{Apple and Granola Overnight Oats}

As you all may know...I have switched over from my beloved steel cut oatmeal to overnight oats. I am a huge believer in the power of oats. I love waking up and eating some form of oatmeal. I can pretty much find a way to sneak oats into my day rather it be a hot bowl of steamy oats, cold and creamy overnight oats or sweet oat bread with some nut butter. My cholesterol was genetically high when I was younger and now I have completely turned that around just by following a healthy clean lifestyle with lots of oats in the mix!

My go-to overnight oats always include almond milk and chia seeds. It is pretty much a chia pudding with some oats and fruit. I love this combo! I love yogurt but have never loved yogurt in my overnight oats. I don't know why. I just love the chia seed/oat combo.

I decided to switch up my usual and do more of an apple pie inspired overnight oat! Man...are these good!! I highly...I mean highly recommend that you try these! Most people are a little afraid of the whole cold oatmeal idea but after trying it....I feel sure you will be hooked!

{Apple and Granola Overnight Oats}

serves 1

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 2 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 small grated apple (with skin on--about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/3 cup oats (old fashioned oats)
• stevia drops/maple syrup/honey to sweeten (I used 4 drop liquid stevia)

Toppings:

• 1-2 tbsp. granola (Use one with good ingredients and low in sugar) **I used Natures Path Organic Coconut Chia Granola
• organic raisins
• chopped walnuts/pecans/almonds
• 1 tbsp. organic crunchy peanut putter
• maple syrup

Add overnight oat ingredients to mason jar or Tupperware. Stir to combine. Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning....give oats a good stir and add desired toppings! 

Enjoy!

{Five on Friday} 3/27/15

So I was thinking the other day....I really miss doing {Five on Fridays.} If you have been following my blog for a while you may remember these posts. I basically get to share 5 of my favorites from the past week and link up with some of my favorite bloggers that are doing the same. These things aren't restricted to just clean eating/food posts....I will talk about anything and everything that I am loving. Now that I am close to pre-baby weight and starting to have a little more time to focus on the way I look...I am really excited to buy some new clothes for the spring/summer and start getting back into beauty products/clothes/shoes! On top of all that...I do have a whole house to decorate. Anyone want to come help?? I mean...I am a girly girl and even though most of my time is spent focused on my family/clean eating...I still like fashion/beauty and home decor!!

Most of my days lately have been spent in old t-shirts and stretched out yoga pants with baby food stains but I am making a vow to try to take baby steps into getting back to feeling like myself and focusing a little time each week on myself!!  I mean...I can't even remember the last pedicure I had or the last time I bought a cute (non-maternity) outfit for myself. Kind of sad...right??

So lets begin...shall we?

{one} 

 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

I have super dry skin and I am LOVING the way this water gel is making my skin look. It is a thin gel but it is not sticky at all and makes my skin feel awesome. It absorbs right away and doesn't make me oily. I love it!! #behindtheglow

I was sent this product for sampling purposes by Infuenster. All opinions are 100% mine. 

{two}

Green Monster Smoothie

I can't get enough of these. I think I could drink 2 a day. They are so good and the easiest way to eat spinach...that's for sure! I completely forgot how good these things were and I made one on St. Patricks day and I have been making them every day since!! My new fave!

{three}

 Eshakti

This is something I am super excited about. I have quite a few weddings this year and always have a hard time finding the perfect dress to wear. Eshakti is a online women's fashion apparel company offering sizes 0-36W & custom clothing. I have never ordered custom clothing before so I thought this was really cool. I am pretty short (5'3") and finding a dress that is short enough is a problem for me. I like my dresses short...not crazy short....but I don't look right in a dress that comes to my knees. I found the perfect dress on their site and figured out my size according to my measurements and customized it by making the dress hit mid thigh. It was super simple. I received the dress in about a week and it was PERFECT!! I absolutely love it and the quality is superb. I highly recommend this site if you are like me and always have a hard time finding just the perfect dress!! 

I did not receive compensation for this post. I did receive this dress as a sample to review for you guys. I absolutely love it and you all know I would tell you if I didn't! :)

{four}

 Spring OPI Collection

Okay...so I want all of these!! Love them all!!! I am not really brave enough for purple or green I don't think! I am LOVING the coral though! 

{five}

  Spring Wreath

We are finally in our new home and my door is in desperate need of a spring wreath! This one is gorgeous!! Maybe I will try to make one??? Or maybe I will buy one??? Who knows...but I need it now!

