Whenever I take the time to do something now that will benefit me or make my life easier in the future, I know my future self will thank me. I’m a serious procrastinator so thinking ahead is a serious challenge for me. Being mindful in the moment doesn’t mean not planning for a future. It means being present and still looking out for future needs.
Most mornings are a rush. I leave the apartment almost every weekday without breakfast hoping that I get to the cafeteria at work before I get whisked away into my day. Most days I can pick up something to eat at the firm, but if I miss it, I miss out on my favorite meal.
I’ve recently discovered that oatmeal actually helps reduce bad cholesterol in a meaningful way, as well as tasting good. I spoke about life cycles last week hinting at some pangs of grief. I’ve had a little time to process and can probably speak more clearly now. Last week a dear friend of ours passed away at 34 years old. Of a heart attack. I can’t even read those words and believe them. He had no known pre-existing conditions, he didn’t use drugs, he wasn’t overweight. His arteries were just clogged. All of them. It’s truly unbelievable, at least to us. We had plans to go away with him next weekend and instead we sat with his family this past weekend with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts. There’s nothing we can do to make that feel better. It seems so unfair and we miss him in a way that feels like desperately needing to know what time it is without a clock in sight, no matter where you look. Like a cellphone in the subway searching for signal in a zone without a network.
While my husband and I are no strangers to heart disease (family history), knowing that it could strike so violently and so young scared us and has woken us up from the dream that we’ll be young forever, to the fact that our contemporaries will pass away, to the knowledge that there isn’t always an order to things. Every moment and good gesture matters more now.
I’ve seen overnight oats floating around the blogosphere and never really knew what they were. I like oatmeal and I can usually get some really good warm steel cut oatmeal at the firm’s cafeteria. But now I know oatmeal actually lowers cholesterol, markedly if you eat it regularly and thus it has become a thing for us and I suspect will remain a thing forever. Heart healthy oats also have 15 grams of protein so you’re enhancing your workout by eating them. Besides, weekends shouldn’t be the only time you start the day with a homemade breakfast.
Almond milk, makes a creamy, flavorful base to soak the oats here. Chia seeds and ground flax seeds add nutrition, a little crunch, and help them thicken. Then I load this up with blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, which are now just coming into season. It just makes me feel better knowing that in a world where senseless things happen, I can take control of something and leave the rest up to beautiful chance–the same force that brings kind people into your life, unexpected travel, disarming acts of kindness and all the rest of it.
OVERNIGHT OATS W/ ALMOND MILK
INGREDIENTS:
For the Oats:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk (DIY recipe)
- 3/4 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub coconut sugar, half a mushed banana, organic brown sugar, to taste)
- 1/2 cup (45 g) gluten free rolled oats
For the Toppings (optional):
- Extra chia seeds, granola, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashew nuts, flax seeds, raisins, all kinds of berries, fruits like banana, cherries, apples or pears, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, nut butters, coconut flakes, Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, peanut butter, almond butter, etc.
DIRECTIONS:
To a mason jar or small bowl add almond milk, chia seeds and maple syrup (or other sweetener) and stir with a spoon to combine. If you’re adding peanut butter, it doesn’t need to be completely mixed with the almond milk.
Add oats and stir a few more times, then press down with a spoon to ensure all oats have been moistened and are immersed in almond milk.
Cover securely with a lid or plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 6 hours).
The next day, open and enjoy as is, or garnish with desired toppings.
Overnight oats will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, though best within the first 12-24 hours.
Sorry for your loss. What a perfect description of the feelings from those totally unexpected and out of context ones. (P.S. The oats sound good even if they are healthy.)
Thank you, Michelle. I really appreciate your kind words. The oats are excellent. We’ve been eating them hot and cold and I’m really loving them! If it’s effortless, I’m all about it.
Sorry to hear about your friend. Wow! That’s a young age! I love oatmeal, but I never tried it cold. I always love it hot just out from the pot. So, even if I try this, I probably still heat it up a bit in the microwave. It sounds delicious with all the toppings, Amanda. Love it! <3
Thank you, Anna! I think the young part is the shocking part, although it’s hard at any age. I thought I wouldn’t love cold oatmeal, but in the warmer months it’s kind of refreshing. Heating it up after it sits overnight works just as well. Very delicious and decadent with all the healthy toppings. I actually leave out the sweetener because I like the taste plain. Be well, Anna! xo
What an awful loss, I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. And to think you were going to enjoy a weekend together as if nothing.
I love overnight oats with almond milk too. And WOW to your gif, it’s fantastic!
