June must be just around the corner because the rain is finally subsiding to make room for the glorious sun! It’s going to be a scorcher today- about 31C with humidex of about 43C. I say, bring it on. :) It’s been a long time comin’.
Anticipating the heat & humidity, I headed out for a 3 mile run around 6:30am. I’ve been keeping my running mileage low (about 10-12 miles a week) since healing from my sciatic injury. Slow and steady wins the race! I also think yoga is helping a lot. :)
When I got back I gave the veggies a good dose of water before the heat set in. I also moved my herbs into larger pots. Hopefully they will be able to spread their roots a bit more in the bigger pots. Did I mention my dill is already dying? I have no idea what I did wrong! The other herbs are growing very well, but not the dill. Is it a fussy herb or is it just my black thumb?
It was just glistening out there this morning. Birds were chirping. New grass was sprouting. Dandelions were growing at the speed of light.
When I came inside, I was in the mood for a cool and creamy Vegan overnight oat parfait, one of my favourite hot weather breakfasts next to the Green Monster. I haven’t had many parfaits in 2011 because the weather has been so cool and wet, but today was certainly a great morning for one!
Before bed last night, I made a double batch of vegan overnight oats and my personal chef fridge did all the work for me while I slept. I made a double batch as requested by Eric.
Basic Vegan Overnight Oats
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup rolled oats
- 1.5 cups almond milk
- 2 heaping tbsp chia seeds (necessary ingredient- soaks up the milk and makes it doughy)
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (optional)
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Chopped banana (I don’t add this if I’m making a banana soft serve parfait)
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and place in fridge overnight, or for 2-3 hours. Stir well before eating.
[This is an old picture above- I added some carob powder and banana in this photo, which is my favourite combo when I am just eating VOO plain. For step-by-step photos, see this post.]
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Mango Breakfast Parfait with Cherry-Banana Soft Serve and Homemade Granola
Yield: 2 servings or 3 wine glasses
Adapted from VOO Parfait recipes.
Ingredients:
- Double batch of vegan overnight oats (above)
- Mango chunks (I used frozen and thawed overnight)
- Pitted cherries (I used frozen and thawed overnight)
- Homemade Granola
- Cherry Banana soft serve (Process a handful of cherries with 2 frozen bananas)
Directions:
1. ‘Soft serve’: In a food processor, process the frozen bananas with cherries until smooth like soft serve. You can add a splash of milk to help it along.
2. In two glasses, layer the ingredients. I did a layer of VOO, mango or cherries, granola, soft serve, repeat. Makes enough for 3 small wine glasses/2 servings.
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We had to fight over the third parfait! Eric loves these when I make them with homemade granola. Nice and crunchy.
A scrumptious breakfast that tastes like dessert…yes please!
I’ll see you tomorrow with a refreshing recipe and a re-cap of my Back on Track month! Boy did May fly by. I’m already thinking about goals for June…
Your parfaits always look so delicious.
I’ve never had trouble with dill, but this is the 2nd year my cilantro is dying on me. Not sure why either!
My cilantro and basil always die:(
I can’t for the life of me keep dill alive. I grew it last year and after that gave up hopes of growing it again. It seemed no matter what I did, it died. So it’s not just you! I hear dill is a particularly fickle plant.
That is good to know….poor dill, I love it so much!
Made overnight oats last night, and was so nice just grabbing breakfast out of the fridge this morning. I need to step it up now and try the parfaits since they are just so pretty! Heading to your end of the country next week so I’m looking forward to the warmth :) The overnight oats will be perfect for the little hotel room fridge.
I ate VOO for so long without making them into parfaits, and the parfaits really heighten the whole experience!
I have some fresh cherries that I bought over the weekend, so I’m going to definitely make one of these– I might just blend them fresh! Delicious– but our weather has been so cool, I’m shivering in the house right now! I wonder if we’ll ever get some warm weather and sunshine!
Those are so beautiful! And I’m sure they taste as good as they look, if not better! :)
That parfait looks delicious! I just started reading my healthy living blogs again, and I had forgotten how amazing (and delicious!) your food pictures look :)
Aww thank you!
Parfait-licious! I woke up craving granola & ice cold (almond) milk! After seeing these pictures, I think I’ll have to head to the store & pick up some ingredients asap! I can’t believe it’s June 1 tomorrow too! Tempus Fugit!
I’ve got to make some VOO, parfait-style! They look scrumptious. I’m not a big breakfast person (only smoothies for some reason) so I’m thinking it would make a tasty mid-afternoon snack!
I can’t wait for summer to hit us here too! It’s been a long winter and I’m definitely ready for some sunshine :)
This looks like the perfect breakfast for today! I can’t believe how hot it is out there!
This looks amazing. Perfect for a hot day. I have to make this soon! I’ll have to clear some space in the fridge first though….
Perfect recipe timing! Last night I cut up my first ever fresh mango (I know…) and had no idea what to do with it! I was going to toss them in with some pineapple for a tropical green monster, but this looks delish!
I have yet to try a VOO + soft-serve parfait. They look soo good though… I think I need to get on it!
i NEED to get my hands on some Chia Seeds so I can make VOO! They look sooo tasty with the soft serve.
Instead of rolled oats can I use Muesli?
Not sure…I can’t see why not?
I really need to get my hands on some cherries – I love the idea of a parfait instead of choosing a smoothie or oats – this is the best of both worlds!
I agree, it’s been too cold lately to really do the parfait thing but this week that’s changing!
Time for me to start using my overnight cookie dough for parfaits!!
It’s a little too cold for parfait breakfasts over here, but they’re definitely still fantastic for post-workouts in the afternoons! This one looks fabulous :)
that looks so wonderful and perfect for summer!