Hope Harrell: Personal Trainer + Nutrition Coach

Quick. Easy. Tastes like fall. Warms your soul. Fuels you for your day. There isn’t much more that I can ask for in a perfect breakfast recipe.

Pumpkin is a trendy food for fall. It is quintessential to the season. Pumpkin is seasonal, and fall is this fruit’s time to shine! Eating seasonally has so many benefits. It fuels our bodies with different micronutrients by eating new fruits and veggies each season. It also benefits your wallet: seasonal fruit and vegetables are cheaper than fruits or vegetables that are not in season. For the fall, seasonal fruits include pumpkin, pomegranate, apples, cranberries, grapes, and pears. Seasonal veggies include kale, broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, winter squash, and sweet potatoes. You will notice that these fruits and veggies become cheaper in the fall than in the spring or summer because they are more readily available. In addition, seasonal fruits and veggies are more likely to be dense in fiber and vitamins because they are less likely to have been modified by any growing agents. The benefits of eating seasonally is endless, and I will take any opportunity to enjoy these pumpkin oats on a cool fall morning.

These pumpkin oats take as long as regular oatmeal, and they can be prepped ahead for the week to reheat as needed for busy weekday mornings. All of the toppings can be changed based on preferences as well. I personally love putting a few dark chocolate chips on mine. They melt just the right amount to make your mouth water. Try this recipe for the fall oatmeal bowl of your dreams and let me know in the comments if you tried it!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup milk (I use coconut milk for a thicker consistency, but any dairy or non dairy milk will work)
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• dash of cinnamon
• toppings: dark chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, 1/2 banana, or anything else you can think to add on top!

RECIPE

1. In a small pot on the stove, add the milk, pumpkin puree, and spices. Stir until well combined and bring to a boil
2. Add the oats. For old fashioned oats, cook for 8-10 minutes. If using a different kind of oats, use the time that it specifies. Stir occasionally to make sure the oats do not stick to the bottom of the pot
3. Pour into a bowl and add toppings of choice. Enjoy with a hot coffee!