Un abrazo
Aww thanks, Sofia! It really is a reminder that nothing is a guarantee. Thanks for mentioning the gif! I’ve been playing with my photographs lately and I think they’re so fun to make! I can’t believe I hadn’t discovered overnight oats sooner. They’re literally almost effortless. Un abrazo! xo
I just realised why your overnight oats don;t look like mine… I eat mine directly from the jar! Lol Yours are so much more elegant presented like that. xx
Hilarious. When I’m not blogging about it ii eat then from the jar too! Last night I got some dry beans to soak after reading your post!
As you already know, I am truly sorry for your loss. It is good that you were able to be with your friend’s family; gathering and remembering is so important; in these moments so many positive memories usually come back, and it is wonderful to have other people to share them with.
I haven’t had overnight oatmeal (or any kind of oatmeal as a matter of fact) in ages. I had no idea that it was *that* good for you. I do love breakfasts, but rarely have one (except Thursdays and weekends), but with spring and summer fruit just around the corner, I might be tempted to swap my favorite egg dishes with occasional porridges and soaked oats! Hugs
Thank you, Darya. You’re so right about the gathering. It’s hard to be sad when you’re thinking of funny memories. I also had no idea that oatmeal was that good for you, but when you take the effects of having it every day plus a tablespoon of ground flaxseed (more soluble than whole) it has actual effects on your LDL cholesterol numbers. Thursdays and weekends…so funny. I do eat breakfast everyday, but usually at work. This is a good back up plan if I’m running behind. Thanks again for your kind words. xo
Well, I’ve just been doing some research on oatmeal and porridge, and have found a recipe for FERMENTED porridge (can you tell how obsessed I am?) which increases all the goodness of oats tenfold. I’ll be trying that over the weekend, and letting you know! As to not eating breakfast most mornings, it is only due to the fact that I usually start my day with yoga, and then just wait until lunchtime to avoid eating twice over a short time span 😉 Otherwise I would gladly have breakfast every day!
Ah that makes sense. OHHH do let me know how fermenting the porridge goes and what that tastes like. We’ll use all the goodness we can get. Very exciting. I love your fermentation obsession. I’m learning through your experiments! xo
i am so very sorry for your loss. not ridiculously, this is something that i think about often – sudden and tragic ends. it is on the forefront of my thoughts when i think about food and consuming it and its impact on the human body. from a food and exercise standpoint, yes be good to your body, but at the same time, be good to your spirit and mind. i wish you + all peace as you maneuver through this difficult time.
Thank you so much, Lan. I do think about it often too. This just shows how you cannot fight with genetics, but you can keep the mind/body connection in mind and feed your soul for all our time here. Thank you so much for your kind words and beautiful sentiments.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Amanda. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Your overnight oats recipe looks perfect for my family. I often make oats in the mornings, often in a huge rush. I will have to try the overnight version!!! Take care.
Thanks so much, Jenny. I always appreciate your kind thoughts. These oats would be good for your family! It saves so much time and you can heat them up if you really want. I’m also working with slow cooker oats too. Very exciting recipes to keep heart healthy.
Hi Amanda, I felt sad reading about your friend, what a sad, sad loss. Life is so mysterious and just plain sad sometimes. You know, my H who is a lifelong athlete, an almost daily runner and exerciser, and trim, had a 90% blockage in 2 major arteries the year after we got married and had to have emergency stent surgery. It was a shock even though there is heart disease in his family big time. It still didn’t make sense or seem fair. On the topic of your oatmeal, he loves his oatmeal and yet I have never made it such as you’ve posted here even though I’ve seen it on Green Kitchen Stories and elsewhere as you indicate, in the “blogosphere.” We have been down various rabbit holes over the years relating to diets and health and when we stumbled upon the Paleo lifestyle and diet, my husband went home after listening to a Loren Cordain (kind of the “father” of paleo) lecture in person, and threw away all of our oatmeal. But now he’s eating it again. The question of whether actual dietary cholesterol relates to arterial cholesterol is up for grabs in my book, but we’ve settled on a moderation diet . . . that includes grains and animal products and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies . . . and more of course. To me food represents so much more than fuel for our organs and I personally couldn’t live as happily without my bread and other such emotional comforts, and same for my husband and his oatmeal, so as I said I will have to try this. The photos are really beautiful, too.
