Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Over Night Oatmeal

I have been wanting to share another quick breakfast secret with you for a while now. I keep meaning to have it several different ways so I can tell you which way is the best but it hasn't happened. I decided I should just go ahead and post so you won't be missing out and because it is Wednesday which means church tonight and not much time! Over Night Oatmeal is something I learned about from a blog I love to read call Kath Eats Real Food. She has a beautiful tribute to oatmeal on her blog you can check out here. It is very simple which I love and it is prepared the night before which I love even more, especially on the mornings I have to be out the door quick. Grab a bowl, a jar, a container, or whatever your heart desires to put this in and get started!


You start with some old fashioned oats. You need about 1/2 a cup. Do NOT cook them! That is the beauty of this recipe.


Then you need to add your liquids. You will add about 1/3 cup of each of these. We love Vanilla soy milk but you can use regular milk, almond milk, heck even chocolate milk might be good. Hmmm... I need some chocolate soy milk for next time! I love Greek yogurt because it is healthier for you, thicker, and a little tangy but you can choose your favorite kind of yogurt. Watch out for the sugar content of course. Fiber One has the lowest of the flavored yogurts that I have found.


Then you get to be creative! I like to add a chopped up banana or some blueberries but strawberries, raspberries or your favorite fruit will do just fine or you can leave the fruit out to top it off in the morning or have no fruit at all.

This time I added about 1/4 cup of pumpkin because I have been in the mood for some pumpkin. I also added a teaspoon or so of pumpkin pie spice and some extra cinnamon because I love those an awful lot too and one packet of Stevia.

I gave all those ingredients a quick stir, stuck the bowl in the fridge, (covered or uncovered it doesn't really matter) and walked away happy that my healthy breakfast would be ready for the morning! Hooray!

In the morning I heated the bowl up for 30 seconds in the microwave just to take the edge off the coldness and then topped it with a dollop of almond butter and agave. I have also added crunchy things like nuts in the morning so they don't get soggy.

Mmmmmm good!

This was my favorite way so far, maybe because it is fall and these flavors just go with fall, but here are some other ideas for what you can mix in your over night oatmeal.

Trail Mix
Granola
Flax Seed
Wheat Germ
Chia Seeds
Wheat Berries
Quinoa
Frozen Fruit
Peaches, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, etc.
Banana Chips
Cocoa Powder
Maple Syrup
Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, whatever is your favorite
Sugar Free Preserves or Polaner All Fruit
Peanut Butter
Almond Butter
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter
Raisins or Craisins
Puffed Wheat or Rice Cereal or your favorite kind (add in the morning)

Just a few things to keep in mind: You need 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/3 to 1/2  cup each of milk and yogurt to start each time. If you are omitting some milk then add more yogurt and vice versa. NO COOKING! Don't cook your oats. This is meant to be conveinent, portable (just make it in a to-go container or jar), and healthy. You can warm it up a little in the morning or eat it cold. It is good both ways.

Have fun and let me know what you mix in! Now I need to finish making dinner for myself and Faith and make my over night oatmeal before church. I think frozen blackberries are going in mine tonight!








2 comments:

MaDonna Maurer said...

THANK you! I was wanting something quick and easy for breakfast when the weather turns colder. (and it's healthy, super duper!)

Jenny said...

My favorite thing to add to oatmeal are finely chopped raw apples. And walnuts.