Overnight oats for busy mornings
I’m a few weeks into my new part-time job (in addition to my part-time private practice seeing clients), and I feel BUSY. The mornings I go into the hospital feel extra hectic and tend to start early, because I do like to get in a run or a strength workout beforehand and have to get to work by about 7:45AM. I’m really finding that all of the planning and preparation I can possibly do the night before is super helpful and saves some time and angst in the morning (I currently wake up at 5:00AM and would like to try and not make it into the “4s”, lol). I work with clients on this sort of planning - meal prep, laying workout clothes out, knowing exactly what you’re doing workout wise, having bags packed, etc. - all the time. Having to do it myself has really opened my eyes to some challenges, and just how organized I have to be.
But first, breakfast
I have the lunch and dinner prep down pretty well, but breakfast wasn’t something I initially thought about as needing prepping. At least until I realized my mornings had become super rushed and every second counted (mostly to give Peanut more outside time before a long stretch being home alone. Lots of dog mom guilt about this). I started prepping a bowl of overnight oats the night before, and they have been a lifesaver. Especially because most of my hospital mornings are busy seeing patients and a breakfast with staying power is a necessity. This recipe has a great combination of protein, fat and fiber which are THE most important, filling nutrients to promote satisfaction after meals.
Overnight oats
½ cup old-fashioned oats
1 tsp cinnamon
½ scoop collagen or other protein powder
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 tsp. chia seeds or ground flax seeds
~1 cup milk of your choice
Morning toppings:
½ cup berries (fresh or frozen and thawed)
1 heaping tbsp nut butter or nuts of your choice
*at night, mix oats, cinnamon, collagen, chia/flax seeds, Greek yogurt and plant milk together so all of the oats are fully coated/covered, refrigerate. In the morning, top with fruit and nut butter. Enjoy!