Turmeric Oats + Beetroot Smoothie Bowl

Sometimes you just can't decide between a sweet smoothie bowl or savory oatmeal for breakfast, so... don't decide and make both. Seriously though, satisfying is an understatement. It's the yin and yang of all your breakfast dreams.

Lately I have been like Oprah at Christmas time using beetroot powder in oats, smoothies, baked goods, dips you name it. You get beetroot powder! You get beetroot powder! You all get beetroot powder! Why the obsession you ask? Prepare to have your brain cavity filled with cold hard facts you never knew you needed until now. Beetroot is made from beets, shocker right? It's a god sent powder form of everyone's favorite messiest vegetable. One teaspoon of beetroot powder is equivalent to eating one beet. It's jam packed full of vitamins, soluble fiber, antioxidants. But wait there's more. Benefits include:

1. Supports a healthy blood pressure. Doctors have been able to get patients off of blood pressure medication by using this magical vegetable!

2. Fights and prevents cancer. They are high in antioxidants which limit free radical damage in the body.

3. Natural stamina booster. A study showed that those who consumed beet before engaging in a workout were able to last for up to 16% longer.

4. Fights inflammation. Inflammation in the body leads to a plethora of health issues, so thank you beets for all that you do.

5. Detox detox detox. Beets are one of THE best natural liver and blood detoxifiers. There is a pigment in them called betalin and it aids in removing toxins from the body.

When I'm creating recipes for this blog, I aim for easy, healthy, realistic recipes. We have all seen the vegan recipes online that call for "One box of brown rice pasta, a pinch of salt, rare orange basil grown and picked at exactly 37 degrees from the highest mountain in Peru, tomatoes grown and blessed by the CEO of Whole Foods..." I don't know about you but when I cook or bake I want easy and to use what I mainly already have at home. So, I gotchu. This bowl is a go-to breaky for me using ingredients we all know and love, well except for beetroot powder... but now you know.

Ingredients needed:

For the oatmeal:

1/2 cup of oats (I used One Degree Sprouted Gluten Free Rolled Oats)

1 cup of nut milk of choice (I used coconut)

1/8 tsp of turmeric powder

A splash of vanilla extract

Ginger powder and cinnamon to taste ( I usually add a few shakes of each)

For the smoothie base:

1.5 bananas

1 tbsp beetroot powder

1 tbsp maca powder

A splash of nut milk

Instructions:

1. Measure 1/2 cup of oatmeal into a saucepan.

2. Add in nut milk and bring to a boil.

3. Cooking time varies depending on the type of oats, but let it simmer on medium heat for 3 minutes or so.

4. When there is still a little nut milk left in the pan, stir in the turmeric, vanilla, ginger and cinnamon and stir generously.

5. Cook until all liquid is gone and set it to the side.

6. In your blender or food processor- combine banana, beetroot powder, maca powder and a splash of nut milk and blend until smooth. You don't want to add too much liquid or your smoothie base will be too runny. Less the better!

7. Transfer into a bowl and add in the oats. Top with your favorite fruits, nut butter, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, etc! I added organic chunky almond butter and strawberries.

Don't go stingy on the toppings! Have fun with it. Listen to what your body is craving, it will tell you. Some days it's a lil square of organic dark chocolate, other days it's the whole bar. Your oats will never judge you.