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Overnight Oats: How I Was Finally Convinced Chia Seeds are Ok

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This post was compensated with products from NOW Foods, however what I whip up and opinions regarding the products are 100% my own.

I am always willing to try new things. I try not to be picky. Since having children, I am especially conscience of this. I want the kids to know that trying new foods should not be that scary, and they might find something they actually like if they just try.

However, I have always had a problem trying Chia Seeds. For some reason they freak me out. I have a mental block. What is ridiculous, is that they are so tiny and they are so incredibly healthy.

 

I know what it is, though. When I was a little kid, I got horribly sick one time. I was prescribed a medicine that could only be given to me in a capsule form. I was way too little to be taking capsules as I was used to taking liquid medicines. So, the pediatrician told my parents to break open the capsules and put the medicine in applesauce. Then, I would easily be able to swallow the medicine. I would be fine.

I was not fine.

The texture of the little seed like medicine in the applesauce made me gag. It was terrible. AWFUL! Since then, I have not had applesauce or anything seed like. I know. It was like 30 years ago, and I am still harboring this not even that traumatizing experience.

When I saw we had Chia seeds in our NOW Foods gift bag, I told myself, this was it! The research began, and here we are. I started slowly. At the NOW Foods event we used them as a binding ingredient for the quinoa burgers, and I didn’t even know they were there. Perfect! Next, I started adding them to smoothies. HOORAY!

Then, I made overnight oats combining a few of my favorite flavors, vanilla, strawberry, and banana. This has helped tremendously with my fear of Chia Seeds, and now I think I am over it.

 

Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats (makes 4 servings)
1 1/3 cup oatmeal
1 1/3 cup milk (you can use almond or dairy)
1 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
2 tsp Ellyndale Organic Vanilla Extract
4 tsp NOW Real Foods Organic Agave Nectar
2 tsp Organic Chia Seeds
1 large banana chopped into small pieces
8 or 10 strawberries cut into small pieces

 

Get four small glass or plastic containers with tight fitting lids. In each container add: 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup milk, 1/3 cup yogurt, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp agave, 1/2 tsp chia seeds, 1/4 of the sliced banana, and 1/4 of the sliced strawberries.

 

Put the lids on the containers and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, but overnight is best.

 

This is the perfect breakfast or snack on the go, while working, or to combat a weird fear of a Chia Seeds.

 

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Breakfast for One: Banana, Berry, and Almond Oatmeal

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Out of the five of us, only two of us like oatmeal. Russell and I sometimes enjoy it together in the morning, but when given the option of yogurt or oatmeal, Russell usually picks yogurt. This means I am often enjoying oatmeal alone, and because of this, I am experimenting with very healthy and tasty variations.

As I have mentioned before, when I cook I kind of throw things together. Then, I often have to make the dish again to factor in measurements so that I can share it with you. This is one of those recipes that was so easy and so delicious, I didn’t mind making it over again. In fact, I have eaten it for breakfast the past few mornings after workouts. It is so healthy, but you won’t even know it. It is that delicious!

 

Banana Berry and Almond Oatmeal

1/2 cup Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal
1 cup water
1 Tbs almond butter
1 small banana mashed
1/2 cup various berries (I used strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
Pinch of salt

 

In a microwave safe bowl, combine oats, water, and salt.

 

Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Carefully remove oatmeal from microwave and stir in almond butter and banana. Finally, top with berries.

 

What is your favorite quick cooking breakfast?

Linking up at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading.

What’s in the Fridge Guacamole

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Sometimes I am stumped for lunch ideas for the kids. Even though I meal plan, sometimes the kids are not up for what is planned, so I try to improvise. Last week, the kids said they had a taste for some guacamole. Luckily I had some essential ingredients on hand from Chili night.

This is one of those recipes where, I kind of threw everything together, and it was awesome. The kids gobbled it up with some quesadillas. I even got a little fancy and served it in little bowls made out of limes. Nothing like classing it up for preschoolers.

What’s in the Fridge Guacamole
3 large or 4 medium avocadoes peeled, pitted, and chopped into small chunks
zest of 1 lime
juice of 2 or 3 limes
1/4 red onion minced
1 clove garlic finely minced
1 large bunch cilantro chopped
Salt and Pepper to taste

Lightly mash avocados with a fork while still leaving some chunks of avocado for texture. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined. Enjoy with tortilla chips, quesadillas, tacos, or as George likes it with a spoon.