Berry-Chia Overnight Oats
Breakfast should make you feel empowered, fabulous, nourished, and strong. This the perfect anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich overnight oats recipe that does that trick!
I love warm oatmeal during colder months, but when you need extra hours of sleep or struggle with busy mornings, this is a recipe that saves your time. You can just quickly prepare your overnight oats the night before and enjoy them the next morning!
Oats
Oats are a great source of fiber and are slow-burning, easily digestible forms of plant fuel helping you to stay satisfied. Oats are particularly rich in vitamin E, B vitamins, and several minerals, such as magnesium, selenium, zinc, and iron. Oats have both soluble and insoluble fiber meaning they don’t spike your blood sugar like refined carbs and sugars do (think about white bread and highly-processed cereals!). It’s that plant fiber that helps to reduce cellulite: no need to waste your money on liposuction or high-end anti-cellulite creams that will only collect dust in your bathroom. Better to invest your money smartly instead. ;) Just remember to choose organic steel-cut oats and avoid processed, instant oatmeals because they come almost always with additives, such as salt, sugar, and artificial sweeteners.
Chia seeds
I wanted to add chia seeds to this recipe since they bring nice consistency into the meal! The tiny seeds swell to 10 to 15 times their original size when exposed to liquid and form a gel-like substance. Chia seeds are remarkably nutritious: even Aztec warriors consumed them to increase their stamina, strength and endurance during their conquests and long runs! Chia seeds are rich in Omega-3 (ALA) fatty acids that are important for hormonal balance, nerve function, and brain health among many other things. They are also a complete plant-based protein, including all essential nine amino acids! Their fibrous, gelatinous material also supports the body’s ongoing cleansing process.
Berries
Any berries can be used for the recipe. I used blueberries and raspberries. Berries are rich in antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals that accelerate the aging process. Free radicals are atoms with one electron that is not paired (or more than one unpaired electron) making them unstable. Free radicals are created from a polluted environment, sub-optimal dietary choices, tobacco smoke, UV light, as well as oxidative stress from intense extended workouts. The antioxidants in plant foods can thus help to neutralize unstable molecules and prevent cellular damage they could lead to.
Figs
I absolutely love fresh figs! They help to cleanse the GI tract and can be regarded as nature’s best laxatives (of course, you don’t want to overdose on them!!). The tiny seeds of figs help to dissolve toxins, mucus, and waste from the body. When the body is free from toxins and mucus, our inner glow is enhanced and it shows up in our skin, and eyes!
Berry-Chia Overnight Oats with Fresh Figs
SERVES 1
Ingredients:
100ml (or 0.4 cup) organic, old-fashioned rolled oats
200ml (or 0.85 cup) organic, unsweetened almond mylk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
150ml (or 0.6 cup) frozen berries
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon maca powder (optional)
Fresh figs, sliced
Directions:
Add the oats, chia seeds, plant-based mylk, berries, cinnamon, and maca into a bowl/ container. Stir well.
Store in the refrigerator overnight or at least for 2-4 hours.
The next day, open and enjoy as is or garnish with your favourite toppings, such as fruit (I used fresh figs!), granola, nuts, or cacao chips.
Enjoy with Bliss!