healthy breakfast on the go…

Avena, or agua de avena, is best described as drinkable oatmeal, but to me, it’s so much more than just oatmeal.

Warm and satisfying, avena is a drink that warms you up from the inside out. It’s exactly what I’ve been craving up here in Vancouver, as the mornings can be really chilly and it rains – a lot – which is something this California girl has had a difficult time getting used to (I did grow up in the Midwest but I’ve lived in sunny SoCal for almost 10 years;).

Avena is perfect for breakfast on the go, and also makes a hearty afternoon snack on a cold day. My Tia Julia first introduced avena to me, and I’ve been making it ever since, although not quite as well I must note. Drinking avena, especially if you’re lucky enough to have someone make it for you, is not unlike a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup: it is unmistakably comforting. I might go as far as to call it a “hug for your soul,” which some may say is taking it a tad too far. It’s only oatmeal, after all, so how good can it be? The truth is that this incredibly simple, satisfying drink is comforting in a way that is hard to explain, not unlike feeling your sore throat disappear after a steaming bowl of homemade soup.

I’m happy to share this video I worked on for Tastemade, which beautifully illustrates how to make avena. I like to make up a big pot and keep it in the fridge, just as Julia did, and warm up a cup whenever I need a hug by way of my stomach. I encourage you to make it in your own kitchen, especially as the days get shorter, cooler, and perhaps even a little rainy. I hope you also find comfort in this deliciously satisfying drink.