Cinnamon Vanilla Overnight Oats

Overnight oats have been a real life saver for both me and my stomach. Prepping meals for the day ahead is not a strong suit of mine. A great deal of effort goes into packing a yogurt cup, granola bar, and banana. So, since overnight oats have been discovered they have made their way onto my menu on nearly a daily basis. They're quick, delicious, and very satisfying - and so they shall stay on my makeshift menu. As someone who prefers to snack throughout the day, some days are busier than others and snacks don't always fit in between meals. Oatmeal is my best bet on these hectic days due to their high fiber content which keeps my belly full until I can fill it again.

Ingredients:

1/2 c oats

3/4 c milk (low fat, soy, almond, etc)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

1/2 tsp maple syrup 

1 tbsp chia seeds

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a jar overnight. Heat in the morning. Eat!

5 Tips for Being Positively Productive

I don't know about you, but sometimes I let procrastination get the best of me. When there's so much to explore on a sunny day, which we've been lucky to have so many here in Portland, it's easy to put everything on the back burner. This often leads to trouble - late nights, cram sessions, and just too much to do in so little time. So, my friends at Kabbage, a company that empowers small businesses (and blogs) to follow their dreams by providing funds to grow big and strong, inspired me to compile a list of some of my essential tips for being your most productive self!

#1 Write it down
Grab a piece of paper, a planner, or white board (whatever you're most likely to look at) u'd create a list of the tasks at hand. Whether it's to write a paper, do laundry, go for a run, or attend a meeting, having it all written down in ink will help you visualize how to schedule your time.

#2 Prioritize
Now that you have your handy dandy list, consider what's most urgent. Can the laundry wait? Is the paper due at midnight? I usually like to stick with whatever's due first.

#3 Brain Food
Being productive can be exhausting. Or, you may just get hungry out of boredom. Having something healthy to munch on will help you fight through mental blocks. My favorite productivity snack is a handful of raw cashews with dark chocolate chunks.  yum.  Oh, and a cup of coffee or tea will do wonders!

#4 The Perfect Playlist
Put in your headphones and pick a playlist on spotify - Chill, Focus, Intense Studying (whatever floats your boat).  This will help set the mood for a productive day.

#5 Minimize Distractions (aka put the cellphone away!)
Yeah, those text messages are just flooding in, but you won't get very far when your honey is trying to say hey. So do yourself a favor and put your phone away. Every hour take a 15 minute break and use this time to check in with friends.


{Brain Food Recipe} Bite Size Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Cookies


For entrepreneurs looking for some more productivity tips, check out Kabbage's website and blog!




[Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.]

Apple + Granola Breakfast Cookies

Do you ever skip breakfast just because there isn't enough time to prepare a meal on top of getting ready in the morning, making the next bus, or maybe just due to a bad hair day? If this describes you (& frizz gets to the best of us), meet your new best friend...

These apple + granola breakfast cookies will provide you with the fuel you need to get the day running with your best foot forward. They are packed with fiber to keep you fuller longer and are easy to grab and go when on the run. They're not only perfect for the working woman/man, but they are also super easy to pack in a kid's lunchbox for a healthy snack. Give them a try! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 medium apple, finely chopped
1/2 cup granola
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a baking pan with nonstick spray or oil.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, oats, and apple sauce. Mix.
3. Mix in the egg and butter.
4. Add the apple, granola, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir.
5. Place 2" balls of dough onto the baking pan. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes ~ 15 cookies

5 Minute Black Bean + Salsa Tacos

Hello everybody! SO sorry to have been away from my blog for so long. Good news is you'll be seeing a lot more recipes popping up on Noms McGee from now on. Like this one... Black Bean & Salsa Tacos!

So,  part of the reason why I haven't been making too many recipes is because I started this thing called grad school which consumes most of my life. But, it has provided me with inspiration to create healthy meals in minutes.... yes, minutes! As a grad student, I come home hungry, or hangry is probably a better word. The only thing on my mind riding the bus home is what can I whip up that will feed me asap! Well, this recipe did just the trick and now it is has become a weeknight staple. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients:
6 corn tortillas
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 can tomato paste
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup prepared salsa
1 small avocado

Directions:
1. Warm tortillas in a pan for 2 minutes on each side.
2. In a bowl, mash the drained beans and mix with tomato paste.
3. Spoon black bean mash onto center of tortillas. (approximately 2 tbsp)
4. Top each tortilla with a tablespoon of salsa, yogurt, and avocado.

Enjoy!



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Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

Squash is such a cozy food isn't it? Now that we've entered November nothing sounds better than coming home from a long day of work and filling my belly with something warm. Well, one day this little delicate squash was sitting on my kitchen counter just waiting for me to throw it in the oven. In just 15 minutes, I had a delicious side and I was oh so cozy. I paired this recipe with kale and walnuts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

Ingredients:
1 delicata squash
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash squash and slice in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Slice each half into 1-inch segments. Mix squash, oil, syrup, cinnamon, salt and pepper in a bowl then scatter onto a baking sheet. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Top with raisins or dried cranberries.

{Recipe ReDux} Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

This month's Recipe ReDux theme, "Spooky Spices" made me realize I really need to stock my spice cabinet. Since I moved to Portland and started the dietetic internship, my meals have been quite spiceless. Sure, my veggies and quinoa have tons of flavor on their own, but I guess it's time to turn up the heat.

This recipe for Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats is super quick to throw together after a busy day and makes for a delicious breakfast the next morning. The funny thing is, I never cared very much for pumpkin flavored things. Now, I'm going pumpkin crazy. It is so delicious! I especially love pumpkin pie which is why I decided to toss it into my morning mix.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup vanilla soymilk

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

small dash of salt
2 tbsp raisins

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a jar and stir. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning top with granola or raisins! 

An InLinkz Link-up

{Recipe ReDux} Baked Rotini in a Pumpkin Sauce with Parmesan + Pecans

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the National Pasta Association and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

I'm 75% Italian which ultimately means pasta is my favorite meal of all time. The options are endless with pasta which is why we should celebrate National Pasta Month! You can have it with a marinara sauce, pesto sauce, vodka sauce, or garlic and oil. You can have it with veggies, meat, beans, or eggs. You can have penne, rotini, linguini, or fettuccine. Pasta is the perfect foundation for a healthy meal.

I especially love buying whole wheat pasta. It's an affordable way to incorporate whole grains into your diet plus, it's guaranteed to be satiating. As a college student, I often come home in dire need of a quick fix for dinner. This recipe couldn't be any easier to throw together and it enhances the flavors of fall! 

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 can pumpkin puree
1/8 cup reduced fat milk
1/4 cup pecans
2 leaves of sage, chopped

1 box whole grain rotini
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil. Cook until garlic is brown and onion is translucent. Add the pumpkin and milk. Stir. 
2. Stir in sage, pecans, salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes. 
3. While the sauce is cooking, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
4. Combine the pasta and sauce in a baking pan. Place in the oven for 20 minutes.

Voila!

As the first and only recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, The Recipe ReDux aims to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoy!

An InLinkz Link-up