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There's nothing quite like a hearty breakfast that helps you to start your day out right!  We all could use a little jump start in the morning and a powerful breakfast like this is sure to do the trick!  I'm not the biggest lover of oatmeal because it can be very bland...until now!  I've been playing around with healthy add-ins and toppings for my oatmeal.  It's all about having the right combination of ingredients!  The part that I love about oatmeal is that it's so versatile and I can change up the ingredients depending on my cravings or needs.  It's fast and super easy to make!  Here's my favorite combo below.

Ingredients

1/2 cup whole grain oatmeal (I used Trader Joe's)
1 cup water
1/4 of nuts, divided (I used raw almonds & roasted unsalted pistachio meats)
1-2 tbs. of raisins or dried cranberries
1-2 tbs. of pure maple syrup
splash of almond or soy milk (optional)

How TO:

Cook the oatmeal as directed on the package but during the last 30 seconds of cooking toss in half of the nuts and continue to cook until the oatmeal is done.  Top off with the remaining nuts, sprinkle with raisins or cranberries, drizzle with desired amount of maple syrup, and add a splash of almond or soy milk if desired.  Viola!  A hearty breakfast is served!

Variations:
Play around with the recipe to adjust to your liking!

*  Nuts- you can use any kind of nuts that you like!  Try some walnuts for some added omega-3, some pecans for added sweetness, or some sunflower seeds to get some vitamin E.  

*  Maple Syrup- You could even do agave nectar if you like or you can always opt for the vegan sugar for a more traditional oatmeal.

*  Spices-  Sometimes when I add in pecans I'll throw in a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.

*  Need more fiber or looking for some extra omega-3?  Add in some flax seed!  Be careful though because adding too much can really ruin the flavor.  Add a little at a time to be on the safe side!

*  Fruits-  You're not just limited to raisins and dried cranberries!  Sometimes I'll chop up an apple and add it to the oatmeal for the entire cooking process.  It turns out lovely!  Add your dash of cinnamon and some pecans and be prepared to be amazed!

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