Green is so easily considered strange.
So this recipe feels like a cop-out.
These green oats are legit strange though!  It’s not the green you’re expecting, and it’s not really even oats.  If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I have a thing for TVP oatmeal.  TVP (Texturized Vegetable Protein) is like chicken.  Or tofu.  It tastes like whatever flavor you apply to it.  A sweet bowl of TVP oats isn’t hard to make good!
Now for the green part.  It’s spirulina.  Heather repped Nutrex Hawaii at the Blend Retreat this year and generously shared a few samples with me.  To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d do with it.  I knew it’s healthy. Spirulina is a microalgae that grows naturally in healthy bodies of water.  It’s good for energy, immunity, cellular health, and cardiovascular, eye and brain health.  It’s also high in protein and Vitamins A, K1, K2, and B12.Â
Did I mention it’s super-green? Â It begs for #strangebutgood applications. Â You want a bite, I swear…
Also found at Blend was a shiny new bottle of Cherry-Vanilla NuNaturals Liquid Stevia.  I’d had it before and loved it, so I was excited for the refill.  Of course, I mixed in my Growing Naturals vanilla rice protein (don’t forget about the freebie code!).  Gotta keep fueling the muscle growth!
Protein powder adds stay-power AND a fantastic creaminess to your morning bowl of deliciousness.
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Spirulina Cherry TVP Oats
- 1/3 C TVP
- 1/4 C oats
- 1/2 C water + 1/4 C
- 15 grams vanilla protein powder (I used 1/2 scoop of Growing Naturals)
- 1/4 C cherries, chopped
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp butter extract (optional – you can also use vanilla or almond)
- 4-5 drops Cherry Vanilla Liquid Stevia (or preferred sweetener)
Add the TVP, oats, and 1/2 C water to a small pot, stir, and bring to a boil (you can also microwave it like oats). Â
Reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 10 mins, until mix softens and thickens. Â
Stir in protein, cherries, extract, and stevia.  Add more water as needed (~1/4 C).  Allow to cook for 2-3 more mins. The mixture should be silky smooth. Â
Scoop into bowl and add your favorite toppings.
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How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
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Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
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I’m back from my NYC adventures (check out Instagram if you’re curious) and SO ready to get back in the kitchen!  More recipe are sure to come! 🙂Â
Have you ever had spirulina?
 What is your favorite oats mix-in?
I LOVE NuNaturals & Nutrex Hawaii!!!! Never had the growing Naturals though.. 🙂 The Blend retreat pics were great!
Spirulina is super green, isn’t it? I haven’t had it in a long time. Hope you had a great trip to NYC!
Green just makes is better, no? LOL!
I’ve made your TVP oats before! Spirulina….not the biggest fan but then again, it was in a tablet form and was gross.
I couldn’t stand the tablets. The powder is much less like fish food – maybe because I mixed it with stuff?
I’ve only had Spirulina in drinks that were VERY green. But genius idea to put it in oats.
i didn’t even think about a drink. Duh…
Spirulina intrigues me – and if just for its bright colour. A feast for the eyes ;). I’ve never had it, though, and have actually meant to try matcha sometime [soon?] for the added greenery. So far my favourite green oat mix-in is shredded zucchini – hidden vegetables at breakfast. My mum would be proud, haha.
I’ve been doing matcha too! I really like it.
Looks interesting! I will have to look for some of these ingredients and give it a whirl!
Thanks! Let me know what you think!
I love my oats plain, with protein powder, or simply topped with fruit…oh and maybe a little peanut-ty goodness for good measure 😉
I actually LOVE my oats baked!
Peanut butter always wins. 🙂
i’m obsessed with my nutrex spiruilina now! and growing naturals! why can’t TVP be made to tolerate my stomach… sigh
I have some spirulina tablets that I often take before a long run. I used to have some protein powder with it in there but the texture was weird. Love the idea of having a powder to add to the oats. And thank you for the TVP “oatmeal” inspirations it’s been on my menu this week.
I couldn’t stand the tablets… I think I need the taste to me masked with other stuff. LOL!
wohoo i love me some greens!! in my smoothie and finally figured out how to put them in oats without feeling overwhelmed
Nice! It’s always a given that my smoothies have a tinge of green. 😉
I”m addicted to that now! Must order my protein today!!
That is SUPER green. Holly cow!
Not tried spirulina but I’d love to soon! Nothing beats fresh fruit in oatmeal, especially bananas & homemade applesauce!
This is so weird… I’ve never tired apple sauce in my oats!
Apparently spirulina is amazing on eggs! Some people who can’t handle the taste of spirulina swear by sprinkling it on top of eggs. Haven’t tried it yet though. That brand of spirulina is the best I have ever tried, love it!
Innnnnnnteresting. Have you tried black salt on them? So good.
THis looks SO FUN!
thanks for the reminder we need to buy more spirulina we are out 😉
LOL! I am too now!
YUM! I totally have some TVP from who knows what (backpacking food, I think) and will for sure make this! My typical oats toppings include any nut butter (which I gotta be careful with…I haven’t had any in the house for only a few weeks b/c otherwise I kinda go nuts – no pun intended – with it), cinnamon, and some banana… Nut butters and cinnamon for sure. 🙂 Thanks for this idea!
Haha. I got nuts too. I had to limit myself to 1 open jar at a time.
I don’t use spirulina in a powder form but I SWEAR by my Chlorella & Spirulina (tablet form) I notice a distinct difference in my mood and energy levels and they’re 100% natural, nothing nasty or synthetic so they don’t bug my kidneys which is awesome!
I can’t stand the tablets. Maybe if I could find it in a capsule?
What I want to know is how you think up all of these incredible recipes! You need a Strange But Good Cookbook!
Haha, YES for TVP!! YOu know I love it.
I have a huge Spirulina pack at home! It smells so strange, I never dared to use it. I should.
It DOES have a funk. I have to mix it with a bunch of stuff to tolerate.
The hotel room absolutely looked like the scene from The Shining. Classic, I love that movie. I read the book too, probably when I was twelve. I read all his stuff in my early years. It explains a lot.
You read the book at 12?! Where was your mother??
I’m guessing she bought it for me. 🙂
I would like to meet this woman.