Bandwagon (oats)

I'm not really one to follow food trends.  I like what I like and I try new things, but I'll be honest whether or not I like them.  Quinoa?  Gross.  Ramps?  What's the point.  Chia seeds... okay I use those sometimes.

When I started seeing recipes for overnight oats everywhere I thought, oh god how can that even be good.  Then I remembered the little corner grocery in Harlem we used to go to that had cold, vegan oatmeals in the prepared food section and how much I loved to buy them for beach mornings.  If that was good, this had to be the same idea?  Yup.

Instead of making your oatmeal the night before and letting it cool, this is made cool, stays cool, and fills you up on mornings it's so sticky outside you definitely don't want to get a pan out.  Also - I know this way my husband has a breakfast with him on the train and I don't have to worry about what, if anything, he's eating before lunch.

The ratio is mostly equal, depending on how thick you like it and what else you want to add in.  I put them in mason jars for him to take in the morning on his way out.  Easy shaking, easy taking.  The picture I have here is one I most often make, kind of a gingersnap cookie in a jar.  I like to sweeten with natural sweeteners, mostly blackstrap molasses for its added health bonuses.  A great addition is always cinnamon  because it is known to stabilize your blood sugar all day long.  You can use honey, agave, stevia, or nothing at all if your almond milk is flavored!

Overnight Oats

1/3-1/2 cup almond milk
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon chia or flax seeds
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinammon
pinch of cloves

1. Add all that in, shake it up at night, move to the fridge.  Shake it up in the morning, move to your mouth.

Other combinations are really endless.  I like to add in pumpkin puree (reduce other liquids) and applesauce for more fiber.  Chopped fruit, if you can fit it, right on top.  Chopped nuts and raisins.  Experiment using other milks, sub coconut milk and some pineapple chunks for a little vacation in your mouth.  Almond butter and strawberry jam for a little comfort food.  Really, once you get down a ratio of liquid to oat that you like (i'm a thick, husband is a thin) you can try everything and anything in there.  Have fun!