Trail Mix Oatmeal

 Hi I’m Jade and you can find me over at Jonesin’ For Taste where I share my favorite recipes and anything creative that strikes my fancy. Today I have a not-so-traditional oatmeal to share with you.    
                                                        
 I love breakfast foods (see pancakes, smoothies, quinoa, eggs, muffins) but sometimes I just need something fast and easy so I get to eat something as well before rushing everyone out the door to school. I also tend to get bored having the same thing over and over and would rather not eat than eat the same thing. It can create a bit of an energy issue. So one morning rummaging for breakfast I came across a mostly finished bag of trail mix and I thought it might be fun to add to my regular oatmeal. And you know what, it was a nice change of pace. There’s sweetness from the dried fruit, nuttiness from the almonds, pepitas, and sunflower kernels, and was overall a nice and hearty breakfast.
                     

Trail Mix Oatmeal 

Ingredients:
 1/2 c. rolled or quick oats
 pinch salt
 1/2 tsp cinnamon
 a few drops of vanilla extract
 1 Tbsp brown sugar
 1/4 c. trail mix, I used Archer Farms Sunny Cranberry Trail Mix (found at Target),
or alternatively you could use: 1 Tbsp cranberries, 1 Tbsp raisins, 1 Tbsp almonds, 1 1/2 tsp sunflower kernels, 1 1/2 tsp pepitas

 Combine all ingredients together in a microwave safe bowl. Add at least enough water to just cover everything, more if you like your oatmeal thinner. Microwave for 2 minutes. Top with a little more brown sugar if you want and milk.