Quick, no fuss, nutrition packed breakfasts are essential to starting your day off right. Before I had littles and worked outside of my home this was true but even more so now that I am a mother of two and work as a health coach on the weekends. Someone always needs me and sometimes even a smoothie isn’t something I have time for. That’s why I always, and I mean always, have pre-made breakfast bars, muffins, or something like these overnight oats or chia pudding in the fridge and ready to grab and go.
Overnight oats take only a few minutes (seriously!) to prepare the night before and are super filling and delicious! Oats are a galactogogue, which means they naturally increase a mother’s milk supply. They also contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan which has been shown to help lower high cholesterol and therefore decrease risk for developing heart disease. The fiber in whole grains has also been shown to help stabilize blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. I add chia seeds for protein, omega-3s and to make the oats a thick consistency. If you are unfamiliar with chia seeds, they become gelatinous when soaked. In herbalism they are known as a demulcent which is cooling and soothing for those with compromised digestion. Pumpkin is packed with antioxidants, vitamin A and C and the spices and dates make it taste wonderfully seasonal and sweet! You can warm them up in the morning if you’d like or just take them out out a half hour before breakfast if you want to take the chill off. Top with coconut, nuts, seeds, or fruit and enjoy!
pumpkin spice overnight oats
serves 1-2
ingredients
1 cup gluten free rolled oats
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (if using canned, make sure BPA-free can and no added sugar!)
1 1/2 cups unsweetened plant milk of choice (almond, coconut, hemp, etc.)
2 medjool dates, pitted (optional)
directions
if using dates, add plant/nut milk and dates to blender and puree until smooth
combine all ingredients in one large jar (20+ oz) or two medium jars. cover and shake until well combined. let sit in the fridge overnight. add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
