Pancakes and Overnight Oats
Breakfast food is my absolute favorite. If I could eat a stack of pancakes everyday, without weight gain, I would. Due to my heavy-hand with the maple syrup, I save the splurging for weekend brunches.
Have store-bought pancake mix at home? Try spicing it up for added vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and caffeine.
Try:
Chia seeds
Hemp seeds
Cocoa powder
Turmeric
Cinnamon
Honey
Nuts
I added all of the above and topped with crunchy peanut butter, banana and maple syrup but plain Greek yogurt is great too. Feel free to sneak veggies in there as well; maybe some shredded carrot? No pancake mix? Use rolled oats, a mashed banana and an egg instead!
During the week, I like to meal-prep my breakfasts and lunches. This saves time during the day and ensures clean eating. If you wait until you're hungry to make decisions on food, you're more likely to eat the easiest, closest option.
Lately, I've been on an overnight oat kick. They're easy and filling since I pack them with fiber and healthy fats. I wanted them again this morning but hadn't soaked oats overnight so I subbed the oats for store-bought mix and made pancakes instead.
These ingredients are the base of most of my pancakes, oatmeal and smoothies; you can cook, soak or blend for different textures.
Overnight Oats:
1/3 - 1/2 cup rolled oats, uncooked
Dairy/nondairy milk of choice
1/2 ripe banana
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp hemp seeds, optional
1 -2 tsp matcha powder
1 -2 tsp cocoa powder
Frozen veggies, optional
Turmeric, dash
Cinnamon, dash
Honey, to taste
Make two at a time or else you're stuck with half a banana. Otherwise, freeze the other half ;)
Combine all ingredients and cover, don't drown, with milk of choice. Refrigerate overnight in an airtight container. The oats and chia seeds will soak up the liquid leaving it a nice, thick consistency.
Serve the next morning with plain Greek yogurt, nuts, seeds or more milk.
If you're not used to matcha powder or turmeric you may want to start with less and adjust as needed. You may not have all these ingredients on hand or may not like some. Make the recipe your own by experimenting with various spices, fruits, veggies.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I say, vegetables are the most important food of the day and try to eat some with every meal.
If you don't understand my obsession with herbs and spices, read my post Herb's Herbs to learn the amazing benefits.
Enjoy!
- Mallory
