When I was younger, I wasn't much of an oatmeal fan. I'd buy the Quaker Oats brand and I'd eat them plain, and they just didn't fly with me. But, I was and still am a big oatmeal cookie fan. :)

Back in 2004, when I was living on Guam, I came across a recipe in a magazine for oatmeal that caught my eye. I think it might have been in Shape or Fitness Magazine (I used to be an avid reader, but not anymore). After trying it, I was super impressed and I've been making and experimenting with oatmeal ever since.

Now that the weather has turned cooler, I find myself craving this recipe from time to time.

First, you'll need 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of leftover quinoa, 1 chopped apple, 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and pecans, 2 cups of milk or water (not shown below), 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

1 cup of rolled oats.

1 cup of leftover quinoa (you can't even tell it's in the dish once it's prepared). Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) has the highest nutritional profile of all grains. It contains all eight amino acids to make it a complete protein. It's high in B vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and Vitamin E. It's the ideal food for endurance and it strengthens the kidneys, heart and lungs. And, it complements the oats so well!

1 apple, chopped.

1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and pecans.

2 cups of milk or water.

1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Place rolled oats and walnuts and pecans in pot. Turn heat to medium. Then let toast for 2 to 4 minutes. While toasting, use wooden spoon and mix. Be careful, because they can burn if left on heat too long. Once you smell a nutty aroma and the oats are starting to turn golden brown, they're ready!

Once toasted, add in rest of ingredients: Quinoa, Apples, Cinnamon, Milk, Maple Syrup and Vanilla.

Turn heat to medium/low and let simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. Your house will begin to smell like heaven! :)

Once it's done, you'll see that the liquid is pretty much absorbed and it will be thick.

Then place in your favorite bowl and add 1/2 tablespoon of grass-fed butter on top. You can also add a dash of maple sugar (my favorite thing to do) and a little more cinnamon on top, too!

And, they're you have it! A quick and easy fall breakfast that tastes like heaven (and almost like a candy bar) and will keep you warm as the weather gets cooler and cooler! Isn't it just beautiful!? I sure think so! :)

And, guess who likes it, too!?!? :)

Oh yeah! A big hit with Little Miss C! :) Just make sure to omit the nuts when giving to your little one(s).

Warm Nutty Cinnamon Oatmeal with Quinoa

Ingredients:
1 cup of old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup of leftover quinoa
2 cups of milk or water
1 apple, chopped
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and pecans
1 tablespoon of maple syrup
1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 tablespoon of grass-fed butter

Directions:
1. Chop apple and set aside.
2. Put oats and nuts in pot on medium heat. Toast for 2 to 4 minutes, or until you smell a nutty aroma and the oats are starting to turn golden brown. Make sure to mix with wooden spoon while toasting so oats won't burn.
3. Turn heat to medium/low.
4. Add in remaining ingredients: quinoa, apples, cinnamon, milk, maple syrup and vanilla. Mix together and place lid on pot. Let simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
5. Place in your favorite bowl. Add 1/2 tablespoon of grass-fed butter to top.
6. Turn off all distractions, sit down with your family, take a few deep breaths, say how much gratitude you have for your food and your family and dig in, slowly!

Variations: Add maple sugar and cinnamon on top. Use millet, buckwheat or any other grain of choice besides quinoa. Use apple or pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon. Add in flaxseed or ground flaxseed for you little one.