Almond Joy Oatmeal

I usually use other people's recipes, but when it comes to oatmeal, I can get creative and hold my own.  ;)  The kids and I frequently do Oatmeal Bar for breakfast.  I let them pick a nut, a dried fruit, a sweetener, and a "booster".  They love being able to customize their breakfast and make so many choices!  I failed to put eggs on my shopping list this week for some unknown reason.  They are my go-to breakfast food.  Unfortunately, we're out, and I won't go grocery shopping again until this weekend, so I had to make do.  Oatmeal was my next choice.  One of the reasons I think oatmeal is a great food is because it fills you up.  I haven't even eaten half my bowl and I'm getting full!  And it keeps you full as well!  I will easily make it to lunch time without feeling the urge to snack after this breakfast.  I actually paid attention to how much of everything I was adding to my recipe this time, so I could pass that information on to you!  If you're craving chocolate for breakfast I think this breakfast bowl will really hit the spot!  Enjoy!

Almond Joy Oatmeal
1/2 cup quick oats
1 tbsp sliced almonds
1 tbsp shaved coconut (mine is sweetened because I wasn't looking close enough when I bought it, but unsweetened will work fine too)
1 tbsp pecan pieces
1 tsp Chai seeds
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (this ended up being a lot, you could probably get away with 1-2 tsp)
2 packets no calorie sweetener (or 1 tbsp Stevia)
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (mine is vanilla flavored)
1/2 cup water

Add all ingredients to bowl and stir to combine.  Microwave to desired consistency, stirring every 30-60 seconds.  Approximately 2-2 1/2 minutes.  Enjoy!

This recipe clocks in at a healthy 326 calories and is packed with 10g of protein and 39g carbs!

Adjustments
Like I mentioned before, a tablespoon was a lot of cocoa powder.  You could probably get away with 1-2 tsp.  If you like a stronger coconut taste, up the coconut to 2-3 tbsp.  It wasn't very pronounced in my bowl.  I added one more packet of sweetener after everything cooked because I love super sweet stuff.  Feel free to adjust the recipe to suit your own tastes!

As I mentioned at the beginning, we love doing breakfast bar at our house.  I simply use what I have in my pantry (which is usually leftovers from baking season).  I get most of my nuts, dried fruit, and boosters at Aldi's.  I love the items that have zipper tops (they were saved, thank goodness) from the darn moths in my pantry.  If you get a bag without a zip top I strongly recommend storing in another zip lock bag (that's what I have to do with my coconut, I folded the bag down and stuffed it all in a ziplock sandwich bag.  Here are some examples of things you can make your own oatmeal bar at your house!

Begin with 1/2 cup quick oats.
Nuts (1 tbsp-1/4 cup)
Almonds, pecan, walnuts, sunflower seed kernels, pistachios, or peanuts (are what are usually around at my house)
Dried Fruit (1 tbsp-1/4 cup)
Coconut, craisens, raisens, Cherries, dates, prunes, mango, bananas, strawberries or pineapple (The Dollar Tree has a great assortment of different dried fruits, next to the trail mix, if you want to try some different things out)
*Fresh fruit would also work, but I would add it in after cooking your oatmeal*
Sweetener (1 tsp-2 tbsp)
Splenda, Stevia, sugar, brown sugar, Maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar (I have sugar free maple syrup, 1/4 cup has 30 calories as opposed to 240 with regular maple syrup!)
Boosters (1 tsp-2 tbsp)
Chai seeds, flax seed, cinnamon, nut butters, or protein powder
Liquid (1 cup)
Water, milk, coconut milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or coffee

There is so much more that you can add in, but this more or less covers what I've got, have used, or think might be good!  If you've got a flavor combination idea, try it out!  Let me know what combinations you've tried and loved!