Good Friday morning, everyone! I hope this post finds each of you well and wending your way successfully through this last day before the long-awaited weekend.
As summer approaches, I find myself bidding a fond farewell to the hot, steamy breakfasts of winter yet needing to maintain my energy level with hearty breakfasts. As I have recently converted to a vegan / nutritarian dietary regimen (February of this year), I must admit to the challenge of remaining ‘full’ between meals sometimes. As I become more accustomed to the regimen, I’m learning different ways to sustain myself without adding steps or the need to ‘graze’ incessantly throughout the day. One of the things I’ve learned is eating a variety of whole grains and protein-laden seeds helps to keep me well-nourished and ‘full’ throughout the day. To that end, I’ve discovered the combination of whole grain oats and chia seeds for breakfast do the trick for me by providing the a long-lasting source of fuel without a complicated preparation process every morning.
This recipe works for non-vegans as well, simply substitute your regular dairy milk for the plant-based milk and you’re good-to-go – you can even add some yogurt if you’d like. I call it a pudding because of the consistency it takes on as it soaks overnight – creamy and delicious!
INGREDIENTS
½ Cup 100% whole grain old-fashioned oats (not quick cook oats)
1 Tablespoon chia seeds
2/3 Cups plant-based milk (soy, almond, cashew – you choose)
Sweetener to taste (honey, agave, raw sugar, maple syrup – you choose, just stay away from refined sugar)
Add-ins (raisins, fresh fruit, nuts, nut butter – you choose)
METHOD
Mix oats, chia seeds and milk in a container with a lid. Place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning, before serving, mix in the sweetener and add-ins of your choice. If you prefer your oatmeal warm, simply pop the opened container into the microwave for a minute before adding the sweetener and add-ins. Enjoy!
This is a terrific breakfast for the whole family because everyone can customize their own breakfast with their personal choice of sweetener and add-ins. It’s never the same breakfast no matter how many times you serve it because of the many variables available depending on what fruit is in season and what kind of milk or sweetener you use. Plus, since you do part of the preparation the night before, it’s quick and easy in the morning. This makes it the perfect weekend or busy weekday breakfast to get the family fueled up and out the door early. In fact, you can even mix in the sweetener and fruit and take it on the road when the need arises. No more excuses for skipping breakfast, the most important meal of the day.
Enjoy your weekend!
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