir in the pumpkin, sweetener, and cinnamon. Serve oatmeal in bowls and store the rest in the fridge for another day.
3. To each bowl add 1 chopped banana and heat in the microwave until warm (1-2 minutes).
4. Add peanut butter to each bowl right before serving. (The peanut butter is optional but highly recommended! (Everything tastes a little better with peanut butter!)
