Fall is one of my favorite seasons! It’s finally a bit cooler in the mornings and I don’t feel that pressure to run super early and beat the heat. The leaves are changing and the most amazing vegetables are in season. I am a big believer in eating with the seasons but in the Fall that usually means I need to turn on my oven and stove top! During the warmer months we tend to crave raw foods – salads, fruits, crudites etc. But when the temperatures change, so do our cravings.
For me this seasonal shift plays out in a change from smoothies to overnight oats and eventually, in the winter, warm breakfasts. On a crisp morning these overnight oats are an absolute favorite of mine. Oats are a great breakfast to have before or after a workout. They are a low glycemic food, meaning, they don’t cause your blood sugar to spike. They are also considered a complex carbohydrates which means they stock your glycogen stores and allows you to keep running long and strong!
When buying oats stick with “old fashioned” as opposed to “quick cooking,” which are more processed and offer less nutritional benefits. The general rule of thumb is – the longer it takes to cook, the less processed it is. “Steel cut” are the least processes and take the longest to cook. I personally prefer the texture of “old fashioned.”
While apples are in season I’ll take the opportunity to add them to my oats. When cooked along with the oats the oats will take on their sweet flavor. I add a touch of cinnamon and date sugar for an even richer flavor. ( Date sugar is my favorite way to naturally sweeten oats because it is natural and non processed. It is literally just dried dates!) This is a very basic recipe that can be experimented with and personalized. Play around with toppings and mix-ins to create your ideal flavors and textures. NOW Foods has a lot of great options for oatmeal toppings and mix-ins, including date sugar, nuts, seeds, nut butter….
Recipe
- 1 cup nut milk
- 1/2 cup old fashion oats
- 1/2 apple peeled and cubed
- 1-2 teaspoons date sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- dash salt
Toppings- slivered almonds and nut butter
- In a small to medium pot place nut milk, oats, chopped apples, date sugar, cinnamon and salt
- Cook over medium heat stirring every few minutes for about 15 minutes or until apples are soft and the liquid is absorbed. You may need to add more nut milk if the apples need more time to cook.
- Top with your favorite toppings like a drizzle of nut butter, seeds, nuts, dried fruit
Tip-this recipe is easy to double or triple. I recommend making a big pot early in the week to enjoy all week long
