Peanut butter and Blueberry-chia Jam Oatmeal

I love the heart healthy option of oatmeal in the morning. I recently learned some awesome news about oatmeal, that it can help lower cholesterol and curb inflammation. Eating oatmeal also provides protection from high blood pressure and weight gain and is a good source of fiber too.  Check out this article about some of the benefits of eating oatmeal for breakfast. 

When coupled with antioxidant rich blueberries, protein packed peanut butter and omega-3 rich chia seed it's such a healthy and delicious start to your morning! 


Ingredients

Oatmeal 

1 cup of steel cut oats
4 cups of unsweetened oat milk
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 t of vanilla
4 dollops of peanut butter

Blueberry Chia Jam

2 cups of frozen wild blueberries
1 T of lemon juice (or orange juice)
1 T of maple syrup
1 T of chia seeds

Directions to make ahead (makes 4 servings)

1. Prepare the oatmeal first by adding the oat-milk, and steel cut oats along with the cinnamon sticks to a medium sized pot over medium heat.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes or until oats are tender, stirring occasionally so that the oats do not stick to the bottom of the pot. 
3. While the oatmeal is cooking, make your Blueberry Chia Jam.  Add the frozen blueberries and lemon juice to a medium sized pot on medium heat. 
4. Once berries start to warm, smash them with the back of the spoon to release their juices. 
5. Bring to a simmer, stirring for 2-3 minutes, then add the chia seeds and stir to incorporate. 
6. Remove from the heat and let sit until it reaches room temperature. The jam will thicken as it cools. 
7. When the oats are cooked and tender, stir in the vanilla and remove from heat.
8.  Dispose the cinnamon sticks and divide the oatmeal into 4 glass containers and top with a dollop of peanut butter, or nut butter of your choice and generous spoonful of the blueberry chia  jam! 
9. Store in the fridge until ready to eat for up to one week. ​