Dreaming of the Southwest.

I swore I would never move to the Southwest (well, as much as I could while being attached to someone in the military). It's hot. There are scorpions, and rattle snakes, and lots and lots of sand.

But then I lived in Germany for seven years. Most of which was a dream. Winter two years ago put a bump in the road, and then summer last year... and now, yea, it's about 54 degrees and raining out, again... in June.

I need sun. I need warmth. Staying wrapped in blankets all day on the couch is not a viable life path, especially with a toddler.

Arizona has sun. Lots of it. And only small amounts of rain. And if I want to see snow, I have to get in my car and drive to it, it won't come to me (at least not in European winter proportions). There probably won't be blankets strewn all over the house for emergency warmth when our heaters are off and our winter clothes are packed up (for the third time this year. Yes, I've packed and unpacked and repacked our winter coats & scarves three times since April). 

They have spicy mexican food! 

Alas, we still have a few short months here, so for now there is hot oatmeal- which we eat tons of. 

If it were hot this morning I would have made this: Mexican chocolate breakfast shake.

Did I mention it's 54 degrees outside?

So I took the above recipe and mashed it with this: Kath's whipped banana oatmeal.

Here's the result:

Mexican HOT chocolate oatmeal! 

2/3 c. rolled oats
2/3 c. almond or soy milk
1 1/3 c. water
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1 banana, sliced thin
1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional, but even with the pepper it wasn't too spicy for my son)
pinch of salt
2-4 tbsp. agave nectar or honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients in a pan on the stove, except the vanilla. Stir with a whisk or fork while cooking to get it fluffy, 5-7 minutes until it's the texture you desire. Taste for sweetness and add more agave if needed. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Ta-da!

I always add something crunch to my oatmeal, this morning it was some natural chocolate sprinkles and homemade granola. :)

Enjoy and stay warm!