Spiced Apple Overnight Oats

So it isn't technically fall yet, but it is after labor day, and that's good enough for me! I don't want to go full speed into fall mode and overdo it (which is actually impossible because there can never be too much fall), but I'm starting to ease into it. 

I had my first pumpkin coffee of the season, and I so badly want to throw on my over-sized sweaters. But then I go outside and it's 80 or 90 degrees, so that may have to wait. I want pumpkin everything, but I'm trying to hold off on going too crazy. So to ease my fall fever, I've been feeling apple happy - specifically cinnamon apple and apple cider.

I was thinking about breakfast the other day, and then it hit me. What better way to incorporate apples than into my overnight oats? It's the perfect mix of fall flavors to start off your day. Plus it's super easy to make, as all overnight oats are.

Here's what you'll need:

-1 cup rolled oats
-1 apple, cubed
-1 tbsp chia seeds
-1 tsp ground flax seed
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp nutmeg
-1 tbsp maple syrup
-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
-1 tsp light brown pure cane sugar
-pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1) In a tupperware container or bowl mix, together all of the ingredients. Refrigerate overnight.
2) Split the oats between two bowls or jars, serve, and enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below, and get ready for some more apple-inspired recipes coming you way. Feel free to subscribe for e-mail updates, so you never miss a post!

Vegan PB&J Overnight Oats

This past weekend was hectic. I was up by 7 and out of the house before 8 both days, so breakfast wasn't a main priority. Even some weekdays I don't give myself enough time, and I'm rushing around to throw something together before work. Peanut butter and jelly toast is a nice quick option, but I really prefer to get other forms of nutritional value in my meals.

Then it dawned on me - why not make my breakfast the night before? It's easy, and it would make my morning routing less chaotic. I could do overnight oats. Just throw the ingredients in a Tupperware container at night, and I'm good to go in the morning. But I wanted to amplify it a little, and with PB&J on the brain, I came up with this recipe for PB&J overnight oats. It's a great source of fiber and protein (and also sneaks in some fruit).

Here's what you'll need:

For the peanut butter oats:
-1/2 cup rolled oats (these are different than instant oatmeal, so make sure you grab rolled oats)
-1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
-1/2 tbsp black chia seeds
-1 tbsp vanilla hemp protein powder (I used Nutiva brand)
-1 tbsp peanut butter

For the jelly:
-1 tbsp natural fruit preserves (the preserves should match the fresh fruit of your choice. I used strawberry)
-2 tbsp chopped fruit (I used 3 strawberries - 1 to top the oats)

Instructions:

1) Mix together the ingredients for the peanut butter oats the night before.
2) Store and refrigerate over night.
3) In the morning, slice the strawberries or other fruit, and mix 2/3 of the fruit with the tbsp of fruit preserves.
4) Place the fruit and preserve mixture at the bottom of your bowl or glass, add the oat mixture, and top with the remaining fruit slices.
5) Enjoy!

Also feel free to layer the fruit throughout instead of just at the bottom. It's just a matter of what you prefer. Let me know what you think!