Papaya Breakfast Bowls

The Beauty of Papaya

I adore a beautiful papaya boat. Especially, when edible flowers and berries are involved.

My addiction to papaya began, when I realized my life needed a lifestyle change. A slower, more restful pace, spent with friends and family. Initially, I was inspired to bring papayas to A Bit of Thyme, after spending the day with my dearest friend Caitlin Kraina, of Iron and Fern. We were both going through a rough transitioning period, where we realized our 9-5’s were sucking the life out of us. After leaving our jobs, and finding a sense of peace, Caitlin said to me, “I just want the opportunity to wake up every morning, slice open a beautiful papaya for breakfast, that will truly nourish my body, and enjoy my slow mornings out on the patio, in the sunshine.”

I resonated so deeply with her, in that moment, and I knew I was searching for the same thing.

About a year later, my trip to Costa Rica came around, where I felt an entirely new sense of peace, strength, and healing. Every morning, we’d enjoy the sunshine, with a cup of coffee, and slices of papaya. Cherishing these memories, I decided to create a recipe that brings a tropical feel and healing, to your morning routine.

Papaya is an incredible fruit with powerful healing properties. This beautiful fruit is high in antioxidants, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It improves absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, soothes nerves in the gut, gently flushes out toxins in the gut while decreasing swelling and inflammation, and even helps heal acne, eczema, and psoriasis. So basically, it’s all in all, the perfect fruit.

While staying in Costa Rica for a week, I ate a few slices of papaya every morning, with my oatmeal. And let me tell you, I felt incredible. I instantly feel soothed and calmed, when I eat this fruit, so why not make it a part of my every day.

This oatmeal recipe is very similar to the Blackberry Cardamom oats, with an extra flare. And by flare, I mean chocolate chips. And papaya, of course.

Papaya, surprisingly enough, tastes pretty incredible when paired with chunks of chocolate. The mild sweetness of this fruit, paired with a dense and bitter chocolate, acidic berries, and crunchy, nutty flavors, makes for a pretty lovely combination.

Recipe

Serves Two

Prep Time: 5-8 minutes

Cook Time: 5-8 minutes

What you’ll need:

1 organic Mexican papaya

1/3c One Degree Organic Gluten Free Rolled Oats

3/4c hot water

1/2 tsp organic ground cardamom

1/4 tsp organic ground cinnamon

1/8tsp organic vanilla extract

pinch of pink Himalayan salt

a small handful of Lily’s vegan stevia sweetened chocolate chips

When I’m looking for a quicker oats recipe, I like to use One Degree Organics, because they are Beyond Celiac Certified, USDA Organic, and Non-Glyphosate certified. Keep in mind, this recipe can also be used with steel cut oats if you prefer!

Slice open a large papaya, and scoop out the seeds in the center. Set aside, as you cut up your favorite berries and fruit.

In a pot, bring 3/4c of hot water to a boil, and add in the oats, cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla extract, and a pinch of Himalayan salt. Cover the oats, and let them cook for about 5-8 minutes, until tender.

Once the oats are finished cooking, throw in a few handfuls of Lily’s vegan stevia sweetened chocolate chips, and stir until the chocolate is melted. Split the contents of the chocolatey, gooey oatmeal in half, and pour it into each half of the papaya, leaving enough room for your other toppings. Be careful with overflow, it can get a little messy! Adorn the oats and spaces in the sliced papaya, with organic berries of your choice, organic organic hemp seeds, raw organic pecans, Once Again Organic Creamy Almond Butter, and any other toppings that you’re craving! Share these papaya bowls with a friend, while spending your morning outside in the sunshine!