3 Classic Overnight Oats Recipes

31 January 2019


This past November I made a commitment to myself to try and be more mindful and intentional with my food. I'm usually the last one to eat in the morning (10 am- let's be real) and it's usually whatever I can get my hands on- healthy or not. I started working out regularly. I started meal planning with better intention and looking into ways to lighten up the use of carbs. I'm a carb lover. I could kiss them. Warm bread, gooey cheese, delicious white potatoes of any variety, sandwiches, tacos, ice cream, butter... I mean, the list is endless. But-- breakfast is a hard one for me. I either forget to eat it altogether and it's almost lunch until I remember or I end up just grabbing a bagel. I mean, how can you say no to an everything bagel toasted with a healthy smear of cream cheese?! How?


Well, one way that I've been able to say no to the delicious doughy bagel is with overnight oats. I'm not new to them. I knew what they were and I've made them in the past. Like, in 2011 when they were all the rage and everyone was whipping them up. But, I've been lazy. And constructing them up takes mild to morderate effort-- an extra effort that I don't always have left at night before bed when all I want to do is-- go to bed. But, I'm telling you, friends, when they are pre-made and waiting for me in the morning after my workout I am so happy. I'm happy that I took the extra few minutes the night before to whip them up. 

 So friends, here are 3 of my favorite recipes. They add-ins are all customizable and super easy to make. I like to use my leftover mason jars from canning but you can put them in anything.

 The Basic Recipe:
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
2/3 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractPinch of salt
0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- mix that all together, substitue for your personal preferences & store covered in the fridge overnight -

Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipe:
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
2/3 cup whole milk 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxmeal 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder Pinch of salt 0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

[mix that all together, substitue for your personal preferences & store covered in the fridge overnight.]


Banana Chocolate Chip Recipe:
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
2/3 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1/2 ripe banana, chopped or mashed
2 tablespoons chocolate chips

[mix that all together, substitue for your personal preferences & store covered in the fridge overnight.]

Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe:
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
2/3 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons softened cream cheese
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
[mix that all together, substitue for your personal preferences & store covered in the fridge overnight.]


[[Extra Notes]]

If you don't care for Greek yogurt then regular plain yogurt will work, too, although your end result will be a bit thinner. 

 If you aren’t a fan of yogurt at all, you can leave it out all together, double the chia and flax, and add an extra 1/3 cup of milk. 

 Your final result won’t be as creamy or pudding-like, but it’ll still be good.

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Capsule Tips for New Recruits

21 January 2019



Good morning!

Today is Day One of the #sevendaychallenge! If you didn't read my last post and your interesting in knowing what I'm talking about you can find it linked here. 

And if you're feeling a bit perplexed then here's a basic method to help you get it started picking your 12 items:

Basic Formula:

4 tops 
[ex]
consider pieces that layer well like:
 -fitted long-sleeve tee
-a button-down

1-2 top layers
[ex.]
cardigan
sweater jacket
blazer

2 bottoms
[ex.]
jeans
skirts
dress pants

1 dress or jumper

2 pairs of shoes
[ex]
1 flat - 1 heel
1 boot - 1 flat
1 fashion sneaker - 1 flat


Remember, you do not have to follow this to the letter-- choose what works for you but try hard to limit yourself and challenge yourself in a way that you haven't before. Everyone has a different daily and weekly schedule. Some stay home, some wear casual work attire, some wear business work attire. If you want to wear scrubs for your job then use this for after work. If you need more bottoms than tops, then take one away from one item from that category and give it to another. Just have fun!


A few other suggestions/useful tips:

-Don’t give yourself too much time to choose. 
Set a timer and try and choose your items in 30 minutes. In the beginning, I found that if I took too much time during the selection process then I kept doubting myself and getting frustrated. Capsule wardrobing is supposed to take away the stress of picking out your outfits. 

Neutrals.
I said it before but it's true and super helpful --> think neutrals, denim, white, black or navy and grey with one or two pops of color to play with...

