Apple-Pecan Quinoa Oat Breakfast Bake – Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Hello, and welcome to possibly to the one millionth flavor combination of my beloved morning meal — Apple-Pecan Quinoa Oat Breakfast Bake. While it’s a traditional flavor pairing with apples, pecans, raisins, cinnamon, and hints of vanilla, the baked oatmeal base is a bit unique as it co-mingles with the ancient “grain,” quinoa.

apple pecan quinoa oat bake tray meal prep

About 10 years ago, when I discovered that steel cut oats and quinoa cook up to the perfect, soft but slightly toothsome texture in the SAME amount of time, I started making these healthy grain breakfast bakes like an starved and obsessed woman. With every batch, a different combination of flavors (like the last was Pumpkin Peanut Butter Quinoa Oat Bake) – always delicious and great to cook ahead to have a balanced breakfast on had for busy mornings. Continue reading

Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Quinoa Oat Bake | Gluten-free, Lower Carb

‘Tis pumpkin season my friends, fal-la-la-la, it’s almost FALL! Starbucks may take credit for the insanely popular pumpkin spice craze, but I say it all happened back in Mrs. Jenkin’s 5th grade (circa early 70s) class when we made pumpkin muffins for a Thanksgiving feast. I fell instantly in love with the taste of pumpkin paired with the cinnamon, clove and nutmeg spice trifecta – and started making pumpkin spice “everything” henceforth! Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Quinoa Oat Bake is a healthy, hearty breakfast that can be made ahead for busy mornings or entertaining. Great for meal prep. Lots of fiber protein and gluten free. Freezes well for quick breakfasts.

Today, I have incorporated the pumpkin spice mania into another of my passions – breakfast meal prepping! Check out this amazing and nourishing recipe for Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter Quinoa Oat Bake which makes a big batch that can be put up in the freezer in single-servings. Continue reading

Raspberry Beet Overnight Oats

The consolation prize for my boot camp wake up alarm at 4:45 am is that I get to fuel up with a bowl of nourishing, loaded oats. Admittedly, 99 percent of the time, I am too fuzzy-headed and time-strapped to make said bowl of fabulous oats before the sun even rises. That’s why I love to meal prep overnight oats to get a jump start on breakfast.Raspberry Beet Overnight Oats

Check out my Raspberry Beet Overnight Oats recipe – not only is it pretty in pink but it’s a pretty amazingly healthy recipe for any day, even a busy Valentine’s Day breakfast.   Continue reading

Apple Cider Steel Cut Oats for Instant Pot

Apple Cider Steel Cut Oats for Instant Pot are a smart and scrumptious solution to morning meal mayhem. The looming demands of the day should be fueled with a healthy, satiating breakfast – yet the irony is the A.M. time crunch often leads to meal-skipping or making poor food choices. 

A small amount of time meal prepping breakfast for the week, will allow you to nourish yourself properly in the morning and spend the saved time tackling your “to-do” list with more energy.  These steel cut oats, naturally sweetened with apple cider, have been a family favorite this fall – read on to get the recipe!

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Chai Pear Quinoa-Oat Breakfast Bake with Vanilla Ricotta Cream

This post is sponsored by Whole Foods Market 365, however all opinions, ideas, recipes and enthusiasm remain my own!

September is Better Breakfast Month, and I’m all about “making my day” with a healthy, balanced breakfast brimming with good things like whole grains, fruits, and protein.  My Chai Pear Quinoa-Oat Breakfast Bake with Vanilla Ricotta Cream offers all this wholesome goodness and more (did I mention caffeine?), plus the big casserole is perfect for portioning into single serves for freezer meal prep. Chai Pear Quinoa Oat Breakfast Bake with Vanilla Ricotta Cream

Another thing that “makes my day” is shopping at Whole Foods Market 365 (Cedar Park). It’s where I picked up all the fresh, organic ingredients for this make-ahead breakfast recipe. And, it’s also my go-to store to grab ingredients and prepped foods to fuel my active lifestyle filled with running, obstacle course racing, weight lifting, yoga, paddle boarding, being a mom to three boys and more. Continue reading