The recipe below is how I made it, but there are many variations. I used espresso, but you may alternatively use coffee or tea, replacing some or all of the water. A chai tea would be a great example of a tea to use.
I recommend using gluten-free oats. Oats by nature are gluten-free. However, since they are usually processed in a factory that processes wheat, barley, and rye, they tend to get cross-contaminated. Gluten-free oats are easy for your body to process. What that means for you is less bloating, easier digestion, more available nutrients, and more energy for your day!
You will notice I recommended all of the other ingredients as “raw.” Raw almonds, cacao, honey, strawberries, and coconut have not been processed by heat. Heat kills enzymes, and enzymes are what give us energy and help our body function optimally. They help us digest our food effectively and repair and renew our organs, tissue, skin, and other body parts. Once they are heated to a certain temperature (such as that of your boiling water), the enzymes die off and you don’t get to enjoy all of their delicious nutrients. This is why I encourage you add these ingredients AFTERWARDS. It is tempting to just throw them into your cooking pot with the oats. Instead, pour the oats into your serving bowl and stir them in after. It’s a simple distinction that makes a HUGE difference.
One more note: Caffeine can be a big stressor on your body first thing in the morning, especially when taken on an empty stomach. You are essentially hitting your body with a stimulant while it’s defenses are down and it’s still coming out of sleep mode. This jolt can cause you on a roller-coaster of anxiety for the rest of the day. I recommend all my clients drink water first thing when they wake up to begin peristalsis in the body and trigger digestion, and not drinking coffee on an empty stomach. The oats in this recipes will help slow down the absorption of the caffeine, giving you more more prolonged and stable energy for your day!
And did I mention you’ll probably have a GREAT poop that morning? 😉
Mocha Espresso Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup gluten-free oats
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 shot of espresso
- Almond milk to taste
- Raw unsalted almonds, chopped
- Raw shredded coconut
- Strawberries
- 1 tsp raw cacao
- 1 tbs raw local honey
- Add 1/2 cup oats to 1 cup boiling water, and let cook for about 5 minutes, depending on the consistency you like.
- Stir in espresso, and turn off heat
- Add in almonds, coconut, honey, strawberries, and cacao and stir
- Add almond milk to the consistency you prefer!