So the other day, when we were out grocery shopping, my fiancé bought me a package of mason jars. If you have a Pinterest account, you know that the possibilities of mason jar centered activities are endless. You can decorate them, put things in them, make food on Sunday that will last the whole week sealed in them… mason jars are basically God’s gift to the domestic.
I’ve been on a mission to find subtle ways to slip more health into my wonderful man’s diet ever since I realized he was coming home from his 5:45am gym sessions and eating Cookie Crisp for breakfast before work- a problem he also saw, when he told me he wouldn’t be buying Cookie Crisp again. With him, like with many other people (myself included) breakfast is a matter of convenience. I was on the lookout for an easy, delicious, make-ahead-of-time breakfast that would make his early morning gym sessions more meaningful.
My mission was successful, and has benefited me too- our fridge is now stocked with overnight oats and make-ahead smoothies.
I was going to tell you “the best part” of these two breakfasts, but there’s no best part. You can make them ahead of time, they’re delicious, they keep for the whole work week, they’re nutritious, and they’re grab and go convenient. What more could you want from a weekday breakfast?
I’ve included recipes for this week’s batch below, but another beautiful thing about these recipes is that the variations are literally endless. I’ll be experimenting and as I do I’ll be sharing my favorite variations. Happy eating!
Do you have a favorite smoothie or overnight oat recipe? I’m always on the lookout for more, so let me know in the comments! I may just feature your recipe someday. 😉
xoxoxo….
Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
Makes 2 mason jars (four meals) worth.
One banana, peeled and chopped into pieces.
Two heaping tablespoons of peanut butter.
Oats.
Almond/coconut milk blend.
Local honey.
Put equal parts oats and milk blend into each jar with half a banana and one tablespoon of peanut butter. Mix together. Seal in airtight container and store in fridge.
When ready to eat, top with more peanut butter and local honey if desired.
Make Ahead Strawberry Banana Kale Smoothie
Makes however much you want (I eyeball everything with this recipe- sorry I can’t be more specific! Just know that it should be a bright green at the end…)
A good sized bunch of kale.
Frozen strawberries.
A banana.
A scoop or two of vanilla Greek yogurt.
Almond/coconut milk blend.
Blend it all together and enjoy! Or, to emphasize the “make ahead” part, seal in an airtight container and place in the freezer. The night before you want to enjoy it, take it from the freezer and put it into the fridge. It’ll be ready to go by morning.
Stephanie Jean 