Spirit of Spring Overnight Oats

I enjoy making overnight oats. The jar is a blank canvas where I can craft a different masterpiece each time. A couple of favorites in our household are overnight oats with mango and overnight oats with bananas.

A bank canvas

I enjoy adding different flavor profiles to the jar to make the meal a bit different. Protein powder can be added to make the dish more satisfying. Collagen powder can be added for hair, skin, nails, and muscle recovery.

Textures satisfy

When you serve your overnight oats you can add nuts, seeds, or dried fruits for added texture to make a more satisfying meal. If you find your fruit was not sweet enough for your taste, you could add just a bit of honey or agave at serving.

Simple to make

All you need is a jar, oatmeal, chia seeds, fruit, and milk (of choice). The other items are extras and flavor to the meal.

Instructions (I use a 16 oz. glass jar that was a nut/seed butter jar ... reuse/recycle)

• Add 1 TBSP chia seeds (I use organic)
• Add 1/4 cup oats (I use gluten free)
• Add a scoop of protein powder (optional)
• Add 1/4 cup milk of choice and stir
• Add 1/2 cup fruit (diced in SMALL pieces)
• Add an additional 1/4 cup oats 
• Add more milk until jar is almost full
• Cover and stir
• Refrigerate overnight
• Stir, add toppings or additional milk, and enjoy 

Spring Overnight Oats uses fruits that produce a pastel, spring look. A combination of red and yellow fruit produces a beautiful look. We eat with our eyes first. Delight the eyes, and the stomach will be overjoyed!

Mango Mornings: Overnight Oats

I have made many varieties of OVERNIGHT OATS and come back to the mango recipe variation quite a bit. The recipe is simple to make and other fruits can be substituted for mangos to make the recipe fit your taste preferences and seasonal fruit availability.

Simple Formula 

Add the following to a jar (I rinse and use glass nut butter jars to reduce waste):

• 1 cup of mango (I layer mine)
• 1/8 cup organic chia seeds
• 3/4 cup gluten free oats
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1 TBSP honey or agave (OPTIONAL)
• 3/4 cup milk of choice - I use almond or cashew

TIPS:

You can make a couple of jars ahead of time. The night before you wish to enjoy the breakfast, add the milk of choice and shake. In the morning, stir the jar and add additional milk if the oats absorbed more milk than you wish. I start with a ratio that errs on the dry side so that more liquid can be added at the last minute. It is difficult to soak up additional liquid last minute, especially if you want to eat the breakfast on-the-go.

NOTE: for details on mango availability, how to pick a mango, and how to store a mango can be found at Mango.org. 

Spring Risotto

I made a full chicken over the weekend so I had leftovers to make in to other meals. The Spring Risotto I made features colorful green leeks, red bell pepper, and orange bell pepper.

Ingredients:
1.5 cups Arborio rice
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
3 cloves diced garlic
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
olive oil to saute' aromatics
2 cups diced vegetables
1 cup diced chicken
3/4 cups Italian cheese blend

Instructions
Satue' the onion and garlic in a pot with a few TBSP olive oil on medium heat
Add rice and coat with the oil and aromatics mixture
Add broth and turn heat to low
1/2 way through cooking, add the chicken and vegetables
(Monitor liquid absorption - you may need to add more to soften rice)
Just before the liquid is absorbed, add the cheese and mix
Add basil leaf on top when you serve

Read more from DeliciousLiving about Spring Vegetables in Stores Now!