Gourmet Nutrition

A few months ago, I attended a fitness expo in Chicago. I wandered from booth to booth in awe of absolutely everything on display, particularly a cookbook (because you know I love food) entitled Gourmet Nutrition. And guess what?

It was a birthday present from my parents! Love them—and the book. Super love the book. As the "cookbook for the fit food lover," the recipes are look super delicious and are extra-super nutritious. Obviously because we fit food lovers wouldn't have it any other way, right? Also, the recipes are all conveniently labeled as being appropriate for post-workout or anytime consumption which makes it even easier for you to keep yourself fueled from sunrise to sunset. Oh, and yeah—all the nutrition information is included. A cookbook without that is just questionable, dontcha think? So anyways, you can rest assured that I will share plenty of the recipes within with you. I mean, being fit and eating right go hand-in-hand so it's only appropriate. First up? Chai Blueberry Oatmeal.

Now, if you're thinking the Chai makes it a no-go, I'm telling you this bowl of oats is simply delicious—and I'm never one to walk up to a Starbucks and order a cup of Chai. I usually find the spices to be a bit too spicy, but it works. It really works in this case. Maybe it's because I went with green Chai tea. Or maybe it's the honey. Who's to know for sure. Really, you should just try it out yourself.

Here's the recipe, changed only slightly from the original.
It makes one hearty or two small portions.

Chai Blueberry Oatmeal
Ingredients
1-1/4 cup water
1 bag Chai tea (I used the kind you see at right.)
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
2 tbsp. Flax seeds
1 tbsp. honey
1/4 cup skim milk
1 tbsp vanilla protein powder (Feel free to skip this entirely.)
1/4 cup blueberries (Mine were frozen.)
Banana
Chia seeds

Directions
Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan over a well-heated burner. Remove it from the heat and let the tea bag steep inside it for five minutes. Once done, remove the tea bag and bring the water to a boil once again before adding the oats. Simmer until it reaches a consistency you enjoy. While this is happening, mix the protein powder and milk, then set it aside (skip this step if you aren't using any powder). Turn the burner to the lowest possible setting when the oats are finished, then add the flax and honey. Stir, then add the milk. Throw in the blueberries, then put half of the oats into a bowl. Refrigerate the other half in a reheatable container for later. Top what you're going to eat with banana slices and a scoop of Chia seeds.

And well, now's the point where you get to enjoy it via consumption.  S'good, no? According to the book, a small portion is roughly 236 calories. However this version might be just slightly more because of the banana and Chia additions. Both of which are good for you, so I wouldn't worry.

Question: Do you like Chai tea? Why or why not? Have you ever put it in something other than a teacup?