The Easiest Oatmeal Bowl

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Oatmeal used to be boring to me and would never satisfy me for long, until I realized that the oatmeal is really only the base for a delicious bowl! It took me until college to realize this, when I was living in a dorm and sorority house with only a microwave to use for cooking. Not ideal, I know, but it led me to create the easiest, quickest and most college friendly oatmeal bowl ever, so here it is…

All you need is oatmeal (a packet or 1/2 cup oats with your desired spices), yogurt (of choice) and frozen mixed fruit! I’m weird and don’t like the texture of thick/microwaved oatmeal, so I heat the water first, then pour that into my bowl of oats until I reach my desired consistency. If you’re okay with microwaved oatmeal though, go for it! I then heat the frozen fruit and while that is heating up, I add two spoonfuls of yogurt into my oatmeal. Finally, I pour out the excess liquid from the fruit, scoop it into the oatmeal, stir it all up and enjoy!

You can get as creative as you want to with this oatmeal, adding spices, different fruit, protein powder, collagen peptides or a nut butter of your choice. Whether you choose to get creative with your bowl or keep it simple, it’s an easy breakfast that can be both filling and satisfying, so you can start your day off good!

The Easiest Oatmeal Bowl

The easiest breakfast (and snack) that got me through my first two years of college without a kitchen!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup oats with spices of choice or 1 packet oatmeal
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup water, heated
  • 1/3 cup mixed berries, frozen
  • 1/4 cup yogurt

Directions

  1. Pour oats into your desired bowl and season with spices if desired. I add 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt to my oats.
  2. Heat water in the microwave for 1 minute or use a Keurig to heat it. Pour hot water into oats while stirring, until you meet your desired consistency.
  3. Place your frozen mixed fruit of choice into the same mug/bowl you used for water and fill with more water (if necessary) until fruit is nearly covered. Microwave for 30-45 seconds, pour out excess liquid and scoop heated fruit into the oatmeal.
  4. Add yogurt to your bowl, stir it all together and enjoy your easy oatmeal bowl!

This super easy recipe (if you can even call it that) was seriously my go-to in the dorms and sorority house. I even started using the same heated frozen fruit trick to make yogurt parfaits with greek yogurt, mixed fruit, granola, nut butter and honey. So if you need a simple snack that’s easy to make and uses lasting ingredients, give that idea a try too!

–Brit

Healthier Apple Berry Crisp

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I have always loved this dessert and think that it is great during any season and is super easy to make and full lots of healthy fruit, however when I made it last time I realized that it has a lot more added sugar than it really needs. So, I challenged myself to make a healthier version of this recipe by limiting the added sugar, making some easy substitutes and adding in some healthy nuts for flavor, texture and nutrients!

Health Benefits:

  • Apples are a healthy source of carbohydrates, providing you with energy. They also provide fiber, vitamin C, potassium, polyphenols and more.
  • Mixed berries are packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your cells, and also contain fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin K and are anti-inflammatory in nature.
  • Whole wheat flour contains the bran (providing fiber, minerals and antioxidants), endosperm (mostly carbohydrates) and the germ (containing vitamins, minerals, protein and more). Refined grains like white flour only has the endosperm, so does not provide near as many health benefits as whole wheat flour does.
  • Nuts are a great source of a variety of nutrients and are considered a healthy fat. Healthy fats are important in maintaining a proper hormone balance and they also help to absorb nutrients and are a source of energy.

Remember that not all desserts that you make or eat have to be “healthier” versions. It’s ok to eat normal cookies, brownies, cakes, etc and trust me, I eat them too without guilt. However, when you have a sweet tooth and love baking (like me) it is nice to be able to create desserts that taste delicious, give you some added nutrients and don’t make you feel sick from too much sugar.

Healthier Apple Berry Crisp

  • Servings: 6-8 pieces (may vary on dishes used and serving size)
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This recipe is full of delicious fruit and topped with crispy, crumbly topping that is made healthier by using less sugar, swapping a few simple ingredients and adding nuts for healthy fats and nutrients!

Ingredients

  • 3 apples, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups frozen berries
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
  • 1/8 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cups oats
  • 1/2 cup, walnuts and/or pecans
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup butter, cold and diced
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Lightly toss apples and berries with lemon juice and maple syrup. Add in flour and cinnamon and toss together again. Pour into an 8 x 8 or similar sized pan or dish.
  3. Add remaining ingredients to a medium bowl and cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture is crumbly. Pour topping onto fruit mixture and spread evenly.
  4. Bake for 45 minutes at 350° F. Let cool slightly, as fruit will be very hot, then serve warm and enjoy!

This is a recipe I’ve been wanting to make and post for a while now, so I hope that you enjoy it if you choose to make it or it inspires you to get creative in the kitchen as well! Thanks for checking this out!!

-Brit

Triple Berry Overnight Oats

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Not gonna lie, it took me a while to give overnight oats a chance because I was worried about the consistency and usually have time in the mornings to make breakfast. However, I finally gave them a try and honestly I regret not making them sooner! These oats are creamy, fruity, flavorful and most importantly they have a great texture!! Plus, they’re soo easy to make and taste good hot or cold!

This recipe can serve as a great overnight oats base, letting you get as creative with it as you want. Listed below are examples of other add-ins and possible substitutions. For example, I used lactose free milk and a dairy free yogurt alternative because that’s what works best for me, but you should use the products that are available and work best for YOU. Get creative with your meals and remember to mix it up so that you don’t get bored of eating your breakfast! Remember, food is fuel for our bodies, but it is also a creative outlet, something to be enjoyed, is comforting and can bring us together.

Easy Substitutions & Additions:

  • Maple syrup can easily be replaced by honey.
  • Flax seed can be left out altogether or replaced by chia seeds.
  • Milk can be dairy, lactose free, almond, oat, soy– it’s up to you.
  • Yogurt can also be dairy or an alternative of your choice.
  • Spices can be added, like cinnamon, to add flavor and creativity.
  • Bananas and other fruits can also be added or used to replace any berries you don’t have or want.
  • Nut butters are another great addition for both flavor, protein and healthy fats.

Health Benefits:

  • Oats and flax seed are a good source of fiber, which is important for our digestive health.
  • Yogurt and milk both provide calcium and protein, essential for our skeletal and muscular systems.
  • Mixed berries are high in antioxidants, vitamin C and even fiber (most Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies or fiber).
  • Protein powder is an extra boost of protein, but a lot depends on the brand and type you use, so do your research.

Triple Berry Overnight Oats

These creamy, flavorful overnight oats have a great texture and are so easy to prep for breakfast or snacks!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 to 1 cup mixed berries, fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup yogurt
  • 1/4 milk
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon flax seed
  • 1 tablespoon or 1 scoop protein powder 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients into a mason jar or glass tupperware and shake well or stir until combined.
  2. Refrigerate overnight and eat cold (my summer preference) or heat in the microwave and enjoy warm!

I hope these yummy overnight oats make your breakfasts or snacks both easy and delicious! Thanks for being here and making it this far!!

–Brit