Recipe: Overnight Oats

Well, I've been meaning to get this post up for days, but it's been hectic around these parts lately.  Which, when I think about it, makes me even happier that I've started doing this make-ahead breakfast.  Some days, even making toast feels like too much of a time commitment. Having a kid to get off to school and a phone that is bleeping at you with important emails and a to do list that is sadistically whispering your name from the next room?  Not conducive to a leisurely breakfast. 

Enter Overnight Oats!

What you'll need:

1/2 cup of rolled oats 

1 cup coconut milk

1 teaspoon hemp seeds

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1 teaspoon shredded coconut

maple syrup (to taste)

toppings!

Directions:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together 

2. Stir in coconut milk

3. Add maple syrup (I use probably 1/2 teaspoon at this stage)

4. Cover and refrigerate overnight

5. When ready to eat, top with fruit of your choice and add another drizzle of maple syrup

It's sort of magical what happens when the oats and seeds soak up the coconut milk.  I find I can eat one of these myself the next day, but if you leave them in the fridge longer then that they get too thick. If I make up a batch on Sunday, by Tuesday I'm scooping out half of the contents of the jar into a bowl, adding another splash of coconut milk to thin out the consistency and then topping.  These bad boys are cost effective, yummy, take about zero effort and are full of nutrients and protein.

Right now I'm topping mine with blackberries, strawberries, more shredded coconut and a drizzle of maple syrup.  I think mango and kiwi would be great as well.  Also?  If you've got a picky eater why not top this with chocolate chips?

Let me know if you give this a try and what variations you like.  I think any sort of milk would work and the options with toppings are unlimited!  Here's to less stressful mornings for all of us...