Now that is just nuts.

What is it about peanut butter and jelly that makes our hearts melt? Is it the nostalgia of a childhood favorite or that perfectly unctuous balance of salty to sweet?

In lieu of beating around the mulberry bush, I think I'll just come right out and say it:

My name is Taryn, and I am hopelessly addicted to PB&J. Emphasis on the PB.

Whether that better half is crunchy, creamy, chocolate-swirled or even speckled with raisins, I simply cannot satiate the craving.

I suppose there are worse things that I could be addicted to. Like, say, crack.

And albeit harmless (nutterbutter, not crack), this obsession harbors its fair share of consequences.

Namely, that three-letter word that'll send girls around the world running for the hills. I mean, literally, running. And no, it's not m-e-n.

I'm talkin' about f-a-t. Ugh. The horrah.

Whoever deemed that a serving size of anything must be limited to two measly tablespoons should be condemned. But the jokester who said that those tablespoons will have 16 grams of fat? Yeah, they should've been chased out of the village like Shrek.

As with any form of substance abuse, I'm advised to consume in "moderation." Don't you hate that word? Especially when used by stick thin celebs who claim to be downing ice cream and burgers in "moderation." Ya ain't foolin' anyone, LeAnn Rimes.

Frankly, when it comes to peanut butter, moderation can kiss my caboose.

However, in the rare occasion that I'm not standing over the counter alternating between spoonfuls of strawberry jam and peanut butter straight out of the jar, I can be found exercising a little self-restraint with a bowl of these satisfying oats.



Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats

Makes 2 Servings

[1/2] cup regular oats

[1] medium banana, mashed

[2] tbsp chia seeds

[1/2] tsp vanilla extract

[1/2] cup water

[1/2] cup almond milk

pinch of salt

Top each serving with:

[2] fresh strawberries, sliced

[1] tsp strawberry jam

[1] tbsp peanut butter

Thoroughly combine oats, mashed banana, chia seeds, vanilla and pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Add water and almond milk, and stir well, eliminating any clumps. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, top it off with chopped strawberries, a dollop of your favorite jam, and a tablespoon... screw it... an ice cream scoop of the good stuff. *I melted my peanut butter first for maximum spreadability.

Delight in this little pot of comfort, but no pointing fingers if the sweet memory of Mom's PB&J sandwich musters an unexplainable compulsion to don your old Power Ranger tee shirt... That one is all you.

You must be Coconut Dreaming

Okay, I'm about to admit something big, here. You ready?

This recipe idea isn't mine. 

Try as I might, I cannot entirely lay claim to this little piece of genius. But Angela Liddon sure can. (Darn her and those innovative baking skills). 

The basic recipe that I'm about to share comes from her phenomenal blog, Oh She Glows. Angela is essentially the Vegan Superwoman, armed with whole grains, bananas, and an oven mitt of gold. Ha, yeah... she's that good. 

Anyways, apparently I've been missing out BIG TIME on this one. While I was sittin' pretty with the Quaker man, a culture of devout Overnight Oaties were capitalizing on the deliciousness of a make-it-ahead breakfast. Without me. 

Sure, I've had my fair share of hearty cereals. But Overnight Oats? Excuse me, what?

In case you were sitting next to me under that damn rock, overnight oats involve zero cooking, complement almost any sweet flavoring, and can be topped with whatever treats your crazy heart desires. They don't require any prep time in the morning, either, so on-the-go breakfasts become almost too easy. Basically, they make packaged oatmeal look like dust in a bag. And you, my friends, deserve much better. 

More specifically, overnight oats are a combination of regular oats, a liquid (like soy milk, almond milk, moo milk, or water), chia seeds, banana, and fun add-ins. I've never worked with chia seeds before, but like Overnight Oats, they're a sort of super health food phenomenon. When added to the mix, they transform your typical oatmeal into a thick, fluffy, and filling cereal that practically doubles in size by morning. Click on that link to learn more.  

You know you want to take a bite. 

When I found Reduced Sugar Maple & Brown Sugar Quaker Oats, I thought I'd hit a gold mine. 

Then I discovered Kashi Go Lean cereal. With 13 grams of protein per serving, I literally thought I was set for life. 

Finally, I settled on Hodgon's Multigrain Oatmeal, and was convinced I'd reached breakfast nirvana. 

And then out of no where, these Vegan Overnight Oats rocked my world. 

Yes, they're cold. Sure, they're vegan. And yeah, they're "healthy." But the fact that you can mix in any flavor (be it coconut, almond, vanilla, or cocoa), then top it with any fruit, nut butters, syrup or chocolate? The possibilities are endless. This is definitely one breakfast that I'll be leaping out of bed for.