Core items.
Start with your favorite items that you always go for and then start adding in pieces that you usually overlook. You may come to find that you love them and you've been missing out or that you really don't like the fit and you need to get rid of it. 

-Avoid Dry Clean Only items because that would be a pain to launder during the 7 or 10 day challenge.



Have fun!
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Seven Day Capsule Challenge

18 January 2019

First of all-- a disclaimer: I am not a fashion blogger. I did go to school for fashion marketing- but that was a lifetime ago. Now-- I'm just a wife, mother, average human being who is trying to simplify her life. :)



A couple months ago I decided that less is more, especially in my closet. I’m a stay at home mom and pretty much wear the same things every day but I found that when I did get the chance to get out of my mom uniform I would stand in front of my overflowing closet thinking that I had absolutely nothing to wear. I mean, of course, I did, but I was overwhelmed by the about of stuff in there that I owned but didn’t really love. What is the point of excess if you're not going to use it?

After purging my closet and 'upcycling' my unloved items I was able to bring my wardrobe down to 33 pieces total. 33 pieces that I loved, felt comfortable in and wanted to wear. Then, in the fall I heard about the 10×10 Challenge. It intrigued me and I wanted to try it. Basically, you just choose 10 items from your closet, create 10 looks and wear them consecutively over 10 days. The 10x10 only happens a couple times a year and I’ve really been wanting to do another challenge. But, it’s so much fun to do it with other people. So I thought— why not create one to do with friends!

It’s a fun way to connect with others and get inspired by them and their capsule of clothing. It also really helps you to see what you love and what you do not love in your very own closet. Is there a shirt that you swipe by every day but you keep it there just in case? That was me! But now I just pull out something, put it on and go!

Below I’ll talk more about the guidelines and then you can choose if it’s something that you would be interested in taking part in— it’s supposed to be a cheerful and simple challenge. And will hopefully spark inspiration and help you to breathe life back into items hanging stagnant in your very closet.

Seven Day Capsule Challenge


7 days
7 looks
12 items



Goals—

What might be your goal for this challenge? Do you want to rediscover items that are usually forgotten? Do you want to use this as a prelude to slimming down your closet? Or do you just like a good challenge? Whatever your goal might be you can either commit it to memory or write it down and tape it up in your closet.

My goal for this time around consist of two words — comfort and effortlessness. It’s a season of cozy. My days are spent packing lunches, getting kids off to school and spending the majority of my day in the kitchen. So my 7-day capsule will probably consist of my favorite broken-in jeans, cozy knits, warm sweaters, and a neutral palette.

Timeline —

Seven days straight starting on January 21st — you have the entire weekend to come up with your 12 items for your 7-day capsule. Feel free to join in on sharing your looks in your stories on Instagram or Facebook— or don’t share them, totally up to you what you feel comfortable doing! Use the hashtags #sevendaycapsule #sevendaycapsulewinter2019 #threegirlsandachallenge if you want to see what others are up to with their personal challenge!

Creating a Seven Day Capsule -- 

First, the weather— it’s crazy cold here so that’s what I’ll be considering when I create mine. Secondly, schedule — there's nothing too intense on the calendar so I’ll be keeping that in mind and planning a more casual capsule. Also - when you pick an item, consider how you could wear it three different ways over the course of the week. Try and choose mostly neutral colors but feel free to add in one fun but a versatile piece, like a bold colored blazer or a bright layering tank top. In this challenge have fun with accessories and don’t count them. Also, don’t count your workout clothing if you have a workout routine.

My capsule will include:
2 pairs of jeans (blue denim & black denim)
2 sweaters
2 long sleeve tops
2 layering pieces
1 layering tank top
1 dress (date night / church)
1 pair ankle boots
1 pair converse

I'll share more on that in a post the night before the challenge! Stay tuned.


Benefits of the Challenge —

Take a break from shopping and adding to an overflowing closet.
Reinvest in an existing closet.
Spark creativity.
Make closet work for you, not you for it.
Define your individual style.
Test if a capsule closet is for you.

