Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats (and A New Start)

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These blueberry muffin overnight oats taste just the bakery style muffins you get at Panera, only with about half the fat and calories. Plus, they cook while you sleep, what’s better than that?

Overnight oats

Truth be told, I’ve been feeling pretty lost lately. New Years can be pretty intimidating for me, because it comes with a lot of pressure. A giant push to be a better me, eat healthier, work out more, write more meaningful pieces and make a difference. When I think of all the things I want to accomplish and the person I want to be, I start to panic. What if I can’t do it all and another year goes by without making my dreams come true?

Overnight oats with blueberries

Every January for the past 4 years, I’ve told myself that this will be the year I finally bite the bullet and apply to culinary school in Paris. This is the year I finally put my savings account to good use and pick up and travel for 5 months around the world. This is the year I FINALLY write that memoir I started in college and tell the story about me only few people know about. And every year on December 31st, I realize I’m no closer to any of those than I was on January 1st. It’s hard not to feel a little let down.

Overnight oats 3

And now, at 28, starting 2014, I feel more lost than ambitious, which sucks. I miss starting the new year bursting at the seams (mentally and physically, we’ll get to that later) with fresh new ideas, exciting adventures to be taken and new goals I can’t wait to accomplish. This year I felt so overwhelmed by everything that I never sat down to write them. And if I’m being honest, it’s because I’m terrified if I set them, another year will go by and none of them will be accomplished. And that’s not because I’m lazy or unmotivated, it’s because I don’t make them a big enough priority. And by June the paper I’ve written them down on has long been tossed in a drawer or thrown away with the trash. I don’t give myself the chance to make them come true.

Blueberry muffin overnight oats

Maybe what I’m feeling isn’t lost, it’s fear. What if I do move to Paris and realize that I’m not meant for the cut-throat culinary world? What if I take off on my 5 month adventure only to return home 3 weeks later because I’m terrified of being alone? What if I put my heart and soul into that book and no one publishes it? Or worse, reads it? All of these what ifs clutter in my mind and I start to question EVERY SINGLE THING I dream about.

Creamy overnight blueberry muffin oats

As I write this now, I realize I’m just scared. And my fear is the only reason I start every January 1st with the same goals I had the year before. And you know what? I’m not doing that anymore. I’m not running away from the person I want to be anymore. I’m not going to push her away because her life is different than the one I have now. I know I won’t be able to accomplish every single goal I set out, but I can accomplish one. And DAMN IT, I’m going to. Because unlike the years before, I’ve already began my journey to make it come true.

How’s that for ambiguous?

Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats

Creamy oats

Serves about 6. Recipe slightly adapted from Healthy Slow Cooking.
Prep time: >10 minutes
Cook time: 4 – 6 hours

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup steel-cut oats
  • 3 cups skim milk
  • 1/3 cup light cream
  • 1 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • 1 low-fat blueberry muffin, crumbled (I used one of these!)
  • Fresh whipped cream

Directions:

  1. Spray the basin of a crock-pot with nonstick cooking spray. Add the oats, milk, cream, blueberries, vanilla and brown sugar. Stir the mixture to combine.
  2. Set your slow cooker to low and cook about 5 – 7 hours, stirring about halfway through to ensure it’s evenly mixed and doesn’t burn. Mix in the lemon zest and crumbled up blueberry muffin.
  3. Garnish each bowl with fresh whipped cream.

Nutritional information per serving (about 1/3 cup):

Calories: 275
Fat: 7 grams
Carbohydrates: 44 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Protein: 10 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 6

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Comments

  1. Posted by Angie Henegar on
    Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    What size Crock Pot do you recommend for making this type of oatmeal? Thanks...can't wait to try this recipe!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Thursday, January 9th, 2014
      Hi Angie! I use a standard 6 quart :)
  2. Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    Girl, I hear you. There is something so bittersweet about the new year -- so much expectation, but so much pressure.

    Wherever you are in your life, I hope you find some peace and pride in what you've already accomplished and what the year ahead has planned for you. Hugs, friend!

    Also GIMME DAT OATMEAL. :)
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Thursday, January 9th, 2014
      Thank you Steph :)
  3. Posted by Emily @ Life on Food on
    Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    The past few months were so busy it is hard to believe a new year started.
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Thursday, January 9th, 2014
      I know right Emily?
  4. Posted by Lori @ RecipeGirl on
    Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    I would love to wake up to the smell of this in my kitchen!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Thursday, January 9th, 2014
      Thank you Lori!!
  5. Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    I am afraid to set out big goals because I fear the failure too :( I hope 2014 will bring you lots of joy and success.
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Thursday, January 9th, 2014
      I hope it does the same for you Dixya!
  6. Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    I can definitely relate to this post in so many ways. Fear keeps me from accomplishing a lot of goals. I don't give myself nearly enough credit as I deserve. I hope you find yourself in 2014. This recipe looks wonderful. Sharing.
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      yay! And thank you.
  7. Posted by Kathryn on
    Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    I totally get where you're coming from - it's so easy sometimes to let things stay dreams and not try to turn them into reality and risk failure. So excited to see what this year has in store for you though - I think it's going to be wonderful xo
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      Thank you Kathryn!! :)
  8. Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    I totally get what you are saying. I for one have decided to pretty much do away with goals. Either they end up stressing me out or the universe seems to have other plans for me. Not only do I have a fear of failure, but a fear of success too. I've decided to just focus all my energy on the present and seek to live each day to the fullest.
    These overnight oats look seriously delicious. Blueberries are my fav!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      That's a great idea!! Blueberries are my favorite too :)
  9. Posted by Danni on
    Thursday, January 9th, 2014
    'If you're worried about the odds then you don't want it bad enough!!"

    Thats what I like to remind myself :)

    When you stop dreaming, you stop living.
    Best of luck!!!!!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      THANK you Dani!!
  10. Posted by Julie @ Table for Two on
    Friday, January 10th, 2014
    The fear is all part of the dream, my friend. Just go for it. I'm positive you can do it. Bite the bullet and do it, girl! I'll be in the corner with a bowl of this!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      Thank you friend :)
  11. Posted by meg on
    Friday, January 10th, 2014
    thank you so much for this post - its beautiful & poignant & I know exactly where you're coming from. Good luck with your goal(s) this year!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      You are WAY too sweet Meg, thank you!
  12. Posted by Julia on
    Friday, January 10th, 2014
    I feel like I was reading my own words with this post and I know exactly how you feel. Fear is definitely a show stopper and puts all sorts of goals on hold. From an outsider's standpoint, it's easy for me to say you have nothing to lose by going to Paris and everyone ever will read your book! But I know being in the driver's seat is hard. Whatever you decide, take a deep breath and baby steps. Let go of the pressure because only then will you be able to see clearly (I'm telling this to myself more than anything). Happy New Year lady. All things will come in time and just remember to be proud of all you have accomplished already. Like these freaking delicious overnight oats...YUM!!! Have a great weekend!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      You are incredible! Thank you Julia!
  13. Saturday, January 11th, 2014
    This looks incredible, and I love that you can make it ahead of time! Such a time saver in the morning to have breakfast ready to go!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Monday, January 13th, 2014
      Totally! I feel like I'll make this every weekend!
  14. Monday, January 13th, 2014
    Wishing you all the courage and motivation you need to tackle that list!! This breakfast is the best way to start off!
  15. Saturday, April 26th, 2014
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