Strawberry Chia Overnight Oats (Vegan, Gluten Free)
 
 
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Ingredients
  • ⅓ cup (80 mL) 100% whole grain gluten-free oatmeal
  • 2 Tbsp (30 mL) chia seed
  • ½ cup (125 mL) fresh local strawberries, sliced or chopped (reserve a couple slices for topping)
  • ⅓ banana, sliced
  • 2 Tbsp (30 mL) almonds or walnuts (or nut of choice)
  • 1 cup (250 mL) milk beverage of choice (almond, hemp, brown rice, soy, coconut, for example)
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
  • Drizzle (2.5 mL) of agave nectar or pure maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Place oatmeal, chia seeds, sliced banana and sliced strawberry together in a bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together milk and vanilla and pour milk mixture over oat-chia mixture, stirring to combine.
  2. Place oat-chia mixture in fridge overnight. In the morning, remove bowl from fridge and top with almond or walnut and another couple slices of strawberry. You can also add additional fluid (milk beverage) if you like at this stage and a drizzle of agave or pure maple syrup.
  3. If you prefer to soak your nuts (almond or walnut) for digestibility, simply add them to the oat-chia mixture overnight rather than adding them in the morning.
Notes
Nutrition Profile: Chia seeds offer plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, antioxidants and an impressive array of minerals. Unlike flaxseed, chia does not have to be ground to be bioavailable (ie: to be absorbed and usable by the body). Flaxseed has a similar nutrition profile to chia (with slightly less fibre, omega-3s and minerals per serving) but flaxseed has the added benefit of containing lignans - plant compounds believed to be protective of breast health - which chia does not. Chia is more expensive than flaxseed but due to the highly concentrated nature of its nutrients on a gram per gram basis, a small amount of chia goes a long way. You can find chia seed at any health food store and many larger grocery stores.
Oatmeal & Gluten: Pure oatmeal does not contain gluten. If you have contamination concerns, you can seek out certified 'gluten-free' oatmeal.
Recipe by Inspired Edibles at https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/06/strawberry-chia-overnight-oats-vegan.html