Coconut Chai Oatmeal

Lighten up your oatmeal and create a new breakfast ritual with flavorful chai and coconut blended with nutritious cholesterol-lowering whole oats. If you think that whole rolled oats take too  long to make, think again! Instant oats lack the amount of gut-friendly fiber found in unprocessed oats, so finding an easy way to prep the whole version is important. A favorite flavor generally added to oats is classic brown sugar or maple syrup which can equal a lot of added sugar to your morning. By using ripe bananas and vanilla extract, this dish is naturally sweet and quick to make for a healthy breakfast.

Serves 4

Ingredients
2 unsweetened black or herbal chai tea bags
1 ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 Tbs. chia seeds
2 medium sized ripe bananas cut into small slices
½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 Tbs. unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions
1. Bring 3 ½ cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan, add tea bags, cover and remove from heat. Steep tea for 10 minutes and remove tea bags.

2. Add oats, chia, and bananas (reserving a few slices for garnish). Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer, adding milk and cooking for 10 additional minutes until oats are soft.

3. Serve oatmeal garnished with coconut flakes and a few reserved banana slices.

FoodTrients
Fiber
Manganese
Omega-3 fatty acids
Polyphenols
Potassium
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C