When my blogger buddy, Parita (myInnerShakti), recently instagrammed a photo of her Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Bake, I thought to myself, what is that?????????? I want it NOW! And so I baked oatmeal. It never ceases to amaze me how delicious healthy food can taste, especially if it is prepared with the right ingredients. It is really all about your mindset. Once you change your mindset and tell yourself this stuff is good for me, you start believing it, and once you start believing it, you start enjoying the simpler things in life, like whole foods. And I PROMISE you that once you change the way you eat, you will forever change the way you look, and in turn you will feel better about yourself. It’s true! I lost 20 pounds and kept it off for over 7 years, so I do know a thing or two about eating right. Blueberries and bananas on their own are so pleasing to the palette, throw in some coconut and you’ve got a seriously healthy indulgence here. Speaking of coconut, I have taken note that many commercial brands of coconut milk contain the controversial ingredient carrageenan which may possibly be a cancer causing ingredient. Since I am no longer sure what brand of coconut milk to use, I turned to Whole Foods’ 365 Organic Light Coconut Milk which only contains 3 ingredients, and carrageenan is NOT one of them. Prepare this oatmeal bake on a Sunday and you’ll have leftovers for the week. Great idea that originally comes to you from Gina at SkinnyTaste, but a very special thanks to Parita for instagramming the photo in the first place. NUTRITION: Oats help reduce cholesterol and are a good source of Protein and Fiber. Blueberries are a very good source of Vitamin C and Fiber. They are a good source of Vitamin E. In addition, blueberries are an ANTIOXIDANT POWERHOUSE. Bananas are a very good source of Vitamin B6. They are also a good source of Vitamin C and Fiber. Coconut is low in cholesterol and sodium, and it is a good source of fiber. Although coconut contains high amounts of saturated fats, not all saturated fats pose as a health problem, especially those linked with coconut. Having said that, coconut is a saturated fat and should be eaten in moderation. Milk is a very good source of Calcium and Vitamin D. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamins A and K. Walnuts are an excellent source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E which are both good for your skin. INGREDIENTS (makes 4 to 6 servings in a 9″ round baking dish) (recipe originally from Gina @ SkinnyTaste; my modified version below without butter, with less sugar + coconut):
Organic Old-Fashioned Oats – 1 cup Walnuts – 1/2 cup chopped => 1/4 cup (for the dry ingredients) + 1/4 cup (for the topping) Baking Powder – 1/2 tsp Cinnamon – 3/4 tsp Salt – just a pinch Whole Foods’ 365 Organic Canned Light Coconut Milk – 1/2 cup Organic Milk 2% Reduced Fat – 1/2 cup (or use 1% Low Fat) Organic Egg – 1 Pure Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp Pure Honey – 1 tbsp Organic Bananas – 2 medium (thickly sliced) Organic Blueberries – 1 1/4 cups (or 6 ounces) => 1/2 cup (for the bottom) + 3/4 cup (for the topping) Let’s Do… Organic’s Unsweetened Shredded Coconut – 1/4 cup
DIRECTIONS: 1. Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees. 2. Grease the bottom of a baking dish with butter or oil (I used butter). 3. Slice and arrange the banana slices at the bottom of the baking dish. 4. Add the blueberries to the baking dish. Set aside. 5. Chop 1/2 cup of walnuts. Split in half. 6. Add half the walnuts to a bowl. 7. Add the oatmeal, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gently combine. 8. Add the dry mixture over the banana & blueberries. 9. Now combine the wet ingredients in a bowl… light coconut milk, reduced-fat milk, egg, vanilla extract, and honey. 10. Mix all the wet ingredients well. 11. Evenly pour the wet mixture over the oatmeal. 12. Looks so creamy and delicious. YUM! 13. Top with the remaining blueberries. 14. Top with shredded coconut. 15. Top with the remaining walnuts. 16. Into the oven for 30 minutes. 17. Serve immediately. Drizzle extra coconut milk on top if desired. So delicious! TELL ME: What are your thoughts on the controversial ingredient carrageenan? What’s your favorite Coconut Milk brand without carrageenan?
