Hello, hello!
This trip was a busy one and our days were packed full with adventures, so I defaulted to Instagram as my “mini blog post” method of choice while traveling. It’s a fun way to share little snippets of scenery, people, and food when on the road. Oh, what did we do without Instagram? I just love it. Anyway, we have hundreds of DSLR photos to sift through, but I hope to put together a recap at some point!
For now, I thought I would take a moment to share my go-to breakfast on our travels. We met up with my mom and step dad in Scottsdale and we also spent a couple glorious days in Sedona.
When traveling, Eric and I both prefer to make breakfast in our room before heading out. We’re kind of sticklers for having the same breakfast every morning and nothing beats how quick it is, especially because we headed out for hikes by 6am several mornings! I’ve been on a big vegan overnight oats kick lately and his go-to is always Nature’s Path cereal. For this trip, I brought along protein powder from home and then I picked up the ingredients for my current favourite, super-filling bowl of vegan overnight oats. Just prep it at night before bed and it’s ready in the morning. Obviously, this breakfast wouldn’t work everywhere depending on where you are going, but it’s great when it does.
[Missing from the photo above – oats]
While I was taking pictures of my breakfast on the deck, I kept the door to the cabin ajar and a tiny lizard made its way into our room!!! Rookie mistake. hah. We found this little guy baking on a window in the sun. So cute.
I also picked up some granola for breakfast and hiking fuel, and it ended up being my favourite store-bought granola of all time. Have you tried this purely elizabeth brand yet? I haven’t seen it in stores near me, so I’m going to have to recreate this at home. It’s chock-full of good ingredients like coconut oil & coconut sugar, sunflower seeds, quinoa flakes, and I also think this flavour is nut-free (but made in a facility that uses nuts, FYI).
Protein-Packed Vegan Overnight Oats
Yield
1 large bowl
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
60
Total time
Just a word of caution: The protein powder in this recipe is not for everyone and it’s a taste and texture I got used to with time. My advice is to start off with a small amount of protein powder and gradually add more as you get used to it. The flavour will differ dramatically based on the brand you use. Try something quite neutral. I use Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Natural. The other option is just to omit the protein powder all together. Also, feel free to add sweetener if the oats aren’t sweet enough for you. I did a rough calculation and my bowl has almost 25 grams of protein and it keeps me going all morning long!
Ingredients
- 1 very large ripe banana
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 scoop protein powder of choice (I use Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Natural), optional
- 1/3 cup gluten-free rolled or quick oats
- 1 cup water (or almond milk)
- 1/3 cup almond milk (or more water in a pinch, but it won’t be as creamy)
- granola or fresh fruit, for topping
Directions
- In a medium bowl, mash the banana until mostly smooth.
- Stir in chia seeds followed by the protein powder (if using) and oats. It will resemble a very thick paste.
- Whisk in the water/almond milk with a fork, until smooth and no clumps remain.
- Place in the fridge overnight or for at least 1-2 hours, until the oats are soft and the mixture is thick.
- Serve with a sprinkle of granola and fresh fruit, if desired.
Tip:
This breakfast is the perfect healthy fuel for hiking trails, climbing mountains, and early morning sunrise adventures. I love knowing that I start off the day with a balanced breakfast just in case we end up having a late lunch.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Yes, this girl who is scared of heights sat on that very mountain edge! Don’t tell my mom. I promise it wasn’t as bad as it looks in the photo! hah.
All good things must come to an end, I suppose. I have a second pass of my book editing due shortly, so I best get back to reality and start digging through email. I’m hoping to post another Thanksgiving/holiday recipe inspired by this incredible meal I had at True Food Kitchen the other day. Here’s hoping it turns out as good or even better!
See you soon.
Wow yum! I have to pack breakfast a lot so this would be perfect! I wish I would have consumed some of this before my marathon…..may not have crashed from 2:40 pace to 2:50 due to lack of complex carbohydrates!
Will definitely give this a try! Yum!
Hey since my actual name is Elizabeth I thought I would post first. Your trip looks amazing and I have not seen this granola product , I’ll try it !
Can I use quick cook oats for your overnight oats????:)
yes you can – I tried it a few times and it works fine! I missed the chewiness from the rolled oats, but otherwise it works great
Love the shot of your slippers with your breakfast! :)
I literally gasped out loud when I saw that last picture. You’re crazy, girl! I’d have been pinned up against the mountain crying or in the fetal position.
