chai breakfast bowl [cheap eats]

I've had a wonderful, busy start the the New Year. This week is the first where I'm really feeling settled- into my home, into winter, into DC, into my new routine of working from home. One perk is the total control I have over what I'm eating and drinking: cold brew lattes every morning, salads with roasted vegetables for lunch, soups and stews I can have simmering all afternoon for dinner, all things you can't make happen from an office 9-5. It has been delightful.

On these chilly mornings, hot breakfast bowls are my go-to (poor vitamix, he probably feels neglected lately). Total game-changer: toast your oats before making oatmeal, a tip from the Whole Grain Mornings cookbook (first learned about it here). I put a drop of coconut oil in a saucepan, then add my dry oats and toast them for about 5 minutes until they are a golden brown. Then I pour in almond milk (my recipe for homemade is here!), maple syrup if you need sweetness, a pinch of salt, and any spices that will go with the toppings- maybe cinnamon, ginger, vanilla bean, or even something savory. When the milk has soaked in and the oats are the preferred consistency (just keep adding more liquid and cooking down until you're happy), pull the oatmeal off the stove and devour.

This morning, I tried something different. When I added the almond milk, I also added a chai tea bag, thanks to this little recipe. So, so delicious. If anyone can figure out how to make oatmeal look attractive in a photo, please send help.

I stirred in chopped dates, apples, and added some almonds on top. The nut butter is cashews blended with cardamom and baking spices, very tasty (see, that vitamix is still getting use!).