Ingredients

1 homemade instant oatmeal packet or 1/2 cup prepared steel cut oats, made with 1/4 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin spice
1/4 cup shredded carrots
2-3 medjool dates, pitted and cut into pieces
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1-2 tbsp nut butter of choice
1-2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Method

1. Add everything to a bowl.
2. If using an instant oatmeal packet, add hot water to the bowl, stir and allow to sit so the oatmeal can cook and thicken. If using prepared steel cut oats, reheat in the microwave – you may need to add a few tablespoons to 1/4 cup of water or milk substitute to keep everything from getting dry.

Notes:

1. Try adding different coloured carrots for a more colourful breakfast! Adding orange and purple carrots is lots of fun on Halloween or Samhain.
2. The dates in this recipe are replaced beautifully with raisins, especially if they are more to your taste and easier on your budget. Opt for sugar-free and sulfite-free raisins for optimal health benefits.
3. Substitute any nuts or seeds that you prefer, or omit if desired. Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) go very well in this as well, and sunflower seeds are great for people allergic to tree nuts or who just love the flavour!
4. I prefer to add cashew butter to my oatmeal, as it is flavourless compared to other nut butters. My maple pecan butter recipe also goes very well in this oatmeal. If you have tree nut allergies, sunflower seed butter adds a beautiful flavour here as well.