Basic Guidelines —

Pick any 12 items from your current closet.
Style those 12 items for 7 days.
Have fun.
Don’t stress.

Don’t let the word ‘guidelines’ scare you— it’s not supposed to be an unbending assignment. It’s all about being creative. There is no wrong way to do it.

You can limit yourself to only those 12 items for the full 7 days or just wear those items to work or after work.

If you’re really not loving one item— switch it out!

Loungewear and gym gear don’t count unless you want it too.

Stressed about choosing shoes, no prob, let those count as extra!

Do whatever feels manageable for your life but still challenge yourself!

How to Join in on the Fun--

[1] The challenge starts on January 21st.

[2] Pick your 12 items for the seven days.

[3] Capture your outfits and share them with others participating in the challenge. Community friends! That's what this is about also! Creating community and sharing experiences, goals and challenges. You can post just the outfit, you in the outfit, or don't post-- it's up to you!

[4] Use the hashtags #sevendaycapsule #sevendaywintercapsule and #threegirlsandachallenge! I'll be sharing mine and others to continue sparking creativity!

[5] HAVE FUN!
Let's do this friends!
If you have any questions, just ask! 
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Lavender Simple Syrup | Recipe

16 January 2019

It's cold outside, there's still a crispy layer of snow scattered across the fields, and I just finished a cup of creamy coffee while watching the sunrise. This past November I started to trying to be intentional about rising by 5:30. Either to get a load of laundry started, workout, write or read. It's been a perfect way to fill up my happiness tank before I have to help fill up everyone else's.

But-- anyway, back to that cup of coffee. This morning my cup had an extra special addition to it. Lavender Syrup. Any other fancy coffee lovers out there? If you follow along here then you probably know that I broke up with my Keurig coffee maker about a year ago, bought my first french press and never looked back. Best decision ever, you know, besides getting married and having kids. Over the summer I started experimenting with flavored simple syrups and homemade coffee creamers. Most store-bought creamers aren't even dairy products anyway, yummy, but mostly chemicals. [If I'm in a pinch I do love Natural Bliss which is made with real cream.]




Now, on the to syrups. Lavender flavored coffees and lattes have been all the rage for a while now and it's hard to find them where we live and I don't get into the city that often to find a cafe that makes them. So-- why not make them at home? It's definitely cheaper. I did a lot of searching and experimenting and I now have two 'go-to' Lavender syrup recipes that I love to make. The best part is they are made from staple ingredients- minus the lavender and that's not too hard to find. I get mine from a tea exchange shop. You can also double or triple this recipe and gift it to your other coffee loving friends.



Lavender Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender

Mix and stir ingredients in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil and then remove from burner and let it steep for 30 minutes. Once it's done steeping double strain it through a fine mesh strainer (or a cheesecloth or through a coffee filter) and put it in your bottles or jars of choice.



Lavender Honey Syrup
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender

Mix and stir ingredients in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil and then remove from burner and let it steep for 30 minutes. Once it's done steeping double strain it through a fine mesh strainer (or a cheesecloth or through a coffee filter) and put it in your bottles or jars of choice.



I love to save my fancy maple syrup bottles-- I mean maple syrup is expensive enough so might as well get your money's worth out of the bottle. And it sure looks pretty too. :)



Cheers friends! 
Happy Wednesday.
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Hospitality and Motherhood

02 January 2019



Happy New Year friends! 

I have been writing this post in my mind for the past few weeks but it never made it into a draft on my computer because well--we’ve all have been sick (with the miraculous exception of Aaron) . For what feels like 5678 days. It’s been driving me crazy. We are a normally a healthy family but I suppose these things happen. We will prevail, thanks to some help from modern medicine. At the moment my home wouldn't be considered a prime place to practice hospitality (germs). But, it’s something that I want to write about because it’s my ‘word’ going into the New Year. Hospitality. What does that exactly mean? What does it mean for me? Well, it’s a word that has been popping into my mind recently and I have a vague idea about what I’m supposed to do with it.

