Breakfast of champions!

Overnight oats and I have come a long way and we’ve become total bffs.  I recently took a week or so break from it to switch things up a bit and I’m back on it and it feels so, so good.

There are many different opinions and views on whether or not it’s good for you and debate on the how the calories can add up but this is my opinion, my recipe(s), my experiments so I’ve learnt by total trial and try again.  To me, it all boils down to what you put into it and why you are having it – breakfast, snack, fuel for training, recovery or (yes) cheat meal because you can add all kinds of eats and sweets to it.  Believe me, there are endless variations so this is a recipe that is versatile, filling, nutritious and delicious and never, never dull.  I’ve had this as a snack and a meal adjusting the portions accordingly but either way, ma belly is happy when it’s all in there.

My first overnight oats in a jar – oh my.  My reaction was literally “where have you been all my life”??  See the pic here – I searched until I found this IG post from a few years ago that a colleague took.

I made it on a whim after seeing many recipes online and on social media.  This was a couple of years ago and  I was hooked  and apparently and I still am.  I can’t quite remember all the ingredients and back then, I was not even on the chia seed bandwagon.  It looks like bananas and probably coconut flakes, walnuts and somewhere in there I am sure some almond butter – because yes, #addiction here!

Needless to say,  I was beyond full but I didn’t want the jar to empty.  If I could drink it I probably would have.  Aaaaand, by now you’re probably thinking “woman, it’s food in jar for goodness sakes” but I’ll tell you, everyone who has tried, tasted and tested them are still raving, eating it AND they share back their fav combos with me, which is the point!

Below is the basic recipe but some of my favorite topping combos include mixed berries, banana-cinnamon-berry, apple-cinnamon, pineapple-coconut, grated carrots-walnut, banana-cocoa powder, banana-nut, mango-pineapple and THAT friend, is the tip of the iceberg.  The toppings are where you can get creative.

I make my base on a Sunday night, usually 5 or 6 at a time depending on the free mason jars I have on hand.  I add the filling and toppings in the morning.  You can make them all fully ahead of time as they do last a few days but if you’re like me, and need variations from time to time, having the basics ready and just adding the trimmings in the morning is a good idea.  Tip:  pre-cut, grate and crush your items ahead of time as well to save you time.  Everything (except bananas maybe) should be good for a few days.

I’ve mentioned that the ingredients are endless and while I agree that the calories can add up, I am not including them here for you as there are many calorie counters you can use.  For me, unless I’m in training camp leading up to a fight, I’ve stopped getting on the scale on a daily basis for a while now and even during camp, I’ve disciplined myself to once, maybe twice a week – my sport does require me to be in a weight range in order to compete so it’s out of necessity when I do.  I am also currently working on NOT counting calories anymore or not being so obsessive about it which, unfortunately, is easier said than done.  The years and years of poor body image or lack thereof along with body shaming doesn’t go away overnight.  I don’t beat myself up about but working toward a better me is always a work in progress.  I don’t give up and boxing has taught me to be patient, so in due time.

In relation to the previous few lines – I am so happy that there are tribes and tribes of body positive advocates out there.  I think to myself sometimes “wow, where were all these amazing people when I was growing up”?  I wonder if I’d still have the same discomfort when I’m baring too much skin or suddenly sink my shoulders so I look smaller or nearly invisible when I’m in dress, skin or no skin.  I’m better now and as I’ve mentioned in other areas of the blog,  once I came out of my shell and realized what is beautiful to me personally, is when I developed a little more confidence and walked with a bit of a swagger…..and learnt to walk like Olivia Pope (ok, nobody can strut like that but you get the picture) when I’m all prettied up.  To close off the thought – I think I’d still feel that way if the mindset change didn’t come from me.  I had to realize for myself, be comfortable with myself in my skin and then implement.  Hard work indeed, but I know how to grind!

Back to my oats – I’ve grown to love and learn about some ingredients and their health benefits over the years so to me, it’s a jar full of healthy and nutritious ingredients and coupled with regular exercise and proper hydration, you’re on your way to healthy, glowy, fit and fab version of yourself!

Blueberry/Raspberry

Blueberry/Pineapple

Feel free to comment or share your combos!