A Round of Applause Goes To...

...my Mom and Dad for eating healthy dinners!  This past week they made a recipe that I mentioned on my blog TWICE!  I guess it was just that good.  Every time I see them I am always talking about health or giving some sort of advice on what exercises they could do or what they could eat for quick meals/snacks.  I am happy to say all that talk is rubbing off, and they are making AND enjoying healthy meals!

In this post, I mentioned the pizza that Sam and I had at Ruffino's Italian Restaurant, and then I described how you could easily make something like that pizza at home.  My parents took my word for it and created this beautiful masterpiece TWO TIMES this past week.  They were so excited they sent me a picture of it both times... and as you can imagine, it made me so happy!!

You know my Mom is eating if there are jalepenos involved. 

Now let's talk breakfast, my favorite meal of the day!  I could eat breakfast for every single meal... I look forward to it every morning!  I was on a huge granola kick for a while, until this past week.  I still love my granola, but you have to change things up every once in a while... keep your breakfast exciting.  Sam and I are currently obsessed with this breakfast, and it's so easy.  It's from the wonderful blog, Oh She Glows, that have a mentioned in a previous post. and it's called Easy Overnight Oats (saying it just makes me want some right now).  This is SO good for you! It's called overnight oats because you mix the oats with the other ingredients before bed, and you wake up to this beautiful creation in the morning.
  

Easy Overnight Oats

Serves 1

1/3 cup regular oats (not instant)

3/4 cup almond milk

2 Tbsp chia seeds (or ground flaxseeds)

1 banana mashed

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions: Mix or whisk really well in a bowl and place in the refrigerator overnight.  You don't have to cover it up, but I like to. 

I know right now you are thinking, "What on earth are chia seeds??" That was my initial reaction so I had to do some research before consuming these unusual sounding seeds.  TheChiaSeed.com tells all about the seed, but here is a quick summary..."The chia seed is an excellent source of fiber, packed with antioxidants, full of protein, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and the richest known plant source of omega-3."  Top 5 Reasons to Eat Chia Seeds  I get them at Central Market near the vitamins, the packaging says "Salba," which is a brand of chia seeds.  Oh, and you pronounce it like the chia pet, you know the ones with the grassy looking hair...

If you don't want to go through all the trouble of getting the chia seeds, then you can just use ground flaxseeds, which you can find at most grocery stores.  Just be sure to keep them in the refrigerator so they stay fresh.  You need the chia or flax seeds to soak up the milk and provide the thickness to the oats. It's like a science experiment for breakfast! 


In the morning, I put a layer of oats in a coffee cup then a layer of berries and repeat with one more layer of oats and berries.  I sprinkled a little cinnamon in with it today and that was good too.  Yesterday, I melted a tablespoon of almond butter mixed with a dash of almond milk in the microwave for 15 seconds.  It just made the almond butter more liquidy (not a word, but that's okay), so I could pour it into my oats.  Perfection!


Breakfast is such an important meal of the day, so I definitely recommend trying out this recipe and the granola, if you haven't already.  It's perfect fuel for your day! If you decide to try it out, let me know your thoughts!


I'm off to help with some french toast for brunch and then enjoy a day with no studying (yay!), laying out in the sunshine (with sunscreen of course) reading health magazines, and yoga!  Have a spectacular Saturday! 



With Love, Health, and Happiness, 
Cami


Thought for the day:  How do you start your morning? Do you have a morning routine? What do you like to eat and/or drink for breakfast or mid-morning snack? 




Oats image: http://www.purcellmountainfarms.com/Organic%20Rolled%20Oats.htm
Chia image: http://www.crowncombo.com/articles/2006/048_gifts/gifts.html