Alpine start fruit, oat, and seed bowl

Chances are, if you’re someone who likes to spend time outdoors, you’ve spent more than your fair share of mornings waking up before the sun, trying to not immediately kill the first person that talks to you, and choking down terrible, mushy, tasteless instant oatmeal. It’s all worth it when you get to the see the sunrise from that one spot that totally takes your breath away, but isn’t there a better way to start your day? Well, I really can’t help with the feeling of hate that erupts when a dreaded “morning person” tries to greet you, but I do have a fix for the nasty oatmeal (and no, it’s not a gas station burrito). Don’t make an early start keep you from getting a healthy, plant based breakfast to start your day!

Here’s why I’m loving this Alpine Start Fruit, Oat and Seed Bowl:

• Doesn’t use the single-use packaging of instant oatmeal (cheers to helping the environment)

• 20 grams of plant-based protein

• 4 grams of sugar

• crunchy, fresh flavor (bye, mushy oatmeal)

This plant-based breakfast recipe only takes slightly more effort than trying to convince your numb fingers to turn the nob on your stove so you can heat water, and it’s a heck of a lot tastier and more nutritious. If you’re like me, then when you buy instant oatmeal, you’re gonna go for the flavored variety (we deserve some happiness in the midst of the mushy nastiness, right?). Sad to say, most flavored instant oatmeal packets, such as the go-to maple and brown sugar variety, pack about 12 grams of sugar in each serving with only 4 grams of protein. This plant based (completely vegan) breakfast bowl adds more protein (about 20 grams!) and fiber, and replaces processed sugar with natural sugars from fresh (or dried) fruits.

We all know that waking up early to make some gourmet, plant-based camping recipe is just plain unrealistic for some mornings. But getting the nutrients you need is essential, especially if you’re headed out on a physically taxing day, like an alpine summit or a full day of climbing.

If you’re searching for the perfect plant based breakfast recipe for camping, climbing, or any other quick morning, look no further!

Plant Based Alpine Start Fruit, Oat, and Seed Bowl

• 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats

• 2 Tbsp Flax Seeds

• 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

• 2 -3 Tbsp Walnuts

• 1 Tbsp Organic Cacao Nibs

• 1 Tbsp Almond Butter

• Handful of Blueberries (fresh or dried)

• 1/2 Apple (or about 1/4 cup dried)

• 1/4 Banana

• 1 Cup Almond Milk (Look for the shelf stable version of this if you’re traveling without a cooler)

Starting with the Oats, put all ingredients in a bowl, and pour almond milk over. Wow, that was hard.

Grittify: Use dried fruits and shelf stable almond milk. For backpacking, use powdered milk (can be found in dairy and non-dairy varieties), and pre-portion out breakfast bowl materials before the trip.

Gourmetify: Try different varieties of fruits (maybe check out what the local farmers market has if you’re traveling in summer), and get your sugar fix by adding a few spoonfuls of Nutiva (the healthy cousin of Nutella). If you want more crunch, you can also add a few spoons of your favorite granola mix (This is will significantly up the sugar level, so maybe choose Nutiva OR granola if you don’t want to be shaking before 10 AM. Or don’t, and go for it. Have yourself a day!)