Overnight Oats

Now that days start with spring-really-more-like-summer sun, nothing sounds appetizing about hot oatmeal, not even my beloved baked berry oatmeal.  Fortunately, to save me from the humdrum of an all cereal, toast or yogurt weekday morning routine, my friend Lisa introduced me to a way to eat my oats chilled.

As the name suggests, you prep them at night. Which means no a.m. prep time. Which means I am slightly more likely to not have a strictly force self out of bed-shower-dress-eat-pack for day-start to-do list mantra running through my head as I start my day. Which means I might actually come before the Lord in praise in my waking moments and turn my day over to what He (gasp, not me) would have me do each moment of the day.

Simply mash up some banana and then mix in oats, your choice of milk, and a sprinkling of cinnamon and whatever other toppings sound right to you. Really, you can add whatever yogurts, liquids, spices, grains and fruits you like as long as there is liquid to soften the oats. I like to mix in blueberries or strawberries.

Voila, insta-breakfast of the scratch-made variety.

Starting with banana, cinnamon and oats.

What are your favorite weekday breakfasts?


Overnight Oats 
Yield: One serving

1/2 banana
1/2 cup whole oats (not instant)*
1/2 cup milk*
Cinnamon
Nuts and fruit, optional garnishes

In a cereal bowl, mash banana with a fork. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Refrigerate overnight before serving. 

*You can adjust portions as desired, keeping a 1:1 ratio with the oats and liquid.