Very Berry Overnight Oats; can be vegan

Believe it or not, my regular weekday breakfast is oatmeal!! Yes, oatmeal every single day.. I am sure you must be thinking.. how boring!! Well, actually it isn't as I make my oatmeal many different ways: steel cut oatmeal, oatmeal with quinoa, oatmeal with lots of dry fruits, berries and nuts , masala oats and from time to time: overnight oats!  

I have oatmeal for breakfast everyday because it is by far the easiest healthy and nutritious breakfast one can make in minutes. The good thing about overnight oats is that there is no cooking involved. You just dump/layer all the ingredients in the container that you are going to take it in and leave it in the fridge. The best thing about overnight oats is that it can be made/packed the night before , which means that making breakfast is one less thing to worry about in the morning upon waking. You just grab your jar of oatmeal from the fridge and head out the door. 

Overnight oats has been especially good this summer helping me beat the heat! The yogurt and fruit medley are cooling to the body and highly enjoyable to the mouth! I especially love piling up all the fresh fruits on the oatmeal. I am sure you will too once you try it. I use chia seeds in mine, which is entirely optional. Do give it a try. You can use any fruits of your choice. While it is gluten free when you buy gluten free oats ( oats not contaminated by wheat ), it can be vegan if you use almond/soy milk and/or yogurt. I cannot think of an easier and healthier breakfast!!

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 0 mins
Total time: 10 mins 

Servings: 1

Ingredients: 

Oatmeal: 1/2 cup

Milk: 1/2 cup 

Yogurt: 1/4-1/2 cup ( depending on preferred consistency)

Mixed berries: 1/2 cup

Honey: 1 tsp 

Chia seeds: 1 tsp ( optional)

Method: 

Take the jar/ container that you are going to take the oatmeal in. Add 1/2 cup oatmeal to it. 

Now add 1/2 cup milk. 

Next add in the fruits, the yogurt,chia seeds and lastly the honey. 

Keep it in the refrigerator overnight or until you are ready to eat. 

Enjoy!

Cooking made easy: 

If you like a really creamy texture, use quick oats. If you like a little more substance, use whole oats. 

You can use any fruits that you have on hand or prefer. 

Tip for healthy living: 

A healthy diet should include whole grains, fruits, vegetables and proteins. The more colorful the meal, the more nutrients it contains. Try to include all the food groups in all your meals and make them as colorful as you can!

Food for thought: 

Commitment is an act, not a word. Jean-Paul Sartre

Masala Oats (Savory Oatmeal)

Oatmeal is not something that was traditionally a part of the Indian cuisine. From what I remember of my childhood, only certain catholic families made it, that too for their sick family members. I once tasted it and didn't like it at all!! The way it was made is by cooking it in water with a pinch of salt! How bland is that?? But now,  oatmeal with fruits and nuts  is what my husband & I have for breakfast on weekdays! How ironic! It has found it's presence in the Indian market too. People have it many different ways but the most common is the savory version of it. Saffola a brand markets pre- packaged savory oats, known as Masala Oats, which can be ready in just 3 minutes. During my last visit to India, I had picked up a pack out of curiosity. It was lying around in my pantry. One day, I made it for my husband for breakfast out of desperation. I didn't have anything else to give him! The funny part, he loved it!! He wanted me to make it more often! I tasted it and found it similar in taste to Maggie 2-minute noodles. Because my husband liked it so much, I tried to re-create it. The result: now I have to make it daily for him for breakfast.

Prep time: 0 minsCook time: 1+ 2 mins
Total time:  3 mins

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

Water: 1/2 cup
Instant oats ( plain, not with sugar): 4 tbsp
Mixed vegetables: 2 tbsp ( I used a frozen mix of peas, carrots, beans and corn.
Turmeric powder: a pinch
Salt: a pinch
Garam masala/ curry powder: a pinch

Method :

Add water & vegetables to a pot and bring it to a boil. Now, add all the remaining  ingredients listed, stir, reduce the flame and cook for 2 mins. Cover and keep until ready to serve.

Serve hot.



Enjoy! I am  bringing this to Throwback Thursday #49, Fiesta Friday #130 and Saucy Saturday! Angie's co-hosts this week are Judi @ cookingwithauntjuju and Petra @ Food Eat Love.

Cooking made easy:

If you don't have frozen veggies, you can used vegetables that have already been cooked. In which case, you can add all the ingredients to the pot at the same time and cook for 3 mins.

Tip for healthy living:

Breakfast is a very essential first meal of the day. It kick-starts your digestive system, prevents binge eating, keeps your blood sugar steady, gets the metabolic system started and prevents weight gain. Even if it is just a little something, make sure that you have some kind of breakfast, preferably a healthy one.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/most-important-meal

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/insights-importance-breakfast/story?id=39330462

http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2011/sep/the-importance-of-breakfast.html?

Food for thought:

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. Auguste Rodin

Please do share your thoughts. Your opinion matters!