The Breakfast Cookie

Happy Sunday! Are you enjoying the last few hours of your weekend? I know I am. I'm finally home for good after a very busy weekend and I'm looking forward to putting my feet up and relaxing tonight. The temperatures have dropped quite a bit over the past few days, so I think we'll be cuddling up on the couch and hopefully catching a good flick. The perfect ending to the weekend if you ask me!

I discovered a fabulous breakfast creation last week and I've been dying to share it with you. I'm sure to some of my foodie friends, this breakfast is old news, but to me it's new and it's utterly amazing! I have totally fallen in love with The Breakfast Cookie. I was checking out some new blogs (because I don't follow near enough these days ;-) and I stumbled across The Fitnessista.This girl's rocks! I'm loving her workout ideas and so far this is the only recipe of hers I've tried and it is amazing! 

The Breakfast Cookie
Makes 1 cookie

This is a great make ahead breakfast if you're like me and you're always running late for work. You make your cookie the night before (it only takes a few minutes!) and all you've got to do is eat it up in the morning! This is also one of those breakies that can be customized by using all sorts of mix ins to make it perfectly suited to your taste buds. I have so many combo ideas ~ I think it's safe to say you're going to be seeing The Breakfast Cookie mentioned on my blog alot!!!

1/3 c oats
1 tbsp your fave nut butter (I used White Chocolate Wonderful in this one)
1/2 scoop of protein powder (I used Vega Vanilla Almondilla - you can use anything you like or sub in cocoa powder)
1/3 c milk (I used soy - you can use your fave milk)
Mix ins: I used 1/2 mashed banana and 1 - 2 tbsp coconut

In a small mixing bowl, add your oats, nut butter and protein powder. Stir until mixture is crumbly.

Add your milk and mix until moistened.

Add your mix-ins and stir until well combined.  I used 1/2 a banana and coconut with this one.

Other mix-ins could be chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, honey if you wanted your cookie to be a little sweeter and cinnamon.

Dump the oat mixture onto a small appetizer-sized plate and flatten.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Presto! When you get up, your cookie is ready and waiting for you.

DELISH! Great fuel to start your morning off on the right foot!
I was a little skeptical about this at first because I'm not into cold oats in the morning, but this was fantastic!!

....and yes, my cookie is on a Christmas plate ;-) I love this dish set and I rarely ever pack them away after the holidays! We have a really nice set of everyday dishes that haven't seen the light of day in 18 months ;-)

What would be your #1 mix in for a breakfast cookie?
Best thing you did this weekend - please share :-)!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend,

Andrea

Overnight Oats - breakfast for the aspiring athlete

Do you like oatmeal?! If you do, I have the best post-workout breakie ever to share with you today! I've seen it on a number of healthy food blogs and I needed a couple of attempts before I got a basic recipe down pat that I just love to bits. It's a "stick to your ribs", re-fueling type of breakfast that's healthy, filling and delicious....and no, it doesn't come from a packet with "just add water" instructions!!

Overnight Oats
This version is adapted from a recipe from What Kate is Cooking

This is an amazing breakfast that I enjoy after an early morning workout. I get it ready the night before and pack it with my lunch to take to work. As soon as I get to work, I load on the toppings and chow down!

1/3 c. oats
1 1/3 c. water
1 tsp chia seeds
1/4 c. almond milk
1 tsp maple syrup
1/2 - 1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Optional mix-ins - I usually use chopped mixed berries and a small scoop of all natural almond butter. Other possibilities might be raisins, nuts, granola, your favourite cereal, banana, chocolate chips, chopped or dried fruits, etc. Be creative and try all sorts of variations - there are no rules with overnight oats.

Combine you oats and water in a microwaveable bowl. Cook on high for 3 minutes. Mine boiled over and made one heck of a mess the first time I did this, so make sure you use a larger-sized bowl. Let the oat mixture sit in the microwave for a few minutes to allow time for the oats to soak up some of the remaining water.

Add your chia seeds. You can find chia seeds at a well-stocked grocery store or I usually pick mine up at our local bulk store. Why chia you might ask?? Check out this link for all you need to know about chia seeds. Chia has only recently been recognized for its amazing nutritional properties and medicinal qualities. I try to add a scoop into my smoothies, oatmeals and baked goods! You don't have to add chia to the oats, but they definitely up the "WOWZA" factor when it comes to the health benefits of this breakie.

Let the oat mixture cool. Once cool, add almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix well.

Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning, remove the oat mixture from the refrigerator. Alot of people eat this oaty mixture cold, but I prefer to put it in the microwave for 1 - 1 1/2 minutes to warm it slightly. I just can't do cold oats - the texture grosses me out!

Now here comes the fun part :-)  Top this oaty deliciousness with your most favourite toppings. I have to tell you that natural almond butter is amazing on overnight oats. I love it and can't eat my oats without some type of nut butter mixed in.

Mixed berries is also a must!

Soooo good!!! This is one of the best breakfasts ever! Trust me and try it.

Unfortunately, I was ravenous and demolished this bowl of oats before I took a picture of the final product. Woopsy-daisy!! Not to worry, I have this at least once a week, so I'll share more versions and more pictures very soon :-)

What is your favourite post-workout breakie?
If you have had overnight oats before, what is you favourite combo?

Hope your Tuesday is a beautiful one,

Andrea