STRAWBERRY AND BANANA OATMEAL SMOOTHIE

Following on from my last breakfast post featuring overnight no-cook refrigerator oatmeal I have discovered a strawberry and banana oatmeal smoothie and it’s delicious. For a couple of weeks I alternated between the refrigerator oatmeal and smoothie and everyday was satisfied until lunchtime, for me this is perfect as I always tend to get the mid morning hunger attacks.

I’m sure you could do many variations on the smoothie, different flavours etc, I have yet to experiment but am quite happy with the banana and strawberry. As per the refrigerator oatmeal you can make this a few days in advance and even freeze them, perfect if you know you have a busy week ahead. One serving is about 270 calories, (although this is not exact) which makes it a delicious, healthy start to the day.

 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup uncooked oats
• 3/4 cup skimmed milk
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup low-fat yogurt (Greek yogurt recommended)
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped strawberries
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped banana
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 teaspoons honey, optional

Directions

 

Add oats to blender; blend on high until texture of flour. Add milk & juice to blender; use spoon or spatula to stir in oats from bottom. Add yogurt. Add strawberries and bananas. Blend on high until desired smoothness. Taste and add sweetener, if needed. Blend again. Transfer to jar or container; refrigerate overnight, or a minimum of 4 hours, so oats can soften. Will keep in refrigerator 2-3 days. Shake before drinking.

 

• IF TOO THICK after the fridge soak, add more juice or milk and shake jar/container or return to blender to combine.

• FOR A SMOOTHER CONSISTENCY, return to blender after the fridge soak and blend again.

• TO FREEZE: May be frozen after the 4 hour soak in the fridge. Freezing will stop the bananas from browning in the smoothie. To thaw, move to fridge a day ahead so it is thawed for drinking the next day. For faster thaw, place frozen jar/container in bowl of cold water on the counter for 1-2 hours. Shake before drinking.

 

I have also found two more breakfast recipes which I am going to try over the next couple of weeks and have posted them below. Both look and sound a little strange if I’m honest but they have got good reviews so I think it’s worth a try. I’m always on the hunt for new breakfast ideas which stop the repetition of the usual Special K or muesli, which lets be honest is slightly boring and I don’t find particularly filling.

 

 

Breakfast Quinoa (Click picture for recipe)

 

 

 

Breakfast Cookie (Click on the picture for recipe)

 

 

Hope you enjoy this post, if you try any of these let me know your thoughts and if you have any breakfast recommendations, let me know!

 

OVERNIGHT NO-COOK REFRIGERATOR OATMEAL

Happy HUMP day! Such a great feeling knowing there is only two more working days left after today and the sun is out, two reasons to be happy.

I don’t know about you but I find breakfast quite boring, repetitive and time-consuming when I’m in my morning panic to get everything together before leaving for work. I have tried to make bircher muesli a few times, which is made overnight but I can’t seem to find the right recipe that works and tastes right.

I have since found on The Yummy Life blog Overnight No-Cook Refrigerator Oatmeal and it’s delicious, filling, healthy and fuss free. It has similarities to bircher muesli in that the oats are soaked overnight and it has yoghurt but that’s about it. You have to try it! I have been having it this week for work and its perfect, it takes less than 5 minutes and can be made the evening before, you can then eat it at home or at work if your running late and can make a batch as it will last in the fridge. I’m full until lunch which also helps the mid morning snacking.

I have included one flavour below  but the website has 6 different flavours you could choose from, breakfast is never gong to be boring again!

Apple & Cinnamon Refrigerator Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup skimmed milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon honey, optional
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, or enough to fill jar

Directions

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, cinnamon and honey. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add applesauce and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

 

I’m on the hunt for more easy, healthy breakfast ideas that can be made the night before and will post  any once I have tried and tested them. If you have any which you are willing to share, I would love to hear from you.

 

GREEN SMOOTHIE

My friend and I are on a bit of a health kick, trying to stay off the sugar and keep up with the exercise. I have to say it’s hard but I think we have broken the back of the struggle and are now 100% committed. It definitely helps with motivation when you have someone to talk to and encourage you. One thing we both struggle with is snacking, especially at work or when you get home.

I have started drinking a green smoothie, sometimes for breakfast or for an afternoon snack. Don’t be put off by the colour, it tastes delicious.  Think about all the goodness you get in one drink, I don’t know about you but I find it hard to get my daily quota of fruit and vegetables and this makes the task a whole lot easier.

There are many ways you can adapt the green smoothie and make it your own with your favourite fruits and vegetables. My favourite consists of the following ingredients all whizzed up in a blender :-

• 1  banana
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1-2 small handfuls of baby spinach
• 2 sticks of celery
• water
• ice (if desired)

You could swap the mixed berries for any fruit for example blueberries, mango, pineapple and the vegetables to kale, avocado, lettuce. You can also add in natural or flavoured yoghurt, apple juice or orange juice depending on what flavour you’re trying to achieve. I find using frozen fruit cheaper and will keep the smoothie at a thicker consistency. The wonderful green smoothie can be made the night before for ease the next day for breakfast or put in a flask to be taken to work.

I suggest playing around with different ingredients and you will find one you really enjoy and hopefully you will see the benefits of going green.