ChocoBanana, Pepitas and Cashew Butter Protein Oatmeal [Clean, Vegan, GF] & Portugal

Looking for something to do with your pumpkin seeds? Use them for the pepitas in this cozy oatmeal recipe for a healthy crunch! With only 7 ingredients and a few minutes this oatmeal can be whipped up quickly! I will also chat a bit about my recent trip to Portugal!

I recently came back from Portugal. Have you ever been? It was sort of a last minute decision since my other plans had been foiled by all the hurricanes and crazy tropical storms that we had earlier this month. So, I picked it as a place that would likely be safe from the threats of cancelled flights and rain. Who knew? I was in the south of Portugal and the weather during October was LOVELY. It was sunny and warm enough to be in a bathing suit during the day. At night, it did get a bit chilly, but nothing that a light cardigan over my dress couldn’t handle. So, if you are looking for a place in October to go for nice weather and out of the hurricane zone then you should definitely consider Portugal!

As you may know by now, I often try to alternate high adventure trips with more of a relaxed beach trip. My last couple of trips (albeit weekend ones) have been more adventurous so I thought it time to try out a lazy beach holiday.

I ended up staying in an all-inclusive (which seems strange to stay at in a non-Caribbean location). It was the Riu Resort Guarana. In general, I really like all-inclusives and they are ideal when all you really want to do is lounge by the pool/beach for most of your trip. This is mostly what I did end up doing. This location was nice because it was really close to the town and you could go out to the beach, go shopping in the town and eat at town restaurants if you wanted a change.

However, I did treat myself to a spa day and got a massage, manicure and pedicure! Its funny how things are different in other cultures. (Or, perhaps it was just the location itself). For instance, I have never gotten my stomach massaged, but that was part of the deep tissue massage that I got. I was quite surprised by it. Another thing was that the I was laying down while getting my pedicure.Also something unexpected. My toes turned out lovely even though I was unable to watch. (LOL).

You know what else, though? I haven’t been able to have my nails painted in so long because I am in a surgical sub-specialty, but man I love having my nails done. I don’t know it just makes me feel really good..chic…put together…quite happy. I don’t really know how to explain it. Do you guys know what I’m talking about? I don’t know, it also made me realize that I’ve been under so much stress lately. It’s remarkable though, every time I look at my nails they really give me such joy. They are a beige-brown color that aren’t very noticable (aka what I was going for so I still have them done). On one hand it’s a bit pathetic, but on the other hand it’s made me think that I need to really start trying to do more things that make me happy especially when things are so stressful.

Residency is not easy and the whole work-life balance can be a real struggle. I really love my trips because traveling is something I really love. It’s something I’ve still been able to do here and there which is great because so many things I love I can’t seem to find time to do. I feel guilty ever time I find myself doing something other than studying which is terrible. Even writing this post there are other things I should probably be doing instead. I’ve got a full clinic tomorrow, surgery to prepare for the day after, a grand rounds presentation to work on for Wednesday, not to mention papers/journals and books that I should also be reading. It’s just, I don’t know.

Although this blog is not that old, a year and a half now, I have found that I have quickly had to decrease the amount of time I could spend on it. I went from 3 posts a week, to now barely being able to make a post every week, or two. Marketing it and spreading my posts has been even worse. Given this, I have been thinking about taking a bit of a break from the blog world. This makes me quite sad because I do quite enjoy blogging and connecting with you guys, but on the other hand it has sadly become almost stressful because I just don’t have the time. For now, I still plan on posting (at least every 1-2 weeks like I have been doing). However, I would love some of your input! I would also love your input on my next vacation! I think I’m going to have some time off next in January!

Please let me know what your thoughts and in the meantime I hope you enjoy a very happy Halloween and this tasty treat below!! In case you want to make your own cashew butter like I do, click here for my easy no-oil needed 2 ingredient recipe for it!

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ChocoBanana, Pepitas and Cashew Butter Protein Oatmeal [Clean, Vegan, GF]

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 1 bowl

Author AZ@...And A Dash of Cinnamon

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 T psyllium husk powder
• few dashes cinnamon
• 1 spoonful cashew butter
• 1/2 T pepitas/pumpkin seeds
• water/liquid of choice

Instructions

1. Smash 1/3 of the halved banana in the bottom of a microwave safe bowl and add the oatmeal and liquid of choice. Microwave according to oatmeal package instructions*

2. Meanwhile, quarter the rest of your banana.

3. When the oatmeal is finished, stir in your chocolate protein powder, psyllium husk powder and cinnamon until well mixed. 

4. Top with the pepitas/pumpkin seeds, the quartered banana and the cashew butter. Eat and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

1. I cook my oatmeal in water because it's the easiest (and also cheapest option). Feel free to use any sort of milk if you desire or part-milk and part-water. By using milk, it will be creamier.
2. By using psyllium, I can add a lot more water than what is stated on the package (more of a 3:1 than a 2:1) since it soaks up so much liquid. If you do this, the oatmeal will be more watery when you first take it out of the microwave, but it will thicken up. I suggest letting it cool for a few minutes before adding the psyllium so that it does not clump. 
3. I like to leave the cashew butter on the spoon after I give it all a good stir so that I get a bit of it in each bite!

 

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