Overnight Oats

By Coach Maria - Salus Nutritionist & Food Expert

You know those packages of instant strawberries and cream oatmeal? 

Yea, the ones that are loaded with....
WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, SUGAR, FLAVORED AND COLORED FRUIT PIECES (DEHYDRATED APPLES [TREATED WITH SODIUM SULFITE TO PROMOTE COLOR RETENTION], ARTIFICIAL STRAWBERRY FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, RED 40), CREAMING AGENT (MALTODEXTRIN, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, WHEY, SODIUM CASEINATE), SALT, CALCIUM CARBONATE, GUAR GUM, OAT FLOUR, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE

Since when does fruit need to be "flavored and colored"??  And "creaming agent"?  I don't even want to know why I need partially hydrogenated soybean oil in my oatmeal.

The oatmeal flavor sounds good, though and wouldn't it be great if you could eat something similar and just as easy?

You can, actually, and I'm going to show you how easy it is.

Oh...wait, you don't like strawberries or coconut (serious?!)?  Easy fix...add whatever fruit and added ingredients you do like (Coffee, chocolate, banana, pineapple, mango....you get the idea).

The best part is it's easy...easy...easy!  (Well, and also it tastes goooood!)



Throw the ingredients together the night before, stick in the fridge overnight and you can wake up to this breakfast even quicker than microwaving the instant packet of toxins!  Or, do what I do and have it as a dessert - the kids will love it!

This recipe makes 6 servings, if it's just you, you can always cut the recipe down (but why??).  Keeps well in the fridge.

Ingredients

4 c gluten free oats*
12 oz. fresh organic strawberries, pureed
6 c unsweetened almond milk (flavored or unflavored and coconut milk works great also)
1/2 c shredded unsweetened coconut
1/3 c chia seeds
1/4 c maple syrup (organic raw, unfiltered honey works as well)
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a bowl (this recipe will create a pudding-like consistency, add more milk if you prefer).  Place in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight is best.

*Oats are technically gluten free, but unless the package says gluten free, there's a great chance there has been gluten cross contamination at the factory.  If you're gluten free, I would recommend going the extra step in choosing a product that is advertised as gluten free. 

 

Variations:

• Add some quality flavored or unflavored protein powder to the list of ingredients
• Substitute strawberries with any other fruit

For Coffee Cacao: 
1.5 c brewed coffee (I use decaf)
2 Tblsp cacao powder, cacao nibs or dairy, soy, gluten free chocolate chips (I put these through the food processor or coffee grinder)
1/2 c coconut cream (the thicker stuff that sits on the top of the can) or coconut milk
1 1/4 c almond milk
1/4 c maple syrup
1 c chia seeds
2 scoops chocolate protein powder

Mix all ingredients and place in fridge 4-6 hours or overnight.