Sue, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. It is sad and mysterious. Interesting about your husband. My dad has stents, my grandfather did, my uncle does and the list goes on. It’s part of what made me start this blog. This awful turn of events forced my husband and i to the doctor, which was good because my husband found out he has very high cholesterol even though he’s an athlete. Genetics play a huge role. I can totally understand your husband’s desire to go paleo after going through that, but I’m like you and I’m a huge believer in educated moderation. A lot of things are only indicators of heart disease. In order to get the whole picture you need to do protein tests, lipid tests and stress tests, all of which your husband must have done. For my husbands cholesterol he needs medication or serious restriction. Oatmeal may actually help, but so is a rethinking of his meals when he’s not around me! Your diet sounds a lot like ours, but we’re now really restricting saturated fats. I completely agree that food is much more than just fuel…it fuels the soul and shouldn’t feel like deprivation. Taking care of yourself with moderate splurging is actually a joy and a privilege and learning new ways to eat is fun. Thanks for your thoughts and your compliments and condolences. Be well. I’m loving your instagram feed btw 🙂 xo
That’s very sad and all the more poignant with the deaths of two well know celebrities today. The oats are very good advice, though I’ve read a considerable amount of conflicting info on cholesterol. In the end I think genes play a huge part in health, though it doesn’t hurt to be mindful 🙂
Thanks, MD. Yes, what’s going in these days?! Sue also commented that she read conflicting advice. I think moderation is key and a carpe diem attitude like yours and possibly cutting down on the wild boar and chicken knee cartilage….
I’ve read a lot of reports that say all the good and bad cholesterol info is nonsense and that cholesterol is necessary and completely misunderstood. On top of that they now say that cooking with light oils (like vegetable and sunflower) is highly cancerous and one should use saturated fats and oils, the best being lard, goose/duck, olive and rapeseed because they don’t break down when heated. Just a few years ago they were saying that hydrogenated margarine, vegetable oil and sunflower oil were extremely good for you, so in view of conflicting expert evidence I’m going to eat what I like, though that’s generally lots of vegetables with my meat or fish and especially mountains of olive oil and garlic.
I’m with you, MD. I like how you eat ?
Oh Amanda, I am so so, soryy to hear about your friend.
My deepest sympathies are with you and Michael.
On a more lighthearted note, can you PLEASE do a tutorial on your gifs? Pleaseeeeeee 🙁
Thank you so much, Dana. I really appreciate it. As for the gifs….YES I’d love to do a tutorial! I’m still kind of learning, but I certainly will!
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Keep strong and remember all the memories, Amanda. xx
Thank you so much, Linda. Big hug.
Oh no, Amanda. That´s nothing but horrible. I don´t have words for that, but please feel hugged, virtually. Sabinexx
Thanks so much, Sabine. We’re slowly coming along but it reminds you how precious life is. Xo
yes, there were numerous occasions in my life lately that reminded me of that. The most important thing is to take time for the one(s) you love.
Very true Sabine, thank you. Wishing you strength and love too. Xo
So sad, there are no words adequate enough. I know the feeling of total numbness when my father died suddenly.
That’s a great recipe for overnight oats, I fiddled for a while with the slowcooker versions out there but they turned the oats ways too mushy for my liking. Setting up these tonight for my sugar free breakfast…
Hugs from Nicole
Thanks, Nicole. I’m sorry to hear that you know the feeling for someone so close. I’m glad you’re eating well though. These are easier than the slow cooker and perfect for this time of year.
So sorry Amanda. I am fresh from the funeral of a friend’s husband so I can relate. Hard to make sense of the world for a while. At the funeral they read the verse from Corinthians that begins, “Love is patient, love is kind…” But it was the ending of that verse that struck me so forcefully, “Love never fails.” I’ve been thinking a lot about that because love really does go on. And I’ve found huge solace in this.
The overnight oats are such a fabulous thing. I’ve been making them using kefir and maple syrup or honey. I’m on a probiotics kick following my surgery. I was wondering about trying steel cut oats – I think I’ll do that next and I’ll let you know how I fare…
Sending love <3
I’m sorry for your loss too. Sounds like you’ve been through the ringer a bit this month. That is a beautiful interpretation of that line. Thank you for that. Oh I like the idea of adding kefir. I hope you have a speedy recovery. Steel cut oats are great. I like them the best and they’re the least processed so you get the most benefits. The ratio on that is 1 cup oats to three cups boiling water. Let it cook for 20 mins and you’ll love them! So great to hear from you. Be well. xo
Amanda, I am just catching up now on posts I missed and am so sorry I didn’t see this one earlier. My heart is heavy thinking about your loss…we really have no idea what life will bring. Hopefully it’s good, but sometimes it’s not and we just do not have control. My best friend died quite young and she was the picture of health, which scared me and motivated me. I’m so glad you had time to gather with your friend’s family and be together. It’s those moments that matter most. Warm hugs to you xx
Thank you so much, Hannah. Yeah we are slowly coming to terms with it. I think it has made our resolve for life stronger and for me at least, it’s made me push harder for what I want because you only get one shot at this life. It’s hard to watch my husband go to text his friend during a mets game and out the phone down but it has opened his eyes and he never would have realized that he had high cholesterol if ask if this hadn’t happened. He’s learning that the quality of calories matters, not just fullness. It’s been a cool journey despite our heavy hearts. I’m sorry you learned the lesson too with your friend. Thanks so much for reading and your generous kind words, always. Xo