What a gorgeous hike! I also bring oats with me whenever I travel. I love having comfort food with me :)
Hello! I use some of your recipes and have really enjoyed them. I have one question about non-dairy milks. I have read that carageenan is not very healthy to consume but I find it is in almost every non-dairy milk on the market today. I have found that one plain soy milk at Trader Joe’s doesn’t have carageenan but everything else has it. I’d rather not make everything with spy milk since soy might be genetically modified and it is heavily processed. Do you know of a brand of almond milk without carageenan or do you know if carageenan is actually safe? I’m not really interested in making my own almond milk. Thanks for your advice!
Hey Shana,
If you have a Whole Foods nearby, their 365 brand doesn’t have carrageenan in it. Silk is another brand without it. The other option is to make your own – I have a recipe here: http://ohsheglows.com/2013/01/24/my-favourite-homemade-almond-milk-step-by-step-photos/ hope this helps!
Hi Shana,
The trader joes refrigerated almond milk is also free of carrageen. I hope this helps :)
I’ve recently fallen in LOVE with overnight oats (I especially like your green monster overnight oats recipe….although it gets funny looks from people in the office). My three favourite ingredients recently are frozen blueberries, frozen raspberries (because they’re thawed by morning time), and of course chia seeds.
That Purely Elizabeth granola looks great! And the blueberry hemp flavor sounds awesome! I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that at the Whole Foods near me but I have yet to try it!
I think they have 3 other flavours too – wish I bought them all now!
I am in love with the cuteness of your slippers peaking out in the photo of your oats on the deck! Too cute!! :-)
I’m still trying to figure out how to make overnight oats that aren’t too mushy. Going to try this mixture next time. And of course add my nut butter on top!
If you don’t like mushy, these probably aren’t for you either! hah. Well, I would describe these as very “doughy” – especially from the protein powder thickening things up. I get that the texture isn’t for everyone though!
Looks like my kind of breakfast!! I’ve never tried the Purely Elizabeth brand, but I see it popping up everywhere….. I need to give it a try soon!
Wow that photo of you on the Mountain took my breath away :) So glad I was oblivious to it all, but I am so proud of you for having the courage to do it!
That last shot is stunning! Whoa!! I lived in AZ for 9 mos and never explored it as much as I should have…whoops!
I agree with your statement that protein powders arent for everyone and can have a strong taste. I can totally see how this bowl would have kept you full for awhile! Looks great!
Mm you breakfast looks great Ange! Your travel photos are some of the most gorgeous I’ve ever seen. I haven’t spotted that granola brand up here yet either, so I’m thinking we might not have it yet. Can’t wait to hear about the recipe inspired by True Food Kitchen!
What a gorgeous photo of the mountains! I’ve never been to Arizona but it looks amazing. I’d be super scared up there though.
I love VOO, never made them with protein powder though. I agree that it’s definitely an acquired taste. I’ve never tried Sunwarrior but have heard good things about it. I usually use Vega myself.
Wow, I LOVE that last pic or you and Eric (I assume). That is frame-worthy! Hope you had a nice, relaxing vacation. You deserve it — you’ve been working so hard on the cookbook.
Lovely view! We went to Sedona and didn’t get a chance to hike! I just may go to Sedona instead a flagstaff for Christmas just to hike the red rocks :). I almost had a heart attack when we did the scenic drive! I am not a fan of heights as well!!
CATHEDRAL ROCK! I caught the hiking bug climbing up that very rock…did you feel weird at all at the top? Supposedly Cathedral Rock is in some kind of “vortex” or something. So cool!
Sounds like a beautiful trip! I had to hold my breathe when looking at the last photo of you and Eric on the rock! Love the idea of bringing breakfast food along for a road trip – can’t wait to try this! :)
What pretty pictures and those overnight oats sounds perfect to me! :)
Purely Elizabeth is hands down the MOST AMAZING store-bought granola of all time. I don’t even like eating it over plant milk or yogurt or with fruit because it’s so delicious on its own, and when it’s on sale at Whole Foods (very rarely) we literally buy ten of them LOL. I’m sorry you can’t find it in Canada…but if you recreate it, I would be forever in your debt ;-)