September 22, 2020

This recipe is near and dear to my heart and my soul. It has one and only mission: to deliver protein without ruining my tummy.

If you’ve ever tried to eat a high protein diet, you KNOW what I mean by tummy ruining. Constipation from protein is terrible and for the longest time, I couldn’t figure out how to avoid it and continue with the high protein intake. I had given up. /tiny violin ensues

So this was a multifaceted strategy that was individualized for my situation, yours may be easier or more complicated but here it is:

Vegan protein powder you have in the pantry tastes like dirt? Nothing a little honey or sweetened, flavored vegan milk can't fix

1. Use a non-dairy or plant-based protein powder. My fiance bought me Green Beret’s chocolate powder and it tastes like heaven! I always thought vegan protein powders only tasted like sand and dirt until he got that for me. Green Beret is NOT cheap, hence why I never bought it for myself. A more cost effective brand is Orgain. I picked my chocolate peanut butter flavored powder from Costco and it also tastes like heaven.
2. Chia seeds are a MIRACLE anti-constipation treatment for me.
3. Oatmeal (whole rolled or quick cooking, I don’t have a preference. I just get whatever’s cheaper)
4. Non-dairy milk, like soy, hemp, coconut, almond, whatever’s cheapest.

My local 99 cent store always has great deals on vegan food! Consider hunting for deals once a week if you're vegan and you will be rewarded!

Other healthy add-ons include:

• Flax seeds (Trader’s Joe’s toasted flax seeds are to die for)
• Cinnamon
• Honey (only if there is no sweetener in your milk and/or protein powder already)

The quick and dirty recipe:

• 1 scoop/serving of plant-based protein powder
• half cup oatmeal
• half tablespoon of chia seeds
• half tablespoon of toasted flax seeds (optional)
• dash of cinnamon
• quantity sufficient plant-based milk until all oatmeal is submerged plus an inch in the cup
• 1 spoonful of honey to taste if protein powder and/or milk is unsweetened

If you heathens like dried or toasted coconut, this would be a great recipe for that (I personally hate dried coconut, its just chewy and bleh and I can’t do it. Why is it in so much plant-based food?).

Also consider cocoa powder, frozen fruits of your choice (frozen berries are a great source of anti-oxidants).

You can also turn this into overnight oats if you prefer, just prepare the mixture in jars or cups and place in the fridge overnight and eat in the morning.

Note: I actually like eating uncooked oats because they have a fun chewiness. If you prefer to overnight them or cook them, plan accordingly.

The big question: Why is it called CPO?

Well, C for chia, P for protein, and O for oatmeal, and it sounds like a lovable metal humanoid robot from the trademarked series of films purchased by Disney that I’m pretty sure I’m not allowed to reference but I love him and I named this pleasant oatmeal after him.