Capsule Menus and PB&J Overnight Oats

A while back, Shannon Ables from The Simply Luxurious Life, did a post on a Capsule Menu.  While at first I dismissed it, the more that I thought about it, the more that I realized that I did, in fact, already do something very similar.

The idea behind a capsule menu, much like a capsule wardrobe, is to simplify cooking and eating our meals to allow the process to be less stressful, and to lessen the temptation to eat out simply because we haven’t come up with anything to eat.

As a general rule, I eat the same thing for lunch all week long.  I cook something on the weekend that serves as my lunch for the week.  It is divided into containers as soon as it is done cooking so that all I have to do in the morning is grab and go.  While that may seem strange to some, it helps me to get out the door quicker, it helps to control my calorie intake, and it saves me money.

Just as I limit what I’m going to eat for lunch for the week, I also limit my breakfast choices.  I always have packets of instant oatmeal on hand, as well as cereal that I have with Almond Milk.  Lately, however, I have been making overnight oats.

Overnight oats are quick and they are filling.  Now, you do have to be careful, as some can pack a huge amount of calories, so be mindful about what you are putting in. 

Overnight oats work will with y latest obsession too – peanut butter.  I recently discovered PB2 and

my cooking will never be the same.  It’s basically dehydrated or powdered peanut butter.  Not only doesn’t it have the calories of regular peanut butter, it is extremely easy to work with in recipes like overnight oats.

To make my PB&J overnight oats I combine regular oats, PB2 and almond milk, cover and refrigerate overnight.  Then in the morning I add either some jam or some fresh fruit.

PB&J Overnight Oats

½ cup rolled oats

2 Tablespoons PB2

½ cup unsweetened Almond Milk

Jam, Jelly or fresh fruit

1.  Combine oats and PB2 and stir to combine.
2.  Add in Almond Milk and stir until all of the oats are moistened
3.  Cover and refrigerate overnight
4.  To serve top with fruit or jam

Notes: I like to set out my oatmeal about an hour before I’m planning on eating them so that they aren’t too cold.