Mint Cacao Chip Oatmeal

It feels like so long since I have eaten (and posted!) regular stove top oatmeal!!! I guess I've been on a bit of a baked oatmeal kick lately. . .  ^-^

Anyways, I've been making an effort to eat more veggis. I realized that I eat a TON of fruit, but not so much greens, beans, sweet potatoes, etc. This oatmeal is a great way to start your day deliciously, but with an extra nutritional boost. All thanks to the secret ingredient. . . SPINACH!!! Trust me, the spinach is completely unnoticeable (unless you don't blend it well, and leave chunks. I learned this the hard way), and it lends such a unique and vibrant green color! I am absolutely, positively going to be incorporating spinach into many recipes to come!

Mint Cacao Chip Oatmeal with homemade coconut cashew butter, strawberries, coconut, walnuts, and mulberries. 

Mint Cacao Chip Oatmeal
-1/2 c oats
-1 c milk of choice
-large handful of spinach
-1 banana
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1/4 - 1/2 tsp peppermint extract (depending on how strong you want the peppermint flavor to be.)
-1 tbsp chia seeds (optional, but really helps soak up the liquid.)
-1 tbsp cacao nibs (chocolate chips would work too, you just wouldn't be able to stir them in)

Directions:
In a blender, blend the milk, spinach, banana, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract together very, very, very well. There should be no chunks of spinach left. Pour the smoothie into a small saucepan, and bring it to a boil. This will take a little bit longer than regular (almond) milk, so be patient. Once it starts to bubble (there won't be a lot of bubbles, so keep your eyeball peeled) add the chia seeds and oats. Reduce the heat to medium low. Stir, then let the oats and chia seeds soak up the liquid. Once the oatmeal has reached your desired consistency, stir in the cacao nibs, then transfer to a bowl and add your toppings of choice. If you are using chocolate chips, do not stir them in, and just sprinkle them on top.