Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

There are two primary reasons why I make overnights oats. 

1. Meal Planning: On Sunday nights I prepare 5 servings for the upcoming week. It's available at my finger tips when I'm ready to eat. I just pop it in the toaster oven or microwave to warm it up. In the office I often hear my patients say they don't have time to make breakfast. I don't want to hear any more excuses, please try this recipe! 
2. Breastfeeding and Pumping: Oats, nuts, and seeds are galactagogues, aka foods and herbs that help with increasing breast milk supply. For breastfeeding moms I would recommend adding brewers yeast and flaxseed to your overnight oats. As a breastfeeding mom you need quality source of fat, protein, and carbs to make a steady supply of breastmilk. If you have a gluten sensitivity, make sure to buy gluten free brewers yeast. 
3. Okay fine, heres one more reason: It's super important to start your day off with protein and fat. The hustle is real for many of us, and it calls for a well functioning mind!  Protein and fat provide us with the building blocks for our brain cells!! They also stabilize our blood sugar to prevent those energy crashes, that can lead to feeling anxious or irritable.

With all that said, step into your kitchen and start cookin'. 

Ingredients: (prepare 4-5 at a time)

• 1/3 cup old fashion oats, (gluten free)
• 2 tbsp chopped nuts: walnuts, almonds, pecans
• 1-2 tbsp seeds: pumpkin, hemp, flaxseed meal, chia.
• 1/4-1/5 can full fat coconut milk, (canned). Divide condensed cream equally.
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1/3 cup water 
• pinch salt
• optional: 1 dried prune or fig
• optional: protein powder
• optional: brewers yeast (gluten free)

Directions: 

1. In a glass container (microwave and oven safe) add all ingredients. 
2. Stir to combine ingredients. Top off with more water to cover ingredients.
3. Refrigerate for 6-8hrs. 
4. Warm up in microwave for 2 minutes in 1 minute intervals, stir in between.
5. ENJOY!
6. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.