Yummy Winter Treat for Anyone Suffering from IHEOTBW (I've-had-enough-of-this-bleep-winter)

I am so very, very, very tired of this winter. Here in south central Pennsylvania the temperature hasn't ventured above the freezing mark more than once or twice since Christmas. We are swamped with nearly three feet of accumulated snow that will not go away. I’m sick of cold fingers, frozen buckets, and wearing so many layers I feel like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Horses are no fun to take care of when there is this much snow on the ground. I am weary of hauling water, heaving hay, and shoveling frozen poop. My kids had only five hours of school in five days last week. My husband came in this morning from clearing the driveway once again and said, “I’m moving to Florida. You can come with me or not, but I’m leaving.” He sounded serious. Enough is enough. Uncle.

In honor of this wretched winter, today I’m sharing my new favorite hot breakfast treat. I learned this recipe from The Happiness Diet and modified it only slightly. It is loaded with ingredients that are good for your body and soul. Steel cut oats (other oats too) are high in tryptophan and selenium which affect your mood for the better. Almonds contain alpha-tocotrienol, a form of vitamin E. And coconut is the king of super foods. Beyond all that, this yummy concoction is filling and delicious and simple to make. What’s not to love?

Almond Joy Oats

1 cup steel cut oats

2 cups whole milk

1 teaspoon coconut oil

¼ teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons chocolate chips

½ cup shaved coconut

½ cup almonds, chopped

Mix the oats and milk and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, warm the oats in a pan on low heat, adding the coconut oil, sea salt, and chocolate chips and stirring frequently until mixture warms and begins to thicken. Remove from heat, top with almonds and coconut. Makes 2 BIG servings. YUMMO.

Technical notes:

Tryptophan is an essential element in making serotonin which helps contribute to calm and relaxation. Many antidepressant drugs work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain. 

Selenium helps thyroid function and your immune system, plus it is an antioxidant that helps the body fight off free radicals, especially when combined with Vitamin E (which is why you shouldn't skip the almonds on your Almond Joy!)

Coconut oil helps with immunity and metabolism. It is high in lauric acid which helps fight infection and it boosts your HDL (your good cholesterol). Plus coconut (in any form) is antiviral, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic which is just one reason most nutritionists call it a super food.

Here is a picture of my cat, Hermoine, absorbing the Happiness Diet by osmosis.