Motherhood. That’s the season I’m in, motherhood, young motherhood. Little ones running from one place to another. Odds and ends lying about, dirty dishes in the sink and clean ones on the counter. Shoes in front of the door (tripping me in the kitchen) and piles of papers and laundry that need sorting—that’s my life. I know that it’s normal. I know that it’s OK. I know that I shouldn’t feel ashamed. I know not to expect perfection in any form. I know these things. But, I’m telling you—when there is a knock at my door I cringe. Like, freeze— I’m a deer in the woods and I hear a tree branch snap. Should I hide? Wait, am I wearing a bra? Do you think they know I’m here? My car's parked in the driveway but that could be anyone's. They can definitely hear Peppa piping through the walls but we may have left without turning off the TV? What…do..I…freaking…do…..?! Well, answer the door—politely and a bit awkwardly. Is this you? Has this ever been you? Can you relate? I sure hope so. Haha. 

Now that my door is open, I find myself apologizing for the state of my affairs. My home or my appearance.  I apologize to the person stopping at home of young children and a tired mother. My classic line is “please excuse the mess…ect.” or "please excuse me, I haven't gotten ready yet." It may be 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  Essentially, please excuse us for living here. It’s embarrassing that it’s embarrassing. Everyone assures me that it’s ok and I know that it is. I’ll sometimes hear, it’s ok we’ve been there or we know what it’s like to have little ones so don’t worry about it. But I do.  And, I’m telling you- the 'state of affairs' aren't even that bad, usually. Nonetheless I feel the need to each time apologize—no matter what the disorder of my surrounds are. Why? Why do we do this? I still can’t figure it out, the compulsive, knee-jerk response.

I’ll give you one more scenario. It’s mid to late afternoon, I’m standing in front of the fridge begging it to give me answers. I have options but I don’t know what I want. I’m tired but I refuse to pull out a frozen pizza. My oldest will be home from school shortly. I have a 4 day messy bun in need of serious wash and I’m almost certain that I’ve been wearing this shirt for two days now, if not more. My phone rings and Aaron’s picture flashes on the screen. This could mean one of a few different things. Either he’s going to be running late so I’m already flinching. I have a fussy toddler bolted to my calf and I've been counting down the moments until backup arrives. Or-- it means something is changing with our normal, routine plans. Such as he's invited someone over for dinner—or thinks that we should. I know the precise words used to start that conversation. “Hey! What would you think if we….” No! In my mind I’m screaming NO. Internally, in my mind I’m giving all the excuses.  The untidy home, my appearance, the crumbs, the toys, the prep, the work. The sheer exhaustion of the mere thought of hosting. The preparation, cooking and clean up after more than our family. Also- what am I to cook for a crowd at last minutes notice? 

Now, please don’t get me wrong. I love to host. My home is my sanctuary and I love to share its warmth with others. I designed everything about it to revolve around inviting people in to sit and stay a while. I enjoy planning a well thought out and planned dinner party as much as any other 2w3 enneagram but the spontaneous hospitality is where I struggle. The idea of ‘last minute’ in the middle of everyday life makes me tense. So, guys—how do I cope with this? How do I do better with spontaneous hospitality? Well, that’s what I’m here to figure out this year. It’s my 2019 mission.

So, I think to start off the year I’ll try a few new things:
- First, get everyone well and healthy so that my home is an optimal hosting environment.
- Secondly, stop waiting for everything to look picture-perfect before I let anyone through the door to sit around our table. Odds are they don’t care what it looks like in the first place.
- Thirdly, start having something on hand in the pantry (apart from our weekly menu) that could feed a few extra mouths. Like chili ingredients since there’s always ground beef in the freezer.
- Lastly, stop apologizing for living life with kids—or at least try to. 

I’m hoping my journey to better hospitality will be fulfilling in many ways. Nourish bodies and souls, that of our own and of others. 

Peter 4:9 | "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

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