So tell me....

Favorite facial moisturizer?

Favorite spring nail polish color??

{What I Ate Wednesday} 3/25/15

Hey you guys!!!

The weather is getting warmer and I'm no longer craving warm foods. I am back to loving my overnight oats and shakes again. I am finding it hard to figure out what to cook for dinner. I don't want soups or comfort foods anymore. I feel like I haven't been branching out too much with dinner. I pretty much cook the same 5 meals over and over. I don't mind eating the same thing for breakfast and lunch but I like to try out new things for dinner. I think the other problem is these 3 crazy kids of mine don't give me much time to cook dinner. I need something fast and easy with few ingredients. My goal over the next couple weeks is find some other options to add into the rotation. 

Now for WIAW:

Breakfast: Overnight Oats and coffee

Snack: Green Monster Smoothie (my new obsession)

Lunch: very random...scrambled egg/egg whites, sweet potato with cinnamon, kiwi and cantaloupe.

Snack: Plain Greek yogurt, blueberries and natures path pumpkin flax granola.

Dinner: BLAT wraps with more cantaloupe. It's so good!!

Bedtime: Honey vanilla chamomile tea 

Click here to see other awesome bloggers WIAW!

So tell me...

Favorite easy dinners?

{What I Ate Wednesday} 3/18/15

Hi you guys!

Just a quick update: I am feeling better this week...thank Goodness! I still have this annoying pinched nerve but it is improving. 

Haven't been working out but I have been eating really well. I have been switching up my meals and trying out new things.

This is WIAW:

Breakfast: Overnight oats with chunky peanut butter

Snack: Green Monster smoothie

Lunch: Plain Greek yogurt, stevia, blueberries and natures path pumpkin flax granola.

Snack: Apple with dark chocolate chips, peanuts, almonds and raisins.

Dinner: Mexican Haystack (so good)

Bedtime: Honey vanilla chamomile tea

 Have a happy Wednesday!

What I Ate Wednesday 3/11/15

Hey you guys!!

Good news! I actually took myself to the doctor and got on some antibiotics so I'm starting to feel human again! My shoulder is improving and 80% back to normal!! Woo hoo!! 

Want to know WIAW?

Breakfast: Seared oatmeal with crunchy all natural peanut butter and honey.

Snack: Peanut Butter Cup Protein Shake

Lunch: Scrambled egg/egg white scramble with chicken sausage, onions, peppers, spinach and cheese.

Snack: Plain Greek yogurt with blueberries, Pumpkin flax granola and honey.

Dinner: Whole wheat pitas with mashed avocado, tomatoes, romaine lettuce and Applegate uncured bacon with roasted okra on the side.

Bedtime: Sleepytime tea (Stress Relief)

Simple and delicious meals!! 



So tell me.....What is your favorite herbal tea??

{Meal Planning Monday} 3/9/15

Hey you guys!!! I thought I would share with you guys my plan for the week!

Sorry I have been a little MIA. I have been sick and feeling pretty awful for the past week or so! I also think that I have pulled a chest muscle or pinched a nerve. I have had chest/shoulder pain on and off for the past couple weeks. I am assuming that I am not having a heart attack....but I'm just trying to rest it as much as I can until it heals. I haven't been working out...which I hate...but I don't want to further injure myself so I'm resisting the urge.

Now on to my plan for the week:

Fitness: If I feel better...I will probably do yoga or pilates this week.

Breakfasts:

• Seared Oatmeal using my Crock pot steel cut oats

• Protein Pancake

Lunches:

• Banana wrap

• Scrambled eggs, Ezekiel toast and uncured bacon

Snacks: 

• Apple and Almonds

• Chia seed bowls (watch video on my Instagram for how-to)

• Plain Greek yogurt with berries

• Pumpkin bread

Dinners: 

• Rotisserie chicken with hummus and Greek quinoa salad

• Chicken sausage with peppers, onions and roasted broccoli (I like Al fresco brand sausage)

• Veggie Burgers on salad with grilled onions, roasted okra and avocado. (I like Dr. Praegers)

• Classic meatloaf with baked sweet potatoes with roasted green beans.

• Breakfast for dinner (flax waffles, whole grain pancakes, omelettes, homemade bread French toast) I will let the kids decide!

• Leftovers (clean out the fridge night)

I have a few sick kids to take care of this week and I'm hoping to recoup as well! Fingers crossed we will all bounce back and feel like normal in a few days! :)