Since embracing the Real Food Challenge, we have definitely made some changes in our house when it comes to breakfast. Breakfast is an easy meal to start with if you are looking to get away from processed foods and eat cleaner.
My kids like to eat cereal a lot (our faves are the Cascadian Farms line and the Nature’s Promise Raisin Bran), but I like to keep things varied and also make sure that we are getting fruits each morning with breakfast.
I kept seeing overnight oats EVERYWHERE on Pinterest for a while, and I decided that it was finally time to give them a go. Seriously–it could not be any easier to do, and the boys are loving them! I went to the store and got a set of 4 small mason jars (not the traditional pint-sized ones, these have a wider bottom), which work perfectly.
The night before I put in a layer of uncooked oats (we use the Nature’s Promise organic quick oats). I topped the oats with a layer of fruit. You don’t have to use fresh fruit; I like to use frozen organic berries, since it’s usually less expensive.
Simply pour some milk over the top of the oats and fruit– just enough to almost cover the top layer. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup, place the top on the jar and store in the fridge overnight. The next morning, just heat the oats in the microwave and you’re good to go!
The best thing about overnight oats is that there are SO many different flavor combinations to try. I put together a list of my favorite recipes from Pinterest below, but you can always invent your own!
I agree – so easy! Sometimes I don’t even heat mine up!
I know right?! 🙂 My husband takes them to work on the train and sometimes has them cold too!