Chocolate Lover's PB&J Power Bowl

This one is for all you chocolate lovers out there. I know I can't be the only one. 

Funny story about this recipe, it actually came to me as I was searching for bagel-topping ideas on Pinterest. Pictures of peanut butter bagels somehow led to crazy smoothie recipes, and by the end I was looking at mouthwatering images of chocolate fudge brownie oats. I am actually not sure how this idea popped into my head. I suppose I was inspired by the unending picture-perfect breakfasts on Pinterest. A mission to add some variety into my life resulted in a different variation of the breakfast I eat nearly every day— go figure. 

Despite the irony, this little bowl is powerfully packed with protein, healthy fats, and the perfect amount of carbs to get you through the early morning hours of the day. Oh, and let us not forget chocolate. It is powerfully packed with that, too. 

The not-so-secret (but crucial) ingredient

Chocolate PB&J Power Bowl

3/4 cup cottage cheese

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 tablespoon peanut butter (any nut butter works, but I prefer good ol’ PB)

1 teaspoon sugar or sweetener of choice

3/4 cup Special K cereal (I use the protein blend)

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 frozen banana 

1. Combine cottage cheese, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and sugar into a bowl and mix until blended. If necessary, add a drop or two of water to compensate for the cocoa powder.
2. Slice strawberries into chunks (I typically cut them into fourths), and do the same with the frozen banana. Fold fruit into the cottage cheese mixture.
3. Top with Special K cereal.

Tah-dahhh! Your masterpiece is complete. Now sit down, relax, and enjoy! (or put in a tupperware container and take on the go!) Regardless of where this is eaten, I can assure you it will taste just as decadent. 

Note:

-If you are not a fan of cottage cheese, the texture of this bowl may not appeal to your tastebuds. If preferred, you may use yogurt, or a mixture of yogurt and cottage cheese. 

-As for the cocoa powder, feel free to add more or less depending on your love for chocolate. I lam obsessed everything chocolate, and I still  found the chocolate factor of this bowl to be very rich. 

-In my opinion, this bowl would not be the same without frozen banana. If you use a raw banana, there is a chance you may be disappointed with it.