Apple Cinnamon and Toasted Coconut Protein Oatmeal [clean, vegan, gluten-free]

Try out this 6 ingredient clean, vegan and gluten free oatmeal recipe that is high in protein and fiber!ย 

Apple Cinnamon and Toasted Coconut Protein Oatmeal [clean, vegan, gluten-free]

As you know, I’ve been sharing with you parts about my trip to Mindo, Ecuador bit by bit. You first learned about how I found out about the Cloud Rainforest and about my crazy bug bites (which are thankfully much improved, but still not yet gone) and then you learned about a few of the crazy adventures I had! Now I want to share with you some of the tranquil side of it aka the lodge!

This is Efrain and Molly, the lodge owners who are both super nice
This is Efrain and Molly, the lodge owners who are both super nice

I got SUPER lucky with the place we chose to stay at. Now, I’m certain it would have been different otherwise, but somehow my friend and I were the only people staying at the lodge which was AMAZING and made it that much more peaceful. I’m not going to lie, I IMMEDIATELY felt better once I walked onto the property. The path going up to the lodge is surrounded by plants and all you can hear are the birds and water.

path to the lodge ecuador
This is the path to the lodge

Here is the main lodge. This is where we ate breakfast and dinner.

casa divina lodge

In the main lodge there were lots of windows to watch the birds at and upstairs was a room full of games, books, chairs and hammocks. Perfect for some R&R if you just wanted to chill around the lodge.

This is what I got to look at each morning with breakfast. See the bird?
This is what I got to look at each morning with breakfast. See the bird?

Actually, Mindo originally (and that wasn’t that long ago, perhaps only 20 years) was only known to bird watchers. They have a ton of different species and many visitors to the city are there solely for the birds. (P.S. they also have a ton of butterflies!)

There are a few toucan varieties here
There are a few toucan varieties here
2016-09-07_133644792_e7a34_ios
Here is the other species that I was able to get a picture of one morning

They have several secluded cabins and the one we had was right next to a brook. So peaceful. They provided potable water in the bathroom and natural insect repellent (which…I pretty much bathed in. I also bought other insect repellent in town to bring with and re-apply)

Here is our cabin!
Here is our cabin!

There is also a hammock on the front porch! Ah, I miss it. It was amazing coming back after a long day of adventure, or waking up just being surrounded by nature and listening to the birds and the running water within the forest.

So that’s a bit about the place I stayed at, I’ve still got a couple more parts I’d like to tell you about so stay tuned! In the meantime, since apparently it’s fall (Still in the high 80s here), I’ve got plenty of fall inspired recipes to share with you. I think today I’ll share an oatmeal recipe! So get excited for some healthy fall comfort breakfast food ๐Ÿ™‚

Apple Cinnamon and Toasted Coconut Protein Oatmeal [clean, vegan, gluten-free]

Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings 1 bowl
Author AZ@...And A Dash of Cinnamon

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal
  • 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 T unsweetened coconut toasted
  • 1/2 apple diced
  • few dashes cinnamon
  • 1/2-1 T psyllium husk powder
  • water/liquid of choice

Instructions

  1. Dice your apple and place in the bottom of a microwave safe dish (or in your pot if you prefer to use stove-top). 

  2. Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples and then cover with the oatmeal. 

  3. Cover with your liquid of choice * (I use water).  And cook using your preferred method

  4. In the meantime, if you don't already have toasted coconut, toast your coconut

  5. Once your oatmeal is finished cooking, (if able, let cool for at least a few minutes). Otherwise, stir in your protein powder, psyllium husk powder, more cinnamon. 

  6. Top with your coconut, eat and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  1. The amount of liquid you use will depend on your protein powder and use of psyllium. If omitting both of these, you should follow your oatmeal package instructions. I prefer volume, so I use a lot of liquid and have the protein powder and psyllium soak up the remaining liquid after it has been cooked in the microwave.
  2. If you are not used to psyllium husk powder, start low and taper upwards. Drink plenty of water!

I link up with Deborah and Sarahโ€™s, andย running on happyโ€™s/ the fit foodie mamaโ€™s Meatless Monday, #recipeoftheweek, Best of the Blogosphere,ย Homestead Blog Hop, ย glutenfreefridays,#healthyveganfridays, ย Whatโ€™s for Dinner, Sunday Fitness and Food,ย GraciousPantry

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20 thoughts on “Apple Cinnamon and Toasted Coconut Protein Oatmeal and Ecuador Part 3[Clean, Vegan, GF]

  1. Yummy! This is definitely right up my alley, and would be perfect for a delicious breakfast one o’ these days! <3

    I reallyyyyyy need to make my way over to Ecuador someday! *-*

  2. Oh my goodness. It is so incredibly beautiful. And your cabin looks like it was in an amazing location. Breathtaking. I want to go there!!! =)
    The oatmeal sounds great – I’m totally digging all the apple things right now. I have to be honest, I haven’t tried using psyllium husk powder, but I should just get some so I can try this.

    1. It really was so beautiful and the cabin was so awesome. It was all made from sustainable wood and it was perfect being surrounded by the rain forest, birds, butterflies and a running creek/pond. SO soothing. I am all about apple…and pumpkin right now. I wish I had more time to write posts and share all the yummy recipes I’ve been making lately! However, you’ve probably noticed that I LOVE using psyllium husk powder. It’s not necessary for the recipe, so feel free to make it without! (I do recommend trying it out at some point though because I think it’s a great ingredient haha)

  3. Your pictures are gorgeous! I need to make my way there next time I’m in Ecuador if I can.

    Great recipe again! I just got into using psyllium husk powder and I’m really liking it.

    Thanks so much for linking up with us for Healthy Vegan Fridays! Iโ€™m Pinning and sharing!

    1. Yeah it was amazing while I was there. I hope you do get a chance to go! Oh man (you probably already have figured this out but.) I LOVE using psyllium husk powder in my recipes for multiple reasons. I’m so glad to hear that you like it! Have a great weekend!

    1. Thank you! the forest was so beautiful. It depends. I’ve used so many over the years. I’m really trying to move to cleaner powders, but honestly if I had to pick my favorites it would be syntrax matrix french vanilla and for chocolate a san metaforce rocky road. I like my peanut flour too for peanut butter flavor (clean!).

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