With just a fleeting glance at the news, blogs, or social media, you’ve gotta wonder: when was the last time you’ve seen so many people eager for a year to be over with?
I can tell you: 2016. I know because I wrote it in my journal.
Everyone hated 2016 (something about an election and a lot of rock icons who died), and was eager to get on with a whole new year. Then 2020 came along and said, “Hey 2016…hold my earrings.”
In other words, bad sh** is going to happen in life. Yes, the past year was particularly tough, and I don’t mean to downplay the struggle and personal tragedies that many suffered. I’m just saying, don’t expect everything to be awesome immediately. Pessimistic? Nah, just realistic. You can’t control what happens in life, but you can control how you react to it. Having a realistic outlook helps you to plan and prepare for what may come. Ready for the next round of challenges? Great, let’s get after it!
Reminder: from time to time, when I post links for products or programs, they may be connected to an affiliate account where I may receive a small reward from your purchase. Keep in mind that I will never post affiliate links for products or programs that I have not tried myself and would not otherwise recommend to you. Sadly, the following product has yet to give me a referral link. Waaaa! Buy it anyway.
Product Review: Oats Overnight
On a chilly winter morning, nothing says breakfast like a nice bowl of oatmeal (unless it’s an omelet, but I’m straying from the point here). “Oat porridge” has been a popular breakfast/comfort food for centuries, and lately it has surged in popularity thanks to the recent hype of something called “overnight oats”. Apparently, waiting for water to boil in the morning is too time and labor intensive; so many of us busy folks are saving a whole five minutes by putting oats in the fridge overnight so that we can enjoy a simple, fast, easy and ice cold breakfast. Huh?
While you *could* use a crock-pot to make a more traditional (read: hot) version overnight, the subsequent need to clean the damn pot afterward kind of defeats the purpose of choosing it for convenience. However, no need to skip the oatmeal; as a superfood, it packs a one-two punch of dietary fiber and plant protein. Furthermore, soaking the oats overnight (allegedly) helps break down some of the nutrients in the grain that will aid in their absorption and digestion. Okay then!
Full disclosure: I’ve been an Oats Overnight subscriber for over a year now (yes, I subscribe to a lot of the food I consume; it saves me time, money and effort). Oats Overnight is a favorite of mine because it checks three important boxes for me: it’s easy to make, it’s delicious, and it has a great nutritional profile.
Easy and convenient factor. the name is self-explanatory: you put the envelope of oat mixture in a shaker (which they send for free with your first order), add 8 oz. of your choice of milk, shake it, stow it in your fridge overnight, and the next morning you’re good to go. Their slogan is, “ditch the spoon”; the original marketing showcased images of brawny gym bros tossing their shakers full of overnight oats into their gym bags for a pre- or post- workout meal. Hey, it got me to try it!
Flavor factor. I never really liked the blandness of plain oatmeal; but most flavored oatmeals were not only too sweet for me, the sugar content made them off-limits. Oats Overnight has managed to create two sets of flavors (a whey protein line and a vegan protein one) that are both delicious and low in sugar. Flavors include Maple Pancakes, Chai Latte, and Peach Upside Down Cake. Bonus perk for subscribers: not only will a subscription allow you to mix varieties, you also get a sample packet of a “flavor in development”.
Nutrition. Here’s where this brand really stands apart from the competitors.
6 grams of dietary fiber, 6 grams of total fat, and (get this) 20 grams of protein. Nice!
Yes, it also packs a whopping 38 grams of carbs, which is fine unless you are following a ketogenic regimen. The carb count doesn’t bother me too much, as I only have it a couple of times a week and also use unsweetened Hemp milk, which has a lower carb count than other popular nut milks. Just be sure to factor in the macros of your milk/ “mylk” of choice when you add up your daily totals.
If you do decide to give it a try, let me know how you like it!
Have feelings about overnight oats? Let’s talk it out!
The Ultimate Macro Calculator
Speaking of macros: how to calculate them? How much do I need? How much am I consuming now? Why is this so stressful? What are macros, again? Why should I count them?
These are thoughts that often discourage people from making and sticking to their wellness goals. Yes, you want to start 2021 with a commitment to giving yourself the gift of health—but why is it so HARD??
Fear not, friends! Behold: I give you the Ultimate Macro Calculator!
What’s right for you may not be right for someone else. This tool will ask you questions to help design a custom profile for you based on you and your goals.
Try it out, and give me your feedback! Need help using it? Have questions about it? Ask your friendly neighborhood Health Coach (me!)
Happy New Year, and Be Well!
Laura the Health Coach